Original Siemens S120 Inverter/Converter Igd Trigger Board A5E36717803 A5E367178O3

Siemens A5E36717803 | SINAMICS Power Block Repair — IGD2/R4 480V/490A with Dual FS450R12KE3-S1 IGBT Modules

Part Number: A5E36717803

WLX Reference: WLX_999999

Manufacturer: Siemens AG (Germany)

Product Type: SINAMICS Power Block Repair Assembly — IGD2/R4 Drive Control Inverter Board

Overview

The A5E36717803 is the SINAMICS Power Block Repair assembly in the IGD2/R4 series for 480V/490A applications — the next-generation gate driver board and IGBT module set that succeeded the earlier A5E00714562 and A5E00825002 assemblies. Where those earlier power blocks each included a single FS450R12KE3-S1 IGBT module, the A5E36717803 takes the configuration one step further: it includes two FS450R12KE3-S1 IGBT modules, giving this assembly the higher 490A continuous current rating needed for SINAMICS drives in the upper reaches of the 480V chassis power range.

The WLX_999999 designation — visible on the product label alongside the A5E number — is Siemens' internal service engineering reference for this specific power block configuration. WLX-prefixed references identify repair assemblies by their service engineering batch, distinguishing them from market-order product numbers.

The A5E36717803 number is what appears in ordering systems and spare parts databases; the WLX reference is what service engineers use when documenting field repairs and service records.

This assembly is supplied as a complete, matched unit — the IGD2 gate driver board and both IGBT modules arrive together, thermally interface-ready for installation.

The matching of the gate driver board to the specific IGBT modules is not incidental: the gate drive parameters (gate resistor values, output current capability, timing) in the IGD2 board are specifically calibrated for the FS450R12KE3-S1's gate characteristics. 

Separating the assembly and sourcing components individually introduces the risk of gate-drive mismatch that can shorten IGBT life or generate abnormal switching behaviour.

Key Specifications

Dual-IGBT Configuration at 490A

The step from single-IGBT to dual-IGBT configurations is driven by the thermal limits of individual IGBT modules. The FS450R12KE3-S1 carries a rated 450A, but in practice, at the highest continuous output currents and with full carrier frequency operation, the thermal budget of a single module limits the usable current below 490A.

By installing two FS450R12KE3-S1 modules — one for each half of the inverter phase pairs or arranged in a parallel configuration — the A5E36717803 spreads the current and heat between two devices, achieving the higher 490A rating while keeping each module within its safe operating area.

This dual-module design also improves reliability through derating. Each module operates at a lower fraction of its absolute maximum rating, which reduces junction temperature swing during load cycles and extends the module's useful life compared to a single-module design running closer to its limit.

The IGD2 gate driver board in the A5E36717803 is adapted to drive both IGBT modules in synchronisation — both devices in a given inverter phase position receive their gate pulses simultaneously, ensuring balanced current sharing between the two parallel modules.

IGD2/R4 Architecture

The R4 form factor identifies the physical mounting format used across this power range of SINAMICS chassis drives. The IGD2 board mounts directly on the IGBT module assembly and connects to the drive's Control Unit via a standardised interface.

This interface carries the PWM switching commands from the CU to the IGD2, and carries the current measurement and temperature sensor data from the IGD2 back to the CU's closed-loop control algorithms.

The IGD2 board implements hardware-level desaturation protection on each IGBT position. When an IGBT is commanded to turn on, the IGD2 monitors the collector-emitter voltage.

If the voltage fails to drop to the expected saturation level — indicating that the device cannot conduct the commanded current — the IGD2 immediately suppresses all gate pulses. This microsecond-level response prevents the kind of sustained overcurrent that destroys IGBT junctions, acting faster than any software fault response in the Control Unit.

Thermal Interface Material (TIM) Note

The "TIM" suffix sometimes referenced in A5E36717803 service documentation indicates that the assembly is supplied with Thermal Interface Material pre-applied or included. Correct thermal coupling between the IGBT module base plates and the drive heatsink is critical — thermal resistance at this interface directly determines how high the IGBT junction temperature rises during full-load operation.

Missing or incorrectly applied TIM is a common root cause of post-installation IGBT overtemperature alarms (F30022) even when the heatsink itself is well-cooled.

FAQ

Q1: The drive currently has an A5E00714562 power block. Can A5E36717803 be installed directly as a replacement?

The A5E36717803 is the Siemens-designated successor to A5E00714562 and was designed as the field replacement for that assembly. In most SINAMICS G120 and G150 chassis configurations in the applicable power range, it installs in the same position and interfaces the same way.

However, confirm the specific drive's production state and firmware version against Siemens' successor applicability table. 

Some very early production drives may require a firmware update before the newer IGD2 board's electronic identification is correctly recognised by the drive's component management system.

Q2: What does the "WLX_999999" designation on the label mean?

WLX is Siemens' internal service engineering batch reference system for drive repair assemblies. WLX_999999 identifies this particular power block configuration within Siemens' repair parts system.

It is used by Siemens service engineers for repair documentation and service records.

For ordering and spare parts purposes, the A5E36717803 number is the correct reference. The WLX number does not replace the A5E number in any purchasing or inventory context.

Q3: The drive shows F30022 (IGBT overtemperature) within 10 minutes of full-load operation after the A5E36717803 power block was installed. The heatsink is not hot to the touch. What is the most likely cause?

F30022 shortly after installation with a cool heatsink is the classic sign of incorrect or missing thermal interface material between the IGBT module base plates and the heatsink surface.

If TIM was not applied during installation, or was applied unevenly, the thermal resistance from IGBT junction to heatsink is much higher than the drive's thermal model expects. 

The IGBT junction reaches overtemperature before the heatsink body has time to warm significantly.

Remove and re-install the power block with correct TIM application following Siemens' installation procedure.

Q4: The A5E36717803 includes two IGBT modules. If one of the two modules fails in service, can only that module be replaced?

No — replacing a single module while retaining the other changes the matched-pair characteristics of the assembly.

The two FS450R12KE3-S1 modules in the A5E36717803 operate in parallel and must have matched switching characteristics for balanced current sharing. 

When one fails, the complete A5E36717803 assembly should be replaced.

Installing a new IGBT module alongside an aged module with different gate threshold and switching speed characteristics risks unequal current sharing, which can overload the new module or cause timing imbalances.

Q5: This power block is listed as discontinued. Is A5E36717803 still available through any channel?

With the part discontinued by Siemens, the industrial aftermarket is the primary source. Specialist SINAMICS drive repair companies often hold tested power block assemblies from this series.

When sourcing, confirm the WLX reference on the label matches to verify the assembly is the correct configuration, and request documentation showing functional test results before shipping.

Service exchange programmes — where a faulty unit is returned in exchange for a tested replacement — are another option offered by many industrial drive repair specialists.