This isn’t a broad overview or a theoretical essay. It’s a detailed narrative of a hands-on project — the kind of thing you'd build on your workbench with sweat, solder, and satisfaction.
Project Overview: Induction Heater with IGW50N60T
The idea behind this project is to use the IGW50N60T to switch high current through a series of coils, inducing an electromagnetic field that rapidly heats metal objects. We’ll construct a compact bench-top heater capable of bringing steel to a dull red glow within seconds — all powered by the reliable, rugged performance of the IGW50N60T.Why IGW50N60T?
Before diving into the actual build process, it’s worth explaining why this component was chosen. The IGW50N60T is an N-channel IGBT rated for 600 volts and 75 amps, with low saturation voltage and fast switching times. These features make it ideal for the demands of induction heating, which requires rapid on/off switching and the ability to handle high current pulses efficiently.In practical terms, it means we can use it to dump a lot of energy into a coil quickly, without overheating or losing too much power to waste heat. It’s durable, widely available, and reasonably priced — everything a DIY enthusiast wants.
Design Concept
Our induction heater is designed around a series resonant circuit — again, not diving into formulas or diagrams — just understand this: it’s a loop where alternating current flows through a capacitor and an inductor (our coil), tuned to resonate at a specific frequency. At that frequency, the system is highly efficient, producing strong magnetic fields capable of rapidly heating metals.The heart of the circuit will be two IGW50N60T transistors working in a push-pull configuration. They’ll alternate quickly, driving current back and forth through the work coil. When a metallic object is placed in the coil, eddy currents and magnetic hysteresis cause it to heat up very quickly.
Building the Project
Let’s walk through the build in a way that’s easy to follow and replicate in your own workshop.1. Gathering Materials
You’ll need the following:● 2x IGW50N60T IGBTs
● A large toroidal inductor core
● Litz wire or thick gauge copper wire (for the work coil)
● Capacitors (high-frequency, film types)
● A DC power supply (up to 48V, capable of delivering 15–20A)
● A cooling system (heatsinks, thermal paste, and small fans)
● Insulated mounting hardware
● Snubber diodes, resistors, and gate driver ICs (you won’t code them, just wire them)
● Thick PCB or point-to-point copper-clad board
This project isn't for someone just starting out in electronics — it demands respect for high voltage and proper thermal management. However, with careful handling and planning, it’s well within the reach of an intermediate DIY builder.
2. Constructing the Work Coil
The coil is where the magic happens. It's best to wind it from 8-12 turns of thick copper tubing or Litz wire, forming a spiral about 5–7 cm in diameter. The goal is to have a shape that comfortably surrounds small metal parts, like bolts, screws, or nails.Be sure to secure the coil to an insulating surface, and if you're using copper tubing, water cooling can be integrated into the coil itself — just run chilled water through it using a small pump. This ensures the coil won’t overheat during extended use.
3. Setting Up the Power Stage
Mount your two IGW50N60Ts on individual heatsinks with proper insulation. Use high-quality thermal paste and make sure each IGBT is electrically isolated from its heatsink unless you're using an isolated heatsink design. Connect the emitters to a common ground plane.Each IGBT’s collector will be connected to one end of the primary coil, and the midpoint of the coil goes to the positive terminal of the power supply. This creates a symmetrical push-pull configuration where the current oscillates through the coil.
Between the coil and IGBTs, high-quality capacitors are installed in parallel. These will resonate with the coil and allow for efficient energy transfer. You may need several capacitors in parallel to achieve the desired total capacitance and current capacity.
4. Driver Circuit Setup
To control the gates of the IGW50N60Ts, you’ll need a driver circuit capable of producing alternating square wave signals. You don’t have to build this from scratch — pre-made driver modules for induction heating circuits are available and can be adapted. Just ensure they can deliver enough gate drive current (a few amps) and have proper dead-time control to prevent cross-conduction (both transistors being on at once — a quick way to destroy them).Connect the gate drivers to your IGBTs through small gate resistors and add gate protection diodes or zener clamps if needed. These components help handle voltage spikes and reduce EMI-related switching issues.
5. Cooling System
These IGBTs can dissipate a lot of power if not properly cooled. You’ll want active cooling with fans blowing across your heatsinks, or even a water-cooling system for extreme builds. Keep the IGBTs below 80°C during operation to ensure long life.Also, keep your capacitors and coil cool — forced air can work well for the caps, and as mentioned, liquid cooling is excellent for the coil.
6. Safety and Testing
Before powering on, double-check all connections. Look for shorts, verify gate wiring, and make sure your heatsinks are properly mounted.Start testing at lower voltages, like 12V or 24V, using a bench power supply with current limiting. Place a small steel object in the coil and gradually increase voltage while monitoring temperature and current draw.
If everything is wired correctly, the metal object should start to warm, then glow red within a few seconds at full power. Once you're confident the system is stable, you can operate it at higher voltages like 36V or even 48V for intense heating performance.
What Can You Do with This Induction Heater?
Once your device is running reliably, there are countless applications:● Tool hardening: Quickly heat-treat metal tips or blades.
● Soldering and brazing: Use induction heating to join metal without flame.
● Bearing removal: Loosen press-fit metal components.
● Demonstrations: Show off electromagnetic principles in a classroom or lab setting.
● Metal forging: Heat small parts for reshaping or forging.
● Plastic molding dies: Rapidly pre-heat small molds or dies.
It’s not just functional — it’s incredibly fun to use.
Lessons Learned and Pro Tips
Here are a few things you'll discover along the way:● Coil design matters a lot: A well-formed, tightly-coupled coil heats better and more uniformly.
● Keep a fire extinguisher nearby: Seriously, hot metal and electronics don't always play nice.
● Don't overdrive it: Even the IGW50N60T has limits. Respect them.
● Use proper enclosures: For long-term use, enclose your electronics in a case with ventilation.
● Add sensors if possible: A temperature cutoff or overcurrent indicator could save your circuit.
● Experiment with object size and placement: Some shapes heat better depending on how magnetic fields interact.
Conclusion
The IGW50N60T isn’t just another high-power transistor — it’s a doorway to exciting, real-world applications like induction heating. This DIY project proves that with some planning, care, and experimentation, you can build an incredibly powerful and useful tool using this one central component. It bridges the gap between theory and the glowing red reality of heated metal, showcasing the potential of high-frequency power electronics in your very own workspace.So, next time you're holding an IGBT and wondering what to do with it — think heat. Think induction. Think IGW50N60T.
US 9646 
GB 8202 
CA 6624 
AU 6466 
IE 4062 
BR 2051 
NZ 1808 
SG 1287 
