Quick Takeaways
- STMicroelectronics has added 3A variants to its STGAP3S galvanically isolated gate-driver family.
- The STGAP3S3S is optimized for SiC MOSFETs, while the STGAP3S3IF is intended for IGBT designs.
- The family is described for high-voltage rails up to 1200V in circuits such as inverters, DC/DC converters and power-factor correction stages.
- The source lists drives, pumps, fans, forklifts, charging stations, energy storage and induction heating among typical applications.
Industry Update
Automation.com reported on August 7, 2026 that STMicroelectronics has extended its STGAP3S family of galvanically isolated gate drivers with new 3A devices for circuits that need lower drive current. The article identifies two new options: STGAP3S3S for SiC MOSFETs and STGAP3S3IF for IGBT-based designs.
According to the source, STGAP3S devices work with high-voltage rails up to 1200V in circuits including power-factor correction, power supplies, DC/DC converters and inverters. The report also says the family carries UL 1577 and IEC 60747-17 isolation-related certifications, and describes typical uses that include charging stations, energy-storage systems, solar inverters, industrial electric vehicles such as forklifts, induction heating equipment, drives, pumps and fans.
The new 3A series integrates an active Miller clamp, including the clamping MOSFET. The source says this is intended to prevent unwanted induced turn-on of the power switch, avoid shoot-through currents, save board space and simplify circuit design. The broader STGAP3S family also includes 6A and 10A series for designs that need higher gate-drive current.
Buyer Considerations
For motor-drive and automation-equipment buyers, the update is most relevant when evaluating compact inverter platforms or suppliers that are changing from older IGBT-only designs toward SiC-capable power stages. Gate-driver choices do not define the motor alone, but they influence switching behavior, protection design, board layout and the serviceability of the complete drive.
Engineering teams should confirm whether a supplier's drive architecture uses SiC MOSFETs, IGBTs or another power-switch technology, then check isolation rating, desaturation protection, undervoltage lockout behavior, thermal shutdown signals and evaluation-board support. These details matter in pump, fan, forklift, energy-storage and charging applications where voltage transients and fault handling can affect uptime.
Sourcing teams should treat the announcement as a component-level signal, not a finished motor-drive specification. Before changing an approved drive, ask the drive manufacturer for complete electrical ratings, compliance documentation, thermal limits, firmware behavior, production availability and lifecycle support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this update mean motor buyers should switch drive suppliers?
Not by itself. It gives drive designers another gate-driver option, while buyers should still evaluate the complete drive, motor match, protection behavior, certifications and supplier support.
Which motor-drive applications could be affected?
The source lists drives, pumps, fans, industrial forklifts, charging stations, energy storage, solar inverters and induction heating equipment as typical application areas for the gate-driver family.
What should engineers ask when reviewing a drive that uses these devices?
Ask which power switches are used, how isolation and short-circuit protection are implemented, what fault diagnostics are exposed, and whether the supplier has validated thermal performance in the target enclosure.
Source
This article summarizes publicly available source information. Confirm technical details, pricing and compliance requirements with the original source before making purchasing decisions.
Source date: 2026-08-10