The HCPL-3120 is a high-performance IGBT/MOSFET gate drive optocoupler manufactured by Broadcom (formerly Avago Technologies and Agilent Technologies) . It consists of a GaAsP light-emitting diode (LED) optically coupled to an integrated circuit with a power output stage, providing complete electrical isolation between input and output circuits .

This optocoupler is ideally suited for directly driving power IGBTs and MOSFETs used in motor control inverter applications. The high operating voltage range of the output stage (15V to 30V) provides the gate drive voltages required by power switching devices. The high peak output current of 2.5A makes it capable of directly driving IGBTs rated up to 1200V/100A .

Key design advantages include:

UVLO protection with hysteresis ensures the IGBT/MOSFET is not driven in linear mode (under-saturated) under low voltage conditions
High CMR of 25 kV/µs prevents false triggering in noisy industrial environments
Low VOL (0.5V max) allows the use of a single positive supply (no negative gate bias needed)
Built-in shielding for outstanding noise immunity

The HCPL-3120 is available in multiple package variants:

HCPL-3120: Standard DIP-8 package
HCPL-J312: Higher insulation voltage (VIORM = 1230Vpeak)
HCNW3120: Highest insulation voltage (VIORM = 1414Vpeak) in a wide-body package

Parameters

Parameters	Specifications
Manufacturer	Broadcom / Avago Technologies
Part Number	HCPL-3120
Number of Channels	1
Output Type	Gate Driver (Push-Pull)
Peak Output Current (Max)	2.5A
Peak Output Current (Min)	2.0A
Supply Voltage (Vcc – Vee)	15V to 30V (operating)
Maximum Supply Voltage	35V
Output High Voltage	Vcc – 2.5V (min)
Output Low Voltage (VOL)	0.5V maximum
Supply Current (Icc)	5mA maximum
Input Forward Current (IF)	10mA typical, 25mA absolute max
Peak Input Current	16mA
Switching Speed	500ns maximum
Propagation Delay (tPHL / tPLH)	500ns maximum
Common Mode Rejection (CMR)	25 kV/µs minimum at Vcm = 1500V
Isolation Voltage (HCPL-3120)	3750 Vrms for 1 min (UL)
Operating Temperature	-40°C to +100°C
Storage Temperature	-55°C to +125°C
Package Type	DIP-8 (0.300″, 7.62mm)
Mounting Type	Through Hole
RoHS Compliant	Yes (-xxxE suffix denotes lead-free)

Applications

IGBT and MOSFET gate drive – Direct drive for IGBTs up to 1200V/100A
AC motor drives and brushless DC motor drives – Industrial motor control inverters
Industrial inverters – Variable frequency drives (VFDs)
Switch mode power supplies (SMPS) – Isolated power conversion
Solar inverters – Renewable energy power conversion systems
Electric vehicle (EV) and hybrid vehicle systems – Battery management and motor control
Robotics and industrial automation – Isolated control interfaces
Welding equipment – High-power switching applications

Pin Configuration (8-pin DIP)

Pin	Name	Description
1	NC	No Connection
2	ANODE	LED Anode (Input +)
3	CATHODE	LED Cathode (Input -)
4	NC	No Connection
5	VEE	Negative Supply / Ground
6	VO	Output (Gate Drive)
7	VO	Output (Gate Drive)
8	VCC	Positive Supply (15V-30V)

Note: A 0.1µF bypass capacitor must be connected between pins 5 and 8 .

Important Notes:

The HCPL-3120 is an active, in-production device
For surface-mount applications, refer to HCPL-3120-500E (tape and reel) or HCPL-3120-300E(surface mount)
For lead-free (RoHS compliant) versions, order with -xxxE suffix (e.g., HCPL-3120-000E)