ECPE Guideline 
AQG 324 
Release 02.1/2019 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ECPE Guideline AQG 324 
 
Qualification of Power Modules for Use in Power Electronics  
Converter Units in Motor Vehicles 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Release no.:   
 
Release date: 
 
Contact: 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
02.1/2019 
15.05.2019 
ECPE European Center for Power Electronics e.V. 
Dipl.-Phys. Thomas Harder 
Landgrabenstrasse 94 
90443 Nuremberg, Germany 
Email thomas.harder@ecpe.org 
Phone  (+49) 911 8102 880 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Page 1 of 70 
ECPE Guideline 
AQG 324 
Release 02.1/2019 
 
 
Preface 
This Guideline was prepared by the ECPE Working Group ´Automotive Power Module 
Qualification´  comprising  ECPE  member  companies  active  in  the  automotive  market. 
The  original  version  is  based  on  the  supply  specification  LV  324  which  has  been 
developed by German automotive OEMs together with representatives from the power 
electronics  supplier  industry  in  a  joint  working  group  of  ECPE  and  the  German  ZVEI 
association. 
The industrial standards referenced in this document have consciously been selected in 
the specific versions or release years. This means they represent the technical state of 
the  art  of  the  industry,  which  was  not  prepared  for  automotive  applications,  but  has 
been deemed suitable with regard to automotive applications. In particular, this avoids 
automotive-relevant  details  being  omitted  during  revisions  with  a  focus  on  non-
automotive applications. 
 
The  official  version  of  the  Guideline  released  by  the  ECPE Working  Group  is  a  public 
document available on the ECPE web site (www.ecpe.org). 
 
Legal disclaimer 
 
No liability shall attach to ECPE e.V. or its directors, employees, member organizations 
or  members  of  the  responsible  ECPE  working  group  for  any  personal  injury,  property 
damage  or  other  damage  of  any  nature  whatsoever,  whether  direct  or  indirect,  or  for 
costs  (including  legal  fees)  and  expenses  arising  out  of  the  publication  of,  use  of,  or 
reliance upon, this ECPE Guideline or any other ECPE publications. 
 
ECPE  guidelines  and  publications  are  adopted  without  regard  to  whether  or  not  their 
adoption may involve patents or articles, materials, or processes. By such action ECPE 
does  not  assume  any  liability  to  any  patent  owner,  nor  does  it  assume  any  obligation 
whatever to parties adopting the ECPE guidelines or publications. 
 
 
The ECPE Guideline AQG 324 is owned by ECPE European Center for Power 
Electronics e.V. 
 
 
This ECPE Guideline AQG 324 is licensed under a Creative Commons license  
(license model CC BY ND) - with credit and sharing under the same conditions. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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ECPE Guideline 
AQG 324 
Release 02.1/2019 
 
 
 
Modifications compared to AQG 324 Version V01.05 dated 12.04.2018 (tracking of 
changes) 
Chapter 
Modification (compared to AQG 324 Version V01.05) 
cover page 
- abbreviation ´(PCU)´ removed from title 
- replace ´Version no.´ by ´Release no.´ 
1 
3 
4.1 
4.2 
4.3 
4.4 
4.5 
4.6 
5.1 
6.1.7 
6.1.9 
- add preamble (background and spirit of AQG 324) 
- modifications in scope (for clarification) 
- list of standards updated and complemented, German DIN standards  
  mostly replaced by IEC 
- add a definition of ´Power Electronics Control Unit (PCU)´ in 4.1.1  
  and renumber the following sub-chapters 
- chapter headline modified in ´Abbreviations - general´ 
- table 4.1 headline modified 
- electrical and thermal abbreviations moved to table 4.2 resp. 4.3  
- chapter headline modified in ´Abbreviations - electrical parameters´ 
- table 4.2 headline modified 
- further electrical abbreviations added in table 4.2 (VGE,min , ICE,max ,  
  VGS,min , IDS,max , VR,max , VBR,R , IR,max , Lp , Ri) 
- abbreviations in table 4.2 renamed: VS => VR , IS,leak => IR,leak , PV => PL 
- chapter headline modified in ´Abbreviations - thermal parameters´ 
- table 4.3 headline modified 
- further thermal abbreviations added (Qcool , Rth,j-c , Rth,j-s , Rth,j-a , Rth,j-f) 
- chapter headline modified in ´Abbreviations - humidity´ 
- chapter headline modified in ´Test times´ 
- 1st paragraph modified (automotive maturity of the power semi- 
  conductors used within the module to be shown by a chip technology  
  qualification) 
- sentence in 1st paragraph deleted 
- chapter on breakdown voltage added (new) 
- add ´on module level´ in the 1st sentence of chapter 6.1.9 
6.1.10 
- chapter renumbered (formerly 6.1.9) 
6 
7.3.2 
8.3 
8.4.2 
- footnote e) added in table 6.1 
- correct translation error in short circuit type 2: replace ´at the latest´ by  
  ´at the earliest´ 
- Replace the chapter text by ´Withdrawn for the time being´ 
- caption of figure 8.2 modified: ´Vibration profile, sinusoidal for  
  combustion engine-mounted parts´ 
9.2.2 
- Power Cycling (PCsec): modification in text related to  
 
 
 
 
 
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ECPE Guideline 
AQG 324 
Release 02.1/2019 
 
 
9.3.2 
  IEC 60749-34:2011, section 5: Test procedure 
- table 9.1 modified (incl. footnotes) 
- Power cycling (PCmin): modification in text related to  
  IEC 60749-34:2011, section 5: Test procedure 
- table 9.4 modified (incl. footnotes) 
9.4.2 
- High-temperature storage: footnote in table 9.7 modified 
9.4.3, 9.5.3, 
9.6.3, 9.7.3, 
9.8.3 
- modification of the repeated text block on requirements:  
  The 1st sentence is changed to ´The data sheet parameters …´ and  
  shifted to the end of the paragraph. 
9.5.2 
9.6.1 
9.6.2 
9.7.2 
- Low-temperature storage: footnote in table 9.8 modified 
- HTRB: text modified (e.g. one sentence deleted) 
- HTRB: text modified (e.g. referenced standards added, notes added,  
  last two bullets in ´Failure criterion´ deleted) 
- table 9.9 modified (incl. footnotes) 
- HTGB: text modified (e.g. referenced standard added, last bullet in  
  ´Failure criterion´ deleted) 
- table 9.10 modified (incl. footnotes) 
9.7.2.1 
- headline with chapter number deleted 
9.8.2 
- H3TRB: text modified (e.g. referenced standards added, note added,  
  last bullet in ´Set of data records´ on corrosive gas atmosphere and the  
  following note deleted, last bullets in ´Failure criterion´ deleted) 
- table 9.11 modified (incl. footnotes): introduction of two test variants  
  with 80V and 80% of VCE,max, VDS,max, VR,max. with a footnote  
  ´Recommended for SiC´ for the 80% variant. 
9.8.2.1 
- headline with chapter number deleted 
- last paragraph deleted (drying of DUTs by heating process is not  
  permitted) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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ECPE Guideline 
AQG 324 
Release 02.1/2019 
 
 
Contents 
Scope 
Overview 
 
 
 
 
Referenced standards 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Terms and definitions 
 
 
Definitions 
Abbreviations - general 
 
Abbreviations - electrical parameters  
Abbreviations - thermal parameters   
 
Abbreviations - humidity 
 
Test times 
 
 
Standard tolerances   
Standard values 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 7 
 9 
11 
12 
12 
14 
15 
16 
17 
17 
18 
18 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
19 
General part  
19 
Prerequisites for chip usage in the module 
Technology qualification 
19 
Qualification of special designs (of power el. modules) based on discrete devices 20 
20 
Sampling rates and measured value resolutions 
20 
Design of insulation properties 
21 
 
Interface description   
Physical analysis 
 
 
21 
21 
 
Procedure limitations   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Module test   
 
QM – 01 Module test   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Characterizing module testing   
 
QC-01 Determining parasitic stray inductance (Lp)   
 
QC-02 Determining thermal resistance (Rth value) 
 
QC-03 Determining short-circuit capability 
 
QC-04 Insulation test   
 
 
QC-05 Determining mechanical data  
 
 
Test sequence 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Environmental testing 
Use of generic data 
QE-01 Thermal shock test (TST) 
 
QE-02 Contactability (CO) 
QE-03 Vibration (V) 
 
QE-04 Mechanical shock (MS) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lifetime testing 
Use of generic data 
 
QL-01 Power cycling (PCsec)   
 
QL-02 Power cycle (PCmin) 
QL-03 High-temperature storage (HTS) 
QL-04 Low-temperature storage (LTS) 
QL-05 High-temperature reverse bias (HTRB) 
QL-06 High-temperature gate bias (HTGB)   
QL-07 High-humidity, high-temperature reverse bias (H3TRB) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
22 
22 
26 
26 
26 
29 
32 
34 
35 
36 
36 
36 
38 
38 
44 
46 
46 
46 
51 
56 
57 
58 
60 
61 
 
 
 
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1 
2 
3 
4 
4.1 
4.2 
4.3 
4.4 
4.5 
4.6 
4.7 
4.8 
5 
5.1 
5.2 
5.3 
5.4 
5.5 
5.6 
5.7 
5.8 
6 
6.1 
7 
7.1 
7.2 
7.3 
7.4 
7.5 
7.6 
8 
8.1 
8.2 
8.3 
8.4 
8.5 
9 
9.1 
9.2 
9.3 
9.4 
9.5 
9.6 
9.7 
9.8 
 
 
ECPE Guideline 
AQG 324 
 
Annex A  Test flow chart (normative)   
 
Annex B  Delta qualification matrix (normative) 
Annex C  Documentation of tests (normative) 
Annex D  References (informative) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Annex E  Typical aspects for physical analysis (informative) 
 
 
 
Release 02.1/2019 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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ECPE Guideline 
AQG 324 
Release 02.1/2019 
 
 
1  Scope 
 
Preamble 
The AQG324 represents an industry guideline based on best practices and outstanding 
requirement  engineering  alignment  through  the  automotive  supply  chain  for  power 
electronic  converter  units.  It  also  acts  as  blueprint  for  further  approaches  within  the 
automotive transformation to overcome innovation blocking hurdles and to close gaps in 
product capability or corresponding assurance processes.  
With  the  continuously  increasing  complexity  of  automotive  electronics  systems  it  is 
necessary  to  combine  the  expertise  and  to  standardize  approaches  along  the  whole 
supply chain – different to outdated approaches where the alignment primarily occurred 
within a design hierarchical level, rather than from a complete system perspective.  
Consequently,  a  core  achievement  has  been  and  still  is  to  define  the  same  technical 
language  as  was  only  possible  through  jointly  define  and  tune  terms,  definitions  and 
processes. 
 
This document defines requirements, test conditions and tests for validating properties, 
including  the  lifetime  of  power  electronics  modules  and  equivalent  special  designs 
based on discrete devices, for use in power electronics converter units (PCUs) of motor 
vehicles up to 3.5 t gross vehicle weight 
 
The  described  tests  concern  the module design  as  well  as  the  qualification of devices 
on module level (i.e. the assembly), but not the qualification of semiconductor chips or 
manufacturing processes. 
 
These tests do not replace the qualification tests for complete vehicle PCUs. 
 
The  qualification  requirements  shall  be  extended  or  adapted,  as  necessary,  on  use of 
technologically novel designs. 
 
The  requirements,  test  conditions  and  tests  listed  in  this  document  essentially  refer  to 
power  modules  based  on  Si  power  semiconductors  while  wide  bandgap  power 
semiconductors  (e.g.  SiC  or  GaN)  are  not  yet  fully  covered.  Future  releases  of  this 
guideline  will  address  these  alternative  semiconductor  technologies,  as  well  as  novel 
assembly  and  interconnection  technologies  where  other  failure  mechanisms  become 
important compared to the todays technologies. 
 
The tests listed in this document also apply for validating power module properties when 
using a thermal interface between the power module and the cooling system on PCU-
level,  if  this  interface  is  not  a  part  of  the  module  structure  as  a  result  of  the  design. 
Corresponding  tests  must  be  conducted  on  a  reference  test  setup  recommended  and 
documented by the module manufacturer, and any equivalent/generic test setups must 
be specified and documented. 
 
Note: 
If the thermal interface to the cooling system is implemented in the PCU and not in the 
power  module,  the  module  manufacturer  cannot  validate  this  interface.  However,  the 
module  manufacturer  must  demonstrate 
the  module 
qualification  in  case  of  a  connection  as  per  the  specification  (recommended  reference 
that  his  module  passes 
 
 
 
 
 
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ECPE Guideline 
AQG 324 
Release 02.1/2019 
 
 
test setups). The PCU manufacturer must ensure that the thermal interface selected by 
it complies with the specifications from the module manufacturer. 
 
Example: 
Validation of the thermal interface of power electronics modules, which are applied to a 
heat  sink  using  a  thermal  interface  material  (TIM),  is  considered  through  specified 
reference test setups (including materials) in this document. 
Validation of the thermal interface of power electronics modules with a pin-fin base plate 
located directly in the cooling medium is considered in this document. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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