A power module’s electrical rating means little if the connection between the module and the rest of the converter cannot carry the current reliably for ten or fifteen years. Terminals are where the datasheet meets the real assembly line, and the choice between press-fit pins, screw terminals and solder pins affects PCB design, production yield, serviceability and long-term reliability.

This article explains how each terminal type works, where it is typically used, and what to check before you commit a design. It is written for engineers selecting IGBT-Module und SiC-Module for inverters, drives and power conversion systems.

Where Each Terminal Type Sits in a Module

Most industrial module packages use more than one terminal type at once. The high-current power terminals (DC+, DC−, phase output) and the low-current auxiliary pins (gate, emitter sense, NTC) have different jobs, so they are often built differently.

Infineon’s EconoDUAL 3 mounting note is a clear example: the power terminals are screw terminals for busbar connection, while the auxiliary terminals are available as either solder-only pins or PressFIT pins (Infineon AN2006-05). PCB-mounted families such as Easy modules offer solder pins alongside standard and high-current PressFIT pins (Infineon AN2023-07).

HIITIO Semi supplies modules in these same industry package families, including Easy 2B/3B, Econo Dual 3, Econo PIM and 62 mm. The exact terminal construction of each part is defined in its datasheet, so it should be confirmed against the datasheet before layout begins.

Press-Fit Pins

A press-fit pin is pressed into a plated through-hole in the PCB without solder. The pin is designed so that its contact zone deforms to form a gas-tight, solderless connection with the hole wall. The relevant general standard is IEC 60352-5, “Solderless connections – Part 5: Press-in connections,” which is cited in both the ZVEI press-fit recommendations and Infineon’s application notes.

What works well

No soldering step. There is no reflow or wave exposure for the module, and the press-in operation is a single mechanical step. Infineon specifies a press-in speed of 25 to 100 mm/min per IEC 60352-5 for EconoDUAL 3.
Repeatable joints. The connection is defined by pin geometry and hole quality rather than by solder wetting.
Limited rework. Infineon states that a PressFIT module can be replaced up to two times, so a PCB can be used three times in total.

What to watch

PCB hole quality is decisive. For Easy modules, Infineon specifies a 1.15 mm drill (minimum 1.12 mm, not milled), 25–50 µm copper in the hole, maximum 15 µm tin, and a final hole diameter of 0.99–1.09 mm. The ZVEI paper notes that the press-fit requirements must be agreed with the PCB manufacturer in advance because they can add cost and effort to board production.
Surface finish matters. ZVEI lists HAL, lead-free HAL and immersion tin as having good slippage properties for press-in.
Pin current is limited by the pin and the board. For Easy modules, Infineon rates a standard PressFIT pin at up to 25 A and a high-current pin at up to 50 A nominal. These figures are specific to that product family and should not be assumed for other packages.
Mechanical loading. Infineon limits the force on each pin to 6 N and total pulling force on the module to 20 N, so the PCB must be supported appropriately.

Screw Terminals

Screw terminals clamp a busbar or cable lug directly onto the module’s power terminal. They are the standard solution where currents are too high for PCB pins, which is why they are common on 62 mm, Econo Dual and larger packages.

What works well

High current paths. A busbar bolted to the terminal avoids routing hundreds of amperes through a PCB.
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What to watch

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What works well

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What to watch

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Key process control	Hole size, copper thickness, finish	Torque, screw class, thread engagement	Soldering temperature and time
Main PCB requirement	Tight hole tolerance agreed with PCB maker	Not PCB-limited (busbar-based)	Standard through-hole spec
Example figure from vendor notes	25 A / 50 A per pin (Infineon Easy, standard / high-current)	M6, 3–6 Nm (Infineon EconoDUAL 3)	260 °C max, 10 s (Infineon)

Some sources quote very low failure-rate figures for press-fit. For example, a Power Systems Design article on Wolfspeed’s WolfPACK modules cites 0.005 FIT for press-fit versus 0.5 FIT for screw and solder connections (The System Design Advantages of PressFIT Pins). That article is vendor-authored and gives no test conditions, so treat it as supporting context rather than a design input.

Choosing the Right Terminal Strategy

In practice, you rarely choose one terminal type for the whole module. The decision is usually made per connection and per package.

Design question	If yes, consider	Reason
Is the phase or DC current in the hundreds of amperes?	Screw power terminals with a busbar	Keeps high current off the PCB
Do you need a solder-free, high-volume PCB assembly?	Press-fit auxiliary pins	Single mechanical step, no solder exposure
Does your factory already run a validated wave/selective solder line?	cURL Too many subrequests by single Worker invocation. To configure this limit, refer to https://developers.cloudflare.com/workers/wrangler/configuration/#limits	No new process qualification
Will modules be replaced in the field?	Screw power terminals; limit press-fit rework to the stated count	Wartungsfreundlichkeit
Is the PCB thick, heavily plated or exotic material?	Check the pin vendor’s hole and finish limits first	Press-fit tolerances are tight

Several checks apply whichever option you choose:

Read the datasheet’s mechanical section for terminal type, torque, hole size and maximum board thickness.
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