+44 (0)24 7671 8970
More publications     •     Advertise with us     •     Contact us
*/
News Article

Princeton Power unveils 30kW SiC-based converter

Power converter shows 99 percent efficiency and silent 20 kHz operation using proprietary SiC JFETs

Princeton Power Systems - a designer and manufacturer of technology products for energy management, microgrid operations, and electric vehicle charging - has demonstrated for the first time a grid-tied bi-directional power converter intended for commercial use based on a SiC switching technology platform.

The converter operates at 30kW power throughput and 480Vac, using junction field effect transistor (JFET) devices provided by United Silicon Carbide (USCi) and Princeton Power Systems trigger cards integrated in a unique architecture. The converter demonstrated peak efficiency greater than 99 percent and sustained 100 percent power overloads.

"Technology innovation in power conversion has been at the core of our mission since day one," said Ken McCauley, president and CEO of Princeton Power Systems. "This product demonstration shows that SiC technology can play a role in highly-efficient and cost-effective commercial products in the very near future, and we intend to expand its use to higher power levels and ultimately across our product line."

The power stage at the heart of the converter was jointly developed by USCi and Princeton Power, using JFET devices from USCi and triggers and controls developed by Princeton Power Systems. The integrated product was designed and tested at Princeton Power's Nationally Recognised Test Lab in Lawrenceville.

"USCi is at the forefront of designing and delivering active switches based on silicon-carbide. Our JFET and Cascode technology deliver the only standard gate drive SiC switch solution, while having the lowest specific on resistance in the industry. These advantages enable the most cost effective SiC solution in the world," said Chris Dries, president and CEO of USCi. "The demonstration at Princeton Power represents a breakthrough in operating an integrated power block using commercially-available SiC devices."

The specifications for a commercial GTIB-30-SiC converter using SiC technology will include a CEC weighted efficiency of 97.5 percent in a double-conversion bi-directional architecture and will be compatible with advanced batteries over a wide DC voltage range, 208/480 Vac output, and UL-compliant. The companies are planning to introduce a 100 kW SIC-based product in 2016.


×
Search the news archive

To close this popup you can press escape or click the close icon.
Logo
×
Logo
×
Register - Step 1

You may choose to subscribe to the Power Electronics World Magazine, the Power Electronics World Newsletter, or both. You may also request additional information if required, before submitting your application.


Please subscribe me to:

 

You chose the industry type of "Other"

Please enter the industry that you work in:
Please enter the industry that you work in: