At the Applied Power Electronics Conference (APEC), Infineon Technologies introduced a new product family of Solid-State Isolators to achieve faster and more reliable circuit switching with protection features not available in optical-based solid-state relays (SSR). The isolators use coreless transformer technology and support 20 times greater energy transfer with both current and temperature protection contributing to a higher reliability and lower cost of ownership. The new solid-state isolators allow driving the gates of Infineon’s MOS-controlled power transistors OptiMOS and CoolMOS to reduce power dissipation of up to 70 per cent of today’s solid-state relays using SCR (silicon-controlled rectifier) and Triac switches.
Infineon’s solid-state isolators enable custom solid-state relays capable of controlling loads
more than 1000 V and 100 A. Improved performance and reliability make coreless transformer technology ideal for applications in advanced battery management, energy
storage, renewable energy systems, as well as industrial and building automation system
applications. With Infineon’s solid-state isolator drivers, engineers can further improve the
efficiency of electronic and electromechanical systems.
“Implementing coreless transformers in solid-state isolators and relays is truly a game
changer for power engineers; it provides 50 times lower RDS(on) than existing optically
controlled solutions. This enables their use in higher-voltage and higher-power
applications,” said Davide Giacomini, Marketing Director for the Green Industrial Power
Division at Infineon Technologies.
When matched with Infineon’s CoolMOS S7 switch, the isolator drivers enable switching
designs with a much lower resistance compared to optically driven solid-state solutions.
This translates to longer lifespans and lower cost of ownership in system designs. As with
all-solid-state isolators, the devices also offer superior performance compared to electromagnetic relays, including 40 per cent lower turn-on power and increased reliability
due to the elimination of moving parts.
The family of devices is designed to be compatible with Infineon’s broad switching portfolio
including Infineon’s CoolMOS S7, OptiMOSTM and linear FET portfolios.
