Page 26 - PEN eBook October2023

SEMICONDUTOR

How SiC Can Enable

Next-Gen Solid-State

Circuit Breakers

By Sravan Vanaparthy, senior director of the industrial solutions business unit
for the power solutions group at onsemi

The performance benefits that silicon carbide devices are bringing to electric vehicles and solar

photovoltaic applications are well-known. However, the material advantages of SiC can potentially
be exploited in other applications, and circuit protection has been proposed as one such area. This
article reviews developments in this field, including the merits of mechanical protection versus
solid-state circuit breakers (SSCBs) implemented with different semiconductor devices. We will
also discuss why SiC will become an increasingly attractive option for SSCBs.

PROTECTING ELECTRICAL INFRASTRUCTURE & EQUIPMENT

Electrical transmission and distribution systems and sensitive equipment require protection against
extended overload and transient short-circuit conditions. With electrical systems and EVs using
increasingly higher voltages, the maximum potential fault currents are higher than ever. Protection
against these high-current faults requires ultra-fast AC and DC circuit breakers. While mechanical
circuit breakers have traditionally been the most popular choice for this application, the increasingly

56 OCTOBER 2023 | www.powerelectronicsnews.com