Conventional switching technologies (mechanical or semiconductor switching devices) show several deficits when switching direct voltages above 15 V, like short lifetime of the switching contacts, necessity of erasing facilities or expensive cooling. Therefore, there is a demand for new switching technologies, enabling small sizes of the switching devices as well as high switching accuracy and safety, especially when focussing on automotive or industrial applications.
The Energy Department develops a hybrid switching system, combining the advantages of both technologies: short-circuit strength as well as low waste heat and low losses of the mechanical switches are combined with the high switching accuracy of the semiconductor switches. Therefore, the main features of this hybrid switching device are small physical size, accurate switching without bouncing as well as low contact resistances.
Developments up to now include hybrid switching devices for
- automotive applications for 42V/100A, 300V/120A
- industrial applications up to 100 kA
wolfgang.hribernik@ait.ac.at