• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Electrical Engineering News and Products

Electronics Engineering Resources, Articles, Forums, Tear Down Videos and Technical Electronics How-To's

  • Products / Components
    • Analog ICs
    • Battery Power
    • Connectors
    • Microcontrollers
    • Power Electronics
    • Sensors
    • Test and Measurement
    • Wire / Cable
  • Applications
    • 5G
    • Automotive/Transportation
    • EV Engineering
    • Industrial
    • IoT
    • Medical
    • Telecommunications
    • Wearables
    • Wireless
  • Learn
    • eBooks / Handbooks
    • EE Training Days
    • Tutorials
    • Learning Center
    • Tech Toolboxes
    • Webinars & Digital Events
  • Resources
    • White Papers
    • Design Guide Library
    • Digital Issues
    • Engineering Diversity & Inclusion
    • LEAP Awards
    • Podcasts
    • DesignFast
  • Videos
    • EE Videos and Interviews
    • Teardown Videos
  • EE Forums
    • EDABoard.com
    • Electro-Tech-Online.com
  • Bill’s Blogs
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe

GeneSiC samples multi-kHz, ultra-high-voltage SiC thyristors to US researchers

November 8, 2010 By Medical Design Technology

Performance advantages of the power devices are expected to spur key innovations in utility-scale power electronics hardware to increase the accessibility and exploitation of distributed energy resources (DER). “Until now, multi-kV silicon carbide power devices were not openly available to US researchers to fully exploit the well-known advantages — namely 2–10kHz operating frequencies at 5–15kV ratings — of SiC-based power devices,” says president Dr Ranbir Singh. “GeneSiC has recently completed delivery of many 6.5kV/40A, 6.5kV/60A and 6.5kV/80A thyristors to multiple customers conducting research in renewable energy, army and naval power system applications. SiC devices with these ratings are now being offered more widely.”

SiC-based thyristors offer 10x higher voltage, 100x faster switching frequencies and higher-temperature operation compared with conventional silicon-based thyristors. Targeted research applications include general-purpose medium-voltage power conversion (MVDC), grid-tied solar inverters, wind-power inverters, pulsed power, weapon systems, ignition control, and trigger control.

Ultra-high-voltage (>10kV) SiC device technology will play a revolutionary role in the next-generation utility grid, believes GeneSiC. Thyristor-based SiC devices offer the highest on-state performance for >5kV devices, and are widely applicable to medium-voltage power conversion circuits like fault-current limiters, AC–DC converters, static VAR compensators (SVCs) and series compensators. SiC-based thyristors also offer the best chance of early adoption due to their similarities to conventional power grid elements, adds the firm. Deploying these power semiconductor technologies could provide as much as a 25–30% reduction in electricity consumption through increased efficiencies in the delivery of electrical power.

“It is anticipated that large-scale markets in solid-state electrical sub-stations and wind turbine generators will open up after researchers in the power conversion arena will fully realize the benefits of SiC thyristors,” says Singh. “These first-generation SiC thyristors utilize the lowest demonstrated on-state voltage drop and differential on-resistances ever achieved in SiC thyristors,” he claims.

“We intend to release future generations of SiC thyristors optimized for gate-controlled turn-off capability and >10kV ratings,” Singh says. “As we continue to develop high-temperature ultra-high-voltage packaging solutions, the present 6.5kV thyristors are packaged in modules with fully soldered contacts, limited to 150ºC junction temperatures,” he adds.

GeneSiC says it is committed to developing SiC-based devices for: (a) HV–HF SiC devices for power grid, pulsed power and directed-energy weapons; and (b) high-temperature SiC power devices for aircraft actuators and oil exploration.

SOURCE

SOURCE

You Might Also Like

Filed Under: Components

Primary Sidebar

EE Engineering Training Days

engineering

Featured Contributions

Five challenges for developing next-generation ADAS and autonomous vehicles

Robust design for Variable Frequency Drives and starters

Meeting demand for hidden wearables via Schottky rectifiers

GaN reliability milestones break through the silicon ceiling

From extreme to mainstream: how industrial connectors are evolving to meet today’s harsh demands

More Featured Contributions

EE Tech Toolbox

“ee
Tech Toolbox: 5G Technology
This Tech Toolbox covers the basics of 5G technology plus a story about how engineers designed and built a prototype DSL router mostly from old cellphone parts. Download this first 5G/wired/wireless communications Tech Toolbox to learn more!

EE Learning Center

EE Learning Center
“ee
EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND STAY CONNECTED
Get the latest info on technologies, tools and strategies for EE professionals.
“bills
contribute

R&D World Podcasts

R&D 100 Episode 10
See More >

Sponsored Content

Advanced Embedded Systems Debug with Jitter and Real-Time Eye Analysis

Connectors Enabling the Evolution of AR/VR/MR Devices

Award-Winning Thermal Management for 5G Designs

Making Rugged and Reliable Connections

Omron’s systematic approach to a better PCB connector

Looking for an Excellent Resource on RF & Microwave Power Measurements? Read This eBook

More Sponsored Content >>

RSS Current EDABoard.com discussions

  • DC/VCSNLP's support on set_retention
  • Exporting sensor readings as data...
  • 21V keeps getting shorted to my UART line.
  • STC8G1K08 Clone - Anyone know tools that work
  • How to read eeprom from stc8g1k08A mcu?

RSS Current Electro-Tech-Online.com Discussions

  • using a RTC in SF basic
  • Is AI making embedded software developers more productive?
  • Why can't I breadboard this oscillator?
  • Parts required for a personal project
  • Cataract Lens Options?
Search Millions of Parts from Thousands of Suppliers.

Search Now!
design fast globle

Footer

EE World Online

EE WORLD ONLINE NETWORK

  • 5G Technology World
  • Analog IC Tips
  • Battery Power Tips
  • Connector Tips
  • DesignFast
  • EDABoard Forums
  • Electro-Tech-Online Forums
  • Engineer's Garage
  • EV Engineering
  • Microcontroller Tips
  • Power Electronic Tips
  • Sensor Tips
  • Test and Measurement Tips

EE WORLD ONLINE

  • Subscribe to our newsletter
  • Teardown Videos
  • Advertise with us
  • Contact us
  • About Us

Copyright © 2025 · WTWH Media LLC and its licensors. All rights reserved.
The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media.

Privacy Policy