Issue link: https://resources.mouser.com/i/1518066
C h a p t e r 5 Thanks to the development of Microchip's SiC devices and digital gate drivers, integrating SiC into power designs is easier than ever. Any application that deals with high voltages and high powers (i.e., those exceeding 600 V and 3 kW) can easily integrate Microchip SiC devices to improve efficiencies while reducing the overall size, weight, and cost of power systems. Industries that can take advantage of Microchip's SiC devices include automotive, aerospace, industrial, medical, power grids, transportation, and defense. Of these industries, the EV market is one that can especially benefit from the increased efficiency and reduced size and weight made possible by SiC. The smaller profile of SiC-based power converters reduces the overall size of power systems (such as charging and motor control), and the improved thermal characteristics reduce the size of sinks to remove excess heat. The use of SiC in EVs leads to an increase in overall power efficiency, which contributes to an extended vehicle range and/ or reduction in battery size. Other key applications for SiC include onboard and offboard EV charging (EV supply equipment). With the ever- increasing need for higher EV charging power (currently, 22 kW for Level 2 and 400 kW for Level 3), a higher efficiency reduces both heat generation (losses) and overall carbon dioxide emissions. The positive temperature coefficient, high reliability, and long lifetime of SiC devices also makes them ideal for safety-critical applications, including defense, aerospace, INTEGRATING SiC INTO YOUR NEXT PROJECT SiC devices benefit industrial motors, machinery, energy generation, and even data centers. Thanks to SiC technologies, we have seen a 50% reduction in power losses, reduction in system size and weight, and higher frequency support." Priyanka Yussuf Senior Hardware Design Engineer, Schneider Electric 23 Silicon Carbide Power Solutions