Revolutionizing Circuit Protection: Qorvo 4mΩ SiC JFETs Enable Upgrade of Solid-State Circuit Breakers
Qorvo has introduced a 750V, 4 milliohm (mΩ) silicon carbide (SiC) junction field effect transistor (JFET) product in a compact leadless surface mount (TOLL) package that enables superior circuit breaker design and performance. Click here to learn more .
"We are at the beginning of the next revolution in circuit breaker technology," said Andy Wilson, business development manager at Qorvo . "For solid-state circuit breakers to succeed in the market, they must fit into existing enclosures without heat sinks or forced air cooling. Qorvo's JFETs meet all three requirements of the circuit breaker market: low resistance to reduce heat generation , miniaturization , and ruggedness ."
Qorvo's rugged JFET products provide circuit protection and can shut off high inrush currents during circuit faults. The normally-on nature of the JFET enables seamless integration into systems where the switch must be turned off under fault conditions.
Click here to learn more about Qorvo's new 4mΩ SiC JFET
Solid-state circuit breakers (SSCBs) offer several significant advantages over traditional mechanical circuit breakers.
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Faster operational response . SSCBs can interrupt faults in microseconds, much faster than mechanical circuit breakers that take milliseconds to trip; this fast response helps prevent equipment damage and enhances system stability.
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No arcing . SSCB has no active contacts, eliminating the problem of mechanical circuit breakers causing damage to equipment due to arcing during switching operations.
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Remote controllability . SSCBs can be reset remotely via a wired or wireless connection, whereas mechanical circuit breakers must be reset manually on site.
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Programmable current rating . The current rating of SSCB is programmable and adjustable, whereas the current rating of mechanical circuit breakers is fixed.
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Small size and light weight . SSCBs are more compact and lighter than mechanical circuit breakers, making them ideal for space-constrained applications such as electric vehicles and aircraft.
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Longer life . With no moving parts, SSCBs have a longer life and are not subject to the same wear and tear as mechanical circuit breakers.
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Strong temperature adaptability . SSCB can operate at higher temperatures than mechanical circuit breakers, and its operating temperature can be set as needed.
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Current limiting capability . Some SSCBs have the ability to limit fault current, which is not available in mechanical circuit breakers.
Despite these advantages of SSCBs, their main challenges include higher cost, limited voltage/current ratings, and potential thermal management issues compared to mechanical circuit breakers.
Qorvo's UJ4N075004L8S design offers the industry's lowest on-resistance (R DS(on) ) in a 650V to 750V class of power devices in a standard discrete package. This low R DS(on) significantly reduces heat generation and, combined with the compact TOLL package, enables a solution size that is 40% smaller than similar competing products.
UF3N170400B7S JFET Products
Key features and benefits of Qorvo power devices include:
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The ultra-low on-resistance of 4mΩ is 4 to 10 times lower than comparable silicon-based MOSFETs, SiC MOSFETs, and GaN transistors, thereby improving efficiency and reducing power losses.
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The 750V voltage rating provides significantly enhanced design margin for handling voltage transients, 100 to 150V higher than alternative technologies.
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The TOLL package occupies 30% less board space than the D2PAK package and is half the height, making it ideal for space-constrained applications such as solid-state circuit breakers.
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The industry-leading 0.1°C/W thermal resistance from junction to case enables efficient heat dissipation.
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High current rating; DC current rating of 120A and pulse current up to 588A (0.5ms) at case temperatures up to 144°C, providing strong resistance to transient overloads.
Compared with traditional circuit breakers, Qorvo's SSCBs offer significant advantages , including faster fault interruption (microseconds, compared to milliseconds for mechanical circuit breakers), greater system stability , and effective prevention of equipment damage. In addition, since there is no arcing or moving contacts, wear is eliminated and service life is extended.
Qorvo's 750V 4 milliohm SiC JFET in a TOLL package marks a major advancement in solid-state circuit breaker technology; it delivers superior performance, efficiency and design flexibility compared to traditional mechanical breakers and other semiconductor solutions. The UJ4N075004L8S model is currently available for sampling and will be in full production in the fourth quarter of 2024. More JFET options will also be available, including 5 milliohm products rated at 750V and 8 milliohm models rated at 1,200V, all in a TO-247 package.
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