SCHWEIZER presents innovation at PCIM 2017

The SCHWEIZER p² Pack® allowing to embed power electronics semiconductors into the printed circuit board (PCB) is a preferred solution for future high current motor drives. This embedding technology does not only save valuable installation space but offers further system advantages such as: improved conduction losses (RDSon) of the power electronics, improved thermal resistance and thermal impedance (RTH und ZTH) of the system, a low-inductive design, improved switching charcteristics, improved electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) as well as higher reliability.

Schweizer Electronic AG now takes the next integration step by embedding shunts in combination with a half bridge for the first time. Thus the components' thermal dissipation is optimised and further installation space can be saved, which is a considerable technical advantage in today's trend towards miniaturisation. First demonstrators of this innovation will be shown at the SCHWEIZER booth (hall 7, booth 240) on occasion of PCIM, taking place in Nuremberg from May 16 to 18, 2017.

Many power electronics applications, e.g. motors, use shunts for current measurement. A shunt is a low-resistance precision resistor, applied for measuring electric currents. The current passing the shunt triggers a proportional voltage drop, which is measured. Shunts so far have usually been mounted on the PCB. As a consequence, the resulting heat has to be conducted through the substrate PCB first before reaching the cooling system.

Technical details for embedded shunts
Resistance values 0.05 up to 0.1 mΩ
Currents: 0 - 300 A
Voltage drop: 0.5 - 30 mV
 Dissipation: 4.5 - 9 W
Temperature rise: 3 - 5 K
Contact resistance: < 1% of precision resistor.