Unlocking SiC MOSFETs in Variable Frequency Drives While Meeting EMC Standards
August 6, 2024
Harnessing SiC MOSFETs for EMC-Compliant VFDs
SmartD Technologies, a leading innovator in the field of power electronics, is pushing the boundaries of Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) design with its groundbreaking clean power VFD. This state-of-the-art device utilizes Silicon Carbide (SiC) MOSFETs as power component output, replacing the traditionally used Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors (IGBTs).
The Power of SiC MOSFETs
SiC MOSFETs offer several advantages over their IGBT counterparts. They are capable of switching at an impressive 105 KHz, a feat that would be impossible for conventional IGBTs. This high-frequency switching, combined with SmartD’s patented algorithm and embedded filters, allows the VFD to deliver a true sine wave output to the motors. This results in improved motor performance, increased efficiency, and reduced harmonic distortion.
Overcoming EMC Challenges
However, high-frequency switching presents its own set of challenges. One of the most significant is the difficulty in achieving acceptable levels of conducted disturbances, a critical factor in meeting Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) standards.
To overcome this hurdle, SmartD Technologies has ingeniously combined integrated sine-wave-EMI filters with a spread spectrum algorithm. This innovative solution effectively decreases disturbance peaks by more than 20 dB, thereby exceeding the required EMC levels
The Future of Power Electronics
SmartD Technologies’ clean power VFD represents a significant leap forward in power electronics. By harnessing the power of SiC MOSFETs, integrated filters and spread spectrum technology, the company is not only meeting the challenges of high-frequency switching but also setting new standards in motor performance and EMC compliance.
As we look to the future, SmartD Technologies is leading the way in revolutionizing the field of power electronics, delivering solutions that are not only innovative but also practical and efficient. The clean power VFD is a testament to the company’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, driving the industry forward, and paving the way for a more sustainable and efficient future.
This post is also available in: Français
Related Story
The Story of How SmartD Revolutionized Motor Control for the 21st Century
To reinvent the wheel is to attempt to duplicate something that has already been created, most often with superior results. SmartD has not reinvented the Variable Frequency Drive (VFD). They have revolutionized it.
“We kind of did what I tell every startup founder not to do. When I coach startup founders, I always tell them to start with a problem and then find a solution to it. We started with a technology: wide-band gap semiconductors, specifically Gallium Nitride (GaN) and Silicon Carbide (SiC). These are revolutionary semiconductors for power electronics; they can switch much faster with much lower losses [than conventional materials]. And as my co-founders and I were looking at different opportunities, we really felt that we were at an inflection point for these semiconductor materials, so we started looking for applications for them.”
Simon Leblond, CEO of SmartD Technologies Inc.
