New Industry Products

Power Stack with Extremely Low Inductance DC Link

August 14, 2016 by FTCAP

FTCAP is currently developing a 3-phase power stack in cooperation with Danfoss Silicon Power

FTCAP is currently developing a 3-phase power stack in cooperation with Danfoss Silicon Power. The partners presented a demonstrator unit for the first time at PCIM. The power stack features an extremely low inductance DC link, in addition to efficient Danfoss ShowerPower® cooling. Potential applications are solar inverters, wind turbines and inductive heat generators. 

The 3-phase, 2-level half-bridge power stack supports input voltages from 400 - 575 VAC. It can be used both in a back-to-back application (AC/AC) with 200A/300A and in a parallel configuration (DC/AC) with 400A/600A (6 x 300/450A - 1200V modules). It features a switching frequency of 2 - 12 kHz and a DC link capacity of 4 µF. 

“In this development project we have succeeded in implementing an extremely low inductance DC link,” explains Dr. Thomas Ebel, Managing Director of FTCAP. “That improves the efficiency of the solution and increases the maximum permissible switched voltage.” The innovative ShowerPower® liquid cooling system from Danfoss controls the temperature of both the power module and the capacitors, to guarantee a safe operating temperature at all times. 

The demonstrator is equipped with a FischerLink capacitor module, which supports capacitances of up to 4000 µF and voltages up to 900 VDC, in addition to extremely low inductance. In the patented “FischerLink” concept the capacitors are welded directly onto copper busbars and encapsulated in a shallow trough under vacuum to create a solid component. This space-saving design eliminates the need for a capacitor cover, and the volume capacity can be increased by up to ten percent. In addition, this eliminates a weak spot where diffusion-related humidity can accumulate – therefore substantially increasing the life of the FischerLink modules.

 

About FTCAP

FTCAP Fischer und Tausche Capacitors has more than 70 years of experience in the development and production of capacitors used in diverse industries. The products include both film and electrolytic capacitors and FTCAP is one of the few companies to still manufacture all of its capacitors in Germany. In addition to standard capacitors in small and medium-sized quantities, the Husum-based manufacturer also offers special custom-made products for demanding applications: The company’s experts work in close cooperation with the customer to implement complex custom solutions. Since 2018 FTCAP belongs to the Mersen Group. The merger of the two enterprises will result in substantial growth potentials for both parties. The explicit goal is to offer innovative modules, in which FTCAP capacitors are optimised for use with busbars and heat sinks from Mersen.