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SUPPLIER INTERVIEW: MERSEN
“The automotive industry had
to establish new technologies
almost from scratch to evolve
into the EV market”
Dr Philippe Roussel, VP, global strategic marketing power electronics, Mersen
interconnection solution up to 105°C 221°F
and 130°C 266°F respectively. Furthermore,
MHi-T180 is available for testing purposes for
any SiC-based EV electronics now reaching
180°C 356°F junction temperature (Tj).
Thanks to its recent acquisition of German
company Fischer and Tausche Capacitors,
Mersen is now able to off er EV-compliant
electrolytic or fi lm capacitors, mounted on
a specifi c bus bar, ensuring very low
inductance value and high temperature
capability. According to Roussel, such
sub-assembly is “particularly suited to DC-link
design in 48VDC, 400VDC, or 800VDC
platform inverters and DC-DC converters.”
Moving targets
Looking ahead, he adds, “we see several
parameters impacting our developments and
reshaping our roadmap during the next fi ve
years. The most signifi cant parameters are an
increase in battery voltage, now reaching
800VDC, requesting dedicated highperformance
DC protection that is able to open
the circuit in every possible condition, from
high fault current in the 25kA range, down to
virtually 0-amp fault.”
In addition to this, he mentions silicon
carbide, which he says now features in all EV
segments, at fi rst in DC-DC converters but
now in main powertrain inverters. “This
means we now have to deal with power
modules and discrete chips that operate at very
high junction temperature, up to 180°C Tj, and
very high switching frequency, which can be
10, 20, or even 50kHz. As a result, we will have
to continue to lower the inductance of our
products and further develop specifi c thermal
management solutions.”
And last, but not least, he reveals that
in-wheel integrated inverter motor designs are
There’s a Mersen EV
pack fuses to suit all
requirements
pushing the company’s engineers to develop ultra-compact
devices in order to fi t such compact footprints.
Commenting on other global factors, Roussel suggests
that the EV industry is at the beginning of a learning
curve for both car makers and suppliers, where much is still
to be invented. “The automotive industry had to establish
new technologies from scratch to evolve into the EV market
and now it has to deal with suppliers and Tier 1s with whom
they were not familiar with before. This is a real change for
both parties since we now have to
speak the same language
regarding new and evolving
technologies.”
For Mersen, which historically
specialized in industrial segments,
it has had to implement a new
quality management system
(IATF 16949) in order to comply
with customer requirements in
the automotive industry when it
entered the segment fi ve years ago.
Harmonization is one key aim for the future of the
company and is what Roussel believes will make one
company stand out from another. “Because we off er
cooling, capacitors, bus bar, and fuses (regular and hybrid),
we have the capability of integrating more and more of
these products together in perfect harmony in order to off er
our customers a full package, pre-assembled, specifi cally
designed, and perfectly optimized together. We want to
become a world reference when it comes to EV power
management solutions.
“We have recently showcased high-power-density SiC
and IGBT EV inverter reference designs at APEC, PCIM,
and the Battery Show, demonstrating our integration and
optimization capabilities as we take steps towards fulfi lling
this desire. The message we want to make to all our present
and future customers is clear: we can really help with the
design of power electronics and their related protection, as
we master each and every individual component of which
products consist.”
www.electrichybridvehicletechnology.com // July 2019 // 143
Hybrid DC overcurrent
protection from Mersen’s
Xp Series fuses
Supplier interview Mersen (2)lg.indd 143 03/09/2019 17:43
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