PRODUCTS & SERVICES
Next-gen circuit protection
and protection f function an EV needs in one unit
A trend was developing
in the electric vehicle (EV)
sector: most of the newest and
most innovative vehicles were
rapidly increasing in current levels,
yet the majority of EV components
available weren’t designed to
accommodate such power loads.
Eaton spotted this trend and,
to address this need, introduced
Breaktor, an advanced circuit
protection solution for EVs that
combines the function of fuses,
pyro switches, and contactors
into a single coordinated device.
Conventional EV systems rely
on fuses and contactors for circuit
due to the lack of robustness of
contactors, unable to protect on
low overloads together with
adequately sized fuses.
Conventional protection has
contradicting design requirements
that create coordination challenges,
which can lead to nuisance-tripping
and significantly reduced reaction
time in short circuits or overloads,
especially in higher-powered battery
electric vehicle (BEV) applications.
With less than 5-millisecond
actuation up to 1,000 volts and
30,000 amps, Breaktor improves
vehicle safety and protects
components from any level of
overcurrent condition more
e ectively than traditional
circuit protection methods.
The circuit protector also has
a consistent reaction time with no
fatigue. It is a new technology that
provides all switching and protection
function in one unit by combining
the contactor structure with DC arc
steering. Breaktor also o ers load
breaking as well as overload and
short-circuit breaking ability.
In the event of a collision, it can
work in tandem with a vehicle’s
safety systems, which allows
Breaktor to quickly disconnect
the high-voltage battery from the
rest of the vehicle for unparalleled
protection and safety in the event
of any overcurrent condition,
including a collision.
It is a self-triggering device,
able to sense a current spike
and interrupt the circuit on top of
external triggering, for improved
safety and reliability. Plus, Breaktor
is resettable – there are no device
replacements required, which
enables reactivation of the device
following a functionality check,
reducing the cost for both the
OEM and consumer, as well as
improving customer satisfaction.
Breaktor provides EV
manufacturers with additional
148 // January 2020 // www.electrichybridvehicletechnology.com
of current direction, which allows
for both charging and driving use
under full electrical load, and it is
available in multiple configurations,
including voltage levels and
multi-pole configurations.
Eaton has produced industrial
circuit breakers and relays for more
than 70 years, so even the highest
vehicle system voltage is still
considered low or medium-voltage
in industrial applications.
Breaktor leverages this industrial
technology and Eaton automotive
expertise to improve performance
and reliability while providing
architecture simplification.
the US, Europe, China and other
Asia-Pacific markets. Eaton’s
high-voltage, fast-acting fuses
are found in nearly half of global
electrified cars, and power
electronics on a leading European
battery-electric vehicle platform.
Breaktor is the latest product
innovation in Eaton’s eMobility
business portfolio, developed
as a result of combining Eaton’s
electrical knowledge with its long
history of vehicle expertise.
A new three-in-one solution offers all the switching
Breaktor is self-triggering and
Eaton’s Breaktor protects
components by offering
5-millisecond actuation up to
1,000 volts and 30,000 amps
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protection. However, as continuous
current requirements increase, this
combination has limitations – mainly
benefits including its current-limiting
feature, which improves system level
protection in the event of a short
circuit. It also functions independent
Eaton has more than 15 years
of expertise in developing hybrid
systems with more than 15,000 HEV
and PHEV systems on the road in
resettable, plus it works with an
EV’s safety systems to disconnect
the battery from the rest of the
vehicle if required
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