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SWITCHING HIGH LOADS ON THE PCB IS BECOMING SIMPLER THAN EVER BEFORE


Panasonic Electric Works explores the idea of “switching high loads on the PCB”, meaning that power loads can be effectively controlled with the usage of smaller relays


A


lot has been said already about downsizing and energy saving, but


how could all this be applied in the circuit board and bring added value to the final customer? During recent years there has been an


impressive development in the field of PCB technology. New multilayer circuit boards, high power connectors and advanced materials are just some of the innovations that have been already introduced. Nowadays it is easier to carry high loads and dissipate the generated heat. In parallel electromechanical relays have been developed dramatically in terms of output density. Despite that the overall volume (in cm3


) is smaller and the


nominal switching capacity has increased significantly (see diagram 1). In other words higher power loads can be effectively controlled with the usage of smaller relays. Panasonic Electric Works is a leading


electronics company in electromechanical switching technology, combining its new sophisticated PCBs with its modern “power relay” portfolio, it introduces the idea of switching high loads on the PCB. Printed circuit board electromechanical relays are used in many cases to control the high load, instead of having other electrically controlled switches installed in cabinets or anywhere else. The relay is no longer used as the component responsible to switch a few amperes in order to control the secondary contactors, but they are now used as the key element for making or breaking of the final load. The relay itself, or in conjunction with other semiconductor components ensures secure electrical isolation and long life performance. Panasonic brings added value to the


customer by combining already existing technology with pioneering products. The new high power Panasonic relays, certified to relevant UL & VDE standards, are able to handle loads up to 120Amp in the HE-PV family and 1000VDC in the HE-V family in ambient temperatures up to 80°C. Many traditional contactors have the


12 MAY 2018 | ELECTRONICS


contact pressure, the winding back of the coil drive by PWM or other methods leads to lower heat generation and lower energy consumption. Furthermore the existence of ventilation in the majority of the cases is not necessary.


ENERGY & COST SAVINGS Having the switching power on the PCB and by using Panasonic power relays, rather than other electrically controlled switches offers considerable savings, both financially and in terms of energy consumption. In most of the cases the control


option of an auxiliary contact for monitoring and feedback purposes, the HE-S relay from Panasonic is able to accommodate this requirement with its two form A + 1 Form B mechanically linked contact configuration.


Figure 1: Panasonic HE-S relay


cabinet is no longer necessary. The advantage in this case is obvious: no wiring, reduced installation expenses, small size, reduced thermal loses, flexibility and one single working point: the Printed Circuit Board, that was almost certainly there to start with. The extended Panasonic portfolio of


“Having the switching power on the PCB and by using Panasonic power relays, rather than other electrically controlled switches offers considerable savings,


both financially and in terms of energy consumption.”


In parallel a galvanic separation of min. In rallel a lva ic sep ratio


3mm along with high creepage/clearance distance guarantees high insulation resistance, high dielectric strength and protection against surge voltages. A mechanical life of min. 1 million operations assures a problem-free service life, while the low contact resistance (in the area of some mΩ) ensures extreme low power dissipation. In combination with the reduced operating power* contributes to equipment energy savings. The new high power PCB


relays have been designed to accommodate coil power reduction from first switch, this results in an initial low contact resistance/high


/ ELECTRONICS


*The operating power is 170mW for Panasonic HE-S relay


*Th ti i


Panasonic Electric Works UK Ltd. www.panasonic-electric-works.co.uk T: 01908 231555


Diagram 1: The relay development over the years


power relays covers many modern requirements and delivers added value to the final customer. In many application areas, such as frequency or solar inverters, battery chargers, automotive charging stations, the switching function has already been moved to the next generation. Switching high loads on PCB has


become more simple than ever before.


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