(Left) Heat pump block diagram
Future trends and Littelfuse’s role As the demand for sustainable energy solutions grows, the heat pump industry is poised for significant advancements. Littelfuse continues to innovate and develop products that align with future trends including smart technologies with integration of IoT-enabled sensors and controllers for real-time monitoring and optimisation of heat pump systems. In addition, they are developing next-generation semiconductor devices with enhanced efficiency for even greater energy savings and increasing reliability and durability of heat pump systems by introducing advancements in materials and component designs.
Conclusion Power conversion
The rectifier, power factor correction (PFC), and inverter stages make a significant contribution to the overall system efficiency and are critical components of any heat pump. Littelfuse have a range of product solutions which help designers optimise these stages: MOSFET: These devices are essential for efficient power conversion in rectifier and inverter stages. Littelfuse’s HiPerFET MOSFET solutions offer compact, robust and efficient solutions with excellent thermal performance and high-power cycling capability. IGBT: Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors (IGBTs) provide high efficiency and fast switching, crucial for PFC and inverter applications. Littelfuse offer a range of module and discrete package formats, including the second generation X2PT Series boost configuration IGBT module, offering a compact and powerful solution. Gate drivers: These drivers control the switching of MOSFETs and IGBTs, ensuring optimal power conversion and efficiency. Examples such as the LF2136B offer a three-phase gate driver for high voltage high speed applications. Designed for driving N-channel MOSFETs and IGBTs in a half-bridge configuration, the device enables high side switching up to 600V in a bootstrap operation. Rectifier modules: Littelfuse offer integrated rectifier module solutions for efficient power conversion in heat pump systems. Products are available for single and 3-phase systems in industry compatible packages for ease of integration and include devices with direct copper bond ceramic base plates for optimal thermal transfer increasing system performance and reliability.
Auxiliary systems and peripheral protection The auxiliary power supply, fan motor drive, air filter and wireless interface stages require many of the protection and power components already mentioned along with some additional components specific to these applications. These include the following products:
www.cieonline.co.uk
Opto isolators: To provide electrical isolation between the high voltage and low voltage stages of the heat pump system, ensuring safe operation and preventing faults. The LOC11x Series of Linear Optocouplers offer low power consumption, low input to output capacitance, wide bandwidth and 0.01 per cent linearity. Providing galvanic input to output isolation they are ideal for coupling of AC and DC signals in the system. TVS diodes: Littelfuse TVS diodes and arrays protect against transient voltage spikes induced by lightning or other transient voltage events, maintaining the stability and performance of the system. Littelfuse offer one of the industry’s most comprehensive ranges of TVS devices for protecting sensitive circuits such as the power supply, motor drive, wireless interface and input/ output stages. Polymer ESD: Littelfuse polymer ESD devices protect against electrostatic discharge, ensuring the reliability of wireless communication and other input/output system components. Sensors: Littelfuse offer a wide range of temperature, current and magnetic sensors used in heat pump systems. Sensors support predictive maintenance, precise motor control, and improved system diagnostics — all critical for lowering total cost of ownership in commercial and residential systems.
Finally, we must not forget the user interface of the heat pump system, whilst many functions can be monitored and controlled wirelessly via devices such as energy monitors, tablets or smart phones, there is still a need for conventional switches to configure settings and control basic features of the heat pump system. Littelfuse have a strong lineup of switches via their C&K switches portfolio, products include: DIP switches: Allow users and installation engineers to configure system settings easily. Tactile switches: Provide a proven and reliable tactile user interface control and access to maintenance and diagnostics functions of the system.
Components in Electronics May 2025 11
Littelfuse is playing a pivotal role in helping heat pump manufacturers create a more sustainable future. Through innovative products that enhance efficiency, reliability and safety, Littelfuse is empowering the heat pump industry to meet global sustainability goals. As technology continues to evolve, Littelfuse’s commitment to innovation and sustainability ensures that their products will remain at the forefront of the heat pump revolution driving progress towards a greener tomorrow. By partnering with Littelfuse to incorporate advanced circuit protection, power control and sensing solutions into their products, designers can meet sustainability milestones by reducing energy consumption, increasing system reliability and safety and realising environmental benefits.
Discover how Anglia can enhance your next design with innovative component solutions from Littelfuse. Contact us today at
www.anglia-live.com or scan the QR code for an overview of Littelfuse products available from Anglia.
References: 1
Source: Heat Pumps (IEA, 2021), EHPA 2023 Market Report (EHJPA, 2023), internal marketing estimates
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