Advantages and challenges of using SiC MOSFETs in a high power density insulated HV/LV DC/DC converter

A safe connection of on-board automotive electric power grids is done by insulating HV/LV DC/DC converters. Latest electric car architectures are operating with 800 V batteries and 48 V power grids. Hence, compact 800 V / 48 V DC/DC converters are necessary. Within the following paper advantages and challenges of using SiC MOSFETs in such applications are discussed. A developed compact prototype with maximum power density of ca. 8 kW/dm(exp 3) and power weight of ca. 3 kW/kg is presented which uses different suggested solutions to manage the named challenges when using SiC MOSFETs.