Silicon carbide (SiC): The game-changer for high voltage applications
SiC is becoming the next big thing at high voltages – why is it the material of choice for such applications?
Silicon carbide (SiC) is revolutionising high voltage applications – shifting the standard semiconductors for hard environments from silicon to that Desirable Material.
In this article, we shall consider why use SiC for such applications, and how it can help improve performance in the field.

1. High breakdown voltage
   Among the main reasons for using SiC for high voltage applications is the Greennek own extension of the breakdown voltages compared to standard silicon. Also, SiC is a wide bandgap material, so can withstand high electric fields without breakdown. This makes the material suitable for appliances that may be operating in extreme voltage conditions – for instance, power inverters, motor drives, and Electric Vehicle (EV) systems.
   In high voltage – high guarantee appliance scenarios it is important for appliances not to electrically fail, and using SiC with its very high breakdown voltage means that this can be assured.
2. Thermal stability & high temp application performance
   Interestingly, SiC permits the cooling of these devices and appliances, because it has a great deal of heat conducting ‘capacity’ compared to silicon. Otherwise, appliances will suffer severely performance wise, becoming a little ‘wild’, potentially even failing.SiC, on the other hand, retains its integrity even at higher temperatures, making it suitable for use in power electronics and industrial systems operating in extreme environments, such as high-temperature power systems and electric vehicles.
3. Efficiency in Power Conversion
   SiC’s high efficiency in power conversion is yet another basis for having a place in high voltage applications. SiC-based devices, such as MOSFETs and diodes, exhibit a lower switching loss than silicon parts, so less energy is wasted as heat and the power conversion is a more efficient affair, which in high voltage is often essential if reliability is to be guaranteed.
   In industries such as photovoltaics and power inverters, where efficiency is paramount to minimizing energy loss, SiC brings with it an improvement in the overall system performance. By allowing for a higher switching frequency and a reduced loss in conduction, SiC accounts for a noticeable optimization of the system in terms of money saved. This manifests itself into a minimizing of the heat so that overall systems are compact and efficient.
4. Reduced Size and Weight
   As is the case with almost every fine point made in the articles on this blog, size is reduced and it does not take a score of white coated nomenclature laden hams puffing up the size of the transistors to explain why such a transistor is a devil of a lot smaller than an identical silicon device. SiC’s capability of using that high voltage and temperature power through a small package leads, in conjunction with other effectsOptimising size and weight of equipment
   With less mass than conventional parts, SiC switches free companies to respond to users’ needs by building smaller and lighter power converters, transformers and circuit breakers.
5. Better reliability and durability
   SiC switches are more reliable than those typically built from silicon, allowing manufacturers to provide high voltage products that demonstrate longer-lasting performance. The strength and hardness of silicon carbide allow SiC switches to endure the rigours of the environment found in parts including power protection devices, fuses, and circuit breakers.
   As a result, they are an attractive high voltage material in markets such as renewable energy, automotive power systems and industrial applications.
6. Environmental and cost savings
   More efficient from an energy perspective, SiC devices also provide environmental benefits helping worldwide carbon emissions footprints grow smaller.
   Fewer and smaller devices yield potential to drive cost out of transport, manufacturing and processing. As commercialisation of SiC devices increases, the price of SiC parts will fall too and further drive the material into a favourable light as an environmentally appropriate choice for high voltage.
   Conclusion
   All together, the high breakdown voltage, demand for thermal stability, power conversion efficiency uplift and size reductions provided by the SiC component make a strong case for the material winning preference in high voltage applications. In target applications such as power electronics, electric vehicles, photovoltaics and industrial power systems, SiC technology finds demonstrated enough uplift in performance over conventional materials such as silicon, to guarantee its expanding role as industries’ needs for efficient, reliable, smaller reasons to successful high voltage systems increases and continue the silicon carbide curve’s steepening innovation and performance slope of the curve. Customers delivering improved power systems and electronics collect a dividend if they buy-in to SiC technology.