By Warren Miller, contributing writer
Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. recently unveiled the new LTO 150 , a thick-film power resistor designed to dissipate energy and heat when charging electric or hybrid vehicles — among other applications. The resistor features a clip-mount TO247 package for direct mounting on a heatsink.
The LTO 150 was developed to function as the precharge or discharge resistor for the inverters/converters and on-board chargers used in semi- or fully electric vehicles, although it can also be employed in broader power conversion applications, including industrial and military applications. Operating temperatures can go as high as 175°C while resistance values range from between 0.03 Ω to 1.3 MΩ, while its non-inductive design maintains RoHS compliance.
New resistors may not generate as much excitement as a new battery technology, but creating an efficient EV charging system can be just as important as the battery that it charges. One of the most important elements of EV use, to the driver, is how long you need to wait to “fill up” the car battery. Efficient resistors for implementing inverters and converters can be key parts of a faster charging system.
The LTO 150 greatly diminishes the need for external components to cool the resistor, thereby minimizing functional size, design time, and operational costs. Compared to similar devices in TO247 packages, the LTO 150 provides 70% more power dissipation and a 30% enhancement in energy handling, according to the company. In automotive-specific applications, the device dissipates 150 W at a case temperature of 45°C while offering better pulse-handling capability than its predecessors. The devices are AEC-Q200- and RoHS-compliant.
Samples and larger quantities are currently available. Lead time is 8 to 12 weeks.
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