Silicon Valley startup Pre-Switch has published performance data claiming that its 200 kW CleanWave200 evaluation inverter exceeds 99.3% efficiency at 100 kHz using three discrete SiC MOSFETs per switch location.  The inverter is designed for EVs and renewable energy systems.

CEO Bruce Renouard said, “We are shipping the CleanWave200 evaluation systems to initial customers around the world, and the efficiency data we are making public more than justifies our design goals. Customers could use the Pre-Switch technology with even better MOSFETs and expect to get incremental performance gains, but there is no other approach that even comes close to 99.3% efficiency at 100 kHz with such few, low-cost SIC MOSFETs.”

Pre-Switch says its AI controller analyzes multiple inputs on a cycle-by-cycle basis, making adjustments in real-time to small, forced-resonant transistors. Variations in system temperature, device degradation, changing input voltages and abrupt current swings are all accounted for and optimized within the Pre-Switch AI algorithm.

The published data plots system efficiency for 50-100 kHz switching speeds, input voltages, power output and current output, enabling system designers to compare the Pre-Switch results to their own requirements. Renouard added, “Switching losses using our Pre-Switch technology are effectively zero. If we put that into perspective, an EV with Pre-Switch technology improves inverter efficiencies, producing a pure sine wave output that dramatically improves motor efficiency at low torques where people drive. This will increase range by up to 12%.”

Source: Pre-Switch