Comparison of Fast and Reliable Zero-Voltage Detection Topologies

Steffen Beushausen, Jonas Krolzik, Philipp Joebges, Johannes Voss, Rik W. De Doncker, IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications, Vol. 56, July 2020, Pages  5212 - 5221 . doi: 10.1109/TIA.2020.3006817

Abstract

In this work, three different topologies for a zerovoltage detection (ZVD) are introduced and compared. The ZVD is used to detect a zero-voltage condition (ZVC) across a mediumvoltage (MV) switch. This switch can either consist of a single semiconductor device, or of several devices connected in series. Therefore, the ZVD must be able to withstand the same MV as the switch and at the same time be able to measure a low voltage (LV) across the switch with high reliability and accuracy. First, an emitter follower with a MV metal-oxide semiconductor fieldeffect transistor (MOSFET) is introduced as the most trivial ZVD. Second, a current source with Silicon Carbide (SiC) Schottky Barrier Diodes (SBD) to block the MV is introduced. Finally, an emitter-follower cascode using a Silicon (Si) SiC super cascode of a LV MOSFET and several junction field-effect transistors (JFETs) connected in series to block the MV is introduced. The second and third typologies can be scaled easily to any desired blocking voltage. For each topology prototype test results are discussed. Their advantages and the corresponding measurement results, as well as the application of the different topologies in a 5MW dual-active bridge (DAB) converter conclude this work.

DOI: IEEE