Series Connection of 10 kA Switches with MOSFETs in Avalanche Mode for Short Circuit of Lithium-Ion Batteries Abusive Tests

Abstract:
CEA is a technological research center dedicated to nuclear and renewable energies. One department is dedicated to Lithium-ion batteries and fuel cells systems for transportation. For Lithium-ion batteries, safety is one of the major issues and CEA has abuse tests platforms for the research actions on this subject. In PCIM 2020 a first 10 kA 60 V switch is presented for short circuit tests of Lithium-ion modules. For new tests, higher voltages are necessary. Instead of a new development for twice the voltage, this second version consists in an evolution of the first switch to be adapted for series and/or parallel connections to provide a very versatile solution. For higher voltages, two or more 10 kA switches are used in series and for higher current switches are used in parallel or in matrix. Each switch has hundred MOSFETs in parallel and used voltage clamping by avalanche mode of the MOSFETs.