Hello everyone,
I am designing a circuit and I need to use a SiC MOSFET as a switch to control a medium to high voltage (1kv to 50kV). However, the available MOSFETs support about 4kV Vdss at most. So, I was wondering:
The options will depend on:
- nature of the signal - DC? AC?
- load current
- how often do you plan to switch?
One of the simplest ways would be a vacuum relay. Even a simpler one would be just a piece of wire that can be disconnected - works fine for certain experiments.
Semiconductor devices can be connected in series, but with a resistor in parallel to each semiconductor device, to equalize the voltages across them, preventing damage to the least-leaking device. That configuration assumes more complex driving circuit, and current leak that might be too high for the application.
Yuli Starodubtsev
Thank you for the response. The application is related to a circuit breaking mechanism, so it involves high DC load current, and the switching speed is a great priority. The switching frequency would not be more than 20 Hz at very most.
If the circuit somehow resets itself (that would be the case with AC, but it can be possible with DC in some cases, depending on the rest of the system), then a thyristor could be a good option. If not, then a series connection of IGBT or MOSFET devices - but "reasonable price" is highly questionable. 50kV and high current is a very rare combination, therefore it should involve unique components. Even testing such a system is not a trivial task. Maybe think of a different system architecture?
To switch 50KV, you will need a device rated 75KV-100KV for reliability. I would use a vacuum device. Call Richardson Electronics, a vacuum tube distributor for assistance. This solution may have a shorter development time than getting a series of devices to behave.
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