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Solid-State, High-Power AC-Circuit Breaker

10 Jun 2026

Speaker: Martin Schulz, Global Principal, Application Engineer, Littelfuse Europe

Battery energy storage systems (BESS) become an inherent part of the supplying grids within the transition to zero emission. As any infrastructure, these precious installations need to be protected from failure events. However, it is in the nature of these systems, that they are more fragile than classical transformers of mechanical switch gear. Therefore, protection systems need to be reviewed carefully to achieve the highest possible level of protection. As a further stage of protection, solid-state AC-switches come to mind, able to disconnect the battery system from the grid much faster than typical fuses do.

The presentation will give a basic insight into protection schemes and detail how bidirectional IGBT-arrangements can be used as AC-Circuit breakers, along with the challenges this new applications introduces.

More about the person

Martin Schulz

Martin Schulz

Global Principal, Application Engineer, Littelfuse Europe

Dr. Martin Schulz joined Littelfuse in February 2021 as Global Principal, Application Engineering. He is responsible for power semiconductors for commercial vehicles, charging infrastructure, energy storage systems and industrial drive technology. He is an expert in packaging and interconnect technology in power semiconductors as well as in thermal management of power semiconductors. Martin Schulz has more than 20 years of experience in the field of power electronics and is a Senior IEEE-Member.

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