TPT September 2019

I NDUS T RY

Lower losses from efficient SiC transistors WHEREAS some silicon carbide transistors can be less short circuit resilient, EFD Induction uses a type that is just as rugged as IGBTs, but provides higher efficiency and uses less energy. “After extensive research and testing of several silicon carbide transistors, we are confident that our choice is efficient and resilient,” said global sales director of tube and pipe, Peter Runeborg. Mr Runeborg, pointing out that this also makes the welders more eco-friendly. The design of the EFD Induction Weldac with SiC inverter modules always indicates the total efficiency from the mains supply to the welding coil terminal. For a set for one-turn coil with standard busbar, the efficiency has been measured to be 92.4 per cent. “During testing of the transistors, the inverter efficiency was actually measured at 99.3 per cent at full output current,” said Mr Runeborg.

EFD Induction offers a comprehensive range of solutions for the tube and pipe industry. The Weldac high-output, solid- state welders provide efficient welding of stainless steel, aluminium, low-carbon steel and high-strength steel. The easy-to-operate, short-circuit- proof welders come with a five-year warranty on the inverter modules and driver cards. EFD Induction has installed thousands of heating solutions for a wide range of industrial applications, bringing the benefits of induction technology to many manufacturing and service companies.

EFD Induction first introduced silicon carbide transistor technology in 2014 and has now begun using the SiC inverters in its solid-state tube welders. SiC inverters have proven to work efficiently in high-frequency welders. Currently, there are more than 40 EFD Induction units with SiC inverter technology in operation in Asia, Europe and North America, with power sizes ranging from 25 kW up to 1,850 kW/ 300 kHz. “The main reason for changing to SiC transistors in power supplies is improved efficiency, which means lower power losses during operation,” said

EFD Induction Email: eni@efdgroup.net Website: www.efd-induction.com

Peter Runeborg of EFD

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SEPTEMBER 2019