TE Circuit Protection's MHP technology now offers intelligent activation

     TE Circuit Protection, a division of TE Connectivity, has announced a new Metal Hybrid PPTC (MHP) device that provides intelligent activation (SA). This HPP-SA device provides a resettable, cost-effective and space-saving alternative to typical protection methods for high-power lithium battery and module applications. These applications include cordless power tools, electric bicycles and light electric vehicles (LeVs), and backup power and energy storage systems (ESS).

     The new HPP-SA device provides overcharge protection for a variety of large-scale multi-cell battery packs and modules, where circuit protection devices are connected to electronic components as part of a precision battery management system. The intelligent activation design of the HPP-SA device is enabled by a third terminal signal line that ensures external activation.

     In a typical application scenario, the chip monitors the temperature, current and voltage of the battery system; Once an anomaly is detected, it turns on the field effect tube (FET) and activates the heating element (PPTC) in the HPP-SA device to heat the bimetal sheet. The contact of the bimetal strip is then disconnected and disconnected from the main power cord. As the first in a planned family of devices, the new HPP-SA50-400-M5 device has a rating of up to 50A/400VDC and is able to withstand 50A current on the main power cord. The device can be activated electronically by a current as low as 3A on the signal line.

     MHP technology uses a hybrid circuit protection method, which connects a bimetal plate protector in parallel with a polymeric positive temperature coefficient (PPTC) device. The resetable MHP technology offers excellent arc suppression characteristics, while also providing a smaller size and thinner form factor than larger DC fuses or other protective devices.

     The HPP-SA device helps reduce design costs because it has the ability to disconnect the main power cord with a low power switch, allowing inexpensive FETs to be installed and used. And because the MHP-SA device is resettable, it is not necessary to set too high a rating for the surge current. In these cases, designers can replace a variety of larger, more costly DC fuses with an HPP-SA device.

     "There are very few protection solutions available for high speed discharge battery applications, and traditional circuit protection technologies are generally too large, complex and/or expensive," said Ty Bowman, global battery market Manager, TE Circuit Protection. "The HPP-SA device provides design advantages in multi-cell battery packs that are not possible with traditional circuit protection methods. "The HPP-SA device provides a robust, returnable overcharge protection solution that gives battery pack designers and manufacturers a way to optimize space, reduce costs, enhance safety, and help meet future battery safety requirements."