TE Connectivity develops new plug-in, compact contactor for hybrids and EVs

TE Connectivity (TE), a world leader in connectivity and sensors, today announced its new EVC 80 main contactor for hybrid and electric vehicles. The product expands the company's portfolio of contactors specifically designed for high-voltage requirements in hybrid, full-electric and fuel cell vehicles, as well as in-vehicle charging systems.

The EVC 80 contactor features a continuous current of up to 80A and a voltage rating of up to 450V, making it suitable as the main contactor in lower current applications and the pre-charge or auxiliary in higher-power batteries. It also provides enhanced safety, protection and high performance from a hermetically-sealed nitrogen gas contact chamber.

Key highlights of the product are:
- Hermetically sealed with nitrogen
- Voltage rating up to 450VDC
- Continuous current up to 80A at -40oC to +85oC
- 50g shock rated at many orientations (energized)
- Dielectric withstand voltage of 2,920Vdc / 1mA of leakage current
- Insulation resistance greater than 1GΩ @ 500V

“As hybrid and electric vehicles continue to gain momentum, we saw a growing demand in the market for a lower amperage, compact conductor,” said Terrance Blackmon, automotive product manager at TE. “We’re excited to add this contactor to our automotive portfolio as it's our first plug-in contactor and boasts the lowest amperage of any of our product offerings, previously held by our EVC 135 contactor (135A).”

Because of its lower amperage, EVC 80 contactor has the capability to be the main contactor in a hybrid electric vehicle as it transfers power from the battery to the car, or an auxiliary unit contactor in a full electric vehicle. Its smaller packaging size allows for more efficient battery disconnect unit (BDU) layouts and optimized heat dissipation.

The EVC 80 contactor is optimised for applications in tight mounting spaces, with overall dimensions of just 50x40x37mm. Designed for OEM bus electrical center applications (BECs), this plug-in contactor is non-polarity sensitive, providing ease of installation for coil power. A shielded outer core design offers enhanced EMC capabilities. The EVC 80 contactor is tested to IEC 6469 standards, says TE Connectivity..