Latest news with #HighEfficiencyContactor
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
ST Unveils High-Efficiency Contactor for Smooth EV Voltage Transition
Sensata Technologies Holding plc (ST) recently introduced High Efficiency Contactor (HEC), a cutting-edge solution designed to simplify voltage transitions from 400V to 800V electric vehicle (EV) architectures while enhancing system reliability, safety and efficiency. EV makers are shifting to 800V systems for faster charging, but most chargers today still use 400V. So, vehicles must work with both systems, creating a key challenge in the EV ecosystem. ST's HEC addresses this issue by enabling seamless battery reconfiguration between 400V and 800V systems, allowing EVs to efficiently interface with both old and new charging standards without compromise. Modern EVs often utilize dual battery packs for increased capacity and modularity. However, this poses challenges such as imbalances due to pack aging, uneven usage, or even failures in one of the packs, which can compromise vehicle performance or immobilize the vehicle entirely. ST's HEC is engineered to independently access and isolate either of the two 400V packs, enabling features like battery balancing and limp-home mode. This selective access functionality boosts battery longevity, enhances reliability in fault scenarios and improves overall vehicle reliability, a significant advantage for both end users and fleet operators. It also takes a hardware-centric safety approach by integrating three high-voltage contactor poles into a patent-pending design with mechanically synchronized contacts. This mechanical interlock ensures that only valid switching configurations are physically possible, eliminating the risk of incorrect switching due to software bugs, welded contacts, or mechanical shock. This creates a safer system that lowers the risk of serious faults and supports top safety and reliability standards. Key Capabilities of ST's HEC The system offers flexible configuration, supporting standard battery setups like Series-800V, Parallel-400V and Open-Isolated, along with single-pack options (A-only / B-only) for battery balancing and limp-home modes. Its inherently safe mechanical design prevents incorrect switching, removing the risk of short circuits. Built for robust performance, it can handle short-circuit events up to 25 kA and withstand mechanical shocks of more than 90g. The compact and lightweight form reduces system components by more than 50%, requiring no extra cooling or special equipment. Additionally, its bi-stable design needs no holding power, and the ultra-low contact resistance (under 50 µΩ) ensures high efficiency by minimizing energy loss and heat. Designed for demanding, safety-focused applications, the HEC handles continuous currents above 1000 A. It includes a built-in ASIL-D compliant position sensor for real-time diagnostics. In addition to enabling 400V/800V battery switching, Sensata's HEC works with Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) setups, Megawatt (MW) charging and the North American Charging Standard (NACS/J3400), making it a flexible and future-ready solution for today's EV and energy systems. As EVs continue to evolve, infrastructure constraints, safety concerns and system inefficiencies have the potential to slow down its adoption. Sensata's HEC is poised to address these barriers, enabling a smooth and safe transition to 800V architectures, extending vehicle reliability and simplifying battery system integration. ST Gains From Strong Portfolio, Macro Woes Persist Sensata boasts a rich portfolio of high-voltage protection and battery management systems. It is also well-positioned with a diverse portfolio of high-value products. This includes a robust ICE portfolio, electrification opportunities for auto and HVOR, and advanced sensing and electrical protection solutions for industrial and aerospace customers. In June 2025, ST's subsidiary, Dynapower, introduced the MV Integrated PowerSkid — a cutting-edge solution designed to simplify and strengthen medium-voltage energy systems across key sectors like renewables, battery energy storage systems, data centers and green hydrogen. Nonetheless, the company is dealing with challenges from global economic uncertainty and changing trade policies. It also highlighted a temporary gap between paying tariffs and recovering those costs, which may negatively impact its quarterly performance. ST's Zacks Rank & Stock Price Performance ST currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). Shares of the company have lost 19% in the past year against the Zacks Instruments – Control industry's growth of 10.2%. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Other Key Picks From the Computer and Technology Space Some better-ranked stocks from the broader technology space are NETGEAR, Inc. (NTGR), Ubiquiti Inc. (UI) and Watts Water Technologies, Inc. (WTS). NTGR sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), while UI and WTS carry a Zacks Rank #2. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. NETGEAR's earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average surprise being 179.12%. In the last reported quarter, NTGR delivered an earnings surprise of 105.71%. Its shares have surged 89.3% in the past year. Ubiquiti earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average surprise being 29.93%. In the last reported quarter, UI delivered an earnings surprise of 61.29%. UI shares have skyrocketed 170.2% over the past year. Watts Water's earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average surprise being 6.57%. In the last reported quarter, WTS delivered an earnings surprise of 11.79%. Its shares have increased 28.1% in the past year. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Sensata Technologies Holding N.V. (ST) : Free Stock Analysis Report NETGEAR, Inc. (NTGR) : Free Stock Analysis Report Watts Water Technologies, Inc. (WTS) : Free Stock Analysis Report Ubiquiti Inc. (UI) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Sensata Technologies Launches High Efficiency Contactor to Enable Seamless 400V/800V EV Charging Compatibility
Sensata's new High Efficiency Contactor (HEC) enables safe and efficient 400V/800V battery reconfiguration, allowing 800V EVs to charge at 400V charge stations without the need for costly boost converter systems. Reduces component count by over 50% compared to traditional battery switching systems, while enhancing safety, efficiency, and system integration. Supports all battery configurations, enabling critical functions that extend battery life and ensure continued drive capability for maximum flexibility and performance. SWINDON, United Kingdom, July 17, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sensata Technologies (NYSE: ST), today announced the launch of its High Efficiency Contactor (HEC), a breakthrough innovation designed to simplify the transition from 400V to 800V electric vehicle (EV) architectures. The HEC enables seamless compatibility with both legacy and next generation charging infrastructure, while delivering superior safety, efficiency, and simplified system integration. As the EV industry accelerates toward 800V systems for faster charging and improved efficiency, compatibility with the existing 400V charging infrastructure remains a critical challenge. Sensata's HEC addresses this by enabling battery reconfiguration between 400V and 800V. In addition to standard 400V/800V switching, the HEC uniquely supports independent access to either of the two 400V battery packs, enabling critical functions like battery balancing and limp-home mode. This capability addresses key challenges in modern 800V EVs, such as pack imbalance due to aging or uneven usage, and loss of drive capability if one pack fails. By allowing selective isolation of each pack, the HEC helps extend battery life, improves reliability, and reduces the risk of stranding in critical situations. The HEC integrates three high-voltage contactor poles into a patent-pending design featuring mechanically synchronized contacts, providing an inherently safe and highly efficient switching mechanism. The design removes the risk of short circuits that can occur in traditional battery switching systems with multiple contactors, which may be caused by software errors, welded contacts, or mechanical shocks, resulting in best-in-class safety and reliability. Energy loss and heat generation are negligible due to its bi-stable design and ultra-low contact resistance (<50μΩ). Key benefits of Sensata's High Efficiency Contactor include: Flexible Configuration: Supports standard battery configurations (Series-800V, Parallel-400V, Open-Isolated) and single-pack selection (A-only / B-only) for battery balancing and limp-home modes. Inherently Safe: Unique mechanical design prevents incorrect switching, eliminating short-circuit risk. Robust Performance: Withstands short-circuit events up to 25 kA and mechanical shocks over 90 g. Compact & Lightweight: Reduces system component count by over 50%; no extra cooling or special equipment required. High Efficiency: Bi-stable design requires no holding power; extremely low contact resistance (less than 50 µΩ) minimizes energy loss and heat generation. Engineered for high-performance and safety-critical applications, the HEC supports continuous currents over 1000 A. Real-time diagnostics are enabled through an integrated ASIL-D compliant position sensor. Beyond 400V/800V battery reconfiguration, Sensata's HEC is also compatible with Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) systems, Megawatt (MW) charging, and the North American Charging Standard (NACS/J3400), making it a versatile solution for modern EV and energy ecosystems. "The launch of the HEC reflects Sensata's commitment to solving real-world electrification challenges with innovative, efficient solutions," said Brian Wilkie, EVP, Vehicle Business at Sensata Technologies. "Our HECs power safer, more efficient vehicles with seamless charging, making EVs more practical and accelerating the adoption of next-generation platforms." Learn more about Sensata's new High Efficiency Contactor (HEC) and explore its full technical capabilities at Discover how Sensata is enabling the shift to next-generation EV architectures. Register for our webinar and hear from our experts as they share insights on overcoming infrastructure challenges and optimizing system performance at About Sensata Technologies Sensata Technologies is a global industrial technology company striving to create a safer, cleaner, more efficient and electrified world. Through its broad portfolio of mission-critical sensors, electrical protection components and sensor-rich solutions, Sensata helps its customers address increasingly complex engineering and operating performance requirements. With more than 18,000 employees and global operations in 14 countries, Sensata serves customers in the automotive, heavy vehicle & off-road, industrial, and aerospace markets. Learn more at and follow Sensata on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Instagram. 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