Suppliers of SCR, GTO, SCS, MOSFET or other device which can
efficiently switch currents of the order of 10000A at voltages not
exceeding 15V

---

Request for Question Clarification by maniac-ga on 17 Aug 2005 21:01 PDT

Hello Adelaar,

I assume you do NOT want a solution such as
  http://www.kaswitch.com/dia.htm
which is a ganged set of mechanical switches to provide the current
switching like you describe (high current, low voltage). Perhaps this
kind of solution is too slow or noisy?

I also assume you do not want a "one shot" solution either.

It MAY be possible to gang a set of electrical switches (e.g., MOSFET)
but it is not clear that you can get an off the shelf solution for
that.

Please explain the constraints you have a little more fully.

  --Maniac

---

Clarification of Question by adelaar-ga on 18 Aug 2005 00:12 PDT

Thank u Maniac-ga,

I did consider kA-switch earlier but I got no answer. Looking at their
website, it seems that their products are quite large and heavy; they
seem to be aimed at applications where the current is turned on
'permanently' or for a long time.

In my application, I need to have something portable by a robot, so
weight and volume should be as small as possible. Currents of the
oreder of 10kA will be switched on for a fraction of a second,
typicalyy around 200milliseconds, but this will be repeated several
times per minute; time between current pulses is a few seconds; duty
cycles may range from as little as 1% to 10% or so; typical duty cycle
is about 3%, for about 10 current pulses per minute.
I am looking for components to make such a switch myself. Mitsubishi
seems to manufacture SCRs and GTOs that can switch a couple of kA. I
wonder if some supplier has the same (or a module with cooling system)
with higher current ratings. For all of these the voltage rating is
too high; what does that mean about the performance at 10 or 15V?
Adelaar

---

Request for Question Clarification by maniac-ga on 18 Aug 2005 19:00 PDT

Hello Adelaar,

From what you describe, I would rule out the mechanical switches as too slow.

It looks like you have a better lead on components that I could find
at this point. I would not worry about the voltage range too much
(though a test would certainly be something to consider). In what I
have built in the past, the current levels were more critical (e.g., a
full wave rectifier did not work until at least 5% of the rated
current was flowing).

Perhaps another researcher has an approach that would be more
suitable. Good luck with your work.

  --Maniac

---

Clarification of Question by adelaar-ga on 19 Aug 2005 00:43 PDT

Thank you Maniac,
Your last answer actually verifies my own thoughts. It feels good to
have an expert agree with you.

Cheers,
Adelaar

What is your question?

I am looking for:
Suppliers of SCR(thyristors), GTO, SCS(Silicon Controlled Switch),
MOSFET or other device which can efficiently switch currents of the
order of 10000A at voltages not
exceeding 15V.
I can find easily suppliers of the above BUT not for high currents at
low voltage as I need it.
I hope my question is clearer now.

they just use V=IR 
where 
V is the voltage applied.
I is the current supplied.
R is the resistant of the commponent.

from here when current(I)passing through the component is large providing the 
resistant(R) remain constat, the voltage(V) across the component has a small value.