Help switching dc voltage up to 300v

Other Hardware Motors, Mechanics, Power and CNC
1

Simple question. How do I switch voltages up to 300V?

Idea is to switch heating elements connected directly to solar panels. No inverters or batteries. I know, relays will burn out, mosfets are usualy for lower voltages and i have no idea how to drive IGBT.

Circuit would work at about 1Hz. Maybe even slower. And power output per single channel would be under 2000W. So max 7 Amps.

Anyone has any advice or can someone direct me to where I can find how to drive IGBT with arduino?

2

Why do you think this is the case?

Here's a bunch of FETs with 300V+ breakdown voltage that will switch 20A+
https://www.mouser.com/c/semiconductors/discrete-semiconductors/transistors/mosfet/?id%20-%20continuous%20drain%20current=10%20A~~210%20A&vds%20-%20drain-source%20breakdown%20voltage=300%20V&active=y&normallystocked=y&rp=semiconductors%2Fdiscrete-semiconductors%2Ftransistors%2Fmosfet|~Id%20-%20Continuous%20Drain%20Current&qty=10

1 Like
3

You need to be careful about isolation as the voltages can kill - look for optically coupled devices or separate the high voltages with some form of isolation

Also check that the solar panels will give the results you expect - load matching , panels ok with slow switching , etc .
Prob far easier to use the normal controller/inverter or make a liquid heating system - tubes on the roof carrying water to rads to give off the heat , or a green house in the sun with fans

4

Hire a professional to design and build the equipment.

2 Likes
5

Yes good point

6

I alredy have similar system. Solar panels are charging 24V battery, there is 2500W inverter powering most of my house, and excess energy that can't be used or packed in battery is sent to regulated heaters in my 500l water heater.

I'm just trying to upgrade it.

If you compare solar collectors ad PV panels:

  • collectors are double the price of PV for same power
  • PV requires 3X larger area
  • you can't switch of solar collector. If energy isn't used, it can overheat and make some serious damage
  • pipes, pumps, heat exchangers and antifrieze are far more expensive compared to few cables, heating elements and "siwches".
  • solar collectors are actualy less efficient in winter than PV (compared to that 3:1 area)
  • solar collectors are heavy and make more stress on your roof
  • PV is easier to install, connect and expand the system
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