On our robot, we have several 1.5kW DC motors (either <350Vdc @ 5A max, or <650Vdc @ 3A max : the PCB I'm designing should accept both options). The command logic is embedded into the motors (isolated logic voltage and communication, which is outside the scope of this question), so no PWM to be done one the DC supply. The speed is controlled through the communication.
NB : the motors have an extra wire for protective earth (connected to the chassis of the motors). Protective earth is isolated (>2000V isolation) from 0Vdc and 600Vdc.
I would like to add a switching mechanism for 3 purposes :
- ensure there is no voltage on the motor connectors when speed is set to 0
- switch off the motors in some emergency/fault conditions (like over-current, emergency stop, communication loss, ...)
- disconnect the motor in case of detected earth leakage in the motor (ie current leakage between chassis and 0Vdc or 600Vdc).
The isolation is measured with a line monitor by applying a +/-50Vdc voltage for 2 seconds between protective earth and either 0Vdc rail or 600Vdc rail. Any measurement bellow 20 Mohms (ie leakage current > 2.5µA) is considered abnormal.
So the isolation/withstanding requirements when off are : -0Vdc rail : <2.5µA leakage between -50V dc and +50Vdc ; withstanding +700Vdc -600Vdc rail : <2.5µA leakage between 600V-50V dc and 600+50Vdc ; withstanding 0Vdc
A simple solution would be an elector-mechanical relay with 2 poles. The problem is that at those voltage ratings, they are HUGE. The smallest I found so far is G7L-2A-X-SI DC12 , which is 52.5 x 35.5 mm.
Without the line isolation measurements going outside the voltage rail, one Mosfet to switch each rail (with isolated driver for the high side) could do the job. But the inverse diode will be an issue when the relative voltage is negative.
Is there any solution more compact than using a big relay as the one I identified?
NB : if needed, one can assume that switching on is always performed at 0A. For switching off, if "frequent" switching under load is allowed (let's say more than 10^4 times during lifetime) it's a plus ; but if needed, I can restrain it to real emergencies, and accept a lifetime of only 20 switching off under load.