Sensata Technologies’ New GIGAVAC GV210 Series Contactors Enable Safe and Efficient Operation in Electrification Applications

The GV210 Series from Sensata Technologies’ GIGAVAC brand is ideal for use in high power battery pack applications requiring 150A and below like forklifts, residential energy storage and small electric vehicles.

SWINDON, United Kingdom, June 10, 2020– Sensata Technologies (NYSE:ST), an industrial technology company and a leading provider of sensors, today announced the availability of the new GV210 Series of hermetically sealed, gas-filled contactors, which offer high performance in a compact package for applications carrying 150A and below at 12 to 900 VDC. The series is the latest addition to Sensata’s GIGAVAC brand product line and is suitable as the main contactor for rapidly electrifying applications such as forklifts, home energy storage and small electric vehicles (EVs) as well as the pre-charge contactor in larger battery pack applications such as utility-scale energy storage and large EVs.

The GV210 can efficiently carry up to 150A continuously with low power losses. Capable of high pulse currents for fuse coordination, the contactor is also able to switch loads which enables safe operation. The hermetic seal exceeds IP67 and IP69 and prevents oxidation, allowing for reliable operation in corrosive or wet applications across a long mechanical lifetime of one million cycles. With an intrinsically safe design that is not mounting position sensitive, the GV210 series is suitable for use in a wide variety of installations in hazardous classified operating environments. The ability to switch and carry high currents on modest size conductors makes this series a more capable solution than open air contactors.

Main Contactor Solution for Electrification Applications with Small Battery Packs

At 52mm tall with a 40mm diameter, the compact, gas-filled GV210 contactor weighs less than 200 grams, enabling lightweight and streamlined packaging in often space-restricted equipment. In small Lithium-ion battery packs in the 12VDC to 900VDC range at continuous operating currents up to 150A, the GV210 is ideal as a main contactor on both the positive and negative conductors. This includes applications with continuous power levels in the 3kW to 100kW range such as forklifts, Aerial Work Platforms (AWPs), Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs), golf carts, motorcycles, drones, home energy storage, and small battery pack chargers.

Quality Contactors for Higher Performing Lithium-ion Battery Chargers

As the performance of Lithium-ion batteries increases and cost decreases, more applications are turning to Li-ion batteries, which require higher performing chargers with quality contactors. With its robust hermetic seal and economical design, the GV210 Series is well-suited for these applications where contactors play a critical safety role, such as keeping the plug unenergized when it is not plugged into a compatible battery pack.

Ideal Pre-charge Contactor for Large Battery System Start up

While higher power main contactors, such as GIGAVAC’s higher current GV and GX family products, are required in applications of above 150A, such as in utility-scale energy storage and large electric vehicles, pre-charge contactors are also needed to help the system start-up smoothly without damaging key components. The GV210’s ability to hot switch in order to charge the load’s capacitors and maintain high voltage isolation once startup is complete makes it ideal for use in the pre-charge circuit.

“Due to this series, which helps to complete our contactor portfolio, we can now be a one-stop-shop for customers’ circuit needs across a wide range of battery pack sizes. This in turn simplifies our customers’ design and sourcing processes,” explains John Kluza, Product Marketing Manager at Sensata Technologies.

To view the specification sheet and application note for the GV210 Series of contactors, visit www2.sensata.com/gv210.

About Sensata Technologies

Sensata Technologies is a leading industrial technology company that develops sensors, sensor-based solutions, including controllers and software, and other mission-critical products to create valuable business insights for customers and end users. For more than 100 years, Sensata has provided a wide range of customized, sensor-rich solutions that address complex engineering requirements to help customers solve difficult challenges in the automotive, heavy vehicle & off-road, industrial and aerospace industries. With more than 21,000 employees and operations in 11 countries, Sensata’s solutions help to make products safer, cleaner and more efficient, electrified, and connected. For more information, please visit Sensata’s website at www.sensata.com.