Export, Pennsylvania – Researches at AMI DODUCO presented successful test results of various contact materials in 42 Volt DC applications by Oliver Lutz at the 51st International Relay Conference (IRC) of National Association of Relay Manufactures (NARM), a leading global forum for relay manufactures, users, suppliers and distributors. The IRC Conference was held April 22-24 in Orlando, Florida.

A 42-volt DC-PowerNet is about to be introduced, or at least in discussion for automotive vehicles. The main reason for the conversion from current 12-volt standard to the new 42-volt standard is the extension of electrical functions for safety, economy and comfort concerns. The higher voltage will be required to power a variety of new electrical devices that will replace today’s mechanical devices in valve control, fuel injection, suspension, steering and braking applications. The 42-volt standard will require relays and switches employing newly developed contact material that is suited to higher voltage.

In order to investigate the switching behavior of silver based contact materials under 42 V DC conditions a model switch has been set up. Researchers Volker Behrens, Ph.D., Thomas Honig, Andreas Kraus and Oliver Lutz of AMI DODUCO tested the switching behavior of common and new developed electrical contact materials. Results with silver tin oxide materials having low tin oxide content resulted in an overall satisfactory or even good performance. Silver tin oxide based on doped tin oxide (two weight per cent) was notable for low contact resistance, excellent avoidance of pip/crater formation and good breaking capacity. These results will help guide automotive switch and relay producers as they design switches and relays for the new 42-volt standard.