Power conversion product provider Calex Manufacturing Company Inc. has launched the BCA (48S12.3K0BCA), a 3 kW bi-directional non-isolated DC/DC converter. The BCA is compact and light-weight, weighing only 2.86 lb, and features a low-profile design with dimensions measuring 8.67 in x 6.14 in x 1.01 in and an efficiency of 
Source: Calex Manufacturing Company Inc.97%. The packaging and thermal design make the converter ideal for harsh shock and vibration requirements, as well as easy integration with a battery pack.
Standard hybrid electric vehicle architecture typically requires the use of two independent batteries at different voltages, and Calex created the 3 kW bi-directional DC/DC converter in response to these requirements. The BCA charges a low side (12 V) battery during normal operation (buck mode) and charges or assists the high voltage (48 V) battery in emergency situations (boost mode). In the event that the 48 V battery requires charging while in the boost mode, the unit enters into pre-charge mode.
The BCA’s features include a disconnect switch based on a back to-back metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor configuration for the low side (12 V battery), reverse voltage protection, short circuit protection and low standby current for the low side. The baseplate of the enclosure allows for ease of mounting to a chill plate or chassis. The operational baseplate temperature range of the BCA is -40˚ C to 100˚ C.
The BCA uses a controller area network (CAN) 2.0B interface for complete control of the converter, as well as monitoring the LS current and the internal temperature. Additionally, the BCA uses a high speed CAN-Transceiver for communication with the microcontroller.
