Infineon and Siemens leverage SiC technology in data centres
By the Numbers
This story carries monetary or market figures such as $6 billion, 50 percent and 2023. They are the kind of detail worth noting up front, then confirming against the original report for exact amounts and scope.
- Market value: $6 billion Market researchers now expect the global SiC device market to surpass $6 billion by 2027, with data centre power supplies and protection forming a new growth frontier.
- Change / rate: 50 percent According to industry assessments, SiC-based protection can be up to 50 percent more efficient in terms of power loss compared to electromechanical equivalents, although specific figures for the SENTRON 3QD2 have not…
- Date / period: 2023 Data centres consumed an estimated 200–250 terawatt-hours of electricity in 2023, and that figure is projected to rise sharply with the growth of AI workloads.
Data centres consumed an estimated 200–250 terawatt-hours of electricity in 2023, and that figure is projected to rise sharply with the growth of AI workloads. Against this backdrop, every percentage point of efficiency improvement in power distribution and protection translates into tangible energy and cost savings. Infineon Technologies and Siemens AG are partnering to address this challenge by integrating silicon carbide (SiC) power modules into next-generation circuit breakers, a move that promises to reshape electrical protection across critical infrastructure.
A Strategic Collaboration for Electrical Protection
The two industrial giants have entered a supplier agreement under which Infineon will provide its advanced SiC power modules for Siemens’ SENTRON 3QD2 semiconductor circuit breakers. These solid-state devices are designed to replace conventional electromechanical protection equipment in data centres, production facilities and battery storage systems. By swapping mechanical contacts for semiconductor switching, the breakers can interrupt fault currents much faster and more precisely, while also reducing energy losses during normal operation. The collaboration builds on Siemens’ expertise in power distribution and Infineon’s leadership in wide-bandgap semiconductors, combining to deliver a solution tailored for environments where uptime and efficiency are paramount.
Silicon Carbide Enhances Efficiency and Power Density
Silicon carbide’s physical properties give it a clear edge over traditional silicon in power applications. Its wider bandgap allows devices to operate at higher voltages and temperatures, while lower on-state resistance slashes conduction losses. When embedded in a circuit breaker, these characteristics translate into lower heat dissipation, so cooling requirements and system footprint shrink. SiC modules also switch far faster than their silicon counterparts, enabling fault clearance in microseconds rather than milliseconds—a capability that limits damage to downstream equipment and improves overall system reliability. According to industry assessments, SiC-based protection can be up to 50 percent more efficient in terms of power loss compared to electromechanical equivalents, although specific figures for the SENTRON 3QD2 have not been disclosed.
SENTRON 3QD2: A Semiconductor-Based Circuit Breaker
Siemens’ SENTRON 3QD2 marks a departure from legacy protection devices that rely on moving parts and arc chutes. Inside, Infineon’s discrete semiconductors form the switching core, eliminating mechanical contacts and the associated wear, arcing and maintenance burden. The semiconductor design also enables integrated monitoring functions—current, voltage and temperature can be tracked in real time, feeding data to building management systems. Such intelligence supports condition-based maintenance and faster root-cause analysis after an event. The breaker’s modular architecture allows it to be configured for different current ratings and voltage levels, making it adaptable to diverse distribution topologies found in modern mission-critical facilities.
Applications Across Data Centres, Production Facilities, and Battery Storage
Each target environment stands to benefit in distinct ways. Data centre operators are under constant pressure to improve power usage effectiveness (PUE), and any reduction in distribution losses directly contributes to that goal. A semiconductor breaker that runs cooler and occupies less space helps maximise the floor area available for servers. Production facilities, particularly those with sensitive automated machinery, require rapid isolation of faults to prevent cascading outages; SiC’s speed offers a tangible improvement over traditional electromechanical protection. In battery storage systems, where high DC currents and the need for bidirectional protection are standard, the fast-switching capability of SiC enables safe and efficient disconnection under both charge and discharge conditions. Siemens has positioned the SENTRON 3QD2 as a versatile platform that can be scaled across these use cases.
Industry Context: The Shift to Wide-Bandgap Semiconductors
The arrival of SiC in electrical protection is part of a broader technology transition. Wide-bandgap materials such as silicon carbide and gallium nitride are steadily displacing silicon in power conversion, driven initially by electric vehicle traction inverters and renewable energy inverters. Market researchers now expect the global SiC device market to surpass $6 billion by 2027, with data centre power supplies and protection forming a new growth frontier. Standards bodies are also adapting: the latest revisions to IEC 60947-2, the international standard for low-voltage circuit breakers, explicitly accommodate solid-state designs, clearing a regulatory path for semiconductor-based protection. On the supply side, Infineon has been expanding its SiC manufacturing capacity, including a new fab in Malaysia, to meet increasing demand across automotive, industrial and infrastructure segments. This capacity ramp is essential for Siemens to source sufficient volumes of the SENTRON 3QD2 modules.
Next Steps and Rollout
Siemens has indicated that the SENTRON 3QD2 will be offered to pilot customers initially, with feedback expected to shape the final commercial release. While no launch date has been fixed, industry observers anticipate that the first units will ship to data centre operators and battery system integrators within the next nine to twelve months. The rollout will likely be accompanied by detailed performance data, including efficiency gains and total cost of ownership comparisons against conventional breakers. Infineon, for its part, will continue to qualify additional SiC module variants to broaden the current and voltage ratings available to Siemens. As the partnership matures, both companies expect to set new benchmarks for protection intelligence and energy efficiency in critical electrical infrastructure.
Why This Matters
The integration of SiC into electrical protection devices marks an expansion of wide-bandgap technology beyond traditional power conversion. By enabling semiconductor circuit breakers, Infineon and Siemens are paving the way for smarter, more efficient power distribution in data centres and industrial plants, potentially reducing downtime and energy waste in an era of escalating electricity demand.
FAQ
Who are the partners in this collaboration?
Infineon Technologies and Siemens AG are working together. Infineon will supply its silicon carbide power modules to Siemens for integration into the SENTRON 3QD2 semiconductor circuit breaker.
What makes silicon carbide superior for circuit breakers?
SiC’s wide bandgap allows for lower on-state resistance, faster switching speeds, and higher thermal tolerance. This results in circuit breakers with lower conduction losses, faster fault interruption, and smaller cooling requirements compared to traditional silicon-based protection devices.
Where will the SENTRON 3QD2 breakers be used?
Siemens is targeting data centres, production facilities, and battery storage systems—environments that demand high reliability, energy efficiency, and compact power distribution solutions.
When will the semiconductor circuit breakers become available?
Siemens has not announced a specific release date, but industry watchers expect initial deployments in pilot projects later this year, with broader commercialisation following successful field trials.