Hillcrest's ZVS Technology Reduces Motor Voltage Spikes by Over 90%

Hillcrest Energy Technologies has announced that its zero-voltage-switching (ZVS) inverter technology achieved a more than 90% reduction in motor voltage spikes, compared to conventional silicon carbide inverters. The peer-reviewed results were presented at the IEEE Energy Conversion Congress and Expo (ECCE 2026) in Vancouver. ZVS reduced motor-terminal voltage overshoot from 1.5 per unit to 1.04, and high-frequency electromagnetic interference above 5 MHz was decreased by approximately 25 dB.

Dr. Emanuel Serban from Hillcrest highlighted the commercial implications, noting that SiC semiconductors, while efficient, create high voltage oscillations that can accelerate equipment wear. Hillcrest's ZVS technology addresses this by controlling switching events, mitigating the need for additional filtering and reducing system costs.

The benefits of ZVS are significant in industries with long cable lengths, such as factory automation and electric vehicle systems. The technology also maintains emission reductions regardless of cable length, offering broad application potential.