Ultimate Guide to Power Feedthroughs

Terms To Know

• Photon: A particle representing light or another unit of electromagnetic radiation.
• Conductor: Conductors allow energy currents to easily flow through them from one point to another. They do not store or hold energy.
• Insulator: A material through which energy does not easily flow, or does not flow at all.
• Capacitance: Two conductors, joined with an insulator, form a capacitor – where the energy that could flow between the two conductors is stored in the insulator. They charge more quickly than a battery and can release energy all at once.
• Vacuum: A space that is completely empty of matter, through which gases and matter do not exist. Vacuums are also pressureless since they do not contain gases.

What Are Power Feedthroughs

A feedthrough?is a conductor used to carry a signal through an enclosure or printed circuit board and help distribute it properly.

Like any conductor, it has the ability to store an electrical charge, a phenomenon known as capacitance.

Feedthroughs can be divided into two categories: power feedthroughs and instrumentation feedthroughs, and in this post, we are specifically discussing power feedthroughs.

Power feedthroughs?are used to carry either high current or high voltage. Since feedthrough electrical connections may be expected to withstand considerable pressure differences across their length, it was necessary to develop a system that essentially contains the current within a vacuum.

Why Are Power Feedthroughs Important?

In order to deliver electrical currents to specific locations, the electricity must be conveyed through – and to – a specific point. Power feedthroughs act as conduits through which the current flows and is stored until it needs to be released to its destination.

In high-pressure applications, such as aerospace, ultra-high vacuum feed-throughs are required to ensure that the electricity will flow properly to its destination. When there are positive or negatively charged particles on the outside of the vacuum, the particles within the vacuum will be attracted to them, and an energy arc is created.

Types of Power Feedthroughs

Non-Magnetic

The designs have a magnetic permeability rating of less than 1.001. These designs are constructed with titanium weld adaptors and copper conductors. They are sold in a weldable form that can be easily mounted to a titanium Conflat, KF/QF, or ASA type flanges. The copper conductors are rated for over 25 amps per conductor lead. The designs can be used from 1-2 KV per lead. They are 100% leak tested at 1×10 -9 cc/sec He and can be baked out to 450C for your Ultra-High-Application.

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Watercooled

Watercooled power feedthroughs are often used in applications where high temperatures necessitate cooling. This includes high-amperage applications where the cooling allows more amperage to be pushed through the conductor without raising temperatures past specs.

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Power Glove

Power glove feedthroughs allow a quick and easy way to connect. They are paired with power glove connectors which both allow an easy connection, as well as increase the standoff of the feedthrough.

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Amperage

Categorized by amperage, these feedthroughs come in a wide variety of current ratings, mounting options, and conductor types, allowing you to find the exact feedthrough necessary for your application.

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Voltage

Ranging from 500V to 100kV, these feedthroughs allow for a large number of uses; from low voltage signaling applications to high-voltage assemblies.

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