Power management company Eaton has announced that its eMobility business has introduced a 48V programmable power electronics control unit for electrically heated catalysts that can be used by commercial vehicle manufacturers to meet tightening global emissions regulations.

Rapidly warming up the exhaust aftertreatment catalyst, and keeping it warm during low engine load operation, is essential for optimal performance to reduce harmful nitrogen oxide (NOx) exhaust emissions.

“Commercial vehicle manufacturers face new challenges generating and controlling this level of electrical power for a single-vehicle accessory,” Eaton chief engineer, 48V systems of the Eaton eMobility business Tom Stoltz says.

“Our control unit helps them overcome these challenges and enables electrical integration in meeting future ultra-low nitrogen oxide emissions regulations.”

The air-cooled electric catalyst heater controller is part of Eaton’s broader 48V electrical system portfolio, which contains several technologies that allow manufacturers to integrate 48V architectures in next-generation vehicles. Eaton’s family of electric heater power electronics controllers are being developed for solutions between 2kW and 15kW of power and operate with up to 99% peak efficiency.

The controller is designed to receive power commands from the aftertreatment system, provide soft-start and soft-stop capabilities for assisting in maintaining system voltage control, and diagnostic feedback of the heater element.

“The aftertreatment catalyst heater controller contains all the necessary power electronics to smoothly deliver power to the heater and ensure the vehicle electrical system remains stable during heater operation,” Tom adds.