Manufacturing fast high-voltage solid-state switches and pulsers in silicon and SiC technology up to 200 kV.
Behlke Power Electronics GmbH
Kronberg im Taunus, DE · Königstein im Taunus, DE · Billerica, MA, USNew on Amplifa
About Behlke Power Electronics
Behlke Power Electronics GmbH, based in Kronberg im Taunus (Hesse), develops and manufactures fast high-voltage solid-state switches and high-voltage pulsers based on silicon and SiC power semiconductors. The product range comprises over 700 standard switches and pulsers in modular design for voltages from 1 to 200 kV, peak currents up to 16,000 A and rise times down to 0.8 ns – as individual switches or bridge circuits for AC and DC. Manufacturing takes place in Germany in accordance with MIL- and HIREL-qualified processes featuring automated SMD assembly, dry storage, plasma treatment and vacuum potting. The switch modules are available with various cooling concepts, including water cooling, dielectric direct liquid cooling (DLC), flange cooling and convection cooling; heat sinks are made from copper composites, graphite and ceramics. Applications are found in medical technology, laser technology, plasma generators, mass spectrometry, ion implantation, military technology and scientific research. In addition to standard products, the company offers custom solutions and OEM products, and since 2026 also has its own branch office in the USA.
- Site
- Kronberg im Taunus
- Processes
- Manufacture of fast high-voltage solid-state switches (silicon and SiC technology), up to 200 kV, Electronics manufacturing with automated SMD assembly, component dry storage,, Laser marking of products with technical data, serial number and, Quality assurance: burn-in procedures, climate and thermal cycling tests, serial, Cooling methods for switch modules: water cooling, dielectric direct liquid cooling (DLC),, Custom solutions / modifications, Various cooling concepts (water cooling, dielectric direct liquid cooling), OEM products for medical and military applications
- Materials
- Silicon (power semiconductor), SiC (silicon carbide), Copper, ALN (aluminum nitride ceramic), Graphite, PFPE (dielectric coolant), PFC (dielectric coolant), Silicone oil (dielectric coolant)
- Certificates
- MIL/HIREL-qualified manufacturing processes, Burn-in procedures, Climate/thermal cycling tests, ISO 9001
- Industries
- Science/Research, Medical Technology, Military, Laser Technology, Plasma Applications, Semiconductor/Ion Implantation
- 01
Semiconductor procurement (silicon/SiC)
- 02
Component dry storage and screening
- 03
Automated SMD assembly
- 04
Plasma treatment
- 05
Vacuum potting
- 06
Heat sink/module assembly
- 07
Laser marking
- 08
Burn-in and thermal cycling tests
- 09
Serial inspection by at least two inspectors
- 10
Packaging with serial number and inspection stamp
Materials & Processes
Silicon (power semiconductor)
Base semiconductor technology of the solid-state switches up to 200 kV.
Silicon carbide (SiC)
Technology for switches with very low Rds(on), e.g. HTS 241-15-SiC-GSM.
Copper
Used in heat sinks, cooling flanges and cooling fins of the switch modules.
Aluminum nitride ceramic (ALN)
Ceramic for flange cooling and insulating heat sinks.
Graphite
Material for heat sinks with complex heat dissipation requirements.
PFPE (dielectric coolant)
Dielectric fluid for direct liquid cooling (DLC) of high-voltage modules.
PFC (dielectric coolant)
Alternative dielectric cooling fluid for DLC cooling.
Silicone oil (dielectric coolant)
Dielectric coolant for the PU-2 pump unit.
Sites
Kronberg im Taunus
DEHeadquarters / Production
- Materials
- Silicon, SiC, copper, ALN
- Automated SMD assembly
- Vacuum potting system
- Plasma treatment system
- Climate and thermal cycling test equipment
Königstein im Taunus
DENew factory/laboratory building (approx. 4,000 m² new build + 2,500 m² existing building)
Billerica, MA
USUSA branch office (Behlke Power Electronics LLC)
Products & Components
Inside the production
Industries
Processes & technical limits
| Processes | Tolerance | Max. part | Weight | Lot size | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacture of fast high-voltage solid-state switches (silicon and SiC technology), up to 200 kVAssembly | – | – | – | – | Silicon, SiC (silicon carbide), Copper, Ceramic (ALN) |
| Electronics manufacturing with automated SMD assembly, component dry storage,Assembly | – | – | – | – | – |
| Laser marking of products with technical data, serial number andSurface | – | – | – | – | – |
| Quality assurance: burn-in procedures, climate and thermal cycling tests, serialTesting | – | – | – | – | – |
| Cooling methods for switch modules: water cooling, dielectric direct liquid cooling (DLC),Assembly | – | – | – | – | Copper, ALN (aluminum nitride), Graphite, Ceramic |
5 Anlagen & Maschinen
| Machine | Manufacturer / model | Quantity | Working area | Year built | Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pump unit PU-2 for DLC cooling | Behlke PU-2 | – | – | – | – |
| Automated SMD assembly | – | – | – | – | Kronberg/Königstein, Germany |
| Vacuum potting system (machined vacuum potting) | – | – | – | – | Kronberg/Königstein, Germany |
| Plasma treatment system | – | – | – | – | – |
| Climate and thermal cycling test equipment | – | – | – | – | – |
Additional services
Quality Assurance
The electronics manufacturing follows MIL- and HIREL-qualified processes with dry storage, component screening and traceability. Every product undergoes burn-in, climate and thermal cycling tests as well as serial inspection by at least two quality assurance staff and is marked by laser with a serial number and manufacturing date.
| Evidence | Kronberg im Taunus |
|---|---|
| MIL/HIREL-qualified manufacturing processes | |
| Burn-in procedures | |
| Climate/thermal cycling tests | |
| ISO 9001 |
Company History
- 2025
Receipt of building permit and start of construction (ground-breaking ceremony/time capsule on 7 November 2025) for the new factory in Königstein im Taunus; investment € 25 Mio.
- 2026
Topping-out ceremony of the new building in Königstein on 30 April with ceremonial speech by Junior Principal Jennifer Behlke; official ground-breaking in September 2026, occupancy approximately 18 months after start of construction.