Press Releases May 20, 2026 11:00 AM

Vishay Intertechnology Automotive Grade Optocouplers Deliver High Isolation Voltage Ratings and Distance for EVs and Solar Inverters

Vishay launches automotive-grade optocouplers with superior isolation for EV and solar inverter applications

By Avery Klein
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Vishay Intertechnology introduced two new automotive-grade optocouplers, the VOWA617A and VOWA618A, which provide high galvanic isolation and the highest creepage distance in their class, targeting electric vehicle and solar inverter markets. The devices meet stringent automotive and industrial standards, offering improved safety margins and wider operating temperature ranges, enhancing reliability in high-voltage applications such as onboard chargers and battery management systems.

Vishay Intertechnology Automotive Grade Optocouplers Deliver High Isolation Voltage Ratings and Distance for EVs and Solar Inverters
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Key Points

  • Introduction of VOWA617A and VOWA618A optocouplers with high Comparative Tracking Index (CTI) of 600, leading to Material Group 1 insulation rating.
  • Devices offer superior isolation voltages (VIORM of 1500 Vpeak and VIOWM of 1060 VRMS) and extended creepage and clearance distances (≥11 mm), exceeding typical solutions by 38%.
  • Designed for automotive and industrial uses, especially in electric vehicles (EV) and solar inverter systems, supporting wide temperature ranges (-40°C to +125°C) and high junction temperatures (+145°C).

MALVERN, Pa., May 20, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. (NYSE: VSH) today introduced two new Automotive Grade optocouplers with phototransistor output in a widebody package featuring a comparative tracking index (CTI) of 600. Designed to deliver signal transmission with high galvanic isolation for electric vehicles (EV) and solar inverters, the Vishay Semiconductors VOWA617A and VOWA618A provide VIORM of 1500 Vpeak, VIOWM of 1060 VRMS, and external creepage and clearance distances of ≥ 11 mm.

Offering the highest creepage distance in their class, the AEC-Q102 qualified devices released today provide a ≥ 38 % higher safety margin than typical 8 mm solutions, making them ideal for grid-connected on-board chargers (OBC), DC/DC converters, and battery management system (BMS) isolation stages. Exceeding the requirements for reinforced insulation in these high voltage applications, they combine their high VIORM and VIOWM — which represent increases of 6 % and 19 %, respectively, over competing devices — with an isolation voltage of 5300 VRMS and VIOTM of 8000 Vpeak.

The optocouplers each consist of an infrared emitting diode, which is optically coupled to a silicon planar phototransistor detector in a widebody SMD-8 package. While standard solutions typically offer a CTI of 175, the 600 CTI of the VOWA617A and VOWA618A gives them a Material Group 1 rating, the highest insulation group. In addition, their 80 V collector-emitter voltage rating allows more design flexibility.

Compared to consumer-grade solutions that typically feature operating temperatures to +85 °C, the optocouplers operate over a wider -40 °C to +125 °C temperature range, with a junction temperature capability up to +145 °C. RoHS-compliant, halogen-free, and Vishay Green, the devices feature a wide current transfer ratio (CTR) range from 50 % to 600 % at low input currents of 5 mA for the VOWA617A and 1 mA for the VOWA618A.

Samples and production quantities of the new widebody optocouplers are available now, with lead times of eight weeks.

Vishay manufactures one of the world’s largest portfolios of discrete semiconductors and passive electronic components that are essential to innovative designs in the automotive, industrial, computing, consumer, telecommunications, military, aerospace, and medical markets. Serving customers worldwide, Vishay is The DNA of tech.® Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. is a Fortune 1000 Company listed on the NYSE (VSH). More on Vishay at www.Vishay.com.

The DNA of tech® is a registered trademark of Vishay Intertechnology, Inc.

Vishay on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/VishayIntertechnology
Vishay Twitter feed: http://twitter.com/vishayindust

Links to product datasheets:
http://www.vishay.com/ppg?80400  (VOWA617A, VOWA618A)

Link to product photo:
https://flickr.com/photos/vishay/albums/72177720333517113/

For more information please contact:
Vishay Intertechnology
Peter Henrici, +1 408 567-8400
peter.henrici@vishay.com
 or
Redpines
Bob Decker, +1 415 409-0233
bob.decker@redpinesgroup.com


Risks

  • Lead time of eight weeks may impact supply chain and customer delivery schedules amid high demand phases.
  • Market demand variability in EV and renewable energy sectors could affect adoption rates of new components.
  • Competition with other semiconductor manufacturers offering similar isolation components might influence market share and pricing pressure.

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