Efficient DIN rail PSUs

Electrical Power & Protection

June 2005 Electrical Power & Protection

For a long time, the power supply market looked as if only small, detailed technical improvements were possible for DIN rail power supplies. With its new Dimension family of switched mode power supplies, PULS believes it is offering a new generation of devices. The issue of development has a particularly high priority for PULS, specialists for DIN rail switched mode power supplies.

For a given output power, the new PULS Dimension power supply units are up to 60% smaller than what is usual today. This has been achieved through a radical reduction in losses, and an uncompromising thermal design. In spite of active power factor correction (PFC) it has for the first time been possible to achieve a high efficiency in both European and in American power networks. The electrolytic capacitors inside the power unit therefore remain cool, and the device's service life is extended. PULS claims to be the first manufacturer of DIN rail power supplies able to specify a service life of at least 50 000 hours at an ambient temperature of 40°C and full output load for all the devices in the Dimension product family.

"We have no control of the quality of the supply grid. The only thing that can help is an extremely robust input stage in the power unit," explains a senior design engineer at PULS. "We have effectively implemented this in the Dimension by integrating an active transient filter to deal with high-energy transient, offering an extremely wide working range from 60 to 300 V, together with long buffering times." The devices therefore also satisfy the Semi F47 standard.

In response to customers' wishes the PULS engineers have simplified the operation of the Dimension power supply units further. PULS has replaced switches and jumpers by intelligent automation, improving the functionality and safety of the mechanical connections through spring-loaded terminals, developed specifically for the Dimension devices. This means that the power supply unit can be connected within seconds without the need for any tools, and it also ensures a lasting and reliable electrical contact. Through all of these measures PULS has ensured that the operation of DIN rail power supply units is simpler, in spite of the devices' improved functionality.

When necessary, Dimension power supply units can deliver 50% additional power for 4 seconds. This 'bonus power' has been developed on the basis of highly specific practical requirements, and allows the PULS Dimension power supply units to react more flexibly and adaptively to changes in load. In many practical applications the customer can therefore use a 240 W Dimension power supply unit instead of a conventional 480 W unit.

Five devices from the Dimension product family, offering 24 V/3,3 A, 24 V/5 A, 24 V/10 A, 24 V/20 A and 24 V/40 A will be available; the 24 V/3,3 A, 24 V/5 A and 24 V/10 A devices are designed for single-phase operation. The 24 V/20 A and 24 V/40 A devices have a three-phase input. PULS will continue to extend the Dimension product family in the future.

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Electrical Power & Protection

Efficient DIN rail PSUs

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