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Plug-in modules add extra outputs to power supplies
Published:  20 January, 2014

The Japanese automation manufacturer Idec claims to have produced the first industrial power supply that offers a series of optional DC-DC converter modules to provide multiple voltage outputs from a single PSU. The 21mm-wide modules clip onto the side of the PS6R switching power supply to provide a choice of DC voltages, including ±5V, +12V and ±15V.

Idec says that these extra voltages can be used to power functions and components in machines – load cells, for example ­– that need different voltages to main 24V DC supply output. It adds that the design will save space and cut wiring times, thus reducing system costs.

The main supplies are compact – a 120W version is 37mm wide – and operate with efficiencies of 93%, which Idec claims is higher than most rival products. They are also said to be reliable, with an operating temperature range of ­–10 to +70°C.

The supplies are capable of both serial and parallel connections, allowing them to be doubled up to provide outputs of more than 960W. Each PSU has an NPN output to confirm “DC OK”, which can be used to warn controllers if the DC output drops below 80%.

Plug-in modules can add extra output voltages to Idec's PS6R switching power supplies

The PS6R supplies comply with international standards including EN61204-3 (Electromagnetic compatibility Class B), CE marking (LVD & EMCD), and UL, cUL and TUV (EN60950-1, EN50178).