Powering Ideas

21 July 2008

Digital advances completely eclipse one another every two years

Moore’s Law describes a trend, whereby the capability of digital electronics doubles approximately every two years. This means that electronics and computing are advancing at an exponential rate, leading to more hi-tech components, systems and machines. Lending a helping hand with free technical and system support are PULS; the world’s most advanced DIN Rail power supply manufacturer. The PULS sales engineers endeavour to understand, calculate and explain the best solution for power so that their customers have less to worry about.

Recently PULS embarked on a project involving a sealed motor system. The motor system was intended for remote and often hazardous environments, making the power supply requirements extremely difficult. Jumping at the chance to work on a difficult project, the PULS sales engineers worked with their customer to identify key requirements. The analysis showed the power supply must operate in extreme cold and heat, be fitted into a completely sealed case and be incredibly reliable.

Initially looking at the temperature requirements, PULS tested their units at 125ºC continuously for a week and found that not one unit failed. With this data it was evident that high temperatures were not a problem and so sights were set on the - 40ºC low temperature requirement. With modern power supply technology a Negative Temperature Coefficient resistor is used to limit inrush current, however at low temperatures their resistance can become too high and not allow the power supply to start. This was no trouble as PULS have a patented technology to remove inrush current eliminating this problem and with further tests it was proven that their units had no problems starting or operating at -40ºC.

Next PULS had to fit the unit into a cylindrical completely sealed case. To help their customer PULS engineers measured sizes and calculated heat dissipation required for the power supply. Utilising this data they determined as only conduction and radiation were available to remove heat, it would be ideal to generate as little as possible. With PULS power supplies now boasting efficiencies greater than 96% and thus lowering heat created this too proved not to be a problem.

Finally, as the motor system was designed for remote locations, reliability was paramount. However with all the extensive temperature tests, high efficiency and the PULS low component stress designs it was a simple task to show that this too can be made easy with PULS power supplies.

Harry Moore, Managing Director of PULS UK Ltd comments “With more complicated electronics coming to market every day we feel our UK technical support is key in providing the answers in the time scale needed. We are not just a power supply manufacturer, we are a power solution provider”

When more and more electronic components are being designed and built abroad it is becoming essential to have local technical support. This will usher in a new era for UK development into advanced technologies as engineers no longer have to go it alone. 

Released By

PULS