A single, rugged module represents savings in inventory as well as ease of design for international manufacturers, says John Stone, Sales Director at Relec Electronics.
One of the biggest design challenges for power supply manufacturers in a worldwide rail industry is that train-borne applications around the world have different battery voltage parameters across different vehicle classes. In response, Cincon has developed the single, encased EC7BW18-ECRT/EDRT series of universal input DC-DC converters.
Available from power specialist, Relec Electronics, the 20W universal input DC-DC converters are available in chassis and DIN-rail mount formats.
The modules are intended as an “all-in-one” 20W power solution, built around its EC7BW18-72 series of 2” x 1” (50mm x 25mm) DC-DC converters, with the addition of a rugged case and additional components. They are now available as a single module, offering a one size-fits-all format for all voltages and all classes of trains around the world.
The converter series includes models for all common battery voltages, from a single 12V battery all the way up to 110V systems for electric mainline trains. They also have an ultra-wide input range of 8.5 - 160Vdc.
The EC7BW18-ECRT/EDRT DC-DC converters provide an integrated solution. Instead of multiple power supplies, a single unit with an input range of 10 - 160V is capable of meeting the nominal input ranges from 24-110V for EN50155. The DC-DC converters have a built in with inrush current limiter, which has higher efficiency performance with less impact from the ambient temperature when compared to a passive inrush current limiter (NTC). The modules also include a hold-up circuit, and EMC circuitry, compliant to EN5021-3-2 in a single chassis or din-rail mounted package. In addition, each module meets the requirements of RIA12 surge A (3.5 x Vin for 20mS) for 24V and 52V systems.
In addition to EN50155, the converters also meet the requirements for EN50121-3-2 & EN45545-2 for immediate use.
To protect against misuse and over-stressed operation, the EC7BW18-ECRT/EDRT modules feature reverse polarity protection, over-temperature protection (unit switches off at Tcase > 106 degrees), over-current protection (short circuit and overload), input under-voltage protection (prevents very high input current at low Vin) and output over-voltage protection (secondary protection against an internal feedback failure).
In addition to being fully protected against misuse and over stressed operation, the EC7BW18-ECRT/EDRT series saves bill of materials (BoM) costs, because they do not require additional components.
Picture caption: The versatile EC7BW18-ECRT/EDRT DC-DC converter series by Cincon, is available from Relec Electronics.
