POWER SUPPLY SELECTION
Key factors in power supply selection It pays to understand a few important electrical
FLORIAN HAAS | TRACO POWER GROUP
parameters that can dictate the kind of applications specific power supplies can handle.
A
few basic factors go into the selection of low-voltage dc/dc and ac/dc power supplies for OEM use. At the risk of stating the obvious, the key objective is to bring the input voltage to a new potential. With that in mind, there are six parameters that determine most of the qualities the supply should have.
1
Whether the input potential is divided
2
The input and output voltage ranges and the output current demand
3
The space available for the supply
4
The end product and the regulations that apply to its industry or area
5
The environmental conditions the supply will see
6
The degree of reliability the supply must provide
There are a few electrical parameters pertaining to supplies that need detailed specifications. They include how to deal with supply ripple and conducted noise, the handling of inrush current, thermal considerations, and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) constraints. Designers typically quantify power supply requirements by measuring the power consumption of host equipment. In this Swiss manufacturer Traco Power has a diverse dc/dc converter product regard, every measurement changes the portfolio that offers in excess of 140 standard product series that includes state of the circuit; the impact of any more than 25 3-W dc/dc ranges. Shown here are the TVN 5 series measurement should be minimized. This with ultra-low ripple and noise; the TEQ 300 series which is certified to philosophy implies performing a fourEN 50155 for Railway applications and the TSR 2 series of step-down wire measurement even for simple tests. regulators with efficiency to 96% and a replacement to linear regulators. Measurement of current and voltage with independent test leads minimizes the impact of lead resistance on measured values. eeworldonline.com | designworldonline.com
Traco — Power Electronics HB 02-19.indd 7
2 • 2019
DESIGN WORLD — EE NETWORK
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4/16/19 11:05 AM
