Powerstax plc

Powerstax, one of Europe’s leading application-rich power solutions specialists, offers system builders one of the most flexible, off the shelf, high power DC:DC converters backed by outstanding application support. These 500W output, industry standard “full brick”, ultra-high efficiency and flexible converters have been designed to provide both conventional step-down voltage conversion as well as the more unusual step-up conversion. The key to this is the patented “integrated magnetic” which combines the transformer and inductors for the converter on a single assembly allowing high efficiency conversion and simple to achieve custom voltage configurations.

Tim Worley, CEO of Powerstax, comments;”Our F501 high efficiency converter gives power system designers enormous versatility and space saving in a cost effective package. It represents a major achievement in the development of high power, high-density DC converter modules. By simply combining a number of F501s in series a DC output up to 1200 volts may be created from a 12 volt input and up to 8KW of output power can be obtained by running them in parallel.”

The F501 achieves exceptional power density of 5.53w/cm³ (90w/in³) and up to 90% efficiencies. With fixed frequency operation and low ripple the F501 is ideally suited for the telecoms and IT industries, while automated production and test ensure high reliability. The comprehensive list of in-built protection functions such as over voltage protection, under voltage protection and short circuit protection are complemented by unique features such as a thermal monitoring signal to provide early warning of potential system faults.

Powerstax F501 DC:DC converters carry a 2 year warranty, are fully safety agency approved and include the following features; standard “full brick” package 116.8 x 61 x 12.7mm (4.6 x 2.4 x 0.50“), low input & output ripple currents, input transient voltage protection, thermal monitoring voltage to provide early warning of system fault, single connection for parallel operation to provide true N+1 redundancy capability, no need for master/slave operation, external synchronisation facility, hot plug in capability, remote sensing provided, remote shutdown, wide input voltage range, output current monitor voltage, thermal protection & current limit protection, STEP-UP version also available, e.g. 12Vi to 28Vo

Typical applications for the Powerstax F501 include military and commercial vehicle based mobile wireless, radar systems and communication systems, telecomm infrastructure and security systems.

R1801

Powerstax plc, the Farnborough based power solutions specialists, announces the introduction of its new R1801, 1800 watt, single output, high efficiency power supply. This 1U, 19” rack mounted high power density power supply offers 6.2W/in³ at 80-85% efficiency depending on the load.

The Powerstax R1801 features a universal, 85-264VAC input, standard output voltages of 48, 54.5 or 56.2VDC. The Powerstax R1801 is protected from over voltage, over current and over temperature conditions, provides power fail warning and fault alarm signals. Remote on/off control is a standard feature and the unit is power factor corrected to EN1000-3-2, is CE marked and RoHS compliant.

The R1801 rack mount power supply employs three UL Recognised Powerstax A0600 converters which may be used to provide either the full 1800W output or 1200W with N+1 redundancy. Power input is via three standard IEC connectors and DC output is available from rear mounted screw terminals.

Tim Worley, CEO of Powerstax plc, comments; ”We are committed to providing high efficiency, high power density power solutions to meet our customer’s requirements. Our new R1801 is an elegant, cost effective solution for providing bulk power for communications and IT systems and complements our successful R2250 and R2400 series.”

Powerstax designs and manufactures high power density, high efficiency AC-DC and DC-DC power supplies and DC-DC Converters. Served markets include Defense, Avionics, Industrial, Medical, Telecoms, Datacoms, IT, Test & Control & Transportation.

Powerstax plc, the Farnborough based power solutions specialists, has supplied an AC power source to the famous Brooklands museum as part of an ongoing project to restore the original flight simulator used to train pilots for Concorde.

Brooklands was the world’s first purpose-built motor racing circuit, constructed at Weybridge, Surrey in 1907. More than a great sporting arena, Brooklands was the birthplace of British motorsport and aviation, home of Concorde and the site of many engineering and technological achievements throughout eight decades of the 20th century.

Flight deck of the Concorde simulator and a Behlman power source

The Concorde simulator has been donated to the museum and is gradually being restored to the point where all of its major flight-deck instrumentation, including the legendry MACH meter will function. Aircraft control systems require 26VAC @ 400Hz and initially a number of small, second hand power supplies had been bought at auction to get the project off the ground. As more of the flight deck has been brought to life a single, more reliable power solution which could provide enough power for the current level of activity and planned future needs was required.

Gordon Roxburgh, the volunteer in charge of this project, comments;”We needed a more powerful AC power supply that could meet the aircraft power specifications and provide enough output for our existing and future needs. As a charity the cost was also an important factor and the Behlman AC power source and special price offered by Powerstax met all of our needs”.

The Concorde flight simulator now at Brooklands was decommissioned in 2004 and the volunteers are being assisted by the University of Surrey to replace the original control systems. Visitors to the museum can “take a flight” in the simulator and eventually be able to experience a functioning Concorde flight-deck.

The Behlman range of AC Power Sources available from Powerstax are ideal for cost-effective conversion from and to any single-phase shipboard, avionics or world-wide power requirement. Behlman products provide a comprehensive AC-AC product range from 1350VA up to 120kVA. These offer variable AC voltage and frequency (45-10kHz) plus optional features such as Three-phase input, IEEE-488, RS232, Extended Frequency, extra output voltages and are CE marked.

Powerstax designs and manufactures high power density, high efficiency AC-DC and DC-DC power supplies and DC-DC Converters. Served markets include Defense, Avionics, Industrial, Medical, Telecoms, Datacoms, IT, Test & Control & Transportation.

Tactical Vehicle Systems Power Converter
Non-Tactical Vehicle Security Systems

Powerstax specialise in providing custom solutions to the most demanding power system requirements. Fast turnaround of projects is possible using Powerstax’s industry leading high power F501 “full-brick” DC:DC Converters. These patented, ultra-high efficiency and very flexible converters have been designed to provide both conventional step-down conversion as well as the more unusual step-up conversion. The key to this is Powerstax’s patented “integrated magnetic” which combines the transformer and inductors for the converter on a single assembly providing high efficiency conversion and facilitating custom voltage configurations.

An example of the solutions available from Powerstax based on the F501 DC:DC Converters is the recently introduced D1000 Tactical Vehicle Power Converter. The D1000 was designed to meet growing market demands for high power tactical equipment to be installed in tactical or non-tactical vehicles for operations in remote locations. The D1000 allows a user to safely provide power to critical tactical equipment in any vehicle.

D1000 Modular Power Solution

The D1000 offers up to 1000W of DC output power and maintains maximum output efficiency over a very wide operating temperature range, outline specifications are:

Input Voltage Range – 11-36VDC
Output Voltage – Factory set between 12 to 48V, typically 28VDC
Maximum Output Power – 1,000W
Efficiency – up to 85%
Dimensions – 292 x 157 x 78mm

The D1000 has been developed specifically for applications where standard solutions do not exist. This field proven modular solution offers customers a faster time-to-market, reduced capital investment and minimises the risk often associated with custom designed power supply requirements

In the D1000, two F501 converters are packaged with boost converter, protection and storage circuitry and connectors as required by the application. The ultra-high efficiency of Powerstax’s F501 converters maximises battery life and reduces thermal management requirements. In addition, the custom developed boost-converter is integrated into the design to provide input voltage boost when conditions require it. Multiples of D1000 converters may be configured in N+1 redundant systems for no-break power applications.  Prototypes can typically be supplied in just 4 weeks from Powerstax’s ISO9001 approved design, development and production facility in the UK and carry a two year warranty.

The Powerstax D1000 allows high power demand tactical equipment to be used in tactical and non-tactical vehicles safely and reliably in demanding military and commercial operational environments. Typical applications include military and commercial mobile wireless and radar systems, telecom infrastructure and security systems powered from vehicle batteries or static telecom supplies.

Powerstax plc, announce the availability of their latest ultra-high power density switch mode power supply. The 375 watt N-03571-PFC series of single output power supplies offers class leading 15W/in³ power density with up to 92% efficiency from a remarkably small 84 x 127 x 38mm (3.3 x 5 x 1.5”) package.  The less than 1U height makes the N-03571-PFC series an excellent choice for OEMs using industry standard 19” rack systems.

N-03571-PFC Series

The new N-03571-PFC series high efficiency design reduces energy consumption and waste heat minimising the requirement for forced air cooling. These features offer users increased reliability and reduced cost of ownership. 

Available with output voltages of 12 to 56 VDC, which may be connected in parallel for higher power the N-03751-PFC series, also features active power sharing for N+1 redundancy power systems. Other standard features include a universal input range of 90-264VAC, active power factor correction (PFC), inrush current protection, remote on/off signal, 12VDC fan output, 5VDC standby output for system integration and all models are RoHS compliant. The N-03551-PFC series is fully protected against overload and over temperature and provides advanced warning of impending shutdown to any host system to minimise data loss or consequential damage.

“As market leaders in application rich high efficiency power solutions the new N-03571-PFC series extends the Powerstax range of energy efficient, flexible, power solutions.” claims Tim Worley, CEO of Powerstax plc. “We believe these new products set a new standard in power density and offer up to 100 watts more output power in an industry standard size.

Powerstax specialise in the provision of high-efficiency, flexible power solutions, designed in the UK and manufactured to ensure reliable, cost effective, short lead time deliveries. Typical applications for Powerstax products include power rectifiers for industrial systems, telecoms and datacoms. COTS MIL products and DC:DC converters for test and measurement and security systems.

Powerstax plc, market leaders in application rich high efficiency power solutions are increasing their share of the growing environmental water purification market. In cooperation with Essex based DP Energy.

Powerstax have delivered power rectifiers to a wide variety of applications including, nitrate extraction from water (particularly from farmland), mobile “silt-busters” used to purify muddy water at building sites enabling it to be emptied into the main drainage systems, extracting phosphates from water used to wash car bodies during their manufacture, purifying water used in the dairy and food industries by extracting blood etc, removing metals out of mountain streams for the brewing industry and  recovery of cupric & ammonia cal copper in PCB etching equipment.

Powerstax are also working with a number of companies using “filtration cell” technologies in various water purification applications

Water Purification System

Each application will have unique requirements and to date power supplies with outputs over the range 100 to 500Kw, with output currents up to 10,000A and voltages up to 500v have been delivered. Typical system requirements include constant current or constant voltage supply with manual or microprocessor control, polarity reverse and remote monitoring and control.

Between them, Powerstax and DP Energy have over 30 years experience in power conversion and offer a variety of technologies to ensure the customer gets the best overall solution for his application. The main market is in providing power supplies for generating sodium hypo-chlorite for water purification. Similar power converters may also be employed many other water processing applications.

Tim Worley, CEO of Powerstax plc comments, “Our core philosophy at Powerstax is to develop power solutions that are as green as possible by continually striving for the highest possible efficiencies. Our products are designed to offer unparalleled flexibility providing our customers with fast response bespoke systems. We are very pleased to be working with DP Energy and adding to our green credentials by providing power solutions for purification systems required by environmental and manufacturing processes.”

Powerstax specialise in the provision of high-efficiency, flexible power solutions, designed in the UK and manufactured to ensure reliable, cost effective, short lead time deliveries. Typical applications for Powerstax products include power rectifiers for industrial systems, telecoms and datacoms. COTS MIL products and DC:DC converters for test and measurement and security systems.