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 UK based power solutions specialists, announces the appointment of Lonnie Friend to the post of Director of Sales for North America. This strategic appointment is in response to continued strong sales growth in the USA which now accounts for over 50% of Powerstax worldwide sales.

Lonnie has worked in the OEM electronics industry since graduating from Ohio State University. The majority of Lonnie’s experience has been in the power supply industry serving as the principal staff member at Director or Vice President level for five US power conversion companies over a period of some 30 years. Lonnie has a wide range of relevant experience including establishing, managing and motivating strong and disciplined sales organisations, building strategic relationships with tier-one key accounts, devising and implementing tactical plans that meet corporate strategic goals and developing technology roadmaps that support corporate business needs.

Tim Worley, CEO of Powerstax plc, comments;” Lonnie brings his extensive experience and energy to Powerstax, enabling us to capitalise on opportunities to promote and sell our high efficiency power solutions throughout North America. Lonnie and I met at the Nepcon East show in Boston MA this April and it was quickly evident that we shared a common vision and excitement for the partnership we have now embarked upon. Lonnie will also ‘hop over the pond’ this November to meet the Powerstax team and attend the electronica show in Munich.”

Lonnie has been married for over 40 years and has one Son and a Granddaughter. He has authored numerous technical articles and served on Board of Directors for the Power Supply Manufacturers Association. Lonnie may be contacted directly by email at lonnie.friend@powerstaxplc.com

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.

Powerstax CEO and the clan

Tim commented; ”Nobody could fail to have been moved by the press reports of the earthquake in Haiti and as a Burns’ Night regular, it seemed like a good idea to have our employees sponsor me to spend a day at the office in my kilt and raise money to help the victims of the earthquake in Haiti.”

The event raised £150 which was sent to the Disasters Emergency Committee.

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, one of Europe’s leading application-rich power solutions specialists, has made a number of key appointments in response to record sales growth in 2009.

Powerstax new starters

A new member of the Powerstax finance team is Charlotte Isbill; a graduate from The University of Portsmouth, Charlotte has a degree in Accounting and Business Economics BA (Hons) and is currently studying for the CIMA qualification. As Finance Assistant, Charlotte manages the day-to-day tasks of the Powerstax finance department.  Charlotte has recently bought her first home and enjoys reading and socialising with friends and keeping fit by swimming and running.

James MacCaig has joined the Powerstax internal sales team. With Maths, Physics and Philosophy qualifications and the opportunity to go to University, James decided developing a career would be a better option. At 19 years old this is James’s first job and it offers him the chance to gain international technical sales experience and “back-office” knowledge including CRM systems and maintenance of the Powerstax website.

Filling a new role as Personal and Marketing Assistant to the CEO, Kathy Marriage brings project management, software development and statistical analysis expertise to the Powerstax team. Kathy has a BSc (Hons) degree in statistics and operational research and a MSc (Eng) degree in operational research. Her career includes roles as support and consultancy for a statistical software house, an analyst programmer in the financial sector and running her own business developing bespoke statistical analysis solutions for large manufacturing, finance, media and education establishments. With continually improving flexibility of off the shelf software Kathy moved into project management of global software implementations for Telecoms and Petrochemical companies.

“I am really enjoying working for Powerstax.” Says Kathy. “Everyone is committed to the job in hand but can always find the time to assist their colleagues, whether it be pushing cars stuck in the snow or pulling together to prepare for exhibitions. There’s definitely a powerful team here at Powerstax!” When not at work Kathy enjoys spending quality time with her family and runs a local charity to support those affected by the loss of a baby.

Tim Worley, CEO, of Powerstax comments, ”We have a lean and close knit  team at Powerstax and these new appointments reflect our commitment to customer service and continuous improvement in every department of our business. With continued growth, Powerstax will make further strategic appointments to ensure all areas of our business continue to deal effectively with and support that growth. Our new team members are a mix of highly qualified, experienced and enthusiastic people who will grow in their roles as Powerstax continues to increase its presence in the power conversion market.”

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.

Following a highly successful EDS show in Las Vegas, Powerstax, one of Europe’s leading application-rich power solutions specialists, has appointed Irwin Industries as their Manufacturers Rep for Canada. Irwin Industries will be developing the market in Canada for the complete range of high efficiency AC and DC power conversion products designed, manufactured and marketed by Powerstax

Irwin Industries Representatives

Irwin Industries is one of Canada’s leading industrial engineering, construction and maintenance service providers, serving the onshore and offshore oil and gas, petrochemical, refining, power generation, utility-scale renewable, and other industries from coast to coast.

Tim Worley, CEO of Powerstax, comments, “We have been looking for a Rep in Canada with the right experience and depth of coverage. Irwin Industries are ideally placed to sell our products right across Canada and already have established customers in the blue-chip high reliability markets we are very successful in. Once again the EDS show has provided us with an ideal platform to develop and maintain business relationships with the existing Powerstax sales channels in the USA and meet potential new Reps and Distributors.”

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, frequently from stock. Typical applications for Powerstax products include COTS Mil products, DC-DC converters and power rectifiers for industrial systems, telecoms and datacoms and test and measurement and security systems.