COTS/MOTS 1000W IP65-rated power supplies for defence and harsh environments

Powerbox has announced its new ruggedised series, the ECD1000A, for ground-based defence applications and harsh industrial environments. Housed in a metal IP65 enclosure with baseplate conduction cooling, the series delivers 1000W and can be employed with a baseplate operating temperature range of -40C to +75C. For extremely demanding applications, it is mechanically ruggedised according to the MIL-STD-810H standard, and interior boards and components are protected with a conformal coating. The product is equally well electrically ruggedised to withstand harsh transients and satisfy demanding EMC performance levels demand the most common defence and the more demanding industrial applications, according to the MIL-STD- 461 CE102 / RE102 and meeting the MIL-STD-1399-300. The power supply operates with a wide universal input range from 85VAC to 305VAC with PFC. Designed for high availability, short time-to-market, and to meet COTS/MOTS business models, the series is available in a 28VDC output voltage version. However, the series includes 500W and 700W versions with 12VDC and 28VDC output voltages for lower power distribution systems.

Many defence applications need power supplies to operate with limited or no ventilation cooling. In this respect, the company refers to those operating in harsh environments where electronic equipment is installed in a sealed box, such as radio communication systems subject to adverse weather conditions, outdoor surveillance and access control, and indoor equipment with very strict audible noise restrictions. As well as environmental requirements, reliability, and cost of maintenance are motivating systems designers not to use fans and blowers, privileging conduction cooling enclosed in a box that delivers an ingress protection level of IP65 (dust-tight and protected against water jets).

Conduction cooling requires very specific building practices, and the series has been designed to ensure optimal heat transfer from the dissipating components to the baseplate. It provides a high level of performance within an operating temperature of -40C to +75C at the baseplate. Depending on the assembly method and the overall cooling conditions, a derating may apply as specified in the technical documentation.

To cover a large range of applications, the series operates with a wide universal input range from 85VAC to 305VAC (Nominal 100VAC to 277VAC). The unit includes PFC with a power factor of 0.98/0.95 (110VAC/230VAC).

The series is available for powering internal bus distribution systems with a single output DC voltage of 28V/36A. Using a high-efficiency topology, the typical efficiency at 28V output and 230VAC input is excellent at 91%.

The addressable range of applications requiring ruggedised power solutions is extremely large, from defence to demanding industrial applications. Accordingly, the series has been designed to fulfil higher levels of shock and vibration, it has harsh transient protection and additional EMC filtering such as specified by MIL-STD-461E CE102 / RE102, MIL-STD 1399-300A and MIL-STD-810H. For safety, the series has an IN/OUT isolation of 3,000VAC and IN/FG of 2,000VAC. Output isolation to FG is 500VAC. The power supply includes overcurrent protection with auto recovery, overvoltage protection, and overtemperature protection.

The input, output and signal are interfaced via circular MIL-spec connectors, providing extremely reliable connection and protection against moisture penetration and oxidation.

The series includes a Remote Control and a Power Good interface to monitor the unit whether in normal or abnormal operation. It has passed shock and vibration testing as specified in MIL-STD-810H. In that respect, the products have been tested to levels far above normal operating conditions and are designed to sustain high, 20G level shocks.

The ECDA platform includes further embedded functions, shortening the time-to-market for specific applications needing different output voltages.

In its IP65 enclosure, the series measures 204mm x 326mm x 50.8mm (8.03" x 12.83" x 2") and weighs 3.5kg max.

Benefiting from a design optimised for conduction cooling, the series is appropriate for applications needing a silent power solution, such as in a control room. Equally, it is suited to industrial applications where forced air ventilation is impossible due to environmental constraints. Attached to a chassis or cold plate, it can deliver impressive power levels with a very high level of reliability.

The series complies with the 62368-1 standard and CE and UKCA, and it has a full three-year warranty.