Gaia Converter augments DC/DC converter portfolio for rail applications
High reliability and industrial grade wide input DC/DC converters from Gaia Converter now include an input bus conditioner for rail applications, designed to meet the needs of the rapidly-evolving railway infrastructure.
Railways worldwide are expanding and evolving to reduce emissions while optimising safety, capacity, and interoperability, said the company. The widespread adoption of smart signalling and speed control systems like the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) is setting new, more stringent requirements for power conversion devices.
The new input bus conditioner can suppress extreme surges in railway environments and board-mount parts rated at 20W, 40W and 80W, with the added feature of 3kVAC reinforced safety isolation rating to IEC 62368-1.
Input range for each part is 12 to 160V DC, to include 24V, 48V, 72V, 96V and 110VDC nominals in order to meet EN 50155 and other rail specifications, as well as standards for common industrial applications. The input will also withstand 176V DC for 100ms to include the surge specified in rail standard NF-F 01-510 for 110V DC nominal, as well as the RIA12 specification of 168V DC for 20ms for 48V DC nominal.
Surges to 385V DC for 20ms to specification RIA12 can be met with the additional input bus conditioner type FLHGI90, which also attenuates fast transients, provides reverse polarity protection and ensures compliance with EN 550121 EMC specification.
Without the input bus conditioner, the parts can meet EN 55022 Class B EMI with a recommended external filter. Outputs available for each model are 2 x 5V, 2 x 12V or 2 x 15V, which are mutually isolated and can be paralleled for higher current, placed in series for higher voltages or connected as ±bipolar outputs for maximum flexibility. Efficiency is typically 87 per cent and case operating temperature range is from -40 to +105 degrees C without derating. Output power derates by just 25 per cent for input voltages lower than 36V DC.
Control functions include an on/off pin and output trim which can vary the outputs (-20 to +10 per cent). Protection features are over-load, short-circuit, soft-start and input under-voltage lock-out, with a trimmable threshold, to match all battery voltage standards.
Each converter is offered in a fully potted, low profile metallic case measuring 35 x 30 x 10mm for the 20W part, 46 x 36 x 10mm for the 40W part and 50 x 44 x 12.9mm for the 80W part.
MTBF performance is typically above 1000khrs according to Mil HDBK 217F GB, 25 degrees C, where the usual figure for competing products is nearer to 300 to 500khrs for the same standard conditions.
