These new modules, characterized by their universal AC input range (85–264 VAC), power factor correction, and fully isolated 24 VDC or 48 VDC output, deliver 400 W of isolated, regulated DC power with efficiencies up to 93%, as well as an unprecedented power density of 127 W/cubic inch (8 W/cm³) and best-in-class performance in a tiny VIA package only 9 mm thick. These new units are ideal for a wide variety of applications in industry, process control, telecommunications, office equipment, test and measurement, LED lighting, and other offline applications.
Any electronic product or system powered by an AC supply line must incorporate an AC/DC input stage to convert the AC mains voltage to the DC voltage required by the electronic circuitry. These new units integrate a complete set of functions required by today's mains-connected AC power systems – transient and inrush current protection; input power factor correction; input-output isolation; and SELV (Safety Extra Low Voltage) regulated DC output – and meet international standards for isolation, conducted emissions, power factor correction, and susceptibility to AC line transients, flicker, interruptions, and surges. VIA package configurations are available for both board and case mounting; the units are supplied with two operating temperature ranges.
In many applications, a user can instantly implement a complete AC/DC input stage simply by combining a PFM with a Universal AC Input Module (AIM) that integrates all the necessary rectification, filtering, and transient protection circuitry on the primary side, in VIA packages, and with adequate storage capacity on the secondary side. Alternatively, a designer can combine a PFM input module with rectification, filtering, and output capacity on the secondary side, optimized for a specific application.
In either case, the PFM input module provides a quick and easy way to obtain a robust, high-performance, high-density AC/DC input stage that also eliminates the uncertainties and lengthy design cycles associated with custom input stage design. While many other input stage systems are configured with capacitive energy storage at the high-voltage input, the PFM offers greater system protection by storing energy in low-voltage capacitors at the isolated SELV output.
With a thickness equivalent to one-fifth that of traditional 1U input stage solutions, the VIA package, with its robust mechanical design and thermal adaptation, simplifies mounting to a computer side panel, enclosure, or other external heat sink, providing improved thermal performance in any application. Moving the AC/DC conversion function to an enclosure or side panel reduces system size and cost, frees up valuable system surface area for other uses, and increases thermal performance while eliminating the need for and expense of external heat sinks.
The new PFM AC/DC input modules, which offer power system designers a robust, modular, and fully integrated AC/DC input stage solution with significantly higher power density than alternative products, are compatible with a wide variety of downstream power conversion components. Thanks to Vicor's PowerBench™ online design tool suite for combining PFM AC/DC input stage modules and downstream modules selected from Vicor's comprehensive catalog of high-density, high-efficiency modular power converters, designers can quickly obtain complete offline power systems that deliver predictable performance and unparalleled levels of power density, efficiency, and reliability.
Vicor's Power Component Design Methodology and Online Configuration and Design Tools:
Vicor's Power Component Design Methodology enables power system designers to fully leverage the advantages of modular power component design—predictable component and system functionality and reliability, rapid design cycles, and easy system configurability, reconfigurability, and sizing—while achieving levels of efficiency, power density, and system operating economy that rival the best alternative solutions.
Using Vicor's online tools, power system designers can choose from Vicor's extensive catalog of power components to design, optimize, and simulate their entire power system, from input sources to load points. This innovative power system design method accelerates time to market and performance, while minimizing the potential for last-minute surprises and delays that often occur with conventional or custom design methodologies.
