Advanced Power Conversion plc (APC, Farnborough, England) announced a new dc/dc bulk power system primarily intended for telecom service providers. The APC-D2000 modules convert 24Vdc or 48Vdc input to a variety of outputs ranging from 3.3Vdc to 48Vdc at 2,000W output power. Identical modules can be ganged together to provide a single high-current output. The Multiple APC-S2000 racks can be stacked to deliver higher output power. All modules include active-current sharing circuitry and can be configured for N+1 redundancy.
Internally, the APC-D2000 utilizes four APC 500W, high-density, dc/dc brick converters as basic building blocks. This modular configuration allows the APC-D2000 to be very quickly configured for single or multiple outputs and for different output voltages. The module's 90% typical efficiency reduces conversion power losses, lowering internal component temperatures and stresses, improving reliability and reducing external cooling requirements. Lower power consumption reduces system electricity expense, lowering long-term ownership costs and addressing the growing "green" concerns of many groups and governments.
The APC-D2000 provides many monitoring and control functions, including power good and fan fail signals for each individual module plus a system fail signal. Control functions include remote sense for highly accurate voltage regulation at the load, group output-voltage adjustment of ±10% and remote on/off. All functions are accessible via a standard 25 pin, D-type connector, which includes an always-on +5V housekeeping output. A green LED provides a visual power good signal on the front panel. Standard protection features include overload protection with non-latched shutdown and current limit with fold-back to protect shorted wires from fusing. The APC-D2000 modules include 300kHz fixed-frequency operation, which simplifies the design of external noise filters. The system meets Class B EMI and is designed to meet international regulatory standards.
The APC-D2000 modules are built-to-order to meet customer specifications. Prototype custom modules are usually configured within four to six weeks. Pricing for a typical single-output module is $1,369 in 100-piece quantities, FOB UK. The 2U high, 19in racks are $869 each for 100 pieces.
