New Industry Products

Benning Power Introduces New DC-DC Converter, DC-AC Inverter and HDi Rectifier/Charger

July 06, 2011 by Jeff Shepard

Benning Power Electronics announced the release of three new power conversion products that will allow power utilities to upgrade their networks in line with the U.S government’s new smart grid initiatives. The dc-dc converter, dc-ac Inverter and HDi rectifier/charger are designed to provide low-voltage power conversion for electrical substations that is more compact, robust, and cost effective than traditional power conversion products. The modular design of Benning’s new products also offers clients critical redundancy capabilities to increase the overall reliability of their system.

"We are introducing new technology that is going to help anyone involved in upgrading the transportation, generation and distribution of power get to the smart grid objective, better, faster and at a lower cost," said Mario Barbaresso, CEO of Benning Power Electronics. "The U.S. is still using the same standards for its power transmission/distribution that were set in the early 1900’s. This is going to help the U.S. move forward in terms of power availability, efficiency, reliability and flexibility, and most of all, allow the connection of multiple power sources such as photovoltaic power plants and wind farms. The next 10 years are not going to be about advancements in computer technology, it’s going to be about power."

Benning’s new power conversion products provide the low voltage power needed at electrical substations around the country to power the telecom/data equipment needed to communicate, monitor and control the power along the grid or at any generation/distribution points." The unique thing about our products is that they are designed to provide a robust, modular and energy efficient low-voltage power solution. Our ’grow as you go’ and N+1 concepts allow a minimum initial investment and offers optimum, cost effective reliability," said Barbaresso.

Benning states that its products, including the dc-dc converter, dc-ac inverter and HDi rectifier/charger also have the highest efficiency rates in the industry – up to a 94% efficiency rate – compared to the industry average of 80%, which allows power companies to save money and be environmentally sensitive. Additionally, they are constructed with robust components which greatly lengthen the lifespan of each unit. "Benning products, which are assembled in the U.S., are the result of a great collaboration between American and German engineers, ensuring that our products are built to last," said Barbaresso.

The compact 19" rack-mount dc-dc converter is described as a cost effective option for power companies to connect existing 125Vdc batteries to -48Vdc equipment without the need of additional, costly and cumbersome -48Vdc batteries. The converter provides up to 360A of 48Vdc power with an efficient rate up to 92%.

The 125Vac inverter (125Vdc input to 120Vac output) can provide up to 3.75kVA with three 1.25kVA modules. These modules share the load in parallel, which allows the system to be configured for redundancy to ensure the optimum availability for critical loads. Designed with no single point of failure, these units are also designed with efficiency in mind with a rating up to 91%.

The HDi charger/rectifier (120Vdc output uses a compact design to address critical dc load powering and battery charging requirements. The charger has an efficiency rating up to 94% and features the latest high frequency power conversion design to optimize efficiency and quality.

More news and information regarding the latest developments in Smart Grid electronics can be found at Darnell’s SmartGridElectronics.Net.