Emerson Launches Astec iMP Series Digital Power Supplies
Emerson Network Power, a business of Emerson (St. Louis, MO), announced a new generation of switching power supplies featuring digital management capabilities from Astec Power (Carlsbad, CA). Along with digital control, the new iMP Series offers a range of hardware modules that tailor solutions precisely to individual needs with single-ouptput, dual-output, and triple-output modules in power ratings from 600 W to 1,500 W. Modules can be configured in a selection of four customizable MP cases, accepting input voltages from 85 Vac to 264 Vac or 120 Vdc to 350 Vdc. Cases can accommodate up to seven individual modules with a choice of outputs ranging from 2 Vdc to 60 Vdc.
"In addition to having 50-percent higher power density than previous-generation products, this new breed of switching power supplies uses integrated digital capabilities to provide smart communication and programmable control features that will enable designers to precisely fine tune power for their needs throughout the development process," explained Astec Product Marketing Director Chris Jones. "The easy-to-use microprocessor interface allows designers to make adjustments to a host of parameters, including voltage, current, fan speed, sequencing, power-factor correction, inrush, and more. In spite of the advanced feature set, designers should find that this new digital generation of intelligent switching power supplies be price-competitive with existing technology."
Using the iMP Series intelligent I2C control, designers can program key features on each output, including output voltage, output enable/sequencing, module inhibit/enable polarity, dc ok thresholds, output current limit set-point and type, and over-temperature threshold. With the increasingly popular I2C communication protocol, these systems will also be able to capture configuration and use information, as well as parametric data for each output.
Backed by a two-year warranty, the iMP Series products meet worldwide safety and performance standards, including listings from UL and CE as well as full medical compliance with EN60601. Samples will be available in the fourth quarter of 2005, with prices starting at $320 for a single-output, 600 W configuration. Because the modular design enables more than 200 million combinations, pricing will vary based on configuration.
