Xantrex displays datacom inverter
Xantrex Technology Inc. unveiled the Xantrex Datacom Inverter (XDI) at IWCE in Las Vegas this year.
The Xantrex XDI provides uninterruptible AC power to equipment connected to 48-volt DC battery banks for telecom applications,
The unit is a compact, true sine-wave 2000 VA inverter module rated for continuous duty that conveniently fits into standard 19-inch equipment racks. It is easily scalable by adding parallel-connected modules, and can be configured in N+1 single or three-phase arrays for maximum reliability.
An Ethernet option is also available and comes with the Ethernet port, Internet Protocol stack, and a web browser Graphical User Interface.
The XDI is available now and can be purchased worldwide through authorized Xantrex representatives.
Features at a glance
- Hot-swappable, parallelable
- Ultra-high power density – 2.0 kVA in 1 U rack
- Short circuit proof
- Rack mounted back plane for DC input and AC output connectors
- High performance noise filters on both input and output
- Dimensions (H×W×D): 1.7 × 16.8 × 15.7″ (43.2 × 426.7 × 398.8 mm)
- Weight: 22 lb (10 kg)
- Three year warranty www.xantrex.com
Linear rolls out controller
Linear Technology Corp. introduces the LTC3731, a 3-phase synchronous step-down switching controller with integrated MOSFET drivers that is expandable to 12 phases.
Housed in a narrow 36-lead SSOP (5.3mm wide) and a leadless QFN (5mm × 5mm), the LTC3731 is a single-IC solution for delivering up to 60A for distributed power in systems requiring DC/DC conversion from 4.5V to 32V input source to 0.6V to 6V output. Moreover, the LTC3731 is a scalable DC/DC step-down controller that allows multiple LTC3731s to operate in six, nine and 12 phases capable of delivering load currents as high as 240A.
In addition to a simple solution, the LTC3731’s precision ±5 percent output current matching simplifies thermal management by spreading the heat evenly among its three output stages. Applications include servers, large memory banks and high power industrial systems.
Competing solutions, which incorporate MOSFET or inductor sensing, introduce as much as a ±35 percent error in power dissipation between the output stages resulting in unbalanced power handling and overheating of one or two stages.
To cope with this excess heat and to prevent thermal stress, designers are forced to over size the MOSFETs and inductors, which add to the cost and size of the solution.
The LTC3731 also incorporates a patented power-saving technique called Stage Sheddingä to optimize efficiency and improve battery life at light loads by eliminating the gate charging losses and switching losses of two of its output stages.
Applications vary from high-end notebook PCs to embedded systems and single-board computers for industrial, instrumentation, telecom and medical systems.
The LTC3731 drives external N-channel MOSFETs in three stages with 120° phase separation. The PolyPhase operation reduces input ripple current and improves transient response as well as minimizing the requirement for input and output capacitors.
The IC operates from 250kHz to 600kHz per phase to achieve optimal frequency for efficiency, ease of thermal design and use of small inductors and capacitors.
The LTC3731’s output voltage is adjustable from 0.6V to 6V with two external resistors. To protect the load and MOSFETs, the LTC3731 is equipped with short-circuit and overload protection as well as soft-start to protect the system from high inrush current.
The LTC3731 pricing starts at $4.45 each in 1,000-piece quantities.
Features at a glance
- ±5 percent output current match optimizes thermal performance and size of inductors and MOSFETs
- Three-phase current mode controller with onboard MOSFET drivers
- 1 percent VREF Accuracy Over Temperature
- Reduced input and output Capacitance
- 250kHz to 600kHz per Phase, PLL, Fixed Frequency
- 4V to 32V Input Voltage Range
- 5.3mm Wide 36-Lead SSOP (Smallest 36-Lead SSOP) and 5mm × 5mm QFN www.linear.com
Magnetek introduces SLI series
Magnetek’s Power Electronics Group is introducing a new SLI Series Inverters for applications requiring continuous true Sine Wave power.
Due to technological solutions like the patent-pending “Compact Coi,” the SLI Series Inverters provide 1500 W of power in an ultra-thin 1U (1.71-inch) height and lightweight (12.34 lb) package along with extremely effective psophometric noise reduction through the use of a patent-pending control algorithm.
This 19-inch rack-mount inverter was designed for telecom, IT and industrial applications requiring constant AC power from DC input.
There are four models for different input (24 Vdc and 48 Vdc) and output (115 Vac and 230 Vac) voltage combinations.
Inverters include an integrated controller and optional Static Transfer Switch (STS) to provide true “plug and play” capability with no external subsystem required.
The inverters can be connected in parallel for N+1 redundancy and increased power.
HV improves diode response
The UX-FOB high-voltage power diode, available from HV Component Associates, which provided ultra-fast recovery from 50 nanoseconds, has been improved to produce a recovery capability of 40 nanoseconds.
These new diodes feature a rating of up to 8,000 V peak reverse voltagewith a 12 V maximum forward voltage — an improvement over the previous 14 V — and a 500 mA maximum average forward current.
These diodes are ideal for high-frequency application. Standard recovery diodes with ratings up to 12,000 V peak reverse voltage with a 11 V maximum forward voltage drop also are available.
AIR X offers wind power breakthrough
Southwest Windpower introduced what it calls the latest evolution in small wind turbines, the NEW AIR X. The AIR X combines what has made AIR the world’s number one selling small wind turbine with new technology previously found only in today’s state-of-the-art mega-watt-class wind turbines, the company says.
All of these features are primarily found within the body of the turbine. The new microprocessor based speed control results in increased performance, improved battery charging capability and the elimination of “flutter” noise from the machine. The controller allows for peak-power tracking of the wind by optimizing the alternators output on all points of the cubic curve and then efficiently delivers the energy to the battery. The turbine’s smart controller allows it to actually control blade rotation speed thus eliminating the buzzing noise commonly found with the AIR 403 and 303 in high winds. Furthermore, a new series of carbon-reinforced blades with a modified pitch angle further increases power production.
The new electronics are a considerable improvement over the previous AIR-403 controller that consisted of diode-rectification and a simple on/off voltage switch. To the customer this means:
Much Lower Noise: Previous AIR wind modules relied on their aero-elastic blade design for protection in high winds, causing loud flutter noise in winds above 35 mph (16 m/s). AIR X’s circuit monitors the wind speed and slows the blades as it reaches its rated output preventing it from ever going into flutter. The result is a much quieter wind turbine. In high winds, the AIR X will continue to produce power at a reduced level until the wind decreases, at which point maximum output will resume. Additionally, when the battery has reached its charged state, the AIR X will slow to an almost complete stop. Only when the battery has dropped below its voltage set point will it startup and resume charging.
Improved battery charging: Previous AIR designs required 300-400 amp hour battery banks so the trickle charge of the wind turbine could be adequately absorbed. The AIR X’s charge controller periodically stops charging, reads the battery voltage, compares it to the voltage setting and if the battery is charged, it completely shuts off all current going to the battery. This function is performed within a few milliseconds. The closer the battery is reaching its full state of charge, the more often the AIR X’s circuit repeats this action. This means any size battery from 25 to 25,000 a/h or higher can be charged safely.
Lower stress design: AIR X limits power on the input side of the electronics by controlling the torque from the blades. The power no longer has to be dissipated by the electronics resulting in lower stress on the circuit, bearings and other materials. Furthermore, stress on wind turbines occurs primarily in high winds. Under these conditions, the electronic stall design reduces the speed to 600 rpm, thereby significantly reducing turbine and tower loading.
