The decision to purchase a high-performance power supply is often a balancing act between upfront costs and long-term benefits. While standard power supplies may be sufficient for basic operations, high-performance models offer a range of advanced features designed to enhance efficiency, reliability, and overall system performance. While the initial expense may be higher, it is essential to weigh the cost against the returns of increased energy savings, reduced downtime, and improved product quality. In this article, we will examine the benefits of high-performance power supplies to help you make an informed decision for your application.
Some common features of high-performance power supplies include:
- High efficiency
- Power Boost
- Advanced Power Boost
- Active Power Factor Correction
- Communication modules
High Efficiency
Budget power supplies typically operate at 85% to 90% efficiency, while performance models offer efficiencies between 92% and 96% or even higher. These high-efficiency power supplies reduce losses, save cabinet space, and increase energy savings. Their efficient operation generates less heat, extending the power supply’s lifespan while reducing cooling requirements. By operating at lower temperatures and with less stress on components, high-efficiency power supplies tend to have a longer operational life and fewer failures.
Power Boost
Power Boost provides a temporary, short-term reserve of power, typically 150% for up to 7 seconds, for higher loads due to inrush and starting currents. Without this feature, a power supply may need to be oversized by 50% to support these transient current surges. The Power Boost feature allows the supply to be sized for the steady-state current output, eliminating the need for oversized power supplies and their associated costs.
Advanced Power Boost
When a short circuit occurs, Advanced Power Boost (also called TopBoost) enables the power supply to deliver up to 600% of its nominal output current for a brief period (typically 15 milliseconds). This surge is controlled and safely triggers the circuit breakers of problem circuits without damaging other components, preventing the system from shutting down and allowing other connected paths to operate without interruption.
Active Power Factor Correction
Traditional power supplies draw current in short, high-magnitude pulses, creating a non-sinusoidal current waveform, which leads to a low power factor. An APFC (active power factor correction) circuit uses a high-frequency switching converter to shape the input current waveform into a near-sinusoidal shape. By closely matching the current waveform to the voltage waveform, the power factor is significantly increased, approaching unity. This correction reduces harmonic distortion, minimizes voltage fluctuations, and enhances energy efficiency.
Communication
Communication modules easily snap into place as an add-on to select power supplies. These modules support various communication protocols with their respective communication ports, allowing connectivity to PLCs for programming and monitoring. Communication modules also provide accessibility to select features and real-time data gathered by the power supplies.
Additional Options
A wide range of advanced features enhance reliability and performance in demanding operating environments and provide additional options, such as:
- LCD display options for output current, voltage, peak current, and temperature
- Hazardous location ratings
- Compact housings for space-limited applications
- Built-in electronic circuit breakers
- Configuration and monitoring software
High performance power supplies are engineered to efficiently convert AC to DC power with minimal energy loss, withstand harsh industrial conditions, and operate continuously without failure. They maintain consistent output voltage levels, ensure the optimal operation of connected equipment, and rapidly adjust to changing load demands while preventing equipment damage and downtime. Their advanced features provide a range of solutions that maximize reliability and performance.
Check out AutomationDirect’s wide variety of power supplies for all of your needs!