Five Things You Need to Know About Control Panel Power Supplies

If your business relies on modern, high-speed performance sensors and controllers, you will require a reliable DC power source. Traditional, linear power supplies that relied on transformers to convert to AC input into more manageable DC tend to be large and cumbersome and considerably less efficient than more modern systems. Modern control panel power supplies now come in the form of DIN rail mounted systems, which are far more suitable to the modern workplace.

Compact
DIN control panel power supplies are lightweight and efficient, enabling you to have your control panel power supplies mounted above ground height with very little loss of workspace. This also offers them a higher degree of protection from damage by impact or potential flooding than more traditional, floor mounted linear supplies. Because they are more compact, more units can be mounted on the same tracking, which comes in standard sizes allowing you to interchange units easily.

Efficient
Control panel power supplies are also known as switching power supplies. They convert a DC voltage into a lower, regulated voltage by storing the difference in a magnetic field. This makes them much more efficient, with over 80% efficiency compared to only 50% efficiency from linear power supplies. They also incorporate modern developments in power supply technology, including power factor correction, which limits the harmonic current on the input side of the power supply. This ‘cleans’ up the input current, reducing the peak current demand. As a result, control panel power supplies are much more efficient, saving you money in electricity bills, which for medium size businesses can constitute a considerable annual saving.

Legislation
All power supply units are covered by extensive safety legislation and the most modern control panel power supplies are now the safest on the market. By incorporating overvoltage protection, undervoltage protection and strict current leakage technology into units, they also protect equipment that draws its power supply from the unit by preventing power surges reaching the delicate workings of computers or CNC machinery, for example. The legislation imposed also ensures the safety of the end user in any environment and is an important factor to consider when making initial inquiries about installation.

Application
Control panel power supplies can be used in almost any business environment. They are particularly useful in workshop environments, where multiple machines may have to run off the same circuit but with each machine having its own particular needs and demands. They also work well in office environments, where computer networks can all be run from the same circuit, improving efficiency and reducing running costs. Control panel power supplies are best suited to small or medium sized business environments and are cheap enough to be considered even by start-up companies. Although buying a second-hand system from a web auction site may seem like a good idea and an easy way to save a few pounds, consider that with a second-hand unit you will receive no manufacturer’s guarantee or after-care service from the installation company. There is also the chance that it may not conform to current health and safety legislation.

The next step
If you think that a control panel power supply would be right for your business, you need to calculate your input voltage and frequency, the output voltage, the wattage or power in amperes and the peak loading of the output. Once you have these figures, you can then calculate the power of the DC power supply you will need. Think about how much space you have to mount the system and whether a compact unit will have the capability to cope with the number of outputs needed. Talk to a technical expert who has experience in installing control panel power supplies in commercial environments to help you make an informed choice and select the right power supply system for your business.