Electrical Industry News for March 2024
Even after a legacy of supporting technologies, energy harvesting (the ability to scavenge energy from any source that physics affords us) has only graduated from emerging to emerging. This can be attributed to the drastic reduction in system power budgets resulting from Moore’s law and MEMS. Can users imagine an entire sensor network, processor, and wireless communication (including a display!) with a system power budget of only a few milliwatts? Users no longer have to. Waste vs....
A Police and Crime Commissioner, Chris Nelson of Gloucestershire Constabulary came out to the world as an EV sceptic this week. This article will take his comments made to the Local Democracy Service and show how wrong he is. PCC Chris Nelson’s Comments The BBC reported Nelson’s EV skeptical views that can be summed up in one comment by him: "I wouldn't want them to run out of power, simply because he or she is in an electric car”. In a little more detail, Nelson added, "The...
When approaching a project, system designers must take into consideration time to market, overall bill of materials (BOM) cost, and in-house capabilities to design and manufacture when choosing between buying a complete off-the-shelf power supply unit (PSU) or building it in-house. Take a look at the challenges of in-house power supply design and how the manufacturers can help. When approaching a project, system designers must choose whether to buy a complete off-the-shelf power supply unit (PS...
Shell Recharge’s annual EV Driver Survey has shown that 54% of EV owners would choose a retail location if it had good EV charging facilities over one without. This is one of the key trends that are emerging as more and more people switch to electric vehicles. Destination Chargers The Shell Recharge data shows that retailers installing destination chargers such as the ZPN Park Hubz can have a competitive advantage over those that don’t. Given the surge in numbers of EVs on UK roads...
Worldwide electricity use is responsible for a quarter of all carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. However, by taking simple steps companies and consumers can cut down the usage of electricity–especially coming from burning coal or gas–to save billions of dollars while reducing millions of tons of CO2 emissions. These changes include replacing toxic fluorescent and inefficient incandescent light bulbs with LED lamps that use significantly less electricity, using energy-efficient appliance...
RECOM offers over 25,000 standard portfolio DC/DC and AC/DC products, but still at times, a non-standard converter is needed. This article explores the difference between modified standard, semi-custom, and custom power converters. One of the reasons RECOM has the broadest power converter portfolio in the industry is the sheer number of variations available within our standard product range. DC/DC converter series Overall, for this one DC/DC converter series, there are well over 2000 permutat...
Neste has signed its first renewable hydropower purchase agreement with Vattenfall, one of Europe’s producers and retailers of electricity and heat. Vattenfall will deliver the hydropower from its Nordic hydropower plants and the deliveries will start at the beginning of January 2022. Neste is committed to combating climate change and reducing climate emissions both globally and locally. To support this, the company has three climate commitments, which cover the reduction of greenhouse g...
The global events industry presented a united pledge and roadmap for a net zero carbon future for events. Industry experts from venues, organizers, suppliers, and associations, were live on stage at the UN Climate Change Conference, COP26, in Glasgow, to represent and demonstrate the commitment of the events industry community to fight climate change. Progress in a sustainable way More than ever, post-pandemic, the fundamental need of societies and communities to come together is clear. Events...
Effective maintenance of complex industrial processes is vital to keep productivity up and costs down. Condition-Based Maintenance (CBM) is an alternative to regular maintenance scheduling that uses data from sensors in the Industrial Internet of Things to detect performance deterioration trends before a failure occurs. This article discusses the subject and suggests suitable power supply modules for the sensor nodes. little manual intervention The developed world is moving towards high...
In December, the E.ON subsidiary Avacon will start adding hydrogen to a sub-grid in Saxony-Anhalt. Step by step, up to 20 percent hydrogen will be added to natural gas in the coming heating period. The joint project of Avacon and the German Technical and Scientific Association for Gas and Water (DVGW) is intended to demonstrate that it is technically possible to feed hydrogen into an existing gas network at a significantly higher percentage than previously envisaged in the DVGW's technical rule...
In the world of modern electronics, it is very easy to take DC/DC power supplies for granted as they are all around and in constant use. However, how well the power supply has been integrated into the design can be critical to both the overall performance and the functionality of the application. This article discusses the importance of DC/DC power supply filters, how they can be used, and when to use them. Filtering power signals is critical DC/DC power supply design can take many forms, ran...
Many engineers prefer to choose a power supply with ample “headroom” – In a worst-case scenario, if the application draws a power of say, 5W, then a 10W power supply will be selected. The rationale behind this is that a certain factor of safety is required for maximum reliability in addition to making sure that if extra features are added to the application circuit in the future, there will be enough spare power supply capacity to cope with any additional load. These are pow...
There are few industries where electronics power system reliability and maintenance-free functionality are as critical factors in design as they are in healthcare. Healthcare electronics is often considered the most safety- and reliability-oriented subsets of electronics and is driven by high design and production standards around the world. Safety Standards RACM1200-V meets low leakage current limits for BF-rated applications, as set by the IEC 60601-1 RECOM’s RACM1200-V units are des...
Board-mount 5W AC/DC for harsh environments introduced by RECOM. The RAC05-K/PD3/H from RECOM is a board-mounted 5W Class II AC/DC converter series, intended for ‘fixed installations’ where higher levels of transients according to over-voltage category III are experienced, along with increased environmental pollution levels. The converters are available with 5V, 12V, or 15V single outputs and include enhanced clearances to meet OVCIII up to 5000m altitude. Nominal input ratings...
Ultra-violet (UV) radiation is an effective non-contact disinfection method, killing microbes, bacteria, and viruses, including COVID-19, on most surfaces, in water, and in the air. The short wavelength, high energy photons disrupt the RNA/DNA in the cellular structure of microbes and also create free radicals which damage the genomes of viruses, introducing defects that rapidly kill the pathogen. It is this disrupting and oxidizing effect that makes UV disinfection so effective and usefu...
The 15th (2021) International Photovoltaic Power Generation and Smart Energy Conference & Exhibition (SNEC) was held in Shanghai, China, from June 3 to 5, 2021. For the first time, Shanghai Electric Power Generation Group, Shanghai Electric New Energy Co., Ltd. and Shanghai Electric Guoxuan New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. formed a group to participate in the exhibition. With the theme 'Build A New Industrial Ecology and Create New Energy Values', the group displayed products and services on...
RECOM announces the launch of a range of regulated SIP8 DC/DC converters with high power density and industrial temperature range. RECOM, the industry pioneer in power conversion, has announced the launch of the RS3E family of DC/DC converters in an industry-standard SIP8 format and pin-out. The parts are rated at 3W with no derating to 70°C and feature 2:1 input ranges of 4.5-9V, 9-18V, 18-36V, and 36-72V. RS3E family features Fully regulated outputs available are 3.3V, 5V, 9V, 12V, 15V...
Viessmann Deutschland GmbH has been commissioned with the planning and provision of what will be Germany’s third-largest solar thermal system, once it is finished at the beginning of 2022. The offer is based on the Vitosol 200-T tube collector, type SPX, which Viessmann relaunched last year specifically for large solar thermal systems, such as those required for district heating. The product impressed Stadtwerke Lemgo GmbH in both technical and economic terms. Preparations for const...
The professional journal "Elektronik" has selected RECOM as the second winner with its R05CT05S in the category Products of the Year 2021. Once again, RECOM took part in the "Products of the Year" competition of the professional magazine - "Elektronik" in the Power category. With its high isolation class (5kVAC / 1minute) and excellent power density in a genuine SMT IC package, the 0.5 Watts DC/DC converter design demonstrates true magnitude, despite its tiny dimensions. IEC62368-1 and IEC6060...
The Austrian design-in distributor will present power supply manufacturer RECOM with the CODICO Quality Award on 29 April 2021. In addition to delivery reliability and logistics services, CODICO particularly emphasizes the manufacturer's ability to innovate. Cooperation with high-performance suppliers makes a significant contribution to the long-term success of the company. It is a basic prerequisite for CODICO's Design In concept. sample shipments and service RECOM, a power supply speci...
BAE Systems a provider of electric propulsion solutions, is collaborating with Plug Power, a supplier of hydrogen engines and fueling systems, to offer hydrogen-based electric propulsion systems for transit bus fleets. The companies will work together to offer transit operators in North America an all-inclusive, scalable system to reach zero emissions, providing required site, vehicle, and service solutions. As part of the collaboration, BAE Systems will integrate Plug Power’s fuel cell e...
RECOM announces its REC8E range of low-cost, 8W DC/DC converters in a 1x1” package with three input ranges including 20-60VDC to suit 48V Li-ion batteries and LV 148 applications. RECOM launches the REC8E range of low-cost, high-efficiency, 8W DC/DC converters specially designed for battery-powered applications. Three input voltage ranges are available: 9-18V (12V systems), 18-36V (24V systems), and 20-60V (48V systems), the latter matching the LV 148 requirements for 48V Li-ion voltages...
RECOM announces the launch of the RPL-3.0, an ultra-compact, low-cost, LGA point-of-load converter with wide-range input and adjustable output. 3D Power Packaging® concept RECOM has taken its ‘3D Power Packaging®’ concept to a higher level with the launch of the RPL-3.0, a tiny, high-efficiency point of load converter rated at 3 amps, with wide input range from 4V to 18V and adjustable output from 0.8V to 5.2V. The 10-pad thermally-enhanced LGA device incorporates an integ...
RECOM announces the RACM1200-V baseplate-cooled fan-less power supply with 1200W peak power capability and industrial plus medical certification. RECOM is extending its portfolio with a Europe-designed and manufactured baseplate-cooled, highly efficient power supply series, designated RACM1200-V. The compact, single output AC/DC converters are just 228 x 96.2 x 40mm (9” x 3.8” x 1.6”) in size and can deliver 1000 watts continuously with the baseplate held to 80°C while 120...
Energy tech firm Becour and quality assurance and risk management company DNV GL have joined forces with Ingka Group, operator of 383 IKEA stores in 31 countries, to pilot a solution that helps companies manage and assure their renewable electricity use from source to socket. The challenge Several big brands have announced ambitions to source only renewable electricity, but they have struggled to implement them due to the complicated structure of power distribution. When companies claim to so...
The RSOE-Z and RSE-Z are two new series of SIP8-regulated DC/DC converters that have been developed for various industrial, transport, and test and measurement applications that require on-board isolated 5V power supplies from a wide 4:1 input voltage range. The RSOE-Z (1 watt) and RSE-Z (2 watts) offer full industrial-grade performance at a competitive price. The 4:1 input voltages of nominal 12V (4.5-18V) or 24V (9-36V) means that 5V, 12V, 24V, or 28V regulated or unregulated battery-powered...
RECOM launches cost-effective, high-specification board-mount AC/DCs. RECOM is announcing the launch of two ranges of board-mount AC/DC converters, the RAC02E-K/277 and RAC03E-K/277, rated at 2W and 3W respectively. Inputs include nominals of 100VAC up to 277VAC for use in a wide variety of applications worldwide. Regulated outputs available include 3.3V, 5V, 12V, 15V and 24V with operation without derating up to 80°C (RAC02E-K/277) or 75°C (RAC03E-K/277). ErP requirements The p...
Calculations by E.ON have shown that a surface of 90 million square meters on the roofs of supermarkets, logistics halls, furniture retailers, and DIY stores could be used for photovoltaic (PV) systems in Germany. What amounts to the equivalent of 10,000 football pitches could be used for systems with an installed capacity of 6,750 megawatts (MW), which calculations show could replace eight coal-fired power stations. The prerequisite The prerequisite for this is equal treatment of rooftop and...
Although best known for his thirteen-year tenure as CEO and President of the telecoms firm, Mr Baksaas started his career with DNV (as it was then known) and spent six years at the company before leaving in 1985. He has also served as member of the DNV Council for 12 years. His intimate knowledge of DNV GL’s history and purpose along with his leadership experience make him the ideal Chair at a time when DNV GL and its customers are navigating complex digital and decarbonize transfor...
Six-axis robots have become the standard solution for automated assembly tasks due to their ability to carry out complex maneuvers. As they have grown in popularity, robot OEMs have strived to reduce the size and mass of their six-axis designs to promote space efficiency and productivity. When a German manufacturer of stepper motors was approached by a robot OEM to downsize its assemblies for a six-axis robot, they turned to Warner Electric to deliver highly compact X-Small (XS) and WR Series b...