TDK-Lambda News

Ideal for systems employing distributed power architectures, the new PAE65 series of ‘eighth-brick’ DC-DC converters from Lambda leads the field in terms of higher power delivery. Ten different models are available with output voltages from 0.8 to 12V. The output performance of the new PAE65 series is unmatched across the range, with output currents of 25A on all models up to 2.5V. The 3.3V unit with an output current of 20A delivers a highly impressive 66W of power.

Lambda is currently one of only a few manufacturers of eighth brick DC-DC converters able to offer designers a unit with a 12V output. “The availability of a 12V unit is very significant,” said Edward Wright, Lambda’s DC-DC Product Manager, “given that industry experts are confident that 12V is becoming increasingly important as one of the most significant intermediate bus voltage requirements.”

Nominally 48V DC, the input voltage range is 36 to 75V. Output voltage can be adjusted between –20% and +10% to give better optimisation of load, to an accuracy typically of 2%. One of the key features of the PAE65 is that it offers ‘true’ constant current limit. On start-up it provides a very smooth voltage rise. Additionally, the new converters have built-in overvoltage protection, remote sense and remote on/off capability.

The PAE65 is an extremely ‘rugged’ design and is able to take a 100V 100ms input surge without shutting down. In the event of an input voltage drop-out there is no undervoltage lock-out, i.e. the module will restart automatically, unlike a lot of its competitors which require manual restart. I/O isolation voltage is 2150V DC. The PAE65 meets or exceeds a host of safety approvals including UL1950, CSA950 and EN60950.

Housed in an industry standard package measuring only 58.4 x 9.0 x 22.7mm, the new eighth-brick DC-DC converter series has the same industry standard pin-out as the company’s quarter-brick units. The PAE65 is aimed at a wide range of applications including telecoms, data comms, networking equipment, test equipment and industrial electronics.