TDK-Lambda News

Lambda has added a new 1U 2.4kW version to its successful Genesys™ range of rack-mountable, programmable power supplies that cover 1U, 2U and 3U formats. Offering the highest power density available in a 1U unit, the Genesys™ family continues to set the standard for flexible, reliable, AC/DC power systems for OEM, industrial, ATE, test and laboratory applications.

The first group of GEN 2.4kW models released include output voltage ratings of 0-8, 0-60, 0-150 and 0-600V. Maximum output current for the lowest voltage range is 300A. Further models will be released during the second half of this year and early 2009, to complement the full line up of 12 models. The wide range input is continuously variable from 170-265V AC, in either single phase or three phase, and all units feature active power factor correction.

Of particular note, Lambda’s GEN 2.4kW 1U achieves an exceptionally high efficiency for a programmable power supply, which not only minimises the generation of unwanted heat but also reduces wasted power. The GEN60-40, GEN150-16 and GEN600-4 models achieve 88% efficiency at 200V AC; similarly for the high current GEN8-300 model efficiency is rated at 84%. In addition, the new shunt structure incorporated into the design achieves improved temperature coefficient (100ppm/°C) of output current and fan speed control (ambient temperature and load dependant) helps to extend fan life and considerably reduce the fan noise at room temperature.

Noteworthy safety features, now familiar to all modules within the Genesys™ range, include Safe Re-Start / Auto re-start and Last Setting Memory. With Safe Re-Start, the power supply returns to previous settings after power off but with output disabled. Auto Re-Start enables the output after a power cut for unattended applications. Last Setting Memory retains settings of output voltage and current, remote or local mode, OVP and UVL, Foldback Current, Baud Rate and Start Up Mode, without battery. Front Panel controls include Output On/Off and Local/Remote selection. The Front Panel may also be locked locally or by software command.

Common to the whole Genesys™ family is the built-in RS232/485 interface. Using this digital interface up to 31 power supplies may be controlled in daisy chain over the RS485 line. Analogue remote programming is user selectable 0-5V or 0-10V via DIP switches on the rear panel.

Digital and isolated analogue interfaces are optional. The optional IEEE digital interface is IEEE-488.2 and SCPI compliant, and a wide selection of LabVIEW™ drivers is available. Isolated analogue programming options include either 0-5V and 0-10V, or 4-20mA control. An optional LAN (LXI compliant) card is also available.

Higher power systems can be configured with up to four GEN 2.4kW modules. Paralleling units for higher power is simplified with the master unit able to report total system output current. As a result, the four units can appear as a single 9.6kW power supply, increasing flexibility for system designers. The overall weight of each GEN 2.4kW module is less than 10kg, and rack space is kept to the minimum since all Genesys™ supplies are true "zero stack" with no space required between units.