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DC-DC Converters

Q: What does a DC-to-DC converter do?

A DC-to-DC converter is a power converter that adjusts DC voltage levels to meet specific requirements. It can either step up a lower voltage to a higher one or down a higher voltage to a lower one. These converters operate across various power levels, from very low to high voltage, and are used in multiple applications, including industrial and medical fields, where different output voltage levels are needed.

Q: How do you choose a DC-DC converter?

Start by identifying your specific power output requirements, including voltage and current. Unlike AC-DC power supplies, DC-DC converters don’t operate at fixed input voltages, so defining the range of input voltages the converter must handle is essential. Based on your application, consider factors like noise, isolation, electromagnetic interference (EMI), electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), and operating temperatures. Safety features like over-current and over-voltage protection and regulatory approvals and certifications also support the end product's and its users' safety.

Q: Can I customize DC-DC converters for specific needs?

Yes, Advanced Energy offers a wide range of DC-DC converters and can assist with customization if standard products don’t meet your needs. We support simple and complex modifications, dedicating at least 320 hours of research and development for significant changes. Customizations can include software, electrical, mechanical, and more, tailored to your specific requirements.

Q: How do you test a DC-DC converter for quality and reliability?

At Advanced Energy, our DC-DC converters undergo a comprehensive multi-step testing process. Each component and function is rigorously tested under various conditions. If any part does not meet our stringent standards, it is modified and retested. This process is repeated until the product achieves the desired level of quality and reliability.

Q: What size DC-to-DC converter do I need?

The size of the DC-DC converter you need depends on your specific voltage and power requirements. Higher voltage and power ratings typically result in larger converters. While some companies may offer bulkier versions of the same product, Advanced Energy designs its DC-DC converters to be compact and high-performing, thanks to the expertise of skilled engineers.

Q: What are the two types of DC-DC converters?

DC-DC converters come in two main types: linear and switched modes. Linear DC-DC converters create a regulated output voltage through a resistive voltage drop, typically generating an output voltage lower than the input voltage. On the other hand, switching-mode DC-DC converters periodically store input energy and discharge it at a different voltage level from the output. This energy storage can occur in components like inductors or transformers (which provide magnetic fields) or capacitors (which provide electric fields). Transformers in switched-mode converters also offer isolation between the input and output.

Q: What types of DC-DC converters does Advanced Energy offer?

Advanced Energy offers converters with power outputs ranging from 0.1W to 150W, and voltage ranges from -15VDC to 1,500VDC. These converters accommodate a variety of input voltages and currents, making them suitable for the industrial, railway, and medical sectors. Advanced Energy provides both isolated and non-isolated converters and options for low-voltage and high-voltage applications.

Q: Who should use Advanced Energy’s DC-DC converters?

Advanced Energy’s DC-DC converters are ideal for industries such as railways, transportation, industrial, and medical sectors, where high-quality and efficient power conversion is essential. These converters are specifically designed and certified for these applications, offering features like low noise, high reliability, compactness, and excellent technical support. Advanced Energy provides an optimal solution for those requiring DC-DC converters with voltage ranges up to 60kV, particularly in demanding medical and industrial environments.

Q: What are the key features of Advanced Energy’s DC-DC converters?

Advanced Energy’s DC-DC converters offer a wide range of input and output power and voltage levels, with efficiency exceeding 80%. Key features include reinforced insulation rated over 4000 Vac, meeting IEC 60601 safety standards for medical applications with a 2xMOOP rating. These converters have low leakage current and operate from -40°C to +75°C. Despite their compact size, they provide overload protection and comply with RoHS regulations. They come with a product warranty of up to three years, depending on the specific model.

Q: How do I choose the suitable DC-DC converter for my application?

Start by identifying your power output needs, including voltage and current. Define the range of input voltages the converter will handle. Based on your application, consider factors like noise, isolation, electromagnetic interference (EMI), electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), and operating temperatures. Additionally, prioritize safety features like over-current and over-voltage protection and ensure the converter meets regulatory approvals and certifications for safe and reliable use.

Parametric Search

Advanced Energy is widely acknowledged as an industry leader in distributed power applications and produces an exceptionally wide range of DC-DC conversion products. These DC-DC converter products are renowned for their outstanding performance, reliability and cost-effectiveness. They are used extensively by OEMs and system integrators for diverse applications in healthcare (bio life science, dental, imaging, laboratory, medical), telecommunications, computing, storage, test and measurement, instrumentation and industrial equipment.

Our portfolio of DC-DC conversion products includes an extremely wide range of isolated DC-DC converters for telecommunications applications, covering industry-standard sixteenth-brick to half-brick form factors and power ratings from 35 to 1300 watts. We also produce half-brick and full-brick models for specialist RF applications, with power ratings from 100 to 800 watts.

Our range of non-isolated DC-DC converters is one of the most extensive in the industry. It includes a large number of general purpose POLA compliant models, as well as three application-optimized product families, and covers output currents from 3 to 80 amps.

For low power industrial applications in areas such as automation, test and measurement, instrumentation and telecommunications, we offer a large and growing range of encapsulated, metal cased DC-DC converters designed specifically for harsh operating environments. These converters include single and dual output models, with power ratings from 2 to 50 watts.

We also produce high voltage quarter-brick, half-brick and full-brick DC-DC converter modules for application-specific power supplies in specialist markets such as avionics and railway rolling stock, together with a complementary range of power factor correction (PFC) modules.

DC-DC Converter Product Types

400Vdc input DC-DC PCB Mount

Achieve cost-effective and efficient means of implementing high-voltage and low-loss DC power distribution systems using our application-specific, low-profile power supplies. These isolated converter modules are intended for use with power factor correction (PFC) modules.

AC Input PCB Mount

Best suited for applications requiring low-power solutions, our power factor correction (PFC) and AC-DC modules enable quick application design-ins.

UltraVolt High Voltage PCB Mount

Our HiTek, Trek, and Ultravolt product lines are flexible and highly reliable, providing superior power quality and elevating your entire system’s performance.

Industrial DC-DC PCB Mount

Our diverse portfolio of industrial DC-DC converters caters to low-power, low-voltage needs and is best suited for ruggedized applications in harsh environments.

Medical DC-DC PCB Mount

Keep your medical systems running at peak performance with these cost-effective and highly reliable converters with a calculated Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) of 1 million hours. These series have medical safety certification to UL/cUL/EN/ IEC 60601-1 3rd Edition and EMI characteristics that can meet EN 55022, class A, and FCC level A.

Non-Isolated PCB Mount

Minimize losses, overcome noise sensitivity, and ensure tight regulation under dynamic load conditions with our extensive portfolio of non-isolated DC-DC converters, including general-purpose and three application-optimized product families.

Telecom Isolated DC-DC Brick Converters

Our brick-type isolated DC-DC converters designed for telecommunications are designed to provide regulated, low-noise power. Customize with various voltage options.

Railway DC-DC PCB Mount

Featuring a reinforced insulation system combined with high EMC immunity, the ERM family’s advanced circuit topology and high efficiency (up to 92%) make it your ideal choice for the many demanding embedded power applications in railway and other transportation systems.

Custom and Modified Standard

When a standard product does not address all your application requirements, a custom solution may be economical and help you meet deadlines.

Related Applications

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Technical Videos

Advanced Energy's Custom and Modified Standard

Jun 5, 2024

While Advanced Energy offers a broad range of standard products that address the needs of many industries, there are occasions when a standard product does not address all your application requirements. A custom solution may not be economical or meet scheduling needs. By using proven standard platforms as building blocks, we can develop cost-effective turnkey power solutions that meet your exact needs.

AIF06 Series PFC Module
DC-DC Converter Module - Advanced Energy's Artesyn LGA110D (Japanese Version)

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a DC-to-DC converter do?

How do you choose a DC-DC converter?

Can I customize DC-DC converters for specific needs?

How do you test a DC-DC converter for quality and reliability?

What size DC-to-DC converter do I need?

What are the two types of DC-DC converters?

What types of DC-DC converters does Advanced Energy offer?

Who should use Advanced Energy’s DC-DC converters?

What are the key features of Advanced Energy’s DC-DC converters?

How do I choose the suitable DC-DC converter for my application?

What certifications do Advanced Energy's DC-DC converters meet?

How can I access technical support for DC-DC converters?

What warranty options are available for DC-DC converters?

How do I handle repairs or technical issues with a DC-DC converter?

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