Flex introduces two new series of DC-DC converters for use in rolling stock

     Flex Power Modules announced the launch of two new series of quarter brick modules PKM7500W and PKM7100W for powering railway rolling stock equipment. The 50W PKM7500W offers an extremely wide input voltage range from 12V to 160V, while the 100W PKM7100W offers an input range from 14V to 160V.

     With such a wide input voltage range, device designers can adapt a single DC-DC converter to products that are available around the world, making installation, certification, and after-sales support easier. The equipment used in railway vehicles must meet the different standard input voltages of countries around the world. As a result, manufacturers previously had to design at least two versions: one designed for lower voltages (e.g. 24V, 36V, and 48V) and one for higher voltages (e.g. 72V, 96V, and 110V).

     The above nominal voltages are defined in the EN50155 standard, which also specifies the requirements for dealing with voltage dips and spikes. In other words, the minimum voltage to be dealt with by the 24V system is actually 14.4V, while the minimum voltage to be dealt with by the 110V system is 154V.

     "These new modules allow device designers to simplify the way they handle power requirements in different countries, saving time and reducing costs," said Olle Hellgren, director of Product Management and Business Development for power modules at Flex.

     These modules are ideal for use in harsh environments, with a fully sealed package that protects against dust, moisture, and corrosion, as well as vibration resistance that increases reliability. They integrate input undervoltage protection, output overcurrent protection, output overvoltage protection and overheat protection to avoid damage to the module itself and the equipment supplied.

     The PKM7100W offers up to 100W of output power at 5V, 12V, 13.8V, 15V, 24V, 48V and 54V output voltages. The PKM7500W delivers up to 50W of power at the same output voltage and 3.3V.