• • • UPS & STANDBY POWER • • •


The HPF3K0 has the digital control capabilities to enable designers to access data for precise control, monitoring and diagnostics.


Customised standard: the best combination


for an optimised power solution? By Steve Dodson, engineering services manager, XP Power and Hafiz Khalid, product marketing director, XP Power


avoided. Similarly, using off-the-shelf standard products works for many applications. Still, some areas necessitate compromise. In that case, a better approach is custom standard - taking a proven, already designed power supply and working with specialists to tailor it to the exact needs of the application in question. This article looks at when designers should take the custom standard route and considers the pros and cons to help design engineers, especially those in the mission-critical healthcare sector, choose the path they follow.


A Available options for healthcare


equipment power supplies Reliable power supply solutions in healthcare equipment cannot be overstated. Design engineers who are developing imaging equipment and life support systems, for example, need specific power requirements with various output voltage and current combinations. Also, if the equipment is battery powered, there needs to be some sort of control and monitoring capability. Here, typically, engineers will adopt one of three approaches: designing from scratch, off-the-shelf standard and customised standard.


lthough necessary for some applications, designing a power supply solution for an application from scratch is usually best


Designing a power solution from scratch allows for a tailored system that meets every specific requirement. While this approach offers maximum flexibility and customisation, it often takes a significant amount of time to perfect the final design, requiring considerable resources and expertise. Alternatively, off-the-shelf standard power supplies provide a quicker and more cost- effective solution, but may only sometimes perfectly align with the unique power requirements of the end equipment.


A third method is the customised standard


solution, which combines the advantages of both. This hybrid way of ‘solving the power requirement puzzle’ offers the agility to address unique challenges while benefiting from the reliability and economies of scale you get with standardised products.


Considerations for design engineers


When looking for a customised standard power supply, several important considerations come into play. Firstly, you must evaluate the key performance parameters, such as input and output voltage, current ranges, efficiency, size and weight. These important parameters directly impact the power supply’s suitability for the intended application, as well as its efficiency and


32 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING • NOVEMBER 2024


physical footprint within the system. Regulatory standards and certifications are crucial aspects too. Safety standards - EN62368-1 (ITE) and EN60601-1 (medical) are both required, with considerations for Type B/BF/BC classifications and leakage current, as well as levels of protection (Class I vs. Class II). Compliance with the EN55032 electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) standard is also essential to mitigate electromagnetic interference (EMI) with consideration for Class A and Class B requirements.


Application specific requirements further guide the customisation process. Engineers must assess the expected lifetime and reliability of the power supply, considering factors such as component quality, cooling mechanisms and limiting factors like capacitor lifespan. Specialised requirements, such as low-noise fans and digital control interfaces from monitoring and control, may also influence the decisions design engineers make.


Precision control, customisation and real-time monitoring for


evolving energy demands XP Power offers a range of advanced programmable AC-DC power supplies, including the 1.5kW HPA and 3kW HPF series, equipped


electricalengineeringmagazine.co.uk


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