For locations, phone, fax, E-Mail see back cover
10
Industrial
Grade
MGDI-18 Wide Input Series
Gaïa Converter FC01-037.01/11 Revision J
©
5
14- Application Notes
14-1 Connection of Modules in Series
The output of single output units can be connected in
series without any precautions to provide higher output
voltage level.
Nevertheless, GAIA Converter recommends to protect each
individual output by a low power shottky diode rated with
the maximum current of the converter to avoid reverse
polarity at any output.
Reverse polarity may occur at start up if the output volta-
ges do not rise at the same time.
14-2 Connection of Modules in Parallel
Several converters with equal output voltage can be
connected in parallel to increase power. Nevertheless some
cares have to be taken in particular as the output voltage
of each converter is slightly different, when paralleling,
the converter with the highest output voltage will source
the most current.
However the GAIA Converter modules are designed with a
“soft’’ output voltage versus current characteristic. This
causes the output voltage of each converter to automatically
adjust downward as its current increases so each converter
very approximately shares the total output current. It is
important that each converter has approximately the same
impedance between their output and the common load.
14-3 Safety Consideration
For safety agency approval of the system in which the power
module is used, the power module must be installed in
compliance with requirements of the UL1950, CSA22.2-950,
EN60950 standards : i.e if the output circuit operator ac-
cessible, it shall be a SELV circuit.
A SELV (Safety Extra Low Voltage) output for a converter is
a secondary circuit that under normal operation or a single
fault condition cannot reach hazardous voltage (i.e Voltage
above 60 VDC) between any two accessible parts or an
accessible part and protective each.
In the event of a single fault condition (insulation or
component failure), the voltage in accessible parts of SELV
circuits shall not exceed 60 VDC for longer than 0.2 sec.
and an absolute limit of 120 VDC SELV circuits must be
separated from hazardous voltages (e.g primary circuits)
by two levels of protection which may be double or reinforced
insulation or basic insulation combined with an earthed
conductive barrier.
Generally DC/DC Converters are power by an input bus that
comes from a front end which can be an AC/DC powered
supply, a transformer, a charger or a battery. It is the sole
responsability of the user to ensure compliance of the front-
end with the relevant safety requiements.
The following table resumes some possible installation con-
figuration using Gaïa Converter wide input series.
Bus voltage at the input of
DC/DC converter Safety status of the input bus DC/DC converter
requirements
Resulting safety at the
DC/DC converter output
Voltage : < 60 VDC Basic isolation with ELV circuit
Basic isolation with earthed SELV circuit
Operationnal insulation
Operationnal insulation
Earthed SELV circuit
SELV circuit
Hazardous voltage : > 60VDC Basic isolation with hazardous voltage
Double or reinforced insulation with hazadous voltage
Operationnal insulation
Operationnal insulation
Earthed SELV circuit
Earthed SELV circuit