JT Day now offers Weidmüller power supply redundancy gear

JT Day has announced it now has available Weidmüller’s ELV DC power supply redundancy gear.

Power supply redundancy is described as the duplication of critical components to ensure continued operation under fault conditions. Dual redundancy allows for a single component fault. To be classified as a dual redundant power supply system, steps must be taken in the design to ensure that the failure of one power supply does not interfere with the operation of the other power supply. This can be achieved through the use of additional components outside the power supplies.

Redundancy — how to achieve it?

Providing a one-way current path from the outputs of both power supplies can be achieved by using externally connected full current rated power diodes, sometimes referred to as ‘Auctioneering Diodes’. These are fitted in series with the positive output of each supply preventing the back feed of current to the failed power supply.

By always using external diodes with two identical power supplies, redundancy can be achieved regardless of the type of power supplies selected. When connecting power supplies this way, it is recommended that each power supply output voltage be adjusted within 50 mV of each other.

Weidmüller has two sizes of diode module for redundancy connection. The Weidmüller Pro M diode modules include relay outputs for the status of each power supply: CP DM 20 for up to 20 A power supplies and CP DM 40 for up to 40 A power supplies.