Previous in Forum: HT Cable Sizing   Next in Forum: Transformer Testing
Close
Close
Close
5 comments
Rate Comments: Nested
Active Contributor

Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 24

DC to DC Converter

01/22/2010 12:05 AM

im facing an issue with DC to DC converters of C&D Technologies.

its about the failure of its output at either positive or negative terminal from regulated value(+12/-12 for 12v converter , and +15/-15 for 15v converter).

the output voltage drops to either zero or to level down the desired regulated voltage (it drops to 5 or 6V).

another mentionable point is that the output failure is only at one end either positive or negative, the other terminal operates properly.

if someone has used these converters, kindly share your experience or if someone gets the cause, inform it to me.

or if any new, more efficient DC to DC converter (that does not require an external fuse at input) is available, kindly inform me.

one more thing, the converter is placed on a circuit that has to be maintained at 60 degree centigarde temperature. im using industrial grade converter but still its facing the problem.

i think that the issue is because of the wrong selection of fuse and the other possible cause is continuous high temperature.

kindly elaborate the reasons in your opinion if you find them right or comment if you find them wrong.

Register to Reply
Interested in this topic? By joining CR4 you can "subscribe" to
this discussion and receive notification when new comments are added.

Good Answers:

These comments received enough positive votes to make them "good answers".
2
Guru
Engineering Fields - Electrical Engineering - New Member

Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: El Lago, Texas, USA
Posts: 2639
Good Answers: 65
#1

Re: DC to DC converter

01/22/2010 9:54 AM

It sound like you're pulling too much current out of it. When you exceed the current rating of a dc/dc converter the output voltage collapses in an effort to limit the amount of current you're drawing.

Or, you're pulling enough current that the internal temperature of the converter is causing a thermal shutdown. When you run a dc/dc converter at an elevated temperature, you have to de-rate the amount of power you can expect from it. For instance, it may be about to output 100 watts at 25C, but only 50 watts at 60C. this is due to the fact that there is an internal temperature rise due to the amount of power provided. If the converter is rated to 70C, and has a 30C temperature rise at full power, it will not be able to provide full power in a 60C environment, since the temperature in the converter is now 60 + 30 = 90C.

Another possibility is that the converter is working fine, but your load is not referenced to the ground of the converter. Make sure you are connected to the output ground (return), not just +12 and -12.

Register to Reply Good Answer (Score 2)
Anonymous Poster
#2

Re: DC to DC Converter

01/23/2010 6:05 AM

The converter you are using should have a derating curve. Using this curve will tell you whether or not the device will operate at full current at 60 degrees. If not that would explain 0 output.

Register to Reply
Guru

Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 1758
Good Answers: 6
#3

Re: DC to DC Converter

01/23/2010 7:22 AM

Regards.

Such units are normally CVCL or CVCFB, i.e. constant voltage Current-Limit or current Fold-back; current goes to zero in case of overload.

Check with manufacturer data & your loads. #1 is quite valid answer to your question.

Register to Reply
Anonymous Poster
#4

Re: DC to DC Converter

01/23/2010 8:20 AM

One word "bus " system incorporated

Register to Reply
Anonymous Poster
#5

Re: DC to DC Converter

01/23/2010 12:50 PM

the fuse would either blow at too low a current or not blow at too high a current--it should have little to do with voltage. Are you hooking the circuit up to the +15 and -15 terminals and grounding the body through the converter's ground? If you're hooking the + to the +15 and the - to the ground, you aren't making a circuit at all and it should (unless there is a ground fault or short) show zero volts through the circuit. Only when there is a failure should there be a potential between the hot circuit and the ground.

Register to Reply
Register to Reply 5 comments

Good Answers:

These comments received enough positive votes to make them "good answers".
Copy to Clipboard

Users who posted comments:

Anonymous Poster (3); bhankiii (1); Haajee (1)

Previous in Forum: HT Cable Sizing   Next in Forum: Transformer Testing

Advertisement