Sending 2kW of Power over Low-cost Data Cables

Sponsored by Vicor

VoltServer has developed a new of solution for energy delivery system with its patented Digital Electricity™ technology, that safely transmits up to 2kW of power across long distances (up to 2km) using low-cost, off-the-shelf data cables. Digital Electricity is a line powering system, which is a means of energizing remote equipment from a centralized location over structured copper cable. It safely runs high-voltage power over lightweight data cable and delivers low current downstream to power loads. It’s a natively digital form of electricity transmission that can be considered a third power format in addition to the AC and DC formats that were first harnessed nearly 150 years ago.

How does it work? VoltServer takes conventional electricity and breaks it into small pulses, or “energy packets.” Each packet is sent to a receiver from a transmitter that contains local, embedded processing. Each energy packet is analyzed using a digital signal processing engine to determine that power is being precisely and safely distributed. If a fault is detected, the next energy packet is not sent. Each packet contains only a very small amount of energy, so individually they are not harmful to people, animals, systems or buildings. The receiver converts Digital Electricity back into analog AC or DC to power local loads.

Plug-and-play Power Sources

Because of its inherently safe energy-transfer design, the VoltServer Digital Electricity platform can send power over a distance up to 2,000 meters using off-the-shelf structured copper communications cable and Class 2, low-voltage wiring methods. Similar to power-over-ethernet (PoE), this enables VoltServer to transport both digital data and power in a single hybrid cabling infrastructure, making it much easier and more economical to install than conventional 110/220 electrical systems.

This simplicity allows architects, designers and facility managers to quickly and easily configure and reconfigure wireless networks, office floorplans and agricultural grow rooms. And because the platform is natively digital, it provides insights into energy use with a centralized dashboard. This gives building operators and maintenance staff a granular view of their electric grid to better manage critical loads while eliminating the need for traditional circuit breaker panels.

Smart converters eliminate the need for cooling

Vicor Corporation has worked closely with VoltServer since they began product development. Vicor ruggedized, passively-cooled BCM® DC-DC fixed-ratio bus converters are designed into the receivers transforming the higher transmission voltage to a safe low voltage to power the loads.  The 97% power efficiency allows reliable cooling without a fan within a smaller enclosure. They provide the power efficiency that allows the receivers to be placed in tight, enclosed spaces that are too small to accommodate cooling fans.

This allows the VoltServer platform to operate more efficiently with much smaller heat sinks and significantly shrinks the receiver footprint. “With the Vicor converter, we have 43% less heat loss than a normal converter, and the heat sink size decreases proportionately,” said Dan Lowe, VoltServer co-founder and Chief Business Officer. “Our customers include the top three mobile network operators in the U.S., so the requirements for reliability are extremely demanding. That’s where Vicor comes in really, really neatly.”

VoltServer uses the Vicor compact BCM6123 fixed-ratio bus converter (0.99 x 2.402 x 0.286in) in the endpoint receivers to efficiently convert the power packets. Vicor BCMs use a proprietary, low-noise, high-efficiency Sine Amplitude Converter (SAC) topology that requires little electromagnetic filtration. This further shrinks the power system footprint and simplifies the design while meeting EMI standards.

For more information, click Digital Electricity

Advanced Energy Open a New Facility in Israel

Advanced Energy Industries from Fort Collins, Colorado, announced the grand opening of its newest facility, located near Tel Aviv, in Caesarea, Israel. The new 6,500 square-foot facility includes business offices, a service and repair center and R&D lab. This facility supports AE’s growth strategy and global expansion, while providing enhanced support for the company’s regional customers in the semiconductor, medical, defense and industrial markets.

“Our new facility in Israel underscores our commitment to enhancing service and support for our customers,” said Yuval Wasserman, president and CEO of Advanced Energy. “Our local presence provides us with the opportunity to expand our customer base in both the semiconductors and industrial sectors, and within Israel’s fast-growing high-tech market. It also positions us to further collaborate with technology centers of innovation in the country.”

Amir Wachs, general manager, Israel, for Advanced Energy, said  that the new facility brings tremendous value to local customers, “by combining sales support, a service center and R&D lab for custom design.” AE provides precision power conversion, measurement and control solutions for mission-critical applications and processes. Last month it was chosen by Alma Lasers from Caesarea to integrate AE’s UltiMod and CoolX power supplies into Alama’s energy-based aesthetic treatment platforms.

On May 15, AE has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the Embedded Power business of Artesyn Embedded Technologies for approximately $400 million. Artesyn EP is a provider of highly engineered, application-specific power supplies for demanding applications. During 2018, AE’s annual ales were $718.9 million, compared with $671.0 million in 2017.