RMD500-EW

Podcast Transcript

Jeff: Welcome to RECOM's Powerful Podcast, where we discuss new topics and products. I'm Jeff Deutschman, your product moderator. From a quarter watt up to 1,000 watts, whether the power is required for an industrial setting, a new IoT gadget, or a high-end medical-grade device, RECOM has you covered.
In this episode, we'll be discussing the new railway power supply, the RMD500-EW. Peter, what should the people know about this one?

Peter: Hey Jeff, this is the first plug-and-play module we've released that is designed specifically for railway applications.

Jeff: Yeah, fantastic. So, what do you mean when you say plug-and-play?

Peter: Yeah, so plug-and-play means there's essentially no engineering work for our end customers. We consider basically everything when we design these. All the customer needs to do is mount the supply and plug it into their system. It's very easy and intuitive to use.

Jeff: Sounds simple enough. Is there a specific type of train that these are ideal for?

Peter: No, these pretty much cover everything from high-speed trains to trams, coaches, or tubes. And it doesn't matter whether these are diesel-powered, electric, or hybrid units. It'll be compatible with all three.

Jeff: And what types of railway systems will this power?

Peter: Yeah, there's a ton of fits. A few examples are the traction and propulsion systems, brake systems, doors, HVAC, radio communication, or even comfort systems for the passengers.

Jeff: Okay, very nice. Definitely a lot of variety there. So, let's get into the specs. What does this thing look like?

Peter: Yeah, let's do it. This unit is available with a single 24V output and is capable of supplying 500W at 95% efficiency. So, very good thermal performance.

Jeff: That's awesome. And what about the input voltage?

Peter: It has a wide input range that covers 50V up to 137V, making it ideal for 72 and 110V battery systems that are commonly used in railways. Additionally, it can handle a maximum surge voltage of up to 170V for three seconds.

Jeff: Easy for you to say. Are these units isolated?

Peter: Yeah, the RMD500 has reinforced isolation and is rated to 5kVDC.

Jeff: That's great. What kind of safety certifications does this supply come with?

Peter: A plethora, but the most important is EN50155, which covers electronic equipment on rolling stock or trains. Additionally, there's a ton of other safety requirements, such as special thermal tests, vibration, fire protection, and EMC.

Jeff: Very impressive. What about the footprint and mechanical features?

Peter: Yeah, so the footprint is 8.2″ x 5.5″ and 1.8″ tall. The temperature range covers -40° up to 70°C without derating, and the power supply is intended to be chassis mounted, which benefits the thermal performance.

Jeff: Okay. Is there a certain way or direction they have to mount this?

Peter: There are four mounting holes towards the corners of the device and even some threaded holes on top if the customer wants to throw heat sink on there. But the direction of the converter doesn't matter. Because of the high efficiency and strong thermal performance, the customer can choose any orientation that works best for them.

Jeff: Oh, man, that's some cool stuff. Peter, as always, thank you very much. Well, that wraps up another episode of RECOM's Powerful Podcast. Be sure to listen next time when we delve into the pros of another RECOM topic. As always, please contact your regional sales manager for any samples or pricing information. Our application engineers are always happy to assist you with any technical questions or requests. You can email them at techsupportamericas@recom-power.com. Until then, have a great day and always remember, RECOM powers your products!