Why Ruggedized Power Systems Are Crucial for High-Reliability Applications
Power supplies are crucial in any installation. They are needed to deliver power not only in the form required but also in a constant manner. Power fluctuations like undervoltage can result in malfunction of devices. Overvoltages can result in the destruction of devices. In addition, power is often transmitted in AC through the grid but used in DC. As such, it’s often necessary to convert it not only into the required type of current but also to ensure that it conforms with the power characteristics of the load such as voltage and current.
There are many types of power supplies, made to achieve the same function but in different environments and for different applications. These types can be as simple as the AC adapter that is used to deliver power to laptops or as complicated as a high-power supply that is used to deliver hundreds or thousands of volts to electron guns.
However, in addition to the different types of power supplies according to their function, it is necessary to make extra considerations in some cases.
Special Power Supplies Are Required for Harsh Conditions
A normal power supply, when exposed to harsh environmental conditions like freezing temperatures or heavy rainfall, may prove unreliable. It is subject to a lot of downtime and will bring significant maintenance costs.
This is bad enough in normal industrial applications because it could lead to production stoppage or other scenarios that would lead to loss. However, in areas such as the defense industry, such failures are simply unacceptable. They could lead to the loss of lives or significant losses during combat.
Ruggedized Power Supply
Extreme conditions, environmental or otherwise, require the use of specially made power supplies called ruggedized power systems. A ruggedized power supply performs the normal function of a power supply with the difference that it’s modified or toughened up to withstand harsh conditions.
As a result, ruggedized power systems are highly reliable and continue to operate optimally even under prolonged exposure to harsh conditions. As opposed to normal power supplies, they have a high meantime between failure and can go for long without needing maintenance or causing downtime.
Such power supplies are especially useful in the military, where harsh conditions are a norm. Military electrical systems are exposed to extreme conditions like high and low temperatures, high-humidity, and dust. In addition, they are exposed to harsh conditions during combat. These include high levels of vibration and shock, for example during heavy artillery fire or during rocket lift-off.
Differences Between Ruggedized Supplies and Normal Power Supplies
What makes a power supply rugged?
There are a number of modifications that are made to power supplies to make them rugged. These include hermetic sealing to increase resistance against water and humidity. This is especially useful for power supplies that are used in the navy.
These power supplies are also enclosed in hard protective casings to make sure that they can survive repeated drops and rough military transport. They are also made of tough material to ensure that they can withstand lightning strikes, thermal shocks, and power spikes. Such material can also withstand extreme temperatures of between – 40 degrees celsius and 80 degrees celsius.
Also, since they may be subjected to heavy impact when under fire from enemies, they have built-in shock and vibration resistance.
In addition, power supplies used in certain applications in the military should have minimal electrical noise as it can be a significant strategic obstacle. As a result, rugged supplies come with noise reduction features.
Other common enhancements include active power factor correction and performance enhancement to increase reliability in high altitude and cockpit conditions.
Applications in Which Rugged Supplies Have High Utility
Military Ground Vehicles
High-reliability power supplies are crucial for tanks, mine rollers and other ground vehicles and equipment used in the military. Such supplies must be able to withstand rough terrain, humid areas, and areas with a lot of sand. It is thus necessary to use power supplies that are not only rugged but also conform to the relevant military equipment standards, such as those manufactured by Titan Power Solutions.
Shipboard Applications
The significant demands of naval environments preclude the use of many power supply options. Often, the only viable option is power supplies that are rugged and conform to ship-board military standards on a wide range of parameters.
Aerospace
Power supplies used in the aerospace industry have to endure great stress at times, for example during rocket liftoff. Normal power supplies simply wouldn’t be up to the task. In addition, there are altitude shifts to consider, as well as accompanying changes in weather.
It takes rugged, specially-enhanced power supplies to meet the demanding requirements of the aerospace industry.
Non-Military Industries
Rugged power supplies, such as those manufactured by Titan Power Solutions, can also be useful in non-military applications. This is especially the case when high reliability is crucial.
Non-military applications for rugged supplies include power distribution, avionics, telecommunications, diode laser drivers, laser designators, and racked systems.
For example, diode laser drivers are used to operate high-powered lasers, which are used for great output with minimal power. Their tremendous light output, low energy demands, affordability, and portability have made them a popular choice. For optimal, consistent performance, they need reliable power such as that supplied by a rugged power supply.