Powerbox introduces industry’s first power supply for immerged computing applications

The PRBX OFI600A12 is the result of two years of research and development and has been validated by Powerbox’s R&D and quality teams as a certified platform for a new generation of power supplies for immerged applications. The OFI600A12 is based on an interleaved transition mode power factor correction (PFC) design with an LLC converter as second stage. It is designed to have the lowest possible inrush current, less than 10A at 264VAC. The product has an input voltage of 187 to 265VAC, dual outputs comprising a master 12V/600W and an independent auxiliary of 5V/10W, and its efficiency is up to 93%.

The OFI600A12 includes remote On/Off, remote reset, over-current and over-voltage protection and complies with safety and EMC regulations. Depending on the application, output protection may be required to be one of a number of different configurations (Switch off, Hiccup mode or Constant current), meeting this requirement, the OFI600A12 is able to be reconfigured as appropriate. Based on firmware defined profiles and the output protection configuration, the mode of operation can be factory selected in a few minutes to meet the requirements of specific applications. The unit is protected by a conformal coating and complies with the RoHS and REACH directives.

The concept of immersed data-centers emerged in 2005, and following a number of successful trials and experiments it has now become a market reality. The technology requires special caution when selecting switching power components, although manufacturing practices are very similar to those required by the marine industry in terms of robustness and the ability to endure operation in high levels of humidity or salty environments.

“With increased concerns for the environment and energy optimization, immersed data centers are becoming widespread and a number of industrial embedded applications have adopted immersed computers requiring compliant power supplies that are designed, tested and certified to work safely when immerged in a cooling fluid.” Said Patrick Le Fèvre, Powerbox’s Chief Marketing and Communication Officer.

Calling on years of experience and expertise in developing power supplies for the marine industry, Powerbox designers have transposed best practice for ruggedized design over to immerged electronics. Besides requiring a new mechanical approach to facilitate fluid circulation through and around the power supply, designers had to investigate every single component for compatibility with cooling fluids to guarantee they will maintain their mechanical and electrical performances when immerged, e.g. risk of corrosion. The development process also included a thorough risk analysis to verify that when immerged the final product operates with the highest level of safety for users and equipment.