Maintenance-free DC UPS modules for DIN rail mounting

10th June 2019

Lanna Deamer

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Two new DC UPS compact modules from Bicker Elektronik ensure the uninterruptible power supply of DC loads such as low power embedded IPCs, gateways, motors, sensors, actuators or cameras in the field of industrial control, process and automation technology, medical and laboratory applications as well as safety equipment.

For protection against voltage fluctuation, brownout, flicker or power failure, the modules UPSIC-1205D (12VDC/5A) or UPSIC-2403D (24VDC/3A) are equipped with ultracapacitors (so-called SuperCaps) as maintenance-free energy storage and have an intelligent charging and control electronics.

All components are housed in a robust aluminium chassis with a DIN rail bracket for fast DIN rail mounting in control cabinets.

SuperCaps as maintenance-free energy storage
Unlike batteries, which store energy by the detour of a chemical reaction, SuperCaps are based on electrophysical principles and are charged and ready for use within a very short time, operate in a wide temperature range and convince with high current-carrying capacity, power density and reliability.

Due to the high cycle stability of more than 500,000 charge and discharge cycles, DC UPS systems with SuperCaps are practically maintenance-free and have a particularly long service life. For the supplied system, this means an increase in long term availability while at the same time minimising maintenance. The high quality SuperCaps are fully charged in a maximum of 60 seconds and designed for fanless 24/7 continuous operation in the extended temperature range of -20 to +70°C.

Intelligent charging and control electronics
In normal operation, the μC-controlled system electronics of DC UPS modules UPSIC-1205D/UPSIC-2403D pass the input voltage, reduced by a voltage drop of 0.3V/0.2V (at full load), to the output. At the same time the SuperCaps are charged and the voltage thresholds at the input are monitored. If the input voltage falls below the defined voltage threshold, the system switches to the UPS backup mode within fractions of a second and ensures an uninterruptible and regulated power supply at the output.

The intelligent distribution of the charging currents (PowerSharing) ensures that the upstream AC/DC power supply does not have to be oversized, but the input power is kept constant and distributed accordingly to the supplied load and the SuperCap charger. With less load at the output, more energy flows into SuperCap charger and vice versa.

Front-side interfaces
All inputs and outputs are located on the front of the compact DC UPS module. In addition to the connections for input and output voltage with control LEDs, these include a relay contact (PowerFail), an RS232 communication interface (DSUB) and shutdown signal outputs. The DC UPS modules are also equipped with an active reverse polarity protection and protected against overload (shutdown with automatic restart).

Software connection and data monitoring
With the aid of the HID Battery Parameter Software, settings can be comfortably made on the DC UPS. The software is available for free download on the manufacturer's website www.bicker.de for each product. In addition, a comprehensive instruction set enables the direct readout of sensor values and the setting of parameters. Continuous operational data collection allows 'real time data monitoring'. The data is temporarily stored in the module and forwarded to the host via the RS232 interface. The open communication protocol offers system developers individual possibilities of connection to their own system.

Integrated IPC reboot function
With the help of the integrated reboot function, the automatic restart of a supplied computer system can be activated as soon as the power supply voltage returns during the shutdown or at a later time. The start function of the mainboard can be activated directly via BIOS when the input voltage is present. For example, self-sufficient computer systems can be shut down in a controlled manner after a power failure and then restarted independently, without the intervention of a service employee being necessary.

Controlled release of output voltage
Optionally, an additional function can be activated for the output voltage release, which ensures that the output of the DC UPS is not enabled until the SuperCapacitors have reached at least 90% of their capacity. The safe shutdown of a supplied computer system is thus always reliably guaranteed.

Software independent operation
The DC UPS modules UPSIC-1205D and UPSIC-2403D can also be operated without software at the host. The time values for PowerFail and Shutdown / Reboot timers can be easily configured via an externally accessible DIP switch.

Extensive service and support
In addition to the three year device warranty, Bicker Elektronik guarantees a long term availability of at least five years for the new compact DC-UPS modules UPSIC-1205D and UPSIC-2403D. In particular, applications with a correspondingly long service life thus benefit from optimum investment protection with first-class design-in consulting and extensive service and support from the power supply specialists at Bicker Elektronik.

Upon request, the development engineers at Bicker Elektronik realise customer-specific special solutions and also offer extensive laboratory and measuring services for complete customer systems.

UPSIC-1205D / UPSIC-2403D

All product features at a glance