Coordinated Circuit Protection Solutions for Power Supplies, Relays, Solenoids and Controllers Power supplies, relays, solenoids, controllers and motors used in automated equipment can benefit from a coordinated circuit protection approach that helps prevent damage caused by excessive currents during a fault or overload condition, as well as voltage spikes or exposure to steady-state overvoltage conditions. Coordinated protection can help improve equipment reliability, reduce component count and facilitate compliance with critical safety agency requirements. Matthew Williams, Global Applications Engineering Manager • Tyco Electronics

Matt Williams with Tyco Electronics will give a presentation at Motor, Drive and Automation Systems. Matt took the time to discuss the timeliness and importance of this topic.

Q: Are there any technology advancements or economical factors that make your presentation timely?

A: The growth of power electronics in automotive designs, a shift to DC power in enterprise networks and industrial applications, and smaller form factors and denser PCB designs in consumer electronics all present unique challenges and opportunities for designers and manufacturers of motors, drives and automation components.

The automotive power electronics market has grown quickly, with comfort and active safety features becoming more common. Conventional mechanical functions such as power steering and electronic parking systems are migrating to electronic applications. The connected lifestyle has also found its way into the automobile and has dramatically affected new vehicle designs. Consumer demands and competitive pressures have led automakers to add a growing number of multimedia functions and features to their vehicles, which in turn affects the automotive network, as well as electrical architecture and components.

In parallel, the communications market continues to evolve. User demand for constant-connectivity is leading to the increasing density of IT server farms and telecom centers around the world, along with higher power machines and denser PCBs. These market trends place greater demands on power electronic systems, resulting in the potential for serious thermal issues when power components fail due to harsh environmental conditions.

The preponderance of small, multifunction consumer devices has also increased board density and resulted in a demand for components that help conserve energy and improve thermal management. In terms of circuit protection, this means that the next generation of devices must not only be smaller, but must be able to help drive greater functionality and reduce power consumption.

Q: How can/will the information you provide impact attendees or their business operations? 

A: This presentation will demonstrate how coordinated overcurrent, overvoltage and ESD protection of power supplies, relays, solenoids, controllers and motors can benefit from a coordinated circuit protection strategy. This approach helps prevent damage that may result from excessive currents during a fault or overload condition, as well as voltage spikes or exposure to steady-state overvoltage conditions.

Because overcurrent and overvoltage protection are often viewed as two unrelated elements of the circuit protection design process, protection methods can result in costly multi-component solutions, and synergies between protective devices can be overlooked. By employing a coordinated approach, designers can accelerate the development process and help ensure that their equipment will meet regulatory agency requirements.

Q: Who is your presentation most targeted towards?

A: Designers of power supplies and electrical equipment that must comply with standards such as IEC 61000-4-5, UL 2231 and UL1449 will benefit from a better understanding of  why coordinated circuit protection is important not only from a safety standpoint, but also for improving product reliability. Applications that will be discussed in the presentation include circuit protection for relays, switches, solenoids, power supplies, appliance control boards, AC line input and brushless DC motors.

Q: What lasting value will the attendee receive?

A: It is my intention to demonstrate how a coordinated circuit protection strategy can help designers improve reliability, thereby reducing warranty costs and extending their equipment’s service life in a variety of environments. I will present actual test data from our applications engineering lab to illustrate how robust circuit protection techniques can help equipment meet rigorous safety agency requirements. Finally, descriptions of actual circuit configurations will show designers several cost-effective solutions for managing board density and reducing component count.