Artesyn Embedded Technologies, formerly Emerson Network Power’s Embedded Computing & Power business, launched a new family of high performance dc-dc converter modules – the ERM family - to meet the power demands and safety standard requirements of railway rolling stock applications.

An advanced circuit topology gives Artesyn’s ERM family a very high efficiency of up to 92 percent. Encapsulated in a compact quarter-brick form factor with metal base-plate, the ERM family is protected from atmospheric conditions without additional conformal coating being required. The isolated base-plate with threaded inserts can accept an optional heat sink or be used to cold-wall mount the new modules.

The ERM family features a reinforced insulation system as required by the general specification of high voltage input and low voltage output. Combined with high EMC immunity, this qualifies these new dc-dc converters for the many demanding embedded power applications in railway and other transportation systems.

Artesyn’s new ERM family complies with the railway industry specifications EN 50155 and 50121-3-2 and has been tested to the vibration and thermal shock requirements of EN 61373. It is ideal for rolling stock applications such as engine management, traction control, door control, video surveillance, communications, entertainment, lighting and other on-board electrical equipment.

The first two series in the ERM family, the ERM75 and ERM50, offer 75 W and 50 W maximum power output respectively. Each series includes eight models with 5 V, 12 V, 15 V, or 24 V outputs and input ranges of 43 Vdc to 101 Vdc (72 Vdc nominal) or 66 Vdc to 160 Vdc (110 Vdc nominal). The dc-dc converter modules have a wide operating temperature range of minus 40 degrees Celsius to 85 degrees Celsius with derating. The ERM family’s quarter-brick format measures 57.9 x 36.8 x 12.7 mm (2.28 x 1.45 x 0.50 inches).

Artesyn’s new ERM family builds on an existing portfolio of standard ac-dc and dc-dc power conversion products that are already widely used in rail control and infrastructure applications, such as signaling, control systems, access control, ticketing, RFID and information displays.