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Fully Isolated Converter (IDC-360C-12)

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Overview — Fully Isolated ConverterFully Isolated Converter (IDC-360C-12)

IDC-360 series is a complete line of high efficiency 360 Watt isolated DC-DC converters suitable for applications requiring galvanic isolation between the input and the output. IDC-360C-12 isolated DC-DC converter provides a highly regulated output DC voltage of 12.5 Volts for an input DC voltage range of 30-60 Volts and rated output current of 30 Amps. Features of this isolated DC-DC converter include compact housing, fold-back current limiting and protection against short circuit, overheating, overvoltage and reverse polarity connection. The unit comes with ¼” push-on flat blade “quick disconnect” connectors. IDC-360C-12 isolated DC-DC converter is EMI/EMC compliant and conforms to European standards EN50081-1 (for EMI) and EN50082-1 (for EMC).

Resources — Fully Isolated ConverterFully Isolated Converter (IDC-360C-12)

Documents — Fully Isolated ConverterFully Isolated Converter (IDC-360C-12)

📙 Product Manual 📊 Samlex Specifications (EN)

Videos — Fully Isolated ConverterFully Isolated Converter (IDC-360C-12)

🎬 Samlex Solar Converter Video

Warranty — Fully Isolated ConverterFully Isolated Converter (IDC-360C-12)

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Features — Fully Isolated ConverterFully Isolated Converter (IDC-360C-12)

  • Fully Isolated
  • Short Circuit Protected
  • Current Limited

Specs — Fully Isolated ConverterFully Isolated Converter (IDC-360C-12)

Input 30 – 60 VDC
Output 12.5 VDC
Amps 30 Amps
Weight 3.1 (lbs)
Weight 1.4 (kg)
Dimensions 5.23 x 7.5 x 3.27 (in)
Dimensions 132.8 x 190.5 x 83 (mm)  WARNING

FAQs — Fully Isolated ConverterFully Isolated Converter (IDC-360C-12)

Q: What is a step-up DC-DC converter?

Answer:

A step-up dc-dc converter is an electronic circuit that raises the DC voltage level from a lower value to a higher value. Assuming an ideal converter (100% efficiency),

Input Power = Output Power

Input Voltage — Input Current = Output voltage — Output current.

Hence a step-up dc-dc converter will reduce the input current level to a lower value at the output in the same proportion that it raises the value of the input voltage.

Step-up dc-dc converters would typically find applications in RV vehicles, heavy trucks, buses, marine vehicles, Land mobile radios, CB radios, lighting systems, AM/FM sound systems.

Q: What is a step-down DC-DC converter?

Answer:

A step-down dc-dc converter is an electronic circuit that lowers the DC voltage level from a higher value to a lower value. Assuming an ideal converter (100% efficiency),

Input Power = Output Power

Input voltage × Input current = Output voltage × Output current.

Thus, a step-down dc-dc converter will increase the input current level to a higher value at the output in the same proportion that it lowers the value of the input voltage.

Step-down dc-dc converters would typically find applications in Earth-moving equipment, heavy trucks, buses, marine vehicles, CB radios, lighting systems, AM/FM sound systems.

Q: What is the difference between isolated and non-isolated DC-DC converters?

Answer:

Isolated dc-dc converters provide full dielectric isolation (no electric contact) between input and output circuits by means of a high frequency transformer, which may be a requirement by certain safety agencies or for certain applications.

Typical applications requiring isolated dc-dc converters would be Communications, Forklifts etc.

Q: What are the advantages of isolated DC-DC converters?

Answer:
  • Safety to personnel, isolation prevents input voltage from transmitting to the output in case of internal failure.
  • Isolated DC-DC converters can be configured to provide positive or negative outputs from plus or minus rails.
  • Voltage transients on the input are not transmitted to the output.

Q: How can isolated DC-DC converters be configured to provide positive or negative outputs from plus or minus rails?

Answer:

Isolated DC-DC voltage converters can provide positive or negative voltages from a single device. Most isolated converters have “floating” outputs that provide isolation between the case, the input and the output circuitry (See Fig.1A & B).

Figure 1a: Isolation between case, input and output circultry

Figure 1b: Simplified input/output circultry for single output device

Connecting the output circuit reference node (ground) to the positive output will cause the output common of the device to be at a relative negative voltage. For example, by connecting the 12V output of the 12V output versions of SD or IDC series to ground, the output common may be used to supply a negative voltage (-12V) to the load. (See Fig. 2).

Figure 2: Isolated output configured to provide negative voltage

Isolated DC-DC converters may be also be used with either a positive or a negative input voltage source, as long as the relative polarity of the input to the device is maintained. (See Fig. 3)

Figure 3: Negative input voltage operation

The positive input (Vin) must be positive with respect to the input return. The input return must be kept negative with respect to the Vin pin. If this polarity is reversed, the converter input will approximate a forward biased diode and permanent damage to the unit will occur. An example of operating from a negative source is shown, connecting the input return to the 24V and the input positive terminal to ground, maintaining the correct polarity. The outputs can still be made either positive or negative as described earlier.

DC-DC Converters: IDC Series fully

Q: Can the SDC-series dc-dc converter be used directly to charge batteries?

Answer:

The SDC-series dc-dc converter cannot be directly used to charge batteries as the battery will feed back into SDC-series dc-dc converter if the input to SDC-series converter is removed or if there is no output from SDC-series dc-dc converter due to any reason.

This will damage SDC-series dc-dc converter. In addition, if the 12V battery is deeply discharged, it will send SDC-series converter into current limit for extended period of time and will lead to premature failure.

Q: How can the SDC-series dc-dc converter be modified to work as a battery charger?

Answer:

A Schottky diode (rated at 30 V, 30 A) in series with the positive output of SDC-series converter will eliminate feed back into SDC-series dc-dc converter. To compensate for the drop across the Schottky diode (0.4V to 0.5 V), the output voltage of SDC-series dc-dc converter should be increased to around 14V to provide a float voltage of 13.5 V for charging a 12 V battery (The output voltage of SDC-series converter can be adjusted using the internal output voltage control potentiometer (Call Tech Support for exact part reference).

Premature failure can also be avoided by reducing the current limit with the help of internal potentiometer (Call Tech Support for exact part reference).

Q: How can the BBM-1225 be used in conjunction with the SDC-series converter to function as a battery charger and DC UPS?

Answer:

If it is desired to use the SDC-series dc-dc converter for battery charging, the battery back-up module BBM-1225 could be used in conjunction with SDC-series dc-dc converter. The Battery Terminal of the output of BBM-1225 will provide a charging current of around 4 A.

The customer will have to adjust the output voltage of SDC-series dc-dc converter to 14 V as explained above when using BBM-1225. The customer will be able to power his 12 V load through the Load Terminal of the output of BBM-1225 up to the current rating of the respective SDC-series dc-dc converter less 4 amps.

Q: Can the output voltage on the SD-1000L-48 be varied?

Answer:

By means of an internal potentiometer the output voltage can be varied from 46 – 60 volts DC

Q: What is the switching frequency of the SD-1000L-series converter?

Answer:

The SD-1000L-48 consists of a two-stage DC/DC converter. The first stage (Boost) has a switching frequency of 70 kHz. The second stage (isolation) has a switching frequency of 90 kHz. The two switching frequencies are different so that they don’t superimpose emitting radiated and conducted EMI noise.

Q: Can the SDC-series dc-dc converter be used directly to charge batteries?

Answer:

The SDC-series dc-dc converter cannot be directly used to charge batteries as the battery will feed back into SDC-series dc-dc converter if the input to SDC-series converter is removed or if there is no output from SDC-series dc-dc converter due to any reason.

This will damage SDC-series dc-dc converter. In addition, if the 12V battery is deeply discharged, it will send SDC-series converter into current limit for extended period of time and will lead to premature failure.

Q: How can the SDC-series dc-dc converter be modified to work as a battery charger?

Answer:

A Schottky diode (rated at 30 V, 30 A) in series with the positive output of SDC-series converter will eliminate feed back into SDC-series dc-dc converter. To compensate for the drop across the Schottky diode (0.4V to 0.5 V), the output voltage of SDC-series dc-dc converter should be increased to around 14V to provide a float voltage of 13.5 V for charging a 12 V battery (The output voltage of SDC-series converter can be adjusted using the internal output voltage control potentiometer (Call Tech Support for exact part reference).

Premature failure can also be avoided by reducing the current limit with the help of internal potentiometer (Call Tech Support for exact part reference).

Q: How can the BBM-1225 be used in conjunction with the SDC-series converter to function as a battery charger and DC UPS?

Answer:

If it is desired to use the SDC-series dc-dc converter for battery charging, the battery back-up module BBM-1225 could be used in conjunction with SDC-series dc-dc converter. The Battery Terminal of the output of BBM-1225 will provide a charging current of around 4 A.

The customer will have to adjust the output voltage of SDC-series dc-dc converter to 14 V as explained above when using BBM-1225. The customer will be able to power his 12 V load through the Load Terminal of the output of BBM-1225 up to the current rating of the respective SDC-series dc-dc converter less 4 amps.

Q: The input circuit breaker to my VTC 605-12-24 trips every time I turn the converter on, even though the converter is not connected to full load?

Answer:

The input capacitors draw a high current initially to get charged at start-up. Make sure the circuit breaker rating is the same as that of the fuse on the input side. In the case of the VTC 605-12-24, this is 60 Amps.

Q: What is Photo Voltaic (PV)?

Answer:

The word photo-voltaic is derived from two different words; the word photos, from the Greek, meaning light and the word ‘voltaic’ developed from the name of the Italian scientist, Volta, who studied electricity. This explains what a PV system does: it converts light energy from the sun into electrical energy.

Q: What is in a photovoltaic (PV) system?

Answer:

Non Grid-tied PV / Solar System

Above diagram shows a typical non-grid tied Photovoltaic (PV) System with its main components. It consists of a PV / Solar Panel (Module), Charge Controller, Batteries and Power Inverter. The PV / Solar Panel (Module) converts the solar light energy into DC electrical energy. The Charge Controller conditions the DC electrical voltage and current produced by the PV / Solar Panel (Module) to charge a battery. The battery stores the DC electrical energy so that it can be used when there is no solar energy available (night time, cloudy days etc). DC loads can be powered directly from the PV / Solar Panel (Module) / Battery. The inverter converts the DC power produced by the PV / Solar Panel (Module) / stored in the battery into AC power to enable powering of AC loads.

Grid-tied PV / Solar System

Above diagram shows a Grid-tied PV / Solar System. In this system, the Solar Panels (Modules) / Arrays directly feed to an inverter and the inverter is connected to an Electricity Transmission and Distribution System (referred to as the Electricity Grid) such that the system can draw on the Grid’s reserve capacity in times of need, and feed electricity back into the Grid during times of excess production. In order to safely transmit electricity to your loads and to comply with your power provider’s grid-connection requirements, you may need the following additional items:

  • Power conditioning equipment
  • Safety equipment
  • Meters and instrumentation

Q: What are solar (PV) cell modules and arrays?

Answer:

The basic element of a PV System is the photovoltaic (PV) cell, also called a Solar Cell. An example of a PV / Solar Cell made of Mono-crystalline Silicon is shown below. This single PV / Solar Cell is like a square but with its four corners missing (it is made this way!).

Theory Behind Operation of a PV/Solar Cell

A PV / Solar Cell is a semiconductor device that can convert solar energy into DC electricity through the Photovoltaic Effect -conversion of solar light energy into electrical energy. When light shines on a PV / Solar Cell, it may be reflected, absorbed, or passes right through. But only the absorbed light generates electricity.

PV Module / Panel and PV Array

To increase their utility, a number of individual PV cells are interconnected together in a sealed, weatherproof package called a Panel (Module). For example, a 12 V Panel (Module) will have 36 cells connected in series and a 24 V Panel (Module) will have 72 PV Cells connected in series

To achieve the desired voltage and current, Modules are wired in series and parallel into what is called a PV Array. The flexibility of the modular PV system allows designers to create solar power systems that can meet a wide variety of electrical needs. Below is a schematic of a PV cell, Panel (Module) and Array.

The cells are very thin and fragile so they are sandwiched between a transparent front sheet, usually glass, and a backing sheet, usually glass or a type of tough plastic. This protects them from breakage and from the weather. An aluminum frame is fitted around the module to enable easy fixing to a support structure. The picture below shows a small part of a Module with cells in it. It has a glass front, a backing plate and a frame around it.

Bypass Diodes

As mentioned, PV / Solar cells are wired in series and in parallel to form a PV / Solar Panel (Module). The number of series cells indicates the voltage of the Panel (Module), whereas the number of parallel cells indicates the current. If many cells are connected in series, shading of individual cells can lead to the destruction of the shaded cell or of the lamination material, so the Panel (Module) may blister and burst. To avoid such an operational condition, Bypass Diodes are connected anti-parallel to the solar cells as in the diagram below. As a consequence, larger voltage differences cannot arise in the reverse-current direction of the solar cells. In practice, it is sufficient to connect one bypass diode for every 15-20 cells. Bypass diodes also allow current to flow through the PV module when it is partially shaded, even if at a reduced voltage and power. Bypass diodes do not cause any losses, because under normal operation, current does not flow through them.

Q: What are Current, Voltage and Power Curves of a Solar (PV) Panel?

Answer:

A Current (I) versus Voltage (V) Curve of a PV / Solar Module shows the possible combinations of its current and voltage outputs. A typical I-V curve for a 12 V Module is shown above.

The power in a DC electrical circuit is the product of the voltage and the current. Mathematically,

Power (P) in Watts (W) = The Current (I) in Amperes (A) X the Voltage (V) in Volts (V) i.e. W = V X A

A Solar (PV) Cell or a Panel / Module produces its maximum current when there is no resistance in the circuit, i.e. when there is a short circuit between its Positive and Negative terminals. This maximum current is known as the Short Circuit Current and is abbreviated as Isc. When the Cell / Panel (Module) is shorted, the voltage in the circuit is zero.

Conversely, the maximum voltage occurs when there is a break in the circuit. This is called the Open Circuit Voltage (Voc). Under this condition, the resistance is infinitely high and there is no current, since the circuit is incomplete. Typical value of the open-circuit voltage is located about 0.5 -0.6 V for Crystalline Cells and 0.6 -0.9 V for Amorphous Cells. These two extremes in load resistance, and the whole range of conditions in between them, are depicted on the I-V Curve. Current, expressed in Amps, is on the vertical Y-axis. Voltage, in Volts, is on the horizontal X-axis.

Maximum Power Point and Rated Power of Solar (PV) Panel

There is a point on the knee of the I-V Curve where the maximum power output is located and this point is called the Maximum Power Point (MPP). The voltage and current at this Maximum Power Point are designated as Vmp and Imp.

The values of Vmp and Imp can be estimated from Voc and Isc as follows: Vmp = (0.75 to 0.9) Voc Imp = (0.85 to 0.95) Isc.

The rated power of the PV / Solar Module in Watts (Pmax) is derived from the above values of voltage Vmp and current Imp at this Maximum Power Point (MPP):

Rated power in Watts, Pmax = Vmp x Imp

Example of I-V Curve and Ratings of a 12 V Solar (PV) Panel

This Maximum Power Point in the example curve given above is where Vmp is 17 Volts, and the current Imp is 2.5 amps. Therefore, the rated or the maximum power Wmax in watts is 17 Volts times 2.5 Amps, or 42.5 Watts.

Standard Test Conditions (STC) for Specifying PV / Solar Modules

The I-V curve is also used to compare the performance of PV / Solar Modules. The curve is, therefore generated based on the performance under Standard Test Conditions (STC) of sunlight and device temperature of 25°C. It assumes there is no shading on the device. Standard sunlight conditions on a clear day are assumed to be 1,000 Watts of solar energy per square meter (1000 W/m2 or 1 kW/m2). This is sometimes called one sun, or a peak sun. Less than one sun will reduce the current output of the PV device by a proportional amount. For example, if only one-half sun (500 W/m2) is available, the amount of output current is roughly cut in half.

 

Q: What are types of batteries for solar systems?

Answer:

There are several different types of battery chemistry including liquid lead-acid, nickel-iron (NiFe), nickel-cadmium (NiCad), alkaline, and gel-cell. Batteries are either sealed or vented. Simply, there are only two principal types of batteries: starting and deep-cycle.

Starting Batteries

Starting batteries are designed for high cranking power, but not for deep cycling. Used as energy storage, they will not last long in a deep cycle application. Starting batteries use lots of thin plates to maximize the surface area of the battery. This allows very high starting current but lets the plates warp when the battery is cycled. This type of battery is not recommended for the storage of energy in hybrid system. However, they are recommended as starting battery for the back-up generator.

Deep Cycle Batteries

Deep cycle batteries are the type of battery best suited for use with inverters. The physical dimension of the plates is thicker and the active material that holds the charge is denser to increase cycle life. The deep cycle type of battery is designed to have the majority of their capacity used before being recharged. They are available in many sizes and in either non-sealed or sealed types.

Usual battery inverters are optimized for use with lead acid batteries that have a nominal voltage of 2.0 volts per cell. NiCad/NiFe batteries (also called alkaline batteries) have a nominal cell voltage of 1.2 volts per cell. The nominal voltage of a NiCad / NiFe battery bank can be made the same as a lead acid bank just by juggling the number of cells (10 cells for 12 volts, 20 cells for 24 volts and 40 cells for 48 volt systems). However, the NiCad/NiFe battery bank must be charged to a higher voltage to fully recharge and will drop to a lower voltage during discharging compared to a similarly sized lead acid type battery.

Q: What are some requirements for solar batteries?

Answer:

Typical requirements for the battery to be used in long term storage are:

  • low specific kWh-cost, i.e. the stored kWh during the whole life of the battery
  • long lifetime
  • high overall efficiency
  • very low self-discharge
  • low maintenance cost
  • easy installation and operation
  • high power
Specific kWh-cost

Usually it refers to a sum of investment and operation costs of the battery divided by the stored kWh (kWh) during its whole life. This cost is thus influenced by the battery’s lifetime.

Lifetime

The lifetime of the battery should be long, especially in order to keep the specific kWh-cost and the installation cost low, particularly in remote areas.

Overall efficiency

nE = nI n nV

The battery will usually need more charge than was taken out to fill it back up to its starting point. Typical average efficiencies are 80 to 85 % for stand-alone PV systems.

The voltage efficiency is determined by the average discharge voltage (VD) and average charging voltage (VC). VC is lower than VD particularly by internal resistance of the battery.

nV = VD / VC

The overall efficiency should be as high as possible, to be able to pass the biggest proportion of the energy in the battery, which is generated by the PV generator.

Self-discharge

The battery discharges itself even without load connected. This effect is caused by secondary reactions at its electrodes and proceeds faster with higher temperature or in older batteries. Thermodynamic instability of the active materials and electrolytes as well as internal- and external short-circuits lead to capacity losses, which are defined as self-discharge. This loss should be small, particularly in respect of annual storage.

Maintenance cost

The maintenance, e.g. water refilling in case of lead-acid batteries, should be kept as low as possible.

Power

In special cases, a battery must be highly loadable for a short time, e.g. at the start of diesel generators or in case of momentary power extension of PV systems. There are many types of batteries potentially available for use in stand-alone PV systems. Useful data of available batteries given in Table 1 shows approximated values and are provided as a guideline.

Table 1. Comparison between selection criteria of available batteries

Type Cycle life until 80%, DOD  Efficiency Temp. range, °C
Lead Acid 500 – 1500 80 -15° – .+50°C
NiCd 1500 – 3000 71 – 40° – +45°C
NiFe 3000 55  0 – +40°C

Since many values are dependent on charge and discharge conditions, they have not been standardized for PV applications and for test purposes until now. Therefore, the comparison between batteries and selection of the most suitable one for each application are not easy. Due to particular operating conditions with PV applications in practical operation, the cycle life given by manufacturer (and in Table 1) for cycling load can be reduced more than half.

According to Table 1 above, it follows that in most cases the lead-acid batteries would be the best choices for PV applications. The selection of suitable choices should be based on specific application.

Q: What are characteristics of lead acid batteries?

Answer:

A basic equivalent circuit of the lead-acid battery is modeled by a voltage source with an equilibrium voltage (VE) in series with an internal resistor (Rin)(see below). It must be noted here that this configuration can describe only a current state because the magnitude of VE and Rin are not actually constant, but is function of many parameters such as state of charge (SOC), temperature, current density, and aging of the battery.

Furthermore, it is to consider that these parameters depend also on the current direction (charging or discharge). When the battery were at rest or under open-circuit condition VB = VE. When current is drawn from the battery, the voltage will be lower than VE. When current is flowing into the battery, the terminal voltage will be higher than VE.

Higher discharge current results in reduction of the terminal voltage. Therefore, to specify the state of the battery by the battery voltage, discharge current should be also measured.

In case of discharge, the minimum voltage level acceptable for a lead-acid battery is defined as discharge voltage threshold. Falling below this threshold is called deep discharge, with which the battery may suffer damage. In case that the battery is left longer after deep discharge, lead of the support structure is converted to lead-sulphate in rough-crystalline form, which during charging can be only bad or cannot be converted again anymore. As a result, the battery loses a part of its storage capacity; besides loss of support structure arises as well.

In practice, harmful deep discharge is to be prevented: the loads will be compulsory disconnected from battery as soon as the discharge voltage threshold is reached i.e. with the help of a so-called deep discharge protection (DDP). This threshold is basically given in the data sheets by the manufacturer for different discharge currents. Preferably, the value of this threshold should depend on the discharge current. The relation between the discharge current and the voltage during discharge for the lead-acid battery is presented below.

The above graph shows the discharge profile of a typical battery type at several constant current rates. The typical end-of-discharge voltage at these discharge rates can also be noticed where the voltage starts to drop steeply. Moreover, the end-of-discharge voltage varies between 1.75-1.9 V, depending on the battery type and the discharge current. Higher service capacity is obtained at the lower discharge rates. At higher discharge rates, the electrolyte in the pore structure of the plate becomes depleted, and it cannot diffuse rapidly enough to maintain the cell voltage. However, intermittent discharge, which allows time for electrolyte diffusion will improve the performance under high discharge rates.

Gassing

With 2.3 V and 2.4 V, gas is developed at the electrodes in the battery, by which the water is decomposed into hydrogen and oxygen. Both gases mix together in the battery providing detonating gas (explosive!) and escape through ventilation opening in the vent plug. With the gassing, the battery loses also water, which must be refilled according to maintenance within regular intervals. The gas is the unwelcome secondary reaction of the chemical conversion during charging because current is consumed for the electrolysis and therefore the storage efficiency of the battery is made worse unnecessarily. After the gassing voltage is exceeded, voltage stays approximately constant. The whole charging current during this period results in H2 and O2, which is defined as loss.

Freezing of electrolyte

For applications with low ambient temperature, the lead-acid battery must also be protected against freezing of electrolyte. The risk of freezing depends on the state of charge.

The graph below illustrates the freezing limit as a function of the state of charge.

 

Cycle life of lead acid batteries

 

Q: How a RV solar system works?

Answer:

Download a schematic of how a RV solar system works with Samlex products and your RV.

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