It is obvious that every electrical device – regardless of its size or purpose – needs an appropriate power source. In the case of solutions for the industrial sector, these are often DIN rail-mounted power supplies. The DIN rail standard offers a number of advantages, including compact sizes and a convenient mounting system. Thanks to this, such power supplies are suitable for control and distribution cabinets.
For the industry, proper dimensions and ease of installation are just additional benefits. Much more important are high efficiency and reliability. Any downtime caused by a power supply failure can generate high costs associated with stopping production. One of the most recognizable manufacturers of power supply modules is Mean Well. Its range includes popular SDR, NDR, and EDR series, but in this article, we will discuss the advantages of the more modern models marked with the XDR symbol.
XDR Series Power Supplies
XDR family modules are DIN rail-mounted switching power supplies generating output voltages of 12V, 24V, 36V, or 48V, with currents ranging from 3.13A to as much as 80A, depending on the specific model. XDR power supplies operate at an input voltage range of 85V AC…305V AC, which is a wider range compared to older series. This makes the devices much more flexible and resistant to network fluctuations. Moreover, the new series also features slightly better efficiency (89-95.5%) compared to 85.5-94% in the SDR, NDR, and EDR series. Differences also concern the operating temperature – the new power supplies can operate in a wider range (from -40°C to +85°C), and at full load, up to about +60°C. These changes make the devices suitable for use in more challenging conditions and less susceptible to derating.
Meeting Industrial Needs
In the XDR series, the ability to handle temporary overloads has also been significantly improved. Previous series could deliver about 130% of their power at peak, while the new models offer overload capacity from 200% to even 600%, maintaining stable operation for about 5 seconds at the lower end of this range. Thanks to this, the XDR series is much better suited for power supply systems for motors or systems with large-capacity capacitors.
It is also worth mentioning the lower startup current compared to older designs. The introduction of a MODBUS (RS-485) communication interface is favorable for industrial applications, allowing devices to be connected to existing control systems. Additionally, environmental resistance has also improved – the XDR family has OVC III and ESD protection of 8kV/15kV.
Ideal for Modernization and New Systems
Although older Mean Well power supplies are still competitive products, the XDR series offers significantly better parameters and solutions supporting industrial applications. Thanks to this, the new modules can be successfully used both during the modernization of existing power systems and in completely new industrial projects.
