Understanding Power Modules: Design Principles, Specifications, Applications, and Our Recommendations
The power module is critical in contemporary electronic systems, offering stable and efficient power conversion across a broad spectrum of applications. In this article, we will explore the power module's design principles, specifications, and applications and conclude with our top power module recommendation from FSP.
Design Principles
A power module is essentially a compact power supply that integrates power semiconductors (like GANs or SiCs), control circuitry (digital or analog), and passive components (such as inductors, transformers, and capacitors) into a single package. Here are some fundamental design principles:
Integration:
The power module integrates multiple components, diminishing the necessity for external circuitry. This streamlines system design and management, enhancing reliability, EMC compliance, and flexibility.
Efficiency:
Efficient power conversion is crucial. An excellent module design minimizes switching and conduction losses, delivering high efficiency across various load conditions. It should comply with the latest energy-saving standards and test criteria, such as the 80PLUS® efficiency standard or EU energy efficiency requirements.
Thermal Management:
Effective thermal design is essential when a power module is installed within a system within safety limits and diverse industrial environments. Typically, the module operates from -40°C to 70°C, with a derating curve or additional airflow. Efficient power topologies and component derating guidelines are key to effective thermal management.
Protection Features:
A power module incorporates protection features like overcurrent, overvoltage, and overtemperature protection to prevent damage to the module and connected system components.
Parallel Operation:
If a redundancy design is incorporated in the module, it should include Oring devices and circuits to support modules running in parallel. Parallel operation enhances system availability, reliability, and increases power output. This feature is particularly important for mission-critical applications, such as AI servers for training or inference.
Digital Communication:
The power module should be able to co-work and communicate with the system, allowing the module to be monitored and controlled as a key component in the system managed by the system board management controller (BMC) and its communication protocol.
Digital Control:
As an extended feature of digital communication, the power module should be prepared to accept commands from system management and respond with results and related activities. For instance, a fan in the PSU can be controlled based on thermal requirements from the system, or a higher power output can be provided due to system peak loading.
Easy Installation:
A power module should be easily inserted and extracted, or secured with just a few screws. This facilitates system maintenance post-sales.
Specifications
Let’s examine the key specifications of power modules:
Voltage Rating:
Power modules operate at specific voltage levels (e.g., 12V, 24V, or 48V). The voltage rating determines their compatibility with different applications.
Current Rating:
The maximum current a module can handle. Higher current ratings are suitable for servers, AI or graphical applications, and industrial equipment.
Failure Alarm:
Monitoring the PSU is more important than ever. Failures should be alarmed and recorded in the PSU black box or system. There are two ways to alarm: analog with TTL signals, and digital status bit recognition.
Efficiency:
Typically expressed as a percentage, efficiency indicates how well the module converts input power to output power.
Isolation:
Some power modules offer galvanic isolation between input and output. This is crucial for safety and noise immunity.
Mechanical Dimension:
When defining a design spec of a power module, the mechanical requirements are actually the first topic we have to define. It relates to marketing application, up-to-date technology, and system consideration.
Applications
Power modules find applications in various fields:
Servers:
In server systems, power modules are used to ensure reliable and efficient power supply. They are particularly important in high-performance servers where power efficiency and reliability are critical.
Data Centers:
Power modules are used in data center equipment. They help to improve energy efficiency, which is a key concern in data centers due to the high amount of power they consume. Also, as previously mentioned, a power module should support power monitoring via digital communication.
Telecom Equipment:
Power modules step up or down voltage levels in telecom, especially in power base stations, routers, and network switches.
Industrial Applications:
Power modules are perfectly suited for industrial automation, edge computing, and mission-critical equipment due to their mechanical size, digital monitoring, and power redundancy.
FSP Recommendation
FSP’s CRPS (Common Redundant Power Supply) is a typical power module designed for various applications such as Edge Servers, Core Data Centers, and AI Centers. Here are some specific models and their corresponding applications:
FN Series:
This model is designed for the telecom market. It features AC full range and 240Vdc input, and is NEBS Ready. NEBS is a common standard of telecom equipment, featuring system high reliability and high level EMC performance.
FL Series:
This model is also designed for the telecom market. It features -48V input and both Front End and Back End designs (Fan blow in or out).
FM, or HM Series:
This model is designed for Core Data Centers and Cloud Data Centers. It features AC full range and 240Vdc input, and both front end and back end designs (Fan blow in or out). It has a uniform factor up to 3000W, and 3250W module is on the way to launch soon.
FH Series:
This model is designed for Core Data Centers and Cloud Data Centers. It features 336Vdc or 277Vac input and meets new Data Center requirements.
These models are designed to meet the design principles of power modules as mentioned above, such as high efficiency, digital communication bus, and parallel operation with hot-plug feature. FSP offers power modules ranging from 300W to 3000W. They are ideal for various applications including Storage Server, Edge Server, Data Center, AI Server, GPU Server, IPC Controller, and Telecom Server. The choice of model depends on the specific system deployment requirements.
Conclusion
Power modules are essential components in modern electronics. Their compact design, high efficiency, and digital features make them ideal for various applications. As technology advances, power modules will continue to play a crucial role in shaping our connected world.
Remember to choose power modules that meet your specific requirements, considering voltage, current, efficiency, and digital features. Please visit FSP’s website at https://www.fsp-group.com/en/product/IPCPSU.html to learn more about the mechanical and functional specifications of FSP CRPS, the industry’s best power module solution.
A Smarter Medical Experience
FSP medical power supplies come in a complete assortment of wattages and a diversity of types. Four types are available for you to choose from, including PC ATX power supply, adaptor, open frame, and backup power that accommodate a lineup of medical devices. They apply to diagnostic equipment, therapeutic equipment, in-vitro medical diagnostic devices, physiotherapy, home care, operating room (OR), etc. The applications include ultrasonic equipment, X-ray machines, ECG displays, monitors, respirators, ophthalmic equipment, oxygen concentrators, biochemical testing devices, physiotherapy machines, portable oxygen supply equipment, surgical lights, medical beds, etc. FSP Group Protek has 30 years of experience in designing professional medical power supplies. Over the years, it has developed and completed many design projects with the concerted efforts of many customers, winning trust and praise. Familiar with the medical power supply regulations and application processes, Protek demonstrates development and design capabilities, promptly solves customer problems, and assists in designing customization products and modifying standard products.
What are the rules of medical power supplies? How should you choose medical power supplies?
In order to reduce the electrical hazards that patients may be exposed to due weakness while receiving medical treatment, medical power supplies have rigorous rules for leakage current, isolation level, insulation and withstand voltage, noise, and more. Medical electronic devices are divided into the following types according to the different parts of the patient’s body that they come in contact with: Type B (Body), Type BF (Body Floating), and Type CF (Cardiac Floating). Leakage current is divided into three types: earth, enclosure, and patient leakage. Medical power supplies only need to be evaluated for earth and enclosure leakage in compliance with IEC60601-1 3rd Edition. Medical devices differ in size and complexity. Please select power supplies with high stability based on the requirements and specifications of each medical device in order to protect the safety of patients and equipment operators.
certification
Meets the Latest Certifications
FSP medical power supplies align with the latest international standards of IEC 60601-1, and IEC 62368-1. UL, TUV, or VDE certification has also been obtained. The FAE Center has been established at the FSP’s European operation center in Germany to provide technical advisory services.
FSP has an independent Product Qualification & Safety Certificate Department to ensure product design.
We specialize in providing the stable reliable quality standard, modified and customized medical-grade products.
We provides various power supplies intended to fit any kinds of medical devices.
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New ATX PSU Specifications
Updated ATX 3.0 specifications for the next-generation hardware power demands and ensures users to get the most stable and cost-optimized performance possible with the highest power efficiency.
High Compatibility for High Power
The series comes with native PCIe5.0 connector and also supports 3 slots of PCIe 6+2Pin for graphic card, besides, 2 slots of CPU connector for higher performance.
Conformal Coating Application – Off-Wet, Off-Dust and Off-Stain
The conformal coating which protects the power supply and its internal components from dust, humidity, stains. The Hydro PTM PRO series are covered with conformal coating to guarantee reliable performance in a harsh environment and tested to work perfectly even in 95% relative humidity.
Keep in Compliance IEC/EN 62368
FSP Group features the latest in green power technology, and provide a full kinds of additional safety approvals to keep designs ahead of the changing regulations. FSP has upgraded the majority of power supplies to the new IEC/EN 62368 standard for your gaming rigs.
80 Plus® Platinum Certification
Hydro PTM Pro series come with 80 Plus Platinum Certification which means your power supplies consume less heat and have a lower operating cost. The power supplies are guaranteed to operate at a minimum of 92% efficiency at 50% load of PSU rated power.
ECO Switch, Quieter and Longer Lasting Fan
When Eco Button is switched on, the PSU runs with lower power consumption and is whisper silent. The fan in the power supply will not operate when the power supply is under 30% loading for silent state.
Fully Modular Design for Quick and Easy Installation
Fully modular design simplifies installation and allows you to use only the cables you need for a neater, cleaner build.
LLC Full-Bridge Topology with DC-DC Module Design
HYDRO PTM Pro series features extremely tight voltage regulation to make the output voltage regulation under +/- 1% above 10% load change and offer you supreme efficiency and voltage stability.
10-Year Warranty
FSP is committed to manufacturing high-quality and reliable power supplies. The Hydro PTM series are backed by our 10-year warranty.
Key Features:
- Complies with ATX12V V3.0 & EPS12V V2.92
- Intel Latest CPU ready
- Global Safety Approved
- High efficiency ≧ 92%
- Powerful +12V single rail design
- Quiet and durable cooling
- Full Japanese electrolytic capacitors
- Intelligent fan speed control circuit design
- Full protections OCP, OVP, SCP, OPP, OTP, UVP
- High Wattages with 80PLUS® Platinum Certification
- Unique product ID with changeable side stickers for DIY enthusiasts and gamers
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Bartosz Waluk aka Woomack is from Poland. He's been interested in computer hardware and extreme overclocking for over 20 years. Bart also has over 17 years of experience in IT, which includes sales, technical support, and computer building ... but not only. He joined the Funky Kit team in January 2013.
