Compact size regulated DC/DC converters

Two of the most popular formats for low power and medium power regulated DC/DC converters are the 8-pin Single-Inline-Pin (SIP8) and 1”x1” case sizes. The SIP8 format includes output powers from 1W up to 12W, while the 1”x1” includes output powers from 8W up to 30W. Both regulated compact power supplies have input/output isolation, enable pins, wide input voltage ranges, wide operating temperatures and short-circuit protected outputs, making them suitable for a variety of industrial, test and measurement and battery operated equipment.

The SIP8 format has been a widely accepted pinout and case style for well over a decade, offering a plug-in industrial standard across many input voltages and output voltage combinations including single or dual outputs. Due to its popularity, many different manufacturers offer interchangeable products, so second sourcing is not a problem, although Recom is the only manufacturer able to offer up to 12W in the SIP8 format. Tightly regulated outputs, wide 2:1 or 4:1 input voltage ranges, external control pin and 1kV, 2kV or 3kV isolation round off the specifications of this versatile converter style. Recom also offers “E” economy versions for especially cost-sensitive applications.

The one-inch-by-one-inch case style originated in the telecoms industry which required a compact, isolated, higher power, DC/DC converter with a metal case that could be mounted to a heatsink to improve the operating temperature range. The pinout is also a de facto standard, with five pins (or six pins with the addition of a control pin) that are arranged to fit onto a 0.1” grid. The baseplate contains a conductive layer to form a full six-sided shielded design for low EMI, important then for telecoms applications, but now increasingly important for complex industrial controllers, embedded systems and other applications requiring more power.

The RxM series offers 1W, 2W, 3W or 5W options, all with 4:1 inputs, single or dual isolated and regulated outputs and a wide operating temperature range. These compact SMD-mount converters are ideal for industrial control, test and measurement, and automation applications, but will find many other uses where a tightly regulated, short-circuit proof board-level power supply is needed.