Glossary and Definitions

Burn In - The process of burning an operating power supply at full load within a specified period of time immediately after manufacture. This process is useful in eliminating early life failures.

 Current Limiting - The limiting of output current to prevent damage to the power supply and the system in which it is used.

 Current Regulated Power Supply - The circuitry capable of providing a constant current output is called a constant current regulator. To maintain a constant current flow, the increase in load resistance must be compensated for by an increase in input voltage. The purpose of a current regulator is to provide a constant current regardless of changes in the input voltage or load current.

Example:  When using electromagnetic brake or clutch applications, during normal operation, the coils heat up, therefore, resistance of the copper in the coil can increases; sometimes up to 20 to 25%.  Since the clutch or brake torque is proportional to current, a constant current is required to provide steady torque.  To maintain constant current, the increase in the resistance (load) must be compensated for by an increase in input voltage, thereby maintaining a constant current flow.  Using Magtorx current regulated Digital Power Supplies (DPS’) for controlling magnetic particles or hysteresis brakes and clutches, exceptionally consistent current output will be provided.  Smooth and regulated current generated by the DPS will hold torque consistent.

 DPS - Digital Power Supply

 DPS Command List - A list of commands available for a program developer to use in a program that can be used to control processes with a DPS device.

 Efficiency - The ratio of total output power to total input power, expressed as a percentage, under specified conditions.

 

Manual Mode - This is one of Magtorx DPS operational modes which allows for manual control of the device where the current output is proportional to the control signal input.  The control over the applied current is carried out manually by the control knob, or the 0 to 5Vdc port - (also see table mode, program mode and  PC Mode Operation).

 Master DPS Controller - The DPS device that functions as a commanding source that controls the Master-Slave application.

 Master-Slave Application - An application where the Master controls between one to sixteen Slave devices that obey the Master application's commands.  A command structure, that originates from the Master, includes the destination's (Slave’s) address, timing, and a specific command - see DPS Command List.

 Minimum Load -The tolerable minimum amount of resistive or inductive load which must be applied in order to maintain current regulation. 

 Output Power - The specified level of power which a power supply is capable of producing.  Typically, power supplies have a continuous rating and a peak rating.  These are usually a function of the ambient temperature.

Pause the Operation - A command sent from the PC to a DPS device to halt program operations until the restore the operation command is sent to re-start the program execution.  To halt the program from the DPS device, press the PRGRM pushbutton once.

 Peak Current - The maximum amount of current that an output is capable of sourcing for brief periods of time.

 Performance Matching - The electronic adjustment of a DPS device control signal to the corresponding current output.  After matching the DPS-Load (brake or clutch) "matched" devices will perform alike at any point along their torque-current curve.

 Program Iteration - When a process is required to be repeated a number of times, the program that controls this process must replicate itself a number of times as well.  This course of action is called “program iteration”.

 Program Mode - This is one of Magtorx DPS operational modes that allows for operation of the DPS device. To execute a program by the DPS device, the device must be switched ON to the Program Mode operation.  To initialize the program mode, the PRGRM pushbutton must be pressed and held until an intermittent orange color LED illuminates.  The intermittent orange color LED indicates that program is in session.  The program carries out the control over the DPS. (also see: table mode, manual mode and  PC Mode Operation).

 Re-start the Program - To re-start the program operation from the beginning, turn “OFF” the ON/OFF switch, wait several seconds and turn the switch on again.  Then, press and hold the PRGRM pushbutton until the LED changes to orange. The orange color indicates that program re-started.

 Restore the Operation - A command sent from the PC to a DPS device to restore the program execution.  To restore the program from the DPS device, press and hold the PRGRM pushbutton until the orange color LED starts to blink.  The blinking orange color LED indicates that the program operation is restored.

 Short Circuit Protection - The DPS is immune to any output shortage. 

 Slave - The DPS device that is controlled by the master controller in the master-slave application.

 Soft Start - Ability of the power supply to ramp up the current in slow mode.

 Soft Stop - Ability of the power supply to ramp down the current in slow mode.

 Step Duration - It is a defined time of program step measured in milliseconds and can be from 0 msec up to a maximum of 10 minutes in 10 msec time intervals - also see command S-Program.

 Table Mode - This is one of several DPS operation modes.  To retrieve the data from the DPS device table, the device must be switched onto the table mode operation.  To initialize the Table Mode, the PRGRM pushbutton must be held continuously until the LED illuminates red.  The red LED indicates that the table mode is in session.  The control over the applied current is carried out manually by the control knob, the 0 to 5Vdc port, or by the Master Controller program - (see: manual mode and program mode.)

 Table - The dedicated portion of the DPS processor memory where the control signal vs. current data is stored.  The data from the table is retrieved when the DPS is operating in the table mode.  If the process requires a defined Control Signal vs. Current profile, the table is the place where this data can be stored.  Magtorx DPS device permits programming the table where the output current is customized to the specific process requirements.

 Temperature Range (operating) - The specified ambient temperature over which it is safe to operate the power supply.

Temperature Range (storage) - The specified ambient temperature/humidity in which the powers supply can be stored without risk of damage.

Time Rate - Time Rate is the extent of time required to raise or decrease 1V of control voltage signal.  The Time Rate units are in seconds per volt [s/V] or milliseconds per millivolt [ms/mV].

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Copyright © 2004  [MAGTORX]. All rights reserved. Rev. 1.1