EHC Power Supply Upgrades
Most of the original GE EHC Mark I and Mark II power supplies were manufactured by Lambda Electronics. These power supplies were of the linear type design. The growing trend in power supply design uses switching technology. The switching power supplies are smaller, less expensive, more efficient (generate less heat), which means less power consumption.
Many of the original linear power supplies that are still in use in EHC control system are more than twenty five years old. The power supply manufacturers have recommended that the electrolytic capacitors be replaced every five years. Even unused linear power supplies sitting on the shelf should have had the capacitors replaced on a regular basis. As the linear power supplies begin to show signs of aging their regulated DC output voltage has a tendency to drift. This drifting voltage has caused numerous problems on running EHC systems not to mention the extra time troubleshooting and correcting circuit board calibrations that were caused by incorrect reference voltages.
NovaTech offers upgrades to both EHC Mark I and EHC Mark II power supplies which incorporate in most cases the use of switching power supply design. The Mark I Power Supply Upgrade has recently been re-designed (March 2000) and now uses hot swappable, current sharing and remote voltage sensing switching power supplies. This represents the latest trend in power system design
NovaTech Corporation, 328 South Link Lane, Suite 13, Ft. Collins, CO 80524. Tel: 970-224-2223; Fax: 970-224-1700.