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Glossary

AC Range

The input voltage that a power supply accepts during normal operation. The

nominal voltage could be selectable or auto range and is at 115 Vin or 230

Vin. Most of the Traco power supplies are also applicable with DC input and

typically accept any frequency between 47-63 Hz. See also Universal Input.

Access Location

This defines the possibility of access. It could be type of building-in, with a

restricted access location or free accessible.

Altitude during

Operation

Generally performed to determine the proper and safe functionality of

equipment used above 2000m a.s.l. .

According to 60601-1 © IEC:2005+A1:2012 (Page 122)

Approved Ambient

Temperature

The temperature of still air immediately surrounding a power supply or

converter. Approved means that this value comes out of a safety report.

The temperature measurement should be made about 100 mm (4 inch)

from the body of the converter or underneath of the power supply. See also

Operating Temperature.

ATEX

ATEX 94/9/EC is an European Directive which provides the technical

requirements to be applied to equipment intended to use in potentially

explosive atmospheres. It is named after the French «ATmosphere

EXplosible».

Bandwidth

A range of frequencies over which a certain phenomenon is to be

considered.

Base Material

A substrate to which circuit components are mounted or, a metal plate to

which the power system is attached. Normally used to draw heat away from

critical circuit components.

Basic Insulation

Basic or Supplementary Insulation satisfies the requirements of functional

insulation but contains additional a single layer of required insulation

applied to live parts to provide basic protection against electric shock. For

this class of insulation, the input and output windings of transformer are not

wound directly over one another, but are separated with a physical barrier,

such as an insulating film. See also Insulation Class.

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Body floating “Body floating” is a term used to classify medical power supplies and it

refers to the “patient leakage current” as per the medical safety standard

IEC/EN 60601-1. Body floating applications are those who are used in

direct conductive contact with the patient or in long term contact with the

patient. To be classified as “BF” a power supply must provide a leakage

current lower than 75uA.

Boost Power

The boost power facilitates the activation of stepper motors, solenoids or

actuators. It is a reserve power which is available constantly, to remove the

need of more expensive higher rated power supply units. After the output

has reached its steady state set value, the power supply can support surge

loads with a higher short-term power demand up to 150% of maximum

rated load, for a maximum duration of a few seconds. The Power Boost is

available repetitively, provided that the average output power shall not

exceed the continuous maximum operating condition.

Breakdown Voltage

The maximum AC or DC voltage that can be applied from input to output

and/or chassis of a power supply without causing damage. It describes a

voltage level at which dielectric insulation fails by excessive leakage current

or arcing. See also Insulation Breakdown or Isolation Voltage (rated).

Brow nout

A condition where the voltage supplied to the system drops below the

specified nominal levels.

Buffer Module

A module with this feature will maintain a fixed output voltage of power

supply during typical mains faults, short time blackouts or voltage dips.

During this buffer period, no deterioration of the output voltage will occur.