When approaching a project, system designers must choose whether to buy a complete off-the-shelf power supply
unit (PSU) or module for the end product or build it in-house. Building or making an AC/DC or DC/DC converter
in-house for an OEM is not a trivial task. Designers must consider time to market, overall bill of materials
(BOM) cost, and in-house capabilities to design and manufacture.
Additionally, getting agency certifications specific to power supplies needs expertise in test and measurement,
specialized equipment needed for safety and EMC compliance, and addressing other similar requirements in terms
of certification process and procedures, such as time allocation and compliance fees. In short, for those with
little or no experience in designing, building, and obtaining certification for the desired PSUs, there may be
unforeseen challenges that could cost them valuable time to market.
The Challenges of In-House Power Supply Design
Some system designers believe that power supplies are simple building blocks that can be easily designed and
built cost-effectively using component manufacturer’s app notes after the intended system is ready.
However,
designing and building a high-performance AC/DC or DC/DC converter with full safety and EMC compliance requires
expertise.
Apart from an understanding of power circuits, components, and topologies, the system designer must also have a
thorough knowledge of PCB layout, packaging, and test and measurement tools. Plus, the in-house design team must
also know all the required safety and compliance procedures, including costs, fees, and time required for
getting agency approvals specific to power supplies, such as medical, railways, automotive, lighting,
industrial, and other similar markets.
Building reliable high-performance power supplies in-house can get more complicated and expensive than you may
think, with limited resources. Purchasing a complete plug-and-play converter off-the-shelf from a reliable
source can be the simplest, most cost-effective answer for your project while also saving time.
Due to the high risk involved in medical applications, the power supplies must be able to withstand the very
high demands on safety and reliability. With the modular converters of the REM and RACM series, RECOM offers
suitable complete solutions
