Ultra-wide input dc-dc converters simplify railway and e-mobility power design

RECOM Power has introduced the RMD and RMOD series of dc-dc converters to address the complexity of supply chain management in the heavy transportation sector. Railway and e-mobility battery systems traditionally require specific power supplies for different nominal voltages depending on the region and vehicle type.

The RMD series solves this by offering an ultra-wide input range of up to 12:1, accepting any voltage between 16.8V to 137.5V dc. This allows a single converter to operate across all standard global railway networks. The converters are designed with a plug-and-play architecture that integrates active inrush current limitation and reverse polarity protection, removing the need for external protection circuits.

A critical requirement in railways standards such as EN 50155 is the ability to bridge supply interruptions. The RMD converters incorporate a built-in 10ms hold-up time which eliminates bulky and expensive external capacitor banks usually required to maintain operation during power drops.

For off-highway e-mobility applications, such as construction vehicles or electric forklifts, the RMOD series provides a plug-and-play solution for generating low-voltage networks from high-voltage traction batteries. The converters accommodate wide input ranges suitable for common battery architectures such as 48V, 80V, and 96V systems.

RMOD converters are housed in IP69K-rated enclosures with waterproof connectors, allowing the modules to be mounted directly on the chassis and still be protected from water ingress, dust, and pressure washing.

Both series utilize baseplate cooling allowing the units to deliver full power at ambient temperatures up to 85°C without needing fans or forced air cooling, ensuring reliability in thermally constrained environments.