Active current sharing added to DC-DC converter

Flex Power Modules has launched the BMR490 DC-DC converter with active current sharing. The current sharing ability allows two or more converters to be employed in parallel for demanding datacom applications, therefore achieving higher power on a single rail and improving redundancy.

Up to six converters can be employed in parallel. When utilised in combination with OR-ing, this raises redundancy, because power will still be supplied if one or more converters fail. If redundancy is not needed, the converters can be utilised in parallel without OR-ing diodes, which increases efficiency.

Olle Hellgren, director of product management and business development at Flex Power Modules, said: “The BMR490 is a step ahead of competitors’ products – it is the only module of its class that can offer active current sharing, with the benefits of higher accuracy that this technology delivers.”

The device is a non-isolated DC-DC converter in the compact quarter-brick form factor (58.4mm x 36.8mm x 14.5mm (2.3" x 1.45" x 0.57"). It can offer an output power of up to 1300W, with an input voltage range of 40V to 60V, and output voltage of 12V. The converter provides high efficiency of typically 97.3% at 53Vin and half load, in part because it is claimed to be the industry’s first parallelable HRR module.