A power supply that communicates

Higher efficiency in a power supply ultimately leads to lower system costs and a longer service life of the unit. Aspects such as reducing CO2 and heat loss in the control cabinet also play a major role. The potential savings associated with a modern power supply are often underestimated:

• Typical efficiency for a simple power supply unit with 960W: 91 %.
• Efficiency of the newest Pro 2 power supply from Wago: up to 96.3%.

At first glance, that may not seem like much of a difference – but the higher efficiency of the Pro 2 power supply saves
• 37W of power dissipation
• more than 200 euros in energy costs, and
• one tonne of CO₂ (based on an operating time of five years).

► Tip: Wago's loss calculator can help determine how a modern power supply affects the individual application.

High-efficiency power supplies also come with significant size reductions.
• Smaller power supplies take up less space and allow a higher packing density inside the control cabinet.
• Distance between components is reduced.
• The spacing needed for optimum cooling is automatically maintained by the pluggable connection technology – which means cooling costs are reduced.
• In some cases, even the control cabinet can be made smaller.

For applications without air conditioning, the derating curves must be observed (max. permissible power dissipation of components, depending on the ambient temperature). Since not all components in the control cabinet are able to deliver their rated power at high temperatures, the derating curves provide information about the necessary power reduction that has to be taken into consideration.

► Tip: The modern Pro 2 power supply from Wago can be operated without derating at up to +60 °C and at 70 % capacity at 70°C and does not require any power reduction.

Low-loss circuit technology in a modern power supply ensures that the components are exposed to lower thermal stress and their life expectancy increases significantly, especially when it comes to heat-sensitive capacitors and semiconductors.

The main feature of a modern power supply is its ability to communicate. This makes it possible to obtain data transparently and consistently along the entire value chain at any time and any place, to determine the condition of the equipment during operation, and to decide when maintenance should be done to avoid unnecessary downtime – a crucial competitive advantage.

Wago's Pro 2 power supply is connected to the PLC or an IoT gateway via a plug-in communications module.
• The unit implements permanent communication using standardised protocols such as IO-Link, Modbus RTU and, in future, will support Ethernet-based protocols such as Modbus TCP, MQTT and Ethernet IP.
• For energy optimisation, data such as current, voltage and power values can be assessed and analysed
• To save energy in standby mode, the decentralised PSUs in sections of the system can be switched off via the central PLC using a hardware signal or bus command.
• The monitoring functions allow users to keep an eye on the power supply at all times.
• If derating is to be taken into account and if, as a result, a defined current value must not be exceeded, the built-in ammeter can issue a warning signal and effectively prevent an overload.

The new power supplies of the Pro 2 series from Wago are now available from our warehouse.
You will find detailed technical information, up-to-date prices and stock information as well as data sheets to download in product group M7912.

For advice and support on the products and applications, please contact our technical power supply sales team.