ABB Power Conversion’s New Class 2 Power Express Combiners

August 19, 2022

Since the line’s introduction, ABB Power Conversion’s Power Express combiners have helped provide safe and effective remote powering for indoor loads that exceed the capabilities of a single Class 2 circuit. Initially introduced with eight circuits to power up to 600W, ABB has announced the addition of two- and four-circuit combiners to its Power Express product family, offering flexible options to meet users’ unique needs while complying with NEC requirements.

In addition, ABB has developed a 1-rack-unit (RU)-high SPS Power Express shelf to address systems that use a commercial AC power input but do not have the space or desire for a separate DC power shelf. These latest additions to the Power Express family enable ABB to provide a comprehensive set of solutions to meet the Class 2 power needs of customers’ unique applications.

“These more compact, flexible combiners will help companies with lower budgets or smaller spaces reap the safety and compliance benefits of combined Class 2 circuitry when creating infrastructure to support 5G and Wi-Fi hotspots, fiber applications, distributed antenna systems (DAS), and security cameras,” said Raj Radjassamy, 5G and wireless segment leader for ABB Power Conversion.

Power Express Two- and Four-Circuit Combiners

Like their eight-circuit predecessor, ABB’s two- and four-circuit combiners receive and combine multiple 100-volt-ampere (VA) NEC Class 2 power circuits into a bulk -48V nominal output circuit with a smaller form factor that opens the door for users to better tailor power solutions to their specific load and budgetary needs. At just 6 inches wide and 1RU high, the Power Express two- and four-circuit options are half the width of the eight-circuit Power Express combiner, offering a space-conscious solution to users whose power needs fall between 150W and 300W.

The innovative builds of the Power Express Combiners avoid connecting circuits in parallel without galvanic isolation, offering peace of mind that NEC requirements are met when powering larger loads. All three options help reduce the possibility of user error by internally fusing the circuits within the module. The two-, four-, and eight-circuit modules are compatible with -42 to -60V DC inputs and provide 54.5V DC output at 150, 300, and 600W, respectively.

SPS Power Express Shelf with Rectification

ABB’s Power Express Combiners are purpose-built to be used with the company’s Power Express shelves, which provide Class 2 power cables that can be deployed in a data cable raceway instead of using conduits. This helps reduce labor time and increase speed to market.

ABB’s newest shelf – the SPS version – incorporates a 1600-watt EP-series rectifier along with two eight-circuit Power Express Limiter modules to create a 1RU shelf that takes AC power and converts to Class 2 power circuits without the need for a separate DC power shelf. This single, integrated solution helps to reduce both power footprint and costs.

Additional shelf configurations include a 32-circuit limiter shelf and a 32-circuit extended-reach shelf with an integrated voltage boost. Each shelf supports an alarm card for stand-alone deployment and can be uplinked over the RS-485 data bus through the RJ-45 connection on the rear of the shelf.

To learn more about ABB’s Power Express combiners and shelves, visit the ABB Power Conversion website.