Eaton Introduces 48-Volt DC/DC Converter Designed for Harsh Environments
May 16 2024 - 6:30AM
Business Wire
Intelligent power management company Eaton today announced it is
now offering a higher power version of its low-voltage 48-volt
DC/DC converter for commercial and off-highway vehicles that is
designed to withstand the harsh environments in which those
vehicles operate.
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Eaton’s DC/DC converter takes power from
a 48-volt system and steps it down to 12 volts to run accessories
and other low-power systems. (Photo: Business Wire)
“Our new converter has up to 40 amps of output current capacity
and can be installed on the vehicle in areas that are subject to
very harsh conditions, including frame rails, battery and engine
compartments,” said Ben Karrer, head of engineering, Low Voltage
and Power Conversion, Eaton’s Mobility Group. “These are
environmental extremes with adverse conditions, shock and vibration
that require robust protection features.”
Eaton’s DC/DC converter takes power from a 48-volt system and
steps it down to 12 volts to run accessories and other low-power
systems. This design helps essential equipment—including antilock
brakes and power steering—work even in the case of a power failure,
making it unique among product offerings in this space.
There is a growing demand for 48-volt DC/DC converters as
off-highway and commercial vehicle manufacturers increasingly
switch to dual-voltage electrical architectures. Eaton’s converters
feature a natural convection, air-cooled design for ease of
integration and can operate at ambient temperatures up to 85
degrees Celsius. Additionally, the converters are designed with
high efficiency to prevent power loss over a wide operating
range.
The converters are also designed to reduce weight and save
space. Most modern vehicles operate on 12-volts or 24-volts, so
moving up to 48-volts results in up to four times the voltage,
which decreases the electrical current by the same ratio. Because
wire size is chosen based on the amount of electrical current,
decreasing the current allows for the use of smaller wires, which
reduces weight and helps alleviate packaging concerns.
Eaton’s DC/DC converter portfolio provides flexibility through
multiple power and voltage levels and can be optimized to work
seamlessly with a manufacturer’s charging system specifications. It
also features a Controller Area Network (CAN) bus, which allows
direct communication from the DC/DC converter to other vehicle
electronic control units to transmit diagnostic information.
“This unit is the ideal solution for manufacturers that require
a dependable method to manage the higher power loads of modern
commercial and off-highway vehicles,” Karrer said.
Learn more about Eaton’s portfolio of 48-volt solutions.
Eaton is an intelligent power management company dedicated to
protecting the environment and improving the quality of life for
people everywhere. We make products for the data center, utility,
industrial, commercial, machine building, residential, aerospace
and mobility markets. We are guided by our commitment to do
business right, to operate sustainably and to help our customers
manage power ─ today and well into the future. By capitalizing on
the global growth trends of electrification and digitalization,
we’re accelerating the planet’s transition to renewable energy
sources, helping to solve the world’s most urgent power management
challenges, and building a more sustainable society for people
today and generations to come.
Eaton was founded in 1911 and has been listed on the New York
Stock Exchange for more than a century. We reported revenues of
$23.2 billion in 2023 and serve customers in more than 160
countries. For more information, visit www.eaton.com. Follow us on
LinkedIn.
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Thomas Nellenbach (216) 333-2876 (cell)
thomasjnellenbach@eaton.com