Boosting Switching Power Supplies for Industrial Control Market

Industrial control systems (ICS), used in nearly all industries, have taken a more significant role now that the automation trend is accelerating the adoption of smart technologies. In manufacturing, upgrading legacy ICS will be key to keeping factory processes connected by providing visibility and control critical to maintaining operations, especially during disruptive events. This has assumed more importance as lockdowns and the need for physical distancing continue to hamper the normal performance of production facilities.

Indeed, the market for factory automation and ICS is expected to expand at about 9 percent CAGR from 2021 to 2026 and reach $339.56 billion, according to a report from Mordor Intelligence. In 2020, its value was $194.67 billion.

In China, the forecast annual growth for ICS exceeds 10 percent in the next two years, driven by fast development in the IoT, cloud computing and AI spheres. CCID Consulting is projecting a $38.23 billion finish for the Chinese market this 2021, also attributing the increase to the ongoing Industry 4.0 transformation and the Made in China 2025 national strategic plan.

Benefiting from this expanding ICS market is the manufacturing sector for switched-mode power supplies. Used for DC to DC, DC to AC, AC to DC and frequency conversions in industrial control panels, automation systems and instruments, an SMPS has inherent characteristics of high efficiency and reliability, and low heating, which suit industrial environments that require continuous operation.

The Chinese market for industrial control SMPS posted a 12.7 percent annual increase in sales from 2018 to 2020, according to Beijing-based marketing consulting firm JFUnited. The same growth rate is expected in 2021 and 2022.

Encouraged by this upbeat projection, Chinese manufacturers are boosting R&D efforts to expand their customization range while also ensuring new designs and innovations are patented. In 2020, there were 1,398 new patents in China, compared to fewer than 100 in 2015, according to specialized research company EE Reports. The country has a total of more than 4,000 patents in this product category today, a number likely to increase as suppliers vie for attention in the industrial controls market.

Open-frame & enclosed SPS

Mainstream switched-mode power supplies for industrial control applications made in China are available in open-frame and enclosed types. They have an input range of 100 to 240VAC, 50/60Hz, output voltage of 24VDC, rated power below 1,500W and efficiency of more than 85 percent. A high level of protection against short circuits, and overload, -current and -temperature conditions is guaranteed.

As an assurance of quality, most companies offer products that comply with CCC, CE, cUL, EMC, FCC, PSE, RoHS, TÜV and UL standards.

They use chips sourced mainly from foreign companies such as Fairchild and STMicroelectronics, but turn to China's supply of passive components, PCBs and cases.

The cost of these manufacturing inputs has increased in the past 12 months, leading to product price increases of about 10 percent. This may stabilize in 2022.

Global hub

One of the largest production bases for switching power supplies, China has more than a thousand manufacturers, most of which can cater to the industrial controls market. Companies interviewed by Global Sources Electronic Components estimate one-third of the country's SMPS shipments are for this application.

Chinese enterprises make up over 70 percent of this pool and they export between 20 and 80 percent of products. Hengu, Huntkey and Mornsun are some of the key players.

Major foreign companies with facilities in China include Siemens, Phoenix, TDK-Lambda and Omron.

All such companies also offer AC/DC adapters and DC-DC converters for various applications such as mobile electronics, LED products, and communications and medical equipment.

More than half of them are in Shenzhen, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Guangzhou, with the rest in Suzhou, Changzhou, Hangzhou and Ningbo.

48VDC, 800W switching power supply

The GRT-G800PF-48 switching power supply from Foshan Shunde Great Power Supply Co. Ltd has 100 to 240VAC, 50/60Hz input and 48VDC, 800W output. It has 94 percent minimum efficiency, more than 0.95PFC and -20 to 50 C operating temperature. This SMPS meets CCC, CE, FCC and RoHS requirements.

The minimum order is 500 units. Delivery is within 20 days.

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Switching power supply, rated at 80W

Rated at 80W, this YSI80-7486 switching power supply from Ninghai Yingjiao Electrical Co. Ltd has 90 to 264VAC, 50/60Hz input and 0 to 40 C operating temperature. It is protected against overcurrent, -voltage and short circuits. The unit meets UL, cUL, GS, CE, EMC, CB, PSE, SAA, CCC and RoHS standards.

The minimum order is 500 units. Lead time is 20 days.

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IPX4-rated switching power supply

From Shenzhen Soy Technology Co. Ltd, this SPS-3000W switching power supply has 176 to 264V rated voltage, 3,000W rated power, 40A leakage current protection and -40 to 85 C operating temperature. The unit is suitable for use in smart power exchange cabinets.

Order quantity is negotiable. Delivery takes 25 days.

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0 to 10A switching power supply

Suitable for use in measuring instruments, industrial equipment, LED displays and control automation applications, this W&T-SPS001-2-1-1 switching power supply from W&T Electronics Co. Ltd has 85 to 264VAC or 125 to 373VDC input voltage, 47 to 63Hz input frequency and 0 to 10A rated output current. It has built-in overload, -voltage and short-circuit protection.

The negotiable minimum order has a 10-day lead time.

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