Where are CAMTEC power supplies manufactured?

Every CAMTEC switch mode power supply is developed and assembled at our own fabrication site in Pfinztal near Karlsruhe, Germany. The factory is audited regularly by the German TÜV and works to DIN EN ISO 9001:2015, which keeps traceability, component sourcing and final testing under one roof.

Which approvals do CAMTEC power supplies carry?

Standard product families are certified to UL and CSA requirements and carry the CE mark. They comply with RoHS, REACH and the European EuP Eco-Design Directive for energy-using products. Declarations, certificates and test reports are available in the Certificates and Support & Downloads areas.

Can CAMTEC modify a power supply for my machine platform?

Yes. Because engineering and production are in the same building, CAMTEC delivers customised output voltages, connector layouts, coated PCBs, derating profiles and firmware set-points for programmable units. Typical modification projects are released after a joint specification review with our application engineers.

What is the difference between a DC-UPS and a battery charger?

A DC-UPS buffers the 24 V DC control voltage and switches to the battery within milliseconds when the mains fails, keeping PLCs and drives alive for a controlled shut-down. A charging rectifier or battery charger is dimensioned for continuous, temperature-compensated charging of larger battery banks and is used where autonomy in hours rather than minutes is required. CAMTEC supplies both, plus redundancy modules that combine them.

Why use an AC inrush current limiter in front of a power supply?

Large capacitor banks and transformers draw a short but very high inrush current at switch-on, which trips upstream breakers and stresses contactors. A CAMTEC ESB inrush current limiter ramps the charging current in a controlled way, so several machine sections can be powered from one circuit breaker without nuisance tripping.

High-Reliability N+1 Power Decoupling

Industrial Redundant Power Supply Modules: Zero-Downtime System Design

Engineered for continuous operation in mission-critical automation, rail infrastructure, and industrial IT networks using active MOSFET and Schottky diode decoupling topologies.

Active MOSFET Technology

Ultra-Low Heat Loss & Maximum Efficiency

Eliminate classical diode forward-voltage drops. CAMTEC redundant power supply modules reduce thermal dissipation by up to 85% compared to legacy passive ORing diodes.

German Engineering Quality

100% Tested in Pfinztal ISO 9001 & UL Certified

From 12V DC to 480V DC systems, our DIN-rail decoupling modules provide fail-safe isolation, signal monitoring, and hot-swap protection for demanding global OEMs.

CAMTEC Redundant Power Supply Modules and DIN-Rail Decoupling Electronics

N+1 & 1+1Redundancy Configurations

< 5 mΩUltra-Low On-Resistance

12 V – 480 VDC Output Coverage

-40°C to +85°CExtended Industrial Range

Technical Architecture & Intent Analysis

Why Modern Industrial Systems Demand Active Redundant Power Supply Modules

In high-availability automation, process plants, data infrastructure, and transport networks, power supply failure is not an option. A single component breakdown inside a standard switch mode power supply (SMPS) can bring an entire production line to a catastrophic standstill. Redundant Power Supply Modules solve this single-point-of-failure (SPOF) vulnerability by decoupling two or more power units feeding a shared DC bus bar.

When multiple power supplies are connected in parallel without decoupling, a short circuit in the output stage of one supply will instantly pull down the common DC bus voltage, causing PLCs, sensors, and actuators to crash. Integrating dedicated decoupling modules ensures that a shorted power supply output is instantly isolated within microseconds, preventing reverse current flow and ensuring uncompromised power delivery to critical loads.

True Fault Isolation: Renders shorted internal power transistors or output capacitors harmless to the rest of the DC grid.
Hot-Swappable Maintenance: Permits live replacement of defective power supply units without interrupting plant operation or cycling main circuit breakers.
Balanced Load Sharing: Enhances system MTBF by reducing thermal loading across parallel-connected power supplies.
Comprehensive Status Monitoring: Volt-free relay contacts and visual LED indicators provide immediate alarm feedback to upper-level SCADA systems.

CAMTEC Engineering and Fabrication Facility for Redundant Power Supply Modules in Germany

Information Gain Analysis

Passive Diode ORing vs. Active MOSFET Decoupling: The Thermal Efficiency Benchmark

System integrators and procurement directors often face the choice between legacy diode-based decoupling and modern active MOSFET redundancy circuits. The engineering differences directly dictate control cabinet enclosure dimensions, air conditioning overhead, and overall operational expense (OPEX).

Legacy Passive Technology

Schottky Diode Decoupling Modules

Passive diode ORing modules utilize high-power Schottky diodes to prevent reverse current flow. While simple in design, they introduce a permanent forward voltage drop ($V_F$) ranging between 0.5V and 0.8V across the conduction path.

Calculated Power Loss: In a 24V DC / 40A system, a standard dual-diode module incurs a continuous thermal loss: $$P_{loss} = V_F \cdot I_{load} = 0.7\text{ V} \cdot 40\text{ A} = 28\text{ Watts}$$ This 28W loss generates substantial heat inside sealed NEMA/IP65 control cabinets, requiring oversized aluminum heatsinks, forced air cooling, and accelerated thermal aging of neighboring electronic components.

CAMTEC Next-Gen Active Decoupling

Active MOSFET Redundant Power Supply Modules

Active redundancy modules replace energy-wasting silicon diodes with precision-controlled power MOSFETs. The onboard micro-controller constantly monitors voltage drops and turns on the MOSFET channels to act as ultra-low resistance switches ($R_{DS(on)} < 5\text{ m}\Omega$).

Calculated Power Loss: Operating under identical 24V DC / 40A load conditions, an active MOSFET redundant power supply module yields dramatic energy savings: $$P_{loss} = I_{load}^2 \cdot R_{DS(on)} = (40\text{ A})^2 \cdot 0.002\text{ }\Omega = 3.2\text{ Watts}$$ By reducing internal power dissipation by up to 88%, cabinet enclosure heat build-up is minimized, fanless operation is secured, and long-term system reliability is elevated to defense-grade standards.

Product Selection Guide

CAMTEC Redundant Power Supply Modules & Integrated Power Solutions

Designed, populated, tested, and certified in Pfinztal, Germany. CAMTEC supplies a complete ecosystem of DIN-rail power units, active decoupling switches, DC-UPS buffering, and wearless MOSFET relays for complete power availability.

Active Redundancy · 12V–48V DC

Active MOSFET Decoupling Modules

Ultra-compact DIN-rail active redundant power supply modules handling up to 2x 20A or 1x 40A total current. Features fast reverse current isolation (< 1 µs), wide operating temperatures, and relay fault alarms.

Explore Redundancy Modules

1-Phase & 3-Phase · Up to 2000W

Industrial DIN-Rail AC/DC Power Supplies

Robust power supplies featuring extreme surge protection, low ripple noise, and 150% power boost capabilities. Perfect primary power sources for building 1+1 and N+1 redundant DC lines.

View AC/DC Power Supplies

Uninterruptible DC · Up to 105kW

DC-UPS & Charging Rectifiers

Combine active redundant power supply modules with CAMTEC seamless DC-UPS buffering. Protect critical control loops against grid outages, voltage sags, and frequency transients.

Discover DC-UPS Systems

Programmable · 480W to 100kW

Variable DC Power Supplies

Precision programmable power stages equipped with analog/digital interfaces for dynamic end-of-line test systems, automated burn-in racks, and heavy industrial automation.

View Programmable Series

High DC Voltage · 450V–820V DC

DC Mini-Grid & Micro-Grid Converters

High-efficiency step-down DC/DC converters built for direct attachment to high-voltage DC bus architectures, battery energy storage systems (BESS), and solar-coupled grids.

View DC/DC Converters

Wearless Solid State · UMS Series

Electronic DC MosFET Relays

Arc-free, wearless DC switching modules designed for high switching frequencies. Eliminates mechanical contact erosion and coil burn-out in severe environments.

View DC Relays

Engineering Specifications & Procurement Checklist

Technical Comparison: Decoupling Architecture Matrix for OEMs

Use this quantitative specification table when reviewing system power requirements for next-generation automated machinery, telecommunication stations, and rail control cabinets.

Complete System Specification Matrix for Industrial DC Power Decoupling & Redundancy Modules
Parameter / Feature	Passive Diode Module	CAMTEC Active MOSFET Module	Hybrid Battery / Decoupled UPS
Primary Decoupling Element	Schottky Diode Array	Low $R_{DS(on)}$ Power MOSFETs	Integrated MOSFET + LiFePO4 / Cap Buffer
Internal Voltage Drop ($V_{drop}$)	0.5 V – 0.8 V DC	< 0.05 V DC	< 0.08 V DC
Power Losses at 40A Continuous	20 W – 32 W	2.5 W – 4.5 W	3.5 W – 6.0 W
Thermal Derating Threshold	+50°C Ambient	+65°C Ambient (No Fan Required)	+60°C Ambient
Fault Reverse Isolation Time	Instantaneous (< 10 µs)	Active Microsecond Cut-off (< 1 µs)	Sub-millisecond Switchover
Status Signals & Telemetry	Basic LED Indicator	Dual Relay Contacts + DC-OK LED	Modbus / RS485 + Dry Contacts
Hot-Swap Compliance	Supported with Voltage Dip	Fully Isolated Zero-Dip Hot-Swap	Hot-Pluggable Battery & Logic
System Efficiency Impact	-2.5% to -4% Overall	-0.2% to -0.4% Overall	-0.5% Overall
10-Year Lifecycle OPEX Cost	High (Aircon Cooling Power)	Ultra-Low (Minimal Heat Dissipation)	Low (Optimized Battery Care)

Need custom voltage thresholds, specialized conformal coating, or marine approval certificates?

Market Outlook & Future Trends

Future Procurement & Development Trends in Redundant Power Systems

As global industrial infrastructure transitions toward smart manufacturing (Industry 4.0), high-efficiency DC micro-grids, and decentralized automation networks, procurement parameters for redundant power supply modules are rapidly evolving beyond simple power delivery.

1. Transition to Wide-Bandgap Semiconductors (SiC & GaN)

Next-generation redundant power supply modules are incorporating Silicon Carbide (SiC) and Gallium Nitride (GaN) switching stages. This enables higher power densities, permitting 40A redundancy modules to be packaged in ultra-slim enclosures as narrow as 18mm to 32mm on standard DIN rails.

2. Predictive Maintenance & Digital Diagnostics

Future-ready procurement mandates smart telemetry. OEM buyers now require redundancy modules to transmit health metrics—including real-time channel currents, junction temperature trends, and input voltage ripple—directly to PLC edge gateways via IO-Link or Modbus protocols, replacing silent hardware failures with predictive alerts.

3. Convergence of DC-UPS and Active Redundancy

Industrial designers are shifting away from separate power supply, redundancy diode, and UPS battery charging blocks. Unified hybrid topologies combine active MOSFET decoupling with battery management within a single chassis, reducing cabinet wiring complexity by up to 60%.

4. Higher DC Distribution Voltages (380V – 800V DC)

Driven by e-mobility test stands, solar micro-grids, and AI data centers, power distribution is moving from traditional 24V/48V DC to high-voltage DC (HVDC) buses. Redundant power supply modules are adapting with isolation ratings exceeding 3kV AC and operating voltage windows up to 820V DC.

Procurement Executive Summary

When specifying power redundancy for 10+ year plant lifecycles, decision-makers must evaluate Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) rather than upfront unit purchase price.

Factor in Cooling Energy: 25W wasted heat per module consumes up to $350 in additional air-conditioning electricity over 10 years.
Verify True Made-in-Germany Sourcing: Single-site engineering and manufacturing in Pfinztal guarantees long-term product revision stability without unannounced BOM changes.
Demand Full Compliance: Ensure UL 508, UL 62368-1, CSA, CE, RoHS, and REACH documentation is freely available for international export compliance.

The CAMTEC Advantage

German Engineering Excellence: Pro-Power Built in Pfinztal

For over two decades, CAMTEC Power Supplies GmbH has engineered high-grade electrical power equipment for environments where equipment downtime carries extreme financial or safety penalties.

Own German FAB

Development, SMD mounting, assembly, and automated burn-in testing take place under one roof in Pfinztal near Karlsruhe, audited regularly by the German TÜV.

DIN EN ISO 9001:2015

Strict quality management ensures 100% full-load burn-in testing and comprehensive batch traceability for every single power supply module produced.

Global Certifications

Fully compliant with UL, CSA, CE, RoHS, and REACH guidelines. Complete certification dossiers and test reports are available without mandatory registration.

Custom Modification

Direct access to our engineering team allows tailored output voltages, specialized conformal coatings for humid/corrosive environments, and custom connector layouts.

Technical FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions on Redundant Power Supply Modules

Answers to key technical questions asked by systems integrators, electrical designers, and international procurement managers.

A Redundant Power Supply Module decouples two or more parallel-connected power supplies that feed a shared load. It isolates a failing power supply (e.g., due to an internal output short circuit) from the common DC bus bar within microseconds. This prevents the functional power supplies from feeding current into the shorted unit, maintaining unbroken voltage delivery to critical system loads.

In a 1+1 redundancy architecture, two identical power supplies are used, each capable of supplying 100% of the system load. If one supply fails, the second immediately handles the full load. In an N+1 redundancy architecture, multiple power supplies (N) are operated in parallel to carry the total load, plus one additional unit (+1) as a backup. For example, three 20A units are combined to supply a 40A total load. If any single unit fails, the remaining two maintain uninterrupted operation.

Active MOSFET redundancy modules eliminate the typical 0.5V to 0.8V forward voltage drop of diodes, reducing voltage drop to less than 0.05V DC. This lowers thermal losses by up to 88%. The resulting reduction in operating temperature drastically increases the service life of control cabinet electronics, allows for smaller enclosure footprints, and eliminates the need for expensive cooling equipment.

Yes. CAMTEC redundancy modules are engineered to support live hot-swapping. A defective power supply unit can be disconnected and swapped out on the DIN rail while the secondary power unit continues supplying the load—without generating voltage spikes, arcs, or DC bus interruptions.

CAMTEC modules feature integrated voltage monitoring circuits and floating (volt-free) relay contact outputs. The module monitors the input voltage level of both redundant power channels. If either channel drops below a preset threshold (e.g., due to line loss or power supply failure), the relay contact immediately trips to trigger an alarm on the central PLC or SCADA management interface.

For optimal performance: 1) Ensure output wiring length and cable wire cross-sections from each power supply to the redundancy module are identical to keep input impedance balanced. 2) Set the output voltages of both power supplies as close to equal as possible (< 100 mV delta). 3) Observe correct ambient temperature derating specs, ensuring adequate natural airflow around the vertical DIN-rail cooling fins.

Yes. All CAMTEC power products comply with worldwide safety standards, carrying CE, UL, and CSA certifications. They meet stringent EMC requirements (EN 61000-6-2 for immunity and EN 61000-6-4 for emissions) and comply with RoHS and REACH environmental guidelines. Certified documentation is available directly on our platform.

Because CAMTEC engineers and builds all products in Pfinztal, Germany, we readily offer custom voltage set-points (ranging from 12V to 480V DC), protective PCB conformal coatings, modified signaling thresholds, and tailored mounting brackets. Simply contact our application engineering staff to start a review.

Ready to Spec High-Reliability Redundant Power Supply Modules?

Consult directly with our German power supply engineering team to receive expert technical guidance, custom CAD drawings, and volume procurement quotations.