DC/DC Converters for Mobile Machinery and Commercial Vehicles

Würth Elektronik ICS has expanded its power distribution portfolio with a new series of encapsulated DC/DC converters designed for mobile machinery and commercial vehicles. The power conversion modules stabilize onboard power supplies across multi-voltage vehicle architectures in demanding agricultural, construction, and transport applications.

Voltage Stabilization in Multi-Voltage Vehicle Architectures
Modern vehicle platforms increasingly incorporate multiple operating voltage levels alongside an expanding array of electronic control units and sensors. Voltage fluctuations across these networks can result in sensor failure, display instability, control module resets, or engine startup difficulties. The new DC/DC power converters address these issues by maintaining steady output voltage during dynamic load changes and managing energy transfer between distinct battery subsystems.

Environmental Endurance and Electrical Specification Parameters
Engineered for harsh operating environments, the switch-mode power converters are fully encapsulated to achieve an IP67 protection rating against dust and liquid ingress. The hardware operates in ambient temperatures reaching 85 °C and withstands continuous operational vibration.

The standard product line features step-down buck converter topologies in 24 V to 12 V configurations, operating within an input voltage range from 16 V or 18 V DC up to 32 V DC. Standard output ratings include nominal currents of 2 A, 25 A, and 40 A. The 25 A and 40 A units are packaged as standalone hardware modules, whereas the 2 A variant utilizes a relay-style enclosure intended for direct mounting on printed circuit boards. Integrated circuit protection features encompass overcurrent protection, overvoltage limiting, short-circuit shutdown, electronic overtemperature monitoring, and input reverse-polarity protection.

Application Scenarios and Custom Power System Integration
In addition to standard buck converter models, alternative power topologies such as boost and flyback configurations can be developed for specialized onboard electrical architectures. Custom units accommodate specific power demands and form factors across individual machine designs.

Additional Context
This section details technical specifications and competitive benchmarking not included in the original product announcement.

Commercial vehicle and mobile machinery power supplies typically demand ruggedized DC/DC converters capable of operating in severe industrial conditions. Standard automotive-grade converters often lack IP67 sealing or operate within restricted temperature limits up to 70 °C or 80 °C, whereas heavy-duty off-highway specifications require continuous operation at 85 °C alongside vibration resistance meeting ISO 16750 standards. While general-purpose step-down modules often require external protection circuits, integrated automotive buck converters incorporate input reverse-polarity protection and short-circuit recovery directly on board. Standard 24 V to 12 V buck conversion efficiencies in encapsulated heavy-duty modules typically range between 90% and 95%, minimizing thermal dissipation within sealed IP67 enclosures.

Edited by Evgeny Churilov, Induportals Media - Adapted by AI.

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