2. Short-Circuit Protection (SCP)
Short-circuit protection is an essential safeguard in power supplies, designed to prevent damage from current spikes caused by a short circuit on the load side. When a short circuit occurs, output current surges dramatically, forcing internal components to handle currents beyond their design limits. Without prompt protection, this can lead to overheating, component damage, or even catastrophic failure. Thus, short-circuit protection must be designed to respond quickly and reliably to prevent sudden current surges from causing harm.
(1) Common Causes of Short Circuits:
A. Improper Wiring: Miswiring, such as reversed polarity or poor connections at the output, can lead to a rapid current increase, causing a short circuit.
B. Load Equipment Failure: A fault within the load device may result in a sudden current surge, triggering a short circuit.
C. Environmental Factors: Moisture, dust, and corrosion can degrade circuit boards, potentially leading to short circuits.
D. Internal Component Failure: Failures within internal components, like capacitors or damaged PCBs, can also cause short circuits.
(2) Risks Posed by Short Circuits:
Without effective short-circuit protection, a sudden current surge can quickly cause overheating, subjecting components to overload and increasing the likelihood of damage or even combustion. This excessive heat can permanently damage critical internal components, potentially resulting in the complete failure of the power supply, thereby compromising system stability and safety. If the current continues to rise unchecked, it can create localized high temperatures, increasing fire risk and posing a safety hazard to nearby equipment and users. Thus, short-circuit protection not only safeguards the power system but also protects the load equipment and overall system security.
(3) Preventing Short Circuits:
To prevent short circuits and protect both the power supply and load equipment, consider implementing the following preventive measures:
A. Wiring Inspection: Ensure correct wiring at the power supply output during installation to avoid reversed polarity or poor connections, and regularly inspect the wiring for any issues.
B. Load Equipment Monitoring: Regularly assess the operational status of load equipment to detect and address potential internal faults that could lead to abnormal current increases, effectively reducing the risk of short circuits.
C. Environmental Maintenance: Keep circuit boards dry and clean to prevent the accumulation of dust, moisture, and corrosive substances, which can lower the likelihood of short circuits.
D. Internal Component Integrity: Failures such as capacitor shorts or PCB damage can also cause short circuits, so maintaining component integrity is essential.
E. High-Quality Design: Tiger Power’s power supplies incorporate high-quality components and reliable circuit designs to reduce the risk of short circuits stemming from internal component failures, ensuring system stability and safety.
These preventive measures not only reduce short-circuit risk but also extend power supply lifespan and enhance overall system reliability.
(4) Protection Modes Designed to Meet Customer Needs:
Tiger Power’s power supplies are equipped with real-time short-circuit protection mechanisms that activate immediately when output current exceeds the rated limit due to a short circuit, protecting equipment from damage due to current surges. This protection is ideal for high-reliability applications, such as in industrial or communications settings, enhancing equipment safety and lifespan. Tiger Power offers the following protection modes based on specific needs:
A. Auto Recovery Mode (also known as Hiccup Mode): When a short circuit is detected, the power supply automatically shuts off and enters a waiting state, restarting after a set period and resuming output voltage. If the short circuit persists, the power supply will cycle between shut-off and restart until the issue is resolved. This mode reduces overheating risk and extends power supply lifespan, suitable for data centers, communications, and similar applications.
B. Latch-Off Mode: Upon detecting a short circuit, the power supply immediately cuts off power and remains off until manually reset, making it suitable for environments with high peak power demands or stringent safety requirements, ensuring safe, stable operation of the power supply and load equipment under controlled conditions.