Key Features for Power Supply Selection

• Worldwide, universal AC input with continuous operation from 85VAC to 270VAC, 47-440Hz to include 115VAC / 230VAC, aircraft AC power and AC power in all foreign countries. The power supply should not be limited to 95VAC and must be operational down to 85VAC to compensate for a low voltage line, AC generator power and unstable AC power source in foreign countries.
• Wide DC input range of 9 to 36VDC that is not limited to 11VDC to accommodate a low DC input voltage due to: (1) Normal voltage variations of a 12V vehicle battery that fluctuates between 10.5V to 14.4V. (2) Low voltage at the DC power source. (3) Voltage drop as high as 2 volts on the DC input cable and wires between the DC power source and the power supply.
• Full power of 24VDC to 26VDC / 4.25A to 5.25A continuous, 5-7A peak must be available to the Transceiver for full transmit power in any mode of operation from AC or DC power source. No battery should be required to supplement the DC power for the transceiver during transmission! The power supply unit must be fully operational without any battery support and compatible with the next generation transceivers that require 90-100W of power for operation.
• All Uninterruptible power supplies must include a battery to support the transceiver operation during an AC or DC power failure and to prevent loss of COMSEC Keys. The switchover to the rechargeable battery must be automatic with a ZERO WAIT SWITCHING time. It is desirable to have an option for a second battery that can be dropped into the power supply unit to double the backup time. The power supply should fast charge the backup battery while operating the transceiver. Battery charge time should be between 1-4 hours.
• Safety first! To prevent a battery safety hazard and possible battery rapid venting/explosion – the user should not be able to connect a primary Lithium battery (BA-5590/U), NiCd (BB-590/U), NiMH (BB-390A/U) or any other non-compatible battery to a power supply unit with a built-in charger.
• Operator Safety! Separate input cables and connectors for the AC input and DC input/output must be provided to isolate the AC power source from the DC power source and prevent electrical shock and safety hazard. AC and DC cables and connectors must be sized correctly to handle the maximum current flow and minimize the heat dissipation.
• The unit should be fully protected against:
  • AC and DC Input noise and transient voltage surge to 600V.
  • External Electro-magnetic interference (EMI/RFI).
  • Reverse polarity protection at the DC input.
  • Over-Temperature, Over-Voltage and Continuous short circuit.
  • The unit should incorporate an internal self-resettable fuses that reset automatically without the need for user intervention. The AC fuse must be accessible to the user without using tools. A spare AC fuse should be provided.
• Operating Temperature range should between -40°C to +70°C to match or exceed the transceiver’s operating temperature range. The extended temperature range accommodates operation under extreme arctic or desert weather condition. High power AC to DC converters operating temperature may be restricted to be between -20°C to +65°C due to safety considerations.
• Size should be as small as possible.
• Light weight is a desirable feature. The Uninterruptible power units weight should be comparable to the weight of the transceiver’s standard battery box with batteries installed.
• Simple to operate. The power supply should be a true “Plug and Play” and “Jerk and Run” unit without the need for user intervention or setup procedure. The user friendly unit should require very low maintenance or no maintenance!
• Auxiliary DC output: The Uninterruptible power units should provide an auxiliary DC output to power amplified speaker and/or an encryption equipment.
• Test indicator light must be Night Vision Goggles (NVG) compatible.
• Cost savings: The power supply should offer the user a substantial reduction of the annual expenditure for single use and rechargeable batteries, reduction in batteries logistics and a decline in man-hours required for maintenance and charging. Refer to the COST SAVINGS chart for more information.