Customers often ask: "What is the difference between an isolated power supply and a non-isolated power supply?" Today, we will give you a brief explanation from the following points.
1. Security
The isolated dcdc power supply module refers to the isolated power supply that uses a transformer to drop various voltages (such as: 48VDC, 24VDC, 12VDC, etc.) to the required voltage through the transformer, and then uses it as a load power supply. The non-isolated power supply module directly introduces various voltages into the electronic circuit, and then performs step-down and step-down output through electronic components. The input and output are directly connected through electronic components, and there is no isolated device such as a transformer in the middle, so it is called Non-isolated power modules. As a product that can be used safely by end users, engineers generally consider the insulation and isolation reliability of the system when designing power solutions. In contrast, dc dc isolated power modules are safer than non-isolated power modules.
2. Efficiency
The efficiency of non-isolated power modules is generally higher due to the lack of energy lost in the magnetoelectric conversion of the transformer. The efficiency of non-isolated power modules of most power supply manufacturers in the industry can reach more than 91%. In contrast, the general efficiency of dc dc isolated power modules is below 88%, so the heat generation of dc dc isolated power modules is relatively greater than that of non-isolated power modules.
3. Cost and volume
Since the non-isolated power supply module does not need to use a transformer for electrical isolation between the input and output, compared with the dc dc power supply module, the same output power, the same output performance (such as output accuracy, load effect, dynamic response, etc.), non-isolated The required size of the power module is smaller, the cost is lower, and the design difficulty is less. If it is considered that the input and output are not isolated in the design, compared with the dc dc isolated power supply module, it can be said that the design of the non-isolated power supply module is the first choice of engineers.
4. Load range
The output load range of the dcdc isolated power module is smaller than that of the non-isolated power module.
Generally speaking, the output load range of dc dc isolated power module is 30-42V, and the load range of non-isolated power module can be 30-84V. When choosing a power supply, many manufacturers require the power supply to be able to adapt to the full voltage 90-265V input for overall adaptability, and the load range is also required to be as high as 84V. There are certain risks and hidden dangers in such a choice. When 90V is input, the power supply may lose the constant current function. These non-isolated THDs are suitable for high voltage and small current, and the cost of making large current is not cheaper than that of isolation.
Summary: dcdc power modules and non-isolated power modules have their own advantages, and they are aimed at different industries and different design requirements. Therefore, for a long time, these two products have always been in a brotherly relationship in the industry. However, with the continuous improvement of the design level of dcdc power module manufacturers, the volume and cost of dc dc isolated power modules are continuously reduced, so many customers will give priority to isolated dcdc power modules when using them.
