Application Example - LTX - SEMI ATE

Ultra-Small Footprint Power Conditioning & Distribution Units 36-100KVA

Single-Point System Power and Grounding
Most large computer systems, like LTX Corporation's Fusion System, are a collection of smaller components that communicate with each other. These systems require clean power and a very high quality, common 0V reference. Ground loops between Automatic Test Equipment (ATE) and peripheral equipment, like probers and handlers, and upstream of the ATE equipment, are common and cause lower yield and lower MTBF. The TEAL Power Conditioning and Distribution Units (PCDU's) remove these ground loops and supply high-quality power to the ATE testers and peripheral equipment.

These PCDU's were designed in conjunction with LTX Engineering to provide single point power and grounding for the Fusion System, producing the optimum electrical environment required for peak system performance and eliminating the possibility of harmful ground loops.

Modern Power Conditioning Technology
Today's ATE systems have different power quality requirements than those of a few years ago. Their switch-mode power supplies can typically accept -25% to +10% of nominal line voltage, but are quite permeable to higher frequency impulses (10+kHz) and ground disturbances. The non-linear and switching nature of systems loads requires an ultra-low impedance feed to avoid creating load-generated disturbances.

Conventional power conditioners emphasize line voltage regulation and high impedance isolation at the expense of reliability and noise/impulse reduction. TEAL power conditioners are designed to provide maximum filtering and suppression of line side disturbances by supplying a low impedance source with tight load voltage regulation. This attenuates load side disturbances and isolates the system from upstream ground quality problems. This is accomplished by combining a specialized low impedance shielded isolation transformer, a high energy sine-wave-tracking filter, and a modular surge suppression system to handle lower frequency impulses.

Small Footprint Design
Vertical system layout allows the maximum kVA per square foot without compromising the low impedance, high flexibility connection design. Bottom mounted conduit locations are provided whenever possible to further reduce footprint. Casters with levelers also reduce installation time and expense while adding flexibility.

Reduces Wiring Costs
Wiring costs can be reduced by 30% or more using TEAL's built-in three-phase step-down transformer feature with a delta input (3 hots + ground) and wye output (3 hots + neutral + ground). This is compatible with delta or wye feeds and delta or wye loads. An input neutral is not required and code minimum grounds can be used. Wiring costs can be cut in half again by running a 480V supply to the conditioner, which steps down the voltage to 120/208V. This also lowers the line impedance, further improving power quality.