Company: Pepperl+Fuchs
Interview With:  Brian Traczyk, Product Manager

What were the factors that led to Pepperl+Fuchs deciding to introduce this product?
This is the next evolutionary step in improving cost and size ratios for the customer. There is a demand for higher density in the control room cabinet measured
in segments per cabinet. A major concern is footprint, but even more so, heat dissipation. Both are addressed by the Compact Power Hub.

What makes the Power Hub stand out from like products on the market?
While the first generation Universal Power Hub was built to give extremely reliable quality, the second generation High-Density Power Hub catered to the need for cost reduction. Certain customers deal with a very large device count and thus require very low heat dissipation and a very small footprint. The Compact Power Hub is a high- quality, extremely space-saving fieldbus power supply with the lowest heat dissipation in the market, thereby allowing the highest number of segments per control room cabinet. We also offer single power supply modules for each segment instead of blocks of 8. Last, we use passive design elements and the integrated Advanced Diagnostics Module.

What problems did you encounter along the way?
Nothing in particular. This is the fourth generation of fieldbus power supplies so the development engineers know very well what they are doing.

How long did it take—from conception to ultimate production?
Approximately nine months.

Please add any other interesting sidelights in the development of this product that you think our readers would enjoy knowing.
With Pepperl+Fuchs we take design and product quality very seriously so it is always a team effort. Nonetheless, the main aspects of product design were actually carried by a young engineer fresh out of university in Germany with many good and new ideas leading to the compact design. This was actually his first development project. The reviews turned out perfect. Thus, we were easily able to certify the FieldConnex Compact Power Hub for intrinsic safety Ex ic and application in hazardous area Zone 2/Div. 2.

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