48V 系统

Beyond 12V: Why traditional systems will struggle with modern power demands

Traditional 12V systems, currently the mainstay of power delivery, are struggling to keep pace with the escalating power requirements of modern applications. The limitations of 12V systems become clear when considering factors like power loss and cable thickness. As power demands increase, so do the currents within a 12V system in a linear fashion (P = V*I). This results in higher power losses along any wiring from the supply source to the load (P_loss= I² *R). Practically speaking, if you double the power demand of the system the current will also double, but the power losses will quadruple! These power losses manifest as unwanted heat and reduced system efficiency. Also, managing higher currents requires thicker and heavier cables which adds weight and cost to system designs.

You may question the decision to limit the voltage to 48V when the advantages of higher voltages are apparent. However, the primary factor behind this limit is the safety standards that must be adhered to. Organizations such as UL and NFPA designate voltages below 60V as Safety Extra Low Voltage (SELV), deeming them safe for human interaction with unshielded equipment.

Power = Voltage * Current
A 4x higher voltage allows 4x lower current to power equal loads. 

With Voltage = Resistance * Current and
Power_loss = Current² * Resistance lower currents enable lower power losses.

Lower power losses mean higher efficiency and less heat to dissipate.
Thinner Wire can lead up to a ~65% weight reduction.