What Does Daisy Chaining Mean for Power Supplies?

November 21, 2022

By Maximilian Hülsebusch, Global Product Marketing & Communications Manager, PULS Power

The colloquial term daisy chaining has established itself as a description for the direct connection of technical devices in series. In this blog article, you will learn what you should consider if you want to operate several power supplies in a daisy chain.

Daisy chaining refers to a wiring scheme in which several devices, such as power supplies, are connected directly in series. This type of wiring is also referred to as “looping through”. The English term “Daisy Chaining” is used colloquially, since the structure is vaguely reminiscent of a daisy chain. The principle can be used both to achieve a higher total current and to transmit analog signals or digital data.

If the wiring of a power supply system is planned according to this principle, it is not wired in a star configuration. Instead, the current is looped through to the load in a linear or ring-shaped manner on one line.

Is daisy chaining recommended for power supplies?

Before setting up a power supply system using the daisy chain method, it is essential to check the data sheet for the relevant type of power supply. Some power supplies do not allow direct connection of outputs. If this warning is ignored, there is a safety risk. It can lead to overloaded circuits and even fire hazard.

Daisy chaining with 240W power supplies (CP10.241)

If a power supply is suitable for daisy chaining the outputs, particular attention must be paid to the specification of the connection terminals. The decisive factor here is the load on the terminals: The maximum specified current of the terminal must not be exceeded, even with the last power supply in the series. PULS specifies the corresponding current values in the product data sheets. For example, a maximum current of 25A is permissible for the 240W power supply CP10.241 (24V, 10A). (See graphic 1) If more than three power supplies are connected in parallel, a fuse or circuit breaker must be integrated for each power supply output. Alternatively, a diode or a redundancy module can be used. This protective measure increases the safety of the parallel connection.

Incidentally, devices with output terminals, which feature two positive poles and three negative poles, are best suited for daisy chaining. Most PULS power supplies are equipped with these terminals as standard.

As you can see, daisy chaining should only be used with caution on power supplies and by qualified staff. But what if this method is not allowed for the selected power supply according to the data sheet? Or, if it is theoretically allowed, but the required current should be higher than the specified current which is allowed for the connection terminals?

What is the alternative to daisy chaining?

A reliable alternative to daisy chaining is the usage of distribution terminals in the control cabinet. In this case, the outputs of the power supplies and the input of the load are connected to the distribution terminals. (See graphic 2) The total current is thus no longer limited by the maximum current allowed for the power supply terminals and can be higher.

Solution with distribution terminals as an alternative to daisy chaining.

Conclusion

Daisy chaining of power supplies is a common practice in industrial applications. To increase the total current, the outputs of several power supplies as well as the load can be connected directly to each other. The decisive factor here is the information on the maximum permissible current that may flow through the connection terminals of the power supply units. These values can be found in the respective data sheet. However, not all power supplies are suitable or approved for daisy chaining. Therefore, this wiring method should always be carried out only by qualified staff on the basis of the data sheet information.

Source

Related Articles


Changing Scene

  • RS Partners With Hammond Manufacturing to Provide Custom Electrical and Electronic Enclosures

    RS Partners With Hammond Manufacturing to Provide Custom Electrical and Electronic Enclosures

    RS Group plc offers more than 4,900 fully customizable electrical and electronic enclosures from Hammond Manufacturing, in addition to more than 2,900 supporting products. Enclosures are used to connect and protect two or more electrical and electronic components and devices. They are employed in virtually every commercial and industrial application, and every enclosure gets modified in some way. Read More…

  • Schneider Electric Appoints Hugo Lafontaine to Lead Its Industry Business in Canada

    Schneider Electric Appoints Hugo Lafontaine to Lead Its Industry Business in Canada

    Schneider Electric, the leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, announces the appointment of Hugo Lafontaine to the position of Vice President, Industry, Canada. Hugo will lead the company’s automation business in Canada, bringing smart, connected and sustainable digital technology and next-generation solutions to guide the advancement of industries of the future. Read More…


Sponsored Content
The Easy Way to the Industrial IoT

The way to the Industrial IoT does not have to be complicated. Whether access to valuable data is required or new, data-driven services are to be generated, Weidmuller enables its customers to go from data to value the easy way. Weidmuller’s comprehensive and cutting-edge IIoT portfolio applies to greenfield and brownfield applications. Weidmuller offers components and solutions from data acquisition, data pre-processing, data communication and data analysis.

Visit Weidmuller’s Industrial IoT Portfolio.


For a Multiplied Value Unified

PB-62-Excelpro-MultipliedValue-400.jpg

During the last few years, the Excelpro Group has welcomed AIA Automation, Envitech Automation and Conrad Lavoie Electrical, all of which have become ‘Member of the Excelpro Group’.

It was with great excitement that in November of 2022, Excelpro announced that these three companies officially became Excelpro. This decision is part of a strategy to enhance the Excelpro Group’s brand in its market.

These companies already collaborate on various client projects. This merger brings together the complementary strengths of the employees and ensures a global synergy of the activities throughout the Group.

Read More


Service Wire Co. Announces New Titles for Key Executives

Bruce Kesler and Mark Gatewood have been given new titles and responsibilities for Service Wire Co.

Bruce Kesler has assumed the role of Senior Director – Business Development. Bruce will be responsible for Service Wire’s largest strategic accounts and our growing Strategic Accounts Team.

Mark Gatewood has been promoted to the role of Vice President – Sales & Marketing. In this role, Gatewood will lead the efforts of Service Wire Company’s entire sales and marketing organization in all market verticals.

Read More


Tri-Mach Announces the Purchase of an Additional 45,000 sq ft. Facility

Tri-Mach Elmira Facility

Recently, Tri-Mach Inc. was thrilled to announce the addition of a new 45,000 sq ft. facility. Located at 285 Union St., Elmira, ON, this facility expands Tri-Mach’s capabilities, allowing them to better serve the growing needs of their customers.

Positioning for growth, this additional facility will allow Tri-Mach to continue taking on large-scale projects, enhance product performance testing, and provide equipment storage for their customers. The building will also be the new home to their Skilled Trades Centre of Excellence.

Read More


JMP Parent Company, CONVERGIX Acquires AGR Automation, Expanding Global Reach

Convergix Automation Solutions has completed the acquisition of AGR Automation (“AGR”), a UK-based provider of custom, high-performance automation design and systems integration primarily to the life sciences industry.

Following Convergix’s acquisitions of JMP Solutions in August 2021 and Classic Design in February 2022, AGR marks the third investment in Crestview’s strategy to build Convergix into a diversified automation solutions provider targeting the global $500+ billion market, with a particular focus on the $70 billion global systems integration and connectivity segments. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Read More


Latest Articles

  • What’s the Best Way to Guard AS/RS with Safety Light Curtains?

    What’s the Best Way to Guard AS/RS with Safety Light Curtains?

    Automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS) are a popular way to make storage space usage more efficient and cut down on manual labor. Although these systems also improve safety by eliminating the need for people to manually access shelving, safeguarding is still required to keep people out of hazardous areas. Safety light curtains are a key element in any AS/RS safety solution. The main challenge in AS/RS safeguarding is that the safety system needs to allow totes to enter the danger zone while keeping people out. Read More…

  • Rittal, Eplan, Cideon and GEC at Hannover Messe 2023

    Rittal, Eplan, Cideon and GEC at Hannover Messe 2023

    Industry is under tremendous pressure to change. How is the manufacturing industry progressing toward smart production? How can we move from crisis management to long-term transformation in energy, efficiency and sustainability? How can we speed up the much-needed scaling up of infrastructure? How are companies countering the shortage of skilled workers? Rittal, Eplan, Cideon and German Edge Cloud will discuss these questions with visitors to the Hannover Messe, showing how expertise can be used to create comprehensive solutions in the relevant ecosystems. Read More…