Backup power supply for Unipi units (DRC-60A)

The following tutorial describes how to connect Unipi units with the Mean Well DRC-60A power supply, which allows the output power to be backed up using a 12 V battery. It is also necessary to stabilize the power supply's output voltage using a DC/DC converter.

This power supply is used to supply power, but also to charge and maintain the charged battery. It can be operated, subject to the conditions described below, with all Unipi units and other selected Unipi equipment. In the event of a mains power failure, the power supply switches seamlessly to battery power mode. This achieves an uninterruptible power supply.

Patron
Neuron
Gate
Unipi 1.1
Axon
Extension

Elements used

  • Wires of different colours (Cu, 0.5mm2)
  • Switched power supply Mean Well DRC-60A with UPS function
  • DC/DC converter Mean Well DDR-15G-24
  • Any 12 V⎓ acid-lead battery (e.g. CSB GP12170 12V/17Ah)
  • Unipi Patron S207 unit

The DRC-60A power supply can be supplied with an input voltage of 110 / 230 V~. The power supply's output can achieve a maximum voltage of 13.8 V⎓ with a maximum current of 4.3 A. In combination with a suitable voltage regulator (DC/DC converter), it is ideal for powering all Unipi units from the Patron, Neuron, Axon, and Unipi 1.1 product lines. The DRC-60A itself, without the converter, can be used to power Unipi Gate product line devices, as it can be powered with voltages in the 9–30 V⎓ range. For S-size units, the DDR-15G-24 converter can be used. For M and L sizes, the DDR-30G-24 should be used. Unipi 1.1 needs to be powered with 5 V⎓, so a suitable choice is e.g. DDR-15G-5.

The power supply powers the connected load (Unipi unit) and simultaneously charges and maintains the battery. The total output current of the power supply is up to 4.3 A, of which 1.5 A is reserved for charging the battery and 2.8 A for the load at the output.


The DRC-60A power supply is also equipped with two signal relay outputs:

  • AC OK is switched on when the corresponding voltage is connected to the input of the power supply
  • Bat. Low is switched on if the battery voltage falls below 11 V⎓

Switched on Bat. Low indicates that the battery is almost discharged. The remaining time depends on the state of the battery and the connected load. This state is used to save the current values, set the safe state of the outputs, and other necessary tasks, e.g. sending a warning SMS message.

Wiring diagram

Fig.1 - Wiring diagram of DRC-60A, DDR-15G-24, CSB GP12170 and Unipi Patron S207

Wiring description

  • First, connect the output voltage (+V, -V) of the DRC-60B power supply to the input terminals of the DDR-15G-24 converter (+Vin [4], -Vin [3]).
  • The output voltage from the converter (+Vo [1], -Vo [2]) is connected to the power supply terminals of the unit.
  • The conductor from the converter terminal -Vo [2] is connected to the DIGND terminal of the digital inputs of the unit.
  • The conductor from the converter terminal +Vo [1] is connected to the first terminal of the Bat.Low signal relay and the first terminal of the AC OK relay.
  • The second contact of the Bat.Low signal relay is connected to digital input DI1 and the second contact of the AC OK relay is connected to DI2.
  • Before connecting the battery, the maximum output voltage of the power supply must first be set using the +V ADJ trimmer. The voltage must match the holding voltage of the battery, in the case of our wiring the voltage is set to 13.7 V⎓.
  • The negative terminal of the battery is connected to the -Bat. power supply terminal and the positive terminal is connected to the +Bat..
  • Finally, connect the conductors (, N, L) to the respective terminals of the power supply.
  • Before the input voltage is connected for the first time, the power supply output is disconnected even when the battery is connected and fully charged. Therefore, the input voltage must also be connected for full operation. When the input voltage is subsequently disconnected, e.g. power outage, the power supply output then switches seamlessly to battery power mode.
  • When selecting the power supply protection, a current surge (inrush current) of up to 60 A must be taken into account when switching the input of the power supply.
  • Neither the power supply nor the converter requires additional cooling.
  • The input of the power supply should be preferably treated with a suitable surge arrester.
  • The DRC-60A power supply meets the requirements for safety transformers and is a small safe voltage (SELV) power supply.

  • Unipi Patron S207 with the backup of 12 V⎓ / 17 Ah battery can run on this battery with occasional relay switching up to 70 hours.
  • Unipi Patron S167 LTE when backed up on the same setup will run on battery (with good signal and minimal LTE usage) for up to 51 hours.

Documentation

Dimensions

Fig.2 - Dimensions of DRC-60A


Fig.3 - Dimensions DDR-15G-24