AMETEK ReFlex - Manual (Page 29)

ReFlex Power™ System Overview
M380056-01 Rev J 1-7
1.3.2
G
ENERAL
C
HARACTERISTICS
- O
VERVIEW
The Mainframe facilitates quick installation and removal of modules. The
modules slide on guides of the Mainframe chassis, and have captive
thumbscrews on their front panels to secure them to the chassis.
Connectors in modules engage blind-mate connectors on the Mainframe
backplane. Guide-pins are integrated into each backplane connector to
provide alignment and mechanical support.
S INGLE AND M ULTIPLE M AINFRAMES
The ReFlex Power TM system could be configured with a single
Mainframe or multiple Mainframes (up to eight), dependent on the
total quantity of modules comprising the system. The backplane
control/communications bus between modules is extended between
Mainframes through external interconnect cables, allowing flexibility in
the physical location of modules: except for parallel or multi-phase
groups, there are no restrictions as to where modules could be
located in the system. Also, there is no requirement to fill all slots in a
Mainframe other than to install a filler panel over any empty slot, and
there are no restrictions to the placement order of the modules except
for parallel and multiphase groups. Within each Mainframe, the
backplane also distributes the AC/DC input power to the individual
modules. However, the AC/DC input power is not routed between
Mainframes; therefore, each Mainframe requires its own independent
connection to the AC/DC input power source.
P ARALLEL C ONNECTIONS
Operation of modules in a parallel group requires routing of analog
control signals through the backplane between the modules, as well
as the digital control/communications, to implement a master/slave
control interface. The routing of signals in this interface requires that
parallel modules have no other modules installed within the parallel
group, although individual modules of the group can be separated by
empty slots (covered by filler panels). The group can be extended
among multiple Mainframes. The outputs of the modules must be
hardwired externally, while all internal control signal connections are
done automatically when the parallel group is set up through software.
The parallel group is programmed as a “virtual” module, equivalent to
a single module with the combined rating of the parallel group of
modules. Only modules of the same model number can be paralleled.