DC power supplies and battery back-up systems are at the heart of any telecommunication network.

How they work:

•  Telecoms systems run on DC power, with an operating voltage of 50 volts DC, powered by a rectifier or rectifiers which converts 240 volt AC to a constant 50 DC voltage. The rectifier also provides power to the backup batteries to maintain its health and ensure optimum standby time.   DC output is available through a range from 5 amps to 2000 amps.

All rectifiers are now switch mode technology with parallel operation, so if one rectifier fails the other rectifier supports the system.

Rectifiers require maintenance because:

•  if the voltage is too high this will damage the batteries

•  if the voltage is too low this will not maintain the correct battery capacity

•  fan assisted rectifiers need regular maintenance because of dust particles accumulating in the fan mechanism

•  some rectifiers don't have temperature compensation fitted: when the room temperature rises above a critical point we get what is called "a runaway effect" causing batteries to overheat with potentially disastrous results and financial consequences

So what does Rectifier Maintenance involve?