MAXREFDES1051: 18V to 36V input, 24V/2A output, active-clamped forward isolated power supply

The MAXREFDES1051 isolated power module uses the MAX17599 high-efficiency, active-clamp, current-mode controller optimized for industrial power supplies. Converts 24V input (18V-36V) to 24V output, with a maximum output power of 48W. The MAX17599 integrates all the control circuitry required to design an isolated forward converter power supply, optimized for low-voltage industrial power supply (4.5VDC to 36VDC) applications. The MAX17599's switching frequency is programmable from 100kHz to 1MHz, allowing power supply designers to optimize passive components in the power chain to achieve compact, efficient, and cost-effective isolated power supplies. The device allows the jitter range of the switching frequency to be adjusted to reduce EMI.

Demonstrates an active clamp, forward DC-DC converter (ACFC) design based on MAX17599, suitable for 24V DC input industrial power supply design, output 24V @ 2A.

Key Features

• Efficient: reduce power consumption and simplify heat dissipation design
• Compact structure and flexible design: highly integrated
• High reliability, meeting the demanding needs of industrial and medical environments
• Undervoltage lockout and overvoltage protection
• Wide input voltage range: 18V - 36V
• Output tolerance: ±5%
• Output current (continuous): 120% of nominal value
• Ripple<±1.5%
• High efficiency (see corresponding reference design document)
• 1500V electrical isolation

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An active clamp forward DC-DC converter (ACFC) using the MAX17599 is demonstrated for a 24VDC output application. The power supply delivers up to 2A at 24V.

Design, build and test

This application note introduces the hardware and provides detailed system technical guidance for designing an ACFC using Maxim's MAX17599 current-mode controller. The power supply has been built and tested, please refer to this document for details.

design resources