April 24, 2026
Industry Insight: The "Bucket Effect" in Base Station Upgrades
With the deployment of 5G equipment, existing telecommunication base stations frequently require power capacity upgrades. In the B2B industrial power sector, paralleling multiple rectifier modules is the standard method to increase total system capacity. However, poor current distribution consistency between parallel modules causes load imbalance: some modules operate at 100% load or overstress while others remain underutilized. This imbalance triggers localized thermal overload, shortening the entire system's lifespan to that of the most heavily loaded module—a phenomenon known as the "Bucket Effect."
Technical Solution: Ensuring Stability via ±5% Current Sharing Accuracy
The Eltek Flatpack2 24/1800 HE addresses current distribution challenges in large-scale parallel systems through advanced digital control algorithms.
1. High-Precision Dynamic Current Sharing
Within a load range of 10% to 100%, this module maintains current sharing error within ±5% of the maximum current. In a 24V system, as total demand increases, each paralleled Flatpack2 module uniformly shares the load current (up to 75A per module). This high degree of consistency eliminates circulating currents between modules, significantly reducing reactive power losses.
2. Thermal Management and 95% HE Efficiency
Heat dissipation is a major operational pressure in parallel systems. The Flatpack2 boasts a 95% peak efficiency and a power density of 22 W/inch³, delivering exceptional thermal performance within a compact 1U shelf. Low heat generation ensures that internal components remain within safe thermal stress limits even in dense configurations, supporting a high reliability of MTBF > 300,000 hours.
Operational Benefits: Hot-Swap and Flexible Expansion
· Seamless Hot Plug-in: Capacity expansion requires no downtime. The module includes a built-in inrush current limiter, ensuring no voltage drops on the DC bus during insertion. The parallel controller automatically recognizes new modules and redistributes current in real-time.
· Wide Input Adaptability: Supporting 85-300 VAC, the module ensures the DC output maintains a static regulation accuracy of ±0.5%, even if the local grid fluctuates due to high-power equipment demand in remote areas.
Selection Guidance: Three Essentials for Power Expansion
Procurement managers overseeing network upgrades in South America or Europe should prioritize the following parameters when evaluating parallel power systems:
1. Static Regulation Accuracy: Whether it reaches ±0.5% to protect sensitive communication hardware.
2. Current Sharing Performance: Can the sharing error stay around ±5% during large-scale paralleling (e.g., 10+ modules)?
3. Environmental Resilience: Compliance with ETSI EN 300 019 to maintain full rated output across -40°C to +75°C.
Summary
The stability of the Flatpack2 24/1800 HE is established by its parametric precision. By combining 95% efficiency with intelligent current sharing, it provides a "proven reliability" framework for critical telecom infrastructure expansion.
