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http://ecmweb.com/print/cee-news-archive/using-ac-coils-dc-power-0
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CEE News
John DeDad
Mon, 2001-01-01 12:00
13-12-14 3:05 PM
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http://ecmweb.com/print/cee-news-archive/using-ac-coils-dc-power-0
Then, calculate the coil's AC power (P subscript AC). You do this by multiplying the coil's AC voltage (E subscript
AC) by its AC current draw (I subscript AC), or
P subscript AC=E subscript ACxI subscript AC (equation 2).
STEP 3: DO SOME BENCH TESTING Gradually apply a DC voltage to the coil until you see a DC current (I
subscript DC ) having the same magnitude as the AC current (I subscript AC) measured in Step 1. Then,
measure the DC pick-up and drop-out voltages.
STEP 4: DO SOME MORE CALCULATIONS First, calculate the coil's DC resistance (R subscript DC) by using
the following equation:
R subscript DC=E subscript DCI subscript AC (equation 3).
Then, calculate the coil's DC power, in watts, (P subscript DC) using the following equation:
P subscript dc=E subscript DCxI subscript AC (equation 4).
Verify that the power is plus/minus 30% of the coil's AC power (P subscript AC) calculated in Step 2.
You may wonder why we're using AC current in equation 3 and equation 4. Our original premise for using AC
coils on DC circuits: Apply a DC test voltage until you draw the same magnitude of holding current as when the
coil operates on AC.
In other words, I subscript AC equals I subscript DC. So, we can insert the measured AC holding current value in
these two equations.
Finally, calculate the power factor (PF) by dividing the coil's DC power (P subscript DC) by its AC power (P
subscript AC), or PF=P subscript DCP subscript AC (equation 5).
Let's try a sample conversion. Suppose you have a signal relay with a coil rated at 120V AC. You measure the DC
resistance (2,000 ohms) and note the nameplate says AC power is 2VA. The relay contacts are 10A, coin-silver.
STEP 1 You can measure the AC current draw (I subscript AC), calculate it using the above data, or do it both
ways as a check. By using equation 2, but solving for current draw, you have:
I subscript AC=P subscript ACE subscript AC=2VA120V
=0.017A.
Now, verify that this is close to what you're measuring.
STEP 2 Calculate the coil's AC impedance (Z subscript AC) by using equation 1:
Z subscript AC=E subscript ACI subscript AC=120V0.017A
=7059 ohms.
You don't have to calculate the coil's AC power because it's on the nameplate (2VA).
STEP 3 Do some bench testing to find the DC voltage that generates the same magnitude of current as when the
coil operates on AC. You can also calculate the coil's DC voltage by using equation 3, but solving for E subscript
DC:
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