Fujitsu Component Ltd and NTT Facilities Inc announced that they developed a power bar and a power plug for 400V high-voltage direct-current distribution system.
The two companies claim that they solved technical problems regarding arc discharge from open/closed-circuits and its influence on human body, which have been preventing commercialization.
For safety reasons, the power plug incorporates a mechanical switch that prevents generation of voltage between power plug terminals unless loading apparatuses such as an ICT device is being used.
When a loading apparatus is used, the power plug is inserted into the outlet, and then the mechanical switch is slid to ON so as to close the internal contact. This mechanical switch allows workers and maintenance staff to plug and unplug it without any voltage being applied to it, realizing safer operation compared with existing 100V and 200V AC power systems, according to Fujitsu Component and NTT Facilities.
In addition, the power plug is equipped with functions for preventing wrong insertion and unintended unplugging due to tripping.
Furthermore, the plug is equipped with an ark blocking module that uses high density magnetic force and forcibly extinguishes the arc when the mechanical switch is slid to OFF before pulling the plug out of the outlet.
It consumes almost no power inside the outlet because it is not equipped with semiconductors or complex mechanical components, according to the companies. It is possible to achieve high reliability at low cost because of the small number of components.
NTT Facilities will conduct verification tests of the developed bar and plug, keeping pace with the NTT group, which has been working on the promotion of direct current distribution, and aim to commercialize them by 2010.
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