EMP-A-20
by Vickers
The EMP-A-20 amplifier board is produced by Vickers within the Vickers Amplifier Boards series. In hydraulic motion systems this board converts incoming AC mains into regulated DC rails and distributes them to proportional valves, servo drivers, and related control electronics. By integrating power conversion and signal conditioning on one card, it reduces panel complexity and supplies stable voltage to maintain precise actuator response in automated machinery, ensuring reliable service within demanding production cells.
In typical installation the board is wired for an input of 115 V AC, yet jumper selection enables operation from the alternate 230 V AC supply found in many plants. Either mode accepts the industrial standard 50/60 Hz frequency. After rectification and filtering, the primary converter provides a no-load rail of 20 V DC capable of sourcing 2.5 A DC. Line changes of 10 % shift this rail by 12 %, and a 0–2.5 A load causes the same 12 % drop, keeping voltage within tolerance for servo solenoids. The auxiliary regulator limits deviation to 0.05 V during identical line swings, so reference circuits stay accurate.
The auxiliary output delivers 12 V DC at up to 200 mA per leg, with only 0.03 V variation across its working load range. Output smoothness on the main rail is kept inside 0.6 V RMS ripple, and a 1 A time-delay fuse provides circuit protection against overload. The assembly is rated for ambient temperatures to 65 °C, allowing integration beside heat-producing hydraulic manifolds. A mass of 4.1 kg (9 lb) keeps the card compatible with standard rack hardware without stressing back-plane supports.
