Question 1

What do brick sizes (full brick, half brick, quarter brick) mean, and how do I choose?

Accepted Answer

Brick sizes are the industry-standard footprints for isolated power modules, graded by area: a full brick is roughly 2.4×4.6 inches, a half brick roughly 2.3×2.4 inches, a quarter brick roughly 1.45×2.3 inches, an eighth brick roughly 0.9×2.3 inches, and a sixteenth brick smaller still. At a given power level, a smaller package leaves less thermal headroom. The usual order is: shortlist by power and input/output first, then check whether the available board area and cooling can accommodate that package. CHASESUN organises its DC/DC modules along this standard, from sixteenth brick up to full brick.

Question 2

How do I choose isolation voltage? What is the difference between 3000VDC and 1500VDC?

Accepted Answer

Isolation voltage is the withstand rating between input and output. The datasheet states whether the figure is an AC (VAC) or DC (VDC) test value; the two are not directly interchangeable for comparison. The choice follows from your system's safety requirements and the actual potential difference: industrial control commonly uses the 1500V class, while telecom and utility monitoring often specify 2500V or 3000V, subject to the safety standard the equipment must meet. Note that isolation voltage is a type-test value and does not mean the part may operate continuously at that voltage. The CHASESUN selector filters directly by ≥1500V, ≥2500V and ≥3000V.

Question 3

How do I read a derating curve? Why can't a 600W module run at 600W continuously?

Accepted Answer

A derating curve shows the permitted maximum output power as a function of ambient temperature, and sometimes input voltage. Most power modules deliver full rated power up to a temperature knee, above which allowable output falls at a defined slope per degree. To read it: find your worst-case ambient temperature, drop down to the power axis, and that figure is the power actually available from this model under your conditions. Ignoring derating is one of the most common causes of field failure in power modules. Refer to the specific model's datasheet for its curve.

Question 4

Which standards apply to power supplies for rail transit equipment?

Accepted Answer

Onboard electronic equipment for rolling stock typically needs to meet EN 50155 (general requirements for onboard electronic equipment, covering supply input, temperature and electrical safety), EN 50121-3-2 (electromagnetic compatibility for vehicle apparatus) and IEC/EN 61373 (shock and vibration). These are independent of one another — a given model may satisfy only some of them, so specify each one during procurement rather than asking generally whether a part is 'railway approved'. Models in the CHASESUN catalogue that carry these standards can be filtered individually under Standards in the selector; certification details are per the model's datasheet and original certificates.

Question 5

Do your products carry CE marking?

Accepted Answer

Most models in the CHASESUN catalogue carry CE marking on their datasheets. CE, however, is a declaration of conformity covering several directives, and the applicable directives and harmonised standards differ by product — so the useful question is 'which standards is this model's CE based on', not 'does it have CE'. Each model page and datasheet lists the standards that model is actually built to. Original certificates are available from an engineer on request.

Question 6

Is UL94-V0 a safety certification for the power supply?

Accepted Answer

No. UL94-V0 is a flammability rating for plastic materials, describing how a housing or potting compound behaves in a vertical burn test. It is a material-level classification and is not equivalent to safety approval of the finished product. It often appears alongside other safety standards on a datasheet but cannot on its own be taken as evidence of the product's electrical safety.

Question 7

Do I need to register or request a quote before downloading datasheets?

Accepted Answer

No. Every document listed on the CHASESUN site can be downloaded directly — no registration, no contact details required. Any entry marked as available in the selector or the download centre is one click away. A small number of models have datasheets still being prepared; those entries show no download button, and the document can be requested from an engineer.

Question 8

What if a figure on the website differs from the datasheet?

Accepted Answer

The datasheet PDF governs. Figures on this site are entered item by item against the datasheets, and anything not printed on the datasheet is left blank rather than estimated — so where you see an empty efficiency or isolation figure, that data is simply not confirmed by the datasheet, not omitted by oversight. If you find a discrepancy between the site and a datasheet, tell an engineer and we will verify and correct it.

Question 9

Can you build to our specification?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Customisation normally starts by confirming the operating conditions: input voltage range, output specification, power, operating temperature, package size constraints, and the standards the part must meet. From there it goes to design confirmation, qualification samples, any required certification, and production. Timelines vary widely with the extent of the change — altering an output voltage and redesigning a package are not comparable — so the schedule is quoted after assessing your specific requirement. Sending the operating conditions together with expected volumes makes the assessment more accurate.

Question 10

Can I request a sample?

Accepted Answer

Yes, samples can be requested online. Up to three models per request, with project name, expected annual usage, required date and contact details. An engineer checks that the selected models suit your stated operating conditions before arranging despatch — if a chosen model is unsuitable for your application, you will get a recommendation first rather than a sample that will not work.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do brick sizes (full brick, half brick, quarter brick) mean, and how do I choose?

How do I choose isolation voltage? What is the difference between 3000VDC and 1500VDC?

How do I read a derating curve? Why can't a 600W module run at 600W continuously?

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