Fujitsu Component Ltd have teamed up with NTT Facilities Inc to deliver a brand new power bar and a power plug for 400V high-voltage direct-current distribution system. Both companies have laid claim that they successfully solved technical problems concerning the problematic arc discharge from open/closed-circuits and its influence on human body, and those are the exact two reasons which have been preventing commercialization thus far. It seems that for safety reasons, the power plug will come with a mechanical switch that prevents generation of voltage between power plug terminals unless loading apparatuses such as an ICT device is being used.

Whenever one uses a loading apparatus, the power plug will need to be inserted into the outlet followed by the mechanical switch which is then slid to the ON position in order to close the internal contact. According to Fujitsu Component and NTT Facilities, this mechanical switch enables both workers and maintenance staff to plug and unplug it without any voltage being applied to it, resulting in a much safer operation environment as compared to current 100V and 200V AC power systems.

Not only that, the power plug will come with functions that help prevent wrong insertion and unintended unplugging due to tripping. In addition, the plug is equipped with an ark blocking module that relies on high density magnetic force, hence forcibly extinguishing the arc whenever the mechanical switch is slid to OFF before the plug is pulled out of the outlet. There is nearly zero power consumption within the outlet since it does not come with semiconductors or complex mechanical components, making it possible to achieve high reliability at a low cost courtesy of the small number of components. NTT Facilities will be rolling out verification tests of the developed bar and plug in order to keep up with the NTT group, where the latter has been working on the promotion of direct current distribution. It is hoped that this technology will be commercialized by 2010.

Source: Tech On