BACKGROUND

The disclosure relates generally to distribution of power to one or more power consuming devices over power wiring and, more particularly, to power conversions that may occur from an external power source for use by remote units of a distributed system, and more particularly to a connector used to provide a voltage level selection to a power converter.

Electrical power consumption is prevalent throughout modern society. Provision of electrical power requires power generation and power delivery through a power grid to a destination, where the power must be conditioned to an appropriate level for use at the destination. In some instances, the destination is merely an intermediate destination, with further downstream destinations. In such a case, power may be passed on through a sub-network or sub-grid to such further downstream destinations.

In most power grid systems, the electrical power is sent at relatively high voltages and low currents in an alternating current (AC) format so that power losses on transmission lines are kept comparatively low pursuant to Ohm's Law relating to power dissipation (e.g., for a simple model, power dissipated equals the square of current multiplied by resistance (i.e., I2R)). This high voltage signal is then converted to a lower voltage level suitable for use at the destination. When there are further downstream destinations, additional power loss may occur at voltage level conversion.

A few exemplary destinations that have further downstream destinations include remote lighting systems, data centers, and distributed communication systems. In most cases, the power arrives from the power grid at a relatively high AC voltage and is converted to direct current (DC) with an adjusted voltage level. The circuitry to perform such conversions induces power loss in the form of heat because of low efficiencies. Further, such circuitry is typically expensive because it operates in relatively high frequencies to conserve space and may be temperature limited. For example, many commercial products for such circuitry begin to become increasingly less efficient at temperatures above fifty degrees centigrade (50° C.) and even more steeply less efficient at temperatures above seventy-five degrees centigrade (75° C.). Some implementations have implemented air conditioning or heat exchangers to help ameliorate these heat limitations, but both solutions impose penalties in terms of cost, size, and/or providing additional potential points of failure.

The inventors of the present disclosure have previously proposed an improved power conversion system for use with a reduced cost of installation (capital expense) as well as a reduced operating expense profile. While the previous disclosure does meet those needs, the previous disclosure has room for improvement at the input point where an external power line couples to the power conversion system.

No admission is made that any reference cited herein constitutes prior art. Applicant expressly reserves the right to challenge the accuracy and pertinency of any cited documents.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the disclosure relate to systems and methods for an alternating current (AC) input selection for a power transformer. In particular, a connector is provided that is pre-wired to utilize internal wiring in the power transformer to provide a desired connection. A first option allows two transformers' input winding to be in series while a second option allows the two transformers' input winding to be in parallel. By moving the wiring into the connector, installation is simplified as the wiring has already been done. The installer need only attach the correct plug based on the desired voltage and couple the plug to the transformer. Further, the manipulation of thick wires is also avoided by the installer, further simplifying the installation process.

One embodiment of the disclosure relates to a power distribution system comprising a power management circuit (PMC). The PMC comprises a power source input port configured to receive an AC power signal from an external power grid. The PMC also comprises a transformer for providing isolation between the external power grid and a power distribution line. The transformer comprises a transformer input port coupled to the power source input port. The transformer input port comprises a connector having a first half and a second half. The first half is selectively removable from the second half. The first half contains a jumper. The transformer also comprises two input coils coupled to the second half of the connector of the transformer input port, at least one output coil coupled to the two input coils, and a transformer output port coupled to the at least one output coil. The PMC also comprises a rectifier coupled to the transformer output port and a power factor correction (PFC) converter coupled to the rectifier. The PFC converter is configured to be coupled to a power load.

An additional aspect of the disclosure relates to a method for conditioning power for provision to a distributed power network. The method comprises receiving an AC power signal from a power grid at a transformer input port comprising a connector. The method also comprises passing current through a jumper in a first half of the connector to a second half of the connector. The method also comprises passing the current to two input coils in a transformer from the second half of the connector. The method also comprises isolating a PMC from the power grid with the transformer. The method also comprises rectifying an output of the transformer to provide a rectified signal. The method also comprises performing a PFC conversion on the rectified signal. The method also comprises providing power.

An additional aspect of the disclosure relates to a distributed communication system (DCS). The DCS comprises a central unit. The central unit is configured to distribute one or more downlink communication signals over one or more downlink communication links to a plurality of remote units. The central unit is also configured to distribute received one or more uplink communication signals from the plurality of remote units from one or more uplink communication links to one or more source communication outputs. The DCS also comprises the plurality of remote units. Each remote unit among the plurality of remote units is configured to distribute at least one received downlink communication signal among the one or more downlink communication signals from the one or more downlink communication links to one or more client devices. Each remote unit among the plurality of remote units is also configured to distribute the one or more uplink communication signals from the one or more client devices to the one or more uplink communication links. The DCS also comprises a power distribution circuit. The power distribution circuit comprises a power source input port configured to receive an AC power signal from an external power grid. The power distribution circuit also comprises a transformer for providing isolation between the external power grid and a power distribution line. The transformer comprises a transformer input port coupled to the power source input port. The transformer input port comprises a connector having a first half and a second half. The first half is selectively removable from the second half. The first half contains a jumper. The transformer also comprises two input coils coupled to the second half of the connector of the transformer input port, at least one output coil coupled to the two input coils, and a transformer output port coupled to the at least one output coil. The power distribution circuit also comprises a rectifier coupled to the transformer output port and a PFC converter coupled to the rectifier. The PFC converter is configured to be coupled to a power load.

Additional features and advantages will be set forth in the detailed description which follows and, in part, will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the description or recognized by practicing the embodiments as described in the written description and claims hereof, as well as the appended drawings.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are merely exemplary and are intended to provide an overview or framework to understand the nature and character of the claims.

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate one or more embodiment(s), and together with the description serve to explain principles and operation of the various embodiments.

