100 years after the decision was made to base the world’s power grid on alternating current (AC) rather than direct current (DC), new power control technologies and the desire for improved energy efficiency are causing that choice to be reconsidered. (Not that anyone expects the multi-trillion dollar investment in AC to be completely abandoned anytime soon.)  However, for many of the millions of “mini grids” created every year, the choice to use DC power is a logical one.

Glacier Bay’s OSSA Powerlite® technology is based on the idea that “fixed” components in a power system are harmful to efficiency since they restrict the ability of that system to be optimized for changing conditions. To get around the limitations imposed by the fixed frequency (50, 60 or 400Hz) of an AC system, OSSA Powerlite systems all use variable-voltage DC power. As a full-system provider, Glacier Bay manufactures a complete line of DC power distribution components.

Save Size and Weight While Reducing Conversion Losses

Unlike AC current, DC power is not readily controllable by mechanical devices. Indeed, this limitation was what drove the migration to AC so many years ago. Fortunately, that is no longer the case. Today’s power electronics easily control DC with far greater accuracy, flexibility and reliability than is possible with AC. Those who are familiar with the old style switching equipment historically used on industrial and rail DC power systems will appreciate the advances of Glacier Bay’s silicon-based control devices and modern insulating materials.

Increased Safety

In addition to being more efficient than AC current, DC power is safer as well even at high voltages. In fact, the U.S. Navy states that humans exposed to 500 volts are six times (6x) more likely to be killed if the power is AC than if it is DC. Of course, while DC is clearly safer than AC, any electrical power is potentially dangerous. To provide the ultimate in protection, Glacier Bay power distribution systems include our own proprietary “GFS” (ground fault safety) technology. The GFS continuously monitors the entire power system for any sign of insulation breakdown. When installed as part of an OSSA Powerlite system, the GFS connects to the OSSA-CAN© network and communicates the safety status continuously to all touch screens and other user interfaces. The GFS not only alerts you if a fault condition exists, but also tells you the seriousness of the fault. Since it is fully programmable, users have the option of choosing to initiate specific actions in response to various fault conditions.