Why 24 Volts DC Power Supply is

used? – Industrial Automation

Systems
by Viral Nagda
In this post, we will learn why 24V DC supply is used in all major
industrial automation and control systems.

We have seen that a majority of sensors, instruments, and

other control devices use a 24V DC power supply. Times have also
advanced nowadays in such a way that some motors use 24V DC for
energizing.

Why 24 Volts DC Power Supply?

What is it that DC supply is preferred over AC supply is powering
the instruments?

We will have a look at some of the general advantages of DC

supply and try to correlate it with AC supply.

One main advantage of a 24V DC supply is less arc generation. AC

supply of 120V or 230V is highly risky considering that it produces a
good amount of electric sparks and arc; which can be dangerous for
surrounding personnel or the environment.

This risk factor is very less in 24V DC supply as it produces less or

even sometimes the negligible amount of arc and electric spark.
Also, due to such a low voltage, there are hardly any chances of a
person getting an electric shock when touching it.

The current carrying capacity of DC supply is limited. This does not

mean that it cannot drive an instrument. The current is enough for it
to power the device and when a short circuit occurs, it simply cuts
off the supply to the instrument due to its limitation.

Though this may sound like fuses are not required for DC supply
then, it is used in many applications depending on the requirement
of the user; for additional protection to the device.

Otherwise, a fuse is not required for DC supply as compared to AC

supply, where a fuse is required in general for protection to the
device.

Due to the general behavior pattern of DC supply, it is possible to

reduce the size of the instrument or power supply. This reduces the
cost and complexity to a great extent.

Bulky and oversized devices employing AC supply are not easy to

handle and occupy a large space.

Heat dissipation is also more in such devices and nowadays, in

times where semiconductors function at nano-size levels, reduced
DC supply size is also helpful in increasing the reliability, decreasing
the cost, and increasing the efficiency of the instrument.

If you see the output of DC voltage as compared to AC voltage, it is

much constant and less prone to fluctuations. This makes the
instruments get fixed voltage at a much higher percentage rate and
if fluctuations are less, then the performance will too be higher. A
higher rate of fluctuations or short spikes in voltage at the upper
level can damage the circuitry.

In a 24V DC supply, the instruments can drive 500-600 ohms of load

resistance, which is enough for even a valve positioner; which is
heavy in operation. So, the load-carrying capacity of DC supply is
also on par with AC supply.

DC supply is more noise redundant as compared to AC supply.

UPS or batteries use a DC power supply as electricity can be stored
in a DC supply.

Disadvantages of 24 volts DC Supply

Although DC supply has many advantages, it has some demerits
too.

Let us have a look at some of them.

• One main disadvantage of DC supply is that it cannot be

used for longer distances. There is reduction in signal
capacity at long distances.

• 24V DC supply cannot be used to drive high current

loads.

These are the general demerits of a 24 Volts DC power supply; but

overall, it is best suitable for most of the instruments and devices as
compared to 230V AC supply.

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