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1. Introduction
You chose PowerPlex®, a comprehensive, future-oriented on-board system which combines safety, user
convenience and reliability. It is a decentralised power distribution and control system, regulating, controlling and
monitoring various loads, switches and sensors and connecting them via CAN. All PowerPlex®modules ensure
reliable control and monitoring of the electrical installations on board, either alone or in combination with other
PowerPlex®components. Besides the protection against overcurrent they allow readout of data of the connected
level sensors and temperature sensors as well as of shunts.
By means of the PowerPlex®configuration software, the application-specific logics for power distribution, power
control and power monitoring will be defined, stored or adjusted. Communication takes place via the PowerPlex®
CAN, based on SAE J1939.
Thanks to its system properties PowerPlex®is the perfect solution for smart electrical networks on boats and in
vehicles. Typical applications include:
•Buses, special vehicles, mobile homes etc.
•Watercraft, e.g. leisure boats, workboats
Benefits for the OEM
The E-T-A PowerPlex®system allows switching and controlling of various loads, timer functions, real load status
indication, overcurrent protection and wire break detection. Each function can be configured separately to meet
the requirements of the loads.
Based on the CAN communication the PowerPlex®system allows to make individual wiring between load and
control unit a thing of the past. The transmission of switch commands and status information is based on the peer-
to-peer CAN bus communication. A direct cable connection between the actuator, e.g. a light switch, and the load,
e.g. a lamp, is no longer required. The obvious advantages for the OEM include the reduced wiring and production
costs as well as a convenient system setup by means of a Windows based configuration software. All control
functions of the system are freely configurable with regard to complexity and size of the system. Change or system
extension at a later date are also extremely easy.
PowerPlex®Scope of operation –PowerPlex®takes over the following tasks:
•Distributes the DC 12 V or DC 24 V power supply to all spots of the boat where loads are installed, such
as lighting and heating control, bilge and water pumps, windscreen wiper motors etc.
•Collects all status information of all sensors and actuators everywhere in the vehicle, such temperature
and tank level measuring points, ON/OFF status signals of the actuators.
•Switches devices and equipment ON and OFF, according to selectable, pre-set scenarios, at the touch
of a button.
•Monitors devices and equipment regarding their out-of-range conditions, indicates possible failures and
responds by reversing the pertinent control unit, as e.g. switching on a pump, if the water tank level falls
below a certain limit.
•Protects devices and equipment against hazardous overcurrent and short circuit by isolating the faulty
load from the system and failure indication to the system.
•Offers back-up protection and switching in the improbable case of a PowerPlex®system or component
failures.