Communications infrastructure equipment has traditionally used lead-acid batteries as a backup supply, which requires the batteries to power a positive referenced 48 V distribution system to avoid corrosion (cathodic protection). As this -48 V supply is used to power +48 V electronics, isolation between the batteries and the communication electronics is required. So the use of isolated bus converters became standard practice in these applications. With modern communications systems merging with server technology, and the communication portion moving from electrical to optical systems, today’s equipment can use negative referenced+48 V backup, meaning isolation is...
