Description
Key Technical Specifications
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Model Number: DS2020LPPA301A
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Manufacturer: General Electric
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System Voltage: ≤ 600 VAC (Group 301 scaling)
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Protection Elements: 40 mm MOVs, 1 kJ pulse rating
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Fusing: On-board ferrule fuses sized per system (non-user-serviceable)
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Wire Capacity: 190 total terminations (95 per block)
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Connectors: J1–J4 40-pin to SDCI, P1–P6 HV bayonet lugs
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Isolation: 1500 Vdc board-to-ground
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Operating Temperature: 0 – 60 °C
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Board Size: ≈ 11 × 8 in (279 × 203 mm)
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Weight: ≈ 1.1 kg metal-clad frame
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Repairability: Non-repairable epoxy-sealed traces; replace complete board on failure
GE DS2020LPPA301A
Field Application & Problem Solved
In a 480 V EX2000 exciter cabinet the utility tie is 10 miles away—every thunderstorm slams 1 kV spikes down the line. This board sits at the cabinet bulkhead, clamps the surge with its 40 mm MOV string, and gives the fuses a place to blow without torching the copper bus. When a MOV shorts it drags the fuse, the SDCI sees “LPPA FUSE BLW,” and you swap the whole card in five minutes—no re-cal, no download. Bottom line: cheap sacrificial layer keeps expensive silicon alive and prevents the Mark V from throwing “AC OVER-V” trips that drop the whole unit.
In a 480 V EX2000 exciter cabinet the utility tie is 10 miles away—every thunderstorm slams 1 kV spikes down the line. This board sits at the cabinet bulkhead, clamps the surge with its 40 mm MOV string, and gives the fuses a place to blow without torching the copper bus. When a MOV shorts it drags the fuse, the SDCI sees “LPPA FUSE BLW,” and you swap the whole card in five minutes—no re-cal, no download. Bottom line: cheap sacrificial layer keeps expensive silicon alive and prevents the Mark V from throwing “AC OVER-V” trips that drop the whole unit.
Installation & Maintenance Pitfalls (Expert Tips)
MOV failure is resistive—ohm before power
A blown MOV reads <10 Ω line-to-ground; if you energize you’ll drag the AC bus down and fault the whole rack. Meter each input pin to chassis first thing.
MOV failure is resistive—ohm before power
A blown MOV reads <10 Ω line-to-ground; if you energize you’ll drag the AC bus down and fault the whole rack. Meter each input pin to chassis first thing.
Fuses are board-specific
Factory sizes the ferrule fuses for the feeder ampacity. If you upgrade the transformer and forget to change the fuse, a fault will vaporize the copper trace inside the epoxy and you’re buying a whole new board. Verify the job drawing before you close the breaker.
Factory sizes the ferrule fuses for the feeder ampacity. If you upgrade the transformer and forget to change the fuse, a fault will vaporize the copper trace inside the epoxy and you’re buying a whole new board. Verify the job drawing before you close the breaker.
Metal frame is live at line potential
The heat-spreader plane floats at AC phase potential. Bolt it to the cabinet while the feeder is hot and you’ll strike an arc across the mounting hole. Always rack the upstream breaker before you swap the card.
The heat-spreader plane floats at AC phase potential. Bolt it to the cabinet while the feeder is hot and you’ll strike an arc across the mounting hole. Always rack the upstream breaker before you swap the card.
Non-repairable means exactly that
Epoxy-potted traces won’t take a solder iron. If a bayonet pad lifts, order a new board—attempting repair voids the UL listing and you’ll fight the same fault next month
Epoxy-potted traces won’t take a solder iron. If a bayonet pad lifts, order a new board—attempting repair voids the UL listing and you’ll fight the same fault next month
GE DS2020LPPA301A
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Technical Deep Dive & Overview
Internally the card is a passive protection matrix. 40 mm MOVs are wired line-to-line and line-to-ground; each phase hits its own fuse before exiting through the bayonet lug. A 40-pin ribbon to the SDCI reports fuse status and lets the Mark V block contactor pick-up if a fuse opens. Because everything is hardware you can hot-swap with the feeder powered: pull the old card, move wires one-for-one, snap the connectors, and the SDCI acknowledges “LPPA OK” without a download
Internally the card is a passive protection matrix. 40 mm MOVs are wired line-to-line and line-to-ground; each phase hits its own fuse before exiting through the bayonet lug. A 40-pin ribbon to the SDCI reports fuse status and lets the Mark V block contactor pick-up if a fuse opens. Because everything is hardware you can hot-swap with the feeder powered: pull the old card, move wires one-for-one, snap the connectors, and the SDCI acknowledges “LPPA OK” without a download
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