Configuring   
4.10 Selecting the load power supply 
  S7-300, CPU 31xC and CPU 31x: Installation 
4-26  Operating Instructions, Edition 08/2004, A5E00105492-05 
 
4.10  Selecting the load power supply 
Task of the load power supply 
The load power supply feeds the input and output circuits (load circuits), and the sensors 
and actuators. 
Features of load power supply units 
You will have to adapt the load power supply unit to your specific application. The table 
below shows a comparison of the various load power supply units and their features to help 
you make your choice: 
Table 4-12  Features of load power supply units 
Necessary for ...  Feature of the load power 
supply 
Remarks 
Modules requiring voltage 
supplies ≤ 60 VDC or ≤ 25 VAC. 
24 VDC load circuits 
Safety isolation  This is a common feature of the 
Siemens power supply series 
PS 307 and SITOP power 
series 6EP1. 
 
 
24 VDC load circuits 
48 VDC load circuits 
60 VDC load circuits 
Output voltage tolerances: 
20.4 V to 28.8 V 
40.8 V to 57.6 V 
51 V to 72 V 
- 
Load power supply requirements 
Only an extra-low voltage of ≤ 60 VDC which is safely isolated from mains may be used as 
load voltage. Safe isolation from mains can be achieved, for example, in accordance with 
VDE 0100 Part 410 / HD 384-4-41 / IEC 364-4-41 (as functional extra-low voltage with safe 
isolation) or VDE 0805 / EN 60950 / IEC 950 (as safety extra-low voltage SELV) or VDE 
0106 Part 101. 
Load current determination 
The required load current is determined by the accumulated load current of all sensors and 
actuators connected to the outputs. 
A short-circuit induces a surge current at the DC outputs which is 2 to 3 times higher than 
the rated output current, until the clocked electronic short-circuit protection comes into effect. 
Make allowances for this increased short-circuit current when selecting your load power 
supply unit. Uncontrolled load power supplies usually provide this excess current. With 
controlled load power supplies, and particularly for low output power up to 20 A, always 
ensure that the supply can handle this excess current.