Quality Assurance and Reliability Notes

Starting with the new technology contained in the "R" and the "U" models, the product features a dynamic range of at least 25:1, nothing else even comes close to the capabilities of these models. Our U, or Universal Test Station, is now the primary test and burn-in tool for leading laser manufacturers and instrumentation manufacturers.

1.  The Circuit Board:

All of the lessons learned in our long history go into the design of every P.C. board layout. We use double-sided, plated-through boards for fail-proof solder joints. We design all boards so that there are no marginal high voltage creepage distances. As far as we have seen from our few Customer Returns, failure of the potting material just has not happened in recent years.

Additionally, all boards are laid out and circuits designed so that all our products exceed all requirements of UL and CSA, such as input-to-output isolation - even without the potting material.

2. Agency Approvals: 

All of our DJT series are approved by TUV Product Service as stand-alone power supplies; that is, they all have appropriate input-output isolation, ensured by 4 mm input-output creepage distance. This distance is maintained throughout the board layout and the transformer itself. Even without the potting, this is more than adequate for TUV approval. Some of our competitors have approval only to the "Component" standard, putting the burden of isolation on the laser itself. This will only work if you are dealing with enclosed laser heads that have the required isolation, and not with bare laser tubes. Then, safety is compromised.

TUV approval was issued in April 1995 for our model DJT-22. Since then, we have added all the rest of the DJT series, to operate almost all of your HeNe lasers with TUV approval. Incidentally, all the rest of our AC input units are designed to the above standards. As time goes by, more models will be added to those with agency approvals.

3. The Input:

Input rectification is accomplished by the stoutest bridge rectifier available today for this job, since it is becoming more and more apparent that the AC power out there in the world is sometimes exceptionally dirty with transients. Inrush currents to the input capacitors are well managed by resistors that are particularly adept at handling surges. 

4.  The transformer:

We wind all our own transformers, placing a layer of tape between all layers to prevent arcing between layers. From input to output, we place a minimum of three layers of special transformer tape, which is capable of withstanding at least 10.5 KV theoretical, far more than adequate input-output isolation. A proprietary method of winding also maintains 4 mm of creepage distance from input to output. In addition to these precautions, they are all vacuum impregnated in transformer varnish to prevent corona and subsequent failure. 

5. Output capacitors:

Some makers of HeNe laser supplies use inadequate output capacitors, with the idea that they are only subjected to start voltage for short periods, thus they can be rated at less than start voltage. We use only capacitors rated 10 KV continuous, and resultant failures of output capacitors are virtually non-existent in our products. 

6.  Inspection and Test

All products are fully tested prior to potting and again after potting. At this time, all AC input units are burned in for a minimum of eight hours with a maximum load and repeatedly cycled off and on. 

7.  Customer Returns:

Here at Voltex, we have rejected the notion of some Acceptable Quality Level. Whenever a unit has failed in the field, we make a point of analyzing it and finding the root cause of failure. Having done that, we then make changes such as changing a procedure or purchasing a better part so that it will never happen again. As a result, returns due to failure are now a rare event here.