Security Sales & Integration May 2023 - 18

SMARTS & PARTS
Tech Talk by Bob Dolph
bdolph.ssi@gmail.com
A New Age: Digital Electricity
While DE is
still in its
early stages of
development,
it's clear that
it has the
potential to
transform
the way that
we generate,
transmit and
distribute
electricity.
▶ MOST OF US IN THE LOW-VOLTAGE industry
are familiar with the National Electrical
Code (NEC, a.k.a. NFPA 70) and its reference to
Class 2 cabling standards. Did you know, however,
that there is a new kid on the block that's
coming out with the latest edition of NEC 2023?
It is Class 4 and has to do with something called
digital electricity.
Digital electricity (DE) is a relatively new concept
that's gaining traction in the energy industry.
Unlike traditional electricity, which is generated,
transmitted and distributed as an analog signal,
digital electricity is generated, transmitted and
distributed as a digital signal. Th is means that it
can be controlled and managed more effi ciently
and eff ectively than analog electricity.
How It Works
Digital electricity is a patented technology invented
by a company called VoltServer. By using
digital signals to control the fl ow of electricity,
it's possible to achieve much greater effi ciency
and precision than with analog signals. Entire offi
ce buildings and factories are now being wired
with the VoltServer systems. If you are capable
of working with category cabling, then you can
work with DE.
In essence, digital electricity is a new way of
Bob Dolph has served
in various technical
management and advisory
positions in the security
industry for 30+ years. To
share tips and installation
questions, email Bob at
bdolph.ssi@gmail.com. Access
content from his 20+ years as
Tech Talk columnist by going
online at securitysales.com/
author/bdolph.
18
controlling the fl ow of energy. It is based on the
same principles as digital communication, where
data is transmitted using binary signals. In the
case of digital electricity, these signals control the
fl ow of electrical current by utilizing pulse width
modulation (PWM), which involves switching
the power on and off at 500 times per second.
Th is allows the power to be delivered in precise,
controlled bursts, rather than a continuous fl ow.
A DE system starts out with input from conventional
AC power. A head end transmitter in the
system converts the AC to DC and transmits supervised
micro-burst DC pulses along the special
category cabling. Th is waveform can be adjusted
to optimize the power output for a particular application,
making it more effi cient than traditional
analog electricity. While existing systems like PoE
can handle up to 90 watts, a digital electricity system
can handle up to 2,000 watts on 18-gauge
category cable for a distance of 2,000 meters.
Security Sales & Integration MAY 2023
Belden manufactures a special cable for DE
systems which can also include fi ber cabling. Th e
DE control units, transmitters and receivers will
instantly shut down the circuit if a faulty condition
occurs. Because of the safety requirements
in the DE system controls, low-voltage Class 2
practices can be applied. No conduit is needed
because the cabling is handled like any other category
cabling.
At the end of the digital power network, the digital
electricity is distributed to the end user. Th is
can be done using digital power outlets, designed
to receive digital signals instead of analog signals.
Th e digital power outlets can be programmed to
provide a precise level of power output, making
them more effi cient than analog power outlets.
Exploring DE's Benefi ts
Digital electricity off ers several potential benefi
ts. One of the main advantages is that it's more
effi cient than analog electricity. Th is is because it
allows for precise control of the fl ow of electricity,
which can be adjusted to optimize the power
output for a particular application. Th e result:
signifi cant energy savings, especially in applications
where the power demand varies over time.
DE is also more reliable than traditional analog
electricity, because it's less susceptible to interference
from other electrical equipment. Th e
digital power lines are insulated to prevent interference,
and the digital signals are transmitted
with greater accuracy than analog signals. Th is
can help to reduce downtime and improve the
overall reliability of the power supply.
Another potential benefi t of DE: It's more
fl exible than analog electricity, because it can be
programmed to provide a precise level of power
output for a particular application. Th is can be
useful in applications where the power demand
varies over time, or where diff erent levels of power
output are required for diff erent devices.
Digital electricity has the potential to revolutionize
the energy industry. Although it's still in
early stages of development, DE clearly has the
potential to transform the way we generate, transmit
and distribute electricity in the future. Th is
is a new and exciting opportunity for low-voltage
integrators looking for new markets.
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Security Sales & Integration May 2023

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