Power distribution for vehicle and equipment builders
If you build vehicles or machines in batches, the electrical system has to be the same on every unit, easy to fit, and easy to support once it leaves the factory. Hardwire PDMs replace the fuses and relays with one (or more) solid state unit for each vehicle, set up in software. Here's how that helps when you're building more than one or two.
One part for every variant
With fuses and relays, each variant of a product often needs its own loom and its own fuse box. With a PDM, the hardware stays the same and the differences live in the configuration: which output powers what, the logic behind it and the fuse rating for each circuit.
- Fewer part numbers to stock, and one loom design that covers more variants.
- A change during production is a configuration update, not a wiring change.
The same setup on every unit
- Load the same configuration onto every PDM on the line.
- Password protect it, so it can't be changed by the end user or in the field.
- Store installation notes on the PDM itself, so whoever works on it later can see how it was set up.
Fitting into your control system
A PDM connects to the vehicle or machine's ECU or controller over CAN, so power distribution becomes part of the control system, not a separate box.
See how Munro Vehicles runs two PDM25s on the CAN bus under its vehicle control unit.
- DBC import sets up the incoming messages, and DBC export documents what the PDM sends.
- A built-in data stream reports PDM data, in standard or J1939 format.
- The PDM28 has two CAN buses and a LIN master. The PDM15/25/35 V2 has one CAN bus.
- Logic, scripts, timers and tables run on the PDM itself, so it can take over control jobs that would otherwise need extra modules.
Fault finding in the field
When something goes wrong after a vehicle has left the factory, a PDM shows what happened.
- Live data for every output: current, status and load as a percentage of its fuse rating.
- Trip counts, and lifetime statistics stored on the PDM: power-ups, on-time, peak voltage, current and temperatures.
- Data logging, from 1Hz to 1000Hz.
- The PDM28 has 50 RGB status LEDs, so a fault can be seen without a laptop.
From prototype to production
- Build and change configurations offline, before the hardware arrives.
- Change outputs, logic and fuse ratings as the design develops, without rewiring the prototype.
- The configuration software is free, runs on Windows and needs no programmer. Connect over USB, or over CAN with a Kvaser interface.
- Firmware updates come with the software and install over USB. Configuration changes can be made over USB or over CAN bus, using our CLI tool.
Approvals and quality
- Quality management ISO 9001:2015 for the design and manufacture of power distribution modules, certified by UTAC
- Conformity of production ECE Conformity of Production statement from the VCA, valid to April 2028
- EMC PDM15/25/35 V2 E-marked to UNECE R10.06 (E11)
- Emissions PDM15/25/35 V2 tested to FCC Part 15, Class A
- Cyber security Cyber Essentials certified
- Sealing: IP67 water and dust resistant
- Temperature: -55 °C to 90 °C
- Protection: Every output protected against overcurrent, overtemperature, load dump and reverse polarity
Certificates are on the downloads page.
Supply
- Designed and made in the UK, with design and assembly in-house.
- Supplied on an ongoing basis, with long-term supply agreements available.
- Hardwire PDMs have been in production use since 2019.
- Demonstration units available upon request.
Documentation and support
- Instruction manuals, CAD models, dimension drawings and certificates on the downloads page.
- DBC and CAN configuration files for common ECUs in our files library.
- Our engineers answer technical questions themselves, from first wiring diagram to production.
Where they're used
- Off-highway and industrial: mining vehicles, drills and recycling machinery. See Ecoforniture.
- Stationary equipment and energy storage: see Allye Energy.
- Electric vehicles: see Munro Vehicles.
- Autonomous vehicle development: powering cameras, lidar, radar and computers on test vehicles.
- Defence: military land and marine vehicles.
Talk to us about your build
Prices for volume orders depend on the PDM, the quantity and the support you need, so we'll talk it through with you. Tell us:
- What you're building, and roughly how many units a year.
- How many circuits you need to power, and the biggest loads.
- How it connects to the rest of the vehicle, such as the CAN bus or J1939.
- When you need it.
Get in touch
Email, call or use the contact form, and one of our engineers will reply.