IEN Europe: Traco will be celebrating its 80th anniversary in 2024. What prompted the founder to set up the company in 1944 and what were the first Traco products?
Haas: Ever wondered what our grandparents’ weekend disco fever has to do with Traco Power’s legacy? Back in the day, the hottest discotheques were pulsing not just to the beat of the music but also to the rhythm of the most advanced Revox tape recorders, which were exclusively distributed by Traco.
Dr. Hans Caspar, great-grandfather of the current company owner, imported some of the world's first tape recorders. These were developed by Bush Development as the successor to the BK 40 dictation machine especially for the American market. The success with these devices failed, because they were unsuitable for the Swiss market not only because of their susceptibility to interference, but also because of their conception for 110 volts at 60 Hz. Until 1949 these devices were stored in the cellar of Mr. Caspar, until Mr. Ernst M. Egli established contact to Willi Studer. He was commissioned to convert the Soundmirror tape recorders for the Swiss market. However, Willi Studer decided to produce his own tape recorder and to construct it better from scratch.
IEN Europe: When did Traco start to focus on power supplies?
Haas: These tape recorders, integral to creating unforgettable nights of dance and music, required high-quality voltage converters and parts to keep the music playing. This need sparked Traco Power's journey into the niche of power supply solutions, setting the stage for our transformation from pioneers to industry leaders over the decades. A growing business developed from spare parts for these devices. Traco then made a real breakthrough with power solutions in the early 1970s. Since then, Traco Power has focused exclusively on this business.
IEN Europe: What is the current structure of the Traco Group and how many people work there? Is the founding family still involved with Traco?
Haas: The most important element of our success is our value proposition to our customers and partners. Not only our products, but also all our employees are reliable, available and agile.
This value proposition is based, among other things, on the fact that we are very lean and can therefore react and support quickly. Traco Power employs around 130 people at 5 locations in Switzerland, Germany, the USA, Ireland and France. Our employees work in development, product management, sales, marketing, IT and administration. For decades, we have been working with the selected production partners in Asia. At the beginning of this year, Traco Power was handed over to the greatgranddaughter of the founder and is still 100% family-owned.
IEN Europe: Can you give our readers a brief overview of Traco's actual product portfolio and main markets?
Haas: We develop and distribute professional power supply solutions for demanding applications.
The most important product categories are DC/DC converters from 1-300W and AC/DC switching power supplies from 2 – 1000 W. In Ireland, we employ also a group of engineers who develop customized power solutions. Our products are the first choice for developers of applications in industry, medical technology, mobility/transportation and building automation.
Our product portfolio is also unique in terms of our performance promise of reliability and availability. Thanks to our decades of experience, our good relationships with developers and partners, and sophisticated data collection and evaluation approaches, we can maintain a rather lean product portfolio. This enables us to offer practically all our products from stock and for decades.
IEN Europe: High efficiency and thermal management are important issues for modern power supplies in general and especially when it comes to miniaturization in industrial applications. What is the role of GaN technology at the moment and what do you expect for the future?
Haas: GaN (Gallium Nitride) technology is critical for achieving high efficiency and better thermal management in modern, miniaturized power supplies. Compared to traditional silicon, GaN transistors switch faster and therefore reduces size of magnetic components like the transformer which is a size-determining component in switch mode power supplies. In addition, it also helps to reduce switching losses at certain topologies of power supplies and PFCs (power-factor correction), significantly boosting efficiency and reducing heat generation. Although faster switching may require slightly higher EMC measures, GaN transistors generally speaking help to solve thermal management challenges as well as allowing more compact designs.
Power supply manufacturers like Traco Power can integrate GaN technology to develop smaller, more efficient power supplies, meeting the rising demand for high-performance solutions in industrial, medical, and telecom applications. By using GaN, Traco Power can offer products with higher power density, lower energy losses, and improved reliability, ideal for space-constrained environments.
Engineers benefit from GaN’s improved efficiency by simplifying cooling requirements and allowing for more compact designs with higher power outputs. Additionally, GaN enables greater design flexibility by operating at higher frequencies and temperatures, empowering engineers to create innovative, cutting-edge power solutions. GaN is transforming power supply design, offering new possibilities for advanced applications.
IEN Europe: Where do you see the particular technological challenges in the transition to an "all-electric society" and how can Traco contribute to the solutions needed?
Haas: The transition to an all-electric society faces several technological challenges, including reliable renewable energy generation, efficient energy storage, mobility, communication, entertainment and upgrading grid infrastructure to handle increased and highly fluctuating loads. Power conversion efficiency, electric mobility infrastructure, and stability in energy distribution are critical areas requiring innovation. Traco Power can play a key role in addressing these challenges by offering advanced, reliable, highly efficient power conversion solutions that minimize energy loss. Their expertise in developing compact, reliable power supplies can support industries requiring stable power for electric vehicles, industrial and medical applications, and energy grids. Traco’s ability to offer also customized solutions positions them as a key contributor in optimizing power efficiency and stability. Through these innovations, Traco can help meet the demand for scalable, flexible power solutions, aiding the transition toward a sustainable, all-electric future.
IEN Europe: Is there a special/exceptional customer application that you can recall from the company's long history that was only made possible by Traco's contribution? Haas: There are actually applications that run thanks to the contribution of our power supplies. Be it at an altitude of 10,000 meters below sea level, at -50°C in the Arctic, during a round-the-world flight in a solarpowered aircraft, or in basic research at universities, or even in particle accelerators.
For decades, developers worldwide have relied on our power supply products because, as already described, they do what they are supposed to do reliably for 20+ years, even under demanding conditions.
IEN Europe: Thank you for your insights and all the best for Traco's next 80 years of success.
