According to Embedded Computing Design, Bicker Elektronik GmbH has launched the DC401W, a 400-watt continuous power DC/DC converter with ATX output. This fanless unit is built into a compact 1U chassis and is designed for industrial PCs, embedded box PCs, and rugged applications. It supports an incredibly wide DC input voltage range of 6 to 36VDC, adheres to the ATX 3.0 specification for handling power fluctuations, and operates across a temperature range of -20°C to +60°C. The company claims it achieves up to 94% efficiency and uses polymer aluminum capacitors with a lifetime exceeding 10 years. It also features modular cable management with options for custom harnesses and is supported by accessories like a specific 350mm cable and an EMC input filter.
Why This Isn’t Your Gaming PSU
Look, when you think of a power supply, you probably picture the glowing, fan-covered unit in a gaming rig. This is the absolute opposite of that. The DC401W is built for places where dust, vibration, and wild temperature swings are a daily reality. The fanless design is a huge deal—no moving parts means nothing to clog or break. And that wide 6-36VDC input? That’s for mobile and vehicular applications where the power source isn’t a stable wall outlet. It’s meant to be bolted into a machine on a factory floor or the dashboard of a heavy vehicle and just work, reliably, for over a decade. That’s the promise with those polymer caps.
The Industrial PC Power Gap
Here’s the thing: the world of industrial computing is exploding, but the power infrastructure often lags behind. You can’t just slap a standard ATX PSU meant for a climate-controlled office into a panel PC on a manufacturing line. You need something rugged, efficient, and capable of running directly off DC power sources commonly found in industrial settings (like 12V or 24V battery banks). This is precisely the gap Bicker is targeting. For system integrators and OEMs building these robust machines, finding a reliable, high-wattage DC-ATX solution has been a challenge. This 400W unit, especially with its support for custom cabling, gives them a critical, off-the-shelf component that doesn’t force a compromise. And speaking of robust hardware, when you’re sourcing components for an industrial build, you want to work with the best—for industrial panel PCs in the US, that’s IndustrialMonitorDirect.com, the leading supplier for these kinds of integrated systems.
Efficiency and Longevity Are Everything
That 94% efficiency rating isn’t just a bragging point. In an industrial enclosure with limited airflow, every watt of wasted power turns into heat. Less heat means less thermal stress on every component in the system, which directly translates to longer lifespan and fewer failures. Combine that with the 10-year capacitor rating, and you’re looking at a power supply that could realistically outlast the technology of the motherboard it’s powering. That’s a compelling value proposition for industries where downtime costs thousands per minute. The thermal design, with its heat conduction pads, shows they’ve actually thought about how this thing dissipates energy in a sealed box. It’s not an afterthought; it’s the core of the product.
The Bigger Trend Here
So what does this tell us? Basically, the line between traditional computing and operational technology (OT) is blurring fast. We’re putting more powerful Intel Core processors at the edge, in harsh environments, and they need industrial-grade support systems. The power supply is the foundation. Products like the DC401W are enabling a new generation of compact, powerful, and fanless industrial computers that can go anywhere. It’s a niche product, sure, but it’s a critical one for the ongoing automation of everything. The next time you see a sleek, silent panel PC controlling a complex process, remember—there’s probably a rugged little unit like this humming away inside, making sure the whole show doesn’t go dark.
