In this case study, we explore how XP Power’s CCR series enabled a breakthrough in subsea laser technology, helping a customer develop a system that identifies and eliminates parasites on fish using lasers – all while prioritizing marine welfare.
Overview
The advanced subsea parasite control system uses sensors, imaging, and lasers to improve fish health and welfare.
Sensitive equipment must operate reliably in submerged, space-constrained environments with dynamic loads.
The power solution must deliver ultra-low ripple and precise voltage in a compact form factor.
XP Power’s engineering support and collaboration ensured rapid deployment and performance in demanding conditions.
What is an advanced subsea parasite control system?
The subsea parasite control system is an advanced piece of aquaculture equipment designed to improve the health of fish in large-scale farming operations. It identifies parasites using sensors and image recognition technology, detecting them on fish as they swim through the submerged cage. Once a parasite is identified, a laser is fired to eliminate it without harming the fish.
The technology not only improves fish health but also reduces disease and stress levels in aquaculture environments, increasing yield and return on investment for fish farms. The system’s emphasis on marine welfare represents a significant step forward in sustainable aquaculture practices.
Meeting the power demands of marine applications
Cutting-edge aquaculture technology like this depends on compact, reliable power solutions tailored to the demanding conditions of marine applications. However, the unique nature of the system presented us with several power challenges. The customer required a power supply that would:
Deliver the ultra-low ripple and noise critical for the sensitive sensors used in the system.
Provide a 30V output, which is not a standard voltage for most power supplies.
Fit within a compact enclosure, allowing for space optimization in the submerged system.
Customer challenges: power supply integration
The customer initially used a DIN-rail-mounted power supply from another manufacturer but encountered several limitations. Higher ripple and noise levels interfered with the performance of their sensitive sensors, while the larger size of the DIN-rail unit made it difficult to optimize space within the system enclosure.
Additionally, the lack of a standard 30V output required additional modifications.
Delivering an effective solution: XP Power's CCR series
XP Power’s CCR series proved to be the ideal solution. It provides the low ripple and noise performance essential for maintaining the accuracy of the parasite detection sensors, and a 30V standard output that eliminates the need for costly customization. Its compact, conduction-cooled design saves space while also providing flexible thermal management options.
While the CCR series addressed several application power requirements, further testing was required to ensure it met our customers’ exacting standards. Working closely with the customer, XP Power refined the solution by modifying the factory testing process to verify ripple and noise levels at a significantly lower level than the standard specification to ensure reliable performance in the demanding marine environment.
XP Power's CCR series provided the low ripple and noise essential for powering a sensitive marine application
Successful deployment of the CCR series
The collaboration between XP Power and the customer was defined by flexibility and responsiveness. We provided prototypes of the CCR series for evaluation, and modified factory test setups ensured that ripple and noise levels met the customer’s stringent requirements. The compact design of the CCR series also saved significant space within the system enclosure, even though space optimization was not the primary focus of the project.
Remarkably, from the initial inquiry to the first production order, the entire project was completed in just four months—a notably short timeline for such a complex application.
Driving innovation and growth through partnership
This project highlighted the value of adaptable solutions, close collaboration, and innovative design. XP Power’s CCR series met the subsea parasite control system’s demanding requirements, helping the customer achieve rapid deployment and strong results.
With ongoing success, there are clear opportunities for future collaboration, including higher production volumes and new aquaculture innovations.
Summary
The subsea parasite control system exemplifies how innovative technology can address critical challenges in aquaculture, improving fish health and increasing productivity. By partnering with us, our customer was able to overcome technical obstacles and bring their innovative solution to the market quickly.
As the aquaculture industry continues to grow, XP Power is well-positioned to support similar applications with high performance, adaptable power solutions.
Power your next industrial or medical design with the CCR550 series - efficient, compact, and built to perform in any cooling environment.
Shravan Govindaraj
Shravan Govindaraj is XP Power’s Product Marketing Manager. He has over 7 years of experience in technical sales and product marketing across multiple industries including power supplies, electric motors and HVAC. Shravan joined XP Power in 2022 to develop and implement go-to-market strategies for all XP Power products.
