What is the PE-205?

The PE-205 is a compact industrial DC-DC power supply module from Brainboxes’ Pure Embedded (PE) range.
It converts a +5 V to +30 V DC input to a +3.3 V DC output and is designed to provide clean, reliable power for PE switches and other low-voltage embedded devices.
With its 4 W output, reverse-polarity protection, and digital power control, it’s ideal for space-constrained or modular designs.

Who is the PE-205 designed for?

The PE-205 is designed for users of Brainboxes PE modules who want a compact, reliable, and convenient way to power PE switches or other low-voltage embedded devices. The PE-205 features a PE modular stacking system, which allows direct power delivery to other PE modules, perfect for compact or enclosed setups where space is limited.

Please be aware that the PE-205 cannot be stacked with the PE-508.

What’s included in the box?

When you receive your device, it will come in our Brainboxes pillow box.
Inside, you’ll find:

• 1 × PE-205 (in anti-static packaging)
• 1 × product information label (with serial number)

Please keep a record of the serial number for the future for reference to your device and if needed by the support team.

You can access our downloadable 2D & 3D designs here.

Key Features

Wide input range: +5 V to +30 V DC

Dual controllable 3.3 V outputs: VA & VB channels

Digital on/off control for remote operation

Short-circuit & reverse-polarity protection

Compact size: 55 mm × 55 mm (smaller than a business card)

Stackable design with PE-505 & PE-515 Ethernet switches

Guaranteed availability until at least 2035

How do I set up the PE-205?

Use the PE-205 datasheet as your main reference. It includes:

• Wiring diagrams
• Input requirements
• Pin configurations
• Connection and output details

1. Mount the Device

Use 4 × M3 screws to secure the module.
Ensure at least 20 mm clearance above the board.
If your system does not share ground, use non-conductive standoffs.

2. Connect Power Input

Supply +5 V – +30 V DC via the 3-pin power input connector.

Observe correct polarity:
FE = functional earth
–VIN = ground
+VIN = positive supply

3. Connect Outputs

VA & VB outputs both supply +3.3 V DC.
Use either or both outputs to power PE modules or other 3.3 V devices.

4. Enable Power Output

Each output can be toggled:
Physically: via onboard logic switches
Remotely: via Digital Control pins (VACTL / VBCTL)

Configure logic mode:
NPN: Power on when signal pulled Low
PNP: Power on when signal driven High

5. Verify Operation

LED States:
Green Power LED:	Input power OK
Green VA/VB LEDs:	Output enabled
Red LED:	Fault detected

How do I use the modular stacking feature?

The PE-205’s main feature is modular stacking, which allows it to power the various Brainboxes Pure Embedded range by simply mounting the device on the PE-205. A simple and wire-free way to power your Pure Embedded devices.

The PE-205 is designed to stack directly with:

• PE-505 (Pure Embedded Fast Ethernet switch)
• PE-515 (Pure Embedded Gigabit Ethernet switch)

The connection uses an 8-way IDC header (TE 338728-8), which allows the PE-205 to power the switch directly, eliminating the need for additional cabling.
The PE-508 does not support modular stacking.

Can I power non-stacking modules?

Yes! You can use the VB power output to power devices that do not support modular stacking, such as the PE-508.

1. Prepare two wires by stripping and connecting them to the PE-205 VB output (GND and V+) and the PE-508 power input.
2. When you power on the PE-205, the LED on the PE-508 should light up.

Can the PE-205 power and network multiple modules?

Yes! The PE-205 can power multiple Pure Embedded modules simultaneously and support network communication.

The example test setup below demonstrates how to use the PE-205 to power the PE-515. In this configuration, the PE-515 serves as a network switch, allowing you to connect and communicate with an ES device.

Example test setup:

1. Connect an IDC-to-Ethernet connector to one of the PE-515’s LAN ports.
2. Connect the PE-515 to your network. (In this example, the PE-515 was linked to the local area network via the SW-508.)
   • The RJ45 and status LEDs on the PE-515 should blink, indicating network activity.
3. Connect an ES-246 to another LAN port on the PE-515 via an IDC-to-Ethernet connector.
   • After a few seconds, the ES-246’s network LED will start blinking.
4. Test connectivity by connecting to the ES-246 via Boost.LAN or a web browser.

As shown in the example image above, we offer an IDC-MM to RJ-45 network cable specifically for the PE-505, PE-508, and PE-515 models.
These are supplied in packs of five, giving you a convenient jump-start to working with the PE Series.

CC-500: https://www.brainboxes.com/product/accessories/cc-500

CC-510: https://www.brainboxes.com/product/accessories/cc-510