Description
Product Introduction & Engineering Value
The DS3820PSSB is more than a single conventional PCB. GE constructed this assembly by combining two DS3800 boards and adding a DIN rail arrangement, creating a dedicated power-supply module for the Mark IV platform.
That construction matters during replacement. A supplier offering only one internal board is not necessarily supplying a complete DS3820PSSB assembly. Procurement should verify the two-board configuration, mechanical assembly, and actual part number before accepting a substitute.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | General Electric |
| Part Number | DS3820PSSB |
| Series | DS3820 / Mark IV |
| System | Speedtronic gas/steam turbine management |
| Product Type | Power Supply Module |
| Assembly Construction | Two-board assembly |
| Lower Board | DS3800NPSY |
| Upper Board | DS3800DPSS |
| Mechanical Feature | DIN rail |
| Lower Board Features | Large through-hole capacitors, 2 inductors |
| Lower Board Connector | 12-pin female Augat connector |
| Upper Board Features | 6 fuses, 7 quick-connect screw terminals, thermistor |
AX Control specifically describes the DS3820PSSB as a modification of two DS3800 boards, with the DIN rail positioned below the larger board.
Another current catalog identifies DS3820PSSB as a power supply module, while a separate GE parts listing categorizes it as a GE circuit board.
Engineering caution: Do not publish a specific input voltage, output voltage, current rating, or ripple specification for DS3820PSSB without the applicable GE documentation. The available public references confirm its power-supply function and construction but do not provide a sufficiently reliable complete electrical specification.
Field Application & the “Trench” Experience
A turbine plant is preparing a Mark IV cabinet for an outage. The maintenance team has identified a failing power-supply module and finds a loose DS3800 power board in stores.
The senior technician stops the installation.
The suspected replacement is checked against the complete assembly. The team discovers that the required unit is the two-board assembly, not merely one of its internal DS3800 boards. They inspect the DIN rail, connectors, fuses, capacitors, inductors, and wiring before the replacement is accepted.
That distinction can save an outage from turning into a second troubleshooting job.
Specific application scenarios:
- GE Mark IV Speedtronic gas-turbine control cabinets
- Steam-turbine control-system power-supply replacement
- Legacy Mark IV outage refurbishment
- DS3800/DS3820 spare-parts consolidation and obsolescence planning
DS3820PSSB
DS3820PSSB
Transparency SOP: QA & Testing
For , QA should treat the product as an assembly, not just a PCB.
1. Assembly verification
Confirm the complete DS3820PSSB identification and verify that both internal boards are present.
2. Mechanical inspection
Check the DIN rail, mounting points, board alignment, connectors, and terminal hardware.
3. Power-stage inspection
Inspect the six fuses, thermistor, capacitors, inductors, resistors, and visible semiconductor components. The lower and upper boards have distinctly different component populations.
4. Electrical testing
Use appropriate Mark IV test procedures to verify applicable power-supply functions. A simple continuity test is not enough for a turbine-control power module.
5. Final QA
Record actual-unit photographs, board numbers, fuse condition, test results, material condition, and warranty information.
For New Surplus, confirm that the complete assembly is unused and determine whether it has ever been energized. For Refurbished, request the repair scope and electrical-test report.
The Veteran’s Tech Trap Guide
⚠️ Trap #1 — Don’t buy only one internal board.
The DS3820PSSB is documented as a two-board assembly consisting of DS3800NPSY and DS3800DPSS.
⚠️ Trap #2 — Check the mechanical assembly.
The DIN rail is part of the documented DS3820PSSB construction. A loose replacement PCB may not be a mechanically complete substitute.
⚠️ Trap #3 — Inspect the fuses before commissioning.
The upper board contains six fuses. A blown fuse may be a symptom of another problem rather than the root cause of the failure.
PRO TIP: Photograph the entire DS3820PSSB assembly before removal. Capture both internal boards, the DIN rail, connectors, fuses, and terminal wiring. That record is useful when verifying a refurbished spare.
Dynamic FAQ
Q: What is the GE DS3820PSSB?
A: It is a GE Mark IV Speedtronic power supply module used in gas- and steam-turbine management systems.
Q: Is DS3820PSSB a single PCB?
A: No. Technical documentation identifies it as an assembly consisting of DS3800NPSY and DS3800DPSS boards.
Q: What is distinctive about its construction?
A: The assembly incorporates a DIN rail and combines two DS3800 boards into one power-supply module.
Q: Can DS3800NPSY or DS3800DPSS alone replace ?
A: Not automatically. Those boards are identified as components of the DS3820PSSB assembly. The complete replacement requirement should be established from the cabinet documentation.
Q: How should New Surplus authenticity be verified?
A: Request photographs of the complete physical assembly, including both internal boards and the DIN rail. Also confirm that the unit has never been installed or energized.
Q: What should I request for a Refurbished DS3820PSSB?
A: Ask for the repair scope, component inspection, electrical-test procedure, actual-unit photographs, and written warranty terms. One current supplier lists repair services for this module, while Radwell identifies its inventory as discontinued and offers a supplier warranty on applicable units.
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