Description
3. Product Introduction & Engineering Value
Shark XL racks are simple by design, and that simplicity is exactly why they’re still running in the field decades after Reliance Electric stopped making them — three power supply options, straightforwardly labeled terminals, and no surprises about what feeds what. The catch is that all three power modules (45C920, 45C921, 45C922) look similar enough that grabbing the wrong one is an easy mistake.
The 45C922 is the jumper-selectable AC unit in that lineup: it accepts either 115 VAC or 230 VAC depending on jumper position, unlike the 45C920 (fixed 115/230 VAC without the jumper flexibility noted for this unit) or the 45C921 (a straight 24 VDC input module). It plugs into the smallest backplane connector on the rack and delivers three separate output channels for backplane and field-side logic.
4. Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Input voltage | 115 VAC or 230 VAC, jumper-selectable |
| Input current | ≤ 600 mA |
| Input frequency | 47–63 Hz |
| Output Channel 1 | 5 VDC, max. 1700 mA |
| Output Channel 2 | 24 VDC, max. 500 mA |
| Output Channel 3 | 24 VDC, max. 250 mA |
| Backplane connection | Smallest connector position on Shark XL rack |
| Product status | Discontinued by manufacturer — surplus/refurbished sourcing only |
| Related modules | 45C920 (115/230 VAC, non-jumper), 45C921 (24 VDC input) — not interchangeable without checking your rack’s actual power requirement |
45C922
45C922
5. Field Application & The “Trench” Experience
Illustrative scenario — not a specific reported incident:
A common mix-up with Shark XL racks: someone orders a replacement power module by memory (“a Shark XL power supply”) and gets the 45C921 (24 VDC input) when the panel is actually wired for 115/230 VAC line power — or vice versa. The rack won’t power up at all, and because all three modules are physically similar in size and mounting, the mismatch isn’t obvious until someone actually checks the incoming supply against the module’s rated input. Before swapping, confirm total I/O current draw against this module’s channel limits too — a rack loaded with more modules than the 5V/1700mA channel can support will brown out under load even with the right module installed.
Specific application scenarios:
- Small packaging line control panels still running original Shark XL racks, where the 115/230 VAC module powers the backplane directly off building line voltage
- Retrofit panels where a facility standardized on 24 VDC control power elsewhere but kept a legacy Shark XL rack on AC — confirming which power module variant is actually installed avoids ordering the wrong replacement
- Spare-parts stocking for aging automation fleets, where facilities keep one of each power module type on the shelf specifically because visual ID between them is unreliable at a glance
6. Transparency SOP: QA & Testing
Generic verification framework for surplus Shark XL power modules:
- Visual and connector inspection — check backplane connector pins for wear or corrosion, inspect for capacitor bulging or heat discoloration
- Jumper position verification — confirm the 115/230 VAC jumper is correctly documented and functional before shipment, given this module’s dual-voltage design
- Bench power-up test — verify all three output channels (5 VDC, 24 VDC×2) hold voltage under a nominal test load
- Part number and revision cross-check — confirm 45C922 designation against physical labeling, since it’s easily confused with 45C920/45C921 at a glance
(General framework — substitute your actual documented QA process where it differs.)
7. The Veteran’s Tech Trap Guide
⚠️ Don’t assume “a Shark XL power supply” means this one. Three distinct modules exist (45C920, 45C921, 45C922) with different input requirements. Confirm your panel’s actual incoming supply — AC line voltage vs. 24 VDC — before ordering, not after.
⚠️ Check total load against all three output channels, not just the 24 VDC rails. The 5 VDC channel is rated to 1700 mA — if your I/O module mix draws more than that from backplane logic power, you’ll see intermittent faults that look like a bad module but are actually an oversubscribed supply.
PRO TIP: Since this part is long discontinued, don’t assume identical behavior between two “same part number” units from different surplus sources without checking physical condition and testing under load — age and storage history vary a lot more on parts this old than the spec sheet does.
⚠️ ESD precautions apply when handling the module out of the rack, same as any board-level industrial electronics — this isn’t a sealed unit.
8. Dynamic FAQ
Q: Is the 45C922 the same as the 45C920?
No — both accept 115/230 VAC, but confirm the jumper-selection detail and exact output channel ratings match your rack’s requirement; they are listed as separate part numbers for a reason.
Q: Can I use a 45C921 instead if I only have a 45C922 in stock?
No — the 45C921 is a 24 VDC input module, not an AC unit. It requires a different incoming power source entirely.
Q: Is this part still manufactured?
No — it’s discontinued by Reliance Electric. Current availability is through surplus, refurbished, and repair channels only.
Q: What warranty applies to used/surplus stock?
Varies by seller — some resellers list warranties from one to three years on surplus stock; confirm the specific term at time of purchase.
Q: What’s the maximum combined I/O load this module can support?
Per its three output channels: 1700 mA at 5 VDC, plus 500 mA and 250 mA across the two 24 VDC channels. Total your rack’s actual I/O module current draw against these limits before assuming compatibility.
Q: Does this module require any configuration after installation?
Primarily the input voltage jumper (115 VAC vs. 230 VAC) — verify jumper position matches your incoming supply before powering up the rack.
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