Power Distribution Hub — REV-11-1850
Overview
The Power Distribution Hub (PDH) is Team 2890’s central power distribution board. It takes battery power and routes it to all robot systems — motors, controllers, sensors, and accessories. Every wire from the battery goes through the PDH first.
Key Features
- 20 high-current channels (40A max each) — for motors and motor controllers
- 3 low-current channels (15A continuous, 20A peak) — for pneumatics, sensors
- 1 switchable low-current channel — on/off control for LEDs, accessories
- Toolless WAGO terminals — color-coded, latching (no screws)
- CAN connectivity — telemetry feedback to robot controller
- USB-C — hardware client diagnostics and firmware updates
- LED voltage display — real-time battery voltage reading
- ESD protection
- Reverse polarity protection — protects the PDH itself (not downstream devices)
Channel Allocation
| Channel Type | Count | Max Current | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| High-current | 20 | 40A | SPARK Flex, motors, mechanisms |
| Low-current | 3 | 15A/20A peak | Pneumatics, sensors |
| Switchable | 1 | 15A | LEDs, indicators |
Electrical Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Operating voltage | 4.7–18V |
| Power input gauge | 18–6 AWG (solid), 18–4 AWG (stranded) |
| Wire strip length | 0.72–0.79 in |
| CAN termination | 120Ω (configurable) |
| CAN wire gauge | 26–14 AWG |
Wiring Notes
- Reverse polarity protection on the PDH — but it does NOT protect downstream devices. Double-check polarity before wiring.
- Use ferrules with square or hex crimps for reliable connections
- CAN bus requires 120Ω termination on last device
Connection to Training
For students: The PDH is the heart of the robot’s electrical system. Key concepts:
- fusing — each channel protected by ATO/ATM fuse or breaker. Without a fuse, a stalled motor can melt wiring.
- voltage drop — long wire runs lose voltage. PDH gives real-time reading so you can catch battery sag before it kills a motor.
- current division — total current = sum of all channel currents. 20 motors × 40A = you need thick battery cables.
- CAN telemetry — PDH reports voltage, current per channel back to the roboRIO. This is how you see “low battery” warnings on the driver station.
Related training modules:
- neo-vortex-motor — motor that draws from PDH channels
- spark-flex — controller that connects to PDH high-current channels
- ion-build-system — integrates with REV ION electrical system
- frc-electrical-basics — wire gauge, fusing, common faults
Source Links
- Product: https://www.revrobotics.com/rev-11-1850/
- Docs: https://docs.revrobotics.com/ion-control/pdh/overview
- Specs: https://docs.revrobotics.com/ion-control/pdh/specs
Notes
The PDH replaced the old “breaker panel + PDP” approach. Teams used to run separate wires from a central breaker to each load. The PDH centralizes it with CAN monitoring — you can see exactly how much current each mechanism is drawing in real time. Useful for debugging why the climber feels sluggish.