Smart power distribution for utility vehicles

Products16. March 2026 by Philipp Teepe - Reading Time 4 min.

More electrical functions, less space, strong cost pressure: The demands placed on the electrical system in utility vehicles are constantly increasing. But one thing always remains the same: No customer is willing to pay more for a 'nicer' electrical system. So, when does an electronic power distribution system make more sense than conventional fuses, circuit breakers and relays?

SCS Smart Control Systems: flexible, space-saving and ready for the future

The main functions of the vehicle's electrical system in general remain the same:

Ensuring a stable supply for all loads.
Protection against overloads and short circuits, and the risk of a resulting cable fire.
Implementation that is as reliable, compact, flexible and cost-effective as possible.

However, the pressure to make changes to the vehicle’s electrical system is growing enormously. New vehicle technologies such as assisted and autonomous driving, as well as battery-electric powertrains, can also have a significant impact on the 24 V / 12 V low-voltage electrical system. Voltage dips or even failures in the vehicle electrical system are becoming increasingly critical to safety and must be diagnosed reliably or prevented with a redundant power supply.

To ensure the stability of the vehicle electrical system, faulty current paths must be isolated from the overall system without causing any adverse effects, although this can have very different implications in individual cases. A voltage dip that causes a fuse to blow is generally not a problem for low-power appliances such as lights or radios, but it usually is unacceptable in safety-critical systems.

So, when should fully electronic power distribution units (PDUs) be used in the vehicle electrical system? Manufacturers often highlight the benefits of such systems, from shorter cable lengths, smaller cable cross-sections and reduced power consumption to preventive maintenance. All these benefits may apply, but in practice there are significant differences compared to the marketing materials.

There are four main challenges that shape the typical use cases for PDUs:

New technological requirements
Conventional solutions are no longer able to meet the technological demands placed on the vehicle electrical system. The specific advantage of the PDU in this case is its extremely fast overcurrent disconnection – in a matter of microseconds if necessary. This prevents critical voltage dips. Usually, customised solutions are used for this purpose.
A remote reset function can be another key requirement, for example in autonomous vehicles. Fuses and circuit breakers are hardly up to the task, but SCS Smart Control Systems certainly are.
Limited installation space and inconvenient access to the power distribution system
SCS Smart Control Systems combine a compact design with remote reset capability and maintenance-free operation – enabling virtually unlimited switching and protection functions. Thanks to its high IP67 protection rating, it can be installed almost anywhere in the vehicle without having to consider accessibility. The CAN interface also eliminates the need for long control cables.
Increased demands on flexibility
The option to make quick changes via software configurations can be particularly advantageous when vehicle requirements change frequently or when different requirements need to be met using a limited number of hardware variants. Instead of producing new hardware variants, the rated current in the SCS Smart Control Systems can be adjusted via parametrisation or software configuration a. The device can also directly implement switching delays and PWM or logic functions, which saves valuable development time.
Increased demands for system transparency and diagnostics
Increased system transparency and diagnostics may not yet offer the greatest benefit to many customers, but they are certainly a growing trend. Currents, voltages and even temperature can be measured continuously, facilitating fault detection. A single instance of overcurrent can be distinguished from a short circuit or a recurring problem. Error messages can be displayed directly on the vehicle's display.

In addition, many other features can provide significant benefits, such as power management, the use of vehicle CAN data by body manufacturers, or the reduced power consumption of a truck in stationary operation.

SCS Control Systems are not a general replacement for conventional power distribution units. They are a particularly good alternative when fuses and relays reach their technical limits. Our colleagues in the Sales and Applications departments at E-T-A will be happy to support you.