---
title: "Power Distribution Hub — REV-11-1850"
tags:
  - hardware
  - power
  - electrical
  - REV
  - 2890
  - ion
type: hardware-spec
owner: 2890
status: active
sources:
  - "https://www.revrobotics.com/rev-11-1850/"
  - "https://docs.revrobotics.com/ion-control/pdh/overview"
---

# 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.