New External Power Adaptor Efficiency Regulations Take Effect in February
Engineering360 News Desk | July 30, 2015External power supplies (EPS) convert household electric current from a wall outlet into lower voltage direct current (DC) or alternating current (AC) to operate consumer products such as a laptop computer. External power supplies are so-called (“external”) because they come in a separate physical enclosure than the end-product, and usually provide power to the device through a separate cord and plug.
The efficiency rating of a power supply is the percentage of total output DC power in relation to total input AC power. It is a measure of how much of the power is lost when it converts the AC wall outlet power to DC (with most of the loss during conversion taking the form of heat). As an example, consider that if a device consumes 300W of power, using a power supply unit with 85% efficiency will require about 350W of input power, and a 70% efficient supply will pull nearly 430W of power from the wall.
More than 1 billion external power supplies are shipped per year, and the average American home has five to ten of these components powering devices in their homes. Considering the prevalence of these units, they have attracted attention from regulatory bodies due to the fact that they draw considerable power even under no-load conditions; when the device is turned off or disconnected. To address this situation the U.S. Department of Energy has, over the past decade, instituted standards for external power supply efficiency. The U. S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that these external power supply efficiency regulations have reduced energy consumption by 32 billion kW, saving $2.5 billion annually and reducing CO2 emissions by more than 24 million tons per year.
Right now an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) will need an external power supply that meets Level V efficiency standards, but as of Feb. 10, 2016, newer, Level VI requirements take effect. The new regulations increase the minimum efficiency regulations, as well as expand the range of products applicable under the standard. This law will have implications for any OEM that designs products with an external ac-dc power supply for the US market and these companies should be taking action now to ensure compliance.
