Someone who knows the basics of power
“I want to know the items in the specifications in detail.
I want to be able to read the specifications myself.
Please tell us about the safety standards. ”
We will answer these requests.
Main items of specifications
there are items that you should remember in the specifications.
Efficiency and power factor
The power factor indicates how effectively the input power is being used.
It is expressed by a number such as 0.6 or 0.98. If there is no power factor improvement circuit, it will be about 0.6, but if there is a power factor improvement circuit, it will be 0.95 or more.
At “0.6”, 60% of the input power is used and the remaining 40% is unused and returns to the input line. “0.98” means that 98% is used effectively and 2% is returned.
Since the power meter displays the amount of power obtained by subtracting the power returned without being used (reactive power), the reactive power is not counted in the electricity charge.
So what are the benefits of improving power factor?
By reducing the input power, the thickness of the wire and the parts on the input side can be reduced. Not only that, it also affects the input electrical equipment and the amount of contracted power, which may result in a significant cost reduction.
The formula for power factor and efficiency
Efficiency = output power ÷ active power
Active power is the power (W) consumed by the load device.
Apparent power is expressed as power supply input voltage (V) x input current (A). It is the sum of active power and active power.
The unit is VA because it is not power consumption.
Now, let’s actually calculate the output power from the specifications of the 100W 24V output power supply.
Not many people can calculate this.
- Input voltage AC200V
- Input current 0.65A
- Power factor 0.93
- Efficiency 89%
The apparent power is 200V x 0.65A = 130VA. The unit is VA because it is not power consumption.
Since the power factor of the apparent power of 130VA is 0.93, which is the active power, 130VA x 0.93 = 121VA (W).
Since the active power of 121W becomes the output power with an efficiency of 89%, it becomes 121W x 0.89 = 108W.
Looking at the output power of the specifications, it was 108W.
The lost power = active power-output power = 121W-108W = 13W.
Inrush current (A)
Also called input surge current.
This is the maximum instantaneous current that flows into the input smoothing capacitor when the input is turned on. The AC200V input is double the AC100V input.
The table below is a rough guide. It has little to do with power capacity or output current.
| AC100V | AC200V | |
| 150W or less | 15A | 30A |
| 300W or more | 20A | 40A |
Inrush current is a value required when selecting switches, fuses, and breakers, and is often asked by users. The time for the inrush current to flow is 5 ms or less.
There is a table of “current value and time” in the data such as breaker, so check the current value when the time is 5ms. Select a component that can flow a current value larger than the input surge current of the power supply.
This is a rough idea, so please contact each manufacturer for the actual selection.
In addition, the input surge current when multiple power supplies are used is the sum of the inrush currents of each power supply, which is a large value.
Leakage current (mA)
Also called leakage current or leakage current.
This is the value of the current that flows from the input line to the ground through the housing.
There is also the merit of attenuating the noise terminal voltage by flowing it to the ground.
Therefore, the noise terminal voltage of a power supply with low leakage current does not drop.
Leakage current is regulated by the safety regulations of each country from the aspect of electric shock safety.
Especially for medical devices that come into contact with the human body, the standard of leakage current is strict.
Since the leakage current is regulated for the entire medical device, it is the total value of the leakage current of the power supply and the leakage current of other parts.
In addition, the leakage current when using multiple power supplies is the total leakage current of each power supply.
Holding time（ms）
This is the time until the output voltage starts to drop after the power input is cut off.
The holding time is generally 20ms. Retention time when the load factor is 100%.
The lower the load factor, the longer the retention time.
A larger power supply may be used to extend the retention time.
Users use this retention time to back up their data in the event of a power outage or momentary power outage.
Overcurrent protection (OCP)
A function that protects the power supply by limiting the output current and lowering the output voltage so that the output current does not flow beyond the specified value.
When the overcurrent protection is activated, the output voltage drops, and there are three ways to drop it.
・foldback current limiting characteristic（フ-shaped）
・no limiting characteristic（へ-shaped）
In the hanging down method, the current value at which the overcurrent protection is activated remains the same, and only the voltage drops straight down.
In the foldback current limiting characteristic, both the current value and the voltage value decrease when the overcurrent protection is activated.
In the へ-shaped method, which is difficult to recover automatically, the voltage drops, but on the contrary, the current value flows indefinitely, resulting in a “short state”. There is a possibility of smoke and ignition due to the method often used for low-cost products. You should check which method the power supply is.
Overvoltage protection (OVP)
This function stops the output when the output voltage rises above the rated voltage. Overcurrent protection is intended to protect the power supply itself, whereas overcurrent protection is intended not to destroy the load.
Overvoltage protection operates above 105% of the rated voltage. When it operates, the output will stop.
The voltage does not drop immediately (directly below), but gradually.
Also, unlike overcurrent protection, it does not automatically recover, so to output, turn off the input voltage and then input again.
Remoto Sensing
This function corrects the voltage drop between the output terminal of the power supply and the load.The + S and -S points on the terminal block and connector are the remote sensing terminals.
For example, suppose that the output terminal of the power supply outputs 5V, while the load side outputs 4.9V.In this example, 0.1V is a voltage drop.
When the remote sensing function is used, the power supply outputs 5.1V plus 0.1V.
Connect the + S terminal to the + terminal of the load and the -S terminal to the-terminal of the load.
Remote (ON / OFF) control
It is also called a remo-con for short.
It is a function to turn on / off the power output by the control signal while inputting.
The control signal method differs depending on the model.
For example, when a voltage of 5V is applied between certain terminals, it turns on, and when a voltage of 1V or less is applied, it turns off.
No inrush current is generated when this function is used.
Switching power supply safety standards
Safety standards
Safety standards are standard that defines equipment and devices so that they can be used safely without fire or electric shock.
Below are the safety standards of major countries.
USA UL standard
We investigate, research, and test whether materials, equipment, and system products on the market are safe, create safety standards, and open them to the public.
UL was founded in 1984 and originally started as a non-profit organization. At that time, fire accidents occurred frequently when electric appliances such as light bulbs invented by Edison began to be used. That is why insurance companies have been established to confirm the safety of electrical products.
Canada CSA standard
Canadian law requires electrical products, medical devices, and equipment connected to the power grid to comply with the CSA standard for fire and electric shock safety.
European EN standard CE marking
EN standard
EN60950-1 (information processing equipment) corresponds to the switching power supply.
The EN standard is also called the CEN standard (CEN / CENELEC standard) or the European standard. European member countries are obliged to adopt the EN standard as their national standard
CE marking
It is a safety mark required when exporting equipment to Europe. The “CE mark” is a safety mark that is required to be affixed to designated products sold in the EU (European Union region) under the system started in 1993. It refers to the standard conformity mark attached to the product that meets all the standards for selling in EU member states, and displaying it is read as CE marking. It was created with the aim of unifying the safety standards of each EU country, ensuring a certain level of safety for products, and allowing products to be freely distributed within the EU.
In order to bear the CE mark, it is necessary to comply with the “EC Directive”.
There are three commands related to power supply.
・EMC Directive
・Machinery Directive
The Low Voltage Directive is a technical requirement for electrical products operating at AC50-1000V and DC75-1500V.
The EMC Directive is that it does not emit strong electromagnetic waves and is not affected by electromagnetic waves from others.
Machinery Directives are about the basic safety that industrial machines such as machine tools and robots should have.
Immunity (EMS)
Immunity is the ability of an electrical product to operate normally when it receives static electricity, lightning surges, electromagnetic waves, momentary power outages, etc. from the outside. Also known as Electromagnetic Susceptibility (EMS).
The immunity test simulates typical electromagnetic noise. In the actual test, the permissible malfunction is determined by the type of electromagnetic noise. This test is specified in the IEC standard as the IEC61000-4 series.
It’s complicated, but there are EMS and EMI separately.
Immunity is not affected by noise, and emissions are not making noise from yourself.
This is the end of the article.
Thank you for reading.