What are the new energy conservation standards for external power supplies?

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has recently proposed new energy conservation standards for External Power Supplies (EPSs). These proposed standards, known as Trial Standard Level 4 (TSL4), aim to tighten energy efficiency requirements across all types of EPSs. TSLs are a tool used by the DOE to set energy conservation benchmarks.

What are the new standards for power supply design?

In 2014, the US Department of Energy formalized their newest mandatory standard and the EU’s voluntary Code of Conduct version 5 took effect. This white paper briefly explains the US and EU’s new standards and what they mean to power supply designers.

What are the labeling requirements for external power supplies?

Labeling requirements will be mandated to meet the same International Eficiency Marking Protocol for External Power Supplies Version 3.0 as the previous Level V standard. Globally, it is expected that other nations will soon follow suit with the DoE Level VI standard.

What is the regulatory environment surrounding external power supply eficiency and no-load power draw?

The global regulatory environment surrounding the legislation of external power supply eficiency and no-load power draw has rapidly evolved over the past decade since the California Energy Commission (CEC) implemented the first mandatory standard in 2004.

Do external power supplies have a power efficiency mandate?

At a global level, mandates for power efficiency exist for most consumer electronics and home appliances. External power supplies have had regulations dating back to 2004, when the California Energy Commission created one of the first mandates for efficiency of external power supplies used to power appliances or consumer electronic devices.

Which countries adopt voluntary and mandatory external power supply standards?

Since then, the US, European Union, China and other countries adopted both voluntary and mandatory external power supply standards as part of energy conservation legislation. Table 1 shows a breakdown of some of the current voluntary and mandatory standards by region.