Do power supplies need to be housed outside?

Power supplies need to be housed outdoors, where the extreme heat of the summer and the extreme cold of the winter will both be present. Power supplies heat themselves up at different rates and intensities, and environmental influences will impact how quickly a power supply is exposed to high temperatures.

How does temperature affect a power supply?

Chemical processes accelerate, and mechanical connections can even loosen. The longer a component is operated at high heat, the more elevated temperatures can reduce its lifespan. Reduce the power supply load: Power supplies typically have specified loads according to an ambient temperature range.

What temperature should a PSU run at?

Most PSU's are rated for full output at 25 C. A few more are rated for full output at 40 C. Most of the really good ones are rated at 50 C. 50 C is a pretty difficult standard to meet. Plus, better efficiency results in less wasted power and a cooler running power supply. It's running at 32C right now. The power supply is an ultra 500 watt.

How does ambient temperature affect power supplies?

Ambient temperature impacts the behavior, performance, and reliability of power supplies, making the environment a critical factor in their selection.

How does heat affect a power supply?

The longer a component is operated at high heat, the more elevated temperatures can reduce its lifespan. Reduce the power supply load: Power supplies typically have specified loads according to an ambient temperature range. Move outside that range, and the load can derate to a much smaller number.

How thermal environment affects power supply success?

How Thermal Environment Impacts Power Supply Success. Operational temperature range can make or break a design. Choose wisely. Selecting the right AC/DC power supply for a given application starts with the environment.