What to Consider when Sourcing a Power Supply Unit or Charger for your Product?
Ben Winstanley • September 12, 2019
We have all seen news reports in the past regarding cheap and unsafe power supply units or chargers such as the ones in this watchdog article:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/22rhmp90L5P9ljVJldgssBg/chargers.
Ultimately when you develop a new product and opt to purchase cheap PSU’s or chargers it will affect the reputation of your company and products. It is for that reason when developing a new product or launching a newer version of an existing product that you consider a safe and well-built charger or power supply unit. Too many arrive from China that are badly constructed and use inferior parts.
Before commenting on what considerations to factor when sourcing a power supply unit or charger it is worth explaining the roles of the PSU or charger.
What is a Power Supply Unit (PSU) and Battery Charger?
A power supply unit is a component that supplies power to at least one electric load. Typically, it converts one type of electrical power to another, but it may also convert a different form of energy – such as solar, mechanical, or chemical - into electrical energy. A power supply provides components with electric power.
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The primary function of a power supply is to convert electric current from a source to the correct voltage, current, and frequency to power the load. As a result, power supplies are sometimes referred to as electric power converters.
A switched-mode power supply (SMPS) is an electronic circuit that converts power using switching devices that are turned on and off at high frequencies, and storage components such as inductors or capacitors to supply power when the switching device is in its non-conduction state.
A simple charger works by supplying a constant DC or pulsed DC power source to a battery being charged.These chargers also vary in that they can supply either a constant voltage or a constant current, to the battery.
What to Consider?
A few basic factors go into the selection of low-voltage dc/dc and ac/dc power supplies for OEM use. At the risk of stating the obvious, the key objective is to bring the input voltage to a new potential. With that in mind, there are six parameters that determine most of the qualities the supply should have.
- Whether the input potential is divided
- The input and output voltage ranges and the output current demand
- The space available for the supply
- The end product and the regulations that apply to its industry or area
- The environmental conditions the supply will see
- The degree of reliability the supply must provide
Then on top of this you need to consider the following: Safety, Build quality, Efficiency!
Where to purchase reliable, safe, PSU’s and Chargers?
Haredata Electronics’ range of power supplies are made by a German Company called FRIWO.
FRIWO were instrumental in the original development of PSU’s and switch technology and today are committed to providing the safest, most reliable units whilst hand building every unit with the very best components.
Haredata has an in-house manufacturing facility giving the ability to customize the types of connections that some of our client’s require. We supply both industrial and medical versions of power supply unit depending on which market your device is aimed at and they all comply with the very highest standards and EMC approvals.
Taking the Fox18 5V 3000ma from the current range for example, I have listed which standards it meets.
The FOX 18 carries Efficiency Level VI, overload protection, overvoltage protection and is continuously short circuit proof.
Take a look at our range
- Approvals – IEC60950 IEC60065 IEC60335 IEC62368-1 approved for use in EU,USA,AUS safety class II.
- EMC EN55024, EN55032
- MTBF 200,000 hours
- Interchangeable mains plugs available for UK,EU,USA, AUS and the ROW.
- Offer a wide range of terminations for input ranging USB, USB A, jack plugs right through to RJ connectors and USB C.
- Medical : Compliant to 4th Med. Edition IEC60601-1-2:2014 and CISPR11/CISPR32.
- Medical version allows usage of multimedia devices in that environment and all versions
- Approved by SIQ and UL.
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