About power supplies' specifications

  • Thread starter Thread starter Man-wai Chang ToDie (33.6k)
  • Start date Start date
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Man-wai Chang ToDie (33.6k)

Are they designed to work at rooms without air-conditioning?
Especially those so-called server-class supplies.

Is there a difference between cold and hot climate conditions?
Or should I just look for military grade stuff? :)
What logos should I look for then?

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Man-wai Chang ToDie (33.6k) said:
Are they designed to work at rooms without air-conditioning?
Especially those so-called server-class supplies.
Click to expand...

Maximum allowed operating temperature is commonly 40C or 50C, both for
home and server PSUs. This is not necessarily the temperature used
for specifying the maximum output power, which is usually from
25-50C. Many computers in factories and garages are operated
continuously at 40-45C.

Some PSUs contain protection circuitry that senses temperature and
shuts off the power in case of overheating. I once asked Ultra if
their V-series models, made by Wintech had this feature and was told
they do not but that at about 55C they would inheritly start turning
off.
Is there a difference between cold and hot climate conditions?
Click to expand...

Try to choose a PSU with the power rating specified at 40C or hotter
because maximum output drops with heat, and 40C is a realistic
operating condition while 25C is usually not. Years ago, PC Power &
Cooling tested their 510W Turbo Cool against an unnamed (Enermax) 550W
and obtained these measurements for maximum power capability:

PCP&C Enermax

25 Celcius 600W 550W
40C 510W 366W
50C 460W 244W

Or should I just look for military grade stuff? :)
Click to expand...

$$$ I don't think you need anything that good.
What logos should I look for then?
Click to expand...

At the very least you want UL (www.ul.com) or CSA (www.csa.ca) safety
approval, and make sure it's not faked. One sign of a fake approval
is the lack of an accompanying registration number, but check the
numbers at their respective websites anyway because I've seen at least
two faked ones. The numbers will usually point to the manufacturer,
and places like JonnyGuru.com can tell you which manufacturers are
good.

Safety certifications are only for safety -- fire, electric shock,
explosion, etc. There are performance certifications, but the only
ones I know of that are current are nVidia's SLi and ATI's Crossfire.
Again, verify certifications at their websites. There used to be
Intel and AMD approvals, but a lot of junk PSUs were on their approved
lists.

LegitReviews.com, one of the very few websites that does good PSU
reviews, has an article about why 99% of PSU reviews are junk.
 
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