Focusing on Efficiency
The global regulatory environment surrounding the legislation of external power supply efficiency and no-load power draw has rapidly evolved over the past decade since the California Energy Commission (CEC) implemented the first mandatory standard in . With the United States Department of Energy (DOE) Level VI regulations that took effect in February and the European Union's Ecodesign / regulations that took effect in April , the landscape has changed again as regulators further reduce the amount of energy that may be consumed by external power adapters. To help our customers stay on top of these continuously evolving global regulations, we have set out to push the energy efficiency initiative across our entire power portfolio. By continually monitoring the latest energy efficiency regulations, we ensure that not only our products, but our customers' products are in compliance in each region where they are sold.
A Brief History
The infographic below traces the path from the CEC's regulation, to the DoE's Level VI standards, to the EU's Ecodesign / requirements that went into effect on April 1st, . It also shows the more stringent European Union's Code of Conduct standards that didn't become mandatory as expected, but likely show a glimpse of compulsory regulations to come.
The above timeline demonstrates just how dynamic the regulatory environment has been over the past several years. As different countries and regions enact stricter requirements and move from voluntary to mandatory programs, it has become vital that OEMs continually track the most recent developments to ensure compliance and avoid costly delays or fines.
International Efficiency Marking Protocol
The international efficiency marking protocol was designed by Energy Star/EPA in . Energy Star recognized countries were creating their own standards and defined the international marking protocol in an attempt reduce confusion between standards. The marking protocol defines two performance criteria; no-load power consumption and energy efficiency. The table below summarizes the performance thresholds for each efficiency level as they were established over time.
In Energy Star sunset their specification for external power supplies as they determined their marking should be part of the final product. After the energy star logo could no longer be used on compliant external power supplies. The international marking protocol specification was then updated by the DoE and an additional draft was produced in . When the DoE drafted the Level VI efficiency standard, they extended the roman numeral marking system and introduced level “VI”.
While many countries have established voluntary programs harmonized to the international efficiency marking protocol system, the following countries and regions now have regulations in place mandating that all external power supplies shipped across their borders meet the specified efficiency level:
Complying with DoE Level VI
In addition to tightened regulations for existing adapters, DoE Level VI expands the range of products that fall under the standard. Regulated products now include:
- Multiple-voltage external power supplies
- Products with power levels > 250 watts
The performance thresholds are summarized in the tables below:
EU CoC and Ecodesign Requirements
The European Union published its Code of Conduct (CoC) on Energy Efficiency of External Power Supplies Version 5 in October . With CoC Tier 1 as a voluntary requirement effective and CoC Tier 2 as a voluntary requirement effective . CoC Tier 1 was expected to become mandatory in and CoC Tier 2 in . However, neither CoC regulation came into force. In October the EU laid down Ecodesign regulation / which went into effect April 1, .
With the Ecodesign / regulations the EU effectively harmonized with DoE Level VI and abandoned the pursuit of mandatory Tier 2 regulations in the near term. However, the voluntary CoC Tier 2 requirements may show a glimpse into the future of efficiency regulations and many speculate the inevitability of its future enforcement. The anticipation has driven many manufacturers to begin certifying their power supplies to the tighter regulations. The following overview table compares and summarizes key features between the regulations.
The key difference between the CoC requirements and Level VI is the new 10% load measure, which imposes efficiency requirements under a low-load condition where historically most types of power supplies have been notoriously inefficient. While the CoC regulations require certain 10% load efficiency levels be met, Ecodesign simply requires the 10% efficiency value is reported in certain cases. Another difference is neither CoC or Ecodesign have requirements for external supplies over 250 watts as DoE Level VI does.
Ecodesign /
As the Ecodesign / regulation lays down energy efficiency requirements, it also introduces new information and labeling requirements. The nameplate of the power supply must include output power, output voltage, and output current information with one decimal point of precision. Instruction manuals and other relevant documentation must also include average active efficiency, efficiency at 10% load, and no-load power consumption in accordance with the legislation. The tables below detail the specific energy efficiency requirements.
CoC Tier 2
It is important to note that CoC did not distinguish between direct and indirect operation external power adapters. CoC Tier 2 further tightened the no-load and active mode power consumption limits for key classes of power adapters enacted by Level VI i.e. at output powers ≤49 W and 49 W < Pout ≤ 250 W and covers both standard voltage and low voltage adapters. CoC Tier 2 was scoped to cover single voltage external ac-dc and ac-ac power supplies. The tables below detail the additional requirements proposed by Tier 2.
CUI's External Ac-Dc Power Supplies
CUI is committed to implementing the latest energy saving technologies into our external power supplies to address increasing market demands and to comply with all current and future regulations. From late , CUI began introducing a comprehensive DoE Level VI compliant adapter portfolio to keep our customers one step ahead of the rapidly evolving power landscape. Since then CUI has worked to ensure that the majority of its line of adapters not only meet DoE Level VI but also Ecdoesign and CoC Tier 2 standards.
Energy Star and DOE VI Efficiency Standards Explained
International Efficiency Marking Protocol is a system that allows manufacturers to designate the efficiency performance of external power supplies. These designations are identified with a Roman numeral system: I, II, III, IV, VI, V and VI.
Historical perspective
In the s, external power supplies could have efficiencies as low as 50 percent and still draw power when the appliance was turned off or even disconnected from the power supply. (This is what’s known as “no-load” power consumption.)
To remedy this problem, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency instituted voluntary energy efficiency/pollution reduction measures for power supplies, which would eventually evolve into the Energy Star program.
Energy Star Program
The first mandatory efficiency and no-load power draw regulations – created by the California Energy Commission – were implemented in . In , Energy Star unveiled a protocol to unite global efficiency efforts. Over the years, other countries would adopt the Roman numeral marking system established by Energy Star.
In , Energy Star began letting manufacturers use their seal provided the manufacturers’ power supplies reached Level IV standards.
Level V standards went into effect in the USA in and Europe the following year. In , the U.S Department of Energy introduced more rigid Level VI standards, which went into effect in .
Efficiency Levels
Efficiency levels are defined by no-load power consumption and the average efficiency tested at 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% load levels. The charts below illustrate the Minimum Average Efficiency in Active Mode for basic voltage and low voltage.
This last chart shows a comparison of the Maximum Power in No Load Mode for the USA versus Europe for No Load and Average Efficiency.
If you would like more information on these efficiency standards, please view our external power supply presentation.
