Us Department Of Energy (DOE): Energy Conservation Program
Mandatory requirement February 10, 2016
US Department of Energy has created a new standard governing the efficiency in external power adapters. The Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) covers a wide range of consumer, commercial and industrial equipment, including and external power supplies. The new EPCA would expand the 2007 EISA program to include a much wider variety of a power supplies including multiple output EPSs.
Energy Policy and Conservation Act
| Nameplate Output Power (Pno) | Maximum Energy Consumption in No-Load Mode | ||
| AC-DC, Low Voltage EPS | AC-DC, Basic-Voltage EPS | Multi-Voltage EPS | |
| 0 to ≤1W | ≤ 0.10W | ≤ 0.10W | ≤ 0.30W |
| >1 to ≤49W | ≤ 0.10W | ≤ 0.10W | ≤ 0.30W |
| >49 to ≤250W | ≤ 0.21W | ≤ 0.21W | ≤ 0.30W |
| >250W | ≤ 0.50W | ≤ 0.50W | ≤ 0.30W |
| Minimum Average Efficiency in Active Mode | |||
| 0 to ≤1W | > 0.517*Pno + 0.087 | > 0.5*Pno + 0.16 | ≥0.497*ln(Pno) + 0.067 |
| >1 to ≤49W | ≥0.0834*ln(Pno) – 0.0014*Pno + 0.609 | ≥0.071*ln(Pno) – 0.0014*Pno + 0.67 | ≥0.075*ln(>Pno) + 0.561 |
| >49 to ≤250W | ≥0.870 | ≥0.880 | ≥0.860 |
| >250W | ≥0.875 | ≥0.875 | ≥0.860 |
Naming Conventions
EPS is External Power Supply
Pno is the nameplate output power of the unit under test. Ln refers to the natural logarithm.
Low Voltage EPS is an EPS where the output voltage <6V. This specification is accepted as Level VI under the International Efficiency Marking Protocol.
The following are exempt from this regulation:
- Open Frame Power Supplies
- LED Drivers
- LED Driver Adapters (not exempt)
- Active POE Power Supplies
- Power Supplies for Medical Application
- Power Supplies with Output <3V and >1A
Canadian Standards Association
Mandatory requirement July 1, 2010
In November 2008, the Canadian Standards Association published standards CSA381.1 and 381.2, which defined test methods for measuring the efficiency of external power supplies. In 2010, Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), which develops policies and programs that enhance the contribution of the natural resources sector to the economy and improve the quality of life for all Canadians, published its own set of efficiency regulations setting the minimum requirements for the sale of external power supplies in Canada to deliver greenhouse gas and related emissions reductions as per Canada’s Clean Air Regulatory Agenda (CARA). In an effort to harmonize North American emissions standards and regulations, the CSA has adopted the minimum efficiency regulations from the US EISA program for which all Phihong products comply.
NRCAN Standard for All External Power Supplies
| MARK* | Performance | |
| Maximum Energy Consumption in No-Load Mode | ||
| IV** | Nameplate Power Output (Pno) | No-Load Power |
| Any Output | ≤0.5W | |
| Nameplate Power Output (Pno) | Minimum Efficiency in Active Mode | |
| 0 to <1W | ≤0.5*Pno | |
| 1 to ≤51W | ≥0.09*LN(Pno)+0.5 | |
| >51W to ≤250W | ≥.085 | |
Pno is the nameplate output power of the unit under test. Ln refers to the natural logarithm.
*The international efficiency marking protocol provides a system for power supply manufactures to designate the minimum efficiency performance of an external power supply so that finished product manufacturers and government representatives can easily determine a unit’s efficiency. The mark does not serve as a consumer information label, but rather demonstrates the performance of the external power supply when tested to the internationally supported test method.
**Minimum marking required. Only needs to comply at 115VAC / 60Hz. IV marking may be immediately followed by 115V to denote compliance at 115VAC/60Hz only.
EU Eco Design Directive 2009/125/EC
Mandatory requirement April 2011
On July 6, 2005 the European Parliament and of the Council adopted Directive 2005/32/EC. The Eco design Framework Directive 2005/32/EC establishes a framework for the setting of Eco design requirements for energy-using products. It is a key instrument of EU policy for improving the energy efficiency and other environmental performances of products in the European Market. The Directive lists products identified by the Council and the European Parliament as priorities for the Commission for implementation, including consumer electronics and office equipment. The power conversion efficiency of external power supplies is an important aspect for the energy performance of primary load products, thus external power supplies are one of the priority products groups considered for implementing measures under the Eco design Directive. The directive was later expanded into the Energy-related-Products (ErP) Directive 2009/125/EC making the deadline for Level V efficiency compliance April 1, 2011.
ERP Directive for All External Power Supplies
| Performance | ||
| Maximum Energy Consumption in No-Low Mode | ||
| Nameplate Power Output (Pno) | No-Load Power (AC-AC) | No-Load Power (AC-DC) |
| 0 to <50W | ≤0.5W | ≤0.3W |
| ≥50W to 250W | ≤0.5W | ≤0.5W |
| Low Voltage EPS, Where Output Voltage 6V and Output Current ≤0.550A | Nameplate Power Output (Pno) | Minimum Efficiency in Active Mode |
| 0 to <1W | ≤0.5*Pno | |
| 1 to ≤49W | ≥0.09*LN(Pno)+0.5 | |
| >49W to ≤250W | ≥.086 | |
| All Other Models | 0 to <1W | ≥0.480*Pno+0.140 |
| 1 to 49W | ≥0.0626*LN(Pno)+0.622 | |
| >49W to ≤250W | ≥.087 | |
EPS is External Power Supply
Pno is the nameplate output power of the unit under test. Ln refers to the natural logarithm.
Low Voltage EPS is an EPS where the output voltage <6V and the output current is ≥ 0.550A
EU Code Of Conduct Proposal
Voluntary Standard January 2014
In an effort to curb rising energy consumption by European households, the European Commission has announced a new voluntary standard for energy efficiency aiming to minimize the energy consumption of external power supplies in both no-load and load conditions. As a result of the new Code of Conduct, the EU will experience energy savings projected at 1.04TWh in 2020. The scope is to apply to single-voltage, external, ac-dc and ac-ac power supplies not exceeding outputs of 250W for electronic and electrical appliances. These applications are to include AC adapters, battery chargers for mobile phones, domestic appliances, power tools as well as IT equipment. A voluntary two tier system to let manufacturers replace and/or upgrade existing products with more energy efficient designs is scheduled to start in January 2014 with the final tier taking effect in January 2016.
EU Code Of Conduct for External Power Supplies
| Nameplate Power Output (Pno) | Maximum Energy Consumption in No-Low Mode | |
| Tier 1 | Tier 2 | |
| >1 to ≤49W | ≤0.150W | ≤0.075W |
| ≥49W to ≤250W | ≤0.250W | ≤0.150W |
| Minimum Average Efficiency in Active Mode for Basic Voltage Models | ||
| 0.3 to ≤1W | >0.500*Pno+0.146 | ≥0.500*Pno+0.169 |
| >1 to ≤49W | ≥0.0626*In(Pno)+0.646 | >0.071*In(Pno)-0.00115*Pno+0.67 |
| ≥49W to ≤250W | ≥0.890 | ≥0.890 |
| Minimum Average Efficiency in Active Mode for Basic Voltage Models | ||
| 0.3 to ≤1W | >0.500*Pno+0.086 | ≥0.517*Pno+0.091 |
| >1 to ≤49W | ≥0.0755*In(Pno)+0.586 | ≥0.0834*In(Pno)-0.0011*Pno+0.609 |
| >49W to ≤250W | ≥0.880 | ≥.0.880 |
EPS is External Power Supply
Pno is the nameplate output power of the unit under test. Ln refers to the natural logarithm.
Low Voltage EPS is an EPS where the output voltage <6V.
Australian / New Zealand MEPS
Mandatory requirement June 9, 2011
A plan to regulate external power supplies was included under the National Appliance and Equipment Energy Efficiency Program in 2004. In 2007, in order to bring about a reduction in energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions from the use of specific types of external power supplies, to below the levels they are otherwise projected to reach under a business as usual scenario, through improving their energy efficiency and standby energy losses, the Equipment Energy Efficiency Committee of the Australian and New Zealand governments, recommended introducing mandatory minimum level of energy efficiency for external power supply units with nominal 230 VAC mains supply input and a single DC output at extra low voltage (ELV) and a maximum output of 250W that these products would need to meet in order to be sold on the Australian and New Zealand markets.
MEPS Required Minimum Efficiency Level
| MARK* | Performance | |
| Maximum Energy Consumption in No-Load Mode | ||
| III** | Nameplate Power Output (Pno) | No-Load Power |
| 0 to <1W | ≤0.5W | |
| 10W to ≤250W | ≥.075 | |
| Nameplate Power Output (Pno) | Minimum Efficiency in Active Mode | |
| 0 to <1W | ≤0.49*Pno | |
| 1 to ≤51W | ≥0.09*LN(Pno)+0.49 | |
| >51W to ≤250W | ≥.084 | |
Pno is the nameplate output power of the unit under test. Ln refers to the natural logarithm.
* The international efficiency marking protocol provides a system for power supply manufactures to designate the minimum efficiency performance of an external power supply so that finished product manufacturers and government representatives can easily determine a unit’s efficiency. The mark does not serve as a consumer information label, but rather demonstrates the performance of the external power supply when tested to the internationally supported test method.
** Minimum marking required. Only needs to comply at 230VAC / 50Hz. Roman numeral marking may be immediately followed by 230V to denote compliance at 230VAC / 50Hz only for all 3 tables (Mark III, Mark IV, and Mark V) listed under Australian / New Zealand MEPS.
MEPS Voluntary High Efficiency LEVEL
| MARK* | Performance | |
| Maximum Energy Consumption in No-Load Mode | ||
| IV** | ||
| Nameplate Power Output (Pno) | No-Load Power | |
| ≤250W | ≤0.5W | |
| Nameplate Power Output (Pno) | Minimum Efficiency in Active Mode | |
| 0 to <1W | ≤0.5*Pno | |
| 1 to ≤51W | ≥0.09*LN(Pno)+0.5 | |
| >51W to ≤250W | ≥.085 | |
Pno is the nameplate output power of the unit under test. Ln refers to the natural logarithm.
* The international efficiency marking protocol provides a system for power supply manufactures to designate the minimum efficiency performance of an external power supply so that finished product manufacturers and government representatives can easily determine a unit’s efficiency. The mark does not serve as a consumer information label, but rather demonstrates the performance of the external power supply when tested to the internationally supported test method.
** Minimum marking required. Only needs to comply at 230VAC / 50Hz. Roman numeral marking may be immediately followed by 230V to denote compliance at 230VAC / 50Hz only for all 3 tables (Mark III, Mark IV, and Mark V) listed under Australian / New Zealand MEPS.
| MARK* | Performance | ||
| Maximum Energy Consumption in No-Load Mode | |||
| V** | |||
| Nameplate Power Output (Pno) | No-Load Power (AC-DC) | No-Load Power (AC-DC) | |
| 0 to ≤50W | ≤0.5W | ≤0.3W | |
| ≥50W to 250W | ≤0.5W | ≤0.5W | |
| Output Voltage < 6V and Output Current ≥ 0.550A | Nameplate Power Output (Pno) | Minimum Efficiency in Active Mode | |
| 0 to <1W | ≥0.497*Pno+0.067 | ||
| 1 to ≤49W | ≥0.075*LN(Pno)+0.5
61 |
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| >49W to 250W | ≥0.86 | ||
| All Other Models | 0 to <1W | ≥0.0480*Pno+0.140 | |
| 1 to 49W | ≥0.0626*LN(Pno)+0.622 | ||
| >49W to 250W | ≥0.87 | ||
Pno is the nameplate output power of the unit under test. Ln refers to the natural logarithm.
* The international efficiency marking protocol provides a system for power supply manufactures to designate the minimum efficiency performance of an external power supply so that finished product manufacturers and government representatives can easily determine a unit’s efficiency. The mark does not serve as a consumer information label, but rather demonstrates the performance of the external power supply when tested to the internationally supported test method.
** Minimum marking required. Only needs to comply at 230VAC / 50Hz. Roman numeral marking may be immediately followed by 230V to denote compliance at 230VAC / 50Hz only for all 3 tables (Mark III, Mark IV, and Mark V) listed under Australian / New Zealand MEPS.
Korea MEPS
Mandatory requirement January 1, 2009
On July 31, 2008, the Ministry of Knowledge & Economy (MKE) amended the “Regulations on Energy Efficiency and Labeling & Standards” to both extend the scope of products covered, to include adapters-chargers among other products, and to further improve the efficiency standards of products already covered. The scope of adapters-chargers is: *All AC-DC or AC-AC external power supplies for use with mobile phones, notebooks, speakers for computers, LCD monitors, printers, PDAs camcorders, digital cameras, audio equipment, DVD players, MP3 players, PMPs, portable CD players, set-top boxes, wire-wireless phones, and modems. *An adapter under 150W (nameplate output power) and a charger or input 20W with Li-Ion Battery as a single voltage external power supply.
MEPS Standards for Adapters
(External Power Supplies Without Charging)
| Performance | |
| Maximum Energy Consumption in No-Load Mode | |
| Nameplate Power Output (Pno) | No-Load Power |
| 0 to <10W | ≤0.5W |
| 10W to ≤150W | ≤0.75W |
| Nameplate Power Output (Pno) | Minimum Efficiency in Active Mode |
| 0 to <1W | ≤0.49*Pno |
| 1 to ≤49W | ≥0.09*LN(Pno)+0.49 |
| >49W to ≤150W | ≥.084 |
Pno is the nameplate output power of the unit under test. Ln refers to the natural logarithm.
MEPS Standards for Adapters
(External Power Supplies With Charging Function for Li-Ion Batteries)
| Performance | |
| Maximum Energy Consumption in No-Load Mode | |
| Nameplate Power Output (Pno) | No-Load Power |
| 0 to <10W | ≤0.5W |
| 10W to ≤150W | ≤0.75W |