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- Energy Efficiency
 

EFFICIENCY n = DC Output / AC Input

Computer power supplies are generally about 70–75% efficient; to produce 75 W of DC output they require 100 W of AC input and dissipate the remaining 25 W in heat. Higher-efficiency power supplies can be over 80% efficient ; higher energy efficiency uses less power and requires less power to cool.

Example: n = 75W / 100W

Therefore: n = 75%

    •  For Thermaltake Toughpower Series; Efficiency level achieved from 85% to 87%

On Thermaltake 1200W @ 87% = 1044W (Output) / 1200W (Input)

Other Competitors 1200W @ 80% = 960W (Output) / 1200W (Input)

 
 
- Power Factor Correction (PFC)
 

PFC is a feature included in some computer and other power supply boxes that reduces the amount of reactive power generated by a computer. Reactive power operates at right angles to true power and energizes the magnetic field . Reactive power has no real value for an electronic device, but electric companies charge for both true and reactive power resulting in unnecessary charges. PFC is a required feature for power supplies shipped to Europe.

Active PFC - it provides more efficient power frequency. Because Active PFC uses a circuit to correct power factor, Active PFC is able to generate a theoretical power factor of over 95%. Active Power Factor Correction also markedly diminishes total harmonics, automatically corrects for AC input voltage, and is capable of a full range of input voltage. Since Active PFC is the more complex method of Power Factor Correction, it is more expensive to produce an Active PFC power supply.

Passive PFC - Passive PFC uses a capacitive filter at the AC input to correct poor power factor. Passive PFC may be affected when environmental vibration occurs. Passive PFC requires that the AC input voltage be set manually. Passive PFC also does not use the full energy potential of the AC line.

 
 
- Universal Input Power Supply
 

Voltage regulation around the world varies mostly from 90VAC to 240VAC depending o country. Universal Input power supply makes it easier for manufacturers and the consumer when it comes to purchasing a PSU as it will work in any country.

Example: United States is using 120V@60Hz, Japan is using 100V@50/60Hz and Australia is using 240V@50Hz but with a Universal Power Supply you do not need to worry about it as the PSU can determine the input voltage.

 
 
- Basic Connectors
 

20/24 pin - The 20 pin ATX connector that inserts into an ATX motherboard. Modern motherboards may require a 24 pin ATX Connector.

P4 power 4pin connector - This connector was introduced for Intel Pentium 4 processors. All current power supplies are designed with this connector as both AMD and Intel now utilise this connector for CPU power.

EPS12V 8 pin connector - On some motherboards, rather than have the 4 pin connector, they'll have this 8 pin connector. Common on most workstation, server and higher end motherboards the 8 pin provides more power to the CPU and motherboard.

4 pin Molex - The molex connector provides 12V and 5V to most optical drives, hard disk, fans and other accessories.

Floppy Connector - The 4 pin floppy connector supplies power to floppy drives that may be on your computer. Other devices such as card reader drives commonly use this connection also.

SATA - New specification connector for Serial ATA HDDs, most power supply manufacturer are forced to provide this unique connector. It delivers 12V, 5V and 3.3V.

6 pin PCI-E - Power input connector found on most NVIDIA & ATI PCI-E graphic cards.

8 pin PCI-E - The latest graphic power connector from both NVIDIA & ATI which is capable of delivering up to 150W of power for high end graphics cards.

 
 
- 80PLUS®
 

The 80 PLUS performance specification requires multi-output power supplies in computers and servers to be 80% or greater energy efficient at 20%, 50% and 100% of rated load with a true power factor of 0.9 or greater. This makes an 80 PLUS certified power supply substantially more efficient than typical power supplies and creates a unique market differentiation opportunity for power supply and computer manufacturers.

Thermaltake has more than 20 different power supplies currently been certified by 80PLUS. For details click here . You may also learn more about how Thermaltake is pushing for a healthier earth at http://www.thermaltake.com/marketing/80plus/index.html.

 
 
- ATX (Advance Technology Extended)
 

ATX form factor was created by Intel in 1995 . It was the first big change in computer case and motherboard design in many years. ATX overtook AT completely as the default form factor for new systems. ATX addressed many of the AT form factor's annoyances that had frustrated system builders. Other standards for smaller boards (including microATX , FlexATX and mini-ITX ) usually keep the basic rear layout but reduce the size of the board and the number of expansion slot positions . The most recent specification of the ATX standard PSU as of mid-2008 is version 2.31. This enables different power supplies to be interchangeable with different components inside the computer. ATX power supplies also are designed to turn on and off using a signal from the motherboard (PS-ON wire, which can be shorted to ground to turn on the PSU outside the computer), and provide support for modern functions such as the standby mode available in many computers.

 
 
- Certification Marks
 

UL - Underwriters Laboratories Inc. is a U.S. for-profit, privately owned and operated product safety testing and certification organization. Based in Northbrook, Illinois , UL develops standards and test procedures for products, materials, components, assemblies, tools and equipment, chiefly dealing with product safety.

CE - is a mandatory conformity mark on many products placed on the single market in the European Economic Area . By affixing the CE marking, the manufacturer, its authorized representative, or person placing the product on the market or putting it into service asserts that the item meets all the essential requirements of the relevant European Directives.

TÜV – ( T echnischer Ü berwachungs- V erein), Technical Monitoring Association in English; are German organizations that work to validate the safety of products of all kinds to protect humans and the environment against hazards. As an independent consultant , they examine monitoring -needy plants , motor vehicles , energy installations, devices and products.

CCC - ( China Compulsory Certificate) is a compulsory safety mark for many products sold on the Chinese market. It became effective on May 1, 2002. It is the result of the integration of China's two old compulsory inspection systems.

FCC – ( Federal Communications Commission) The FCC was established by the Communications Act of 1934 as the successor to the Federal Radio Commission and is charged with regulating all non-Federal Government use of the radio spectrum (including radio and television broadcasting), and all interstate telecommunications ( wire , satellite and cable ) as well as all international communications that originate or terminate in the United States. It is an important factor in US telecommunication policy .

RoHS – ( Restriction of Hazardous Substances) was adopted in February 2003 by the European Union . The RoHS directive took effect on 1 July 2006 , and is required to be enforced and become law in each member state. This directive restricts the use of six hazardous materials in the manufacture of various types of electronic and electrical equipment.

WEEE – ( Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment ) it linked closely with RoHS. The directive imposes the responsibility for the disposal of waste electrical and electronic equipment on the manufacturers of such equipment. Those companies should establish an infrastructure for collecting WEEE, in such a way that "Users of electrical and electronic equipment from private households should have the possibility of returning WEEE at least free of charge". Also, the companies are compelled to use the collected waste in an ecological-friendly manner, either by ecological disposal or by reuse/refurbishment of the collected WEEE.


 
 
 
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