Meanwell Switching Power Supply Meanwell Switching Power Supply Service FAQ, Meanwell Switching Power Supply Meanwell Switching Power Supply product FAQ

Q
Notes on choosing a switching power supply?

A

a: To increase the reliability of the S.P.S., we suggest users choose a unit that has a rating of 30% more power than actual need. For example, if the system needs a 100W source, we suggest that users choose a S.P.S. with 130W of output power .or more. By doing this, you can effectively boost the reliability of the S.P.S. in your system. b : We also need to consider about ambient temperature of the S.P.S. and whether there is additional device for dissipating the heat. If the S.P.S. is working in a high temperature environment, we need to make some derating to the output power. The derating curve of "ambient temperature" versus "output power" can be found on our spec sheets. c : Choosing functions based on your application: 1. Protection function: Over Voltage Protection (OVP), Over Temperature Protection (OVP), Over Load Protection (OLP), and etc. 2. Application function: Signaling Function (Power Good, Power Fail), Remote Control, Remote Sensing, and etc. 3. Special function: Power Factor Correction (PFC), Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) function. d : Make sure that the model qualifies for the safety standards and EMC regulations you need.
Q
How do we choose a power supply to charge a battery?

A

MEAN WELL has ESC, SC, PA, PB series for battery charger purpose (120~360W). If these series does not meet customers� demands and they like to choose a power supply as a charger, we advice to pick up one which over load protection (OLP) mode is constant current limiting. The models in this mode provide constant current even when the protection circuit is triggered. The second choice is fold-back current limiting .or constant wattage model. In this model, when a battery is running low, the output current of the power supplywill gently increase. The level of increase depends on battery抯 capacity and degree of exhaustion. Hiccup .or shut down model are not recommended because it will stop to generate current when OLP happens.
Q
Can MEANWELL power supply be used in the range of 45Hz ~ 440Hz? If YES, what will happen?

A

MEAN WELL power supply can be used within this frequency range. But if the frequency is too low, the efficiency will also be lower. For example, when a SP-200-24 is operated under 230VAC and rated load, if the frequency of AC input is 60 Hz, the efficiency is around 84%; however, if the frequency of AC input reduces to 50 Hz, the efficiency will be around 83.8%. If the frequency is too high, the power factor of the S.P.S. with PFC (power factor correction) function will reduce and this also will cause higher leakage current. For example, when a SP-200-24 is operated under 230VAC and rated load, if the frequency of AC input is 60 Hz, the power factor is 0.93 and the leakage current is around 0.7mA; however, if the frequency of AC input increase to 440 Hz, the power factor will decrease to 0.75 and the leakage current will rise to around 4.3mA.
Q
If we need a 24V output power supply, but MEANWELL does not have this model, can we use two 12V powe

A

YES, basically you can do this to get the right output voltage, but be careful that the rated output current of the series system should be the rating of the minimum one in these series connected power supplies. Furthermore, we like you to parallel a diode at the output of power supply to prevent possible damage of internal capacitors.
Q
If we need a 600W output, can we use two units of S-320 connected in parallel?

A

No, you can not do this connection because S-320 is not equipped with the parallel function. When two power suppliesare connected in parallel, the one with higher output voltage will share more loading and deliver more (even "all") powerto the load and cause these two power supplies to be unbalanced. We suggest using PSP-300 or PSP-500 because it is equipped with the current sharing function.
Q
When testing a dual output power supply, the +5V channel is correct, but the +12V channel is over th

A

There are some minimum-load requirements on MEAN WELL抯 multi-output power supplies, please refer to the specification first before connecting the load. When the load condition is 5V/4A, 12V/0A, the output voltage of the 12V channel will be around 12.8V that is over the �6% of voltage deviation (12.72V) specified in the spec. sheet.If we add in the minimum load 0.2A to the 12V channel, the 12V channel will reduce to around 12.3V which is within the specification.
Q
Why I can not turn on the power supply smoothly when the loads are motors, light bulbs .or capacitiv

A

If you connect the S.P.S. to motors, light bulbs, .or high capacitive loads, you will have a high output surge current when you turn on the S.P.S. and this high surge current will cause failure of start up. We suggest using S.P.S. with constant current limiting protection to deal with these loads.
Q
Why did the power supply shuts down during operation and after turning it off, I can restart the pow

A

In general there are two circumstances that will cause the power supply to shut down. The first one is the activation of the over-load-protection (OLP). To deal with this situation, we suggest increasing the rating of the output power .or modifying the OLP point. The second one is the activation of over-temperature protection (OTP) when the internal temperature reaches the pre-set value. All of these conditions will let the S.P.S. enter protection mode and shut down. After these conditions are removed, the S.P.S. will be back to normal.
Q
The output ground (GND) and frame ground (FG) is the same point in my system, can MEANWELL抯 power su

A

Yes. Since our products are designed based on isolation concept, it will be no problem that the output ground (GND) and frame ground (FG) is the same point in your system. But, EMI may be affect by this connection.
Q
During the operation of MEAN WELL power supply, there is some leakage current on the case. Is

A

Due to the requirement of EMI, there will be some Y capacitors between line and neutral to the FG (case) to improve EMC. These Y capacitors will cause some leakage current flow from line .or neutral to the case (normally case will be connected to earth ground). For example, IEC-60950-1 requires that this current should be less than 3.5mA for IT equipment, so basically the leakage current you find on the case will not hurt human body. Proper connection to Earth ground will solve the leakage current problem.
Q
For certain need, is it possible to reduce the noise of fan?

A

Noise is directly related to the fan which is build into the power supply. Lowering the airflow of the fan means reducing the heat dissipation ability. It will also influence the reliability of the products. Furthermore, minimum airflow of fans is defined by Safety Organization and a safety appendage will be needed if using a new fan. Generally, when we choose a suitable power supply, fan is not necessary if wattage is under 150W. Between 150~500W, both fan and fanless products are available. Above 500W, a fan is needed
Q
What should be noticed when installing a power supply in vertical and horizontal directions?

A

Most small wattage and fanless power supplies are mainly installed in the horizontal position. If you have to install it vertically because of mechanical limitation, you should consider the output derating due to the heat concern. The temperature derating curve can be found on the spec sheet. Regarding the power supplies with built-in fan .or the application has forced cooling system, vertical and horizontal installations have less difference.Ex. In SP-150 derating curve, the ambient temperature difference in application is 5 Celsius from vertical to horizontal. The output wattage in forced cooling can be 20% higher than air cooling convection.
Q
Why the fan is not running after turning on certain models?

A

Some models control the fan based on internal temperature to extend its life time. For example, the Fan ON temperature for the S-240 series is ? 40C (RT1). If the internal temperature does not reach the preset value, the fan will remain still until receiving the start up signal.
Q
What is "Inrush Current"? What will we notice?

A

At input side, there will be (1/2 ~1 cycle, ex. 1/120 ~ 1/60 seconds for 60 Hz AC source) large pulse current (20~60A based on the design of S.P.S.) at the moment of power on and then back to normal rating. This "Inrush Current" will appear every time you turn on the power. Although it will not damage the power supply, we suggest not turning the power supply ON/OFF very quickly within a short time. Besides, if there are several power supplies turning on at the same time, the dispatching system of AC source may shut off and go into protection mode because of the huge inrush current. It is suggested that these power supplies start up one by one .or use the remote control function of S.P.S. to turn them on/off.