80 Plus

As the world becomes more and more energy-conscious, it is becoming increasingly important to understand the impact that our electronics have on the environment. One way to do this is by looking at the efficiency of our power supplies. The 80 Plus Certification is a program that certifies power supplies that meet certain efficiency standards. This certification ensures that these power supplies are not only better for the environment, reduce our carbon footprint, but also helps us to save money on our energy bills.

What is the 80 Plus Certification?

The 80 Plus Certification is a program that was created by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) to promote energy efficiency in computer power supplies. It is a voluntary certification program that tests and certifies power supplies that meet certain energy efficiency standards. The certification is awarded to PSUs that meet certain efficiency standards at different loads. The higher the efficiency rating, the more energy-efficient the PSU is.

Why is it important?

The 80 Plus Certification is important because it encourages manufacturers to produce more energy-efficient power supplies. This not only helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect the environment, but it also saves consumers money on their electricity bills. Energy-efficient power supplies use less electricity, which means that they cost less to run over time. Additionally, some biggest companies require their suppliers to use energy-efficient power supplies to meet sustainability targets.

What are the different levels of certification?

The 80 Plus Certification measures the efficiency of a power supply by testing how much energy is lost during the conversion of AC power from the wall outlet to DC power that is used by the computer. For example, if a power supply is 80% efficient, it means that 80% of the power it draws from the electrical outlet is used to power the computer, and the remaining 20% is lost as heat. The certification has different levels, with the most efficient being 80 Plus Titanium, followed by 80 Plus Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze, and White. The higher the certification level, the more efficient the power supply is.

How is the efficiency rating calculated?

The efficiency rating is calculated by taking the ratio of the output power to the input power. For example, if a PSU has an output power of 500 watts and an input power of 600 watts, the efficiency rating would be 83.33%. The efficiency rating is calculated at different loads, typically 20%, 50%, and 100% of the PSU’s rated output power. The final efficiency rating is the weighted average of these three measurements. The highest level of certification is 80 Plus Titanium, which requires a minimum efficiency of 90%, 92%, and 94% at 20%, 50%, and 100% loads, respectively. The next level of certification is 80 Plus Bronze, which requires a minimum efficiency of 82%, 85%, and 82% at 20%, 50%, and 100% loads, respectively. The lowest level of certification is 80 Plus, which requires a minimum efficiency of 80% at 20%, 50%, and 100% loads.

What are the benefits of using an 80 Plus certified power supply?

The benefits of using an 80 Plus certified power supply include:

• Reduced energy consumption and lower electricity bills.

• Lower greenhouse gas emissions and reduced environmental impact.

• Longer lifespan of your computer components due to stable power delivery.

• Reduced risk of power supply failure and damage to your computer components.

Are there any downsides to using an 80 Plus certified power supply?

Nothing is ever perfect, and the 80 PLUS program is no different. It also has its deficiencies, which we would break down accordingly:

• 80 PLUS requires only a small number of measurements to classify a PSU into one of its categories.

• The methodology allows for manufacturers to submit “golden” samples (that is, hand-picked models that perform ideally).

• Measurements are conducted at a very low ambient temperature (23C, ±5C).

• The process doesn’t measure standby power consumption (“vampire power”). This measurement is essential in the European market, where all PSUs should comply with the ErP Lot 6 and ErP Lot 3 directives.

• The testing doesn’t take into account the 5VSB rail’s efficiency.

• The standard makes no clear mention of testing equipment.

FAQs to 80 Plus certification?

Q1: How can you tell if a power supply is 80 Plus certified?

You can tell if a power supply is 80 Plus certified by looking for the 80 Plus logo on the box or on the power supply itself. You can also check the certification level by looking for the corresponding label (e.g. 80 Plus Titanium, 80 Plus Platinum, etc).

How can GTG assist you with 80 Plus certification recognition?

GTG can help you to obtain an 80 plus certification for your power supply. They can guide you through the certification process and help you to ensure that your power supply meets the requirements for certification.

In addition, we can help you to promote your energy-efficient power supply by providing you with marketing materials and helping you to communicate the benefits of using an 80 plus certified power supply to your customers.

Contact us today to certified your power supply products with 80 plus!