A Guide to Navigating the Complex Regulatory Process for Global Power Supply Units

Power electronics is a rapidly growing industry with a wide range of applications, from industrial to consumer use. To ensure the safety and reliability of these devices, certifications and standards must be adhered to. All power supplies must be certified to a certain level of safety and efficiency standards to be sold in various regions, world-wide and in accordance with industry regulations. With the global market becoming increasingly connected and competitive, it’s important to make sure that power supply units meet the necessary standards and certifications, no matter where they are being used.

Categories of Certifications and Standards

 When it comes to certifications and standards for power electronics, there are several different categories. These include safety certifications, environmental certifications, and performance certifications.

1. Safety certifications are designed to ensure that the product is safe to use and will not cause harm to the user or the environment. Electrical safety is the most important factor and is typically tested for high temperatures, creepage and clearance, shock, fire, and fail-safe. This involves testing the short circuit protection, overload protection and overcurrent.
2. Environmental certifications are designed to ensure that the product meets certain environmental standards, such as electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), radiation and conducted emissions standards of the unit as well as RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous substances) and REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals).
3. Performance certifications are designed to ensure that the product meets certain performance standards, such as power output, minimum efficiency levels and low standby power consumption (ERP)

Once a power supply unit has been tested and approved, it is then certified by the relevant authority. This certification is proof that the unit meets the necessary standards and is marked accordingly (CE/UKCA) to be used in different countries around the world. It is important to note that different countries may have different standards and certifications, so it is important to check with the local authorities before using a power supply unit in a particular country.

Common global certifications and standards

The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) are two of the most accepted certifications for power supplies. These certifications are accepted in many countries and guarantee that the power supply meets a certain level of safety requirements. The IEC certifications are based on international standards and the UL certifications are based on the United States standards. Other common certifications and standards for power electronics include CE and UKCA . CE is a safety certification that is required for products sold in the European Union.

UL Certification

In the US and Canada, UL/cUL certification is the most widely recognized safety standard for power supply units. UL stands for Underwriters Laboratories, and it is a third-party organization that tests and certifies products for safety. In order for a power supply unit to be sold in the US and Canada, it must pass UL’s rigorous testing process.

CE Certification

CE certification is the European Union’s safety standard for power supply units. It stands for Conformité Européenne, which translates to European Conformity. This certification is required for a power supply unit to be sold in the EU.

CCC Certification

The China Compulsory Certification (CCC) is a safety and EMC standard for power supply units that is required for them to be sold in China. This certification is administered by the China Quality Certification Centre (CQC).

TUV Certification

TUV is a German safety standard for power supply units that is required for them to be sold in Germany and other European countries. This certification is administered by the TUV Rheinland Group.

Energy Star Certification

Energy Star is an international certification program for power supply units that is administered by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). For a power supply unit to be certified as Energy Star compliant, it must meet certain energy efficiency requirements.

At Ideal Power, we recognise the hassle that comes with abiding by standards and securing certifications for your power supply needs. We have a rigorous process in place to ensure that our products meet the necessary certifications and standards required by regions you supply to. This process includes testing and validation of the product to ensure that it meets all the required standards. We also have an experienced team of experts available to answer any questions you may have regarding our certification process. In the case or bespoke power supply units, we are open to working with you to identify and secure certifications for global supply.

Here’s a quick rundown of our power supply Standards and certifications.

In the coming weeks, we will detail the certifications and standards needed in different regions and industries.