Energy Star Power Supply Spec Finalized

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released the final version of its ENERGY STAR specification for single-voltage external ac-dc and ac-ac power supplies. The EPA considers this specification to be final and has no further plans to revise it at this time. The specification, which became effective Jan. 1, 2005, outlines the performance, testing and labeling requirements that models must meet to qualify as ENERGY STAR products. The new specification mandates that power supplies achieve minimum levels of efficiency in active-mode. The standard also establishes maximum levels of power consumption for power supplies operating under no-load conditions.

The EPA will be promoting this specification at two upcoming industry events—the 2005 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas and at the Applied Power Electronics Conference and Exposition 2005, March 6-10 in Austin, Texas.

For details on the specification, including stakeholder correspondence and draft versions of the specification, see www.energystar.gov/productdevelopment.