A Talk on IPC Power Supply (Part I)

2020-07-14

What is IPC power supply? Why is it that instead of directly using PC power supplies, IPC power supplies with specific specifications has to be selected despite the higher cost shouldered when they appear to be similar to PC power supplies of general personal computers with almost the same output voltage sets, not to mention that some PC power supplies even have higher output power? The reason behind it is the main topic of discussion in this article.

 

The specifications for PC power supplies of general personal computers are mainly based on Intel’s customized ATX specifications. The specifications explicitly specify three main positive voltage rails, namely, +3.3V, +5V, and +12V. An additional +5V SB (Standby) rail independent from the +5V voltage rail is added. This +5V SB (Standby) rail is not found in early IBM AT specifications. With this independent SB power rail, the possibility of turning on and off the software switch and remote wake-up can be realized. Since then, PC power subsequently developed MicroATX, FlexATX, and SFX specifications. Basically, they are ATX-based sizes and external differences, but they are still essentially extensions of ATX.

 

Initially, the main target groups of the Intel-customized ATX specifications are personal computers operated in home and office environments. The main purposes are document editing, programming, general Internet surfing and gaming(*1), and other general business needs. Because of the simple tasks and high specification uniformity, brand operators or DIY players alike can find suitable power products in the market that meet their needs.

 

IPC power, on the other hand, is different. If PC power exists based on the general conditions, then, IPC power exists based on specific application needs. Non-domestic occasions such as security, monitoring, production, communication, medical care, transportation, industrial control, etc. fall under the scope of IPC power. Because work environments vary, the requirements for work environment temperature/humidity, dust capacity, reliability, shelf life, anti-interference ability, etc. relatively differ from those of PC power.

 

Table 1 below show differences between PC and IPC power in terms of use/demand/applications.

Table 2 below shows differences between PC and IPC design with the same 500W power.

(*1) Games with high specifications and a higher screen resolution have undergone development to form the Gaming industry. The gaming discussed in this article are general and simple web games.

 

Differences between industrial computers and personal computers

Item Industrial computer industry/products Personal computer industry/products
Targets Industry/business/government large-scale users Mainly for personal use
Operating enviroment Adverse work environment Long working hours, high and low indoor and outdoor temperatures,humidity, vibration, electromagnetic interference, etc. Stable work environment Short working hours, indoors, constant temperature
Application fields security, monitoring, production, communication, medical care, transportation, industrial control related. Offices, households
Pre-use test Long (6 months to 2 years) Short
Product lifecycle Long(3-7 years) Short(9 monthes~2 years)
Product specifications Semi-standardized/customized Standardized
Supply demand LEmphasis on long-term supply and after-sale technical support Services No long-term supply demand/less after-sale technical support
Focus of product requirements Long-term stability quality requirements; not pursuing the fastest and the latest The latest and the fastest with more powerful functions.
Production demant Small volume, flexible production Large volume, economies of scale
Mode of delivery Small volume, large variety Large volume, small variety
Period of raw material storage Long Short
Customer loyalty High Low
Barriers to entry in industrial markets Medium Low
Cost Higer Low
Product application pattern Part of the entire application system Final finished products

*Reference: Chu, Ta Chuan

Differences between industrial computers and personal computers (By FSP model)

 

Item FSP500-60GMN(PC PSU) FSP500-80AAB(IPC PSU)
Bridge diode 3A/1000V(DO-201)*8pcs 8A/600V*2pcs 
PFC inductor Ring core SENDUST,T27.7 Ring core SENDUST,T27.7
PFC diode 5A/600V 8A/600V  
PFC MOSFET

Cool-MOS

20A/600V*2pcs

Cool-MOS

24A/650V*2pcs 

 

Bull cap 220uF/450V 330uF/420V  
Main switch MOSFST 18A/500V

Cool-MOS

20A/600V*2pcs

  

Main transformer ERL-28V ERL-36 
Rectification diode or SR-MOSFET

40A/45V*2pcs

30A/45V*4pcs

80A/80V*2pcs (SR)

30A/100V*2pcs

 

Rectification capacitor

1000uF/16V*5pcs

1500uF/10V*5pcs

2200uF/6.3V*1pcs

1000uF/16V*4pcs 

1500uF/10V*3pcs

470uF/16V*2pcs

3300uF/10V*1pcs

100uF/50V*1pcs

 

 

Other than the different basic conditions of use above, the most frequently encountered challenge in IPC power selection is “differed regulatory requirements”. In response to different scenes of use that often require complementary regulations for verification and because texts in regulations are often difficult to understand, non-professional safety regulation practitioners often sigh at the sight of regulations, feeling helpless. In the article below, we will briefly explain frequently used regulations for IPC power supply, hoping to lower the threshold.

 

About FSP

FSP Group is one of the global leading power supply manufacturer. Since 1993, FSP Group has followed the management conception “service, profession, and innovation” to fulfill its responsibilities as a green energy resolution supplier.

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