Energy Star publishes new lamps specification version 1.0

Energy Star has now published version 1.0 of a new standard to replace both ‘CFLs’ and ‘Integral LED Lamps’. Key points for LED drivers include:

• power factor > 0.7 for P_IN > 5 W; lamps with P_IN ≤ 5 W are PF-exempt;
• efficacy ≥ 55 lm/W for P_IN < 10 W and efficacy ≥ 60 lm/W for P_IN ≥ 10 W;
• lamp lifetime ≥ 10,000 hrs and warranty ≥ 2 years, based on usage of ≥ 3 hours per day.

A definition, method of measurement and compatibility metric for dimmable lamps are also all in development.

Click here or contact CamSemi for more information.

Categories / Lighting / Power factor /

USB IF publishes BC1.2 compliance plan

The USB Implementers Forum has published its Battery Charging 1.2 Compliance Plan to provide test sequences for many mobile phone and other chargers rated at 5 V.

Click to download the full specification/compliance plan/other documents or contact CamSemi for more information.

Categories / Mobile phones /

EN 50563: EPS efficiency test method now approved

CENELEC has now approved a new European standard specifying measurement methods for EPS power consumption and reporting of results.  Key requirements for EN 50563:2011 include:

• specific tolerances on parameters;
• defined warm-up periods at full load and stability periods prior to each measurement;
• and reference to EN 50564 which supports EC regulation 1275/2008 for several items including mains PSU requirements and details of measurement technique.

Click here or contact CamSemi for more information.

Categories / Cordless phones / Efficiency / Media tablets / Mobile phones / Networking products / No-load power / Standby /

USB 3.0 Promoter Group plans new power delivery spec

The USB 3.0 Promoter Group has announced plans to create a new power delivery specification that will extend the capabilities and usages of cable bus power in USB applications.  V1.0 of the specification is due to be published in June 2012.

The new specification will be part of USB 3.0 but also be backward compatible with USB 2.0.  Key features include:

• a range of voltage and current profiles to deliver power up to 100 W;
• communication between devices for voltage and current profile-setting;
• the need for new cables for all but 5 V, 1.5 A (ie existing Battery Charging) operation; existing ID connector pins will identify new cables;
• support for stand-alone power supplies;
• and planned for DC power delivery as well as charging.

Please contact CamSemi for more details or click here to read the USB-IF press announcement.

Categories / Cordless phones / Efficiency / Media tablets / Mobile phones / Networking products / No-load power / Standby /

EU study targets ‘networked standby’

A European Commission preparatory study is aimed at reducing the standby energy consumption of household and office equipment with network connectivity. EC Lot 26 recommends all networked products have low power modes, when their main functions are not active, and defined ‘resume times’ to reactivate a main function after detecting a remotely-initiated trigger.

In addition the study proposes amending EC 1275-2008 to improve power consumption during high and low network availability, and implementing the changes in two incremental stages: from January 2014 and January 2016.  However the EU eco design requirement EC1275-2008 will still apply to standby and/or off mode performance.

Click here to download the working document, for further background notes or please contact CamSemi.

Categories / Efficiency / Media tablets / Mobile phones / Networking products / Standby /