Lambda Americas Inc., San Diego, CA www.lambdapower.

com

Using Power Supply Derating Curves

All power supplies have a specified “Operating Temperature Range”. For example, Lambda’s AC-DC
switchmode SWS600L series of 600 watt, single output power supplies have an operating temperature range
from “-20°C to +74°C”. However, the spec also states: “…derating linearly to 50% load above 50°C”. What
does this mean?

Please refer to Figure 1. Most power supply manufacturers provide this type of curve to make it easier for
the end user to determine the maximum output power that can provided by a power supply at various
operating or ambient temperatures. Ta = Temperature of the Ambient Air, or, the temperature of the air
surrounding the power supply, especially the air at the intake of a fan-cooled supply. By comparing the
“Operating Temperature Range” specification listed above to the derating curve, the following information
can be seen:
• The supply can deliver 100% of its rated output power load (600 watts) from -20°C to +50°C ambient
temperatures
• Above 50°C ambient, the supply can deliver a reduced amount of power
• At 60°C ambient, the supply can provide about 80% of its max. rated power (0.80 x 600 = 480 watts)
• At 74°C ambient, the supply can provide 50% of its max. rated power load (0.50 x 600 = 300 watts)

Figure 1: SWS600L Output Power Derating Curve

In addition to the supply’s normal “operating temperature range” and output derating-curve, some supplies
like this one, have a specified low-temperature “start-up” capability (i.e., -40°C). This means that the supply
can “start-up” or be “turned-on” with an ambient temperature as low as -40°C (below the -20°C spec) and
deliver 100% of its rated power, however, the supply’s output regulation, hold-up time, ripple & noise, and
other specifications cannot be fully guaranteed until the supply warms up to at least -20°C. This cold
temperature start-up is a nice feature to have, especially for outdoor-mounted applications. Once the supply
is turned-on it will usually self-heat due to the heat generated by its internal electronic power components.

More information about Lambda and its products is available at its website: http://www.lambdapower.com

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Lambda Americas Inc., San Diego, CA www.lambdapower.com

More information concerning the application of power supplies can be found at:
http://www.lambdapower.com/about/university.htm

Lambda’s SWS600L Series of AC-DC Power Supplies

About Lambda
Lambda Americas is a unit of TDK Corporation (NYSE: TDK), a leading global electronics company
www.tdk.com. Lambda has been a major provider of power solutions for over 60 years. The company
designs and manufactures a wide range of AC-DC and DC-DC power products for Industrial, Medical,
Telecom, Datacom, and Test & Measurement applications worldwide. Additional information is available at
800-LAMBDA-4 (toll free) or 619-575-4400.

Editorial & Technical Contact:

Mel Berman, Product Marketing Mgr., Lambda Americas Inc.
Ph: 619-628-2859, mel.berman@lambda.com
3055 Del Sol Blvd. San Diego, CA 92154

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