IPC – Association Connecting Electronics Industries® announced the publication of what it is calling "the first-ever power conversion standard", IPC-9592, Requirements for Power Conversion Devices for the Computer and Telecommunications Industries. The 75-page specification covers the complete range of power conversion product attributes, including product specifications and document requirements; design for reliability; design and qualification testing; and manufacturing conformance testing.
"With the release of IPC-9592, the power supply industry will have a standard that will facilitate communication between the customer and supplier at a level that is unprecedented in this industry," said Dr. Scott Strand, Senior Technical Staff member, Integrated Technology Delivery Quality, IBM. Strand is also chairman of the IPC Power Conversion Devices Standard Subcommittee which was formed specifically to address industry concerns, and comprises representatives from leading original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and power conversion equipment suppliers, such as Alcatel-Lucent, Cisco Systems, Dell Inc., Emerson Network Power, Hewlett-Packard Co., IBM, Lineage Power and Murata Power Solutions.
"It was rewarding to see leaders of the power conversion and electronics industries come together to develop this important standard," said Tom Newton, IPC Director of PCB programs, standards and technology. "The timetable to complete the standard was aggressive, but it was necessary to address industry needs."
Jerry Strunk, Technical Manager of Qualification & Compliance, Lineage Power, agreed. "One of the most important aspects of the IPC-9592 standard is that it improves our ability to serve customers by harmonizing the requirements for design, qualification, and production test practices. Suppliers that adopt this standard will be better able to provide customers reliable products that they demand."
Now that the standard has been released, Newton is quick to point out that the work of the subcommittee continues. "It was important to get this document out to industry, but there are additional areas that must be addressed, so we’re already back to the table working on revision A of the document," Newton explained.
Members of the IPC Power Conversion Devices Standard Subcommittee will be presenting at an upcoming IPC-9592 conference in Irving, Texas, on November 5 – 6. Subcommittee members will describe not only the items, requirements and issues confronted and resolved in the development of the standard, but also the background and logic used to craft each of the standard’s sections.
IPC member companies may request a free copy of IPC-9592 within 90 days of its publication. Following the introduction period, members may purchase a copy for $40. Nonmembers may purchase the new standard for $80.
