Power Integrations Inc. (San Jose, CA), a leader in power conversion semiconductor technology, presented a suite of solutions enabling electronics manufacturers to comply cost-effectively with new, mandatory energy-efficiency standards for the state of California. The mandatory standards, introduced by the California Energy Commission (CEC), place energy efficiency requirements on both ac-dc and ac-ac external power supplies. The standards apply to an array of electronic products employing external power supplies (chargers/adapters).
The company's EcoSmart technology enables switched-mode power supplies that consume only a fraction of the electricity wasted by linear transformers and many discrete designs. Power Integrations ICs with EcoSmart technology are supported by comprehensive design tools and the company's power supply design software, PI Expert. Copy-ready reference designs for CEC-compliant external power supplies can be found on a special section of the company's website devoted to the new CEC standards at http://www.powerint.com/greenroom/reg_cec.htm.
Beginning July 1, 2006, external power supplies manufactured for retail sale in California will be required to meet minimum efficiency standards in both active and no-load modes. Complete details on the new requirements, which are included in the newly updated California Appliance Efficiency Regulations, can be found on the CEC website at http://www.energy.ca.gov/appliances.
