Q: Do MEAN WELL power supplies comply with the EPA-TSCA conformity?

The declaration of Five PBT TSCA Conformity can be found on the last page of Installation Manual e.g. below:

Question 1

Where can I find EAN or GTIN numbers for MEAN WELL power supplies?

Valerie Wang · Accepted Answer

The GTIN number can be found directly on the www.meanwell.com:

Question 2

What internal fuses are inside the IRM series?

Valerie Wang · Accepted Answer

Internally, IRM series has the following AC fuses, which are implemented on AC/L input:

IRM-01/02/03	T1A/L300V
IRM-05/10/15/20/30	T2A/L300V
IRM-45/60	T2.5A/L300V
IRM-90	T3.15A/L300V

Question 3

Is MEAN WELL registered in SCIP database?

Valerie Wang · Accepted Answer

Yes, MEAN WELL products are registered in SCIP. To get such information for specific power supply, please follow the steps below:

Go to https://echa.europa.eu/en/scip-database
Under SEARCH option, choose „Article Identity” and write down model name e.g. RSP-1600.
As “Identifier type (optional)”, please chose “Other”
Click “Search” button

Question 4

Do MEAN WELL power supplies comply with the EPA-TSCA conformity?

Valerie Wang · Accepted Answer

The declaration of Five PBT TSCA Conformity can be found on the last page of Installation Manual e.g. below:

Question 5

How to subscribe to MEAN WELL’s newsletter?

admin · Accepted Answer

Find the latest news in the MEAN WELL APP

Question 6

How to learn MEAN WELL new product launching announcement?

admin · Accepted Answer

You can follow us on LinkedIn:

Go to:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/meanwell-europe-b-v-/

1. Click follow

And you could install our APP see our FAQ “How to subscribe to MEAN WELL’s newsletter?”

Question 7

How to know MEAN WELL distributor's information?

admin · Accepted Answer

MEAN WELL’s distributor information can be found on Distributor Network-MEAN WELL Switching Power Supply Manufacturer

Click on the region that you are located
Select the country you are in
Click on the search button
Scroll down to see our local distribution channels
Look for the distributor with a tick for the product group that you are looking for

Question 8

What is the purchasing channel for MEAN WELL products?

admin · Accepted Answer

MEAN WELL has the largest distribution network for serving your small and medium demand Power Supplies. You can find all MEAN WELL’s distribution channels on Distributor Network-MEAN WELL Switching Power Supply Manufacturer.

OEM’s which have no sales channel for MEAN WELL products yet can contact us via the “Contact Us” form on this website.

Question 9

How does MEAN WELL announce End of Life (EOL) products and what is the procedure?

admin · Accepted Answer

MEAN WELL’s discontinued product schedule and End of Life products are normally updated 2 times per year, in January and in July and are published on www.meanwell.com. See FAQ “Where can I find MEAN WELL’s discontinued product schedule and End of Life information? “

The normal procedure for E.O.L. is:

The product or series is announced in the Discontinued product list in January or July and announced as NRND (Not Recommend for New Design)
6 months later the lead time of the product or series will increase +30 days, the price will increase as well.
Another 6 months later, the lead time will increase another +30 days (so + 60day compared to the original lead time), the price will increase again.
Another 6 months later, the lead time will increase another +30day (so +90 days compared to the original lead time) and the price will increase again and additionally there will be a MOQ of 200pcs (and steps of 100 for higher quantities)
After another 6 months the last buy is announced on the website. This will be the last opportunity to place an order for this product or series.

In total MEAN WELL’s End of Life, procedure will take 2 years. However, there are situations for instance that certification is expired, or some components can no longer be obtained by the market which will force to accelerate the EOL schedule. Therefore, it is always highly recommended from the moment that a product is on the discontinued list to design in one of our new generation products. If need any advice to this, please use the “Contact Us” function on this website.

Question 10

Where can I find MEAN WELL’s discontinued product schedule and End of Life (EOL)information?

admin · Accepted Answer

MEAN WELL’s discontinued product schedule and End of Life products are normally updated 2 times per year, in January and in July. To see the full list, go to www.meanwell.com

1. Click on products

2. Click on Discontinued products for the schedule for the EOL schedule

Click on EOL for the MEAN WELL products which are End Of Life

Question 11

If the suitable product cannot be found, how to contact MEAN WELL?

admin · Accepted Answer

You can use the “Contact Us” function on this website

Question 12

What product information does MEAN WELL website provide?

admin · Accepted Answer

MEAN WELL’s website provides you all the basic information about our Power Supplies. This includes company news, product announcements, ISO certificates, Specifications, test report, Certificates, ROHS declarations, Reach declarations and many more.

Question 13

How to find products you need in MEAN WELL website?

admin · Accepted Answer

MEAN WELL’s products can be found on www.meanwell.com

1. Click on products and select the product category

Or in case you already have a part number, you can use the search function on the website:

2. Use the search function on the website to find the right product

3. Fill in the series number in the search field (do not include the last extensions such as -12 in XLG-150-12)

4. Click the search button

5. Click on the PDF icon to open the specification

Question 14

Can we use LED CC (Constant Current) model as a charger?

admin · Accepted Answer

MEAN WELL has several charger products, and we suggest choosing them first. Chargers would be more suitable since they are designed for charging applications. Safety and approvals should be taken into account based on the final application. If you are unable to find a proper model in our charger series, our LED CC models can be used as charger. Please choose suitable products after confirming the current and voltage specification on the datasheet of the battery.

Question 15

Can MEAN WELL charger use be used to charge Lithium batteries or other type of batteries?

admin · Accepted Answer

All MEAN WELL chargers are preset for lead-acid batteries. For other products that can customize the charging curve (such as ENC / NPB series), customers can customize their charging curve depending on the charging and discharging characteristics of batteries. If you have other requirements, please use the contact us function on this website.

Question 16

How to choose a suitable power supply for a charging application?

admin · Accepted Answer

MEAN WELL has launched ENC, HEP-600C, GC, PA, PB, RPB and RCB series for battery charge applications (30~1000W). However, if these models cannot fulfill your requirements, there is an alternative solution. Power supplies with constant current limiting as overload protection are suggested. Charge current varies in battery percentage (full or flat), there is high possibility to trigger overload protection when battery is low, those with overload protection as hiccup or shutdown will stop charging the battery in low battery condition. Yet, using a power supply as charging purpose is considered as overload usage, modification is required. Please Contact Us for the request.

Question 17

Where to find MEAN WELL Step files / 3D files?

admin · Accepted Answer

MEAN WELL’s Step files/ 3D files can be found on www.meanwell.com

Use the search function on the website to find the right product
Fill in the series number in the search field (do not include the last extensions such as -12 in XLG-150-12)
Click the search button
Click on the PDF icon to open the specification

Click on 3D OUTLINE
Click on the model XLG-150-3D to download the step file.

Question 18

Do I need to derate my power supply when I used it over 2000m?

admin · Accepted Answer

Yes, for power supplies certified >2000m please read the “note” in the spec.

In general, for unpotted models, a derating of 5°C/1000m has to be applied and for potted models, a derating of 3.5°C/1000m has to be applied.

For example LRS-75-24:

The datasheet shows:

The Note. 7 shows:

At 5000m the derating curve will need to move 15°C following the arrow (1)

At full load the maximum operating temperature at 5000m will be 35°C shown at (2)

Question 19

What is the control mechanism for cooling fans?

Valerie Wang · Accepted Answer

Cooling fans have a relatively shorter lifetime (typical MTTF, Mean Time To Failure, of around 5,000-100,000 hours) compared with other components of power supply. As a result, changing operating method of the fans can extend the operation hours. The most common control schemes are shown as below:nnTemperature control: if the internal temperature of a power supply, detected by a temperature sensor, is over the threshold, the fan will start working at full speed, whereas, if the internal temperature is less than the set threshold, the fan will stop working or run at half speed. In addition, cooling fans in some power supplies are controlled by a non-linear control method whereby fan speed can be changed with different internal temperatures synchronously.nLoad control: if the loading of a power supply is over the threshold, the fan will start working at full speed, whereas, if the loading is less than the set threshold, the fan will stop working or run at half speed.

Question 20

Why is the input voltage on the label different from the input voltage in the spec? For example, the specification shows is 88~264 VAC while the label on the power supply says that it is 100~240VAC?

Valerie Wang · Accepted Answer

During safety verification process, the agency will use a stricter standard ±10% (IEC 62368 uses +10%, -10% for the product with AC input rated) of the input voltage range labeled on the power supply to conduct the test. So, operating at the wider input voltage range as specified on the spec. sheet should be fine. The narrower range of input voltage labeled on the power supply is to fulfill the test standard of safety regulation and make sure that users insert input voltage correctly.

Question 21

What is PMBus?

Valerie Wang · Accepted Answer

PMBus full name is Power Management Bus is an open standard for digital power management. The physical layer is based on I2C, and PM Bus had a set of commands that specifically design for power supply industry. More information can be found in https://pmbus.org/

MEAN WELL Rack Power and intelligent power supply and chargers have optional PMBus solution for example: PHP-3500 and HEP-1000 further the RCP/RSP-1600, UHP-2500 and DPU-3200 have this optional available.

Question 22

What is CAN Bus?

Valerie Wang · Accepted Answer

A Controller Area Network (CAN Bus) is a bus standard initially developed for vehicle designed to allow multi-master with priority control without a host computer. The latest version is CAN 2.0 which consists of part A and part B. CAN 2.0A is for standard format with 11-bit identifier, and CAN 2.0B is for extended format with 20-bit identifier. CAN Bus is widely used in Automotive and industrial automation. There are not only 1 but many higher layer protocol such as CANopen, DeviceNet and more.

MEAN WELL CAN Bus product support CAN 2.0B (ISO-11898) with baud rate 250Kbps

MEAN WELL offers optionally CAN bus for PHP-3500, HEP-1000, RCP/RSP-1600, UHP-2500 and DRP/DPU-3200 and DBR/DBU-3200.

Question 23

Where can I find the maximum operating altitude for MEAN WELL power supplies?

admin · Accepted Answer

Most MEAN WELL power supplies are certified to be operated till 2000m. For some models the certification is valid for a higher altitude, this will be shown on the first page of the power supply under features (1)(2).
Please note that derating is needed at an altitude above 2000m. See FAQ “Do I need to derate my power supply when I used it over 2000m?”

Question 24

MEAN WELL specification shows a higher working temperature than MEAN WELL’s label and safety report. What is the reason for this?

admin · Accepted Answer

MEAN WELL’s specification shows the absolute values which were verified during design quality verification tests. Those condition are guaranteed by manufacture from quality and warranty perspectives.

When certifying a power supply according to a certain norm, there is normally a requirement described in this standard a certain tolerance which must be considered. (See also FAQ: Why Is The Input Voltage On The Label Different From The Input Voltage In The Spec? For Example, The Specification Shows Is 88~264 VAC While The Label On The Power Supply Says That It Is 100~240VAC?)

The specification shows what is possible, the report and label of the power supply shows what is approved by the certifying body according to the standards.

Besides the difference due to tolerance there might also be another reason why the specification and label/test report show a different temperature. For example, if the power supply needs to be derated at a low voltage input such as 100VAC, the label and test report might show the max temperature at full load based on this low input.

Different standards might have different tolerance requirements and different ranges this could mean that the most conservative value, or multiple values will show up on the label of the power supply.

Question 25

Where to find the critical component self-heating at max operating temperature?

admin · Accepted Answer

MEAN WELL’s component self-heating can be found on www.meanwell.com

1. Use the search function on the website to find the right product
2. Fill in the series number in the search field (do not include the last extensions such as -12 in XLG-150-12)
3. Click the search button
4. Click on the PDF icon to open the specification

5. Click on report

6. Click on the model and scroll down:

7. The temperature of the critical component can be found in the chapter Reliability Test under item 1 Temperature Rise Test

For more details about the component type for each position, please use the Contact Us function on this website.

Question 26

Where to find MTBF?

admin · Accepted Answer

MEAN WELL’s MTBF can be found on www.meanwell.com

1. Use the search function on the website to find the right product
2. Fill in the series number in the search field (do not include the last 3. extensions such as -12 in XLG-150-12)
3. Click the search button
4. Click on the PDF icon to open the specification

Scroll down in the specification to the bottom of the second page

5. Find the MTBF value in under others:

Question 27

Where to find capacitor lifecycle calculation?

admin · Accepted Answer

MEAN WELL’s capacitor lifecycle calculation can be found on www.meanwell.com

1. Use the search function on the website to find the right product
2. Fill in the series number in the search field (do not include the last extensions such as -12 in XLG-150-12)
3. Click the search button
4. Click on the PDF icon to open the specification

5. Click on report

6. Click on the model and scroll down:

7. The Capacitor life cycle calculation is shown on the last page of the report in the chapter Reliability test

Question 28

How can I estimate the lifetime of the power supply in my application?

admin · Accepted Answer

The Capacitor life cycle calculation is considered as the key indicator for the lifetime of the power supply. Please refer to the test report of the power supply on www.meanwell.com for the capacitor life cycle calculation.

As a rule of thumb, every 10dC increase the lifetime will be cut in half and vice versa for every 10dC decrease in temperature.

In the above example, if the power supply is used at 75dC at Ta 40dC, the estimated lifetime would be 2*104095 Hrs ~200K hrs.

Question 29

How to read a derating curve?

admin · Accepted Answer

In MEAN WELL’s specification you can find 2 derating curves, in below example the 300W open frame power supply: EPP-300

The Derating Curve with the Ambient Temperature vs. Load
The Derating Curve with the Input Voltage vs. Load

In this Curve one can find that the maximum load of this power supply is 300W at 50dC when an external air flow of 20.5CFM is applied. For temperatures exceeding 50dC, 60dC for example additional derating need to be applied, in above case at 60dC the maximum load would be 225W. (50dC 300W, 70dC 150W => from 50dC to 60dC: 75W derating)

In case this power supply would be used at 90VAC input, a derating of 80% must be applied. So, in previous example with the 20.5CFM forced air the max load would be 240W. In case of an ambient temperature of 60dC and a 90VAC input the maximum rated power would be 225W * 0.8 = 180W with 20.5CFM forced air.

If the power supply is used in an application without additional forced Air, the power supply will be derated to 200W till a maximum temperature of 50dC
In case it will be powered by a 90VAC input the power supply has to be additionally derated to 80% of the 200W = 160W max

Question 30

What is MTBF? What is DMTBF? How is this different from the Life Cycle?

admin · Accepted Answer

MTBF (Mean Time Between Failure) and Life Cycle are both indicators of reliability. MTBF can be calculated by two different methodologies, which are “part count” and “stress analysis”. The regulations, MIL-HDBK-217F Notice 2 and TELCORDIA SR/TR-332(Bellcore) are commonly used to calculate MTBF. MIL-HDBK-217F is a United States military standard, and TELCORDIA SR/TR-332(Bellcore) is a commercial regulation. MEAN WELL utilize MIL-HDBK-217F(Stress Analysis) as the core of MTBF. The exact meaning of MTBF is, after continuously using the power supply for a certain amount of time, the average time that the probability of proper operation is down to 36.8%（e-1=0.368）. Currently MEAN WELL is adopting MIL-HDBK-217F, to predict the expected reliability through Stress Analysis (excluding fans); this MTBF means the probability of the product can continue the normal work after working continuously up to the calculated MTBF time is 36.8% (e-1=0.368). If the power supply is continuously used at double the MTBF time, the probability of proper operation becomes 13.5%（e-2=0.135.

DMTBF (Demonstrated Mean Time Between Failures) is a way of evaluating MTBF in a relatively short period of time based on accelerated deterioration (high stress, high temperature) tests under specific parameters and conditions. Please refer to the following equation for MTBF calculation.
This method compares to the previous methods, this calculation uses real test data to demonstrate the reliability of the power supply.

Where

MTBF： Mean Time Between Failure

X2：Can be found in chi-square distribution
N：Number of sampling
AF：Acceleration factor, which can be derived from acceleration factor equation.
Ae=0.6
K(Boltzmann Constant)=(eV/k)
T1：Rated temperature of specification. Note: Kelvin will be the unit use for calculation
T2：The temperature that is used in the meaning of acceleration, and the chosen temperature could not result in physical change in materials.

Note: Kelvin will be the unit use for calculation.

Life Cycle (Capacitor Life Cycle) is found by using the temperature rise of electrolytic capacitors under maximum operating temperature to estimate the approximate life of the power supply. For example, RSP-750-12 MTBF=109.1K hours(25°C); electrolytic capacitor C110 Life Cycle=213K hours (Ta=50℃).

MEAN WELL considers the capacitor lifecycle calculation as the most important indicator for the estimated lifetime. The (D)MTBF is the main indicator for the reliability of the power supply. For more information please see: Investigation of The Lifetime & Reliability of Power Supply -MEAN WELL EUROPE Switching Power Supply

Question 31

Where to find MEAN WELL Safety reports and CB reports?

Tom · Accepted Answer

MEAN WELL's safety reports, IEC reports and CB reports are not available online. In case you need these reports to validate your design with your certifying body, please contact your local MEAN WELL sales channel for support. If you are unable to get the support, please contact us via this website.

Question 32

Where to find MEAN WELL’s User Manual?

Valerie Wang · Accepted Answer

MEAN WELL’s User Manual can be found on www.meanwell.com
1. Go to products
2. Click on Installation Manual

3. Scroll down to find the user manuals for the different product families.

Question 33

Where to find MEAN WELL’s Safety Certifications?

Valerie Wang · Accepted Answer

MEAN WELL’s Safety certifications can be found on www.meanwell.com

Use the search function on the website
Fill in the series number in the search field (do not include the last extentions suchs as -12 in XLG-150-12
Click the search button

4. Click on the PDF Link

5. Click on the top on the certificate
6. All available certificates are shown and will show up once clicked upon

Question 34

Where to find MEAN WELL’s CE declarations?

Valerie Wang · Accepted Answer

MEAN WELL’s CE declarations can be found on www.meanwell.com

Use the search function on the website
Fill in the series number in the search field ( do not include the last extentions suchs as -12
Click the search button