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Get news on electrical power supplies from big tech companies

Some sites offering electrical power supplies news and views are maintained by leaders in the computer industry, whose products depend on the best electrical power supplies. Check out up-to-date pages for new offerings from power supply vendors, and learn what's hot and what's best for the specific computer technology your business employs.

I recommend: Get power supply info from big maker AMD. AMD hardware is shipped across the world and used in many systems. Get more information on system-compatible power supplies at computer giant Intel.

Find power supplies news from review and product sites

Independent tech sites also include power supplies news in their continually updated tech review topics. Look for upcoming power supply models, and more about how power supplies can help drive your business daily.

I recommend: The goal of the Hardware Secrets site is to break down complicated technology into terms the public can understand, and power supplies are covered regularly and reviewed. Get more revelations on types and models of power supplies available at the hardware review site Tom's Hardware.

Look for power supplies news from tech blogs

Blogs are another source of information on industrial power supply models, dc power supplies and more. Blogs can get you some unfiltered news and reviews, as well as independent information on uses for a linear power supply or similar product within a small business or home office.

I recommend: Check out the Power Guy Blog for news and tips concerning the latest from power supply manufacturers. Find out more power supplies news and trends from the Power-Supply Newsletter from Electronic Design.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Use your existing electrical power supplies tech setup as a guideline when looking for new or used DC power supplies. Rapid changes can overwhelm a business. Look at what you are currently using and proceed with knowledge about compatibility, output and projected results for keeping your shop running efficiently and safely.

Guide to Power Supplies

If you make electronics or use them, you need a power supply strategy.

By Selena Chavis, Owner, SC Communications, LLC

1. Resources for locating the best power supply distributors
2. Tips on choosing the best power supplies to meet business needs.
3. Information on high performance power supplies
4. Advice on choosing effective uninterruptible power supplies.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Choose the best computer power supplies

Analyze the output rating and power distribution of PC power supplies to match your current needs and prepare for expansion up the road. Computer power supplies of 250 W or greater will generally provide enough room for growth to meet most needs. Servers built with many CPUs and internal SCSI drives will require paying more attention to the voltage supplies.

I recommend: : ICP America is a provider of computer power supplies that provide a wide range of wattage options. AC power supplies and DC power supplies and converters are also available through reputable vendors like Advanced Power Solutions.

Choose industry standards for power supplies

Advancements in computer processors, the PCI Express bus and graphics cards mean that more power is required to operate them. The ATX12V standard was developed to accommodate this need.

I recommend: Intel is a leader in computer power supplies offering solutions for low consumption and high consumption. PC Power and Cooling also manufacturers a line of high wattage ATX12V computer power supplies as does Antec.

Meet high current, frequency and voltage needs for power supplies

Industrial uses of power supplies-like that of the telecommunications field, military and medical industry-will require applications to meet high current, frequency and voltage.

I recommend: Powerware offers a line of high performance power supplies covering such industries as industrial, medical and telecommunications. Computer Power Supply offers high voltage products, and Magnavolt Technologies offer high frequency AC power supplies. Glassman High Voltage is a leading supplier of high voltage DC power supplies.

Locate reputable distributors of power supplies

Do your homework. Compare brands and prices at various distributors of business and computer power supplies. Buying used power supplies can also be a smart option.

I recommend: Compare ratings of various distributors of PC power supplies and generators at Bizrate.com. Power Plus Technical Distributors and Sola/Hevi-Duty are good resources for computer power supplies as are the power supply distributor listings on Business.com. eBay provides comprehensive listings of new and used computer power supplies.

Protect IT resources with uninterruptible power supplies

To effectively monitor and regulate computer power supplies, uninterruptible power supplies are the IT professional's greatest asset. Uninterruptible power supplies can incorporate transient surge-suppression technology to prevent equipment damage and can stage the start-up of a generator to avoid circuit overload.

I recommend: : Liebert offers a line of smaller uninterruptible power supplies that can protect a single PC or a smaller workstation, producing between 200-650 VA. Toshiba offers a reputable line of larger systems, capable of running an entire data center, with ratings of between 1,000VA and up. Also choose from a list of uninterruptible power supply vendors offered on Business.com.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Consider such things as mechanical fit, thermal performance, fan operation and included accessories when choosing computer power supplies.
• •  Failure to use an ATX12V power supply may result in damage to the desktop board and/or power supply
• •  As mobile device manufacturers continue to develop features that require more power, businesses will want to take advantage of cutting edge power supply offerings. For example, battery extenders allow users to continue use of such devices as cell phones and PDAs as they recharge.

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Use linear power supplies for lab or shop equipment

Linear power supplies transform a current to a different voltage for use with specific equipment. Linear power supplies are used with computers and other gear like laboratory or machine shop equipment to regulate the current that goes into these devices.

I recommend: Get a variety of linear power supply models for computers and more at the Marlin P. Jones & Associates. Get other linear supply models like the Omega U24Y101 at power supply vendor American Laboratory Trading.

Use switched mode electrical power supplies for special features

A switched mode power supply (SMPS) uses power slicing to get more complex results for specialized equipment, with features like crowbar circuits to protect from over-fluctuation. Find these models for equipment that needs a great flexibility in energy consumption.

I recommend: Find a range of switched-mode or DC electrical power supply models at Galco Industrial Electronics and make buys right over the web from a catalog/shopping cart setup. Get more AC/DC or switched mode models from Outlet PC.

Find uninterruptible power supplies from online power supply vendors

Businesses like hospitals, welding shops and military labs use uninterruptible power supplies to assure the maximum safety and regulated power for specialized machines. The uninterruptible power supply is the premium product for making sure power will stay at a static level and consistently feed equipment.

I recommend: The experts at UPS For Less deliver great uninterruptible power supply solutions to businesses that need absolute dependability in electrical power supplies. Get more of these kinds of systems at Power Systems & Controls.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When surveying electrical power supplies and similar options, always think about how these tools will be compatible with the hardware you have. Often, the electrical interface requires some professional knowledge. If you are not electrically inclined, seek help from resident IT or even electrical trades professionals.

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Universal power supply

Many people use the terms Universal power supply and uninterruptible power supply interchangeably. However, a truly universal power supply can convert AC current to DC current or change one form of DC to another form. A universal power supply may or may not have a battery backup, while an uninterruptible power supply should have battery back up to provide power when the main source goes out.

I recommend: Integrated Power Design explains what a universal power supply is and offers one that will take input voltage from 85 to 260 volts AC and convert it to 3 to 15 volts DC. HowStuffWorks defines the role of a universal power supply for computer use and divides power supplies into two groups: standby and continuous.

DIN

DIN stands for Deutsche Institute fuer Normung, a member of International Standards Organization (ISO). A DIN rail is a standardized method of mounting a power supply and other electronic devices.

I recommend: For more information on DIN standards for power supplies, see GlobalSpec.

PCB

Printed circuit board (PCB) is a method of mounting a power supply. Other methods of mounting include open frame, internal or rack mounts.

I recommend: To get more on PCB mounting and to look at some PCB power supplies, go to Systems Development & Solutions.

Inverter

An inverter converts DC power, such as supplied by a battery, into AC power which outlets supply in your home.

I recommend: Affordable Solar Group furnishes an explanation of an inverter, how it works and its role as a back up and storage source for solar power.

Power converter

A power converter supplies current to an electronic device, but it also regulates the current to match the needs of the device. A power converter is another way of protecting computers and other devices that rely on a consistent supply of power.

I recommend: International Electronics lists three power converters and gives advice on how to select the correct one, along with other advice on dealing with 220 volt power used in Europe.

UL approved

Underwriter Laboratories (UL) tests products for safety issues. Products that pass the safety test get the UL-approved label. Electronic devices such as power supplies are among the many products that Underwriter Laboratories certifies.

I recommend: Visit the Underwriters Laboratories to get the full story on UL-approved tags. See Rejuvenation for a typical merchant selling UL approved fixtures, including a definition of UL-approved items. Hardware Secrets tells you how to find the real manufacturer of a power supply by accessing the UL label, which is helpful because it further explains how UL procedures can work for you.