繁體中文ENGLISH简体中文
FAQ Home / FAQ

Frequent Asked Questions

An AC-DC power supply is a device that converts alternating current (AC) from the mains (e.g., 110V or 220V) into direct current (DC). Most electronic devices—such as computers, LED lights, and controllers—require DC to operate, and the AC-DC power supply provides this stable output.
DC-DC Converter converts one DC voltage level to another, providing stable outputs for battery-powered systems or multi-voltage applications.
｜AC-DC power supplies convert the AC from a wall outlet or power grid into DC that electronic devices require to operate. ｜DC-DC converters, on the other hand, take an existing DC voltage and adjust it to a different DC voltage level—either stepping it up, stepping it down, or regulating it as needed. ｜Think of it this way: An AC-DC power supply is like a translator, converting one type of power (AC) into another (DC). A DC-DC converter is like a regulator, fine-tuning the voltage of the DC power you already have.
According to customers’ installation methods and application needs, AC-DC power supplies are categorized as follows: ｜Enclosed Type — With casing protection and heat dissipation, suitable for harsh environments or industrial equipment. ｜DIN Rail Type — Easy to mount on control cabinets, widely used in industrial automation. ｜Open Frame Type — Compact size, commonly integrated into systems or medical devices. ｜Adapter Type — Portable design, widely used in ICT devices and consumer electronics.
According to customers’ installation methods and application needs, DC-DC converters are categorized as follows: ｜Enclosed Type — With protective casing and enhanced thermal design, ideal for industrial environments. ｜DIN Rail Type — Easy to mount on control cabinets, widely used in industrial automation. ｜Open Frame Type — Compact size, suitable for integration inside systems or enclosures. ｜On-Board Module — Standardized modules, available in both potted and non-potted versions. ｜PCB Type — Designed for direct installation on printed circuit boards, enabling compact system designs.
Yes. A common setup is to use AC-DC to convert mains power to DC, then use DC-DC converters to generate multiple voltage rails for the system.
In the power supply industry, output power is generally categorized into three levels: ｜Low Power (<50W): Used in embedded systems, IoT (Internet of Things) devices such as smart home sensors, wearables, and smart meters, as well as communication modules. ｜Mid Power (50–200W): Common in industrial control, medical monitoring, and networking equipment. ｜High Power (>200W): Widely used in industrial automation, servers, data centers, railway, and transportation systems.
ABES's products are widely used in industrial automation, medical equipment, communication systems, railway, and transportation sectors.
Consider input voltage range, output power requirements, safety certifications, and application conditions such as temperature, humidity, and cooling method.
A 20–30% power margin is recommended to handle temperature rise and peak loads, ensuring long-term stability.
｜Convection Cooling Principle: Uses natural airflow to dissipate heat. Advantages: No fan, silent operation, high reliability (no moving parts). Limitations: Limited cooling capacity, suitable for low-to-mid power or noise-sensitive applications. Applications: Medical devices, test instruments, office/home electronics. ｜Fan Cooling Principle: Uses forced airflow from a fan for enhanced heat dissipation. Advantages: Supports higher output power and more compact designs. Limitations: Fan has limited lifetime, may introduce noise and dust issues. Applications: Industrial automation, servers, telecom equipment, high-power systems. ABES Recommendation: For applications requiring long-term reliability and low maintenance, convection-cooled models are recommended. For higher power levels or harsh environments, fan-cooled models are preferred.
AC-DC power supplies often include components like large capacitors or fans, which can shorten lifespan under high temperatures. DC-DC converters are usually smaller, with fewer such parts, so they are generally more reliable over long-term use.
ABES power supplies typically include protections such as OVP (Over Voltage Protection), OCP (Over Current Protection), and OTP (Over Temperature Protection).
Most products automatically recover once abnormal conditions are removed (e.g., OCP, OTP). Some models may require manual restart.
ABES power supplies typically feature OVP, OCP, and OTP. ｜Auto Recovery: Most models auto recover once abnormal conditions such as OCP or OTP are removed. ｜Manual Restart: In certain cases, to ensure safety, the unit must be restarted manually. Examples include: ｜OVP (Over Voltage Protection) — The system latches off to protect the load. ｜Persistent severe fault — The supply enters a latch state and requires a power cycle. ｜Customized latch designs — Some models adopt latch mode per customer request for enhanced safety and traceability.
A high-efficiency AC-DC power supply provides: ｜Reduced energy consumption — Lower electricity costs and carbon emissions. ｜Less heat generation — Smaller cooling requirements. ｜Longer lifespan — Reduced thermal stress on components. For example, increasing efficiency from 85% to 92% on a 200W unit can save significant energy annually and reduce system temperature rise.
ABES power supplies achieve efficiency levels of up to 94%. High efficiency means: ｜Lower energy consumption — saving electricity costs and reducing environmental impact. ｜Less heat generation — improving system stability and lowering cooling requirements. ｜Enhanced reliability — reducing thermal stress on components extends product lifespan.
High-efficiency power supplies provide multiple cost advantages: ｜Lower energy bills — reduced electricity consumption. ｜Reduced cooling costs — less heat generation lowers system cooling requirements. ｜Extended system lifetime — lower thermal stress reduces replacement and maintenance costs. ｜Regulatory compliance — helps customers meet energy-saving and environmental standards.
Efficiency depends not only on output power but also on circuit topology and cost. Typically: ｜Low Power (<50W): 80–88%, some designs as low as ~80%. ｜Mid Power (50–200W): 88–92%. ｜High Power (>200W): 92–94%, and even higher with optimized designs.Actual values vary depending on circuit topology and application requirements.
ABES DC-DC converters offer 4:1 (e.g., 9–36V, 18–75V) and 8:1 (e.g., 9–75V) input ranges.｜ The 4:1 type is widely used in industrial control and telecom systems, while the 8:1 type covers wider voltage fluctuations and is ideal for railway and transportation systems requiring high reliability.
GaN (Gallium Nitride) is a new semiconductor material with high electron mobility and a high breakdown voltage, allowing for high-frequency, high-efficiency operation. Compared to traditional silicon (Si) devices, GaN enables smaller, more efficient power supplies with reduced heat generation.
GaN technology is widely applied in: ｜Fast chargers and USB-PD adapters — High efficiency, compact design. ｜High power density AC-DC supplies — For industrial and telecom. ｜Server and data center power supplies — Reducing energy and cooling costs. ｜Renewable energy & EV charging — Supporting high-voltage, high-efficiency conversion.
ABES has already adopted GaN technology in its 65W AC-DC power supply, achieving higher efficiency and a more compact design. We are also evaluating the use of GaN in next-generation high power density AC-DC supplies and fast-charging solutions, combining ABES’s proven design expertise with GaN advantages to provide customers with high-performance and highly reliable products.
According to IEC 61000-3-2, AC-DC power supplies with input power ≥75W are generally required to include PFC circuitry to reduce harmonic distortion on the mains. Some ABES series feature built-in active PFC, suitable for industrial, medical, and communication applications.
｜Passive PFC: Uses inductors or capacitors, larger in size, lower cost, power factor typically around 0.7–0.8. ｜Active PFC: Uses switching devices and control circuits, more compact, achieves >0.95 power factor, meets global standards, suitable for >75W medium- to high-power applications.
PFC is not only a regulatory requirement but also a key advantage for long-term system operation: ｜Lower electricity costs — A higher power factor means more efficient use of electricity, reducing reactive power losses and improving overall utilization. ｜Reduced mains pollution — PFC decreases harmonic current, minimizing interference with the grid and other equipment, in compliance with IEC 61000-3-2. Improved system reliability — Current waveform becomes closer to a sine wave, reducing component stress and heat, thus extending product lifespan. ｜Compliance with global markets — Regions such as the EU, US, and China mandate PFC for >75W power supplies; using built-in PFC helps accelerate market access. ｜ABES AC-DC power supplies (such as the TES300A series) are designed with PFC in mind to help customers reduce energy consumption, improve performance, and comply with global standards.
｜Industrial power supplies focus on durability, output stability, and the ability to withstand harsh conditions such as high temperature, voltage fluctuations, and electromagnetic interference. They are commonly used in automation equipment, industrial control systems, and communication devices. ｜Medical power supplies, in addition to efficiency and reliability, must comply with IEC 60601-1 safety standards, which impose strict limits on leakage current, insulation distance, and protection levels (MOOP/MOPP) to ensure the safety of both patients and operators.
｜IEC 62368-1 Applies to industrial and ICT products Focuses on protection against electrical shock, fire, and mechanical hazards Commonly used in industrial control, telecom, and consumer electronics ｜IEC 60601-1 Applies specifically to medical equipment Requires stricter limits on leakage current, insulation, and creepage/clearance distances Defines MOOP and MOPP Ensures the safety of both patients and medical staff
｜MOOP (Means of Operator Protection) — Protection for equipment operators; safety requirements are less stringent. ｜MOPP (Means of Patient Protection) — Protection for patients; stricter requirements on insulation, creepage/clearance, and leakage current. In medical power supply design, MOPP provides a higher level of protection than MOOP, and the appropriate level must be selected based on the application.
Inrush current refers to the high surge current that occurs when a power supply is first energized, as input capacitors charge. Key considerations: ｜Switch capacity — Must withstand the surge. ｜Fuse selection — Use time-delay fuses that tolerate inrush. ｜Multiple units in parallel — Simultaneous startup adds inrush currents together.
MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures) indicates product reliability. A higher MTBF means the power supply is more durable and stable under normal operation. It is typically calculated based on the failure rate (FIT value – Failures In Time per 10⁹ device hours) of each component, then summed and converted for the entire unit.
MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures) is a statistical measure of reliability and expected lifetime, not the actual warranty period. Warranty is the manufacturer’s commitment to repair or replace the product within a defined period, typically 1–3 years. While MTBF may indicate tens of thousands of hours, it should not be confused with the warranty coverage.
Our products are certified to IEC/EN/UL 62368-1 with approvals from agencies such as UL and TÜV. In addition, certain models are designed in accordance with IEC 60601-1 medical standards to meet safety requirements for medical applications.
ABES DC-DC converters support wide input voltage ranges, currently available in 4:1 (e.g., 9–36V, 18–75V) and 8:1 (e.g., 9–75V) types, providing flexibility for diverse power systems and application environments.
For returned products, we perform failure analysis and provide an FA report to help customers understand root causes and improvement measures.
An ABES FA report typically consists of six major sections: ｜Fault Statement — Description of the failure symptoms and customer feedback. ｜Appearance Inspection — Visual check for burn marks, discoloration, abnormal odor, etc. ｜Electrical Measurement — Verification of abnormal points through voltage, current, and key component testing. ｜Cause of Fault — Root cause analysis identifying failure reasons (e.g., component failure, environment, misuse). ｜Repair Detail — Records of repair steps and replaced components. ｜Repair Result — Post-repair test results and confirmation of restored functionality.
If an issue occurs, please contact our technical support team.(sales@abes.com.tw) We will conduct failure analysis (FA) and provide repair, replacement, or improvement solutions.
The standard warranty repair process at ABES includes: 1.Product Return — Customer provides product details and returns the unit with RMA authorization. 2.Initial Check — Basic inspection to confirm the reported issue. 3.Failure Analysis (FA) — Detailed root cause investigation and documentation. 4.FA Report — A report is shared with the customer, including findings and corrective measures. 5.Repair or Replacement — Depending on the case, the product is repaired or replaced. 6.Return Shipment — The unit is tested, verified, and shipped back to the customer.
The standard warranty period for ABES products is 3 years.
During the warranty period, failures caused by manufacturing defects are covered with free repair or replacement. Beyond warranty or in cases of misuse/environmental damage, repair charges may apply and are quoted case by case.
Customers should apply for an RMA number and provide details such as model, serial number, and failure description for efficient processing.
ABES supports low-volume purchasing and sample requests to help customers with: ｜Product testing and evaluation ｜System integration and design validation ｜New project development We also offer flexible MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity) policies to better support customer needs in the early stages of product evaluation.
Yes. ABES offers customization of output voltage, mechanical design, and safety approvals to meet project-specific requirements.
ODM focuses on design and R&D, OEM focuses on manufacturing. ABES offers both.
At ABES, the overall ODM/OEM process includes requirement review → specification design → sample build → safety certification → pilot run → mass production, fully managed by a dedicated project manager. Details are handled case by case with customers to ensure the best alignment and project efficiency.
You can reach us via the ABES website inquiry form (Contact Us) or by email at sales@abes.com.tw. Our sales team will get back to you as soon as possible.

COMPANY INFO

  • No. 72, Ping'an Rd., Anxi Vil., Xiushui Township, Changhua County , Taiwan (R.O.C.)
  • 886-4-7625305
  • sales@abes.com.tw

COPYRIGHT © ABES Technology Co., Ltd.. | DESIGN BY E-GIANT, B2B GLOBAL-TRADE, GLOBAL MACHINE, GLOBAL BICYCLE, HIGO SHOPPING.