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Correctly testing power supplies is a complex procedure and KitGuru have configured a test bench which can deliver up to a 2,000 Watt DC load.
We test ambient temperatures at 35c in our environment to greater reflect warmer internal chassis conditions.
We use combinations of the following hardware:
• SunMoon SM-268
• CSI3710A Programmable DC load (+3.3V and +5V outputs)
• CSI3711A Programmable DC load (+12V1, +12V2, +12V3, and +12V4)
• Extech Power Analyzer
• Extech MultiMaster MM570 digital multimeter
• Extech digital sound level meter
• Digital oscilloscope (20M S/s with 12 Bit ADC)
• Variable Autotransformer, 1.4 KVA
|
DC Output Load Regulation
|
||||||||||
|
Combined DC Load |
+3.3V
|
+5V
|
+12V
|
+5VSB
|
-12V | |||||
|
A
|
V
|
A
|
V
|
A
|
V
|
A
|
V
|
A | V | |
|
120W
|
0.90
|
3.34
|
0.93
|
5.03
|
8.95
|
12.04
|
0.50
|
5.01
|
0.20
|
-12.01
|
|
240W
|
1.62
|
3.34
|
1.63
|
5.03
|
18.45
|
12.04
|
1.00
|
5.02
|
0.20
|
-12.01
|
| 600W |
3.00
|
3.34
|
3.11
|
5.03
|
46.78
|
12.02
|
1.50
|
5.01
|
0.30
|
-12.01
|
| 900W |
4.01
|
3.34
|
4.05
|
5.03
|
70.86
|
12.00
|
2.00
|
5.01
|
0.30
|
-12.02
|
|
1200W
|
5.02
|
3.33
|
5.20
|
5.02
|
94.57
|
11.99
|
2.50
|
5.01
|
0.30
|
-12.02
|
Load regulation is really in the top tier, holding within 1%.
| Seasonic Vertex GX 1200 | Maximum Load |
| 1412 Watts |
We managed to get another 212 Watts from the power supply before the protection circuitry kicked in. The supply was undamaged and it was ready to fire up again when we dropped the load to a more realistic level. It could deliver a constant 1,300 Watts for sustained periods of time, without a problem.
Next we want to try Cross Loading. This basically means loads which are not balanced. If a PC for instance needs 500W on the +12V outputs but something like 30W via the combined 3.3V and +5V outputs then the voltage regulation can fluctuate badly.
| Cross Load Testing | +3.3V | +5V | +12V | -12V | +5VSB | |||||
| A | V | A | V | A | V | A | V | A | V | |
| 1190W | 4.0 | 3.33 | 3.0 | 5.03 | 88.0 | 12.00 | 0.2 | -12.01 | 0.50 | 5.02 |
| 240W | 19.0 | 3.32 | 22.0 | 5.00 | 2.5 | 12.04 | 0.2 | -12.02 | 0.50 | 5.01 |
The Seasonic Vertex GX-1200 handled our cross load tests without any issues. When hit with 88 A the +12V rail held at a reference result of 12.00V.
We then used an oscilloscope to measure AC ripple and noise present on the DC outputs. We set the oscilloscope time base to check for AC ripple at both high and low ends of the spectrum. ATX12V V2.2 specification for DC output ripple and noise is defined in the ATX 12V power supply design guide.
|
ATX12V Ver 2.2 Noise/Ripple Tolerance
|
|
|
Output
|
Ripple (mV p-p)
|
|
+3.3V
|
50
|
|
+5V
|
50
|
|
+12V1
|
120
|
|
+12V2
|
120
|
|
-12V
|
120
|
|
+5VSB
|
50
|
Obviously when measuring AC noise and ripple on the DC outputs the cleaner (less recorded) means we have a better end result. We measured this AC signal amplitude to see how closely the unit complied with the ATX standard.
| AC Ripple (mV p-p) | ||||
| DC Load | +3.3V | +5V | +12V | 5VSB |
| 100W | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| 200W | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| 400W | 5 | 5 | 10 | 5 |
| 600W | 5 | 10 | 15 | 5 |
| 800W | 5 | 10 | 20 | 5 |
| 1000W | 5 | 10 | 20 | 10 |
| 1200W | 10 | 15 | 20 | 10 |
Ripple Suppression is excellent, peaking at 20mV on the +12V rail at full load. The +3.3V and +5V rails peak at 10mV and 15mV respectively. Superb all round results.
|
Efficiency (%)
|
|
|
100W
|
88.8
|
|
200W
|
89.2
|
|
400W
|
91.4
|
|
600W
|
92.3
|
|
800W
|
92.1
|
| 1000W | 91.8 |
| 1200W | 90.2 |
The overall efficiency results are excellent, peaking at over 94% between 40-60% load, and dropping to 91.5% at full load.
We take the issue of noise very seriously at KitGuru and this is why we have built a special home brew system as a reference point when we test noise levels of various components. Why do this? Well this means we can eliminate secondary noise pollution in the test room and concentrate on components we are testing. It also brings us slightly closer to industry standards, such as DIN 45635.
Today to test the Power Supply we have taken it into our acoustics room environment and have set our SkyTronic DSL 2 Digital Sound Level Meter (6-130dBa) one meter away from the unit. We have no other fans running so we can effectively measure just the noise from the unit itself.
As this can be a little confusing for people, here are various dBa ratings in with real world situations to help describe the various levels.
KitGuru noise guide
10dBA – Normal Breathing/Rustling Leaves
20-25dBA – Whisper
30dBA – High Quality Computer fan
40dBA – A Bubbling Brook, or a Refrigerator
50dBA – Normal Conversation
60dBA – Laughter
70dBA – Vacuum Cleaner or Hairdryer
80dBA – City Traffic or a Garbage Disposal
90dBA – Motorcycle or Lawnmower
100dBA – MP3 Player at maximum output
110dBA – Orchestra
120dBA – Front row rock concert/Jet Engine
130dBA – Threshold of Pain
140dBA – Military Jet takeoff/Gunshot (close range)
160dBA – Instant Perforation of eardrum
|
Noise (dBA)
|
|
|
100W
|
<28.0
|
|
200W
|
<28.0
|
|
400W
|
<28.0
|
|
600W
|
30.2
|
| 800W | 32.3 |
| 1000W | 34.2 |
| 1200W | 36.9 |
The large FDB fan in the Vertex GX only spins up as load increases and will idle completely in lower demand states. Once we hit around 600W load the unit started to actively create a bit more noise as the fan increased to compensate for rising temperatures. We imagine when we test the Platinum rated Vertex PX that the higher efficiency levels will mean the fan can operate at lower RPM throughout the range.
That said, the fan is not intrusive at all, and only at 1000W or more does it make its presence known. Inside a system, and with other fans in operation
Overall the tone and whine of the fan is relatively unobtrusive, even when spinning at higher speeds.
|
Temperature (c)
|
||
|
Intake
|
Exhaust
|
|
|
100W
|
35
|
38
|
|
200W
|
36
|
41
|
|
400W
|
38
|
45
|
|
650W
|
43
|
49
|
|
800W
|
45
|
53
|
| 1000W | 47 | 58 |
| 1200W | 50 | 62 |
The large FDB fan and high efficiency of the design ensure that the temperatures are always well maintained inside the chassis, even under high load situations.
|
Maximum load
|
Efficiency
|
|
1412W
|
88.7
|
Pushing the power supply above its rated limits generates an efficiency level of around 88.7%. Not a realistic situation to be running but interesting nonetheless.
