Key Criteria for Selecting an Enclosed AC/DC Power Supply

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Introduction

Enclosed AC/DC power supplies are a widely adopted solution across numerous segments of modern electronics, including light industrial automation, industrial control systems, LED lighting, communication equipment, and security systems. Their widespread adoption is driven by their ability to provide a strong balance of cost-effectiveness, robustness, ease of integration, reliability, and efficiency.

Figure 1: Various Yingjiao Power Supplies

However, selecting the right power supply is not a trivial task. Beyond output voltage and rated power, factors such as available space, thermal environment, energy efficiency, regulatory compliance, and the need for advanced features such as power factor correction (PFC) or battery backup must also be considered. In this context, a well-structured portfolio spanning multiple product series, such as that offered by Yingjiao, enables designers to tailor the selection to the specific requirements of each application.

The following section outlines the key criteria for selecting the most suitable power supply for a given project and recommends the appropriate Yingjiao series for each application scenario:

1. Required Power and Load Profile

The starting point for selecting the appropriate power supply is to determine the system’s actual power requirements, taking into account the following aspects:

  • Continuous power consumption
  • Start-up inrush peaks
  • Potential future expansions

It is recommended to apply a 20–30% safety margin, particularly in industrial applications or those involving inductive loads.

Recommended Yingjiao series

  • Standard Series (YSI 35–350W): ideal for general-purpose applications with no special requirements, where cost-to-performance ratio is a priority. Available in sizes ranging from 6 × 5 × 3 cm to 21 × 11 × 5 cm.
  • Fanless & PFC Series (YEF 200–1000W): suitable for higher power levels or continuous operation, where thermal management and efficiency are critical (see Section 4, Thermal Management).

2. Mechanical Format and Space Constraints

In compact designs, the physical format of the power supply can be just as critical as its electrical characteristics. Available height, terminal layout, and ventilation all have a direct impact on the selection process.

Recommended series

  • Low Profile (YEL 35–600W): designed for equipment with severe height constraints, such as low-profile metal enclosures or embedded systems. Notably, Yingjiao’s YEL 600W series features a height of only 4 cm, making it ideal for applications that require high power density without compromising mechanical design constraints.
  • Low Profile & PFC (YEP 75–750W): when low profile requirements must be combined with compliance to efficiency standards and power factor correction, particularly in systems permanently connected to the mains. Yingjiao’s YEP 750W series also maintains a 4 cm height, offering a highly compact solution for applications requiring both high power and reduced dimensions.

3. Energy Efficiency and Power Factor Correction (PFC)

Current regulations and market demands are driving the adoption of more efficient power supplies with lower losses and improved grid performance. Active PFC becomes especially relevant in:

  • Higher-power equipment
  • Installations with multiple power supplies connected to the same grid
  • Applications subject to stricter IEC/EN regulatory standards

Recommended series

  • Fanless & PFC (YEF 200–1000W): for designs requiring high efficiency and reduced thermal dissipation without forced-air cooling (see Section 4, Thermal Management).
  • Low Profile & PFC (YEP 75–750W): when efficiency and power factor correction requirements must be combined with mechanical constraints.

4. Thermal Management and Operating Environment

Many enclosed power supplies operate inside sealed housings, control cabinets with limited ventilation, or environments with no airflow. In these cases, ambient temperature and heat dissipation become critical factors for long-term reliability.

Key aspects to evaluate:

  • Operating temperature range
  • Derating curves
  • Cooling method (conduction, natural convection)

Special attention must be given to fanless series, which do not include an internal fan for heat dissipation. According to Yingjiao’s technical documentation, it is recommended to install an aluminum plate and an external fan to improve heat dissipation, particularly in higher-power models. Otherwise, operation may exceed the limits of the derating curve, potentially leading to overheating issues.

Recommended series

  • Fanless & PFC (YEF 200–1000W): designed for silent and reliable operation in demanding industrial environments, reducing failure points associated with fans and combining thermal management through conduction and natural convection.
  • Standard and Low Profile (YSI 15–360W & YEL 35–600W): suitable for more controlled environments where primary heat dissipation relies on natural or forced convection.

5. Safety, Reliability, and Critical Applications

In certain applications—such as access control systems, video surveillance, or basic infrastructure—the power supply is a direct part of the system’s safety chain.

These applications require:

  • High reliability
  • Advanced protection features (overload, overvoltage, battery low)
  • Battery backup capability

Recommended series

  • Security & UPS (YEC 35–155W): specifically designed for electronic security systems where service continuity is critical and battery backup is required in the event of mains failure. These solutions are intended for continuous operation and sensitive loads.

They enable system designers to integrate power backup functionality without the need for external modules.

6. Electrical Protection and System Robustness

A properly selected power supply must protect both itself and the connected electronics. The most common protection features include:

  • Short circuit protection (SCP)
  • Overload protection (OCP)
  • Overvoltage protection (OVP)
  • Thermal protection (OTP)

The required protection level depends directly on the criticality of the application and the electrical environment.

Yingjiao’s portfolio ranges from standard solutions with essential protections to series designed for critical applications where robustness is a key requirement.

Practical Summary of Yingjiao Series Selection

In simplified terms:

Standard Series (YSI 15–350W): general-purpose, cost-optimized applications

Low Profile (YEL 35–600W): limited space or height constraints

Low Profile & PFC (YEP 75–750W): compact design + efficiency compliance

Fanless & PFC (YEF 200–1000W): high power, efficiency, reliability, and continuous operation

Security & UPS (YEC 35–155W): electronic security systems and applications requiring power continuity

Series
General purpose
Dimensions (cm)
Continuous operation (24/7)
Efficiency
Power rating
Security
Standard series (YSI)
Recommended
6x5x3 ~ 22x12x5
Not recommended
≤ 85%
≤ 350W
Not recommended
Low Profile (YEL)
Not recommended
8x7x3 ~ 23x12x4
Not recommended
≤ 93%
≤ 600W
Not recommended
Low Profile & PFC (YEP)
Not recommended
16x10x3 ~ 27x13x4
Not always
≤ 92%
≤ 750W
Not recommended
Fanless & PFC (YEF)
Not recommended
20x6x2.6 ~ 24x12x4
Not always
≤ 95%
≤ 1000W
Not recommended
Security & UPS (YEC)
Not recommended
9x6x3 ~ 20x11x5
ALways
≤ 85%
≤ 155W
Recommended

Final Summary

Selecting an enclosed AC/DC power supply should be approached as a strategic design decision rather than a simple component choice. Proper analysis of the application, operating environment, and regulatory requirements significantly improves system reliability and reduces long-term costs.

A well-structured portfolio such as Yingjiao’s—organized into clearly differentiated product series for specific use cases—greatly simplifies this process. For designers and system integrators, this range of options, combined with strong customization capabilities, translates into flexibility, design optimization, and increased confidence in component selection.

Eurotronix, power supply specialists since 1986

Eurotronix is the official distributor of Yingjiao in Spain and Portugal, providing technical and commercial support through its team of Product Managers and dedicated power supply FAEs.

Authors

Javier González

Power Supplies Product Manager

Néstor Galera

Field Application Engineer (FAE) for electronic components

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