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Series "PSE" Part 3 "Technical Standards"
What is "PSE" in AC adapters and switching power supplies? This is the third installment of a series that clearly explains it again. This time, it's about the technical standards of PSE.
Explanation of the Electrical Appliance and Material Safety Law and PSE
About the Technical Standards of PSE
We have previously explained PSE in Part 1 "What is PSE?" and Part 2 "About Electrical Appliances."
Please refer to the links below for past newsletters.
In this third installment of the series, we will explain about “Technical Standards”.
One of the obligations imposed on manufacturers and importers of electrical appliances is compliance with technical standards (Article 8, Paragraph 1), and the details are conveyed in the notice “Interpretation of Ministerial Ordinance Specifying Technical Standards for Electrical Appliances (July 1, 2013, Number 20130605-03 from the Commerce Bureau) (Revised: August 2, 2021, Number 20210802-04 from the Safety Bureau).”
Interpretation of the Ministerial Ordinance Specifying Technical Standards for Electrical Appliances
| PSE Annex | Contents |
|---|---|
Annex 1: Electric wires and electric heating wires Annex 2: Conduit, floor duct, wiring ducts and accessories Annex 3: Fuses Annex 4: Wiring devices Annex 5: Current limiters Annex 6: Small single-phase transformers and ballasts for discharge lamps Annex 7: Small AC motors Annex 8: Replaceable electrical machinery and portable generators Annex 9: Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries Annex 10: Noise level Annex 11: Maximum operating temperature of insulating materials used in electrical appliances | Technical content that satisfies the technical requirements specified in the Ministerial Ordinance Specifying Technical Standards for Electrical Appliances. → "Japan-specific standards" (Former Article 1 of the Ministerial Ordinance on Technical Standards) |
| Annex 12: Standards conforming to international standards | Standards conforming to international standards. → Mainly JIS standards harmonized with IEC standards (Former Article 2 of the Ministerial Ordinance on Technical Standards) |
Annex 1 to Annex 11 are standards uniquely set by Japan, while Annex 12 conforms to international standards.
Our AC/DC Power Adapters — Desktop & Wall-Mount products:
・Annex 8 and Annex 10 ← Applied Japanese technical standards (Former Article 1 of the Ministerial Ordinance on Technical Standards)
・Annex 12 ← Applied technical standards based on international standards (Former Article 2 of the Ministerial Ordinance on Technical Standards)
In either case, it is possible to obtain a Certificate of Equivalent Compliance.
Below is an example of a Certificate of Equivalent Compliance.
Certificate applying Annex 8 and Annex 10
Certificate applying Annex 12
Both standards, Annex 8 and Annex 10 (Japan-specific technical standards) and Annex 12 (standards conforming to international standards), can be applied for products sold in Japan. You can choose according to your usage and device specifications.
The requirements for items such as creepage distance, clearance, and insulation distance on circuit boards differ between Annex 8 (Japan-specific standards) and Annex 12 (international standard), and Annex 8 is generally stricter. Also, Annex 8 imposes constraints (standards) on DC plugs used as output connectors. Once development of an AC/DC Power Adapters — Desktop & Wall-Mount has started, it may be difficult to change technical standards midway if requirements change. Please be aware of this.
Inspection costs and inspection days required for obtaining a Certificate of Equivalent Compliance also differ. Please consult our sales team for details on each project.