Safe Handling of AC/DC Power Adapter Part 2 "Do Not Overcool"

With the arrival of full-fledged winter, the usage environment for AC/DC Power Adapter is likely becoming colder. We are introducing safe handling practices for AC/DC Power Adapter. In Part 2, we feature "Do Not Overcool." We summarize the effects of low-temperature usage environments on AC/DC Power Adapter. Please take a look.

AC/DC Power Adapter & Switching Power Supply manufacturer UNIFIVE.
This "UNIFIVE Adapter NEWS (No. 9)" is about...
The second installment of the AC/DC Power Adapter "Do Not" series is "Do not overcool."

Please pay attention to the operating ambient temperature of your AC/DC Power Adapter

Among the investigation requests we receive from customers, there are cases in winter where they report, "There is no output first thing in the morning (it does not start up)." ...You can probably guess the cause already: the cold (low temperature).

Previously, we received a call from a customer in the Shinshu area saying, "AC/DC Power Adapter sometimes does not start," and we arranged a meeting on site. The scenery from the train window on the way from Tokyo showed that the autumn leaves had already fallen, and it was almost early winter... Yes, mornings and evenings in Shinshu were quite cold.

In winter, in a thoroughly cold environment...

To make matters worse, the AC/DC Power Adapter at that time was used in a place without heating equipment, and the device was operated only about 3 to 4 times a day for approximately 5 minutes each time. For the AC/DC Power Adapter left in a thoroughly cold environment, mornings were the hardest... or rather, it was vulnerable to the cold.

To prevent such problems, we kindly ask our customers to pay attention to the following points when using the AC/DC Power Adapter:

  1. Please use within the specified temperature range (general electrical Products are 0~40°C)
  2. After leaving it in a low-temperature environment, allow it to acclimate to the specified temperature before starting
  3. To prevent condensation, do not warm it up rapidly from a cold state

Components vulnerable to cold: semiconductors

By the way, did you know that among the components used in AC/DC Power Adapter, those most susceptible to low temperatures are aluminum electrolytic capacitors and semiconductors such as ICs?

In particular, aluminum electrolytic capacitors in low-temperature environments tend to have significantly higher impedance compared to normal temperature environments. Furthermore, when used outside the specified low-temperature range, the output ripple voltage may become extremely large due to this effect, preventing the AC/DC Power Adapter from achieving normal performance characteristics. Please exercise sufficient caution.

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