How high a temperature can an outdoor power supply withstand

How hot can a high temperature power supply withstand?

We qualify and derate our high temperature components significantly for the application. Our standard and custom high temperature power supplies range from 2.5V up to 150kV and, in some instances, they can withstand temperatures of up to 225°C.

Why should a power supply have a wide operating temperature range?

Depending on the application, a power supply with a wide operating temperature range may provide better reliability and a longer operating lifetime, prevent the need for a cooling fan or other special design consideration for thermal management, and reduce the overall cost of your system.

How does temperature affect the reliability of a power supply?

Since your power supply has a specific efficiency, energy will inevitably be wasted as heat (in watts), which will lead to an increase of ambient temperature within a system. This will decrease the reliability of the supplies’ components. High temperature environments can also cause insulators to fail and mechanical connections to loosen.

What temperature should a commercial power supply be rated?

Typical commercial power supplies are specified to support their full rated load over an ambient temperature range from zero or minus 25 degrees Celsius to around 50 degrees Celsius, and they may derate to 50% load at 70 degrees Celsius.

Do power supplies need to be housed outside?

Power supplies need to be housed outdoors, where the extreme heat of the summer and the extreme cold of the winter will both be present. Power supplies heat themselves up at different rates and intensities, and environmental influences will impact how quickly a power supply is exposed to high temperatures.

What is a good ambient temperature for a power supply?

Some applications may require ambient operating temperatures as low as -40 degrees Celsius and as high as +85 degrees Celsius, or an even wider range. A number of factors can influence the ambient temperature that a power supply is subjected to in a given application, including the following: