On August 19, 2022, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued a notice updating its energy efficiency testing procedures for External adapters (EPS). The new procedures went into effect on September 19, 2022, and will become mandatory on February 15, 2023.

External Power Supply DOE energy efficiency test procedures are mainly updated as follows:

• Updated the definition of external adapter, not include commercial and industrial power supply;

• Updated EPS DOE scope, not apply to external power supplies for which the primary load of the converted voltage within the device is not delivered to a separate end-use product, i.e., products in which the primary load of converted voltage is delivered within the device itself to execute the primary function of the device. Examples of excluded products may include, but are not limited to, consumer electronics with USB outputs and lighting products with USB outputs;

• Updated the requirements of the output cord. If a separate wire or cord is provided by the manufacturer to connect the external power supply to an end-use product, use this wire or cord and perform tests at the end of the cord that connects to an end-use product. If the external power supply is not supplied with a wire or cord and for which the manufacturer does not recommend one, the EPS must be tested with a 3-foot-long output wire or cord with a conductor thickness that is minimally sufficient to carry the maximum required current;

• EPS test methods were divided into two categories, moves instructions for non-adaptive EPSs to section 5 of appendix Z and adds a new section 6 for testing all adaptive EPSs;

• For single-voltage EPSs with multiple-output busses, refer to the derating factor D of Generalized Test Protocol for Calculating the Energy Efficiency of Internal Ac-Dc Power Supplies Revision 6.7 to provide consistent loading conditions;

• Added the instructions for disconnecting non-EPS functions during testing as long as the disconnecting does not affect the ability of EPS.

The link of the official website for the regulation:

https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2022-08-19/pdf/2022-15975.pdf

BACL expert's suggestion:

After September 19, 2022, the test procedure will become effective and the DOE report will be submitted to the DOE CCMS system by adopting the latest test procedure. After February 15, 2023, all certified external power adapters need to start the DOE standard upgrade work as soon as possible. Our technical experts suggest that you prepare the list of certified models of relevant external power adapters and start the upgrade certification work as soon as possible.

BACL Service:

BACL is the Energy Star testing laboratory, certification body, and verification testing laboratory accredited by the EPA. At the same time we obtain the authorization and recognition of NVLAP (Lab Code: 200707-0), IAS (Accreditation No.:TL-460, TL-749), CNAS (Registration No.: L2408, L5662, L6290, L9963, L11432, IB0343), A2LA(Certificate No.: 3297.01, 3297.02, 3297.03, 4821.01, 4820.01, 4324.01, 4323.01), and so on. Respectively have testing sites in US, Shenzhen, Dongguan and Kunshan, such places. With the ability to complete the energy efficiency aging detection of 60,000 lights at the same time. BACL is currently a large-scale energy efficiency testing laboratory in China.

We can provide you with testing and certification service, such as US Energy Star, DLC, DOE, CEC Title20, CEC Title24, LDL, FTC Label, European Union ErP, Canada NRCan, UK EST, Australia GEMS/VEET/IPART, Energy Efficiency Label ELI, Hong Kong Energy Efficiency Label and etc.