Hardware Secrets


Home | Camera | Case | CE | Cooling | CPU | Input | Memory | Mobile | Motherboard | Networking | Power | Storage | Video | Other
Content
Articles
Editorial
First Look
Gabriel’s Blog
News
Reviews
Tutorials
Main Menu
About Us
Awarded Products
Compare Prices
Datasheets
Dictionary
Download
Drivers
Facebook
Forums
Links
Manufacturer Finder
Newsletter
On The Web
RSS Feed
Test Your Skills
Twitter
Newsletter
Subscribe today!
Search




Recommended
Switching Power Supplies A to Z
Switching Power Supplies A to Z, by Sanjaya Maniktala (Newnes), starting at $94.17
Home » Power
Antec EarthWatts 500 W Power Supply Review
Author: Gabriel Torres
Type: Reviews Last Updated: February 18, 2008
Page: 5 of 10
Real-time pricing for Antec EA-500DGREEN.
Antec Green Energy-Efficient Power Supply EA500D EA-500D GREEN Electronics Usually ships in 24 hours
Amazon: $65.99 Newegg: $69.99
Buy.com: $65.24 Wal-Mart: $78.98

Secondary Analysis
Hardware Secrets Golden Award

This power supply uses four Schottky rectfiers on its secondary.



The +12 V output is produced by two SBR30A50CT Schottky rectifiers connected in parallel, which can deliver up to 30 A each (15 A per internal diode, measured at 110º C). The maximum theoretical current the +12 V line can deliver is given by the formula I / (1 - D), where D is the duty cycle used and I is the maximum current supported by the rectifying diode (which in this case is made by two 15 A diodes in parallel). Just as an exercise, we can assume a typical duty cycle of 30%. This would give us a maximum theoretical current of 43 A or 514 W for the +12 V output. The maximum current this line can really deliver will depend on other components, in particular the coil used.

The +5 V output is produced by one STPS30L30CT Schottky rectifier, which supports up to 30 A (15 A per internal diode, measured at 140º C). The maximum theoretical current the +5 V line can deliver is given by the formula I / (1 - D), where D is the duty cycle used and I is the maximum current supported by the rectifying diode (which in this case is made by one 15 A diode). Just as an exercise, we can assume a typical duty cycle of 30%. This would give us a maximum theoretical current of 21 A or 107 W for the +5 V output. The maximum current this line can really deliver will depend on other components, in particular the coil used.

The +3.3 V output is produced by another STPS30L30CT Schottky rectifier, which supports up to 30 A (15 A per internal diode, measured at 140º C). Using the same math this would translate into a maximum current of 21 A or 71 W.

Even though this power supply has a separated rectifier for the +3.3 V output, this rectifier is connected to the same transformer output as the +5 V line, so the maximum current +5 V and +3.3 V can pull together is limited by the transformer.

Antec EarthWatts 500 W
click to enlarge
Figure 11: Three of the four Schottky rectifiers used on the secondary. The other rectifier is on the other side of the heatsink.

This power supply uses a semiconductor thermal sensor, which is very small and installed on the solder side of the printed circuit board, between the transformer and the +12 V rectifiers. This sensor is used to control the fan speed according to the power supply internal temperature.

Antec EarthWatts 500 W
click to enlarge
Figure 12: Thermal sensor.

On this power supply the active PFC capacitor is rated at 85º C, while the electrolytic capacitors from the secondary are rated at 105º C and are manufactured by OST, a Taiwanese company.

« Previous |  Page 5 of 10  | Next »
Print Version | Send to Friend | Bookmark Article | Comments (10)

Related Content
  • SilverStone Strider ST50F 500 W Power Supply Review
  • Rocketfish 700 W Power Supply Review
  • Zalman ZM460B-APS 460 W Power Supply Review
  • Antec Basiq BP500U Power Supply Review
  • Antec High Current Gamer 750 W Power Supply Review

  • Recommended Deal.
    Ultra ULT-LSP750Ultra ULT-LSP750

    Ultra LSP750 750-Watt Power Supply ATX SATA-Ready SLI-Ready 135mm Fan Lifetime Warranty w/ Registration

    CompUSA: $74.99

    RSSLatest News
    Antec Announces the One PC Case
    February 9, 2012 - 8:06 AM PST
    Cooler Master Releases Elite 361 PC Case
    February 8, 2012 - 7:50 AM PST
    Microsoft Launches Kinect for Windows
    February 2, 2012 - 8:42 AM PST
    Transcend Announces SSD720 SSD Series
    February 1, 2012 - 7:55 AM PST
    .:: More News ::.


    © 2004-12, Hardware Secrets, LLC. All rights reserved.
    Advertising | Legal Information | Privacy Policy
    All times are Pacific Standard Time (PST, GMT -08:00)