FAQ

Follow this guide to correctly position your PSU.

Some may refer to DC-to-DC converter design as “Voltage Regulator Modules for the 3.3 V and 5 V lines”. DC-to-DC conversion achieved directly from the main 12 V DC line eliminates the need for additional transformer and brings higher efficiency and immediate response for the computer system. Instead of using two or more AC to DC transformers, a single high quality and capacity AC to 12 V DC transformer is applied to drop the AC voltages to low DC voltages suitable for computers. All the other DC voltages rails are derived from the 12 V DC line using DC to DC conversion.

What are the benefits of the DC-to-DC converter design?

1. High compatibility with zero minimum loads on each line.
2. Better cross regulation.
3. Maximum capacity of the 12 V current for extreme utilization
4. Higher efficiency and better dynamic response.

Power factor is the relationship between working (active) power and total power consumed (apparent power), expressed as the ratio of true AC input power to the apparent ac input power. Essentially, power factor is a measurement of how effectively electrical power is being used. A higher power factor represents a more effective use of electrical power. Power Factor Correction on a switching power supply controls the timing and wave shape of the input current drawn to maintain the current waveform approximately in phase with and of the same shape as the line voltage. This results in a power factor of approximately 1.0. This is important when electronic equipment consumes a significant amount of power, since otherwise the facility power system could exceed its current ratings for the power consumed and potentially impact other equipment on the same power system.

In average electronic equipment without PFC function, the PF is around 50 % only.

Active power factor correction is used to correct the power factor for non-linear loads. While passive PFC uses inductors or capacitor circuitry to reduce harmonic current, the maximum power factor stays only around 0.75. Non-linear PFC, however, employs active components (control circuitry and power sine conductor On/Off switch) to adjust the input current wave-form to simulate the input voltage wave form to achieve efficiency figures of 0.95 or even higher. With APFC, the input voltage of the power supply increases to range between 90 V DC and 264 V DC, which eliminates the need of an additional voltage selector switch on the power supply. These universal voltage models add flexibility in usage and extra value to the product. Other benefits of APFC include a larger buffer to EN harmonics requirement to ensure compliance and more efficient energy utilization.

A good power supply lasts several years and comes with a variety of connectors that should cover all your needs. Modular cables provide more flexibility in usage and connectivity and at the same time enable you to manage your cables neatly inside the computer case. Less unnecessary cables to tuck away in the case also mean that the ventilation of your system becomes less obstructed. A properly ventilated system will protect your components from overheating and will extend their lifetime.

This missing pin is not a defect of your power supply. In the past, this place in the main power connector was to support the –5 V output. Nowadays this output is no longer necessary for modern PC’s. According to Intel’s Power Supply Design Guide however, this pin should be kept empty to comply with the specifications.

You may have noticed that in our texts we use different spellings for Seasonic. In case you have been wondering, here is why:

Sea Sonic – is an abbreviated form of our company name Sea Sonic Electronics Co., Ltd

Seasonic – is the brand name of the power supplies made by Sea Sonic.

Start your Seasonic RMA directly.

Seasonic warranty information.  – Learn more about the warranty period and Seasonic RMA procedure.