Outdoor power supply can be used at minus temperatures

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.

Chemical processes accelerate, and mechanical connections can even loosen. The longer a component is operated at high heat, the more elevated temperatures can reduce its lifespan. Reduce the power supply load: Power supplies typically have specified loads according to an ambient temperature range.

The device's operating environment will also determine whether the power supply will need to be sealed, such as preventing water and dust ingress, or if it can be vented to improve airflow. Some applications must withstand a wide range of operating temperatures, particularly outdoors. Take traffic control, for instance.

The longer a component is operated at high heat, the more elevated temperatures can reduce its lifespan. Reduce the power supply load: Power supplies typically have specified loads according to an ambient temperature range. Move outside that range, and the load can derate to a much smaller number.

How Thermal Environment Impacts Power Supply Success. Operational temperature range can make or break a design. Choose wisely. Selecting the right AC/DC power supply for a given application starts with the environment.

Most people are not interacting with electrical office equipment or hospital equipment in environments outside this range. These types of power converters can usually operate safely and reliably in environments between 40°C and 60°C with appropriate derating considerations.