I can tell you how it has 80+ Certification... Because they have lied to Ecova! Simple
Coincidently I was also looking at this supply recently, and found the same thing.
If you do a staticice search for this supply, you'll find (possibly due to a slipup from Aywun in their documentaiton to distributors), the product code " HPC-400-H14S " attached to this product
Same applies to the 650 and 750W models ( HPC-500 and 600 respectivly)
So basically, this is a rebadged 400W High Power unit. A model that's NOT 80Plus certified.
As you discovered though, Aywun are fraudlently claiming this unit to be a HP550-G14S. this is actually the same unit as the OCZ Fat1ality 550. However If you go check reviews of the OCZ, you'll see it's
a completely different platform.This IMO completley throws ECOVA's new testing system into doubt. and I would not be putting any confidence into supplies that havent been tested.Incidently they also claim 80+ Certification for the Elite
450W. However it doesn't even have a listing
at all on the 80+ site. When I emailed them about this, they told me they had just sent a unit for testing and it wasn't up yet.
This was a few months ago. and it's still not there.
Don't worry though, the response is most likely bullshit, and It wouldn't pass anyway... The 450W unit isn't even Foward switching, despite the claim on the box!
BTW these Elite's are 240V only, which I am assuming is why the input Capacitors , and primary switching FET(s) are so small, even for their lower-than-labelled rating. I would hazard a guess Aywun have requested this from Sirfa to save cost as their market is stictly 240v countries only.