Load Testing
I’ve recently acquired a new piece of equipment for testing – an Aerocool X-Vision 5.25 inch fan controller with temperature readouts, so I can now monitor both the intake and exhaust temperatures, and have modified the tables accordingly.
Test 1 (72.52W Load)
Rail | Load | Voltage | Ripple |
12V | 4.81A | 12.38V | 13.0mV |
5V | 4.97A | 4.97V | 9.8mV |
3.3V | 2.3A | 3.27V | 7.0mV |
-12V | 0.1A | -11.59V | 12.0mV |
5Vsb | 0.5A | 5.0V | 6.4mV |
AC Power | 101.3W | ||
Efficiency | 71.59% | ||
Power Factor | 0.76 | ||
Intake Temperature | 25°C | ||
Exhaust Temperature | 27°C |
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Test 2 (121.41W Load)
Rail | Load | Voltage | Ripple |
12V | 4.7A | 12.28V | 16.4mV |
5V | 4.95A | 4.95V | 11.2mV |
3.3V | 9.82A | 3.24V | 8.0mV |
-12V | 0.1A | -11.76V | 15.8mV |
5Vsb | 0.99A | 4.94V | 9.0mV |
AC Power | 158.9W | ||
Efficiency | 75.56% | ||
Power Factor | 0.75 | ||
Intake Temperature | 26°C | ||
Exhaust Temperature | 28°C |
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Test 3 (199.75W Load)
Rail | Load | Voltage | Ripple |
12V | 9.4A | 12.26V | 28.0mV |
5V | 9.74A | 4.87V | 17.8mV |
3.3V | 9.7A | 3.2V | 11.2mV |
-12V | 0.1A | -12.1V | 28.2mV |
5Vsb | 0.98A | 4.91V | 14.0mV |
AC Power | 259W | ||
Efficiency | 77.12% | ||
Power Factor | 0.68 | ||
Intake Temperature | 27°C | ||
Exhaust Temperature | 30°C |
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Test 4 (252.31W Load)
Rail | Load | Voltage | Ripple |
12V | 13.9A | 12.13V | 38.4mV |
5V | 9.72A | 4.86V | 22.4mV |
3.3V | 9.61A | 3.17V | 16.4mV |
-12V | 0.1A | -12.23V | 33.2mV |
5Vsb | 0.98A | 4.88V | 18.0mV |
AC Power | 328.8W | ||
Efficiency | 76.74% | ||
Power Factor | 0.66 | ||
Intake Temperature | 28°C | ||
Exhaust Temperature | 32°C |
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Test 5 (301.51W Load)
Rail | Load | Voltage | Ripple |
12V | 18.2A | 12.0V | 50.2mV |
5V | 9.7A | 4.85V | 26.8mV |
3.3V | 9.55A | 3.15V | 20.6mV |
-12V | 0.1A | -12.38V | 39.2mV |
5Vsb | 0.98A | 4.86V | 22.0mV |
AC Power | 400.8W | ||
Efficiency | 75.23% | ||
Power Factor | 0.66 | ||
Intake Temperature | 29°C | ||
Exhaust Temperature | 34°C |
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Test 6 (355.35W Load)
Rail | Load | Voltage | Ripple |
12V | 22.8A | 11.93V | 63.8mV |
5V | 9.72A | 4.86V | 32.6mV |
3.3V | 9.55A | 3.15V | 24.0mV |
-12V | 0.1A | -12.54V | 48.6mV |
5Vsb | 0.97A | 4.86V | 25.4mV |
AC Power | 489.2W | ||
Efficiency | 72.64% | ||
Power Factor | 0.64 | ||
Intake Temperature | 31°C | ||
Exhaust Temperature | 39°C |
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The 12V rail started at 12.38V, and dropped to 11.93V, which equates to 0.38V, or 3.16% regulation, and a drop of 0.45V, or 3.75%. The 5V rail started out at 4.97V, and dropped to 4.85V, which equates to 3% regulation and a 2.4% drop. Finally, the 3.3V rail started at 3.27V and dropped to 3.15V, which gives us 4.54% regulation, and a 3.63% drop. While this result is acceptable, it’s not perfect. Many power supplies can achieve much tighter regulation than this, with drops of less than 2% on all rails.
The efficiency was poor, considering the 230V input voltage. The best it got was 77.12% in Test 3. Most half decent power supplies can manage 80% on this input voltage. The X-Calibre 400W was also unable to deliver its rating, and it lacks OPP (Over Power Protection). It exploded when I attempted to load it to 400W.
Rail | Test 5 (301.51W) | Test 6 (355.35W) |
12V | ||
5V | ||
3.3V | ||
-12V | ||
5Vsb |
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The ripple suppression was decent, but not spectacular. During Test 6, it was just over half the maximum allowed on the 5V and 12V rails. On the other rails, it was at or slightly below half the maximum.