Load Regulation, Line Regulation and Cross-Loading

DC Output Load Regulation

 

Of course one of the first things we want to see is how well this PSU can regulate the DC outputs and maintain rock-solid voltages.  To simulate real world and maximum loading conditions, the Seasonic S12 II 500W PSU was connected to the load testers and supplied with a constant 115 VAC.  In this test we are interested in seeing how well a PSU can maintain the various output voltages while operating under different loads. 

 

The new ATX12V V2.2 tolerance for voltages states how much each output (rail) is allowed to fluctuate and has tighter tolerances now for the +12V outputs. 

 

Seasonic S12 II 500W Power Supply Review - Cases and Cooling 32

 

The following table lists the DC voltage results at the different loads for the S12 II 500W PSU while operating on 115 VAC, 60 Hz.

 

Seasonic S12 II 500W Power Supply Review - Cases and Cooling 33

 

The PSU produced very good load regulation on all of the outputs across a broad range of loads; even when delivering the full rated 500 watts of DC power.  The three primary rails (+3.3V, +5V and +12V) were particularly good, staying within ±1 to ±2% of nominal voltage instead of the recommended ±5%.

 

DC Output Line Regulation

 

In this test we are interested in seeing how well a PSU can maintain the various output voltages while the AC input line voltage changes.  In the previous Load Regulation test, the AC line voltage was held constant at 115 VAC.  Now we will look at how much the DC outputs change as the AC line voltage is changed from 120 VAC down to 90 VAC.

 

Seasonic S12 II 500W Power Supply Review - Cases and Cooling 34

 

The Line Regulation test was performed with the combined DC loads set to 350W.  The AC input voltage to the power supply (via the Extech power analyzer) was adjusted using a Powerstat variable autotransformer. 

 

Virtually no measurable change in the DC outputs – very good.

 

Cross-Loading Test

 

PC switching mode power supplies provide multiple DC output voltages.  Ideally, the total load should be distributed across all the main outputs (+3.3V, +5V, +12V).  This means that the combined +3.3V and +5V load should be proportional to the combined +12V load – as one increases, so should the other.  Unfortunately, this is not always the case, especially in newer PCs that predominately use +12V and may put only minimal loads on the +3.3V and/or +5V rails. 

 

Cross-loading refers to imbalanced loads.  If a PC pulls 400W on the +12V outputs and only 40W (or less) on the combined 3.3V and +5V outputs, the resulting voltage regulation may suffer.

 

Seasonic S12 II 500W Power Supply Review - Cases and Cooling 35

 

In the first test we put a heavy load (32A/384W) on the +12V output and a very light load on the remaining outputs.  The S12 II PSU had no problem delivering 32A on the +12V rail.  Even with this large imbalance, the voltages all stayed within spec.

 

In the second test we reversed the cross-load and placed a heavy load (130W) on the +3.3V and +5V outputs with a very light load (2A/24W) on the +12V rail.  Once again, the S12 II PSU passed this test without problems.

 

« PreviousNext »