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 stable voltages. To simulate real world and maximum loading conditions, the Toughpower 1350W 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 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. I have also included a second table of expanded tolerances (±1% to ±6%) for reference.
The following tables list the DC voltage results at the different loads for the Toughpower Cable Management 1350W PSU while operating on 115 VAC, 60 Hz.
The PSU produced very good load regulation on all of the DC outputs across a broad range of loads, all the way up to a fully loaded 1350W combined output.
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 load is held constant and the AC line voltage is changed from 120 VAC down to 90 VAC.
The Line Regulation test was performed with the combined DC loads set to 1,013W. 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.
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 20W (or less) on the combined 3.3V and +5V outputs, the resulting voltage regulation may suffer.
In the first test we put a heavy load on the +12V output and a light load on the remaining outputs. The Toughpower 1350W PSU had no problem delivering over 100A on the +12V rail under these conditions. Even with this imbalance, the voltages all stayed well within spec.
In the second test we reversed the cross-load and placed a heavy load on the +3.3V and +5V outputs with a light load on the +12V rail. Once again, the PSU passed this test without problems and all the voltages remained well within spec.
With a name like “Cable
With a name like “Cable Management” I though it might have flat, or even individually sleeved cables. Looks like a good product, but someone should tell Thermaltake that they missed out on having the first modular PSU by, oh I don’t know, many years.
I was just thinking the same
I was just thinking the same thing, I’d much prefer it to be fully modular(As with many enthusiasts). Seems they dropped the ball on this one.
Nice PSU never-the-less
It took until about 2003,
It took until about 2003, before I realized that it was pronounced “Thermal Take”. And not “Thermaltalkee” as in, like “shiitake” mushroom. I just thought it was some weird Japanese word. 😀
I was so into this, until I
I was so into this, until I saw the UCC KZG cap pic in the first of the last group. These caps are known to have factory faults, and I have replaced the same series in motherboards before that die without bloating, and on occasion, internally short, blowing out the MOSFETS and sometimes taking the motherboard with them. Thermaltake should of stuck with nichicon, rubycon, panasonic, or sanyo for any lytics