External power supplies

Overview

External power supplies are also called power adaptors, plug-packs or power packs. They are used to recharge or power products such as laptops, mobile phones, modems, printers, and other extra low voltage products both fixed and portable. They are often supplied along with the product they power.

What products are covered?

The Determination covers single output external power supply units with a maximum output power of 250 W or 250 volt-amperes (VA), that:

• are designed to supply power to other appliances
• have an AC input from mains supply
• have one extra low voltage output (either AC or DC) that is either at a fixed voltage or a user selectable voltage through a selector switch
• are sold with, or intended to be used with, a separate end-use product that constitutes the primary load on the power supply
• are contained in a separate physical enclosure from the end-use product
• are connected to the end-use product via a hard-wired or removable male/female electrical connection, cable, cord or other wiring
• do not have batteries, or battery packs, that physically attach directly to the power supply unit (either permanently or only for the purpose of charging), and
• do not have either a battery chemistry or type selector switch, or an indicator light or state of charge meter.

Refer to section 6 of the Determination for more details.

What products are not covered?

The following products are not covered by this Determination.

• External power supplies with simultaneous multiple output voltages.
• External power supplies that do not use a cable, cord, plug or wiring to connect with a product, such as induction chargers.
• Devices capable of multiple output voltages that are not user-selected, such as 'quick charge' units — these devices change the output voltage depending on the end-use product being connected.
• Therapeutic devices on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods in accordance with the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 and the Therapeutic Goods (Medical Devices) Regulations 2002.
• Single output external power supplies for transformers and electronic step-down converters for extra low voltage (ELV) lamps.
• DC or battery powered equipment.
• DC to DC voltage conversion equipment such as DC to DC converters.

Technical requirements

For technical requirements regarding external power supplies, including testing requirements and Minimum Energy Performance Standards, review the relevant Determination and standards.

Labelling requirements  

This product is not required to display an Energy Rating Label.

However, external power supplies must have a compliant performance mark. The performance mark must meet the requirements mentioned in Appendix A of AS/NZS 4665.1:2005 and section 5 (Energy Performance Mark) of AS/NZS 4665.2:2005 in relation to the energy performance mark to be shown on the product.

However, if the product exceeds the energy performance requirements for Mark V as mentioned in Appendix A of AS/NZS 4665.1:2005 and meets the performance requirements for Mark VI mentioned in the International Efficiency Marking Protocol for External Power Supplies, Version 3.0, September 2013 (IEMP), then the performance mark can meet the requirements for either:

• Mark V as set out in in Appendix A of AS/NZS 4665.1:2005 and sections 4.2 and 5 of AS/NZS 4665.2:2005
• Mark VI as set out in the IEMP. 

An external power supply must be marked with what it achieves at 230 V AC, unless the nameplate input voltage is 240 V AC only, in which case it must be marked with what it achieves at 240 V AC. Alternatively, an external power supply can have multiple performance marks, but each mark must be qualified with the voltage it applies to.