DOE Proposes Rule on Battery Chargers, Multiple Voltage Power Supplies
The Department of Energy has issued a proposed rule that would significantly revise its test procedures for battery chargers and multiple voltage external power supplies.
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Specifically, EPA is proposing to insert a new active mode energy consumption test procedure for battery chargers to assist in the development of energy conservation standards (as required by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007) and to amend portions of its existing standby and off mode battery charger test procedures to shorten the measurement time period. EPA is also proposing a new test procedure to address multiple-voltage external power supplies.
In addition, EPA is requesting comments on possible amendments to its active mode single-voltage external power supply (EPS) test procedure.
DOE will hold a public meeting on May 7, 2010 in Washington, D.C. to hear comments on issues presented in the proposed rule. Comments on the proposed rule are due by June 16, 2010.
New Battery Charger Test Procedures Proposed for All Modes
DOE is proposing changes to the way consumer battery chargers1 (BCs) in active, standby, and off modes are tested.
The proposed rule would add a new test procedure to measure the energy consumption of consumer BCs in active mode to assist in DOE’s development of energy conservation standards.
New Test Procedure Proposed for Multiple-Voltage EPSs
DOE is also proposing a new test procedure to address multiple-voltage external power supplies (those that provide more than one output voltage simultaneously), which are currently not covered by its single-voltage external power supply test procedure.
DOE Also Requesting Comments on Active Mode Single-Voltage EPS Test
DOE is also requests comment on possible changes to its existing active mode single-voltage EPS test procedure to permit testing of certain types of external power supplies that the existing test procedure may be unable to test. These types of EPSs include:
· EPSs that communicate with their loads (such as EPSs used for powering cell phones, notebook computers, and other consumer electronic products that use USB ports for charging);
· EPSs that limit their output current below what is specified on their nameplate or manufacturer datasheet; and
· High-power EPSs.
1Unlike the California BC test procedures, which apply to both consumer and industrial BCs, DOE’s proposed changes would only affect consumer BCs (including, however, BCs for consumer motive equipment, such as golf carts, which is tested under industrial procedures in California).
(See ITT Online Archives or 6/08/09 daily news, (Ref: 09060820), for BP summary of DOE proposed rule on energy conservation standards and public meeting on battery chargers and Class A external power supplies.)
DOE contacts -- Victor Petrolati (202) 586-4549 or Michael Kido (202) 586-9507
DOE proposed rule (FR Pub 04/02/10) on battery charger and external power supply test procedures available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-6318.pdf.