Wednesday, November 25th 2020
80 Plus Hikes its Testing and Licensing Fees, Could Affect Prices of Low-Volume PSU Models
The 80 Plus logo program, by Plug Load Solutions, has become a ubiquitous means for consumers to grade the functional quality of their PC power supply units (PSUs). The PSU is a vital component, as a durable one ensures you needn't replace it for years; and it reliably powers all the components in your PC. 80 Plus confines itself to the electrical switching efficiency of the PSU as a unit of grading, and assigns one of six grades, which are probably easier for consumers to grasp than grading by technically-superior certification agencies such as Cybenetics. An investigative article by Igor's Lab uncovers that licensing body has apparently significantly increased its licensing fees, which PSU manufacturers could pass on to consumers, especially in case of some of the lower-volume models.
The Igor's Lab article cites an 80 Plus licensing and certification policy document to reveal the cost-structure for certification, including what it costs for a manufacturer to enroll (a one-time license fee), and testing fees per unit. The "unit" here refers to an individual SKU, it is a flat fee and does not apply on a per-unit-sold basis. Per-SKU would mean each variant of a model has to be separately certified as it's a different SKU (for example, Corsair's HX series would be a model, and HX750W and HX850W would be "variants", and treated as two separate certifications).
Plug Load Solutions has reportedly increased its per-SKU certification price by 3x. For a new model launched after 2021, this would mean an increase in flat licensing fees by tens of thousands of Dollars. If a manufacturer launched a PSU in 450 W, 550 W, 650 W, 750 W, 850 W, and 1000 W, they pay a flat $21,000. Interestingly, Igor's Lab reports that a manufacturer has to pay the licensing fees even for an OEM/whitebox PSU model that has already been certified by 80 Plus. The "OEM" here refers to the likes of CWT, Seasonic, HEC, Fortron, etc., who contract-manufacture PSUs for others. If a generic 650 W certified model is re-branded by a manufacturer, it incurs re-brand licensing fees. Find more interesting insights in the source link below.
Source:
Igor's Lab
The Igor's Lab article cites an 80 Plus licensing and certification policy document to reveal the cost-structure for certification, including what it costs for a manufacturer to enroll (a one-time license fee), and testing fees per unit. The "unit" here refers to an individual SKU, it is a flat fee and does not apply on a per-unit-sold basis. Per-SKU would mean each variant of a model has to be separately certified as it's a different SKU (for example, Corsair's HX series would be a model, and HX750W and HX850W would be "variants", and treated as two separate certifications).
75 Comments on 80 Plus Hikes its Testing and Licensing Fees, Could Affect Prices of Low-Volume PSU Models
I can understand back then there where PSU's that lacked any proper efficiency, like the more load you put into it the more the efficiency went out of the roof. But these days PSU's already have a high efficiency on it's own due to the build quality and R&D done into proper designing PSU's.
On another note, "Find more interesting insights in the source link below."
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Cybenectics Testing metod is so much more complete, and even tho i dislike their naming for the ratings (bit confusing) their testing metodology its just perfect.
All the above cost huge money and who will cover the cost?
A fully-featured lab has increased maintenance costs which cannot be covered by a 2k certification (although in this case they only take 3-5 readings at most so it is a 30-60 min job). Someone can argue here, though, that 80 P doesn't run any tests but still, they have to pay subcontractors to do their job and also make a profit.
And they give 80plus to anyone willing to pay even if the PSU doesn't make the specs, not like they test or anything.
The whole charging for the certification and then charging to put the logo on the box it stupid. If you get the certification, you should be able to put the logo on the box. The 80+ certification is killing itself, and it's a perfect time for another organization to come in and start to do efficiency certifications.
www.cybenetics.com/index.php?option=power-supplies
I heard about the Cybenetics project and its testing methodology by Teclab (from Brazil). I thought the project was excellent, I already fell victim to a very bad quality "80 plus" bronze font (Cooler Master). Initiatives such as Cybenetics are very welcome and should receive more prominence from the community, especially by major influencers.