In today’s fast-paced laboratory and production environments, power supply flexibility is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. While many traditional power supplies offer fixed voltage and current ratings, modern switching power supplies with derate curves provide a significant advantage that can transform how you approach your projects.
Understanding the Derate Curve Advantage
A derate curve, also known as a power hyperbola, allows a power supply to deliver various combinations of voltage and current while maintaining a constant maximum power output. In this context, the derate curve represents the constant-power envelope, not thermal derating due to environmental factors. This stands in stark contrast to conventional power supplies that offer only fixed maximum voltage and current values without the ability to trade off between them.
Consider our UNI-T UDP6942B model, which can provide up to 60V/6A or reconfigure to deliver 24V/15A, all within its 360W power envelope. These configurations are examples of how the supply can reallocate its total 360W capacity—not simultaneous outputs. This flexibility means one DC switching power supply can effectively replace multiple single-purpose units, saving valuable bench space and reducing equipment costs.
One Power Supply, Multiple Applications
Without a derate curve, you might need several different power supplies for various testing scenarios. For example:
- Testing low-voltage, high-current devices (like 5V logic requiring 10A)
- Evaluating medium-voltage components (like 24V industrial equipment)
- Characterizing high-voltage, lower-current applications (like 48V systems)
With a derating-capable power supply, you simply adjust the voltage and current settings to match your needs, and the unit automatically reconfigures itself within its power envelope. This versatility is particularly valuable for R&D labs, educational institutions, and production facilities that work with diverse products.
Real-World Benefits
The practical advantages of a power supply with a derate curve extend beyond simple flexibility:
Cost Efficiency
Instead of purchasing multiple specialized power supplies, one well-designed unit with a derate curve can handle numerous applications. For example, our UNI-T UDP6730 model (360W) can function as a 40V/9A, 24V/15A, or 12V/30A supply—essentially giving you three power supplies in one, each configuration representing a different allocation of the same 360W maximum power.
Space Optimization
Bench and rack space are precious commodities in any lab or production environment. A single flexible power supply occupies significantly less space than multiple fixed-output units.
Future-Proofing
As your projects evolve, your power requirements will change. A derate-capable power supply adapts to new requirements without additional purchases, making it a more future-proof investment than inflexible alternatives.
Enhanced Productivity
With rapid reconfiguration capabilities, you can quickly switch between different test scenarios without swapping equipment, significantly improving workflow efficiency.
Technical Implementation
Modern switching power supplies achieve this flexibility through sophisticated digital control systems. Unlike older analog designs with fixed regulation circuits, well-designed supplies like ours utilize digital control systems that enable real-time adjustments across a wide range of voltage and current combinations, bounded by the power envelope.
Our most advanced models feature:
- High-resolution voltage and current control (down to 1mV/0.1mA)
- Color LCD displays showing operating conditions and derate curves
- Multiple preset memories for quick configuration changes
- Digital and analog remote control options for automated testing
- List and sequence modes for executing complex power profiles
Practical Comparison
To illustrate the difference, imagine testing a series of LED drivers with various voltage and current requirements:
With a conventional fixed-range power supply limited to 36V/10A:
- Testing a 48V LED driver? Not possible—voltage limit too low for 48V requirement.
- Need to test at 12V/15A? Not possible—current limit too low for 15A requirement.
With our UDP DC Switching Power Supply series featuring a derate curve:
- Configure for 60V/6A for high-voltage testing
- Reconfigure to 12V/30A for high-current testing
- Set to 36V/10A for balanced applications
All these configurations are available from a single unit, without compromising precision or stability.
Conclusion
While conventional power supplies still have their place in applications where requirements are fixed and well-defined, today’s diverse and rapidly evolving technology landscape demands greater flexibility. A modern DC switching power supply with a well-implemented derate curve delivers this flexibility without sacrificing performance or reliability.
By investing in a versatile power supply with derating capability, you’re not just buying a piece of test equipment—you’re gaining an adaptable tool that will continue to meet your changing power requirements for years to come.
