Do power supplies need to be housed outside?

Power supplies need to be housed outdoors, where the extreme heat of the summer and the extreme cold of the winter will both be present. Power supplies heat themselves up at different rates and intensities, and environmental influences will impact how quickly a power supply is exposed to high temperatures.

How many polarities are there in a power supply?

Like the North and South Poles of the Earth, there are two separate polarities when dealing with power supplies: center-pin negative and center-pin positive.

What polarity does a DC supply have?

Using earth ground as a reference point, the output of a DC supply can be "X" number of volts above ground (positive polarity) or "X" number of volts below ground (negative polarity). Another way of explaining this, is as a positive supply can source (provide) current, while a negative supply can sink (accept) current.

How does temperature affect a power supply?

Chemical processes accelerate, and mechanical connections can even loosen. The longer a component is operated at high heat, the more elevated temperatures can reduce its lifespan. Reduce the power supply load: Power supplies typically have specified loads according to an ambient temperature range.

How does ambient temperature affect power supplies?

Ambient temperature impacts the behavior, performance, and reliability of power supplies, making the environment a critical factor in their selection.

What happens if a power supply temperature drops too low?

Electronics generally like the cold, but if the temperature drops too low, it can still cause problems. Low temperatures are more likely to affect performance than a power supply’s lifespan. Low power supply temperatures can: