Re: Effect of a universal power connector on Energy Star and EPEAT compliance
I agree with both of these points, but I'd like to add:
The standard (at least the communications parts of it) should:
- include communication messages to allow for high-efficiency modes of operation (e.g., deep-sleep / soft-off).
- include guidelines for sleep/soft-off modes and standard way to display them (i.e., LED color, blink pattern)
- Allow the communication of power-throttling messages to pass through the system.
This last part does not need to require the implementation of any energy efficiency/power management standard, just define a standard way for these messages to be relayed to the device and for the device to relay them to the adapter. That is IF the adapter implements some (non-UPAMD) power-management/net communications standard, THEN the device can use the UPAMD messages to manage its own power environment.
This messaging can extend, through further additions to the messaging part of the standard, to other functions that can be dependent of the environment.
Possible scenarios:
- In a plane. A message can tell all connected devices when it is safe to turn-on or turn-off their WiFI radios.
- In an off-the grid system. A message can tell all devices how much power is available and how to throttle their use depending on power production (e.g., only charge your batteries when the sun is shining).
Edgar
On Jul 16, 2010, at 8:04 AM, Per Hassel Sørensen wrote:
> Hi Paul,
>
> It should be possible to make a UPAMD spec that does not specify certain efficiencies directly but instead enables best practices for efficient design. This way UPAMD adapters should have the best opportunity to comply with existing and upcoming efficiency standards.
>
> Another interconnected issue is that the adapter spec should be independent of energy source. The UPAMD standard should work on any energy source be it AC at fixed voltages and frequencies, variable frequencies from small AC generators, DC from vehicles and photovoltaics etc.
> If certain efficiency standards becomes compulsory UPAMD spec the non-specified source of energy may no longer prevail.
>
> Kind regards,
> Per
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: upamd@xxxxxxxx [mailto:upamd@xxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Paul Panepinto
> Sent: 2010-jul-16 09:10
> To: Leonard_Tsai@xxxxxxxxxx; UPAMD@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: RE: Effect of a universal power connector on Energy Star and EPEAT compliance
>
> Hi Leonard:
>
> Since no Energy Star certification procedure currently exists for variable
> output power adapters and presumably the UPAMD universal connector will be
> used primarily with power adapters that are capable of providing various
> output voltages, doesn't it follow that any product that uses the UPAMD
> won't be able to achieve an Energy Star certification?
>
> It's clear that ideally, the universal connector spec would be independent
> of Energy Star, but doesn't the nature of it impact a product's ability to
> be certified?
>
> What vendor would opt to use a UPAMD connector if it came at the expense of
> its Energy Star certification?
>
> Regards,
>
> Paul Panepinto
> VP Ecosystem Development
> Green Plug, Inc.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: upamd@xxxxxxxx [mailto:upamd@xxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of
> Leonard_Tsai@xxxxxxxxxx
> Sent: Thursday, July 15, 2010 9:18 PM
> To: UPAMD@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: RE: Effect of a universal power connector on Energy Star and EPEAT
> compliance
>
> QUESTIONS:
> * Will UPAMD take a position at all on efficiency requirements?
>
> My suggestion is no as there are already a lot of group addressing this
> issue
> .
>
> * Does UPAMD expect to provide a spec that will at least be neutral with
> respect to Energy Star certification?
>
> My suggest is also no for any reference to Energy Star certification.
>
>
>
> Leonard
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
> -
> --------
> From: upamd@xxxxxxxx [mailto:upamd@xxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Paul Panepinto
> Sent: Friday, July 16, 2010 5:16 AM
> To: UPAMD@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: Effect of a universal power connector on Energy Star and EPEAT
> compliance
>
> Hello:
>
> In a recent Energy Star update, the group decided to avoid inclusion of any
> regulation for multi-output power adapters. They did so, primarily because
> it was too difficult to compare apples to apples. While the testing
> procedure for a single voltage output external power adapter is well
> defined,
> testing a multi-voltage output and potentially multi-port power adapter is
> not so easily defined.
>
> While the UPAMD focus is on a universal connector, is it possible that a
> universal connector could have an impact on the ability of the power adapter
> to meet Energy Star compliance?
>
> QUESTIONS:
> * Will UPAMD take a position at all on efficiency requirements?
> * Does UPAMD expect to provide a spec that will at least be neutral with
> respect to Energy Star certification?
>
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