[geeks] New Intel Atom-based barebones system

[Phil Stracchino]

Sandwich Maker wrote:
> " From: Jonathan Groll <lists at groll.co.za>
> " 
> " > []
> " 
> " I *think* my weird method of measurement measures VA, but that
> " assumption may be false! Luckily, no one on list has commented on
> " it. (I measured DC current on my multimeter since it couldn't measure
> " AC, and had to use a bridge rectifier)
> " 
> " > []
> " 
> " What sort of power factor (ball park) do computer power supplies have?
> 
> they're all smps these days, so i'd expect
> 1. the first component after the power plug and protection components
>    is probably a bridge rectifier
> 2. probably no big filter caps
> 3. the pf is probably close to 1.  i'm not sure they could claim the
>    high efficiencies at all power levels they do with a low pf
> 
> your measurement scheme could be quite accurate.

I believe many power supplies designed in the last five years have much
lower power factors.  Ironically, my father and I were talking about
exactly this about a week ago, but I don't recall the details of the
conversation.  I believe he said most current-design power supplies,
particularly for datacenter equipment, should be expected have a pf
around 0.6 to 0.7.


-- 
  Phil Stracchino, CDK#2     DoD#299792458     ICBM: 43.5607, -71.355
  alaric at caerllewys.net   alaric at metrocast.net   phil at co.ordinate.org
         Renaissance Man, Unix ronin, Perl hacker, Free Stater
                 It's not the years, it's the mileage.