When it comes to specifying a power supply, the right certification can make or break a project. Engineers often focus on wattage, efficiency, and thermal performance, but compliance and safety marks are what keep products legal and safe to operate.
Here, Relec Electronics talks about why certification matters and which ones to look for. The truth is that certifications are not just red tape; they’re your introduction to market access, long-term reliability, and peace of mind when your design goes live.
Why certifications matter
Every power supply must convert AC or DC input into stable, regulated output safely and cleanly. That process introduces risk – electrical isolation, thermal stress, and electromagnetic interference all come into play. Certifications exist to prove that these challenges have been properly addressed and independently verified.
A certified power supply should not just tick a regulatory box. It also:
- Ensures product safety for end users
- Confirms compliance with regional legislation
- Reduces liability for manufacturers and integrators
- Simplifies approval for export and system integration
As a distributor, Relec works closely with a range of manufacturers to ensure every unit it supplies carries the right documentation, testing data, and approvals for the end application.
Key certifications explained
Below are the most common power supply certifications, along with what they really mean in practice.
CE and UKCA markings
For products sold in the European Economic Area and the UK, CE and UKCA marks confirm compliance with directives such as the Low Voltage Directive and EMC Directive. They cover aspects like:
- Electrical safety (shock protection, insulation, clearances)
- EMC emissions and immunity
- Environmental design and labelling
Most of its Cosel TUNS and Cotek AEK-3000 series come CE and UKCA certified as standard, allowing easy integration into industrial and transport systems across Europe and the UK.
Tip: CE and UKCA can be self-declared by the manufacturer, but always check the accompanying Declaration of Conformity and referenced standards.
UL / CSA / NRTL (North America)
In the US and Canada, power supplies must meet standards from UL (Underwriters Laboratories) or CSA Group.
- UL 62368-1 covers IT and industrial electronics
- UL 60601-1 applies to medical power supplies
- UL 508 applies to industrial control equipment
Relec’s Cincon CFM and CQB series DC/DC converters, for example, hold UL 62368-1 approvals, ensuring safe operation within industrial and embedded computing environments.
Remember the distinction between:
- UL listed: certified for standalone use (e.g., desktop adapters)
- UL recognised: certified as a component within a larger system
Application-specific standards
Different markets require different test regimes.
| Application | Typical Certification | Example Product |
| Medical | IEC/EN 60601-1 | Cosel TUNS1200F– ultra-compact medical-grade AC/DC supplies |
| Industrial / IT | IEC/EN 62368-1 | Cincon EC7BW series – 20 W DC/DC converters for embedded systems |
| DIN-rail / automation | IEC/EN 61558-2-16 | Cincon CQB150-300S Series – Rugged DC/DC converters for defence and harsh environment systems |
| Railway / transport | EN 50155, EN 45545-2 | Vox Power VCCR300 series – ruggedised power modules for rolling stock |
| LED / lighting | IEC/EN 61347 | LITEON RE-1400-89LR – constant voltage and constant current drivers |
Efficiency and environmental certifications
While safety is mandatory, efficiency standards are increasingly in focus:
- ErP/Ecodesign Directive (EU): sets minimum efficiency levels for standby and active modes
- 80 Plus Programme: common for IT and data-centre supplies
- DoE level VI (USA): defines external PSU efficiency requirements
Relec’s EDAC Power range is highly efficiency and meets global ErP and DoE standards
Engineer’s certification checklist
When specifying a power supply, ask:
Which markets will the system be sold in?
CE/UKCA for Europe, UL/CSA for North America, PSE for Japan, CCC for China.
What is the end application?
Medical, transport, industrial or IT each have unique standards.
Is the supply a component or finished product?
Choose UL Recognised components for integration, UL Listed for standalone use.
Does the certificate include EMC testing?
Emission and immunity compliance ensures system stability.
Has the product been tested to the latest standard revision?
Standards evolve; check version numbers and date of issue.
Why this matters to Relec customers
Relec helps customers identify certification needs early and matches them with appropriate, certified solutions.
Beyond supplying the hardware, Relec provide access to:
- CE/UL certificates and Declaration of Conformity documents
- Safety reports and test summaries
- Reference PCBs and thermal application notes (particularly from Cosel’s TUNS and TEPS series)
This technical transparency shortens development cycles, simplifies documentation, and helps maintain compliance right through to production.
Conclusion
Certifications in power supplies are far more than fine print; they include the foundation of reliable, legally compliant design. From CE and UKCA through to UL, EN 62368-1 and EN 50155, these marks ensure that systems perform safely in the field, pass audits, and earn customer confidence.
Relec Electronics partners with trusted manufacturers to offer fully certified, technically verified solutions for industrial, medical, and transport sectors.
