Recently, the defense meeting for China's mandatory power supply energy efficiency standard GB 20943 has been completed. This revision is expected to include power adapters, PC power supplies, server power supplies, and other internal/external power supplies below kilowatt levels. The next stage will involve a pre-approval public notice. The upgrade of the energy efficiency standard is an important measure to implement the carbon peak and carbon neutrality goals in the power supply industry. This standard is under the jurisdiction of the National Technical Committee for Energy Fundamentals and Management Standardization (SAC/TC20).

The revision of this standard will positively promote the application of third-generation semiconductors represented by gallium nitride devices. It is expected to provide solid technical standard support for the localization of chip components in power solutions under 5 kW (e.g., adapters, fast-charging, PC power supplies, servers) and the substitution of domestic power devices, thereby boosting industrial development.

The upgrade of the mandatory charger energy efficiency standard is closely linked to current carbon peak and carbon neutrality goals. The revised GB 20943 standard is anticipated to encompass power adapters, PC power supplies, server power supplies, and other internal power supplies below kilowatt levels, expanding the traditional 250W power limit to kilowatt levels and covering various everyday scenarios.

The energy efficiency requirements of GB 20943 are now aligned with advanced international standards such as the EU CoC V5 and the U.S. DoE VI. This alignment will help domestic power products meet global efficiency benchmarks, enhance competitiveness, enable mutual recognition with international standards, reduce trade barriers, and set energy-saving targets for enterprises to guide healthy and orderly industry development.

As a mandatory standard, GB 20943 sets limits on power conversion efficiency and standby power consumption. It defines minimum conversion efficiency and maximum standby power consumption, restricts the production of high-energy-consumption products, accelerates the phase-out of outdated products, and guides manufacturers to produce high-efficiency, low-loss power supplies. This aims to raise consumer awareness of energy conservation and promote the sustainable development of the power supply industry.

In recent years, advancements in fast-charging and third-generation semiconductors have enabled fast-charging technologies to support multiple voltage outputs. Features such as direct charging via mobile phone charge pumps require adapters to dynamically adjust voltage output, exceeding the scope of existing standard protocols. With economic growth and rising living standards, smartphones and laptops have become widely普及. The previous GB 20943-2013 did not regulate fast-charging and computer power standards. As technology evolves, rapid development in mobile fast-charging and personal smart terminals has led to significant increases in the quantity and power of power supplies. The new standard is expected to include these power supplies and establish relevant mandatory national standards.

For domestic consumers, the revision of China’s mandatory power supply energy efficiency standard will simplify the charger selection process—products meeting the standard can be confidently purchased. For power supply manufacturers, compliance with the domestic standard equates to meeting international energy efficiency benchmarks, reducing certification costs.

Source: Third Generation Semiconductor Industry