USB-C power supply units: First 240-watt charger on the way
USB Power Delivery (PD) with Extended Power Range (EPR) can theoretically provide up to 240 watts of charging power, but compatible power supplies are scarce.
USB-C power supply Delta ADP-240KB BA with 240 watts load capacity.
(Image: Delta)
More than three years ago, the Universal Serial Bus Implementers Forum (USB-IF) standardization committee adopted the specification for USB Power Delivery (PD) with Extended Power Range (EPR). This allows notebooks and other devices to be charged with up to 240 watts of power via a USB-C cable. However, there is still no power supply available that can actually do this.
The first device of this kind could be the Delta ADP-240KB BA: It has already appeared at some distributors, albeit with a long delivery time. The price for end customers is likely to be at least 140 euros.
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Although mail order companies are already selling some USB-C power supplies with a total output of 240 watts, none of them deliver this power at a single socket, i.e. the 5 amps at 48 volts specified in USB-PD 3.1 EPR. The most powerful ones to date deliver 180 watts (36 volts/5 A), some also 140 watts (28 volts).
According to the data sheet, the Delta ADP-240KB BA weighs more than a pound (560 grams). It is likely to heat up noticeably at high loads because Delta states an average efficiency of more than 88 percent at 48 volts. At high loads, the efficiency may be even higher, but even if you calculate a loss of only 7 percent under full load, the power supply will then generate around 18 watts of waste heat.
To be able to use voltages higher than 20 volts in EPR mode, you also need compatible electronically marked cables. The ADP-240KB BA has a permanently connected 1.60 meter long USB-C cable.
(ciw)
