Features enhancements continue in China’s AC/DC switching adapters line as suppliers strive to release more-advanced models and take advantage of climbing demand, particularly in the robust mobile electronics market. They aim to push product efficiency past 90 percent, and reduce no-load power consumption to less than 0.1W in under 49W-rated units. The latter objective is based on the DOE-VI standard, compliance with which is a must in high-end models. Only large local companies, however, can conform to this requirement. Most midsize and major players have selections based on the earlier DOE-V.

To achieve the efficiency target, makers will adopt high-performance MOSFETs and diodes. This is to complement the current practice of optimizing circuit designs to lower used power. Some companies have reached 90 percent, but the typical level is still not far beyond 80 percent.

Besides efforts to elevate the quality of their products, China suppliers such as Xing Yuan Electronics Co. Ltd are working to streamline manufacturing processes and improve efficiency. The maker has acquired automatic labeling machines and testing devices, which will help raise its production capacity by 10 percent.

Spurring overall initiatives is a steadily expanding market. At present, more than 80 percent of shipments are for mobile electronics, with smartphones, and tablet and notebook PCs as top applications. Medical and industrial equipment account for the rest. These terminal segments are expected to continue driving demand for the line, and keep sales on the upswing by 10 percent annually. In output, local companies project the boost will be between 5 and 10 percent this year.

Over 60 percent of yield is allocated for exports, counting adapters bundled with mobile devices.

Europe, the US and the Asia-Pacific region are the key destinations. Other deliveries go to the Middle East and Latin America.

ZhongshanKingrong Electronics Co. Ltd, which ships all output overseas, anticipates another 10 percent revenue rise in 2015. Last year, it garnered $10 million, which was 10 percent higher than in 2013.

There are 1,000 manufacturers of AC/DC switching adapters in mainland China. More than half are small and midsize domestic makers, whose annual sales value is $16.3 million each. Companies, mostly with investment from Taiwan and Hong Kong, make up the rest of the supplier pool.

Local enterprises concentrate on the entry- and midlevel markets, and their international counterparts on the latter and the high end.

Switching types represent between 80 and 90 percent of China’s AC/DC adapter output, and linear kinds the remainder. The lattertargets mostly industrial applications.

Typical units for mobile electronics

Mainstream releases for portable devices have 100 to 240VAC 50/60Hz input, 5 to 24V 1A to 2A output, and 3 to 65W rated power.

Models supporting less than 24W are used in smartphones, tablet PCs and digital cameras, and 24 to 65W versions in laptops.

All products come with safety features such as overvoltage, -current, -heating, and short-circuit protection.

These bear BS, CCC, CE, GS, KC, PSE, RoHS, TÜV and UL approval.

The key materials used in AC/DC switching adapters include MOSFETs, transformers, capacitors and inductors. Most are sourced locally. For chips, makers turn to mainland providers such as Silan, and adopt versions from international suppliers TI and On Semiconductor in high-end models.

Prices have remained unchanged, thanks to the stable cost of manufacturing inputs. The trend is expected to last in the coming months, although some suppliers may lower their rates by 5 percent due to intense competition.

Here is a selection of AC/DC switching adapters from China: