Enermax Triathlor FC 650 W Power Supply Review

Primary Analysis

On this page, we will take an in-depth look at the primary stage of the Enermax Triathlor FC 650 W. For a better understanding, please read our “Anatomy of Switching Power Supplies” tutorial.            

This power supply uses one GBU2006 rectifying bridge, which is attached to an individual heatsink. This bridge supports up to 20 A at 100° C. In theory, you would be able to pull up to 2,300 W from a 115 V power grid. Assuming 80% efficiency, the bridge w
ould allow this unit to deliver up to 1,840 W without burning itself out. Of course, we are only talking about this particular component. The real limit will depend on all the components combined in this power supply.

Figure 11: Rectifying bridge

The active PFC circuit uses two MOSFETs marked as “K18A60V.” Unfortunately, we couldn’t identify these transistors.

The output of the active PFC circuit is filtered by one 470 μF x 400 V Japanese electrolytic capacitor, from Matsushita (Panasonic), labeled at 85° C.

Figure 12: Capacitor

In the switching section, another two “K18A60V” transistors are present, employed using the traditional two-transistor forward configuration.

Figure 13: One of the switching transistors, the active PFC diode, and the active PFC transistors

The primary is controlled by a CM6800 active PFC/PWM combo controller.

Figure 14: Active PFC/PWM controller

Let’s now take a look at the secondary of this power supply.