SilverStone Strider Plus 600 W (ST60F-PS) Power Supply Review
Primary Analysis
Contents
On this page, we will take an in-depth look at the primary stage of the SilverStone Strider Plus 600 W (ST60F-PS). For a better understanding, please read our “Anatomy of Switching Power Supplies” tutorial.
This power supply uses two GBU805 rectifying bridges, which are attached to the same heatsink as the active PFC and switching transistors. Each bridge supports up to 8 A at 100° C if a heatsink is used, which is the case here. In theory, you would be able to pull up to 1,840 W from a 115 V power grid. Assuming 80% efficiency, the bridges would allow this unit to deliver up to 1,472 W without burning themselves out (or 1,656 W at 90% efficiency). Of course, we are only talking about these particular components. The real limit will depend on all the components combined in this power supply.
Figure 11: Rectifying bridges
The active PFC circuit uses two SPP20N60C3 MOSFETs, each one supporting up to 20.7 A at 25° C or 13.1 A at 100° C in continuous mode (note the difference temperature makes), or 62.1 A at 25° C in pulse mode. These transistors present a 190 mΩ maximum resistance when turned on, a characteristic called RDS(on). The lower the number the better, meaning that the transistor will waste less power, and the power supply will have a higher efficiency.
Figure 12: Active PFC diode and transistors
The active PFC circuit is controlled by a CM6502 integrated circuit.
Figure 13: Active PFC controller
The output of the active PFC circuit is filtered by one 390 μF x 400 V Japanese electrolytic capacitor, from Matsushita (Panasonic), labeled at 85° C.
Figure 14: Capacitor
The switching section uses another two SPP20N60C3 MOSFETs in a resonant configuration. The specifications for these transistors were already discussed above.
Figure 15: The switching transistors
The switching transistors are controlled by a CM6901 integrated circuit.
Figure 16: Resonant controller
Let’s now take a look at the secondary of this power supply.