What is the difference between a Class 1 and Class II power supply?

Class I power supplies have an earth-ground connection, whereas a Class II product does not. A Class I product must have two levels of protection between live (primary) parts and the end-user (secondary). If one level of protection fails, the end-user is still safe.

Do class 2 power supplies have safety requirements?

CLASS 2 power supplies have no such requirements. In conclusion, understanding the distinctions between CLASS I, II, III, and CLASS 2 power supplies is essential for engineers and manufacturers to ensure compliance with safety standards and create products prioritizing user safety.

Does a Class 2 power supply need a grounding?

Notably, there needs to be grounding, and protection depends on installation conditions. CLASS II power supplies typically use two-prong plugs. CLASS III: Products falling under CLASS III rely on a safety extra-low voltage (SELV) to protect against electric shock, ensuring no hazardous voltage is present.

Are AC-DC power supplies a protection class?

AC-DC power supplies for electrical equipment are usually a protection class of Class I or Class II. The term protection class refers to the level of primary to secondary insulation determining whether a product needs to be protectively earthed to avoid an electric shock.

What is a Class I power supply?

Class I power supplies are designed with safety mechanisms that include grounding for protection against electrical shock. These supplies typically operate at higher voltages and currents, which makes them suitable for demanding applications such as industrial machinery and medical devices.

What is a power supply safety class?

The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) has set out three safety classes for power supplies — otherwise known as appliance classes or protection classes. These are used to identify and implement methods that prevent power supply users from potential electric hazards.