Important Information about Australian Approvals for Power Supplies
Not all power supplies manufactured by MEAN WELL have Australian electrical safety approvals.
This is one of the reasons why not every single model of MEAN WELL power supply is listed on the Power Supplies Australia website.
In Australia power supplies fall into one of two categories:
- Level 1 In-Scope Electrical Equipment
- Level 3 In-Scope Electrical Equipment
Before a Level 3 power supply can be imported into Australia, it must first of all have been submitted to an authorised test laboratory to ensure it complies with Australia’s electrical safety regulations. If it passes the required tests, the importer then needs to apply for an electrical safety certificate from one of the state based electrical safety regulators. Once this has been issued the item must be listed on the government ERAC website by the registered responsible seller.
It is important to note that if you buy your MEAN WELL power supplies from an online seller, who is either based overseas, or holds stock overseas then it is you as the importer, who is responsible for ensuring that the power supply you buy fully complies with Australia’s electrical safety regulations. There is no obligation on the supplier to do so.
Power Supplies Australia is an Australian owned business, which holds stock in Australia.
All of the power supplies we offer for sale on the Power Supplies Australia website have been tested and certified in accordance with Australia’s electrical safety regulations.
In some cases we have collaborated with MEAN WELL to have the design of the power supply modified, which then enables us to both have the power supply tested and to apply for the required certification.
The part number of the modified power supplies is the same as the standard model offered by overseas MEAN WELL resellers and distributors, but it will have a different set of approval markings on the product label. Most importantly, the RCM mark.
Below is a comparison of the MEAN WELL PWM-120-24 that is sold by Power Supplies Australia and the standard model that is offered by overseas stockist and some other online sellers.
The top image shows the model stocked by Power Supplies Australia, with the Australian RCM mark clearly displayed on the product label.
The second image shows the standard version of the PWM-120-24 offered by MEAN WELL distributors globally. You can see in place of the RCM mark, there are other compliance markings. These are not shown on the version stocked by Power Supplies Australia, because the design modifications required to ensure this power supply meets Australian electrical safety standards, are not compatible with North American standards.
Level 1 power supplies are also required to show the RCM mark.
This is because the RCM mark not only denotes compliance with Australia’s electrical safety standards, it also indicates compliance with Australia’s EMC regulations, which all importers of power supplies must adhere to.
Again, it is important to stress that it is the importer who is responsible for ensuring that a power supply complies with Australia’s EMC regulations.
If you have any questions about power supply approvals, then please do not hesitate to contact Power Supplies Australia.
