Towards the optimum cost of ownership of switched-mode power supplies: Early stage cost management with life-cycle costing

In order to minimize the total life-cycle ownership cost, selection should be based on the optimum trade-off between spending on design and manufacturing cost with the price of lost energy. This study shows that it is advantageous to use power supplies with higher efficiencies even when the initial development and manufacturing costs are higher. It is critical to make the correct decision at an early stage of design. This study uses life-cycle costing to analyze whether electronic products are designed optimally. We explore life-cycle ownership cost and identify corresponding efficiency levels. The study uses a cost-efficiency model that is based on industry cases and empirical data. Application is made of an early stage cost management method, used prior to, and during, product development and design. Two power supply types were analyzed. To identify the trade-off between higher development and manufacturing cost with running cost having energy losses, three different configurations (with efficiencies between 80% and 91%) were analyzed. The findings were evaluated through a sensitivity analysis to illustrate the robustness of results