Have Linear PSUs been banned by the EU, and if so, why?

[Nick]

The short answer is "No, linear PSUs have not been banned by the EU. At least, not all of them..."

The actual EU edict came into force in 2010 - the source document, for those who care about such things, can be found at http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexU...010:EN:PDF

The key thing here is that it refers to EXTERNAL power supplies for "electrical and electronic household and office equipment", specifically:

1. ‘external power supply’ means a device which meets all of the following criteria:

(a) it is designed to convert alternating current (AC) power input from the mains power source input into lower voltage direct current (DC) or AC output;

(b) it is able to convert to only one DC or AC output voltage at a time;

( c) it is intended to be used with a separate device that constitutes the primary load;

(d) it is contained in a physical enclosure separate from the device that constitutes the primary load;

(e) it is connected to the device that constitutes the primary load via a removable or hard-wired male/female electrical connection, cable, cord or other wiring;

(f) it has nameplate output power not exceeding 250 Watts;

(g) it is intended for use with electrical and electronic household and office equipment as referred to in Article 2(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1275/2008;

Several "get out" clauses here - most radio/valve amp/bench PSUs generate several voltages, then point "b" fails; many are internal to the driven unit, so points "c" and "d" can fail.

Radio sets & audio amplifiers are amongst the items specifically included as being within the scope of these regulations in Article 2(1) and Annex 1 of Regulation (EC) No 1275/2008, so point "g" can't easily be avoided, however if ANY of the above points fail, you are exempt.

There is no indication of any attempt to make this legislation retrospective.

HTH