Why Leaving Your PSU Specification Too Late Could Set You Back

Late decisions lead to last-minute risks and lost time - but we make early specification simple, supported, and stress-free with expert Design-in support and flexible Call-off Order service.

If your PSU isn’t part of your early design planning, you're not alone. It’s one of the most overlooked areas in electronics product development. But it’s also one of the most important. Without a suitable designed-in power supply your product could suffer from reliability and incompatibility issues from the start as it’s a critical component needed for your system to operate at its best to be reliable, efficient, and compliant to your needs.

Choosing the right PSU at the right time, with help from a bespoke/design-in PSU supplier, reduces delays, simplifies the process, and gives your team more information to make an informed decision.

Why “We’ll Choose a PSU Later” is a Risk

Many teams focus on processors, interfaces, or enclosures first, leaving the power supply to the final stage. It seems logical: get the ‘core’ designed, then bolt on the PSU. But this creates serious problems:

• It doesn’t fit – Your chosen PSU might be too large for the space left in your product.
• It doesn’t comply – You realise too late that it lacks the correct certifications.
• It’s not in stock – Long lead times slow down your launch & creates supply chain issues.
• It’s not optimised – You’re stuck with an over-spec’d or underperforming part.

These issues cost time and money. They can be problematic within your organisation and generates stress and unnecessary delays within your business, engineering, procurement, and production all scrambling to fix a late-stage problem. Getting the PSU locked in early avoids this entirely.

What a Design-In PSU Supplier Actually Does

This isn’t about sending over a part number and hoping for the best. As a Design-in PSU supplier, we work closely with your team from the first stage of product development.

That means:

• We match the right product to suit your application – no guessing.
• We review layout constraints – and offer suggestions for better integration.
• We help you avoid compliance pitfalls – so you're not redesigning at the last minute.
• We guide you on thermal, electrical and mechanical limits constraints – from the start.

Whether you need standard options or minor modifications, we support your engineering team with technical clarity and responsiveness that general suppliers can’t match.

Compliance and Certification Without Surprises

Every market has its regulations. CE, UKCA, TUV, RoHS, REACH, EN 62368 - it’s a minefield if you choose a non-compliant PSU too late.

We only offer fully certified units and as long as you share your product or application details then we could offer you the right product from the outset. Our datasheets are accurate, our support is fast, and we can walk your team through documentation, product advice and required declarations. That peace of mind is part of the service.

12-Month Call-Off Order: Supply That Matches Your Schedule

Your design may be perfect - but without the right supply plan, your production line won’t move. Once your PSU is selected and designed in, we help you lock in availability.

Our 12-month Call-off Order Service means:

• You commit to your anticipated yearly quantity
• You don’t have to buy or hold excessive stock
• You won’t face price hikes or long delays later
• We dispatch what you ask us to in sync with your production schedule

It’s ideal for teams managing rolling production, tight inventory control, JIT, Kanban or multi-phase product builds. It’s also one less thing for your procurement team to worry about or chase.

The Impact on Your Launch Timeline

Late-stage changes to your PSU spec can push your entire schedule back. That means missed go-live dates, lost customer confidence, and increased pressure across your business.

Working with a design-in PSU supplier from the start reduces that risk. You lock in technical stability, sourcing certainty, and predictable deliveries. And your team can focus on building your product without the need to chase.

Work with a PSU Supplier Who Supports Your Whole Design

We believe sourcing your power supply should be simple, not stressful.

That’s why we work with you from day one, offering expert advice, proactive support, and flexible fulfilment. You’ll never feel like you’re doing it alone - and you won’t get caught out with an unsuitable part too far down the line as we have a vast range of products available to us to give you the best option.

If you're designing a new product or re-developing an existing one - talk to a design-in PSU supplier who understands what matters most to engineers, sourcing teams and production managers.