Designing a Marine-Approved PSU for Sustainable Fishing

Sunpower security — Designing a Marine-Approved PSU for Sustainable Fishing

In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, innovation often arises from the intersection of challenge and collaboration.

When a leading developer of subsea technology for precision fishing set out to create safer, more efficient marine electronics, they encountered a critical obstacle: sourcing a power supply unit (PSU) that would meet both their functional demands and stringent marine compliance standards. With limited internal resources and growing safety requirements, the team turned to Sunpower Electronics and MEAN WELL for a custom-engineered solution.

Together, we navigated the turbulent waters of technical obstacles, culminating in the successful production of Marine Approved PSUs.

THE COMPANY

Our client develops specialised technologies that support sustainable commercial fishing. Their systems include subsea cameras, bycatch reduction lighting and sensor platforms — all designed to reduce environmental impact, optimise operations and improve crew safety. Deploying such equipment in harsh marine environments introduces demanding technical criteria, particularly around electromagnetic compatibility and safety.

THE CHALLENGE

Designing electronics for vessel-based operation presents a unique risk profile. Improperly shielded equipment can interfere with shipborne navigation, radio and safety systems — a threat not just to compliance, but to life at sea. Meeting these standards required a PSU that could reduce conducted emissions to extremely low levels while still conforming to mechanical and environmental constraints.

Off-the-shelf solutions were falling short. The engineering team needed a power supply that could pass rigorous EMC testing, yet didn’t have the resources to design one from scratch.

"The compliance challenges we were facing seemed insurmountable based on commonly available power supplies, and our team did not have the internal resources to design our own PSU from scratch."
- Co-Founder & CTO

THE SOLUTION

Working closely with our technical team, the client partnered with Sunpower Electronics to specify a PSU that could be adapted for their marine-grade application. Through several iterations of filter design, EMI/EMC test cycles (both in the UK and Taiwan), and mechanical refinement, we co-developed a solution that met their critical compliance and reliability targets.

This was not a linear process — it required collaborative problem solving across continents, constant validation, and a shared commitment to engineering integrity.

THE RESULT

After a long collaborative process, our client commissioned their production run of bespoke PSUs from Sunpower Electronics.

"I'm incredibly pleased at having worked with Sunpower Electronics to solve our technical challenges. I found the overseas engineering team, MEAN WELL, to be talented and communicative, whilst the UK-based team kept me up to date, and were friendly and accommodating too to help us navigate a thorny technology problem which would otherwise have blocked our route to market. In particular, I welcomed Sunpower's eagerness to work with a small company like ourselves, and how they guided us through the process via friendly and highly competent staff."
- Co-Founder & CTO

THE CONCLUSION

In the realm of precision fishing technology, where safety and efficiency are paramount, this collaboration stands as a testament to the power of teamwork and perseverance. Through meticulous customisation, rigorous testing and unwavering dedication, we have achieved a milestone in ensuring safety and compliance at sea.

Our team of power supply specialists works closely with customers to solve challenges where off-the-shelf solutions fall short. If you're facing complex design requirements or strict compliance targets, we’re here to help develop a solution that fits — technically, safely and reliably.

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