Why Legacy PSU Certifications Are Flawed, And How Cybenetics Is Fixing Them

Power supply certification hasn’t kept up with the pace of modern hardware. Most badges rely on outdated testing methods, don’t reflect real-world usage, and ignore critical metrics like standby power.

Tweaking the rules is not enough to change that. We need to rebuild the standard from the ground up. That’s what Cybenetics Lab is doing.

In this interview with Safety Detectives, Aris Bitziopoulos, C.T.E of Cybernetics Lab, explains how they’re replacing legacy assumptions with radical transparency, ISO-level rigor, and a new model for performance testing that’s already influencing global standards.

In 2–3 sentences, why does your company exist? What’s the fundamental issue it was designed to solve?

Cybenetics was founded to bring much-needed transparency, accuracy, and real-world relevance to power supply unit (PSU) certifications—especially in energy efficiency and noise levels. We recognized that existing methodologies lacked depth, consistency, and modern relevance, so we created a solution designed to reflect the true performance of hardware in everyday conditions.

What makes this pain point so severe in your industry that you set out to create your own solution?

Contrary to popular belief, choosing a PSU isn’t just about wattage. A highly efficient PSU not only reduces your electricity bill, but it also minimizes environmental impact through less wasted power. Yet, for years, the industry relied on oversimplified metrics and outdated testing protocols. We knew there was a better way—one rooted in data, real-world testing, and uncompromising standards.

Cybenetics developed an in-depth rating methodology based on thousands of individual measurements across multiple parameters:

• Overall Efficiency: A key indicator of energy conversion performance.
• Power Factor (PF): Reflects how effectively power is used versus supplied.
• 5VSB Efficiency: Highlights the often-overlooked standby rail performance.
• Vampire Power: A humorous term for a serious issue: how much power a PSU draws in standby. The lower, the better.

Who is most affected by this issue, and why are they still stuck with it?

Every PC user is directly affected: whether you’re a gamer, a professional, or a data center operator, power efficiency influences your energy bills and environmental footprint.

Unfortunately, many consumers remain uninformed or misled by vague or inconsistent PSU ratings. Our strict and transparent certification system aims to change that. In fact, our Diamond badge—requiring 93% or greater efficiency—is now a benchmark for excellence.

What’s everyone else doing to solve this problem, and why are their solutions flawed? What makes your approach different?

Legacy certification systems have become outdated, using narrow testing scopes, low ambient temperatures, and limited measurement points. They don’t measure 5VSB or standby power consumption, and they struggle to prevent badge misuse or fraud.

At Cybenetics, we do what others can’t or won’t:

• Test across hundreds of load points and real-world conditions.
• Disclose all testing protocols and equipment via public white papers.
• Follow ISO 17025 and ISO 17065 guidelines, and are actively applying for full accreditation.
• Maintain methodology flexibility to adapt quickly to new industry standards (like those from Intel) without losing data integrity.
• Develop independent tools to verify badge legitimacy and detect attempts to game the system.

What’s one major milestone that proves your solution works?

One of the biggest milestones is the trust and adoption of Cybenetics’ certifications by major hardware companies around the world. But what excites us even more is what’s coming: industry-wide transformation driven by standards we helped set and will continue to shape.

What’s the big vision for the future of your company? What legacy do you want to leave?

Our vision is to become the global gold standard for PSU and cooling certifications, recognized not only by enthusiasts and manufacturers, but by institutions like Energy Star, the EPA, and the European Commission.

We’re in active discussions to become an officially recognized certification body and testing lab. Ultimately, we aim for Cybenetics’ ratings to become mandatory for any PSU entering the EU market, ensuring end-users always get the performance and efficiency they’re promised.

Connect with Cybernetics Lab

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cybenetics/

X: https://twitter.com/cybenetics