Interchanging AC adapters

[wviperw]

I've been looking all over for the AC adapter to my network switch for the past few days. Unfortunately I haven't found it, and am not sure if I will ever find it, so I am wondering if I might be able to use an AC adapter I have lying around. The switch says it take a 12V, 500mA AC adapter, and I have both a 6V 500mA one I found, and a 12V 1500mA AC adapter that I found. I'm thinking of trying the 2nd one, but am afraid that it might somehow burn out my switch.

Does anybody know about these kinds of things? Should I be more careful of altering the voltage or the amperes?

 

[ApacheXMD]

the second one will work, as long as it outputs the same current type as the switch wants. If the switch wants AC and the wallwart puts out DC, then it won't work, and viceversa. Check the output on the adapter to see if it's AC or DC out.

Rule of thumb is as long as the voltage and the current type (AC or DC) is the same, then an adapter of equal or greater current capacity (mA) will work. That just means it's capable of supplying more current. The device will draw as much current as it draws, and as long as the adapter can supply it, it's fine.

-patchy

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

[b

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

WRONG FORUM

 

[vshah]

Originally posted by: Nik
http://forums.anandtech.com/categories.aspx?catid=27&flcache=7120044

lol you suck

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

Originally posted by: vshah

Originally posted by: Nik
http://WRONG FORUM</">

lol you suck

both times i used the link generator

blow me

 

[Bassyhead]

the second adapter (12V 1500mA AC) will work fine

 

[woowoo]

voltage
current
and
Polarity

Alll three must match

 

[Bassyhead]

Originally posted by: woowoo
voltage
current
and
Polarity

Alll three must match

Current need not to match, but it must be equal to or greater than the device's consumption. Polarity is not a factor here because the device requires AC, not DC.

 

[ThisIsMatt]

Originally posted by: Bassyhead

Originally posted by: woowoo
voltage
current
and
Polarity

Alll three must match

Current need not to match, but it must be equal to or greater than the device's consumption. Polarity is not a factor here because the device requires AC, not DC.

I doubt the switch uses an AC-AC adapter. The OP is just throwing AC adapter around as a generic term for an AC-DC wall wart.

 

[wviperw]

You suck at the internet. (j/k, have always wanted to say that)

Anyway, I think General Hardware would've been the WRONG FORUM, since this is its description:

General Computer Hardware Discussion. This is the place to discuss the latest computer hardware issues and technology. Please keep the discussion ON TOPIC, and covering computer hardware ONLY.

I'd say an AC adapter isn't specifically under the computer hardware umbrella, but I guess that is a matter of definition.

Thanks for the answers guys, gonna try that second AC adapter now.