Replacement power adapters....Is a higher output current ok?

[chiwawa626]

Suppose you have a device that uses a power adapter that outputs 5v @ 1A, If I were to buy a replacement and used a 5v @ 1.5A would it make a diffrence?

 

[dighn]

should be fine

 

[TheLonelyPhoenix]

Should work as long as you don't overvolt it.

 

[FoBoT]

yes, that is just how much it is capable of delivering. the actual current a load pulls is determined by the device, not by the power supply

so you'll just have extra unneeded capacity, no worries dude

 

[Merlyn3D]

Um....you guys are mistaken....voltage doesn't destroy things, current does. Over-currenting is bad.

 

[ArmenK]

Originally posted by: Merlyn3D
Um....you guys are mistaken....voltage doesn't destroy things, current does. Over-currenting is bad.

As far as I know, current isnt "pushed" into the device. The device draws the current and the rating on the adapter is the max it is capable of supplying. Therefore a higher current rating is fine if not better.

 

[dighn]

Originally posted by: Merlyn3D
Um....you guys are mistaken....voltage doesn't destroy things, current does. Over-currenting is bad.

most power supplies are voltage sources, so the current rating is only the maximum current he ps is capable of delivering.

 

[TheLonelyPhoenix]

Originally posted by: dighn

Originally posted by: Merlyn3D
Um....you guys are mistaken....voltage doesn't destroy things, current does. Over-currenting is bad.

most power supplies are voltage sources, so the current rating is only the maximum current he ps is capable of delivering.

Bingo.

 

[Mark R]

It is generally correct that you only need to match the voltage on a power supply, while having sufficient current capacity. The current is determined by the load - so you just need to make sure that the power supply will cope with the demand.

However, there is one caveat:
Many 'pregnant plug' type supplies are unregulated - which means that the voltage fluctuates with load. An unregulated supply labeled as 5V 1A - means that it will supply 5V when 1A is demanded. The problem comes when less than 1A is required - the voltage it produces will rise (I've seen some '6V' supplies produce 15 V when unloaded). An excessively strong unregulated supply may supply a higher voltage than is required, possible causing problems.

The solution is to use a regulated supply - which will produce a constant voltage under all conditions. These are slightly more expensive, but a safer option.

 

[jadinolf]

Originally posted by: Merlyn3D
Um....you guys are mistaken....voltage doesn't destroy things, current does. Over-currenting is bad.

uh uh. Check your facts.

 

[cavemanmoron]

Originally posted by: FoBoT
yes, that is just how much it is capable of delivering. the actual current a load pulls is determined by the device, not by the power supply

so you'll just have extra unneeded capacity, no worries dude