electrical question

mufc802 · 8 Jan 2011 at 23:02

Steve2000 said:
If you look closely where it says Output 12v ~ 1.5A, the little ~ symbol means AC, if it was DC it would be a line with three short dashes underneath it.

Ah cheers, I have another router which does use a 12v DC input so I will use that.

What would actually happen if I tried to use an AC supply in a DC circuit and vice versa?

Steve2000 · 8 Jan 2011 at 23:10

If you put AC into a DC device it will probably fry it, unless it has some sort of voltage protection diode in it. Mind you even then the diode would only last once.

DC into AC probably won't do anything but I wouldn't leave it to chance. Always make sure about the voltage, type of current and polarity.

fidget · 9 Jan 2011 at 00:22

Jokester said:
I would be amazed if the router power supply output 12V AC.

Quite a few are AC these days, which is why I suggested he checked.

fidget · 9 Jan 2011 at 00:28

OP - you can get a proper PSU for your kit for < £10 so best grab one of those rather than risk blowing your kit/psu.

mufc802 · 9 Jan 2011 at 12:22

I finished putting the radio together today and tested using my Linksys 12v DC adaptor, and it worked fine.

Dfhaii · 9 Jan 2011 at 13:38

Steve2000 said:
If you put AC into a DC device it will probably fry it, unless it has some sort of voltage protection diode in it. Mind you even then the diode would only last once.

DC into AC probably won't do anything but I wouldn't leave it to chance. Always make sure about the voltage, type of current and polarity.

If anything, I'd expect the DC into AC to be more likely to work, as DC through a rectifier is still DC. AC into a DC device won't kill any diodes, but could end up being half wave rectified, I doubt the device would function though.