DC Plug Ratings

Xeorix

A quick question regarding DC plugs. I've got a device which used to have a 12V 1A plug, however it has stopped working. If I use a 12V 3A plug, is this up to 3A, therefore only drawing off the 1A as needed?

pappa_golf

yes , the device will consume as much as it needs and the 3a supply will run cooler than the 1a supply when worked hard

Ben84

On small thing however, the polarity of those little DC power supplies can vary.

pappa_golf

normally speaking PSUs have there voltage and a figue in amps (or milliamps) written on them , the OP has clearly spotted that , they also commonly have a picture showing polarity


as per


http://i.stack.imgur.com/zsp7C.png






following this , there would be no problems

Ben84

That's a useful picture

So, they need to make sure the polarity of the new one matches the old one. And that the amps are the same or higher than the old one. The voltage however must be the same.

pappa_golf

voltage = same
ampage = equal or greater
physical plug size = same
polarity = same