General question about electrical power supplies or chargers

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  • January 13, 2008 at 7:06 pm #33662
    smcilwain
    Participant

    Hi,

    I know this is slightly off topic – but any electrical expert could please answer this???

    I’ve got a drawer full of power supplies/chargers for various pieces of electronic equipment (e.g. scanner, mobile phones, power tools, external hard drive, digital radio)
    etc.etc.

    The power rating on the back of the charger is expressed as e.g. 12v followed by usually a straight line and dashed line underneath.

    Then there are figures for Amps expressed in either mA or just in A. And then also sometimes there is a figure for VA (I’ve no idea what VA is).

    Usually the appliance I am trying to connect or charge also has figures for what should be input. However, a number of my leads seem to fit a number of appliances. and for some of these supplies I no longer know what electrical item they power or recharge. But, as I say the power supplies fit more than one item.

    My feeling is that as long as the voltage matches then I shouldn’t worry too much about matching the figures for A or mA.


    My question is if the Voltage matches can I use that charger whatever,and can I ignore the figure for A or mA – or could I do some damage by supplying the wrong current.

    Sorry again if this is slightly off topic – but I couldn’t think where else to inquire.

    Thanks in advance

    SM

    January 13, 2008 at 7:43 pm #239518
    admin
    Keymaster

    Re: General question about electrical power supplies or char

    Hi

    As long as the voltage is correct
    The mA or A is lower on the appliance than on the transformer
    The polority is correct at the accessory end

    Then yes it would be safe to use.

    Bryan

    January 13, 2008 at 9:56 pm #239519
    smcilwain
    Participant

    Re: General question about electrical power supplies or char

    Thanks for that Bryan. Is it that the higher the mA or A on the transformer the faster it will charge it?

    Also am I right in assuming that 1200mA is the same as 1.2A?

    And finally – to make sure I understand – what if the transformer was say 2.4 A output and the appliance was say 400mA (is that the same as 0.4 A?) – then that would be fine?

    What – as amatter of interest would happen if say the appliance was just slightly above the transformer? Would it damage the appliance or would the transformer just get very hot?

    Sorry to sound thick about this.

    THanks again.

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