Re: power supply question

Message

emeraldgirl08 · #1 Post by **emeraldgirl08** » Mon Oct 15, 2012 9:56 pm

Hi all. I have a question regarding the use of an adapter for charging an electronic device. The electronic device requires a 5VDC 2.0A power supply. I happen to have an AC-to-USB adapter that has a rated output at 5.4VDC 2.0A. I plan on purchasing a USB-to-0.8mm adapter for my device.

Would there be a risk of frying my device if the output is 0.4VDC higher than the 5.0VDC it requires?

Thanks in advance!

#2 Post by **rkawakami** » Tue Oct 16, 2012 12:11 am

Probably not, but it really depends on how your electronic device is designed. At a nominal 5V, 0.4V is less than a 10% deviation. Most devices should be able to handle that, but again, it's up to whoever designed the power regulation system. I find it odd that the USB adapter you have delivers 5.4V as I believe that the spec is supposed to be +/- 5%, or 4.75V to 5.25V. Also, it's not clear to me what kind of USB-to-0.8mm adapter you speak of. 0.8mm is pretty small for a connector. What kind of device are you trying to power?

emeraldgirl08 · #3 Post by **emeraldgirl08** » Tue Oct 16, 2012 12:21 am

Hi Ray. I purchased a small android tablet for cheap online and it arrived without a power adapter. I notified the seller that there was no power adapter in the box however since the tablet was shipped from overseas I figure I will receive a power adapter from the seller until next month. I looked around on fleabay and amazon and found the USB-to-2.5mmX0.8mm adapter touted as an android tablet cable.

HERE is the link for that cable.

The specs for the DC line in on the tablet are are 5DCV 2.0A 2.5mmX0.8mm. Would you happen to know how much power a laptop USB port approximately puts out?

#4 Post by **rkawakami** » Tue Oct 16, 2012 1:15 am

My understanding is that laptop USB ports should be able to deliver at least 500mA. Some can go higher; you have to check the system specs. There are also "Y" cables that combine two USB ports together to double the amount of current. At 1A, that's still less than the tablet's specs. If you have an Apple iPad charger, I'd think that would work. Mine says 5.1V @ 2.1A.

emeraldgirl08 · #5 Post by **emeraldgirl08** » Tue Oct 16, 2012 1:56 am

I do not have an IPAD or any apple products at this time. I think I'll let this one sit overnight. Thanks for your input!