Electronics > Beginners
Can I get 5V 2.5A from a 12V 1.5A power brick?
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mikeselectricstuff:

--- Quote from: Hero999 on August 16, 2018, 03:12:02 pm ---
--- Quote from: mikeselectricstuff on August 16, 2018, 02:49:45 pm ---
--- Quote from: Hero999 on August 16, 2018, 01:44:42 pm ---

If only 5V 2.5A is required, then use a 5V brick. Converting 12V to 5V, when it's not necessary is bad design.

--- End quote ---
Unless you have any significant cable length. Local conversion at the load end both reduces losses and gives you tolerance of voltage drop.

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That's true, but wouldn't it make sense to use an even higher voltage in that case?

I suppose 12V might be more optimal, because a simple buck converter can convert 12V to 5V more efficiently, than 24V to 5V.

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Yes - 24V would be my default choice, and there are plenty of converters that would do it. However for intermediate cable lengths, it may be that local regulation is the primary concern rather than efficiency, and 12V may be easier to get - e.g. plug-in and desktop type PSUs are less common at 24v, though 19v laptop supplies are another common option.
Once you go over 24v, thinks like circuit protection and PSU availability become more of an issue, so you'd only go that way if you had a particular need for it. 
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