Electronics > Beginners

Off the shelf plug packs / wall warts / AC-DC adapters - safety and quality?

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voltagex:
Maybe watching Big Clive's videos has made me a bit paranoid, but without breaking them apart, how would I know what constitutes a "good" or "safe" AC to DC adapter?

e.g. https://www.lindy.com.au/ac-power-adapter-12vdc-1-5a-5-5-x-2-1mm-plug or https://www.lindy.com.au/ac-power-adapter-24vdc-2-5a-in-line - I trust this company

but

how do I know that https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/DC24V-2A-Adapter-AC-100V-240V-to-DC-24V-Converter-Power-Supply-Adapter-5-5-2-5cm/273355183108 is better or worse? (except that it's listed in Australia with the wrong prongs).

I don't mind paying a bit more, but I'd like to know what I'm getting.

I guess I could buy an extra one and pull it apart.

I'm also happy to send power packs and AliExpress junk to someone else in Australia to pull apart and photograph - but that's probably an expensive service! (cool little business idea, though)

Regards,
Adam

Ian.M:
At a small fraction of the price, its *very* unlikely to be better.   The way to bet is its worse, but without tearing one apart, you cant tell if its so bad its actually unsafe.

voltagex:

--- Quote from: Ian.M on July 30, 2018, 10:38:58 am ---At a small fraction of the price, its *very* unlikely to be better.   The way to bet is its worse, but without tearing one apart, you cant tell if its so bad its actually unsafe.

--- End quote ---

So where do you get yours from? "From the parts bin" is a valid answer, but kinda frustrating.

Ian.M:
For small quantities, paying the premium for a reasonably reputable brand from an authorised distributor is the only safe choice.  The liability from a single incident could wipe you out if you go for a cheap Chinese import.  If you need multi-K quantities there are other options . . . .

voltagex:
I mean, this is just for my projects, but there's got to be a middle ground between $5 supplies and $40 supplies.

Found some interesting things while looking at some of the "popular" AliExpress listings

* Weighing the power supply in comparison with others seems to be a thing

* Even on what looks like a good listing, there's review photos like https://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/UTB8A5rOxVfFXKJk43Otq6xIPFXak.jpg


... on second thoughts, I'll pay $40.

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