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