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]

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.

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.

[helius]

There are some reputable brands, like Delta, Lite-on, and Ault, that you can expect not to fail from inadequate isolation or saturation.
But you should consider that in any power brick with a linear regulator, it can short out and let unregulated power to the output. This means that the maximum voltage from a 9V DC regulated supply can actually be 15V, etc. Hopefully your equipment can withstand this without blowing up, and you will remember to test the power supply when something goes wrong instead of blaming something else.
This is less of a concern with unregulated DC power bricks, or those that supply AC.

[rdl]

I use Phihong for low power needs, but there are other reputable brands. No need to pay too much. Here is a Mouser search (USA) to start, but check with your local Mouser or Digi-key to see what's available.



https://www.mouser.com/Power/Power-Supplies/Plug-In-AC-Adapters/_/N-brvy9Z1yzvvqxZgjdhub?P=1yzv4u1Z1z0zlbjZ1ysr4miZ1yva230Z1z0zl9bZ1z0zl9aZ1z0zp4n

[cvanc]

When I'm looking for a higher quality wall-wart I search for ones rated for medical use.  I have used Phihong with good results, but I'm sure there are others.

[james_s]

Some of the products at a former job used LiteOn power bricks. I rescued quite a few of those from the recycle bin and have yet to have one fail.

[Seekonk]

I buy a lot of this one that is only $1.50 shipped and in a case! I think it is pretty well constructed for the price.  If it is fused and grounded, what the heck. Just don't use them anywhere near their rating. Check out this guy DiodesGoneWild on youtube for schematics and inside look of popular models.  I heavily mod mine for special purpose and this saves me buying something that would be useless to me.