On 2/09/2020 9:28 pm, Phil Hobbs wrote:> On 2020-09-01 22:18, david eather wrote: >> On 2/09/2020 12:01 pm, david eather wrote: >>> I have in mind a project that will use AC Plug Packs. For safety and >>> legal reasons I can't change that, but I am troubled by the low >>> voltage power plugs supplied. They are 2.1mm round plugs just like >>> those on almost any DC plug Pack. >>> >>> Time marches on plug packs get mixed in together and "hey this fits" >>> and pzzzt... magic smoke happens to someones piece of kit. >>> >>> are there suggestions for an alternative plug to use. Doesn't need to >>> be polarized (of course), but something hot plug-able would be nice. >>> >>> Any suggestions? >> >> im pretty sure there are no good options, but I,m just checking > > The only vaguely common alternatives I've seen are round DIN plugs or > 3.5 mm phone plugs. BITD modems ran off 24VAC warts with those same > round connectors. A D-sub might work. > > Alternatively, nearly all the warts I've seen use 2.1 or 2.5 mm centre > pins, 5.5 mm outside. Maybe use an odd size, like this one? > > <https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/cui-devices/PPM-2-35135-S1/102-4709-ND/9486620> > > > Cheers > > Phil Hobbs >I think they are used in Android devices.
AC Plug Pack (wall wart) plugs - suggestions please
Started by ●September 1, 2020
Reply by ●September 2, 20202020-09-02
Reply by ●September 2, 20202020-09-02
On 2/09/2020 9:09 pm, Clive Arthur wrote:> On 02/09/2020 03:01, david eather wrote: >> I have in mind a project that will use AC Plug Packs. For safety and >> legal reasons I can't change that, but I am troubled by the low >> voltage power plugs supplied. They are 2.1mm round plugs just like >> those on almost any DC plug Pack. >> >> Time marches on plug packs get mixed in together and "hey this fits" >> and pzzzt... magic smoke happens to someones piece of kit. >> >> are there suggestions for an alternative plug to use. Doesn't need to >> be polarized (of course), but something hot plug-able would be nice. >> >> Any suggestions? > > Use two connectors, one for each pole. >That will work.
Reply by ●September 2, 20202020-09-02
On 2/09/2020 12:01 pm, david eather wrote:> I have in mind a project that will use AC Plug Packs. For safety and > legal reasons I can't change that, but I am troubled by the low voltage > power plugs supplied. They are 2.1mm round plugs just like those on > almost any DC plug Pack. > > Time marches on plug packs get mixed in together and "hey this fits" and > pzzzt... magic smoke happens to someones piece of kit. > > are there suggestions for an alternative plug to use. Doesn't need to be > polarized (of course), but something hot plug-able would be nice. > > Any suggestions?Thank you all. I think clear labels is the only practical and aesthetically acceptable solution. Sometimes you can't fully protect against stupid.
Reply by ●September 2, 20202020-09-02
On 9/2/2020 2:50 PM, david eather wrote:> On 2/09/2020 12:01 pm, david eather wrote: >> I have in mind a project that will use AC Plug Packs. For safety and legal >> reasons I can't change that, but I am troubled by the low voltage power plugs >> supplied. They are 2.1mm round plugs just like those on almost any DC plug Pack. >> >> Time marches on plug packs get mixed in together and "hey this fits" and >> pzzzt... magic smoke happens to someones piece of kit. >> >> are there suggestions for an alternative plug to use. Doesn't need to be >> polarized (of course), but something hot plug-able would be nice. >> >> Any suggestions? > > Thank you all. I think clear labels is the only practical and aesthetically > acceptable solution. Sometimes you can't fully protect against stupid.While most manufacturers distribute wall warts that just bear "generic" labeling (Vin@Iin, Vou@Iout), you could actually tag the wall wart with a label indicating its PURPOSE: "Frajistat9000 Power Supply". Of course, then you can't leverage a common part for multiple devices (and may require the wall wart vendor to label them for you) I have systematically gone through EVERY wall wart, brick and "other" power adapter, here, and affixed labels declaring their intended mates. I find it makes it a lot easier to ensure the correct power adapter stays with its intended device (as power adapters seem to "congregate" and lose their distinguishing identities!) [The ptouch labelers are great for this sort of thing] I also label *devices* that seem to shy away from clearly identifying their make/model -- so I can later figure out which device mates to a particular wall wart (what good is labeling the wall wart if you can't identify the device??) Ah, the "benefits" of having everything "Hecho en China"... :<
Reply by ●September 3, 20202020-09-03
Clive Arthur wrote:> > Use two connectors, one for each pole.Is that a Polish joke? :) -- Never piss off an Engineer! They don't get mad. They don't get even. They go for over unity! ;-)
Reply by ●September 3, 20202020-09-03
On Thursday, 3 September 2020 14:39:07 UTC+1, Michael_A_Terrell wrote:> Clive Arthur wrote: > > > > Use two connectors, one for each pole. > > > Is that a Polish joke? :)one shared between 2 poles.
Reply by ●September 3, 20202020-09-03
On 2020-09-02 17:45, david eather wrote:> On 2/09/2020 9:28 pm, Phil Hobbs wrote: >> On 2020-09-01 22:18, david eather wrote: >>> On 2/09/2020 12:01 pm, david eather wrote: >>>> I have in mind a project that will use AC Plug Packs. For safety and >>>> legal reasons I can't change that, but I am troubled by the low >>>> voltage power plugs supplied. They are 2.1mm round plugs just like >>>> those on almost any DC plug Pack. >>>> >>>> Time marches on plug packs get mixed in together and "hey this fits" >>>> and pzzzt... magic smoke happens to someones piece of kit. >>>> >>>> are there suggestions for an alternative plug to use. Doesn't need >>>> to be polarized (of course), but something hot plug-able would be nice. >>>> >>>> Any suggestions? >>> >>> im pretty sure there are no good options, but I,m just checking >> >> The only vaguely common alternatives I've seen are round DIN plugs or >> 3.5 mm phone plugs. BITD modems ran off 24VAC warts with those same >> round connectors. A D-sub might work. >> >> Alternatively, nearly all the warts I've seen use 2.1 or 2.5 mm centre >> pins, 5.5 mm outside. Maybe use an odd size, like this one? >> >> <https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/cui-devices/PPM-2-35135-S1/102-4709-ND/9486620> >> >> >> Cheers >> >> Phil Hobbs >> > > I think they are used in Android devices.Sure, they're going to be used by somebody, or they wouldn't still be available. The key is to make the conjunction rare. Cheers Phil Hobbs -- Dr Philip C D Hobbs Principal Consultant ElectroOptical Innovations LLC / Hobbs ElectroOptics Optics, Electro-optics, Photonics, Analog Electronics Briarcliff Manor NY 10510 http://electrooptical.net http://hobbs-eo.com
Reply by ●September 3, 20202020-09-03
On 2020-09-02 17:44, david eather wrote:> On 2/09/2020 12:35 pm, Phil Allison wrote: >> david eather wrote: >> >> ================== >>> I have in mind a project that will use AC Plug Packs. For safety and >>> legal reasons I can't change that, but I am troubled by the low voltage >>> power plugs supplied. They are 2.1mm round plugs just like those on >>> almost any DC plug Pack. >>> >>> Time marches on plug packs get mixed in together and "hey this fits" and >>> pzzzt... magic smoke happens to someones piece of kit. >>> >>> >> ** Though possible this rarely happens. > > Sadly, I confess I have done it. An LED clock that used 5volts got it's > own wake up call when I plugged 12 volts into it. I really needed the > clock and I liked it too.That's why we standardized on +24V. AC won't kill our boxes because of the unidirectional TVS, series Schottky rectifier, and polyfuse. However, as you go lower in voltage, your box will draw more operating current, so it'll require that much more fault current to switch the polyfuse if somebody plugs in the wrong wart.>> You need to clearly label your AC pack with the name of the item it >> goes with and a warning that it be used with no other. > > Yep, I was thinking that would be the best I could do. > > Thanks > >> >> Try to make the item damage proof if used with a DC pak up to 12V.24V at least. Cheers Phil Hobbs -- Dr Philip C D Hobbs Principal Consultant ElectroOptical Innovations LLC / Hobbs ElectroOptics Optics, Electro-optics, Photonics, Analog Electronics Briarcliff Manor NY 10510 http://electrooptical.net http://hobbs-eo.com
Reply by ●September 3, 20202020-09-03
On 2020-09-02 05:44, Tabby wrote:> On Wednesday, 2 September 2020 03:01:50 UTC+1, david eather wrote: > >> I have in mind a project that will use AC Plug Packs. For safety and >> legal reasons I can't change that, but I am troubled by the low voltage >> power plugs supplied. They are 2.1mm round plugs just like those on >> almost any DC plug Pack. >> >> Time marches on plug packs get mixed in together and "hey this fits" and >> pzzzt... magic smoke happens to someones piece of kit. >> >> are there suggestions for an alternative plug to use. Doesn't need to be >> polarized (of course), but something hot plug-able would be nice. >> >> Any suggestions? > > One simple solution is run the kit at the highest commonish wart voltage, 30 or 32v. And always make your warts output ac so psu polarity doesn't matter. Another is to add overvoltage protection. Another is to have the dc socket insde the appliance case. Another is to put the whole wart inside the appliance with just a mains connector user accessible. etc etc.I gather you're retired. ;) AFAICT the use of AC warts mostly went out with the 56kbaud modem, and for good reason. That approach requires gigundo wet Al filter caps and so on in order to be able to handle 50-60 Hz AC. What a waste. Cheers Phil Hobbs -- Dr Philip C D Hobbs Principal Consultant ElectroOptical Innovations LLC / Hobbs ElectroOptics Optics, Electro-optics, Photonics, Analog Electronics Briarcliff Manor NY 10510 http://electrooptical.net http://hobbs-eo.com
Reply by ●September 3, 20202020-09-03
On Thu, 3 Sep 2020 18:30:06 -0400, Phil Hobbs <pcdhSpamMeSenseless@electrooptical.net> wrote:>On 2020-09-02 17:44, david eather wrote: >> On 2/09/2020 12:35 pm, Phil Allison wrote: >>> david eather wrote: >>> >>> ================== >>>> I have in mind a project that will use AC Plug Packs. For safety and >>>> legal reasons I can't change that, but I am troubled by the low voltage >>>> power plugs supplied. They are 2.1mm round plugs just like those on >>>> almost any DC plug Pack. >>>> >>>> Time marches on plug packs get mixed in together and "hey this fits" and >>>> pzzzt... magic smoke happens to someones piece of kit. >>>> >>>> >>> ** Though possible this rarely happens. >> >> Sadly, I confess I have done it. An LED clock that used 5volts got it's >> own wake up call when I plugged 12 volts into it.� I really needed the >> clock and I liked it too. > >That's why we standardized on +24V. AC won't kill our boxes because of >the unidirectional TVS, series Schottky rectifier, and polyfuse. >However, as you go lower in voltage, your box will draw more operating >current, so it'll require that much more fault current to switch the >polyfuse if somebody plugs in the wrong wart. > >>> � You need to clearly label your AC pack with the name of the item it >>> goes with and a warning that it be used with no other. >> >> Yep, I was thinking that would be the best I could do. >> >> Thanks >> >>> >>> Try to make the item damage proof if used with a DC pak up to 12V. > >24V at least. > >Cheers > >Phil HobbsWe like 24 because it's unlikely that anybody has a higher voltage wart around, to plug in by mistake. Of course, my new pulse generator ships with a 48v wart!
