Is it safe to use a different power adapter for my router?

Can I use this adapter for my router:

Input: 150-300v - 50hz 500mA
Output: 12.0v -- 1.2A

Adapter instead of this broken one:

Input: 100-240v - 50/60Hz 0.3A
Output: 9v -- 0.6A

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4 Answers

You cannot use that adapter because it is outputting more voltage than the original (12v vs. 9v). This has a likely chance of burning out one or more of the components within the router. In order to swap out chargers, 3 things must be the same:

• The output voltages must be identical
• The output amperage of the new one must be equal or greater than the original
• The new adapter must have the same tip polarity

There is some wiggle room in the amperage, but the voltage and tip polarity must match. Tip polarity can usually be seen as a symbol like this:

In this picture, it indicates that the tip is negative. Mixing tip polarities is just as likely to fry your router as using too high a voltage.

If replacing the power supply direct from the manufacturer is too expensive, try an electronics shop like RadioShack. They typically sell universal plugs that can be used for any device. Sometimes they even have selectable voltage and tip polarity.

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NO!

Your output voltage is wrong, which is the important part. You can safely use an adapter with the same output voltage, and a current (A/mA) rating equal or higher than the original.

4

I wouldn't. It might work depending on whether there's sufficient additional voltage regulation inside your router. But the adapter you're considering using puts out a higher voltage than the original, 12v versus 9v, and stands a good chance of burning up your router with higher current than intended.

(Ohm's law says I = E/R. If the load resistance, R, is constant but you increase the voltage, E, you will increase the current, I.)

0

No.

If you are going to use another adapter use one with the same voltage and at least the same amperage.

• If you use one with less amperage then the device might try draw more juice and burn out the new adapter.
• If you use one with less voltage then it may fail to power the device. Not sure if that would damage it or if it just would not work
• If you use one with significantly more voltage (and 12v is a full third more than 9v) then you might burn out your device.

Your situtation:
Old output: 9v and 0.6A
New output 12v and 1.2A

The third reason is why you do not want to test this.

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