Connector Voltage Rating

Maximum ratings do not necessarily mean spectacular and catastrophic failure if exceeded. Exceeding them may result only in very gradual deterioration over a long time. Ratings may also be very conservative or marginal. In any case, 16VDC at 5A could cause significant arcing at break.

So it's like a relay contact spec. Using a higher voltage would cause pitting and wear and reduce the life of the connector, but if the connector is designed to connect a 12 volt power supply normally, it should survive an accidental 48 volt supply plugged into it if I have appropriate safety circuits after the connector.

Think of potential arcing when the built-in switch is opened or the plug is removed.

I note there is no reference to the word maximum in your rating. This could just as easily be a minimum, warning of lousy internal contact or intermittency at lower application voltages. An unlikely admission, even if true (the first thing to break in most commodity wall warts seems to be cable and connector).

RL RL

"Wanderer"

I squared R loss is 1.25 watts - which would MELT the stupid damn thing in seconds !!

Expect it to take maybe a couple of amps up to about 20 volts DC with rare disconnect under load events.

Any more DC voltage is dangerous and BLOODY ILLEGAL !!

Fool.

..... Phil

"Wanderer"

I squared R loss is 1.25 watts - which would MELT the stupid damn thing in seconds !!

Expect it to take maybe a couple of amps up to about 20 volts DC with only rare disconnect under load events.

Any more DC voltage is dangerous and BLOODY ILLEGAL !!

Fool.

..... Phil