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Question regarding AC/DC converter ouput

Hello All!

I recently was looking at a power converter as a possible problem with a flatpanel monitor.

When I placed a VOM on a 12VDC ac/dc power converter I measured 14 or better volts. I was hoping someone in here could tell me if this is normal, and if it is safe with a device that specifies 12V for power input.

I measured several other 12VDC power converters and received higher than the listed output by 50% in one case (18VDC). It would seem to me that this would damage a device. Obviously I'm wrong but I would like to understand why this is.

Any help in understanding this is greatly appreciated!

Sincerely,

Jed

Reply to
Jed
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Depends on the device. If it is a big supply rated at several amps or more and is to run equipment usually ran in a car the voltage is normally set at

13.8 volts. This is the "standard" voltage of a car charging system with the motor running.

If it is a wall cube, they are not usually regulated. The volage will be somewhat higher than 12 volts and drop under load to near 12 volts. If the supply just has a rectifier and capacitor in it and is unloaded it will be the roughly 12 volts times about 1.4 (peak part of a 12 volt ac rms reading). Think that 1.4 is close for the multiplier. This is because the capacitor will charge near the peak voltage of the sine wave.

Reply to
Ralph Mowery

Ralph Mowery uttered with a toothy grin in sci.electronics.repair:

...

Thak you!

Reply to
Jed

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