I accidentally plugged something into the wrong AC adapter yesterday. When I realized the thing wasn't working, I unplugged it and realized what I'd done. The adapter was REALLY hot. Like, near burn to the touch.
The thing is, I don't have the correct adapter with me, evidently. Do you guys think I may have broken it for good? Or should it still work?
Posted by El JT de Spang (Member # 7742) on :
No way to tell, really, until you plug it into the right adapter and see if it powers on.
You could've very well fried it (depending on what the adapter was and what it was supposed to be, as well as whether the device has any overcurrent protection [like a fuse]), or it could be fine. It's impossible to say with the information you've given.
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
I've fried stuff by plugging into the wrong adapter, but it was a quick burn, rather than a slow simmer.
Sizzle! Snap! Death! Like that.
And then that uncomfortable "oops" feeling in the pit of my stomach.
Posted by Glenn Arnold (Member # 3192) on :
Just off the top of my head, if the adapter got hot, it sounds like the device was trying to draw more current than the adapter could supply. So in all likelihood, the adapter may be fried, but I'd bet that the device itself is probably fine.
Posted by aragorn64 (Member # 4204) on :
Hmm...
On a slightly different note, does anybody know anything about "universal power adapters"? Not the kind that let you plug into different power sources in different countries, but the kind that claims to be compatible with most kinds of portable devices?
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
If they are sufficiently adjustable (and most are) they usually work fine. Just be sure you have everything set correctly for your particular device.