Can a common 9V power supply be used as a -9V supply?

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SUMMARY

Using a common 9V power supply, such as the one linked from Amazon, can effectively provide a -9V output when paired with another 9V supply for the +9V. This method is feasible due to the transformer isolation of these power supplies, allowing them to be stacked for split supplies. However, caution is necessary regarding the power plug configuration, as units with a 3-pin plug may have grounding issues that could lead to circuit damage. Additionally, the 9V supply in question has a current limit of 100 mA, which may not be sufficient for all applications; higher current options are available for a modest increase in cost.

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atlbraves49
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So if you have something like this:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002H07CW/?tag=pfamazon01-20

can you use it as a -9V supply?

My circuit requires a +9V and a -9V supply, and since I am having issues finding fixed +/-9V supplies, i was wondering if i could just use a 9V supply for the +9V, and another 9V supply as the negative?And then could the same be done with a 5V power supply like this:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001KU44HE/?tag=pfamazon01-20

to get a -5V supply?
 
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atlbraves49 said:
So if you have something like this:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002H07CW/?tag=pfamazon01-20

can you use it as a -9V supply?

My circuit requires a +9V and a -9V supply, and since I am having issues finding fixed +/-9V supplies, i was wondering if i could just use a 9V supply for the +9V, and another 9V supply as the negative?


And then could the same be done with a 5V power supply like this:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001KU44HE/?tag=pfamazon01-20

to get a -5V supply?

Yes, those are transformer-isolated power supplies, so you can stack them to make split supplies.
 
It is perfectly safe to use one as a minus supply if the unit does not have a 3-pin power plug. I have found that some units have a 3-pin power plug with the ground connected to the outside shell of the dc power connector. One problem you will have (besides isolating the shell of the neg supply plug) is that unless you switch the common AC power, you will be turning on the plus power before or after you turn on the minus power. This asymmetric power application can sometimes damage circuits (like when the minus supply provides bias to bases on discrete transistors). The 9-V unit you are looking at has a wimpy (100 mA) current limit. You can probably find 1 amp plug-in units for a few $ more.
 

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