Bzap said:Hi - I'm just starting to build a few basic circuits and am looking to get easy access to a low voltage ac power supply. I pulled apart a power brick, and it only has 4 diodes, a cap, and a transformer. If I pull out the cap and the diodes and solder the cord to the leads on the transformer, I should get a pretty safe low voltage ac power source, right? What kind of fuse should I add, if any?
Bzap said:120 vac, 3.3vac
Bzap said:Says it's rated for 350 ma dc.
berkeman said:350mA at 3.3Vdc? That's a pretty small wall wart...?
I'd fuse the AC output a bit below the rated DC output current. That should have reasonable margin.
A "Wall wart" is a nickname for a type of AC adapter that plugs into a wall outlet and converts the high voltage AC electricity from the outlet into a lower voltage that can be used to power electronic devices. It typically consists of a transformer, rectifier, and voltage regulator.
The exact range of what is considered "low voltage" can vary, but typically it refers to voltages below 50 volts AC. Some wall warts may provide even lower voltages, such as 5 volts for charging smartphones or 12 volts for powering small electronic devices.
One of the main advantages is convenience - wall warts are compact and easy to use, simply plugging into a wall outlet. They also provide a safe and regulated source of low voltage power, which is important for sensitive electronic devices.
While wall warts are generally safe to use, there are some potential hazards to be aware of. These can include electrical shocks if the wall wart is damaged, overheating if it is overloaded, and potential fire hazards if the wall wart is not used properly or if it is of poor quality.
Some wall warts may have the capability to provide different types of power supply, such as DC or higher voltage AC. However, it is important to check the specifications of the specific wall wart to ensure it can provide the type and voltage of power needed for the intended use.