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| Silly power wiring question to those that work with 110v |
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| bkenobi:
If they follow US codes, black is hot for AC, but it's ground for DC. If you are taking the output from a transformer, then you are using DC. Thus the black SHOULD be ground for the DC output. If you are talking about the black wire that is an input to the transformer, then that SHOULD be hot AC. Unless you have markings on the side of the transformer, you really need to trace the wires or else use a multimeter. Be careful with your meter...if you put AC into it in DC mode, it could burn it up (I've heard that can happen, but I've never tried it :dunno). |
| evitagen:
Indeed. DC is oddly backwards with color coding. Sometimes red is used to represent the hot(like on your car battery). But really it probably won't matter if you swap the hot and neutral because I doubt it's polarized anyway. If you notice any 2-prong appliance without a ground can be plugged into a socket either way. |
| iscariot:
THe transformer I'm looking at using has 2 blacks. One is black and one is black with a white stripe on it. |
| evitagen:
^Seriously, doesn't matter how you hook it up because it isn't polarized. You can swap them up and it won't make a difference. |
| DaOld Man:
The output from a transformer is AC, not DC. Most power supplies, such as wall warts, convert the AC from the transformer to DC by running it through a rectifier. (Usually diode arrays). This rectifier is usually contained inside the box with the transformer. So if the wallwart outputs DC, it should be stamped on the box (or package). IE: 120 VAC input 12 VDC output. Just my 3.5 cents worth. |
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