Revision as of 08:39, 2 September 2025

Power Adapter Barrel Connector Compatibility

**Power Adapter Barrel Connector Compatibility Table**
System	Voltage	Current	Barrel Size	Official PSU Model
Group 1 – 9V DC, 5.5mm × 2.1mm, Centre Negative
ZX Spectrum +2 / +2A / +3	9V DC	2.1A	5.5 × 2.1mm	Sinclair PSU (various OEM)
Sega Saturn	9V DC	1.5A	5.5 × 2.1mm	MK-2103
Super Nintendo (PAL)	9V DC	1.3A	5.5 × 2.1mm	SNSP-002E(FRG)
NES (PAL)	9V DC	1.3A	5.5 × 2.1mm	NES-002E
Sega Mega Drive / Genesis (Model 1)	9V DC	1.2A	5.5 × 2.1mm	MK-1602-05
Sega Master System	9V DC	1.2A	5.5 × 2.1mm	MK-3025
Group 2 – 9V DC, 3.5mm × 1.35mm, Centre Negative
ZX Spectrum (16/48K)	9V DC	1.4A	3.5 × 1.35mm	Sinclair PSU
Atari 7800	9V DC	1.0A	3.5 × 1.35mm	C018187
Atari 2600 (VCS)	9V DC	0.5A	3.5 × 1.35mm	C017945
Group 3 – 9V DC, 4.75mm × 1.7mm, Centre Negative
Sega Game Gear	9V DC	1.2A	4.75 × 1.7mm	MK-2103 (shared PSU with Saturn in some regions)
Group 4 – 6V DC, 4.75mm × 1.7mm, Centre Negative
Game Boy (DMG-01)	6V DC	0.7A	4.75 × 1.7mm	DMG-03 / MGB-005
Group 5 – 9–10V DC, 4.75mm × 1.7mm, Centre Positive
Atari Lynx (Model 1)	9V DC	1.0A	4.75 × 1.7mm	PA-1400
Atari Lynx (Model 2)	9V DC	1.0A	4.75 × 1.7mm	PA-1400
Sega Mega Drive / Genesis (Model 2)	10V DC	0.85A	4.75 × 1.7mm	MK-1633
Group 6 – 7.5V DC, 4.0mm × 1.7mm, Centre Negative
Sony PlayStation (PS1)	7.5V DC	2.0A	4.0 × 1.7mm	SCPH-113

Notes

Notes & Warnings

Sega Mega Drive / Genesis Model 1 vs Model 2 – Model 1 is centre-negative, Model 2 is centre-positive. Swapping these power supplies will damage the console.
Sega Saturn – uses the same barrel as Model 1 Mega Drive but requires more current (1.5A). A weaker PSU may boot the system but cause crashes.
Sega Master System – compatible with Mega Drive Model 1 PSU (same voltage, current, and polarity).
Sega Game Gear – draws a high current; cheap adapters often cause humming in the audio and unstable video.
Super Nintendo (PAL) – uses 9V DC centre-negative. NTSC models often shipped with AC adapters instead of DC, making them incompatible with the PAL PSU group.
Nintendo Entertainment System (PAL) – same as PAL SNES, but NTSC NES (US/Japan) typically shipped with a 9V AC PSU. Do not interchange with PAL systems.
ZX Spectrum (16K/48K) – requires a regulated 9V DC centre-negative supply. Original Sinclair PSUs were unregulated and can output up to 14V off-load, risking damage to modern peripherals.
ZX Spectrum +2 / +2A / +3 – higher current draw (2.1A). A weaker Spectrum 48K PSU is not sufficient.
Atari 2600 (VCS) – early units use a simple 9V DC centre-negative PSU at low current. Many modern replacements are compatible, but original adapters are prone to failure with age.
Atari 7800 – same barrel size and polarity as Atari 2600 but requires more current (1.0A). A 2600 PSU may power it but risk instability.
Atari Lynx (Model 1 and Model 2) – both require 9V DC centre-positive. Using a centre-negative adapter (e.g. Spectrum, Master System, Mega Drive Model 1) will damage the system.
Game Boy (DMG-01) – uses a 6V DC PSU, centre-negative. Do not use 9V adapters intended for other Nintendo or Sega consoles.
Sony PlayStation (PS1) – requires 7.5V DC at 2.0A. Using 9V adapters directly can overheat or damage the console. The barrel plug (4.0 × 1.7mm) is smaller than most Sega/Nintendo connectors and not interchangeable.
General note on amperage – it is safe to use a PSU rated at a higher current (A) than required, but never lower. Voltage and polarity must always match.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+=Power Adapter Barrel Connector Compatibility=
 {| class="wikitable" style="margin: auto; text-align:center;"
 |+ '''Power Adapter Barrel Connector Compatibility Table'''
@@ Line 50: / Line 52: @@
 | Sony PlayStation (PS1) || 7.5V DC || 2.0A || 4.0 × 1.7mm || [[File:power_center_negative.png|80px]] || SCPH-113
 |}
+==Notes==
+== Notes & Warnings ==
+* '''Sega Mega Drive / Genesis Model 1 vs Model 2''' – Model 1 is centre-negative, Model 2 is centre-positive. Swapping these power supplies will damage the console.
+* '''Sega Saturn''' – uses the same barrel as Model 1 Mega Drive but requires more current (1.5A). A weaker PSU may boot the system but cause crashes.
+* '''Sega Master System''' – compatible with Mega Drive Model 1 PSU (same voltage, current, and polarity).
+* '''Sega Game Gear''' – draws a high current; cheap adapters often cause humming in the audio and unstable video.
+* '''Super Nintendo (PAL)''' – uses 9V DC centre-negative. NTSC models often shipped with AC adapters instead of DC, making them incompatible with the PAL PSU group.
+* '''Nintendo Entertainment System (PAL)''' – same as PAL SNES, but NTSC NES (US/Japan) typically shipped with a 9V AC PSU. Do not interchange with PAL systems.
+* '''ZX Spectrum (16K/48K)''' – requires a regulated 9V DC centre-negative supply. Original Sinclair PSUs were unregulated and can output up to 14V off-load, risking damage to modern peripherals.
+* '''ZX Spectrum +2 / +2A / +3''' – higher current draw (2.1A). A weaker Spectrum 48K PSU is not sufficient.
+* '''Atari 2600 (VCS)''' – early units use a simple 9V DC centre-negative PSU at low current. Many modern replacements are compatible, but original adapters are prone to failure with age.
+* '''Atari 7800''' – same barrel size and polarity as Atari 2600 but requires more current (1.0A). A 2600 PSU may power it but risk instability.
+* '''Atari Lynx (Model 1 and Model 2)''' – both require 9V DC centre-positive. Using a centre-negative adapter (e.g. Spectrum, Master System, Mega Drive Model 1) will damage the system.
+* '''Game Boy (DMG-01)''' – uses a 6V DC PSU, centre-negative. Do not use 9V adapters intended for other Nintendo or Sega consoles.
+* '''Sony PlayStation (PS1)''' – requires 7.5V DC at 2.0A. Using 9V adapters directly can overheat or damage the console. The barrel plug (4.0 × 1.7mm) is smaller than most Sega/Nintendo connectors and not interchangeable.
+* '''General note on amperage''' – it is safe to use a PSU rated at a higher current (A) than required, but never lower. Voltage and polarity must always match.