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Barrel Power Supplies: Difference between revisions

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== Notes & Warnings ==
== Notes & Warnings ==


* '''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 Jaguar / Jaguar CD''' – uses the same PSU spec as Sega Mega Drive 1 (9V DC, centre-negative). Safe cross-compatibility.
* '''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.
* '''NEC PC Engine / CoreGrafx / TurboGrafx-16''' – requires 9V DC centre-negative. Later Duo models draw more current.
* '''NEC PC Engine Duo / TurboDuo''' – 9V DC centre-negative, higher current draw (1.5A). Should not be powered with weaker CoreGrafx/TurboGrafx supplies.
* '''Neo Geo AES''' – PSU requirements vary by production run. Early PRO-POW-1/2 used 9V centre-negative, later PRO-POW-3/E use 5V centre-positive. Using the wrong adapter can destroy the system.
* '''Neo Geo CD''' – requires 5V DC centre-positive at 3A. A very specific PSU; substitutes must exactly match.
* '''Nintendo Famicom (HVC-002)''' – requires 10V DC centre-negative. Cannot be safely powered with NES (PAL) or SNES (PAL) adapters.
* '''Nintendo Game Boy (DMG-01)''' – uses a 6V DC PSU, centre-negative. Do not use 9V adapters intended for other Nintendo or Sega consoles.
* '''Nintendo NES (PAL)''' – same as PAL SNES, but NTSC NES (US/Japan) typically shipped with a 9V AC PSU. Do not interchange with PAL systems.
* '''Nintendo Super NES (PAL)''' – uses 9V DC centre-negative. NTSC models often shipped with AC adapters instead of DC, making them incompatible with PAL PSUs.
* '''Nintendo Virtual Boy''' – also uses 10V DC centre-negative (same as Famicom). Power requirements are stricter than most Nintendo consoles.
* '''Sega 32X''' – same PSU spec as Mega Drive 2. Tower of Power setups (MD + 32X + Mega-CD) require multiple adapters, not a single shared PSU.
* '''Sega CD (Model 1 & 2)''' – same PSU spec as Mega Drive 1. Compatible supplies can be interchanged.
* '''Sega Game Gear''' – draws a high current; cheap adapters often cause humming in the audio and unstable video.
* '''Sega Master System''' – compatible with Mega Drive Model 1 PSU (same voltage, current, and polarity).
* '''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 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 Nomad''' – uses the same PSU as Mega Drive 2 (10V, centre-positive). Do not use a Model 1 PSU.
* '''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 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).
* '''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.
* '''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 (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.
* '''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.
* '''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.

Revision as of 08:57, 2 September 2025

Power Adapter Barrel Connector Compatibility

Table

Power Adapter Barrel Connector Compatibility Table
System Voltage Current Barrel Size Polarity 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
NEC PC Engine Duo / TurboDuo 9V DC 1.5A 5.5 × 2.1mm DUO-AC
Sega CD (Model 1 & 2) 9V DC 1.2A 5.5 × 2.1mm MK-1602
Atari Jaguar / Jaguar CD 9V DC 1.2A 5.5 × 2.1mm PA-1400 / MK-4120
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
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
NEC PC Engine / CoreGrafx / TurboGrafx-16 9V DC 0.85A 5.5 × 2.1mm HES-ACA-01 / Turbo AC Adapter
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
Sega 32X 10V DC 0.85A 4.75 × 1.7mm MK-1633
Sega Nomad 10V DC 0.85A 4.75 × 1.7mm MK-1633
Sega Mega Drive / Genesis (Model 2) 10V DC 0.85A 4.75 × 1.7mm MK-1633
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
Group 6 – 10V DC, 5.5mm × 2.1mm, Centre Negative
Nintendo Famicom (HVC) 10V DC 0.85A 5.5 × 2.1mm HVC-002
Nintendo Virtual Boy 10V DC 0.85A 5.5 × 2.1mm VUE-002
Group 7 – 5V DC, 5.5mm × 2.1mm, Centre Positive
Neo Geo AES (later PRO-POW-3 / E) 5V DC 3.0A 5.5 × 2.1mm PRO-POW-3 / PRO-POW-E
Neo Geo CD (Front & Top Loader) 5V DC 3.0A 5.5 × 2.1mm Neo Geo CD PSU
Group 8 – 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

  • 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 Jaguar / Jaguar CD – uses the same PSU spec as Sega Mega Drive 1 (9V DC, centre-negative). Safe cross-compatibility.
  • 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.
  • NEC PC Engine / CoreGrafx / TurboGrafx-16 – requires 9V DC centre-negative. Later Duo models draw more current.
  • NEC PC Engine Duo / TurboDuo – 9V DC centre-negative, higher current draw (1.5A). Should not be powered with weaker CoreGrafx/TurboGrafx supplies.
  • Neo Geo AES – PSU requirements vary by production run. Early PRO-POW-1/2 used 9V centre-negative, later PRO-POW-3/E use 5V centre-positive. Using the wrong adapter can destroy the system.
  • Neo Geo CD – requires 5V DC centre-positive at 3A. A very specific PSU; substitutes must exactly match.
  • Nintendo Famicom (HVC-002) – requires 10V DC centre-negative. Cannot be safely powered with NES (PAL) or SNES (PAL) adapters.
  • Nintendo Game Boy (DMG-01) – uses a 6V DC PSU, centre-negative. Do not use 9V adapters intended for other Nintendo or Sega consoles.
  • Nintendo NES (PAL) – same as PAL SNES, but NTSC NES (US/Japan) typically shipped with a 9V AC PSU. Do not interchange with PAL systems.
  • Nintendo Super NES (PAL) – uses 9V DC centre-negative. NTSC models often shipped with AC adapters instead of DC, making them incompatible with PAL PSUs.
  • Nintendo Virtual Boy – also uses 10V DC centre-negative (same as Famicom). Power requirements are stricter than most Nintendo consoles.
  • Sega 32X – same PSU spec as Mega Drive 2. Tower of Power setups (MD + 32X + Mega-CD) require multiple adapters, not a single shared PSU.
  • Sega CD (Model 1 & 2) – same PSU spec as Mega Drive 1. Compatible supplies can be interchanged.
  • Sega Game Gear – draws a high current; cheap adapters often cause humming in the audio and unstable video.
  • Sega Master System – compatible with Mega Drive Model 1 PSU (same voltage, current, and polarity).
  • 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 Nomad – uses the same PSU as Mega Drive 2 (10V, centre-positive). Do not use a Model 1 PSU.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
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