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Barrel Power Supplies: Difference between revisions

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==Test==
{| class="wikitable" style="margin: auto; text-align:center;"
|+ '''PSU Cross-Compatibility Matrix'''
! PSU \ System
! ZX Spectrum +2/+3
! Sega Mega Drive 1
! Sega Saturn
! Sega CD
! Atari Jaguar
! NEC PC Engine Duo
! NES (PAL)
! Super NES (PAL)
! PC Engine / TG16
! ZX Spectrum 48K
! Atari 7800
! Atari 2600
! Sega Game Gear
! Nintendo Game Boy
! Sega Mega Drive 2
! Sega 32X
! Sega Nomad
! Atari Lynx
! Nintendo Famicom
! Nintendo Virtual Boy
! Neo Geo AES (5V)
! Neo Geo CD
! Sony PlayStation
|-
! ZX Spectrum +2/+3
| style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#999"|⚪ || style="background:#999"|⚪ || style="background:#999"|⚪
|-
! Sega Mega Drive 1
| style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#999"|⚪ || style="background:#999"|⚪ || style="background:#999"|⚪
|-
! Sega Saturn
| style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#999"|⚪ || style="background:#999"|⚪ || style="background:#999"|⚪
|-
! Sega CD
| style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#999"|⚪ || style="background:#999"|⚪ || style="background:#999"|⚪
|-
! Atari Jaguar
| style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#999"|⚪ || style="background:#999"|⚪ || style="background:#999"|⚪
|-
! NEC PC Engine Duo
| style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#999"|⚪ || style="background:#999"|⚪ || style="background:#999"|⚪
|-
! NES (PAL)
| style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#999"|⚪ || style="background:#999"|⚪ || style="background:#999"|⚪
|-
! Super NES (PAL)
| style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#999"|⚪ || style="background:#999"|⚪ || style="background:#999"|⚪
|-
! PC Engine / TG16
| style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#999"|⚪ || style="background:#999"|⚪ || style="background:#999"|⚪
|-
! ZX Spectrum 48K
| style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#999"|⚪ || style="background:#999"|⚪ || style="background:#999"|⚪
|-
! Atari 7800
| style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#999"|⚪ || style="background:#999"|⚪ || style="background:#999"|⚪
|-
! Atari 2600
| style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#999"|⚪ || style="background:#999"|⚪ || style="background:#999"|⚪
|-
! Sega Game Gear
| style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#999"|⚪ || style="background:#999"|⚪ || style="background:#999"|⚪ || style="background:#999"|⚪
|-
! Nintendo Game Boy
| style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#999"|⚪ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#999"|⚪ || style="background:#999"|⚪
|-
! Sega Mega Drive 2
| style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#999"|⚪ || style="background:#999"|⚪ || style="background:#999"|⚪ || style="background:#999"|⚪ || style="background:#999"|⚪ || style="background:#999"|⚪ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#999"|⚪ || style="background:#999"|⚪ || style="background:#999"|⚪
|-
! Sega 32X
| style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#999"|⚪ || style="background:#999"|⚪ || style="background:#999"|⚪ || style="background:#999"|⚪ || style="background:#999"|⚪ || style="background:#999"|⚪ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#999"|⚪ || style="background:#999"|⚪ || style="background:#999"|⚪
|-
! Sega Nomad
| style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#999"|⚪ || style="background:#999"|⚪ || style="background:#999"|⚪ || style="background:#999"|⚪ || style="background:#999"|⚪ || style="background:#999"|⚪ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#999"|⚪ || style="background:#999"|⚪ || style="background:#999"|⚪
|-
! Atari Lynx
| style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="background:#999"|⚪ || style="background:#999"|⚪ || style="background:#999"|⚪ || style="background:#999"|⚪ || style="background:#999"|⚪ || style="background:#999"|⚪ || style="background:#999"|⚪ || style="background:#999"|⚪ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#cfc"|✓ || style="background:#999"|⚪ || style="background:#999"|⚪ || style="background:#999"|⚪
|-
! Nintendo Famicom
| style="background:#f99"|✗ || style="

Revision as of 09:25, 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 & 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.
Safe PSU Cross-Compatibility
PSU Model Can Safely Power
Sinclair +2 / +3 PSU (9V DC, 2.1A, 5.5 × 2.1mm, centre-negative) ZX Spectrum +2/+3, Sega Saturn, Sega Mega Drive 1, Sega Master System, Sega CD, Atari Jaguar, PC Engine Duo, NES (PAL), Super NES (PAL), PC Engine/TurboGrafx
Sega Saturn PSU (9V DC, 1.5A, 5.5 × 2.1mm, centre-negative) Sega Saturn, Sega Mega Drive 1, Sega Master System, Sega CD, Atari Jaguar, NES (PAL), Super NES (PAL), PC Engine/TurboGrafx
Sega Mega Drive 1 PSU (MK-1602, 9V DC, 1.2A, 5.5 × 2.1mm, centre-negative) Sega Mega Drive 1, Sega Master System, Sega CD, Atari Jaguar, NES (PAL), Super NES (PAL), PC Engine/TurboGrafx
Sega Master System PSU (9V DC, 1.2A, 5.5 × 2.1mm, centre-negative) Sega Master System, Sega Mega Drive 1, Sega CD, Atari Jaguar, NES (PAL), Super NES (PAL), PC Engine/TurboGrafx
Atari Jaguar PSU (9V DC, 1.2A, 5.5 × 2.1mm, centre-negative) Atari Jaguar, Sega Mega Drive 1, Sega Master System, Sega CD, NES (PAL), Super NES (PAL), PC Engine/TurboGrafx
Sega Mega Drive 2 / Genesis 2 PSU (MK-1633, 10V DC, 0.85A, 4.75 × 1.7mm, centre-positive) Sega Mega Drive 2, Sega Nomad, Sega 32X, Atari Lynx (Model 1 & 2)
Nintendo Famicom PSU (HVC-002, 10V DC, 0.85A, 5.5 × 2.1mm, centre-negative) Nintendo Famicom, Nintendo Virtual Boy
Neo Geo AES PSU (PRO-POW-3/E, 5V DC, 3A, 5.5 × 2.1mm, centre-positive) Neo Geo AES (later models), Neo Geo CD

Test

PSU Cross-Compatibility Matrix
PSU \ System ZX Spectrum +2/+3 Sega Mega Drive 1 Sega Mega Drive 2 Sega Saturn Atari Lynx Nintendo Famicom
ZX Spectrum +2/+3 ✓ ✓ ✗ ✓ ✗ ✗
Sega Mega Drive 1 ✓ ✓ ✗ ✓ ✗ ✗
Sega Mega Drive 2 ✗ ✗ ✓ ✗ ✓ ✗
Sega Saturn ✓ ✓ ✗ ✓ ✗ ✗
Atari Lynx ✗ ✗ ✓ ✗ ✓ ✗
Nintendo Famicom ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✓

Test

PSU Cross-Compatibility Matrix
PSU \ System ZX Spectrum +2/+3 Sega Mega Drive 1 Sega Saturn Sega Mega Drive 2 Atari Lynx Nintendo Famicom
ZX Spectrum +2/+3 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✗ ✗ ✗
Sega Mega Drive 1 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✗ ✗ ✗
Sega Saturn ✓ ✓ ✓ ✗ ✗ ✗
Sega Mega Drive 2 ✗ ✗ ✗ ✓ ✓ ✗
Atari Lynx ✗ ✗ ✗ ✓ ✓ ✗
Nintendo Famicom ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✓
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