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{| class="wikitable" style="margin: auto; text-align:center;"
{| class="wikitable" style="margin: auto; text-align:center;"
|+ '''Power Adapter Barrel Connector Compatibility Table'''
! scope="col"| System
! scope="col"| Voltage
! scope="col"| Current
! scope="col"| Barrel Size
! scope="col"| Polarity
! scope="col"| Official PSU Model
|-
! colspan="6" style="background:#e0f7fa;"| Group 1 – 9V DC, 5.5mm × 2.1mm, Centre Negative
|-
| ZX Spectrum +2 / +2A / +3 || 9V DC || 2.1A || 5.5 × 2.1mm || [[File:power_center_negative.png|80px]] || Sinclair PSU (various OEM)
|-
| NEC PC Engine Duo / TurboDuo || 9V DC || 1.5A || 5.5 × 2.1mm || [[File:power_center_negative.png|80px]] || DUO-AC
|-
| Sega Saturn || 9V DC || 1.5A || 5.5 × 2.1mm || [[File:power_center_negative.png|80px]] || MK-2103
|-
| Super Nintendo (PAL) || 9V DC || 1.3A || 5.5 × 2.1mm || [[File:power_center_negative.png|80px]] || SNSP-002E(FRG)
|-
| Nintendo NES (PAL) || 9V DC || 1.3A || 5.5 × 2.1mm || [[File:power_center_negative.png|80px]] || NES-002E
|-
| Atari Jaguar / Jaguar CD || 9V DC || 1.2A || 5.5 × 2.1mm || [[File:power_center_negative.png|80px]] || PA-1400 / MK-4120
|-
| Sega CD (Model 1 & 2) || 9V DC || 1.2A || 5.5 × 2.1mm || [[File:power_center_negative.png|80px]] || MK-1602
|-
| Sega Master System || 9V DC || 1.2A || 5.5 × 2.1mm || [[File:power_center_negative.png|80px]] || MK-3025
|-
| Sega Mega Drive / Genesis (Model 1) || 9V DC || 1.2A || 5.5 × 2.1mm || [[File:power_center_negative.png|80px]] || MK-1602-05
|-
| NEC PC Engine / CoreGrafx / TurboGrafx-16 || 9V DC || 0.85A || 5.5 × 2.1mm || [[File:power_center_negative.png|80px]] || HES-ACA-01 / Turbo AC Adapter
|-
! colspan="6" style="background:#f1f8e9;"| Group 2 – 9V DC, 3.5mm × 1.35mm, Centre Negative
|-
| ZX Spectrum (16/48K) || 9V DC || 1.4A || 3.5 × 1.35mm || [[File:power_center_negative.png|80px]] || Sinclair PSU
|-
| Atari 7800 || 9V DC || 1.0A || 3.5 × 1.35mm || [[File:power_center_negative.png|80px]] || C018187
|-
| Atari 2600 (VCS) || 9V DC || 0.5A || 3.5 × 1.35mm || [[File:power_center_negative.png|80px]] || C017945
|-
! colspan="6" style="background:#fff3e0;"| Group 3 – 9V DC, 4.75mm × 1.7mm, Centre Negative
|-
| Sega Game Gear || 9V DC || 1.2A || 4.75 × 1.7mm || [[File:power_center_negative.png|80px]] || MK-2103 (shared PSU with Saturn in some regions)
|-
! colspan="6" style="background:#ede7f6;"| Group 4 – 6V DC, 4.75mm × 1.7mm, Centre Negative
|-
| Nintendo Game Boy (DMG-01) || 6V DC || 0.7A || 4.75 × 1.7mm || [[File:power_center_negative.png|80px]] || DMG-03 / MGB-005
|-
! colspan="6" style="background:#fce4ec;"| Group 5 – 9–10V DC, 4.75mm × 1.7mm, Centre Positive
|-
| Atari Lynx (Model 1) || 9V DC || 1.0A || 4.75 × 1.7mm || [[File:power_center_positive.png|80px]] || PA-1400
|-
| Atari Lynx (Model 2) || 9V DC || 1.0A || 4.75 × 1.7mm || [[File:power_center_positive.png|80px]] || PA-1400
|-
| Sega 32X || 10V DC || 0.85A || 4.75 × 1.7mm || [[File:power_center_positive.png|80px]] || MK-1633
|-
| Sega Nomad || 10V DC || 0.85A || 4.75 × 1.7mm || [[File:power_center_positive.png|80px]] || MK-1633
|-
| Sega Mega Drive / Genesis (Model 2) || 10V DC || 0.85A || 4.75 × 1.7mm || [[File:power_center_positive.png|80px]] || MK-1633
|-
| Sega Nomad || 10V DC || 0.85A || 4.75 × 1.7mm || [[File:power_center_positive.png|80px]] || MK-1633
|-
! colspan="6" style="background:#d1c4e9;"| Group 6 – 10V DC, 5.5mm × 2.1mm, Centre Negative
|-
| Nintendo Famicom (HVC) || 10V DC || 0.85A || 5.5 × 2.1mm || [[File:power_center_negative.png|80px]] || HVC-002
|-
| Nintendo Virtual Boy || 10V DC || 0.85A || 5.5 × 2.1mm || [[File:power_center_negative.png|80px]] || VUE-002
|-
! colspan="6" style="background:#c8e6c9;"| 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 || [[File:power_center_positive.png|80px]] || PRO-POW-3 / PRO-POW-E
|-
| Neo Geo CD (Front & Top Loader) || 5V DC || 3.0A || 5.5 × 2.1mm || [[File:power_center_positive.png|80px]] || Neo Geo CD PSU
|-
! colspan="6" style="background:#e8f5e9;"| Group 8 – 7.5V DC, 4.0mm × 1.7mm, Centre Negative
|-
| Sony PlayStation (PS1) || 7.5V DC || 2.0A || 4.0 × 1.7mm || [[File:power_center_negative.png|80px]] || SCPH-113
|}
* '''Sega Mega Drive 1 vs 2''': opposite polarity — swapping PSUs will fry the console ⚠
==Table Sortable==
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="margin: auto; text-align:center;"
|+ '''Power Adapter Barrel Connector Compatibility Table'''
|+ '''Power Adapter Barrel Connector Compatibility Table'''
! scope="col"| System
! scope="col"| System

Revision as of 11:27, 2 September 2025

Power Adapter Information

Quick Reference: Systems by Barrel Size

  • 3.5 × 1.35 mm (centre-negative) – ZX Spectrum 16/48K, Atari 7800, Atari 2600 (VCS)
  • 4.0 × 1.7 mm (centre-negative) – Sony PlayStation (PS1) only
  • 4.75 × 1.7 mm (centre-negative) – Sega Game Gear
  • 5.5 × 2.1 mm (centre-negative) – ZX Spectrum +2/+3, Sega Saturn, NEC PC Engine Duo, Sega Mega Drive 1, Sega Master System, Sega CD, Atari Jaguar, NEC PC Engine
  • 4.75 × 1.7 mm (centre-positive) – Atari Lynx (1/2), Sega Mega Drive 2, Sega Nomad, Sega 32X

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)
NEC PC Engine Duo / TurboDuo 9V DC 1.5A 5.5 × 2.1mm DUO-AC
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)
Nintendo NES (PAL) 9V DC 1.3A 5.5 × 2.1mm NES-002E
Atari Jaguar / Jaguar CD 9V DC 1.2A 5.5 × 2.1mm PA-1400 / MK-4120
Sega CD (Model 1 & 2) 9V DC 1.2A 5.5 × 2.1mm MK-1602
Sega Master System 9V DC 1.2A 5.5 × 2.1mm MK-3025
Sega Mega Drive / Genesis (Model 1) 9V DC 1.2A 5.5 × 2.1mm MK-1602-05
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
Nintendo 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 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
Sega Nomad 10V DC 0.85A 4.75 × 1.7mm MK-1633
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
  • Sega Mega Drive 1 vs 2: opposite polarity — swapping PSUs will fry the console ⚠

Table Sortable

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)
NEC PC Engine Duo / TurboDuo 9V DC 1.5A 5.5 × 2.1mm DUO-AC
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)
Nintendo NES (PAL) 9V DC 1.3A 5.5 × 2.1mm NES-002E
Atari Jaguar / Jaguar CD 9V DC 1.2A 5.5 × 2.1mm PA-1400 / MK-4120
Sega CD (Model 1 & 2) 9V DC 1.2A 5.5 × 2.1mm MK-1602
Sega Master System 9V DC 1.2A 5.5 × 2.1mm MK-3025
Sega Mega Drive / Genesis (Model 1) 9V DC 1.2A 5.5 × 2.1mm MK-1602-05
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
Nintendo 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 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
Sega Nomad 10V DC 0.85A 4.75 × 1.7mm MK-1633
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
  • Sega Mega Drive 1 vs 2: opposite polarity — swapping PSUs will fry the console ⚠

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.

PSU Cross-Compatibility

Symbol Meaning
✓ Safe – barrel fits, voltage/polarity correct, PSU current ≥ system requirement
– Underpowered – barrel fits, voltage/polarity correct, but PSU current too low (not recommended)
✗ Dangerous – wrong voltage and/or polarity

5.5 × 2.1 mm barrel

PSU Cross-Compatibility Matrix — 5.5 × 2.1 mm barrel
System ▶
PSU ▼ 		ZX Spectrum +2/+3 Sega Saturn NEC PC Engine Duo Nintendo NES (PAL) Nintendo Super NES (PAL) Sega Mega Drive 1 Sega Master System Sega CD Atari Jaguar NEC PC Engine Nintendo Famicom Nintendo Virtual Boy Neo Geo AES Neo Geo CD
ZX Spectrum +2/+3 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗
Sega Saturn – ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗
NEC PC Engine Duo – ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗
Nintendo NES (PAL) – – – ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗
Nintendo Super NES (PAL) – – – ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗
Sega Mega Drive 1 – – – – – ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗
Sega Master System – – – – – ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗
Sega CD – – – – – ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗
Atari Jaguar – – – – – ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗
NEC PC Engine – – – – – – – – – ✓ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗
Nintendo Famicom ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✓ ✓ ✗ ✗
Nintendo Virtual Boy ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✓ ✓ ✗ ✗
Neo Geo AES ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✓ ✓
Neo Geo CD ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✓ ✓


Header colour Voltage / Polarity Group
9 V DC, centre-negative
10 V DC, centre-negative
5 V DC, centre-positive

3.5 × 1.35 mm barrel

PSU Cross-Compatibility Matrix — 3.5 × 1.35 mm barrel
System ▶
PSU ▼ 		ZX Spectrum (16/48K) Atari 7800 Atari 2600 (VCS)
ZX Spectrum (16/48K) ✓ ✓ ✓
Atari 7800 – ✓ ✓
Atari 2600 (VCS) – – ✓


Header colour Voltage / Polarity Group
9 V DC, centre-negative

4.75 × 1.7 mm barrel

PSU Cross-Compatibility Matrix — 4.75 × 1.7 mm barrel
System ▶
PSU ▼ 		Sega Game Gear Atari Lynx Sega 32X Sega Mega Drive 2 Sega Nomad Nintendo Game Boy (DMG-01)
Sega Game Gear ✓ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗
Atari Lynx ✗ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✗
Sega 32X ✗ – ✓ ✓ ✓ ✗
Sega Mega Drive 2 ✗ – ✓ ✓ ✓ ✗
Sega Nomad ✗ – ✓ ✓ ✓ ✗
Nintendo Game Boy (DMG-01) ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✓


Header colour Voltage / Polarity Group
9 V DC, centre-negative (e.g., Sega Game Gear)
9–10 V DC, centre-positive (e.g., Lynx, MD2, Nomad, 32X)
6 V DC, centre-negative (e.g., Nintendo Game Boy DMG)

4.0 × 1.7 mm barrel

Only the Sony PlayStation (PS1) uses this connector. No cross-compatibility with other systems.

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