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Barrel Power Supplies: Difference between revisions

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! style="background:#d1c4e9; writing-mode: vertical-rl; transform: rotate(180deg);"| Nintendo Virtual Boy
! style="background:#d1c4e9; writing-mode: vertical-rl; transform: rotate(180deg);"| Nintendo Virtual Boy
! style="background:#c8e6c9; writing-mode: vertical-rl; transform: rotate(180deg);"| Neo Geo AES
! style="background:#c8e6c9; writing-mode: vertical-rl; transform: rotate(180deg);"| Neo Geo AES
! style="background:#c8e6c9;"| Neo Geo CD
! style="background:#c8e6c9; writing-mode: vertical-rl; transform: rotate(180deg);"| Neo Geo CD
|-
|-
! scope="row" style="background:#e0f7fa;"| ZX Spectrum +2/+3
! scope="row" style="background:#e0f7fa;"| ZX Spectrum +2/+3
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| 5 V DC, centre-positive
| 5 V DC, centre-positive
|}
|}
==5.5 × 2.1 mm barrel== {| class="wikitable" style="margin:auto; text-align:center; font-size:90%;" |+ '''PSU Cross-Compatibility Matrix — 5.5 × 2.1 mm barrel''' ! scope="col" style="background:#eee;"| System ▶ <br> PSU ▼ ! style="background:#e0f7fa;"| ZX Spectrum +2/+3 ! style="background:#e0f7fa;"| NEC PC Engine Duo ! style="background:#e0f7fa;"| Sega Saturn ! style="background:#e0f7fa;"| Nintendo NES (PAL) ! style="background:#e0f7fa;"| Nintendo Super NES (PAL) ! style="background:#e0f7fa;"| Atari Jaguar ! style="background:#e0f7fa;"| Sega CD ! style="background:#e0f7fa;"| Sega Master System ! style="background:#e0f7fa;"| Sega Mega Drive 1 ! style="background:#e0f7fa;"| NEC PC Engine ! style="background:#d1c4e9;"| Nintendo Famicom ! style="background:#d1c4e9;"| Nintendo Virtual Boy ! style="background:#c8e6c9;"| Neo Geo AES ! style="background:#c8e6c9;"| Neo Geo CD |- ! scope="row" style="background:#e0f7fa;"| 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:#cfc"|✓ |style="background:#f99"|✗ |style="background:#f99"|✗ |style="background:#f99"|✗ |style="background:#f99"|✗ |- ! scope="row" style="background:#e0f7fa;"| NEC PC Engine Duo |style="background:#ddd"|– |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"|✗ |- ! scope="row" style="background:#e0f7fa;"| Sega Saturn |style="background:#ddd"|– |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"|✗ |- ! scope="row" style="background:#e0f7fa;"| Nintendo NES (PAL) |style="background:#ddd"|– |style="background:#ddd"|– |style="background:#ddd"|– |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"|✗ |- ! scope="row" style="background:#e0f7fa;"| Nintendo Super NES (PAL) |style="background:#ddd"|– |style="background:#ddd"|– |style="background:#ddd"|– |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"|✗ |- ! scope="row" style="background:#e0f7fa;"| Atari Jaguar |style="background:#ddd"|– |style="background:#ddd"|– |style="background:#ddd"|– |style="background:#ddd"|– |style="background:#ddd"|– |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"|✗ |- ! scope="row" style="background:#e0f7fa;"| Sega CD |style="background:#ddd"|– |style="background:#ddd"|– |style="background:#ddd"|– |style="background:#ddd"|– |style="background:#ddd"|– |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"|✗ |- ! scope="row" style="background:#e0f7fa;"| Sega Master System |style="background:#ddd"|– |style="background:#ddd"|– |style="background:#ddd"|– |style="background:#ddd"|– |style="background:#ddd"|– |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"|✗ |- ! scope="row" style="background:#e0f7fa;"| Sega Mega Drive 1 |style="background:#ddd"|– |style="background:#ddd"|– |style="background:#ddd"|– |style="background:#ddd"|– |style="background:#ddd"|– |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"|✗ |- ! scope="row" style="background:#e0f7fa;"| NEC PC Engine |style="background:#ddd"|– |style="background:#ddd"|– |style="background:#ddd"|– |style="background:#ddd"|– |style="background:#ddd"|– |style="background:#ddd"|– |style="background:#ddd"|– |style="background:#ddd"|– |style="background:#ddd"|– |style="background:#cfc"|✓ |style="background:#f99"|✗ |style="background:#f99"|✗ |style="background:#f99"|✗ |style="background:#f99"|✗ |- ! scope="row" style="background:#d1c4e9;"| Nintendo Famicom |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:#cfc"|✓ |style="background:#f99"|✗ |style="background:#f99"|✗ |- ! scope="row" style="background:#d1c4e9;"| Nintendo Virtual 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:#cfc"|✓ |style="background:#cfc"|✓ |style="background:#f99"|✗ |style="background:#f99"|✗ |- ! scope="row" style="background:#c8e6c9;"| Neo Geo AES |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:#cfc"|✓ |- ! scope="row" style="background:#c8e6c9;"| Neo Geo CD |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:#cfc"|✓ |} {| class="wikitable" style="margin:auto; text-align:center;" ! Header colour ! Voltage / Polarity Group |- | style="background:#e0f7fa;"| | 9 V DC, centre-negative |- | style="background:#d1c4e9;"| | 10 V DC, centre-negative |- | style="background:#c8e6c9;"| | 5 V DC, centre-positive |}


==3.5 × 1.35 mm barrel==
==3.5 × 1.35 mm barrel==

Revision as of 13:46, 2 September 2025

Using Barrel Power Supplies Safely

Warning: Using the wrong PSU can irreparably damage your hardware.

Many retro consoles and computers used simple barrel-type power connectors, but voltages, currents, and polarity standards varied widely between manufacturers. While some systems can safely share power supplies, others use opposite polarity or different voltage requirements that can cause permanent damage if mixed.

The compatibility matrices below group systems by connector size and clearly show which combinations are safe, underpowered, or dangerous. Always consult the tables rather than assuming compatibility.

Power Adapter Information

Power Supply Barrel Connector 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 ⚠

PSU Cross-Compatibility

Compatibility Key

Symbol Meaning
✓ Safe – barrel fits, voltage/polarity correct, PSU current ≥ system requirement
– Underpowered – fits & matches, but PSU current too low
✗ 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 NEC PC Engine Duo Sega Saturn Nintendo NES (PAL) Nintendo Super NES (PAL) Atari Jaguar Sega CD Sega Master System Sega Mega Drive 1 NEC PC Engine Nintendo Famicom Nintendo Virtual Boy Neo Geo AES Neo Geo CD
ZX Spectrum +2/+3 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗
NEC PC Engine Duo – ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗
Sega Saturn – ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗
Nintendo NES (PAL) – – – ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗
Nintendo Super NES (PAL) – – – ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗
Atari Jaguar – – – – – ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗
Sega CD – – – – – ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗
Sega Master System – – – – – ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗
Sega Mega Drive 1 – – – – – ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗
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.

Notes & Warnings

  • Mega Drive 1 vs Mega Drive 2 – opposite polarity; swapping PSUs will damage hardware.
  • Sega 9V centre-negative group – Mega Drive 1, Master System, Saturn, Sega CD (cross-compatible).
  • Nintendo PAL vs NTSC – PAL NES/SNES use 9V DC; NTSC variants use 9V AC (not compatible).
  • Famicom & Virtual Boy – 10V DC centre-negative; only safe with each other.
  • Game Boy DMG – 6V DC centre-negative; not compatible with 9V systems.
  • Atari Lynx, Mega Drive 2, Nomad, 32X – 9–10V DC centre-positive; not compatible with centre-negative groups.
  • Neo Geo AES (later) & Neo Geo CD – 5V DC centre-positive; not compatible with 9V/10V systems.
  • General rule – PSU must meet or exceed system’s amp requirement; lower amps = underpowered.

Common Dangerous Combinations

Mistake Why it’s dangerous
Mega Drive 1 PSU → Mega Drive 2 Opposite polarity (centre-neg → centre-pos)
Mega Drive 2 / 32X / Nomad PSU → Mega Drive 1 Opposite polarity (centre-pos → centre-neg)
Any 9V PSU → Game Boy DMG Wrong voltage (needs 6V)
9V DC PSU → NTSC NES/SNES (AC) Wrong type (AC vs DC)
9V PSU → Neo Geo AES (later) / Neo Geo CD Wrong voltage and polarity (needs 5V centre-positive)
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