Michael Asks: What can I assume for the voltage tolerance of commercial 12 VDC equipment?
I am thinking about 12 V backup power supply options for my home networking equipment; these run from 12 VDC wall warts supplied with the equipment. The data sheets for such equipment typically say nothing about voltage tolerance. They often just say something like, "Use only the power supply that comes with this equipment. Use of any other power supply will void your warranty."
This article reports on tests of a variety of nominal 12V wall warts. Voltage outputs all varied to some extent depending on load. Generally, if the power supply was a linear type, output was 17-12 V (+40% -0% from 12 V), while if a switching type, output was 12.4-11.6 V (+/- 3% from 12 V).
I'll assume, for a start, that if I supply power within +/- 3% of 12 V, I'll be fine with any of equipment. I'm not so sure it would be OK if I hooked up a "12V" lead acid battery, which could be up to 13.8 V.
What is a reasonable limit for the safe tolerance on the voltage to my networking equipment? 5%? 10%? the range of an SLA battery?
I am particularly interested in hearing from 1) anyone who themself has seen a data sheet for networking equipment that does includes a voltage tolerance spec, or 2) someone with experience designing similar commercial equipment and knows what the voltage limits are.
I am thinking about 12 V backup power supply options for my home networking equipment; these run from 12 VDC wall warts supplied with the equipment. The data sheets for such equipment typically say nothing about voltage tolerance. They often just say something like, "Use only the power supply that comes with this equipment. Use of any other power supply will void your warranty."
This article reports on tests of a variety of nominal 12V wall warts. Voltage outputs all varied to some extent depending on load. Generally, if the power supply was a linear type, output was 17-12 V (+40% -0% from 12 V), while if a switching type, output was 12.4-11.6 V (+/- 3% from 12 V).
I'll assume, for a start, that if I supply power within +/- 3% of 12 V, I'll be fine with any of equipment. I'm not so sure it would be OK if I hooked up a "12V" lead acid battery, which could be up to 13.8 V.
What is a reasonable limit for the safe tolerance on the voltage to my networking equipment? 5%? 10%? the range of an SLA battery?
I am particularly interested in hearing from 1) anyone who themself has seen a data sheet for networking equipment that does includes a voltage tolerance spec, or 2) someone with experience designing similar commercial equipment and knows what the voltage limits are.

