On Jul 21, 4:05*pm, dave <d...@127.0.0.1> wrote:
> Anyone know what that symbol on those (usually black) power blocks
> used for powering dvd's etc is mean to represent?
> It's a solid line above a dashed line. Looks like is AC AND DC (ho
> ho).
> Perhaps it means unsmoothed DC?

It just means DC, I don't think there is any implied level of
smoothing.

On 21 July, 17:16, airsmoothed <airsmoot...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> On Jul 21, 4:05*pm, dave <d...@127.0.0.1> wrote:
>
> > Anyone know what that symbol on those (usually black) power blocks
> > used for powering dvd's etc is mean to represent?
> > It's a solid line above a dashed line. Looks like is AC AND DC (ho
> > ho).
> > Perhaps it means unsmoothed DC?
>
> It just means DC, I don't think there is any implied level of
> smoothing.

In particular, it does not include a voltage stabiliser, and on low
loads the output voltage may considerably exceed that written on it.
Devices that use the "solid/dash" bricks will include their own
stabilisers if necessary. A few don't and require there to be a
stabiliser in the brick (which is then marked with two solid lines).
They may be destroyed if a "solid/dash" brick is connected, even if
nominal voltage is "right". Small portable devices like digital
cameras are common culprits, or rather victims :-( The built-in
stabliisers are part of the reason that manufacturers' power bricks
for cameras are relatively expensive.

Chris

On Jul 21, 6:45*pm, chrisj.do...@proemail.co.uk wrote:
> On 21 July, 17:16, airsmoothed <airsmoot...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> > On Jul 21, 4:05*pm, dave <d...@127.0.0.1> wrote:
>
> > > Anyone know what that symbol on those (usually black) power blocks
> > > used for powering dvd's etc is mean to represent?
> > > It's a solid line above a dashed line. Looks like is AC AND DC (ho
> > > ho).
> > > Perhaps it means unsmoothed DC?
>
> > It just means DC, I don't think there is any implied level of
> > smoothing.
>
> In particular, it does not include a voltage stabiliser, and on low
> loads the output voltage may considerably exceed that written on it.
> Devices that use the "solid/dash" bricks will include their own
> stabilisers if necessary. A few don't and require there to be a
> stabiliser in the brick (which is then marked with two solid lines).

Rubbish. Stabilised supplies are marked with the solid line over a
dashed line. I have at least two on my bench at the moment, both
stabilised switch mode supplies.

> They may be destroyed if a "solid/dash" brick is connected, even if
> nominal voltage is "right". Small portable devices like digital
> cameras are common culprits, or rather victims :-( The built-in
> stabliisers are part of the reason that manufacturers' power bricks
> for cameras are relatively expensive.

More rubbish. They are expensive because they can be sold at that
price to the general public who know no better. They may also use
proprietary connectors or uncommon voltages, making it more difficult
to substitute - even more opportunity to hike the price.

MBQ