How to Connect to Dual Polarity Output Power Supplies

Dual polarity output power supplies typically refer to electrical devices that produce DC current which have positive and negative polarity. This type of power supply usually plugs into a 110-volt (in the U.S.), or 220-volt (in other countries) AC power source to produce DC power. Connecting to a dual polarity output power supply involves hooking the positive and negative wires of the appliance to their matching positive and negative terminals on the DC power supply.

Diagonal pliers

Instructions

- 1
  Hold the power supply cable of the electric appliance that needs to get power from the DC power supply and remove any cable sheathing, using diagonal pliers. Strip off 1/2 inch from the tip of each wire, using a wire stripper.
- 2
  Turn off the DC power supply and check to make sure that it is not plugged to a power source. Loosen the negative and positive terminal connectors on the power supply by manually twisting each counterclockwise. Use a slotted screwdriver if the connectors are made of terminal screws. Strip off 1/2-inch of insulation from the tip of the positive and negative wires if there are wires instead of terminal connectors or terminal screws.
- 3
  Wrap the bare tip of the positive wire coming from the appliance clockwise around the positive terminal connector or screw on the power supply, then tighten the screw to secure the connection. If there are no terminal connectors on the power supply, splice the positive wire coming from the appliance to the positive wire coming from the power supply, then cap the splice with a wire nut. Perform the same procedure to connect the negative wire to the negative terminal.
- 4
  Plug the DC power supply to a wall outlet, then flip the power supply switch to its "On" position. Turn on the appliance to check the connection.

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