AdapterGuru
Know before you plug in
INSTANT POLARITY SAFETY EVALUATOR

DC Polarity Checker & Symbol Decrypter

Connecting a reversed polarity adapter will destroy electronic circuitry in less than a second. Use this tool to match the symbols printed on your device and adapter.

Quick Presets:

1. Target Device Socket

What the gadget expects
Device Symbol Diagram
-+
Device requires: Center Pin = Positive (+), Outer Barrel = Ground (-)

2. Power Adapter Brick

What the adapter supplies
Adapter Label Diagram
-+
Adapter outputs: Center Pin = Positive (+), Outer Barrel = Ground (-)

Polarity Matches: SAFE TO CONNECT

MATCH ⊕ = ⊕

Both the device and adapter share the exact same polarity configuration. Current will flow safely into internal power regulators.

How to Verify Polarity with a Digital Multimeter

Step 1: Set to DC Voltage

Turn the multimeter dial to DC Volts (⎓ V or VDC) at 20V range. Plug the power adapter into wall AC power.

Step 2: Probe Contacts

Touch the RED probe inside the hollow center pin and the BLACK probe against the outside metal barrel.

Step 3: Read Sign

If the screen shows +12.0V (positive), it is Center Positive. If it shows -12.0V (minus sign), it is Center Negative.

Need to invert polarity for guitar pedals?

If your adapter is Center-Positive and your pedal requires Center-Negative, you can use an inexpensive DC Polarity Reversing Adapter Cable instead of buying a new power supply.

Full 6-Point Checker
Interactive Suite

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