# Article: How do I know which power adapter to use with my device?

**URL:** <https://community.startech.com/t/article-how-do-i-know-which-power-adapter-to-use-with-my-device/786>\
**Category:** Power, Charging\
**Created:** [September 27, 2021, 10:42am UTC](https://community.startech.com/t/article-how-do-i-know-which-power-adapter-to-use-with-my-device/786 "2021-09-27T10:42:34Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![malcolm](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex012/user_avatar/community.startech.com/malcolm/32/17_2.png) [@malcolm](https://community.startech.com/u/malcolm)\
**Post date:** [September 27, 2021, 10:42am UTC](https://community.startech.com/t/article-how-do-i-know-which-power-adapter-to-use-with-my-device/786/1 "2021-09-27T10:42:34Z")

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When selecting a power adapter to be used with your device, it’s important to know four things about the device you want to power:

- **Voltage** = must match on both
- **Current** /Amperage = power adapter must provide the same or more than what is required for the device. 
- **Polarity** = must match on both
- **Plug type** = must match on both

On StarTech.com products, if a power adapter is listed under the **Accessories** tab it has the appropriate specifications.

Here is an example of the technical specifications for our SVA5N3NEUA power adapter:

 ![image](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex012/uploads/startester/original/1X/cca42d0bd8dfb33e6452a0d1f1a4ac5ecfd4426c.png)

This FAQ applies to these products: IM12D1500P SVA12DN4NEUA SVA12M2NEUA SVA12M5NA SVA5H2NEUA SVA5M3NEUA SVA5M4NEUA SVA5N3NEUA SVA9M2NEUA SVPOWER SVUSBPOWER

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**Author:** ![dbrigham](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8e7dd6/32.png) [@dbrigham](https://community.startech.com/u/dbrigham)\
**Post date:** [May 15, 2025, 7:30pm UTC](https://community.startech.com/t/article-how-do-i-know-which-power-adapter-to-use-with-my-device/786/2 "2025-05-15T19:30:23Z")

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So what is the OD/ID for a “type N” plug?

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**Author:** ![AdamS](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex012/user_avatar/community.startech.com/adams/32/22_2.png) [@AdamS](https://community.startech.com/u/AdamS)\
**Post date:** [May 16, 2025, 4:25pm UTC](https://community.startech.com/t/article-how-do-i-know-which-power-adapter-to-use-with-my-device/786/3 "2025-05-16T16:25:45Z")

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Hi @dbrigham and welcome to our [StarTech.com](http://StarTech.com) Community!

An “N-type” barrel plug uses an OD of 5.5mm and an ID of 2.5mm.

Adam S.