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Ask an Expert Forum How can we prevent a router from being fried by higher voltage?
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How can we prevent a router from being fried by higher voltage?

Former Member
Former Member over 9 years ago

We have begun sending wireless setups to our mobile blood collection sites.  The setup consists of a router that picks up a cellular signal and a wireless access point that the laptops in the setup then connect to.  Unfortunately, the power supplies for both look very similar and the jacks are identical, but the router requires only 5 volts whereas the AP takes 48 volts.  So far the mobile staff has fried 4 expensive routers by connecting the AP power supply to the router.  We have not come up with a way to permanently attach the correct power supply to each device.  Is there a type of "fuse" or surge protector we could use to prevent higher voltages from getting to the routers?  Sorry, you can tell I am not an electrical engineer!

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  • beacon_dave
    beacon_dave over 9 years ago +1
    If you can't find a way of permanently attaching the power supply to the device, then how were you planning on permanently attaching the safety device ? Have you tried colour coding the plugs / sockets…
  • D_Hersey
    0 D_Hersey over 9 years ago

    You could make a protective circuit.  It would probably consist of a series fuse and a shunt OVP crowbar.

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  • beacon_dave
    0 beacon_dave over 9 years ago

    If you can't find a way of permanently attaching the power supply to the device, then how were you planning on permanently attaching the safety device ?

     

    Have you tried colour coding the plugs / sockets so people just have to match the colours ? e.g. colour cable ties on the plug and electrical tape around the socket.

     

    Another option could be to 3D print a coloured 'key' that can be slipped over the plug and then the aperture glued over the socket which then prevents incorrect mating. It wouldn't stop other power supplies from being plugged in though.

     

    I'm presuming here that these are the coaxial style power plugs ?

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  • shabaz
    0 shabaz over 9 years ago in reply to beacon_dave

    Another thing (could be used in conjunction with other ideas) is to do the USB type thing, of having a sticker over the connector, with text warning to connect a particular (perhaps color-coded) connector to it. The idea being that whoever peels off the sticker to access the DC jack cannot help but read the text.

    Or, ship the two devices on separate days, with separate instructions to install/set up the router first, on day 1, using a wired connection to a PC.

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  • beacon_dave
    0 beacon_dave over 9 years ago

    Could you attach a cable tie base to the device and then cable tie the correct power supply cable to the cable tie base in order to tether it to that device ?

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  • phoenixcomm
    0 phoenixcomm over 9 years ago in reply to beacon_dave

    Dave, Its KISS ----> Keep It Simple Stupid. Brilant

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  • mcb1
    0 mcb1 over 9 years ago

    Since you are supplying the equipment, then I'd look at changing one of the plugs.

     

    This may be as simple as a different plug on the AP unit which has the adaptor permanently attached.

     

     

    Mark

    While I do agree the cable tie is simple, and seems foolproof, My experience is that a better fool always comes along.

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