How to use a AC 100V ~ 240V to DC 5V 3A 15W power transformer switch power supply?

[HeyItsChris]

How to use a AC 100V ~ 240V to DC 5V 3A 15W power transformer switch power supply?

 

What is that middle wire hookup for?  is it essential for the device to operate?

Thanks

 

Switch power supply, convert AC 100V ~ 240V to DC 5V.
Wide input voltage range, steady and precise output voltage.
Lack protection, over load protection (105% ~ 150%), over voltage protection (115% ~ 135%).
The widely as power supply used for the LED Strips, LED display, poster, industrial plants, etc. IN-DOOR ONLY USE!
Specifications:
Material: Metal case / Aluminum base
Input voltage: AC 100V ~ 240V (50 ~ 60Hz)
Input voltage: Cold start
Output voltage: DC 5V
Output voltage setting : ± 10%
output current: 3A
output power: 15W
working temperature: -40 ~ 65 degrees Celsius
Humidity: 20% ~ 90% RH non-condensing
Item size : 8.5 * 5.8 * 3.8cm / 3.3 * 2.3 * 1.5in
product weight: 120 g / 4.2 oz

 

 

[ArchStanton]

31 minutes ago, HeyItsChris said:

What is that middle wire hookup for?

Chassis Ground (for reference power supply - Specific Questions Regarding Use of Regulated Switching Supplies - Electrical Engineering Stack Exchange).

 

[HeyItsChris]

@ArchStantonSo is that earth ground required to get power to the device?  It won't be operating continuously, only a few seconds at a time.

Thanks

[ArchStanton]

I have an AE rather than EE degree so take this with a grain of salt, but in general "chassis" grounds are a safety based "best practice" to avoid "unforeseen/unintended" consequences of electrical devices in both "normal" and "failed" modes of operation.  Will the system be fine without that terminal properly connected?  Probably.  Is the amount of money you have invested in the components in proximity to this power supply sufficiently low enough to make you comfortable with "probably"?

[Diffident]

If you don't connect the ground, and something goes wrong, the outer casing could become electrified...that's assuming the terminal is bonded to the case.  With the ground connected, a fault would trip your circuit breaker.

[ArchStanton]

1 minute ago, Diffident said:

If you don't connect the ground, and something goes wrong, the outer casing could become electrified...that's assuming the terminal is bonded to the case.  With the ground connected, a fault would trip your circuit breaker.

You can't just give it to people straight, you must cloud the issue with techno-enginerd babble! These are the rules! 

[HeyItsChris]

To be perfectly honest I plan on using it to light a cigarette.  I already created a coil wire & connected it to the 5v & ground on a molex connector on a psu & it works just fine.  Just turn it on for 2 seconds & its lit & turn it off & its all good.  I just wanted a smaller simpler psu that provides only 5v so I can connect the positive & negative to the leads then connect a 2-prong ac power outlet wires with 2 wires to the 5v power supply.  All I would do is plug it in for 2 seconds, light the cigarette & unplug it.  Do I need to buy a 3-prong ac power cable instead with positive, negative, and earth ground?  As you stated, I'm guessing the answer is absolutely yes.

Thanks again

Edited March 26, 2022 by HeyItsChris

[pio]

Time travel back 20 years and buy yourself one of these Thermaltake 12v cig lighters........

 

(Why the odd rotation......ugh)

 

Nah but seriously though, as others already said, its your "Earth Ground".  Have you ever seen a household lamp connected with 2 prongs instead of 3?  There's your answer.  Yes, it will work.  HOWEVER, that "earth ground" is there to keep your chassis of your device (in this case your AC to DC power supply) from becoming the ground and electrifying it.  If your home wiring has earth grounds already, you probably should use it as a safety measure.  Some homes still do not have the ground wire though.  Either way is fine.  If I was wiring something custom up to AC power though, I know I'd want that ground wire in tact, just in case.

Edited March 26, 2022 by pioneerisloud

[Diffident]

11 hours ago, ArchStanton said:

You can't just give it to people straight, you must cloud the issue with techno-enginerd babble! These are the rules! 

I'm an electrician, so I explain things as simple as I can.....and people usually like to avoid getting shocked.   For me...It isn't to bad.  120V is just a tingle....It's like alcohol....you build up a tolerance.    It isn't until you get up to 277V.... then it starts to hurt.