So I Have a 12V DC supply, it came from a set of speakers. It is clearly labelled
INPUT: 230V ~ 50Hz
OUTPUT: 12V DC - 500ma 6VA
Simple? Not quite. When it is measured with a multimeter it is giving a reading of 16V Dc. Does that mean the label is wrong, or the circuitry is faulty?
P.S That is the only adapter I can use for a set of light strips. Also say if you need any pictures of it.

EDIT
The adapter does work on the light strips without blowing them, it was a question out of curiosity more than anything else.

Thanks.

 

It is probably a unregulatede power supply so it will give a higher voltage with no load on it. Load it with a 24 ohm resistor and measure the output voltage at the rated current of 500 mA.

Les.

 

Not all all.
You are measuring the unloaded voltage
At 500mA loading voltage will drop to ~12VDC

This is normal in unregulated PSU's.

 

It is probably a unregulatede power supply so it will give a higher voltage with no load on it. Load it with a 24 ohm resistor and measure the output voltage at the rated current of 500 mA.

Les.

Thanks! Thats the answer, it's definitely not a regulated supply.
Well that was really simple.
PS. I'm being a pack of resistors because I'm low in them, so I don't (at the moment) have a 24ohm resistor.

 

Thanks to everyone who answered .

 

I don't (at the moment) have a 24ohm resistor

At 12V, that resistor would be dissipating 6W. Most of us wouldn't have one on hand.

For load testing, I prefer to use an LM317 with a few values of power resistor. I can adjust the voltage to get the current draw I want without needing a bunch of power resistors values.