Router Cabels

[Shadow121]

I have a 4 port router and seem to have lost my power cabel. Parents were wondering if a 4.5 volt or a 6 volt work with it when it is a 5volt router.

 

[Smith6612]

I definitely wouldn't put in the 6 volt cable. The 4.5v cable might work, but you have to make sure it supplies the correct wattage for the router, otherwise, you could damage the router. Really, I'd say the safest thing to do would be to call up your router's manufacturer and order a new power adapter from them (probably around $5 for one of those), or you can spend some time looking for the power cable for it again.

 

[Shadow121]

I'll look some more then check the 4.5's wattage, if they don't work i'll contact Linksys.

 

[Smith6612]

OK. Use Google to see what kind of wattage your router needs to run. Also, since you're putting less voltage into the router, it may lock up more or just not work at all.

 

[DeadBattery]

Lol!
Don't use a 6 volt on what should be a 5 volt! That could blow the whole thing out!
I would search eBay first. If you have no luck, try Google, if that fails, buy a new router OR if they still sell your router, buy a new one and replace the power cords at home or in the parking lot. That will work.

 

[Hazirak]

Short answer: It would be better to get a new cable than chance it with either of the cables.

Longer answer: While it seems fairly obvious that a 6 volt cable would fry the thing, not giving it enough voltage (as with the 4.5volt cable) could damage it too. Even if the wattage is the same, it's a lower voltage. To achieve the same wattage, it needs to feed in more amperage - wattage is nothing more than volts times amps.

In a storm, that's usually what fries your computer during a power surge - not the initial spike in voltage, but the point where it drops below normal levels before returning to normal. That's when all the extra amps get pulled in to keep the wattage constant, and the amps are what actually damage computer components.

 

[Spartan Erik]

I too would eBay for a power cord.. or just find out where you misplaced it!

 

[Daniel S]

Yes I agree with the above two posts that you should not use a cable that is an incorrect voltage for the router so you are properly best buying a new cable on ebay.

 

[Shadow121]

Got a new power cable off a local computer store =] with right wattage and volts.

 

[TechAsh]

Good. It is always much better to use the correct cable instead of one meant for something else.