Focusrite just blew up

ijonty · February 2023

Well, not quite. Just the plug, but it's basically black inside and stinks of burning.

Do I need to get another plug from Focusrite, or will any one do? (Sorry, not very technically minded)

Keefy · February 2023

You just need something that will give you 12V DC at 1A current, centre positive.

EDIT: That last point is very important!

danishbacon · February 2023

Raise a support ticket with them. They’re excellent and may offer you a replacement one directly.

ijonty · February 2023

Keefy said:

You just need something that will give you 12V DC at 1A current, centre positive.

EDIT: That last point is very important!

Thanks Keefy. So would this work?

https://amzn.eu/d/5JTaQkW

ijonty · February 2023

danishbacon said:

Raise a support ticket with them. They’re excellent and may offer you a replacement one directly.

Thanks, will try that too. Need to get one fast though as I right in the middle of a project and need to get a demo done

fastonebaz · February 2023

No wonder it blew up if you were blasting acdc through it.

Keefy · February 2023

ijonty said:

Keefy said:

You just need something that will give you 12V DC at 1A current, centre positive.

EDIT: That last point is very important!

Thanks Keefy. So would this work?

https://amzn.eu/d/5JTaQkW

I can’t tell from that whether it’s the correct polarity.

BillDL · February 2023

The vast majority of "universal" power adapters for a "range of domestic applications" like routers, cordless landline phones, DVD players, etc are "Centre Positive", so you have a better chance of getting a universal one very quickly from somewhere like Currys, Argos, or even Asda. Almost all guitar pedals are "Centre Negative". If it isn't specifically stated in the product description for an online item it is most likely to be centre positive but not always. In the absence of this detail in the description you may be able to see the polarity if there are photos of the adapter that include the underside view. Some descriptions will refer to the "tip" and "barrel". The Tip is the "Centre", ie. the hole in the middle.

Image: https://tfb-user-images.eu-central-1.linodeobjects.com/1d6069588f81eaa5cda3353226027ad6a06d8e05ddc8f6627d

One other thing to watch for if you happen to see a suitable inline "brick" type power supply adapter that uses a 3-pin mains plug to 2 pin figure-of-eight (bicycle chain link) IEC C7 plug. That mains supply cord does not always come with the power adapter.

There is no harm in buying an adapter that has a higher Amp rating, for example a 2.0A or 2,000 milliamp rather than your blown one that is rated at 1.0A or 1,000 milliamp. Don't buy one rated any lower than 1 amp. One thing to watch, if you are squeezed into buying one of those cheap adapters that you can switch from 3, 5, 6, 9, and 12 volts just to get your project finished. Usually the power rating will be something like 1.5 amps for a 3 and 5 volt, 1 amp for the 6 and 9 volt, and it will drop to 900 milliamps 0.9A for the 12v supply setting. Your Focusrite device could end up trying to draw more power at 12v than the power supply can supply.

ijonty · February 2023

Thanks @BillDL very useful!

Strumit · March 2023

I'm not sure but seem to remember a similar plug/adaptor on a morning tv programme with a warning not to use them as they are dangerous! They were identifiable by the shape and the earth is just a "dummy". The programme said that if in doubt, go to a local fire station or consumer protection office as they will be able to advise.

Snags · March 2023

Strumit said:

I'm not sure but seem to remember a similar plug/adaptor on a morning tv programme with a warning not to use them as they are dangerous! They were identifiable by the shape and the earth is just a "dummy". The programme said that if in doubt, go to a local fire station or consumer protection office as they will be able to advise.

There are loads of power adapters with dummy earth pins because they're unearthed devices, and most of them are absolutely fine and no problem at all. However, you do periodically get some absolutely shit death trap ones that are electrically unsafe. These are normally after-market and super cheapo from China etc. and the kind of thing you buy from Amazon Marketplace or Ali Express for £2.50 instead of paying a tenner for a proper one. There are YouTube channels devoted to taking these things apart and showing why the dodgy ones are dodgy (a sadly deceased friend was a big fan of such nerd education).

An official Focusrite unit is unlikely to be problematic, and if it is there will be a product recall.

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Focusrite just blew up

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