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Glossary entry

English term or phrase:

center positive

English answer:

center pin has positive polarity

Added to glossary by avsie (X)
Feb 7, 2005 10:43
19 yrs ago
5 viewers *
English term

center positive

English Tech/Engineering Electronics / Elect Eng - car charger
Hi all,

Could those of you familiar with car charger equipment advise me on the meaning of "center positive"? The context is the following:

"Car Charger 6V - DC-DC from cigarette lighter 12v to 6v (center positive)."

In describing this product, I cannot figure out how to mention this "center positive" part since I don't know what it actually means!

Thanks a lot in advance.
Responses
4 +3 center pin has positive polarity
5 the center pin of the charger has a positive charge

Discussion

avsie (X) Feb 7, 2005:
It's not exactly the connector, but the central pin of that connector, I think "connector" is a bit too vague...
Non-ProZ.com Feb 7, 2005:
So, could I just modify a word like "connector" with the words "center positive"?

Responses

+3
6 mins
Selected

center pin has positive polarity

The center pin of the connector has a positive polarity (and not a negative one...)
Peer comment(s):
agree Tony M : Yes, this is the normal polarity for a cigarette lighter-type plug: the centre 'tit' is the 12V connection, the side connection is 0V [i.e. the car body] / Sorry, techie jargon )-
4 mins
Thanks :-) / "tit" is the word...!
agree Livia D'Ettorre
34 mins
Thanks ;-)
agree Clauwolf : yeah
3 hrs
Cool ;-)
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Thank you!"
6 mins

the center pin of the charger has a positive charge

Adapters like this can have the center pin positive or negative. This is telling you the polarity of the charger.
Peer comment(s):
neutral Tony M : Sure, David --- but it's technically incorrect to say 'a positive charge' here: this is simply a voltage output, not some kind of stored charge!
4 mins
Quite agree. I got to the correct word in my comment (polarity)!
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