Mains Chargers Voltage and Milliamps.

Question

When you look at the back of a mains charger you see a notation, for example 5V = 850Ma or some such combination of numbers. What does the number relating to Ma stand for?

Answer 1

v indicates voltage output and ma shows the amount of current the equipment will give 850 ma is < 1 amp which equals 1000 ma.

Answer 2

milliamperes, or more commonly milliamps, 850mA is the same as 0.85 A (amperes or amps for short). Ampere is the unit of current flow.

On a mains charger the 850mA means thats the maximum supply current , and you shouldnt connect it to any equipment requiring more that 850mA or 0.85 Amps, otherwise you will fry the components on the charger

using the 0.85A charger for a 1 amp (1000mA) device could damage the charger , but normally the manufacturers stay within 75% of the max, so 75% of 1000mA is 750mA (0.75A), but still I suggest finding a 1amp (1000mA)  or higher adapter   to stay on  the safe side.

Answer 3

milliamps (1000th of an amp)

Answer 4

850mA is how much current the adaptor draws from the mains. Only really important if you are plugging in a lot of appliance and you might go over the 13 amp fuse limit.