How do you tell which AC adapter goes with which device?

Question

If the device says something like “DC-12V-IN”, will any 12V AC adapter with the correct connector work?

And why don’t they mark the adapter somehow so it’s obvious which device it goes with?

In: Technology

Answer 1

Good answers above. To answer your last question: because the device manufacturer doesn’t make the power adapter a lot of the time. They are just commodity items purchased from a company that produces nothing but power adapters by the boat load. Then they sell these to “gadget” manufacturers. Customizing the case, even to put a logo on it costs money, and would be totally pointless from the manufacturers point of view.