A description of the main types and where they should and shouldn't be used. Includes suggestions for reducing the heat generated inside the ZX Spectrum and for repairing a broken cable strain relief. Finishes with a series of tests to measure how several ZX Spectrum power supplies perform.
IMPORTANT NOTE: UK700 power supplies: There is reason to think these were sometimes supplied with early ZX Spectrum computers, but the vast majority were shipped with the UK1400 model. In most cases a 16/48K ZX Spectrum can be powered by a UK700 supply, provided the Spectrum has NO device connected to its expansion connector, though a very basic joystick interface probably won't cause a problem. However, a UK700 supply will be highly stressed, operating close to its maximum capacity when powering a ZX Spectrum and so may be more prone to failure. There is quite a bit of variation in power consumption between different examples of 16/48K ZX Spectrums and in keeping with the Sinclair cost-cutting philosophy, the power supplies aren't of the highest quality, meaning some particular combinations of ZX Spectrum and UK700 supply may not work. If at all possible, a UK1400 or later supply should be used.
