The (also known as the Dell DA-2 adapter) is a highly reliable external power supply unit (PSU) originally designed to power Dell OptiPlex Ultra Small Form Factor (USFF) computers, including models like the GX620, SX280, 745, 755, and 760 . Delivering a clean, robust 12V DC output at up to 18 Amps (totaling 216 Watts of continuous power), it has become a legendary choice for DIY electronics enthusiasts, eGPU (External Graphics Card) builds, picoPSU setups, and holiday LED displays.
If you have cut the connector off, you will typically find the following internal wire configuration: Joined together for +12V positive output. 3 Black Wires: Joined together for Negative/Ground.
Inside, you’ll find:
By default, the power supply stays in standby (orange LED) and will not output 12V until triggered. Dell D220p 01 Power Supply Pinout 2
Because this adapter pushes up to 18 Amps, . Individual thin-gauge internal wires are not safely rated for 18 Amps continuously and will overheat. For high-amperage demands, twist all three White wires together to form your main Positive terminal (+), and twist all three Black wires together to form your main Negative/Ground terminal (-). 2. DIY External Graphics Card (eGPU) Power Many mini-PC owners use the
Because it uses a proprietary 8-pin connector rather than a standard ATX layout, understanding the exact is critical to safely jump-starting and converting this unit without causing a short circuit. Key Technical Specifications
The (commonly known as the Dell DA-2 adapter ) is a highly popular, robust 220W external power brick . It delivers a massive 12V at 18 Amps , making it a prime choice for DIY projects, eGPUs, ham radio gear, and LED displays. However, because it uses a proprietary 8-pin connector and requires a remote turn-on sequence, understanding its exact pinout and wire color coding is essential to avoid destroying your hardware. Official Pinout Configuration The (also known as the Dell DA-2 adapter)
The connector is an 8-pin female receptacle. According to Scribd documentation based on multimeter testing, the pin configuration is crucial for proper usage.
| Pin Number | Color | Signal Name | Description | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 1 | Black | Ground | Ground | | 2 | Black | Ground | Ground | | 3 | Black | Ground | Ground | | 4 | Black | Ground | Ground | | 5 | Red | +5V | +5 Volts | | 6 | Red | +5V | +5 Volts | | 7 | Red | +5V | +5 Volts | | 8 | Red | +5V | +5 Volts | | 9 | Orange | PWR_ON | Power On Signal | | 10 | Black | Ground | Ground | | 11 | Yellow | 5VSB | Standby +5V | | 12 | Black | Ground | Ground | | 13 | Red | +3.3V | +3.3 Volts | | 14 | Red | +3.3V | +3.3 Volts | | 15 | Black | Ground | Ground | | 16 | Black | Ground | Ground | | 17 | Red | +3.3V | +3.3 Volts | | 18 | Red | +3.3V | +3.3 Volts | | 19 | White | PS_OK | Power Good Signal | | 20 | Black | Ground | Ground | | 21 | Red | +5V | +5 Volts | | 22 | Black | Ground | Ground | | 23 | Black | Ground | Ground | | 24 | Black | Ground | Ground |
The pinout of the Dell D220p 01 PSU typically includes several key connectors: 3 Black Wires: Joined together for Negative/Ground
🚀 Since 18 amps is a high current load, do not rely on a single +12V wire. Solder all three +12V wires together and all three Ground wires together to distribute the load and prevent the wires from overheating.
By soldering the bundled White and Black wire pairs to high-quality banana plug binding posts mounted in a small project box, you can build a highly compact, fanless 12V test bench power station capable of driving heavy inductive loads like DC motors and radio equipment.
The Dell D220p 01 power supply typically features a standard ATX power connector. Here's a breakdown of the pinout:
Many mini-PC and laptop enthusiasts use the Dell DA-2 brick to power desktop graphics cards via M.2 or mini-PCIe adapter boards. Because the Dell 8-pin connector uses a completely different physical keying configuration than standard 8-pin PCIe or EPS-12V graphics connections , you can never force it directly into a GPU. You must route the bundled wires through a dedicated eGPU board or manually solder them into a sacrificial 6-pin or 8-pin PCIe tail. 2. Benchtop Lab Power Supply
from the wall before snipping or splicing any wires on the DC side.