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E.g. my lab supply has also an output with -5V/0V/+5V, I could attach -5V to GND and 0V to Vin – and it would work fine.
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moemoe: I think you mean connecting the GND to Vin+, as it is positive relative to -5v. Unless I'm more confused then I thought.
electro: not to add confusion, but you can connect the + power to what is called ground, and use the negative as Vin. My 1965 Datsun Fairlady SPL310 (attempted copy of a MG) has the 12Volt + battery terminal connected to the vehicle "ground", which is the metal chassis. There are other cars that also have done this. I think the mentality is the high voltage ignition system is positive ground, as the hot electrons are much more happy jumping off the thermally hot electrode to the positive cooler engine positive ground. It makes for a "hotter" (i.e. more energetic spark). This system was a PITA if you ever tried to add an off the shelf 8 track tape, that used a negative ground, with the +12 brought in on a wire.
Hope this helps, I understand this is a difficult concept, that of ground, which also carries electrons. In your home wiring is the neutral, this carries AC current, but as it's physically tied to a ground rod at the service entrance (the main circuit breaker panel down stream from the power meter). Also (at least state side) is the safety ground, this does not carry current, and is there to protect against faults where the Line (hot wire) could short to this, and protects the user, by not letting the chassis become electrified, as in this case the circuit breaker will trip. Just because ground carries current should not cause confusion. As in the electric home power case, ground does not carry current. In DC low voltage system, ground will generally carry current. But since it's at the same potential as you (you are grounded), there is no current flow though you, unless you are the return path because the ground connection broke.