With the popularity of electronic products such as mobile phones, tablets, and notebooks, power adapters have become a device that can be seen everywhere in our lives.
What is a power adapter? Power adapters, commonly known as chargers, are used to power small portable electronic devices. The power adapter is an external power source whose purpose is to reduce the volume and weight of the product itself and make the product easy to carry. Common power adapters such as mobile phone chargers, notebook chargers, etc., its working principle converts AC input into DC output and converts 220V mains into 5V, 12V, 19V, and other DC outputs, which are used for mobile phones, notebooks, and other electronic products Charge.
Usually, we try to use the original adapter as much as possible, and the adapter matched by the manufacturer usually meets the requirements. However, if we need to re-purchase, or there are too many adapters at home to distinguish, we need to consider the following points.
Product input specifications
There is a nameplate on the body of the adapter, and the nameplate contains information such as the model, specification, manufacturer, warning mark, and origin of the product. We first pay attention to the input specification of the product. In the above nameplate (Example 1), the input specification is 100-240V~, 50/60Hz, 0.5A. The input specifications should match the power grids of various countries. In China, the input specifications should include a voltage of 220V and a frequency of 50Hz. If we travel abroad, the input specifications of the adapter we choose should cover the voltage and frequency of the power grid of the country of travel. At present, the voltage range of many adapters is relatively wide, 100-240V, and the applicable range is relatively wide.
Product output specifications
Another specification on the nameplate is the output specification of the adapter. The output specification on the nameplate above (Example 1) is 5Vdc, 1.0A. The output specification of the adapter should match the specification of the electronic product, the output voltage of the adapter should include the voltage of the electronic product, and the output current should be greater than or equal to the input current of the electronic product. For example, the input specification of the mobile phone is 5Vdc, 1.0A, and the above adapter (Example 1) is used to supply power, which can meet the requirements. For example, the input specification of the iPad is 5Vdc, 2.0A, and the above adapter (Example 1) is used for the power supply. The output current of the adapter is less than the input current of the iPad, which cannot meet the requirements. For example, in the following notebook, the output specifications of the adapter include multiple, among which 20Vdc, 3.25A matches the input specifications of the notebook and meet the requirements.
power plug
There are different plugs in all countries in the world. Among them, my country uses two-pin plugs and three-pin plugs. Small power adapters are commonly used in-line two-pin plugs.
Output connector/DC interface
The DC output interface is used to supply power to the product and matches the input interface of the product. Common interfaces include a micro USB interface, TYPE-C interface, Apple Lightning interface, etc.
While considering the above factors, consumers are advised to try their best to buy well-known brands and products with 3C certification marks. In the market sampling inspections over the years, well-known brands and power adapters that have been certified by CCC are more guaranteed in terms of quality; on the contrary, products that have not been certified by CCC are more unqualified. Common unqualified items include electrical clearance, creepage distance, plug size, strong electric resistance, etc. These unqualified inspection items make the product risk electric shock and endanger the safety of users.
