An AC adapter is an external power supply that converts alternating current (AC) from a wall outlet to a direct current (DC) needed by an electronic device. When it supplies power to a battery-powered device, it is also accurate to describe it as a charger.
Is AC adapter the same as power cord?
Adapters can sometimes be used as a charger, but a charger will never give you the same energy output as an adapter will. When it comes to some electronic devices such as laptops, your charging cord and your adapter are pretty much the same thing. Adapters will provide electrical current to something such as a laptop.
Can I use adapter for power supply?
Your computer should work with a power supply in a different country as long as you have an appropriate power adapter. You may also need to flip a switch. If you have a laptop, all you should need to do is get the right plug for your power adapter.
Is charger a power supply?
A power supply for electronic devices. Also called an "AC adapter" or "charger," power adapters plug into a wall outlet and convert AC to a single DC voltage. Computers use multiple DC voltages, and the power adapter is the external part of the power supply for a laptop.
How do I know if my adapter is AC or DC?
One way to determine if you have an AC-DC power supply or a DC-DC model is to look at the device itself. Often, the input and output information will appear somewhere on the surface. If the input is AC, you have an AC-DC power supply, and you have a DC-DC model if the input and output both are DC.
How many volts does an adapter have?
In the US, the standard AC outlets are 110 to 120 volts. If you're a frequent traveler, you need to understand how the different voltage increments can affect your devices. However, most travel electronics are rated for dual voltage use and wouldn't require a converter.