Adapter Devices: Considerations for Laptop Travel and Accessories
Using the right laptop chargers and adapters make travel and general use more effortless for professionals everywhere. Unfortunately, chargers and adapters can often malfunction, break, or get lost. This begins a potentially confusing search for the right replacement part. This is where understanding the specifics of your device model comes into play to make the search easier.
What Is the Difference between AC or DC Adapters?
- Direction: DC stands for direct current and is designed to only flow in one direction, unlike its AC counterpart. AC stands for alternating current. This AC method allows one to plug a device straight into the wall, separate from something else.
- Distance: AC electric power currents are known to transmit more effectively over a longer distance, so most outlets in a home are powered by AC because it comes from a farther power supply outside the house.
- Usage: Most smaller devices that use batteries, like laptops, phones, and flashlights, run on DC power, while larger household items, such as refrigerators or lamps, use AC power.
What Are Buying Components for Adapters?
- Polarity: This is an industry term used to describe the electrical potential, or flow, based on positive and negative poles of any battery as all batteries have a positive and negative end. By finding the matching plus and minus signs on the back of the charger, you can mark this off the replacement checklist for a new part.
- Amperage: This is the strength of an electric charge or current. This number is located by the "input" section on the back of the device. In America, the typical accepted range is 100 to 240, so anything in between works with or in place of an older model as long as this rating is the same.
- Voltage: This number on an adapter or charger is located in the "output" section and needs to be the same when looking for a replacement. As an example, if it says 12 V with 2.0 amps, this means you will need a 12 V DC or AC adapter with two amps output range.
What Are the General Use Practices to Apply?
- Brand: Most devices work with any brand as long as the amps, voltage, and polarity is matching. As an example, a new charger for an ASUS computer may have very specific numbers, like 19 voltage, but as long as this is the same, a 19 V charger of any brand would work with the ASUS computer.
- Longevity: Regardless of brand or price, any device can only last for so long. Depending on use, some chargers may last for months, and others may last years. Fortunately, if one goes out, a new one is not hard to find.
- Storage: Like any other electronic device, chargers and adapters must be stored in room temperature areas without water or other substances that could cause a fire, malfunction, or a safety hazard.