AC Adapters

The Basics

Laptops need direct current (DC) electricity in order to be powered up. DC power is produced by batteries, but it is not the type of power that is generally available in home and office electric outlets. These generally provide alternating current (AC) electricity, the type used by most household appliances.

Laptops and other DC devices function by using the adapter to run on batteries and with a small power box or brick outside the device that powers it. They cannot be used with AC power unless the power is converted before use. The small box is really DC power that continuously transforms the AC power from the wall socket into the DC power required for the device. Hence the name AC Adapters or chargers (because they charge the internal laptop battery) They have an electric plug for the wall socket on one end  which plugs into the box – this is either 2 or 3 pronged, and a special connector for plugging into the laptop at the other end.

Did you Know..?

An inverter also converts AC to DC power. It allows a 12 or 24 volt battery DC power available in a car for example or from solar panels to supply AC power to operate devices that are normally supplied from a mains power source.

The advantage of an inverter is that it can be used to provide power for ANY device because it is basically supplying a standard AC socket. The disadvantages of an inverter are that the power conversion process is not as efficient as the DC adapter process and it is generally found that inverters are larger and heavier than DC adapters.

We supply AC adapters which work for all the major makes and model types. Search via brand or category on the left hand menu bar.