Getting the right AC-DC Adapter
So you’re on it again, shopping for electronics. Do you know what the biggest issue is when it comes to the same? As you might’ve guessed- The issue of compatibility. Most of the people around us simply just “go for it”, hoping they’ve picked right.
And it certainly doesn’t help the case when you’re trying to buy something that’s available in oh-so-many types. Like, let’s say an AC adapter. And this isn’t even something you can afford to mess up. These little things are capable of causing not-so-little damage to your device if not done right.
There are some details you could take note of, to ensure you get just the adapter that your device requires. Below, it’s the very details that we’ve mentioned.
Now that’s one thing you’d no longer need to purchase randomly.
First thing, what is an AC adapter?
To put it simply, it’s designed to convert your main power AC into the smaller DC voltage, that’s in turn used by your device. This is what most of the battery-operated devices run on.
Picking out the adapter for your device
It’s simple. Take your device in one hand, the specifications of the adapter in another, and start looking for-
- Volts
- Current/Ampere
- Polarity
- Plug
Volts
Think of this as the “force” that pulls electricity throughout the circuit.
If the voltage of the adapter is lower than that of your device (let’s say laptop), it simply wouldn’t function to begin to with.
Now if the adapter’s voltage is higher than what your laptop requires, here comes the overvoltage that could damage your laptop pretty much permanently.
So clearly, it’s of quite some importance to get this right. You are to make sure that both your device, and the adapter have the exact voltage specifications.
On your device, what you’re looking for is the letter V, that shows the input voltage. Generally, you’d see the numbers of 8V, 12V, 9V, 6V, 5V and 3V. These are the “common” input voltages. (Your device may very well be different. No issues here.)
Now on the adapter, you want to look for the same old V, showing its output voltage.
Just check, and make sure they match.
Ampere
Now, the current or (A)mps is yet another thing. Think of this as the “power” that your device requires to function.
On your device, you’re looking for A or mAh. You’ll generally see the minimum and maximum range of Ampere that it would function on. Like, 3.24A/4.51A.
And on the adapter, you’ll see the same A or mAh showing the amount of current it supplies.
Here, you’re good to go as long as the adapter’s output isn’t lower than your device’s minimum requirement. It’s fine if it’s higher than your device’s range, since your device would consume only what it needs.
Polarity
The “polarity”, or the orientation of the electric charges, is yet another thing you should obviously keep in mind. When it comes to the connector of the adapter, there’s generally an inner circle and an outer circle. And in most of these cases, the inner one contains a positive polarity, and the outer once carries a negative polarity.
What we’re trying to say is, make sure the charging port of your device matches this polarity. If they don’t, the fuse inside your device may burn out. That doesn’t sound like a risk we’d want you to take.
Finally of course, does the plug fit?
Before you even begin your search for AC adapters, please do note down the dimensions of your device’s charging port. By dimensions, we mean both inner and outer diameters of your port.
Any proper site or store would provide you the exact dimensions of the adapter’s pin. So, do take a look, and cross-check as required.
The last thing you want, is an expensive adapter that doesn’t even sit right.
NOW you have the right one
This is pretty much all there is to it. Take note of every detail we’ve mentioned above, and you’ll end up with just the adapter that your device needs.
Still, we do realize that not everyone out there would be “completely” sure of the adapter to go for. If you’re confused, there’s absolutely no need to shop in doubt. At Pooja Electronics, you’re free to send us a picture of your current adapter over WhatsApp. We’ll take a look and send you the order link for just the one you need. Do contact us if you’ve got doubts.
Either way, do make sure you don’t just jump into it. These are delicate little things that could cause permanent damage to your device back home.
Let’s not allow that to happen, right?
