#acadapter #adapter #charger #acdcadapter

If you have a drawer full of adapters, bricks, and cables, how do you know what fits a device? Here’s how to read the info on the adapter as well as the device you want to power.

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Knowing which AC Adapter to use for each device can be confusing - but it doesn’t have to be. In this episode, DirtFarmer Jay shows you how to read the “code” on each device (both the adapter and the piece of equipment you want to power) so you can choose the right AC adapter for your gadget.

Once you understand the basic variables of the power supply and the device getting the power, AC Adapter symbols won’t be a mystery anymore.

Let’s start with the AC Adapter itself. Its name tells its function: to adapt/convert AC (Alternating Current) to DC (Direct Current) that most small electronics and electrical devices use.

So, your AC Adapter will generally have the info you need to make the right selection (or in the case of a jumble of cords in a “junk” drawer, match the adapter to the device it came paired with).

The three main pieces of data you need are 1.) the wall outlet power the adapter is designed to be plugged into, 2.) the output of the adapter in DC power (can be expressed in voltage, amps, or wattage), and, 3.), by use of a polarity diagram, what the polarity of the adapter’s charging tip is.

WARNING: Not all adapters give you all this information. Depending on how generous the manufacturer was with the information (or what they were required to provide by law), only some of the information may be on the device. It’s most common to see the polarity symbol, as well as output of the adapter, but not as common on the input. Many times, that can be deduced via where (such as what country) the product was marketed and sold, or the plug configuration (i.e., the plug is different for 110V and 220V outlets or European and North American plug ends).

What’s the worst that can happen if you use the wrong adapter for your device?

Well, the WORST that can happen is you “smoke” your electronic device, ruining it permanently, or making it in need of repair to replace a safety fuse installed to protect the main device from ruination when the wrong power or polarity is applied.

If you damaged your device, there are one of two things that happened. First, you could have supplied too much power to the device and heated circuits and components to the point they failed (this is a kind way of saying “melted”). Second, the polarity supplied may be wrong, which can create a “dead-short” situation. Some devices have a small fuse to protect the main circuitry when this happens, but not all. You may be able to get the device repaired, maybe not.

If the adapter you use supplies too little power, then the device may not work correctly either. You are calling on the device to complete tasks that adequate power is not being supplied for. So, getting it right solves the problem.

So, once you’ve chosen the right adapter for the wall outlet, you need to now see the power output of the adapter, as well as the polarity. If those match the power rating and polarity of the device that you are wanting to power, you should have no problems.

Here is a link for a universal adapter (not for use on computers!) that can be set to output different DC voltages, along with several adapter tips, and even a negative polarity adapter in case you need to switch from positive to negative polarity. This is a good starting place:

https://www.amazon.com/3V-Adjustable-...

Sure, you can keep buying new adapters and devices instead of using what you already have, but that is a waste of money. With what you’ve learned in this episode, you can see if you have the right adapter on hand, and you can JUST DO IT YOURSELF.

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