How to choose a power supply adapter

How to choose a power supply adapter for charging your devices?

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Power supply adapters that we are familiar with very well, normally once purchase electronic devices such as mobile phones, cameras, and laptops, there are often power supply adapters included. But when used for a long time, it may be damaged or lost. So, you have to purchase a new one to replace the old one that was damaged or lost. The big question is, how do choose the right one? You have to read the symbols that are attached to the charger or adapter. The problem is many people can’t understand various symbols or specifications on the power supply adapter. Therefore, in this article, we are going to talk about the meaning of these symbols on these devices and how to choose for buying the power supply adapter.

What does it mean of symbols on the power supply adapter?

How to choose a power supply adapter

I believe that most people had used one power supply adapter or more and also may have flipped around when buying a new one. But you still didn’t understand the digit or symbols that is stamped on the device. How does it relate to charging? How does it affect charging for your devices like mobile phones, digital cameras, or other devices that need to charge? First of all, we will take you to know a few important words that relate.

Amps are the voltage of the current that straight into the battery or charger and then forwards to the device that you want to charge. The power supply adapter will be indicated as input (power input or i/p) and output (power output or o/p). For example, 1A is a voltage of the current 1.0 amp, which is the fundamental value that we have been using for a long time. At present, it is considered quite slow. Because technology currently is 2.0, 2.1, 2.4 to 5.0 amp.

Voltage is the voltage for charging a battery. The standard is 5 volts (5V). But for a quick charge adapter that supports fast charging, you have to look at both voltage (V) and amp (A) of both input and output too.

Input is the value of charging that run into the charger such as 5V/2.0A, 5V/2.1A, or 5V/2.4A, etc. More amps, charging is faster.

Output is the value of the power supply to your devices, normally it will clearly indicated on the adapter such as 5V/2.0A, 5V/2.1A, or 5V/2.4A, etc.

FAQ

Q: In real use, the volt is the same but the amps are different, can they be used interchangeably?

A: Yes, they can be used interchangeably. But just for the same volt but more amps only. For example, if the original adapter that comes with the devices is set at 5V/2A the new one is 5V/2.4A like this, yes it can. But if the new one is lower than 2A such as 5V/1.5A, should not be used. However; the position of the positive electrode and negative electrode must be matched in the same way too.

Q: If the device supports 2.0A, can use fast charge or super fast charge for charging?

A: Normally, the manufacturer is usually setting up the proper value. Therefore, if the device supports 2.0A but you use a 4.5A fast charging to charge it, it has no effect. Because the current will only enter only 2.0A or the worst case it may cause overheat to cause your device will damage, which also depends on the device that you charge too.

Q: If we use a fast charger to charge the device that supports only 1.0A, will it charge faster? And what are the pros and cons?

A: I think many people have probably used mobile chargers to charge other devices. if you observe carefully, you will find that even if using a 2.4A or 3.0A fast charger, it doesn’t make it faster charging. That’s why? Because the specification of devices is support only 1A charging. The next question is whether the heat will build up and cause a fire. It depends on how much the designed circuit can handle. The best option, use it properly as its specification is better.

The positive electrode and negative electrode symbols on an adapter

Besides the symbols mentioned above, another one you often see on the adapter is the positive electrode and negative electrode symbols. It’s very important to choose to match your device, otherwise, it will not work or may be damaged. In addition, choose the right voltage too such as 12V/5A or 12V/2A.

Connector size

How to buy power supply adapter

Each model of adapters has a sizing hole which is maybe different sizes. So if you wrong choose, it will not be able to plug into your device. The size of the connector size will be indicated in 2 sets of numbers. For example; 5.5 x 2.5mm, the first number (5.5) is the diameter of the outer circle of the connector and the second number (2.5) is the diameter of the inner circle of the connector.

Certification Symbol or Production source

The last factor you should know is the certification symbol or safety standard, as well as the production source on the device.

CE or European Conformity (formerly EC) is certified by the European Union, which is safe, standardized, and environmentally friendly. Another meaning is China Export.

FCC (Federal Communications Commission) is certified by the Federal Communication Commission of the United States.

RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) is the EU environmental standard

CCC (China Compulsory Certification) has 132 items of safety and health standards for humans, animals, and the environment of China.

How to choose a power supply adapter?

The last question is the most and it’s the question you want to know the most, right? From all of the above, all of the factors that I mentioned are important, volt, amps, input, output, type of electrode, connector size, and including certification standards from various agencies.

For choosing, if you can choose, especially your expensive device, you choose the same manufacturer as the device to be charged. Avoid counterfeit adapters, which are often cheap but of low quality and safety that may damage your electrical appliance or expensive devices like high-end laptops.

There are many types, models, and brands, as well as prices that vary according to quality and standards. Last, we hope this information will help you get to know more about how to choose to buy a power supply adapter. And can be used as a guideline for making preliminary purchase decisions. Thank you for reading.

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