What You Need to Know About DC Adapters

!±8± What You Need to Know About DC Adapters

DC adapters are basically DC to AC converters. DC stands for direct current while AC stands for alternating current. Basically, it converts an alternating-current input to a direct-current output-the current used by your device.

To simplify even further, think of DC as the current that runs through anything that can be powered by batteries-flashlights, toys, alarm clocks, or even your car's electrical system. Now, associate AC with any device that plugs directly into your home's or business establishment's wall socket-the electricity provided by the power corporations.

DC adapters are used by many electronic devices. You probably have a few lying around in your house; you use one for your laptop, your portable music player, or even on your cellphone (charger).

DC devices are sometimes referred to as low-voltage devices. If current (AC & DC) is the way electricity flows in your device, think of voltage as the type of electricity supplied. For example, 110-volt electricity can be delivered via AC or DC. However, as we noted earlier, DC is normally associated with lower voltages. A car's electrical system runs on 12 volts, your laptop, your power tool, can run voltages anywhere from 3 volts to 24 volts. Voltage among DC devices varies widely and depends solely on what the manufacturer deems appropriate.

AC voltage is a lot simpler; I'm sure you're familiar with the voltage supplied by your country. You country's voltage will either be in 100s variant or the 200s variant. For example, in the United States, voltage is 120 volts, in the United Kingdom 230 volts.

Given the facts above, a DC adapter does two things-it changes the current from AC to DC, and changes the voltage from (for example) 120 volts to 12 volts. The AC current is used to either charge a battery where the device runs on, or power the device itself.

Another thing you might come across with on your electrical device and DC adapter is the ampere rating. Ampere (A) is the unit used to measure the amount of electric charge passing through the electrical system. Your DC adapter and AC device have ampere ratings. With low-voltage devices, amperes are usually defined by mA or milliamperes.

Lastly, it is always important to note the positive from the negative (polarity) on DC devices. The end of a DC adapter, the part that plugs into the AC device, is usually a small round socket with a hole in the middle. Manufacturers have made it a habit to interchange these two often, to further confuse standards. Why? Because manufacturers want you to use their official DC adaptors only.

Remember, a DC device cannot run on AC and vice versa. A high-voltage DC device can run on a lower voltage DC supply but it will run weak, and will eventually destroy the device-for example, an electric fan will move less air. A low-voltage DC device will be burnt on a high-voltage DC supply. A device or an adapter usually has a maximum current rating (ampere). Always be sure to stay within the limit. And last, never reverse the polarities on a DC device, more importantly, never have any form of connection between the positive and the negative terminals.