.
*this ‘mains power plug travel adapter’ allows ‘british plugs’ to be connected to american/australian sockets*

*alternate spellings* –>

“adaptor”

*an ‘adapter’ is a ‘device’ that converts ‘attributes’ of 1 ‘electrical device/system’ to those of an otherwise in-compatible device/system*

Some modify ‘power’ or ‘signal attributes’, while others merely adapt the ‘physical form’ of 1 ‘connector’ to another*

Travel adapters

Many countries with ties to Europe use 230-volt, 50 Hz AC mains electricity, using a variety of power plugs and sockets.

Difficulty arises when moving an electrical device between countries that use different sockets.

A passive electric power adapter, sometimes called a travel plug or travel adapter, allows using a plug from one region with a foreign socket.

As other countries supply 120-volt, 60 Hz AC, using a travel adapter in a country with a different supply poses a safety hazard if the connected device does not support both input voltages.

AC-to-DC adapters

A “power cube”-type AC adapter

An AC-to-DC power supply adapts electricity from household mains voltage (either 120 or 230 volts AC) to low-voltage DC suitable for powering consumer electronics.

Small, detached power supplies for consumer electronics are called AC adapters, or variously power bricks, wall warts, or chargers

Computer adapters

A host controller connects a computer to a peripheral device, such as a storage device, network, or human interface device.

As a host controller can also be viewed as bridging the protocols used on the buses between peripheral and computer, and internally to the computer,

it is also called a host bus adapter.

Likewise, specific types may be called adapters:

a network interface controller may be called a network adapter, and a graphics card a display adapter

Adapters for external ports

Adapters (sometimes called dongles) allow connecting a peripheral device with one plug to a different jack on the computer.

They are often used to connect modern devices to a legacy port on an old system, or legacy devices to a modern port.

Such adapters may be entirely passive, or contain active circuitry.

A common type is a USB adapter.

One kind of serial port adapter enables connections between 25-contact and nine-contact connectors,[2] but does not affect electrical power- and signalling-related attributes.

See also

AC power plugs and sockets

Dongle (includes all sorts of adapters)

Power strip

Repurposing

*references*

^ Both spellings are used in both British and American English.”Macmillan English Dictionary”.

Macmillan Publishers Limited. 2010. Retrieved 2010-04-14. adapter noun [countable] /əˈdæptə(r)/ or adaptor an object that allows you to connect two pieces of equipment of different types or sizes a. British an object that allows you to connect several pieces of electrical equipment to one electricity supply b. an object that allows you to use electrical equipment in countries where there is a different type of electricity supply from your own

^ Andrews, Jean (2007). A+ guide to managing and maintaining your PC (6th ed.). Boston, Mass.: Thomson Course Technology. p. 395. ISBN 0-619-21758-8. serial port adapter 25 9.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Adapters.

en.wikipedia.org /wiki/Adapter
Adapter
Contributors to Wikimedia projects3-4 minutes 5/8/2004

This mains power plug travel adapter allows British plugs to be connected to American or Australian sockets

(8 outlets in my bedroom)

(a pair of 3-pronged vertical outlets on each wall)

https://www.jameco.com/Jameco/content/walladapter.html

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How to Choose Wall Adapters & Table-Top Power Supplies

The Power Resource Center

Wall Transformers and Table-Top Power Supplies Buyer’s Guide

By Robert Cong

Wall Adapters | Table-Top

Basic terms of how to choose the right power supply.

Wall Adapter Power Supply

Wall adapters (wall plugs) seem simple enough, right?

You plug one end into the wall and the other end into your device.

What some may fail to consider are all the other options which may help save…

energy,

time

space

When considering a wall adapter, you need to know what type of voltage your device needs: AC or DC.

You should also look for a recommended charging current listed on the device you are powering. From there, decide whether you want regulated or unregulated, and linear or switching.

Finally, take a look at your device’s plug socket and match it with the supply’s DC output connector. The most common types of connectors are 2.1mm inner diameter x 5.5mm outer diameter female, 2.5mm inner diameter x 5.5mm outer diameter female, 3.5mm male, and even screw terminal connections (Remember to also match center positive or center negative plugs).

If your device uses a plug connector, you can find out what size plug your device needs by using some calipers and measuring the inside diameter as well the outside diameter. Traditional rulers can also be used, but keep in mind that they usually aren’t very accurate and may not measure in millimeters, which is the industry standard. Adapter kits are also available which contain several common size plugs.

2.1mm x 5.5mm female DC plug connector with center positive connection

The “slimline” wall adapters are also very popular because they are smaller and take up less room. If you’re using a power strip, you don’t want a wall adapter to take up 2 or 3 of your outlet spaces. Also take into consideration the different agency approvals. CEC approved wall adapters have the highest energy efficiency levels, which may cost more up front but save you in long-term energy costs.

Finding a wall adapter that provides enough current to your device is critical for efficient charging. Your device will draw the appropriate amount of current from the adapter, but if the adapter cannot provide enough current, the device will take longer to fully charge.

Be sure to choose an adapter that is able to supply the amount of current listed on your device

Wall Adapter Label Symbols
Typical Symbols and Information on Wall Adapters Adapter shown

For your convenience, there are also interchangeable AC-DC regulated switching wall adapters. These adapters have AC input connectors that can be swapped for use in various countries. Plug types include: USA, European, United Kingdom, and Australian.

So next time you’re searching for a wall adapter, keep in mind all of the different combinations available. Doing your research and preparation can save you any hassle in the future.

Choose Your Wall Adapter

Type	Description	Plug Types
AC-AC Wall Adapters	Input: 120VAC @ 60Hz Steps down the input AC voltage to a smaller AC output voltage	2.1mm x 5.5mm female 2.5mm x 5.5mm female 3.5mm male Screw terminals
AC-DC Unregulated Linear Wall Adapters	Input: 120VAC @ 60Hz Typically bigger in size and weight, but cheaper in price than regulated switching adapters	2.1mm x 5.5mm female 2.5mm x 5.5mm female 2.5mm male 3.5mm male Stripped and tinned wires
AC-DC Regulated Linear Wall Adapters	Input: 120VAC @ 60Hz Better protection, but higher in price than unregulated linear adapters	2.1mm x 5.5mm female 2.5mm x 5.5mm female
AC-DC Regulated Switching Wall Adapters	Various input ranges Also comes in “slim-line” types, CEC-approved, and adapters with interchangeable clips Typically better protected, smaller in size and weight, but higher in price than other adapters	2.1mm x 5.5mm female 2.5mm x 5.5mm female 2.5mm male 3.5mm male Screw terminals

Table-Top Power Supply

Table-top power supplies are very similar to wall adapters in that they both plug directly into the wall outlet and into your device.

Table-top power supplies are able to provide more power than wall adapters, and also typically have a wider range of features and more agency approvals. Table-top power supplies usually have 2 components: the actual supply with a DC cord attached, and the AC power cord. Depending on which one you choose, the supply may or may not include the AC power cord.

If your supply does not include the AC power cord, there are three standard sizes that will fit on various table-top power supplies: a 2-prong Figure 8 style cord, a 3-prong standard cord, and a

3-prong Mickey Mouse style cord
(comes in a flat cord or a round cord)

3-Prong Standard AC Power Cord
2-Prong Figure 8 Style AC Power Cord

3-Prong Standard AC Power Cord

3-Prong Mickey Mouse Style Flat AC Power Cord

3-Prong Mickey Mouse Style Round AC Power Cord

The most important thing to look for is what type of DC connector your device will need.

Various DC output connectors include:

2.1mm inner diameter x 5.5mm outer diameter female,

2.5mm inner diameter x 5.5mm outer diameter female,

3.5mm male, 4-pin, 5-pin, and 6-pin DIN male;

and also stripped and tinned wires.

Once you match up the DC plug connector with your device, find the appropriate voltage and current outputs.

This should be listed on the actual device.

Just like wall adapters, it is important to provide enough current to your device for efficient charging, so be sure to choose a supply that is able to provide the amount of current needed for your device

5V, 4A CEC-Approved Table-Top Power Supply
Mean Well GS25A05-P1J
5V, 4A CEC-Approved ReliaPro Table-Top Power Supply

Typical Symbols and Information on Table-Top Power Supplies
Label shown

Table-top power supplies come in 2-prong (also 2-wire) unregulated linear, regulated linear, regulated switching,

as well as 3-prong regulated linear and regulated switching configurations.

You may also want to look for a table-top supply that has an LED indicator to know when it is actually drawing current from the wall,

or you may want a lighter supply that weighs 0.5 pounds instead of one that weighs 2 pounds.

Adding to these options, there are also many CEC approved table-top power supplies which have the highest energy efficiency levels and are able to do the same job that an older supply can do while using less energy to do it.

They are made to cut down on as much leakage of hazardous material into the environment as possible and although they may cost more up front, they’ll save you in long-term energy costs.

Choose Your Tabletop Power Supply

Type	Description	Plug Types
2-Wire Unregulated Linear Table-Top Power Supply	Input: 120VAC @ 60Hz Typically box-shaped and heavier than other table-top power supplies Most include AC power cord	2.1mm x 5.5mm female 2.5mm x 5.5mm female 3.5mm male Stripped and tinned wires
2-Wire Regulated Linear Table-Top Power Supply	Input: 120VAC @ 60Hz Typically box-shaped and heavier than switching table-top power supplies Most include AC power cord	2.1mm x 5.5mm female 2.5mm x 5.5mm female 4-pin DIN male 5-pin DIN male 6-pin DIN male
2-Wire Regulated Switching Table-Top Power Supply	Various input ranges Typically lighter in weight Also comes in CEC-approved supplies Many do not include AC power cord	2.1mm x 5.5mm female 2.5mm x 5.5mm female 5-pin DIN male
3-Wire Regulated Switching Table-Top Power Supply	Various input ranges Typically lighter in weight Also comes in CEC-approved supplies Many do not include AC power cord	2.1mm x 5.5mm female 2.5mm x 5.5mm female 4-pin DIN male 5-pin DIN male

Now that you know what to look for, make sure you have all the parts you need.

If for some reason you can’t find what you need, just write us a note and we’ll do our best to find it for you.

Still have questions?

Send an email to: Tech@Jameco.com

Back to Power Resource Center

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How to Choose Wall Adapters & Table-Top Power Supplies

Wall Transformers and Table-Top Power Supplies Buyer’s Guide

Wall Adapters | Table-Top

Wall Adapter Power Supply

Table-Top Power Supply

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