How An Ac Adaptor Works

How An Ac Adaptor Works

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Features AC adaptors or adapters are external power supplies based on the same circuit designs of large power supplies. They have two- or three-prong plugs for wall outlets. Their other end has a connector to fit into an electronic device.
Considerations AC adaptors--usually constructed specifically for a particular device--have different power requirements and output voltages. They are generally not interchangeable. The exception is universal adaptors, which can adjust to various requirements.
Battery Charging AC adaptors may have a dual role so that they also function as battery chargers. Ones used for laptops and cell phones have this feature.
In short, an AC Adaptor converts the electric currents received by the electrical outlet into a typically lower alternating current that an electronic device can use.
Inside the AC adaptor are two wire windings that wrap around a single iron core. The first of the windings receives the 120-volt alternating current delivered to the electrical outlet, and creates an electric field in the iron core. The second wire winding turns the newly created electric field into a smaller alternating electric current. The measure of the resulting alternating current is dependent upon the number of coils in the second wire winding in relation to the number in the first winding. If the second winding is half of the first winding, the alternating current will measure half of what it did when it entered the AC adaptor. Therefore, if there were 100 coils on the first winding, the second winding will have only 50 coils.
AC/DC: The Two Electric Currents
The abbreviation, AC, stands for alternating current and is used to describe the electrical currents utilized to deliver power from power plants to homes and businesses. When graphed, these alternating currents are shown as waves that go up and down; this is because these currents do not flow constantly in one direction, but alternate directions, flowing forward and backward.
DC, which stands for direct current, describes electrical currents that flow in one direction. Direct currents are produced and present primarily in batteries, and are used mainly by devices that run by battery power.
Current Electricity "101"
Naturally occurring forces in the universe can cause particles to move. One of these forces is "electromagnetism." This phenomenon is the reason why charged particles can also make electric current, such as lightning, but people cannot use lightning as it is too unpredictable. To make man-made electricity, one need only have a power supply to redirect nature's electromagnetic field to generate either alternating or direct current. Some experts regard electricity as "temperamental," so you need a device to maintain this energy interflow safely.
Electrical Gadgets
To make an electrical gadget work, you have to direct electricity into it, and keep it there until you do not want to use it anymore. Power stations generally send alternating current through power lines. It is the easiest way to send energy to a home, apartment or office building. Most devices utilize direct current. A transformer is typically responsible for changing the voltage that runs from an outlet. A common AC adapter is also a type of transformer, but it does not change the amount of electricity, just the direction in which it flows back and forth through a wire or adjoining devices.

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