What does an AC Adaptor do?

Question

See, I have one lying around and I forgot what the heck it's for! I think you can use it with a digital camera but I'm not sure how. You could also plug it into a modem right? I have a modem and it works fine without it though... Can you please give me some uses for an AC adaptor? Thanks guys.

Answer 1

WOW I thought I gave long answers lol

AC alternate current
DC direct current

Don' t throw it away many items could use it
look on the writing on it it will tell you the voltage
such as
15v 1.5a
7.5v
20v
etc.

now look on the back of your scanner see the power plug? it is the same thing maybe different voltage

an ac adaptor can be used for portable radios, scanners, laptops, mp3 payers, computer speakers pretty much anything electric if the plug fits

BUT you must check the voltage
AND always check the polarity that is the little pictures they put on them with the plus and minus signs on them make sure your electronic devices match those pictures (+-inside,-out or reversed) otherwise you could damage your device!

Hope I helped
Victor C.

Answer 2

Alternating Currect (AC) is the electrical socket that fits in the wall of your house or somewhere like that, Direct Current (DC) is what is usually used in a car or somewhere. Its commonly from a battery.

Take that AC adapter to various electronics through your place and see what it fits into. Chances are, whatever the plug will go into, thats what it was made for.
There are exceptions to this, though, pay attention to the voltage and watts and such like that, there should be specifications both on the AC adapter and the device it goes to.

Answer 3

AC Adaptor typically converts one higher level voltage [say 230V or 110V] to a lower level voltage [say 12V or 9V] and simultaneously convert AC [Alternating current] to DC [Direct current]. The need for such conversion is that house holds are normally provided with either 230/240V or 110/120 AC and most portable electronic products work with low-voltage DC [any where from 1.5V DC to 24V DC or even more]

Answer 4

It converts 120V AC from your wall socket into DC at a specified voltage and current to operate your electronic device. It can be used in place of batteries. AC adapters come in different voltages with different connectors on them.

Answer 5

Converts alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC).

Answer 6

A power supply (sometimes known as a power supply unit or PSU) is a device or system that supplies electrical or other types of energy to an output load or group of loads. The term is most commonly applied to electrical energy supplies.

The complete range of power supplies is very broad, and could be considered to include all forms of energy conversion from one form into another. Conventionally though, the term is usually confined to electrical or mechanical energy supplies. Constraints that commonly affect power supplies are the amount of power they can supply, how long they can supply it for without needing some kind of refueling or recharging, how stable their output voltage or current is under varying load conditions, and whether they provide continuous power or pulses.

The voltage regulation of power supplies is done by incorporating circuitry to tightly control the output voltage and/or current of the power supply to a specific value. The specific value is closely maintained despite variations in the load presented to the power supply's output, or any reasonable voltage variation at the power supply's input.

This term covers the mains power distribution system together with any other primary or secondary sources of energy such as:

Conversion of one form of electrical power to another desired form and voltage. This typically involves converting 120 or 240 volt AC supplied by a utility company (see electricity generation) to a well-regulated lower voltage DC for electronic devices. For examples, see switched-mode power supply, linear regulator, rectifier and inverter (electrical).
Batteries
Chemical fuel cells and other forms of energy storage systems
Solar power
Generators or alternators (particularly useful in vehicles of all shapes and sizes, where the engine has rotational power to spare, or in semi-portable units containing an internal combustion engine and a generator) (For large-scale power supplies, see electricity generation.) Low voltage, low power DC power supply units are commonly integrated with the devices they supply, such as computers and household electronics.
A computer power supply typically is designed to convert 110 V or 230 V AC power from the mains to usable low-voltage DC power for the internal components of the computer. The most common computer power supplies are built to conform with the ATX form factor. This enables different power supplies to be interchangeable with different components inside the computer. ATX power supplies also are designed to turn on and off using a signal from the motherboard (PS-ON wire), and provide support for modern functions such as the Standby mode of many computers.

Computer power supplies are rated for certain wattages based on their maximum output power. Typical rated wattages range from 200 W to 500 W, although units used by gamers and enthusiasts usually range from 500 W to 800 W, with the highest end units going up to 1 kW.

Most computer power supplies have a large bundle of wires emerging from one end. One connector attached to the opposite end of some wires goes to the motherboard to provide power. The PS-ON wire is located in this connector, and is usually green. The connector for the motherboard is the largest of all the connectors. There are also other, smaller connectors, most of which have four wires: two black, one red, and one yellow. Unlike the standard electrical wire color-coding, each black wire is a Ground, the red wire is +5 V, and the yellow wire is +12 V.

Inside the computer power supply is a complex arrangement of electrical components, including diodes, capacitors and transformers. Also, computer power supplies have metal heatsinks and fans to dissipate the heat produced. It is dangerous to open a power supply while it is connected to an electrical outlet as high voltages may be present. These may remain even while the unit is switched off, as there can be charge stored in the capacitors. However, for most PSU's this can be fixed by unplugging the PSU and then pressing the on button, which will drain the capacitors. Still, care should be taken as some PSU's require a load on the output in order to discharge the capacitors fully. Even when the PC is turned off, a PSU will draw power from the wall.

In desktop computers, the power supply is a box inside the computer; it is an important part of the computer because it provides electrical power in a form that is suitable for every other component inside or attached to the computer in order for it to work. In portable computers there is usually an external power brick which converts AC power to one DC voltage (most commonly 19v), and further DC-DC conversion occurs within the laptop to supply the various DC voltages required by the other components of the portable computer.

The original ATX main connector is a 20-pin connector. Most newer boards have a 24-pin connector; however many will function perfectly with only the original 20 pins connected. Similarly, most PSUs split the connector into 20+4, so that it will be compatible with both past and future motherboards.

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