All home and office appliances require power to run and make our work efficient. Even products with in-built batteries like smartphones and laptops need regular charging to keep them powered when you need them. All of these items use an external source of power to run or juice up their batteries.
Although most electricals and electronics come with adapters and power cables, there comes a time you would have to buy a new cable to continue using the gadgets. Whether you want to replace a damaged cable or you need to stock up a spare for your office and home use, you would need a best-performer, high-quality, and reliable adapters and cable.
When purchasing a charging or power adapter for your gadget, you should not only look at its usability but also if they meet the minimum safety requirements, gadget power needs, and durability.
Follow these simple tips to buy ideal power cables and adapters to make your work more efficient and less worrying.
1. Verify Your Device Power Rating
Not all adapters that fit into your device can power it up as necessary. The power input for various gadgets varies, and their adapters should give out the same amount of current to make them work. For instance, you would need a 240v extension cord for some heavy machines and an equal power supply, while others need low voltage. Therefore, the device should be the first thing to look at when deciding the type of adapter you would need.
Some gadgets, like smartphones, do not have the charging power requirement printed on their cases. Going through their manuals can help you figure out the type of adapter you will buy. You may as well refer to its original adapter (if you have it around). Old smartphones, for instance, cannot use quick-charge adapters. Conversely, the new phones would take very long to charge with a low wattage adapter. Sometimes, they may fail to charge completely.
2. Check Adapter Polarity
Gadgets that use AC directly are easy to connect and use. On the other hand, those devices that use an AC-DC converter require that you strictly follow their polarity guidelines. The DC input on gadgets has different positive and negative connectors. Check your device to see the arrangement of the connectors.
In most cases, the DC jack has the positive line in the middle and the negative on the outside. However, because some devices are designed differently, you should verify so that you do not interchange the terminals when connecting your adapter to the gadget.
3. Connector Type
Various types of gadgets have distinct connectors to their power supply. Some use round pins, others vary in design and size, including USB ports. Even USB connectors can be the “normal” or type C. Inappropriate connector type will not work on your gadget.
Although manufacturers may not indicate the sizing of the terminals on cables and adapters, you can check your device or measure the size so that you can find the most appropriate and fitting cable. If necessary, you can carry your device to the shop to try the cable before paying for it. But you can also find an appropriate adapter when shopping online by looking at the details for exact matches.
4. Adapter Branding
You might be surprised that branding is an essential aspect when choosing an adapter for your gadget. Laptops, for instance, do not share their charging adapters. You have to follow the specific manufacturer’s recommendation. An adapter meant for Acer will not charge a Lenovo laptop.
Even if the pins are of the same size, they are not supposed to be interchanged. The adapters and device power needs would vary, and using the wrong one can easily damage your device. Even if it were a new gadget, under such circumstances, you would void your warranty coverage. In such instances, you would better stay away from “generic” or “unbranded” adapters.
5. Adapter or Cable Efficiency
Various power adapters work differently. They may have the same rating for watts, amps, and volts. However, you may notice a slight difference between their charging times. The reason is the efficiency of the adapters or cords you buy. With a low adapter efficiency, more energy gets lost as heat while charging or in use.
Energy loss also translates into increased bills because you would use more electricity to power up your devices. You will also need cooling devices and energy to eliminate the excess heat released by your devices at home. A higher efficiency adapter will improve performance and reduce energy costs at home and office. However, you’ll have to pay more for the adapter. Look for somethings rated above 80% efficiency.
Winding Up
Losing the power cable for your gadget can be frustrating. The first thought would be running to the shop and grabbing the readilsible cord or adapter so that you can continue with your work. The reality is that finding the correct adapter for your device is not going to be easy. You need to assess the adapter to ascertain that it meets all the safety requirements, durability, and energy conservation before you purchase it.
