User:Lynnae/How to Test an AC Adapter - Revision history

Lynnae at 04:00, 19 October 2012

2012-10-19T04:00:21Z

Lynnae at 03:12, 19 October 2012

2012-10-19T03:12:28Z

Lynnae: add image formatting

2012-09-14T22:48:33Z

add image formatting

Lynnae at 22:42, 14 September 2012

2012-09-14T22:42:32Z

Lynnae at 23:11, 13 September 2012

2012-09-13T23:11:38Z

Lynnae at 20:09, 13 September 2012

2012-09-13T20:09:59Z

Lynnae at 20:09, 13 September 2012

2012-09-13T20:09:11Z

Lynnae at 19:38, 13 September 2012

2012-09-13T19:38:06Z

Lynnae: Created page with ";Tools: *Digital Multimeter ;Keywords Volt Amp AC Adapter Transformer Wattage An AC/DC adapter (commonly known as an AC adapter) is used to change alternating current (the kind …"

2012-09-12T01:22:11Z

Created page with ";Tools: *Digital Multimeter ;Keywords Volt Amp AC Adapter Transformer Wattage An AC/DC adapter (commonly known as an AC adapter) is used to change alternating current (the kind …"

New page

;Tools:
*Digital Multimeter
;Keywords
Volt
Amp
AC Adapter
Transformer
Wattage

An AC/DC adapter (commonly known as an AC adapter) is used to change alternating current (the kind of power that comes from a wall outlet) into the electrical signal used by most consumer electronics, direct current, or DC, generally at a lower voltage. Most consumer devices that plug directly into the wall without an adapter have an internal AC power supply built in, to achieve the same result. For a laptop, an AC adapter minimizes internal components needed, and allows for the laptop to accept power from different sources. For instance, if you were to take your Laptop abroad, you'll soon note that many countries use a higher voltage than the United States when delivering power from the wall. In the US, 120 Volts is standard output. Note the input tolerance ratings on the back of your laptop's AC adapter: Almost all will accept much higher voltages than US standard power, and still deliver the needed DC output.

Take this IBM AC adapter as an example:
INPUT: 100-240V~1.9A
50/60Hz
OUTPUT: 16V 4.5A

[As well as a symbol that describes the polarity of the power supply, which won't be covered here]. From this information, we can see that the AC adapter will tolerate the incoming 120 Volts just fine, and will output 16 Volts, and 4.5 Amps. Amperage is another measure of the power delivered to the laptop. Many laptop AC adapters also list the wattage of the supply: Wattage is voltage multiplied by amperage.

...HOW TO SELECT THE PROPER AC ADAPTER

There are a few primary components that make up an AC adapter. If you find an old, clunky AC adapter and open it up, you will see a metal square with two sides wrapped in wire. This is called a transformer. Depending on how the sides of the square are wound, a transformer is used to increase or decrease the incoming voltage, and send it on to the rest of the circuit. From there, the AC signal is converted to DC by a part called a rectifier, and additional circuitry components may be present to regulate and smooth out the signal. Modern adapters use much smaller transformers, and more complicated circuits, and thus are lighter, and do not generate as much heat.

To test an AC adapter, you will need a Digital Multimeter. Set it to .... TO BE CONTINUED

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:00, 19 October 2012
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	An AC/DC adapter (commonly known as an AC adapter) is used to change alternating current (AC) from an outlet into the kind of electrical signal used by most consumer electronics, direct current (DC). It also adapts the incoming power to an appropriate level to send on to the device. Most consumer devices that plug directly into the wall without an adapter have an internal AC power supply built in, to achieve the same result. For a laptop, an external AC adapter reduces chassis weight, heat generation, and size.		An AC/DC adapter (commonly known as an AC adapter) is used to change alternating current (AC) from an outlet into the kind of electrical signal used by most consumer electronics, direct current (DC). It also adapts the incoming power to an appropriate level to send on to the device. Most consumer devices that plug directly into the wall without an adapter have an internal AC power supply built in, to achieve the same result. For a laptop, an external AC adapter reduces chassis weight, heat generation, and size.
−
−	*Anatomy diagram that explains ins and outsputs
−	*DC symbol vs AC symbol

	Take this IBM AC adapter as an example:		Take this IBM AC adapter as an example:

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 [[File:Ac_adapter_sketch.jpg|right|360px|AC Adapter]]
-Work in progress
+Work in progress- add troubleshooting steps section to testing procedure
 ;Tools:

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:48, 14 September 2012
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		+	[[File:Ac_adapter_sketch.jpg\|right\|360px\|AC Adapter]]
		+
	Work in progress		Work in progress
−	~~[Media:AC_adapter_sketch.jpg\|thumb\| AC Adapter]~~

	;Tools:		;Tools:

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 Work in progress
-[Media:AC_adapter_sketch.pdf‎ AC Adapter]
+[Media:AC_adapter_sketch.jpg|thumb| AC Adapter]
 ;Tools:

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:11, 13 September 2012
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	Work in progress		Work in progress
		+	[Media:AC_adapter_sketch.pdf‎ AC Adapter]

	;Tools:		;Tools:

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 *FIX KEYWORDS
-An AC/DC adapter (commonly known as an AC adapter) is used to change alternating current (AC) from an outlet into the kind of electrical signal used by most consumer electronics, direct current (DC). It also adapts the incoming power to an appropriate level to send on to the device. Most consumer devices that plug directly into the wall without an adapter have an internal AC power supply built in, to achieve the same result. For a laptop, an external AC adapter reduces weight, heat generation, and chassis size.
+An AC/DC adapter (commonly known as an AC adapter) is used to change alternating current (AC) from an outlet into the kind of electrical signal used by most consumer electronics, direct current (DC). It also adapts the incoming power to an appropriate level to send on to the device. Most consumer devices that plug directly into the wall without an adapter have an internal AC power supply built in, to achieve the same result. For a laptop, an external AC adapter reduces chassis weight, heat generation, and size.
 *Anatomy diagram that explains ins and outsputs

@@ Line 9: / Line 9: @@
 :Transformer
 :Wattage
 An AC/DC adapter (commonly known as an AC adapter) is used to change alternating current (AC) from an outlet into the kind of electrical signal used by most consumer electronics, direct current (DC). It also adapts the incoming power to an appropriate level to send on to the device. Most consumer devices that plug directly into the wall without an adapter have an internal AC power supply built in, to achieve the same result. For a laptop, an external AC adapter reduces weight, heat generation, and chassis size.
@@ Line 18: / Line 19: @@
   INPUT: 100-240V~1.9A
 /60Hz
-  OUTPUT: 16V '''&#9107;''' 4.5A
+  OUTPUT: 16V <span style="font-size:160%">&#9107;</span> 4.5A
 The adapter can accept 100 to 240 volts (V) of AC power (~), and outputs 16 volts and 4.5 amps.
@@ Line 41: / Line 42: @@
 **If there is no reading, try repositioning your leads. It may be dead, or you may not be making good contact with the center pin.
 **If the voltage is lower than the amount the adapter is rated for, recycle it.
-**The most common reason for an AC adapter to fail is a short in the cable between the adapter and the barrel. Try jiggling the cable, and you may get an intermittent rating. If this is the case, or see exposed wires or breaks in the cable shielding, recycle the adapter.
+**The most common reason for an AC adapter to fail is a short in the cable between the adapter and the barrel. Try jiggling the cable, and you may get an intermittent rating. If this is the case, or you see exposed wires or breaks in the cable shielding, recycle the adapter.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 ;Tools:
 *Digital Multimeter
 ;Keywords
-Volt
+:Volt
-Amp
+:Amp
-AC Adapter
+:AC Adapter
-Transformer
+:Transformer
-Wattage
+:Wattage
-An AC/DC adapter (commonly known as an AC adapter) is used to change alternating current (the kind of power that comes from a wall outlet) into the electrical signal used by most consumer electronics, direct current, or DC, generally at a lower voltage. Most consumer devices that plug directly into the wall without an adapter have an internal AC power supply built in, to achieve the same result. For a laptop, an AC adapter minimizes internal components needed, and allows for the laptop to accept power from different sources. For instance, if you were to take your Laptop abroad, you'll soon note that many countries use a higher voltage than the United States when delivering power from the wall. In the US, 120 Volts is standard output. Note the input tolerance ratings on the back of your laptop's AC adapter: Almost all will accept much higher voltages than US standard power, and still deliver the needed DC output.
+An AC/DC adapter (commonly known as an AC adapter) is used to change alternating current (AC) from an outlet into the kind of electrical signal used by most consumer electronics, direct current (DC). It also adapts the incoming power to an appropriate level to send on to the device. Most consumer devices that plug directly into the wall without an adapter have an internal AC power supply built in, to achieve the same result. For a laptop, an external AC adapter reduces weight, heat generation, and chassis size.
 Take this IBM AC adapter as an example:
   INPUT: 100-240V~1.9A
 /60Hz
-  OUTPUT: 16V 4.5A
+  OUTPUT: 16V '''&#9107;''' 4.5A
-[As well as a symbol that describes the polarity of the power supply, which won't be covered here]. From this information, we can see that the AC adapter will tolerate the incoming 120 Volts just fine, and will output 16 Volts, and 4.5 Amps. Amperage is another measure of the power delivered to the laptop. Many laptop AC adapters also list the wattage of the supply: Wattage is voltage multiplied by amperage.
+On some occasions we can vary the voltage by half a volt or so, but check with your instructor first. It is easiest to start with adapters branded for the laptop you are working with (i.e. an IBM adapter for an IBM laptop), but it is fine to use an off brand supply, as long as you are following the requirements listed above. Polarity is another important factor, but is not something we run into with laptop adapters for the most part, and will not be covered here.
-...HOW TO SELECT THE PROPER AC ADAPTER
+There are a few primary components that make up an AC adapter. If you find an old, clunky AC adapter and open it up (unplugged please!), you will see a metal square with two sides wrapped in wire. This is called a transformer. Depending on how the sides of the square are wound, a transformer is used to increase or decrease the incoming voltage, and send it on to the rest of the circuit. From there, the AC signal is converted to DC by a part called a rectifier, and additional circuitry components may be present to regulate and smooth out the signal. Modern adapters use much smaller transformers, and more complicated circuits. They are thus are lighter, and do not generate as much heat.
-There are a few primary components that make up an AC adapter. If you find an old, clunky AC adapter and open it up, you will see a metal square with two sides wrapped in wire. This is called a transformer. Depending on how the sides of the square are wound, a transformer is used to increase or decrease the incoming voltage, and send it on to the rest of the circuit. From there, the AC signal is converted to DC by a part called a rectifier, and additional circuitry components may be present to regulate and smooth out the signal. Modern adapters use much smaller transformers, and more complicated circuits, and thus are lighter, and do not generate as much heat.
+To test an AC adapter, you will need a Digital Multimeter. Make sure the red (positive) lead is connected to the jack marked V&Omega;mA and the black (negative) lead is connected to COM, or common. Set the dial to 20 DCV. We are using this setting to measure direct current up to 20 Volts. Higher powered adapters should be tested at 200 DCV.
-To test an AC adapter, you will need a Digital Multimeter. Set it to .... TO BE CONTINUED
+*MAKE A DIAGRAM