Charger for laptop is one of the important elements of the configuration of the portable computer, without which his work will last a maximum of a few hours. Some users even purchase an additional power supply, which should always be in a laptop bag so as not to waste time packing a home PSU. Sometimes it happens that the native charger burns out. In this case, additional charging will also be more useful than ever.
Great idea, isn’t it? But before buying, you should still know How To Find The Right Charger For My Laptop and which power supply is right for your laptop. There is a simple instruction that will help an uninformed user figure out which power supply to choose for a laptop. There is nothing difficult in this and you should only devote a few minutes of your time.
How To Find The Right Charger For My Laptop
Consider the factors that you must first pay attention to when choosing a new charger:
- Input voltage (mains voltage) is the first indicator that is looked at when purchasing such an adapter. First of all, the manufacturer, basically, counts on the American consumer, since he is more solvent. As you know, in the United States, the mains voltage is 110 volts, and the frequency is 60 Hz (we have 220 volts, 50 Hz). That is why – when choosing charging on a power supply, it should be written from 100 to 240 Volts and 50-60 Hz. This is the nominal current that the charger is ready to accept.
- The output voltage is the voltage into which the output current is converted through the power supply. Simply put, this is the supply voltage of the laptop itself. The output voltage is also measured in Volts. Typically, it should be between 15 and 24 volts, which is significantly less than the voltage that came out of the outlet.
- The output current is an indicator that must be firmly adhered to. In fact, this is a parameter that is more important for the power supply itself and less for a laptop. In old laptops, it was not indicated on the power supply case and had to be calculated independently. This is done according to an elementary formula: the current strength is equal to the quotient of the power and voltage (I = P / U). From here, we select the device for the suitable voltage and power. Now, if there is a current, but on the contrary we need power, then in order to find out the power of the power supply according to Ohm’s law, it is necessary to multiply the current by the voltage (P = I * U).
- Plug type. Since there are several types of plugs, there is a possibility of making a mistake when choosing a charger. You should also pay attention to its type.
All these data are indicated in the description of the characteristics of the laptop.
You may also like How To Choose A Graphics Card For Laptop?
How do I match my laptop with a charger?
Now we will consider several options for finding the necessary information.
1. Mains voltage
If you buy a device in a former CIS country, then in any case it should be suitable for a 220 Volt network. If the purchase takes place in the United States, then a 110 volt PSU should be enough. In principle, all modern chargers are universal for all countries. But just in case, you should look at the power supply itself, where it should be written (see above).
Detailed information can also be found freely available on the Internet. You just need to type the name of the laptop in the search box and then look for the desired resource in the search results. Knowing all the necessary currents, it is even possible to search for data on a suitable power supply.
Also, if the device was purchased in a complete set and new, its packaging must contain a passport for the laptop. The section on the power supply will describe what is needed to select a new charger.
2. Output voltage
The output voltage is often described below the input voltage, but before the emblems, the manufacturer stamps, and quality marks.
The technical documentation that came with the laptop, it will also be located in the section on the power supply. As in the previous case – the Internet can help in this matter if you know how to use the search engine correctly.
3. The strength of the output current
With this parameter, you must be careful when choosing. If the user overlooks something and buys a charger, where it will produce too little current for the laptop’s ratings, this will lead to the failure of the power supply. Plus to everything – you need to find out the power, since it must also correspond to the technical parameters of the laptop.
4. Plug type
As already mentioned, there are many types of connectors that connect to a laptop. This question is technically principled and the contact of the charger must fully match the output on the laptop. In the case of using an unsuitable charging plug, there is a chance that the connector on the laptop will melt over time and render it unusable.
Let’s consider the most famous of them:
- A standard male plug with a contact diameter of 5.5 mm is found on 80% of the devices produced. It is ideal for laptop models from such well-known manufacturers: Asus, MSI, ViewSonic, Fujitsu.
- The connector with 6mm outer diameter has several different possible output voltages, and most often it is 10V, 16V, 19V, mainly intended for laptops from Sony. By the way, the diameter of the central connector in it does not exceed 1.5 mm, while in the charger described in the first paragraph it is slightly larger – 2.5 mm.
- Samsung did not “confuse” its consumer and left one charging connector, which will accept a plug with an outer diameter of 5 mm and 1.5 mm inside. The power supply is also set to 19 V.
- Mini plugs are used by giant corporations such as LG and HP. Such a connector has a diameter of 4.7 mm on the outside and 1.5 mm on the inside. The power supply is also stable at 19V.
- Lenovo makes laptop computers that accept large plug sizes of 7.9 mm and 5.5 mm.
It’s a little stressful to subtract, multiply, divide and measure the plugs with a caliper, isn’t it? A set of adapters for a laptop power supply will cope with this problem.
In online stores, on radio markets or simply in household appliances stores, it is possible to find a set, which consists of 7-10 connectors (depending on the configuration), where the kit additionally includes a cord for connecting to the power supply itself. Here you just need to select the “male” connector suitable for your device and solder it to the power supply unit.
This approach is considered especially beneficial for those who have the power supply itself intact and working, and the whole problem lies in the side of the plug. The price of such a set is much less than the market value of a new charger, and it is possible to make this power supply suitable for different laptop models.
See also What Are Good Specs For A Table Laptop?
Conclusion
It is not recommended to buy cheap Chinese adapters and power supplies. The cheap components that make these chargers burn out quickly in the best case, and in the worst case can lead to the failure of the connector and the boards attached to it. This is due to the fact that manufacturers expose load limiters, which cheap elements of microcircuits simply cannot withstand and burn out.
