What is the difference between an adapter and a charger?

What is an adapter? What is a charger? An adapter is an interface converter. It can be an independent hardware interface device that allows hardware or electronic interfaces to be connected to other hardware or electronic interfaces, or it can be an information interface. For example: power adapter, tripod base adapter, USB and serial port adapter, etc.

In computers, adapters are usually built into a card that plugs into a slot on the motherboard (there are also external ones). . . Adaptation information from the card is exchanged with devices supported by the processor and adapter. The power adapter is a power supply conversion device for small portable electronic equipment and electronic appliances. It is generally composed of a casing, a power transformer and a rectifier circuit. According to its output type, it can be divided into AC output type and DC output type; according to the connection method, it can be divided into wall plug-in type style and desktop style. Since mobile PCs do not have batteries, power adapters are particularly important for them.

Most mobile PC power adapters can automatically detect 100~240V AC (50/60Hz). Basically all mobile PCs have an external power supply and are connected to the host with a line. This can reduce the size and weight of the host. Only a few models have the power supply built into the host. There is a nameplate on the power adapter, which indicates the power, input and output voltage, current and other indicators. Pay special attention to the input voltage range. This is the so-called "travel power adapter".

When MBeans are registered with an MBean server, protocols are required to interoperate with these MBeans and retrieve information for requests from management applications. This is enabled through protocol adapters, which convert management application data into standard protocol messages.

charger

The charger adopts high-frequency power supply technology and uses advanced intelligent dynamic adjustment charging technology. The power frequency machine is designed based on the traditional analog circuit principle. The internal power components of the machine (such as transformers, inductors, capacitors, etc.) are relatively large. Generally, there is less noise when running with a large load. However, this model operates under severe conditions. It has strong resistance to the environment conditions of the power grid, and its reliability and stability are better than those of high-frequency machines.

Chargers (chargers) are divided according to the designed circuit working frequency, and can be divided into industrial frequency machines and high frequency machines. The power frequency machine is designed based on traditional analog circuit principles. The internal power components of the machine (such as transformers, inductors, capacitors, etc.) are relatively large. Generally, there is less noise when running with a large load. However, this model operates under harsh conditions. It has strong resistance to power grid environmental conditions, and its reliability and stability are better than those of high-frequency machines.

The high-frequency machine uses a microprocessor (CPU chip) as the processing control center. It burns complex hardware simulation circuits into the microprocessor and controls the operation of the UPS in the form of software programs. Therefore, the size is greatly reduced, the weight is greatly reduced, the manufacturing cost is low, and the selling price is relatively low. The inverter frequency of high-frequency machines is generally above 20KHZ. However, high-frequency machines have poor tolerance under harsh power grid and environmental conditions, and are more suitable for environments with relatively stable power grids, less dust, and suitable temperature/humidity.

Comparing high-frequency machines with industrial frequency machines: small size, light weight, high operating efficiency (low operating costs), low noise, suitable for office spaces, high cost performance (low price at the same power), no impact on space and environment Small, relatively speaking, high-frequency chargers are susceptible to the impact (SPIKE) and transient response (TRANSIENT) caused by copiers, laser printers and motors. Since the transformer of the industrial frequency machine isolates the mains power from the load, it has a negative impact on the mains power. In harsh environments, power frequency machines can provide safer and more reliable protection than high frequency machines. In some occasions, such as medical treatment, the charger is required to have an isolation device. Therefore, for industrial, medical, transportation and other applications, power frequency machines are the best choice. Better choice. The choice between the two should be weighed and considered based on different customers, installation environment, load conditions and other conditions.

The difference and relationship between power adapter and charger

A charger usually refers to a device that converts alternating current into low-voltage direct current. It includes current limiting, voltage limiting and other control circuits to meet charging characteristics. The power adapter is a power converter that undergoes voltage transformation, rectification and voltage stabilization. The output is DC, which can be understood as a low-voltage regulated power supply if the power is met. Let’s talk about what is a power adapter? What is a charger? What is the relationship between the two and the differences between them.

Charger: The English name Charger usually refers to a device that converts alternating current into low-voltage direct current. The charger is a dedicated DC power supply for rechargeable batteries. It includes current limiting, voltage limiting and other controls to meet the charging characteristics. circuit.

Chargers are widely used in various fields, especially in daily life and are widely used in common electrical appliances such as electric vehicles and flashlights. It generally charges the battery directly without going through any intermediary equipment and devices.

The process of the charger is: constant current-constant voltage-trickle, three-stage intelligent charging. The three-stage charging theory during the charging process can greatly improve the charging efficiency of the battery, shorten the charging time, and effectively extend the battery life. Three-stage charging adopts constant current charging, then constant voltage charging, and finally float charging for maintenance charging.

It is generally divided into three stages: fast charging, top-up charging and trickle charging:

Fast charging stage: The battery is charged with a large current to quickly restore battery energy. The charging rate can reach more than 1C. At this time, the charging voltage is low, but the charging current will be limited to a certain range.

Top-up charging stage: Compared with the fast charging stage, the top-up charging stage can also be called the slow charging stage. When the fast charging phase is terminated, the battery is not fully charged, and a top-up charging process needs to be added. The top-up charging rate generally does not exceed 0.3C. Because the battery voltage increases after the fast charging phase, the charging voltage in the top-up charging phase is also It should be improved and kept within a certain range.

Trickle charging stage: In the later stage of the supplementary charging stage, when it is detected that the temperature rise exceeds the limit value or the charging current decreases to a certain value, charging begins with a smaller current until certain conditions are met and the charging is completed.

Power adapter: The English name is Adapter. A common power adapter on the market is a power converter that undergoes transformation, rectification and voltage stabilization. The output is DC. When the power is sufficient, it can be understood as a low-voltage regulated power supply.

Power adapters are widely used in routers, telephone handsets, game consoles, language repeaters, Walkmans, notebooks, mobile phones and other equipment. Most power adapters can automatically detect 100~240V AC (50/60Hz). The power adapter is a power supply conversion device for small portable electronic equipment and electronic appliances. It places the power supply externally and connects it to the host with a line. This can reduce the size and weight of the host. Only a few devices and appliances have the power supply built into the host. Inside.

It is internally composed of a power transformer and a rectifier circuit. It can be divided into AC output type and DC output type according to its output type; it can be divided into wall-plug type and desktop type according to the connection method. There is a nameplate on the power adapter, which indicates the power, input and output voltage, and current. Pay special attention to the input voltage range.

Obote power adapter model and corresponding output diagram

In particular, it is pointed out that chargers such as mobile phones and computers do not include a charging control circuit. The charging control circuit is usually completed on the host computer. Therefore, mobile phone chargers and laptop chargers are actually just power adapters, which do not include charging control circuits. Naturally, mobile phone chargers, laptop chargers and other power supplies that are controlled by the host are actually power adapters, which are just traditional The name is just misleading, because everyone is accustomed to calling the power supply that powers electrical appliances and equipment a charger.

To summarize the difference between a charger and a power adapter: The charger contains the functions of a power adapter, but there are also constant current, constant voltage and other control circuits inside the charger that meet the charging characteristics. The above is the difference between charger and power adapter. I hope it can help you.