Adapter

For other uses, see Adapter (disambiguation).
This mains power plug travel adapter allows British plugs to be connected to American or Australian sockets.

An adapter or adaptor[1] is a device that converts attributes of one electrical device or system to those of an otherwise incompatible device or system. Some modify power or signal attributes, while others merely adapt the physical form of one electrical connector to another.

An electric power adapter may enable connection of a power plug, sometimes called a travel plug, used in one region to a AC power socket used in another, by offering connections for the disparate contact arrangements, while not changing the voltage. An AC adapter, also called a "recharger", is a small power supply that changes household electric current from distribution voltage (in the range 100 to 240 volts AC) to low voltage DC suitable for consumer electronics.

For computers and related items, one kind of serial port adapter enables connections between 25-contact and nine-contact connectors,[2] but does not affect electrical power- and signalling-related attributes.

See also

References

  1. Both spellings are used in both British and American English. "Macmillan English Dictionary". Macmillan Publishers Limited. 2010. Retrieved 2010-04-14. adapter noun [countable] /əˈdæptə(r)/ or adaptor an object that allows you to connect two pieces of equipment of different types or sizes a. BRITISH an object that allows you to connect several pieces of electrical equipment to one electricity supply b. an object that allows you to use electrical equipment in countries where there is a different type of electricity supply from your own
  2. Andrews, Jean (2007). A+ guide to managing and maintaining your PC (6th ed.). Boston, Mass.: Thomson Course Technology. p. 395. ISBN 0-619-21758-8.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to mains adaptors.
Look up adapter or adaptor in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 10/20/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.