The difference between AC and DC power
Posted by Martin Parker on
Unless you studied electrical or electronic engineering or something similar, or just have an interest in electricity, you may not know the difference between AC and DC electrical supplies. Everyone's heard of the rock band AC/DC right?
For most people the difference is probably irrelevant. Systems are in place so it is difficult to make a mistake and plug and AC device into a DC supply and vice versa.
When you travel, you most likely take a mixture of items that use AC and DC, so it’s important to choose a travel adapter that can work with both types of devices.
What does AC and DC mean
Some small items, such as your mobile phone and tablet require DC supplies, normally from a standard USB connection.
So let’s look a little more deeply into AC and DC.
AC power supply
Alternating current power supplies are those provided by your electrical company to your property or office. The supply will be at a set voltage but the direction in which the current flows switches at a periodic rate.
Around the world there are two basic standards of electrical supply, 100V-127V and 220V-240V, either at an alternating speed of 50 times per second (50Hz) or 60 times per second (60Hz).
When traveling
DC power supply
DC power supplies are not really an issue.
However, USB connections have become standard across many small devices such as mobile phones and tablets. The USB standard for power is 5VDC, so when you are looking for a travel adapter, make sure you choose one that has multiple USB connections.
Travel adapter for AC and DC use
The vast majority of travel adapters
Where the voltage supplies are the same, a travel adapter makes connecting and charging your devices simple. This is
Make sure you pick a travel adapter that has multiple USB sockets so