The main difference between the power adapter and the charger

Both power adapters and chargers are devices that provide electricity, but there are clear differences between them. The power adapter functions to convert the voltage of the plug to the voltage used by the device, but it cannot directly charge the device. The charger converts the voltage into the voltage used by the device, while also charging the device.

The main difference between the power adapter and the charger

1. A power adapter is a device that can convert a specific voltage (usually 220V AC) to another specific voltage (e. g., 12V).

2. A charger is a device that converts alternating current to direct current and outputs it to the battery, and usually has a control circuit that can control the charging process of the battery.

3, Power adapters are usually used to convert voltage, while chargers are usually used to charge batteries.

4, the power adapter generally does not have a charging circuit, and the charger usually has a charging circuit.

5,The charger usually has an indicator light during charging or filling; the power adapter can come without an indicator light and display only one color if present.

The main role of the power supply adapter and the charger Power adapter is a power supply product, the main function is to convert the power supply of other voltage standards into the voltage standards required for specific equipment, such as 220V AC into low voltage direct current such as 12V, 24V or 9V.

Charger is a type of power supply products, the main function is to convert the external power supply (such as battery, power adapter, power controller, etc.) into the voltage standard required for a specific equipment, such as 220V AC into a specific voltage DC, so as to provide the energy needed to charge the battery.

Working principle

The working principle of power adapter and charger is the same. They both use the conversion principle of AC current to transform the AC current into DC current to meet the power demand of the equipment. The main components of the power adapter and charger are transformer, rectifier device, voltage regulator device, etc. Transformer is responsible for converting AC current into low voltage and high voltage direct current; rectifier device is responsible for converting AC current into positive DC current; voltage regulator device is responsible for converting low voltage and high current DC power of transformer output into stable voltage to meet the power supply demand of the equipment.

To summarize this Power adapter is the equipment used in electrical power supply, which is used to convert one voltage into another voltage to meet the power supply requirements of the equipment. A charger is a device that converts the current into a constant voltage to charge the battery. Therefore, the biggest difference between the power adapter and the charger is that their main functions are different: the power adapter is used to convert the voltage, while the charger is used to convert the current to a constant voltage for charging. 

However, users often call all of them as chargers. In addition, some end-users also use "power cord" to describe the plug-in wall mount power adapter. Therefore, when your company (factory) has this kind of product customization and procurement requirements, please contact "super dragon" (peter@cnsuperpowers.com) for detailed consultation, we have 15 years of experience of R&D and manufacturing upon electric products, we have senior engineers can provide you with professional advice among desktop power adapter, lithium battery charger, waterproof power supplies, wireless charger.