Laptop power sockets are through-hole components that accept barrel-shaped plugs or have other non-cylindrical designs. They convert AC to DC and charge batteries. Different manufacturers use slightly different specifications, but most use through-hole technology and have heavy terminals to withstand force.
The primary method of supplying electricity to a laptop is through a plug and socket. The laptop power socket tends to be a through-hole component soldered to a circuit board inside the laptop. Laptop power outlets are commonly designed to accept long, barrel-shaped plugs that slide in and then lock into place. Other varieties use a magnet to hold the power plug in place or have other non-cylindrical designs. A laptop power outlet must have at least one terminal and one sleeve connector to provide positive and negative contacts, although some include additional terminals to provide electricity for illuminated power indicators or other functions.
Laptops are designed to run on mains electricity, which can run devices directly or charge batteries for portable use. A laptop power outlet is usually used to supply electricity to a laptop and its battery. Unlike most desktop computers which include a power supply inside the case, laptops tend to have external power converters. These units are designed to convert mains alternating current (AC) into direct current (DC) which can power a laptop and charge its battery. One end of the AC/DC converter consists of a power plug that can be inserted into the power socket of the laptop.
There are many models of laptop power outlets and each manufacturer tends to use slightly different specifications. Most of these sockets are designed to accept a barrel plug that has one contact on the outside diameter and another on the inside. In this case, the power receptacle itself will contain a pin for contacting the inside surface of the plug. Other designs resemble a mini DIN (Deutsches Institut für Normung) connector or have a tip and sleeve type design. It’s also possible for a laptop power outlet to use other proprietary means, such as magnets, to attach a plug.
Most laptop power outlets use through-hole technology, which means they are electronic components that can be inserted into holes within a printed circuit board (PCB) and then soldered in place. A great deal of force can be applied to these receptacles in normal use, so the terminals that pass through the PCB are typically heavy and thick in construction. The outlet might also be bolted to a bracket or other component to keep it from breaking. This type of break can prevent the laptop from functioning altogether, as the battery will no longer be able to charge.
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