Tip polarity: what is it

Tip polarity (DC only) A power tip will normally have an inner and an outer conductor. The inner conductor may be positive or negative (most use a positive inner conductor). If you get this one wrong, it will most likely do permanent damage to the device

*Could someone reword that for me and tell me what it has to do with my AC adapter* Also any photos?

 

Some times you see that in DC/DC converters, what are you trying to do?

 

just want to know what they are. are they basically the tip connection that connects to ur laptop? e.g http://www.rpelectronics.com/Data/MWS1898UC.JPG

 

They are different tips and they connect in different electronic equipment. When you see the equipment, it could be a DC input of your laptop, or a toy, a charger, a cell phone, whatever, then just look in the product in the DC input and you will see a drawing with the + inside or outside. So your DC output (the series of tips) must also indicate where is the + or the -, just look at the adapter, it must be written there. Some adapters (which is an AC/DC converter) can also change the polarity as needed and you will see a switch on the adapter.

 

thanks wireless man. how tho do i change the tips on an AC adapter when the current one is too thick to fit into the laptop slot.

Can it be directly pulled off? and if so is it difficult

 

There's a small chance that one of these adaptors from Maplin might work. Otherwise, Maplin have a selection of new tips. If there is one the right size then you can cut off the old tip and solder a new one on. You will also need a multimeter to make sure you get the polarity correct.

The alternative is a universal PSU which comes with a selection of power tips (check if there's one the right size).

John

 

jeez john i guess i better take a course on electronics. start it on Sept! hopefully will make all this stuff easier

 

Never use an universal adapter with laptop or delicate equipment, their voltage regulators are not good and they can burn your product. Universal adapters are mainly for toys.

 

Don't use that adapter, use the one recommended by the manufacturer for your laptop, there are more parameters to consider beside polarity, there is also voltage ripple, current capacity, etc. If none of the tips fit, is for a reason, don't force it. It could be a cheap solution to the detriment to lose your laptop.

 

so even if i know which is the out and inner polarities, which one is the tip?
i see a diagram with a + on the left then a symbol for out and inner and a - on the right.
so how do i know which is the tip in that diagram?
thanks all

 

Just match the drawing in your product.

 

Get the right plug that will work, then get the right adapter that has the correct voltage output, solder the connector onto it with the correct polarity. The amperage doesn't matter to much, although I suggest you get one in the range of the correct amps, because if you charge some batteries to fast(to high of amps) then it might explode. Sounds like an easy fix for me, but I was the top of my electronics classes, and I've always had a good understanding for it. Basically just try to make all the numbers(read with a volt meter) match the manufactures numbers and use the connector that will work.

 

I don't know what is the big deal, the tip is the one that fits, and it's indicated on its tip if it's + or -, then you have the same drawing in the product jack, what is the problem?

 

He's just not sure if he's doing it right, I would be worried too if I wasn't sure what I was doing.