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Are power cables interchangeable?

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Comments

  • neilwoods
    neilwoods Posts: 2,304 Forumite
    Kernel_Sanders wrote: »
    Why would this happen if drawing a current less than that shown on the original charger? If the processor demands more power it will just take it from the battery .

    Try it and see what happens, what do you have to lose other than your life
    Mansion TV. Avoid at all cost's :j
  • johnmc
    johnmc Posts: 1,265 Forumite
    Kernel_Sanders wrote: »
    Why would this happen if drawing a current less than that shown on the original charger? If the processor demands more power it will just take it from the battery .
    Try Gogggling for "laptop power supply fire".

    This was a particular problem with iPhones last year due to Chinese copies (having said that, my OEM is Chinese).

    Make sure that the volts, amps and thus watts are correct, as above. Make sure that the plug into the laptop is correct, proper polarity and not loose.

    Check that the supply block has the correct safety marks.

    Check the mains plug is UK and has a low ampage fuse fitted.

    Simple stuff, but cheaper than the excess on your house insurance.
  • prowla
    prowla Posts: 14,188 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Do you mean the power cable, or the power supply?

    If it's the power supply (ie. the rectangular block with a cable coming out of each end, one cable going to the mains and the other to the computer), then it is extremely unlikely that they will be usable on another brand (or often even different model of the same brand). They often have different design connectors on the laptop to ensure you can't even try.

    It is the power cable (ie. the wire with a mains plug at one end and a kettle, figure-8, or 3-pointed clover connector at the other end which plugs into one end of the above power supply), then they are usable across different brands.
  • eamon
    eamon Posts: 2,322 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic
    Mobile phone makers were also supposed to agree on common power supplies/cords but didn't. Thats why most people have loads of "spares".
  • cookie365
    cookie365 Posts: 1,809 Forumite
    Every phone I've bought in the last 5 years uses a standard micro usb charger.
  • prowla
    prowla Posts: 14,188 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    cookie365 wrote: »
    Every phone I've bought in the last 5 years uses a standard micro usb charger.
    Hmmm - I have Samsungs which won't charge from a Blackberry cable.

    And even Apple have changed their connector.
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