EXTERNAL
An external power supply, often called an AC adapter or wall wart, converts AC (alternating current) from a wall outlet into DC (direct current) to power devices like laptops and smartphones. These adapters vary in shape and size, typically consisting of a compact plastic box connected to the device via a power cable.
The conversion process involves four main stages: rectification, smoothing, regulation, and filtering. First, the rectification stage uses a diode bridge to convert AC to pulsating DC. This is followed by smoothing with a capacitor to reduce voltage ripple. Next, regulation ensures a consistent output voltage despite fluctuations in the input. Finally, filtering removes any remaining noise, delivering clean DC power to the device.Â
