Buyers who are new to power-related products are often confused about the power supply, cause sometimes the supplier called the power supply an ac or dc adapter, sometimes a switching power supply or power supply, and so on, there are so many names, and mistake some small power adapters as chargers, because they not only look alike but also have similar parameters. Today, I will guide you to understand the difference between the power supply, adapter, and charger.
What are the Power supply, Adapter, and Battery Charger
Following is what Wikipedia said about them, and what I am trying to tell you.
| Power supply | AC adapter | Battery Charger | |
| What Wikipedia said | A power supply is an electrical device that supplies electric power to an electrical load. The main purpose of a power supply is to convert electric current from a source to the correct voltage, current, and frequency to power the load. | An adapter or adaptor is a device that converts attributes of one electrical device or system to those of an otherwise incompatible device or system. Some modify power or signal attributes, while others merely adapt the physical form of one connector to another. | A battery charger or recharger is a device that stores energy in a battery by running an electric current through it. The charging protocol (how much voltage or current for how long, and what to do when charging is complete) depends on the size and type of the battery being charged. |
| My understanding | Providing and converting power for other electrical devices to make them work correctly. Some type of supply could store power. | A type of power supply, normally used for electronic devices without a convert function inside for required voltage. without storage function. | Charging for battery, only works when the connected device is with a battery. |
| Links | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_supply | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adapter | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battery_charger |
You understand the above sheet, right, now it’s time to close this page now. hahaha, I am kidding, please follow my following steps.
What’s the difference–Relationship between them
Wow, great job, now let me explain more about the above pictures.
The adapter is one type of power supply, called the switching power supply also, which could provide and convert power for other electronic devices just like we talked, that means it also could provide power for the battery and battery charger this is called charging also.
The charger is designed for charging the battery only, please take your laptop and phone as an example, you will understand the difference very well.
Without the battery inside your laptop will work also, right? the laptop adapter powers your laptop and charges the battery at the same time when the battery is inside your laptop, but without a battery inside your phone won’t work even if you connect your phone with the charger.
When do you need them?
A power supply(switching power supply)
If your device requires stable voltage and current in order to work, then a power supply/adapter is what you need.
If your electronic devices are not specified as handheld(portable), you should choose the power supply, such as desktop computers, projectors, printers…
A Charger
If your devices are already with a rechargeable battery inside, a battery charger will be a better choice, cause the price of a charger is less than the adapter/power supply. for example, a charger is good enough for the electric bike, because you will not use it when it’s charging, and there is a big enough battery pack inside.
Hope this page helps you understand the difference between a Power supply and Charger, please leave your comment below if there is any question.
