AC Power Supply Key Terms

Get the right AC power supply equipment and converters by learning key industry terms

By Denise Ryan
Whether you’re looking for basic AC power sources to power your electrical equipment or need specific devices to accommodate different voltages or appliances, it’s vital to obtain the proper equipment to prevent power failure or electrical emergencies. Familiarizing yourself with product terms such as “power inverter,” “programmable AC supply” and “server power supply” will enable you to get the right cords, strips or adapters from vendors and manufacturers.

 

Wall plug-in adapters

If your electronics equipment is not equipped with a power cord or if you've misplaced this vital component, purchase a wall plug-in adapter to power your device. Consult the manufacturer website for your equipment to ensure you find the right adapter for your particular product.
Try: Find wall plug-in adapters for a variety of electronic equipment in different sizes and voltages through the TRC Electronics website.

Power inverter

If you need AC power on the go, consider keeping a power inverter on hand that can run household electronics from a car battery. After hooking the unit to the battery with jumper cable-like hookups, simply use the outlets on the unit to power computer equipment, chargers or televisions.
Try: Tiger Direct offers power inverter models and provides multiple images and discussions of product features.

Server power

Reduce network downtime by ensuring you power your computer equipment with a proper server power unit. Before ordering power units, ensure the unit will work with your equipment and sit securely within your server cabinet or rack mount enclosures.
Try: Find server power supply units through MyPcCase.com that are compatible with a range of computer servers and chassis.

Foreign converter kit

Keep your electronics running smoothly when visiting foreign countries. A foreign conversion kit transforms VAC power to voltages compatible with our hand-held appliances, preventing malfunctions and meltdowns.
Try: Get features and product specifications for foreign converter kits through the Ambient Weather website.

Amp switching DC power supply

If you happen to need DC power to run equipment like a ham radio transceiver or audio amplifiers, consider using an amp switching DC power supply. The converter transforms power from a regular AC outlet to power for DC equipment.
Try: Discover additional features and benefits of amp switching DC power supply converters through the product descriptions on the Radio Shack website.

Power line extension protector

Protect your power line from surges with a power line extension protector. Look for units with a built-in circuit breaker as an additional safety feature.
Try: Your Electronic Warehouse offers power line extension protector models with different features and operating voltages.


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