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Thread ID: 105973 2009-12-20 21:43:00 Laptop AC power vs battery power FoxyMX (5) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
841546 2009-12-20 21:43:00 When a laptop is running on AC power, is it still possible for a plugged in device to receive a zap from power surges or spikes?

Some people seem to think that the AC power is going straight to the battery so that the laptop is running on battery power at all times, even when plugged in. :confused:

I don't believe this. What if the battery is dead, flat or not even in the laptop?

My thinking is that when the laptop is plugged in it is running on AC mains power only, regardless of whether there is a functional battery in it or not. I am right, of course, aren't I?
FoxyMX (5)
841547 2009-12-20 21:52:00 You are right. wratterus (105)
841548 2009-12-20 21:55:00 Of course. As I always am. :p :p

Thanks. :thumbs:
FoxyMX (5)
841549 2009-12-20 22:00:00 :banana wratterus (105)
841550 2009-12-20 22:14:00 When a laptop is running on AC power, is it still possible for a plugged in device to receive a zap from power surges or spikes?



Of course .
You can kill things from power through a phone line too .
pctek (84)
841551 2009-12-20 22:22:00 OK, well this is what someone has told me . Note that they are referring to when the laptop is plugged in to the mains .


For clarification, laptop computers always run off of DC power even if the laptop's battery isn't in the computer . The little black box on the laptop's power adapter cord coverts the 110 volt 60 cycle AC into the DC power used to charge the battery or run the computer . There is no AC current beyond the transformer in the computer's power adapter . Now as to whether or not a power surge could get past the adapter through the computer into the audio circuit and cause a surge in the audio cable is another matter .
FoxyMX (5)
841552 2009-12-20 22:27:00 That is true, I was thinking mains power rather than AC power when I replied to the first post. All notebook power supplies convert the power to DC (normally around 19v), but you can still get surges through the power supplies. wratterus (105)
841553 2009-12-20 22:39:00 All notebook power supplies convert the power to DC (normally around 19v), but you can still get surges through the power supplies.

So a surge could zap a device that is plugged into the laptop? More specifically, an audio cable?
FoxyMX (5)
841554 2009-12-20 22:40:00 It is possible. Unlikely, but possible. wratterus (105)
841555 2009-12-20 22:47:00 It's unlikely for one to be hit by lightening, but is it possible. That's enough for me. ;)

Thanks again. :thumbs:
FoxyMX (5)
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