A power brick is a specific type of power adapter commonly used with electronic devices, particularly computers.
Understanding the Power Brick
Based on the definition, a power brick is described as:
a small but heavy, rectangular AC to DC adapter that connects an electronic device, typically a laptop, to household current.
This means it serves as a vital link between your electronic device and the standard electrical outlet in your home or office. It's essentially a converter that changes the alternating current (AC) from the wall into the direct current (DC) that most devices need to operate and charge.
Key Characteristics
Power bricks are characterized by several distinct features:
- Size and Weight: Often described as small but heavy, differentiating them from lighter, smaller wall adapters.
- Shape: Typically rectangular.
- Function: Acts as an AC to DC adapter.
- Purpose: Connects an electronic device, most often a laptop, to household current.
Their bulk is often due to the internal components required to safely and efficiently convert high-voltage AC power into lower-voltage DC power.
Function and Usage
The primary function of a power brick is to supply the correct voltage and current to an electronic device while also often charging its battery. They are commonly associated with laptops because laptops require more power than smaller gadgets like phones, necessitating a larger, more robust adapter unit placed along the cable rather than directly on the plug.
As the reference states: "The laptop bag has a soft-lined mesh pocket and bulk storage for a power brick," highlighting their common use with portable computers and their size being a factor in device storage.
