It has happened to all of us. You go to use your laptop and realize that the battery is dead. So you reach for the charger only to find out that you can’t find it but you do have a different charger.
Or you are sharing a room with someone and you often use each other’s laptop chargers. This can raise thoughts like is it okay to use a different charger or are laptop chargers interchangeable?
The short answer is yes, but there are a few things you need to take into consideration before using a different charger.
As long as the adapter’s wattage and connector tip match those of each laptop you intend to use it with, it is perfectly fine to interchange or share laptop chargers.
In this blog post, we will discuss what are the things that you need to take into consideration when using a different laptop charger.
Power Requirement
Laptop chargers come in a variety of shapes and sizes also differing in the power output they supply.
Before using a different charger you need to make sure that the charger must be able to provide the correct amount of power required by the laptop
Different laptops require different amounts of power. For example, some laptop requires 180W of power while others might be good with only 60W.
Wattage
Wattage is basically the product of voltage and the current which is called amperage.
To find the correct power requirement look for the required input requirements, which are given as volts and amps on the underside of the laptop to identify the right adapter for your needs.
To determine the appropriate wattage you require from your adaptor, multiply these two figures together.
You can use a charger that provides the same or higher current (amps, A) with the same amount of voltage required by the laptop without any problem. An 18V 3A (54 Watt) charger, for instance, can substitute for an 18V 2A charger (36Watts).
To find how much wattage your adapter is capable of supplying, look at the number on the power brick given in volts and amps and multiply them.
This will give you the idea that whether your adapter can provide the laptop with the required amount of power or not.
The laptop will only be harmed by using a higher voltage charger or a charger supplying low wattage than what the laptop requires.
Connector tip
The next important thing is the connector tip. The laptop charger must have a connector tip that fits perfectly and correctly into the laptop’s charging port. Ensure that the connector tip is of the right size and shape.
Even if an adapter connection appears to be the proper size and shape, never push one into an adapter port as this could harm both the adapter jack and the cord connector.
Polarity
The direction of the current is known as polarity. Check the charger’s polarity to make sure it matches the original charger.
The laptop connector (or the original charger connector) must have the same polarity as the charger connector. The standard in the industry is “+” on the interior pin and “-” on the exterior.
Best option
The best option is that you can get a universal charger. It is a good investment if you have more than one laptop.
Universal laptop chargers come with multiple tips that you can use on different laptops. They also supply a different range of power outputs suitable for different laptop models.
Universal chargers are perfectly safe just make sure that the charger’s amperage, wattage, and voltage should be right.
Can You use a different charger on your laptop?
Yes, laptop chargers are interchangeable. You can use a different charger on your laptop as long as the adapter’s wattage and connector tip are correct and compatible with each laptop.
It is important to take into consideration the laptop’s power requirement, wattage, and connector tip before using a different charger.
You also don’t want to use a charger from an uncertified company because such chargers don’t have the required certificates like CE, FCC, and UL and can damage your laptop.
What happens if you use the wrong charger for your laptop?
Well, this is pretty simple if you use the wrong charger, one of two things will happen.
The first possibility is that absolutely nothing happens. The laptop won’t charge and you’ll be stuck working off the battery.
The second possibility is that something bad happens. Incompatible laptop chargers can damage your laptop beyond repair.
A problem could arise from using the incorrect voltage. Using a high voltage will burn components inside your laptop. Low voltage, on the other hand, will cause the laptop to not charge and not function properly.
Your laptop won’t be harmed by using a high amperage charger your laptop will only use as much power as it needs.
A laptop charger with a very low current, on the other hand, can harm the laptop as well as the power supply.
Conclusion
I hope you found this article helpful. Laptop chargers can be interchangeable as long as the power requirements and the connector tip of both laptops match.
It is best to use the charger that came with your laptop to avoid any damage but in case you lost it or it got damaged, you can use a different charger.
Just make sure that the new charger has the same voltage, amperage, and wattage as the original charger. Also, make sure that the connector tip is the right size and shape.