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Do AC transformers use up the same current unloaded?

  • Thread starter Phil, Squid-in-Training
  • Start date
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Phil, Squid-in-Training

Jan 1, 1970
0
My question is quite simple, and I don't have much electrical knowledge. My
laptop has an AC adapter that gets hot whether or not it's on. Do
transformers of this sort draw the same amount of power when the computer is
either on or off?

Gateway M305CRV with the typical
thick-wire-to-block-to-skinny-cable-to-cylindrical-power-connector.
 
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Henry Kolesnik

Jan 1, 1970
0
Its probably not a transformer but a switching power supply and it will be
idling and not drawing as much curent when the PC is off and it shouldn't
get as hot while idling.
hank
 
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David Wood

Jan 1, 1970
0
No, but who knows what you've got? Maybe if you mentioned the
manufacturer and part number of the power device you're concerned
about instead of the device it's driving we could help you. There are
exactly umpteen million of them made in the world and only a few are
designed not to burn your house down.
 
D

Don Kelly

Jan 1, 1970
0
Phil said:
My question is quite simple, and I don't have much electrical knowledge. My
laptop has an AC adapter that gets hot whether or not it's on. Do
transformers of this sort draw the same amount of power when the computer is
either on or off?

Gateway M305CRV with the typical
thick-wire-to-block-to-skinny-cable-to-cylindrical-power-connector.
If (and as suggested it may not be) it is a wall wart type of transformer
power supply, the transformer portion may have fairly high no load losses
(push core a bit to save $ and weight) and these may well be as large as the
power required by the laptop and will be there as long as the power is on.
 
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