Standardized Notebook AC Adapter Announced

Notebook users may no longer have to carry a power adapter in their bag from as early as 2009, because laptop power adapters are set to be standardized.

Different standards for notebook AC adapters by each manufacturer and product model have always been cause for great inconvenience.

The Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS) announced Wednesday that it has gauged public opinion on the matter for more than one year and has established “The Standard for Portable Notebook PC Power Adapters." The KATS will hold its first public hearing on the issue on Thursday.

“We plan to apply the standard from January 2009, after completing the notification and enactment process by the end of this year,” said Song Yang-hoi, a senior official of the KATS. “We are also considering determining the new standard as a Korean Industrial Standard (KS) and enforcing mandatory acquisition of the Electrical Appliances Safety Certificate for all laptop power adapters.”

Once it becomes compulsory to manufacture standardized laptop power adapters, people will be able to use other people’s adapters, similar to the standardized adaptors of mobile phones. Another advantage is that customers will not have to purchase an additional power adapter when purchasing a notebook.

Thus far, customers have no choice but to buy a power adapter, which cost about 50,000 won, every time they purchase a notebook, due to incompatibility between the power adapters of various models.

Laptop manufactures have opposed standardization, noting that it will restrict the freedom of developing a variety of models and that it will be difficult to find out who is responsible for accidents if they occur due to the use of low-quality power adapters.

However, the KATS recently completed the draft standard by persuading six domestic computer manufacturers - Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, Trigem Korea, Daewoo Lucoms, Jooyon Tech, and Hyunju Computer - to comply. Moreover, the standards agency said that foreign companies, such as Intel, Lenovo, and HP, have also showed positive responses to its plan.

The standardized power adapter for 14-inch LCD notebooks has an output of 60 watts and 19±1 voltage. The size of connecters has also been standardized to a diameter of 6.5±0.1mm and a length of 9.5±0.3mm.

The Telecommunication Technology Association also plans to announce standards for the mini-chargers and earphone jacks for slim cell-phones on November 8.