Can a laptop power adapter bought with a UK power cord be used with a US power cord?

08
2014-07
  • Frank

    I bought a Lenovo laptop here in the UK and am shipping it off to my girlfriend in the US. Can she use a standard US power lead for the lead that goes from the laptop power adapter to the wall outlet or will I have to buy a US power adapter for that laptop model?

    • Answers
  • Elliott Frisch

    One option is to purchase a universal "220v to 110v plug" (which is a "travel" power adapter), such as this adapter plug;

    3 prong Adapter

    If you see a UL certification, that's a strong indication that it can be used in the US (vertical center, right side of the transformer image at the bottom of this answer).

    UL Labs

    Another option is to check the laptop's transformer, it's almost certainly marked. You're looking for the "input" line; for example (in the lower left of the image at the bottom),

    INPUT: 100-240 V ~ 1.7 A 50-60 Hz

    Transformer detail

    That means the (HP) transformer (pictured) can handle the AC/DC for both US and Europe, and it would just need a new lead. Note that the US does not use Ring circuits.


    • Related Question

    Laptop Power Failure - Things to check
  • Toby

    I am looking at a laptop (Make and model escape me, but I don't think that will make much difference at the moment) that will not power on or receive charge according to any status lights.

    I have tried powering the laptop just through the mains (removing the battery) which did not work and I have tested the power cable, it works.

    I haven't cracked into the machine yet but from the outside the power-in looks solid and undamaged.

    Is there anything in particular I should be looking for, or are there any other tests I could be running?


    • Related Answers
  • MaQleod

    does the power jack move? Very common in HPs and Compaqs and a few other brands is that the power jack will have too much weight put on it by the plug or other forces that will literally lift the connections off the board. In this case you have to resolder the jack onto the board. If you get no indication of charging and no lights whatsoever, you definitely need to be looking at the power input. Even if the board is fried, you usually still get some indication of power, just no POST, same with anything else on the laptop. Check the jack to see if it is still attached and check the power supply for output levels with a multimeter to see if it is functioning properly.