for example, on my windows laptop, there is the plug that goes into the outlet, some wire, a big block of plastic, and then more wire that connects to the charger that goes into the charging port. why is that block there?
In: Technology
It’s a transformer. The wall electricity is 120 or 240 volts which will blow up computer parts, and it’s also AC because that’s better for transmission to your house. The transformer converts the wall power to something the computer can use (DC at something like 20V).
It’s the same thing as other electronic devices that have a [transformer block aka “wall wart” right where they plug into the wall.](https://haasentertainment.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Wall-wart.jpg) The difference is that computers need quite a bit of power so the transformer has to be bigger. So they put it partway along the cord rather than right at the plug, because that giant block would likely block other plugs at the outlet or power bar.
Note that modern laptops use less power and better quality transformers, so they can use a smaller transformer block that is back to being right where it plugs into the wall again. My laptop has a small “wall wart” style like what phone chargers have, and no big block part way along the cable.
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