Compact, fast-charging & energy-saving AC/DC adapters expected to lead next releases

After performance improvements, AC/DC adapter manufacturers in China will extend product initiatives to more compact, lightweight models.

While mobile electronic devices are now thinner and lighter, their AC/DC adapters have remained largely unchanged, being designed as an engineering solution to convert AC into DC power. Enhancements have focused on performance, yielding high-efficiency types that support fast charging but consume less power. But in recent years, efforts to address the size issue have led to breakthroughs, thanks to the availability of smaller components.

In China, one such release was Lenovo's lipstick-sized 65W Thinkplus in 2018, followed by a 45W mini version weighing 88g in 2019. The mini version features a foldable plug, making it even more compact. This design also keeps the prongs tucked safely away to prevent scratching devices when in storage. The newer model has a USB-C interface, and USB Power Delivery 3.0 and Quick Charge 3.0 specifications, meeting charging requirements for laptops, tablets, smartphones and gaming devices.

More suppliers in China are expected to pick up this trend. This is while they continue to ensure AC/DC adapters that enable fast charging, have built-in safety features such as overvoltage, -current, -load, and short-circuit protection, and exhibit improved anti-EMI performance.

To guarantee the quality of their products, manufacturers in China comply with safety standards including BS, BSMI, CCC, CE, CQC, CSA, cUL, ETL, FCC, GS, KC, PSB, PSE, RCM, SAA, SASO and UL, in addition to RoHS environmental regulations. Most releases conform to the DOE Level V or Level VI efficiency requirements.

Optimism for market recovery is spurring sustained product initiatives. Disruptions in China's industry as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a 10 to 20 percent drop in shipments for most domestic enterprises in the early months of 2020. In spite of this slump, companies are confident demand will come back up in the months ahead, projecting a 5 to 10 percent increase in deliveries, including to export destinations, by 2021 and 2022.

Benefiting from steady growth over recent years, a number of China-based suppliers have invested in new equipment and are ready for new orders. Insun Enterprise Co. Ltd added two production lines, including SMT, wave-soldering and aging machines. Foshan Shunde Great Power Supply Co. Ltd said it is ready to boost output for domestic and overseas customers. The manufacturer typically sends 30 percent of its yield abroad.

China is the world's largest manufacturing base for AC/DC adapters and has nearly 1,000 suppliers. Domestically owned companies make up the majority of the pool, and most are small and midsize operations. Major firms include Pisen, Urgreen and Bull.

Almost all homegrown manufacturers offer other types of power supplies, with AC/DC adapters representing between 30 and 80 percent of their total output. They allocate more than 50 percent of production for export markets.

Over half of these suppliers are located in the Pearl River Delta region, mainly in the cities of Shenzhen, Dongguan and Zhongshan, and Xiamen in Fujian. Many are based in Suzhou and Changzhou in Jiangsu, and Ningbo in Zhejiang.

Desktop & wall-mount types

Mainstream desktop and wall-mount AC/DC adapters from China manufacturers are for consumer electronics, computers and peripherals, and medical equipment. Units for portable electronic devices form the bulk of shipments.

Available products have 100 to 240VAC, 50/60Hz input and 3 to 150W rated power. By output, there are 5 to 24VDC, 1 to 5A kinds. Typical efficiency rating is more than 80 percent.

Companies offer standard selections, but also welcome orders based on custom specifications.

Components and materials include MOSFETs, transformers, passive components, PCBs and cases. Most suppliers source them locally, although others purchase MOSFETs from foreign providers as well.

The costs of manufacturing inputs have not changed much, keeping product prices flat. This trend is expected to persist in the months ahead.

The products in this gallery have been handpicked by our China-based market analyst for representing current trends in AC/DC adapters from China makers.

AC/DC adapter, rated at 90W

This AC/DC adapter from Dongguan Citiland Electronics Co. Ltd, the 24V5A model, has 100 to 240VAC, 50/60Hz input and 24VDC, 5A output. The 90W-rated unit has built-in overvoltage, -current, -heating and short-circuit protection.

The supplier requires a minimum order of 1,000 units. Delivery takes 15 days.

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AC/DC adapter with 84% efficiency

Model GRT60-520-120 AC/DC adapter from Foshan Shunde Great Power Supply Co. Ltd has 90 to 264VAC, 50/60Hz, maximum 1,500mA input and 52VDC, 1,200mA output. The 62.4W-rated unit, with 84 percent efficiency, has safety features against overcurrent and short circuits.

The minimum order is 1,000 units. Delivery is within 20 days.

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GaN AC/DC adapter

The IN308-PD-2 model from Insun Enterprise Co. Ltd is a GaN AC/DC adapter with a Type-A and two Type-C output ports. It comes in versions with 22.5, 30 or 65W power, and 5, 9, 12, 15 or 20V output voltage in the Type-C ports and 5, 9 or 12V in the Type-A slot . The unit meets BSMI, CCC, CE, DOE Level VI, ErP, FCC, KC and UL standards.

An order of at least 1,000 units is required for delivery in 20 days.

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AC/DC adapter supports USB PD 3.0

Shenzhen Theone Electronic Co. Ltd's AC/DC adapter, the TA601CA-01 model, has 110 to 240VAC, 50/60Hz, maximum 1.3A input, and 5VDC, maximum 1.3A output in the USB Type-A port and 5, 9, 12, 15, 19 or 20VDC, 3A in the Type-C port. Based on PD 3.0, the unit has 60W maximum power, and built-in protection against overcurrent, -voltage, -heating, -load and short circuits. It measures 70.5x70.5x30.6mm and weighs 169.4g.

The 500-unit minimum order is for delivery within 15 days.

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