A reliable power supply can deliver stable electricity to charge various home electronics for multiple activities, such as lighting, heating, cooking, and cooling. It also provides continuous electricity to essential home appliances, including refrigerators to store food and medicines.
The aim of a power supply is to charge the load with the proper current and voltage. An AC to DC power supply takes electric current from the source as an AC input, transforms it, and then delivers it as DC electricity to the load at an output.
Jackery Explorer Portable Power Stations have compact size and reasonable wattage, making them portable solar power supplies. The larger Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus Portable Power Station and Jackery Explorer 3000 Pro Portable Power Station are robust battery backups for large homes.
What Is AC to DC Power Supply?
A power supply is an electrical device used to deliver electrical energy to an electrical load. The term refers to the devices that convert one form of electrical energy to another, like AC to DC. An AC-to-DC power supply converts alternating current to direct current to power a wide range of electronics, such as computers, gaming consoles, etc.
Here are a few characteristics of the AC-to-DC power supply:
- The direction of the flow of the current changes constantly in alternating current. When the capacitor or inductor is included in the circuit, there is some advance or delay in the current flow.
- On the other hand, the direction of current flow and voltage are constant in the direct current. This means the behavior of capacitors and coils also remains constant. Unlike AC, there is no advance or delay in the DC circuit.
Jackery Explorer Portable Power Stations feature a built-in pure sine wave inverter to convert the direct current generated by the Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels to AC electricity. The stable alternating current is then supplied to the electrical appliances to keep them powered during long-term power outages.
Why Choose AC to DC Power Supply?
The AC to DC power supply transforms the alternating current into a stable DC voltage. There are many benefits of choosing 120V AC to 12V DC power supply, including:
- An AC-to-DC converter eliminates the need to choose multiple inverters and converters, preventing the possibility of equipment failure.
- They are light in weight, easy to install, and compact, making these power supplies ideal for home appliances, portable handheld devices, and industrial applications.
- The unregulated power supplies are simple, low-cost, and ideal for applications that don’t require precise voltage output.
- The switched mode power supplies have higher efficiency and emit low noise during operation.
How Does An AC to DC Power Supply Work?
When an AC voltage of 230V is applied to the AC/DC power supply, the voltage is stepped down to the AC voltage for the power supply rating. It is usually 9V to 24V for most everyday power supplies. This AC voltage is then quickly converted to DC voltage.
While the liner AC/DC power supplies utilize diodes for AC to DC conversion, the switching mode power supplies use transistors. Once the DC voltage is produced, it is smoothed out to remove ripples and then regulated. The DC output can now be supplied to most household appliances, like personal computers and TVs.
The Jackery Explorer Portable Power Stations and Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels work together to produce electricity. When the free solar energy falls on the Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels, it is converted to DC electricity. This is then passed through the pure sine wave inverter of the Jackery Explorer Portable Power Stations to convert DC to AC electricity.
What Are The Types of AC to DC Power Supply?
There are different types of AC/DC power supplies, including:
Unregulated Power Supply: The AC voltage is used as an input and across the primary terminals of the step-down transformer. It then uses a bridge rectifier to change into a corresponding DC voltage. There's a capacitor that smoothes out the output voltage. As the name suggests, the unregulated power supplies do not feature a regulator.
Switched AC DC Power Supply: Compared to linear AC DC power supplies, the design of switch mode AC/DC power supply is complex. The input voltage undergoes rectification and filtration at the input circuit. The reason behind the rectification and filtration of the input wave is to transfer ample power without reaching saturation.
Linear AC DC Power Supply: It has one of the simplest 120V AC to 12V DC power supply designs and has a long serving life. The power supply converts the AC power from the grid to DC power utilized by most household appliances.
What Are The Applications of AC to DC Power Supply?
Switched-mode power supplies are used in domestic appliances like PCs that feature universal inputs, meaning they can receive power from main supplies across the world. Applications where cost is a major factor generally use linear power supplies. This is because they have a simple design and use fewer components than switched-off power supplies. Here's the list of electronic devices that use AC/DC power supplies:
- Computers
- Cell phone chargers
- TVs
- Kitchen Appliances
- Radios
- Cell phones
- Commercial products that use DC motors
Portable battery backups like Jackery Explorer Portable Power Stations are built with a pure sine wave inverter. It is responsible for converting DC electricity generated by the solar panels to AC electricity to charge appliances.
Jackery Portable Power Stations Explained
Jackery is a reputable solar brand offering a wide range of solar generators and portable power stations. The Jackery Explorer Portable Power Stations can be charged via Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels, AC outlets, and car chargers. They are compact and feature a high-capacity battery to charge many appliances. Here are some of the best battery backups for home from Jackery.
Jackery Explorer 3000 Pro Portable Power Station
The Jackery Explorer 3000 Pro Portable Power Stations feature an NMC battery of 3024Wh to charge 99% of home appliances. It features a pull rod and double wheels to make transportation easier from one place to another. The whole-home battery backup integrates with the home electrical system to start charging appliances in the blink of an eye when the main electricity grid is down.
Customer Review
"I live in a rural area where power outages are common and sometimes extended. The Jackery Explorer 3000 Pro is perfect. My entire home office (laptop, two printers, two external monitors, plus additional accessories) is connected to a surge suppressor, which I can easily switch from the wall connection to my Jackery Explorer 3000 Pro." — TMann Stuff.
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Jackery Explorer 3000 Pro Portable Power Station |
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Capacity |
3024Wh |
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Battery Cell |
NMC |
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Cycle Life |
2000 cycles to 70%+ capacity |
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Dimension |
Length: 18.6 in (47.3cm) Width: 14.1 in (35.94cm) Height: 14.7 in (37.36cm) |
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Recharging Methods |
AC Adapter: 2.4 Hours Car Adapter (12V): 35 Hours 6*Jackery SolarSaga 200W Solar Panels: 3.5 Hours |
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Output Ports |
AC Output(x1): 120V~ 60Hz 25A Max AC Output(x3): 120V~ 60Hz 20A Max USB-A Output(x2): Quick Charge 3.0x2, 18W Max USB-C Output(x2): 100W Max, 5V⎓3A, 9V⎓3A, 12V⎓3A, 15V⎓3A, 20V⎓5A |
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Working Hours |
Portable AC (1000W): 2.5H Kettle (850W): 3H Coffee Maker (550W): 4.6H Electric Oven (800W): 3.2H Outdoor Electric Grill (1700W): 1.5H |
Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus Portable Power Station
The Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus has a LiFePO4 battery of 2042.8Wh and can charge heavy-duty devices up to 6000W. The battery capacity can be expanded from 2kWh to 24kWh with the additional Jackery Battery Pack 2000 Plus. It is an ideal emergency home battery backup that can power most essential appliances, such as refrigerators, CPAP machines, and lights.
Customer Review
"After researching several top brands in the "2000" size, the Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus Portable Power Station was a no-brainer. I could go into the nerdy specs, but based on the expandability option alone, this was the one! But what a piece of mind in the time of need to know you can double, triple, or quadruple the stored power available." — Greg Bond.
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Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus Portable Power Station |
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Capacity |
2kWh-24kWh |
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Battery Cell |
LiFePO4 |
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Cycle Life |
4000 cycles to 70%+ capacity |
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Dimension |
Length: 14.7in (37.36cm) Width: 18.6in (47.3cm) Height: 14.1in (35.94cm) |
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Recharging Methods |
AC Adapter: 2 Hours Car Adapter (12V): 25 Hours 6*Jackery SolarSaga 200W Solar Panels: 2 Hours |
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Output Ports |
AC Output(×4): 120V~ 60Hz, 20A Max, AC Output(×1)：120V~ 60Hz, 25A Maximum USB-A Output(x2): Quick Charge 3.0, 18W Maximum USB-C Output(x2): 100W Maximum, (5V, 9V, 12V, 15V, 20V up to 5A) |
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Working Hours |
Portable AC (1000W): 1.7H Kettle (850W): 2H Coffee Maker (550W): 3.1H Electric Oven (800W): 2.1H Outdoor Electric Grill (1700W): 1H |
Jackery Explorer 300 Plus Portable Power Station
If you want a small battery backup that meets the needs of your outdoor activities, the Jackery Explorer 300 Plus Portable Power Station seems like a great choice. It has a battery capacity of 288Wh and weighs only 8.27lbs, making the power station ideal for hiking, camping, fishing, etc. It features dual PD ports capable of supplying 100W output to charge multiple appliances simultaneously.
Customer Review
"Lightweight, portable, and can charge phones, laptops, plug-in lights, & a small appliance for cooking. High-quality equipment for home after storms, bug-out evac, or camping. Thank you for enabling greater peace of mind." — Marie.
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Jackery Explorer 300 Plus Portable Power Station |
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Capacity |
288Wh |
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Battery Cell |
LiFePO4 |
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Cycle Life |
3000 cycles to 80%+ capacity |
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Dimension |
Length: 9.1in (23cm) Width: 6.1in (15.5cm) Height: 6.6in (16.7cm) |
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Recharging Methods |
AC Adapter: 2 Hours Car Adapter (12V): 5.5 Hours 1*Jackery SolarSaga 40W Solar Panels: 9.5 Hours |
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Output Ports |
AC Output(x1): 120V, 60Hz, 300W (600W Peak) USB-A Output(x1): 15W Max 5V⎓3A USB-C Output(x1): 15W Max 5V⎓3A USB-C Output(x2): 100W Max, 5V⎓3A (5V, 9V, 12V, 15V, 20V up to 5A) |
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Working Hours |
Drone (90W): 5 Times Mobile Phone (29W): 13 Times Computer (80W): 3H Smart Speaker (10W): 24.4H Lighting Lamp (5W): 48.9H |
AC to DC Power Supply FAQs
What size of power station do I need?
The size of the power station needed will depend on the wattage consumption of the appliances being charged and on the number of hours for which electricity will be required.
Still wondering what size solar generator I need to charge appliances? Here's the mathematical formula you'll need to use:
Working Time = Battery Capacity * 0.85 / Wattage Consumption of Appliances
Let's say you are charging a computer (300W), a WiFi router (5W), lights (50W), and a fan (100W) with Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus Portable Power Station.
Working Time = 1264Wh * 0.85 / 455W = 2.3H.
We multiply the battery capacity by 0.85 as there will be some power loss while charging the appliances.
How to convert AC power into DC power?
AC power is converted to DC power using rectifiers. These devices are typically designed with diodes that allow only current to flow in a single direction.
What to consider when choosing AC to DC power supply?
When choosing AC to DC power supply, you'll need to consider some important parameters like:
- The AC input voltage range should generally be between 85 and 264 VAC, 47Hz to 60Hz, which is used in many appliances.
- The next thing you'll need to consider is the output voltage range. It's best to pick an AC DC power supply with a varying output range feature to meet different needs.
- Always know the maximum output current needed from the AC DC power source. In instances where the power fluctuates, it's essential to choose power supplies attached in parallel for a lot of power.
- Output regulation is another essential factor, as it has some uses that cause high output ripple and current output fluctuations.
What happens if you connect DC to AC?
Plugging DC to AC typically leads to flames, magic smoke, and bad smells. For this reason, it is advised not to connect DC to AC.
Final Thoughts
AC to DC power supply is common and can be found in many applications. Its primary goal is to transform the alternating current into a stable direct current voltage, which can be used to charge many electrical appliances. If you want a simple solution designed to charge most home or outdoor appliances, consider Jackery Explorer Portable Power Stations. These home battery backups can supply steady power to various appliances, like refrigerators, ACs, space heaters, etc.
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