EmPower (aircraft power adapter)

File:Empower plug.jpg

An EmPower plug, as seen on the end of a laptop power adapter.

EmPower is a line of products by Astronics Advanced Electronic Systems for providing power to aircraft seats. There are multiple products in the product line, including 110 VAC connections, a proprietary DC connection system called EmPower Classic-DC, and systems providing integrated DC/AC, and power for In-flight Entertainment systems.

In-Seat Power Supply System (ISPSS) History

Early installations by American Airlines used an automotive cigar lighter socket, using 14.7 V.

Early installations by other air carriers used a smaller, 4-pin connector from Hypertronics' D-series. Two of the pins carried power while two were shorted together on the device's power cord to signal the in-seat power supply that the port was being used.

This later system was standardized in ARINC 628, Part 2 specification, and is often referred to as an EmPower port, for the brand name of the first commercial systems deploying it: Primex Aerospace Company (previously Olin Aerospace) of Redmond, Washington.

The standard for ARINC 628, Part 2 is intended to be an open standard, if the economics are attractive. The standard describes a generic part that is originally based on a Hypertronics brand connector. (e.g. - their P/Ns D02PBMRT-0024 or D02PBMRTH-0025.) There should be a reference to a second source for this connector type shown here.

EmPower Classic

The first EMPower system has been retroactively named EM Power Classic. It is a 15 V DC connector type. It is often found on many commercial airlines designed to provide power to travelers' electronic devices. Some airlines offer it only in business class or only in certain types of aircraft or flights. Travelers can buy EmPower adapters, frequently from duty-free shops at airports, that allow them to run laptops and other electronic equipment without using battery power. Adapters also exist to convert to cigarette-lighter adapters, which also provide 15 volts and thus need no bulky transformer.

Supporting airlines include:

• Some Air France flights
• Some Air Canada flights
• Some British Airways flights
• Some Continental Airlines flights
• Some Delta Air Lines flights
• Some US Airways flights
• Some United Airlines flights
• Some Virgin Atlantic flights
• Some Pakistan International flights (on the Boeing 777 flights)
• Some Oasis Hong Kong Airlines flights
• Almost all Cathay Pacific flights

External links

• EmPower Product Website
• List of EmPower Customers

References

• ARINC 628, part 2 standard: 628P2-5 Cabin Equipment Interfaces, Part 2, Cabin Management and Entertainment Systems - Seat Interfaces
• Universal Power Supply Patent 6459175
• ARINC 628 connector product page and catalog page with dimensions
• Standards And Specs For In-Seat Power On Aircraft Still In The Clouds
• Airline comparison US Other countries