EmPower (aircraft power adapter)
EmPower is a 15 volt DC connector type found on many commercial airlines designed to provide power to travelers' electronic devices. The system is limited to 75 watts (5 amperes). The use of a special connector is to prevent laptops charging at altitude and ensure that only approved adapters can be used.
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.
Supporting airlines include:
- Some Air France flights
- Some Air India flights
- Some British Airways flights
- Some Continental Airlines flights, used only on 767 aircraft.
- Some Delta Air Lines flights
- Some US Airways flights
- Some United Airlines flights
- Some Virgin Atlantic flights
- Almost all Cathay Pacific flights
- Almost all Air Canada flights
- Others (The Seatguru web site contains more detailed information on which flights support EmPower)
American Airlines uses cigarette lighter sockets instead of EmPower jacks. Adapters exist to convert EmPower plugs to cigarette lighter sockets and most EmPower power adapters come with these.
EmPower is a trademark registered initially by Primex Technologies (VA) and assigned to Astronics advanced electronic systems, Inc in Redmond, Washington, USA. Subsequently, the trademark has been expanded not just to the proprietary DC 15 V connector, but also to AC 110 V 60 Hz in-seat power (and video entertainment) systems. [1]
Many laptops will not function properly at 75 W. The new AC EmPower system provides more power than the DC system. The conversion of aircraft AC 400 Hz or wild frequency power to standard AC 60 Hz is to prevent addition stresses in laptop chargers already stressed by reduced cooling at altitude. Note that laptops on this system will still charge batteries. Modern laptop batteries, however include a temperature sensor that should compensate for the reduced cooling at altitude. This new system accepts various national power plugs and most laptop chargers will function properly at AC 110 V 60 Hz even if sold in AC 230 V 50 Hz markets.
References
- ^ "Astronics AES".
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