Single Charger For Notebooks

Single charger for notebook computers will significantly reduce e-waste.

Geneva, Switzerland 2013-12-16 – IEC, the international standards and conformity assessment body for all fields of electrotechnology, announced today the publication of the first globally relevant Technical Specification for a single external charger for a wide range of notebook computers and laptops.

Each year billions of external chargers are shipped globally. Power supplies for notebooks weigh typically around 300 but sometimes up to 600 grams. They are generally not usable from one computer to the next. Sometimes they get lost or break, leading to the discarding of computers that may still work perfectly well. It is estimated that the total e-waste related to all kinds of chargers of ICT devices (Information and Communication) exceeds half a million tons each year; basically the equivalent of 500 000 cars.


This new IEC Technical Specification covers critical aspects of external chargers for notebook computers, their connector and plug, as well as safety, interoperability, performance and environmental considerations.

IEC - Newslog > 2013-12-16: Major milestone: single charger for notebook computers will significantly reduce e-waste

IEC publishes first technical specification for universal notebook charger - SlashGear

 

Yeah, be sure to send a memo out to all the 20+ different OEMs in the world. This is why I confine myself to limited brands; mainly Dell, Lenovo, Alienware.

 

Wasn't this supposed to happen for mobile devices too, like years ago? Even though many are just some variation of USB, frequently they say "this is not an approved adapter for this device" or whatever. It's a good idea with limited potential to be implemented. Every laptop would need to use the same voltage for this to work too.

 

Well that's the point. Who cares if the adapter is same, if you can't use the same power supply. My work phone, old cell phone, and new cell phone all are pretty picky about the power adapter you use. It's USB micro-B but they won't charge off a PC, and I need different wall plugs to charge each one because they won't work with each other. Kind of defeats the purpose.

"around 15-20V"? The voltage should be within a few % of spec to prevent damaging the electronics. 17+/-3V just doesn't cut it. I wouldn't use a 20V adapter with a laptop that specs 19V. 19.5V maybe.

 

See:
Universal Laptop Standard for Europe Pushed by IEC



If you're in Europe; it's happening as we speak...