When faced with the necessity to replace your Dell’s adapter cord, pay attention to the details. Your Dell laptop requires only a fraction of the voltage an ordinary wall outlet provides, so the electricity must be converted to the correct amount by the AC adapter. Although many adapter retail websites will tell you exactly what adapter you need by simply selecting your particular Dell model, some do not. Knowing what to look for and how to treat your adapter will help prolong its life and provide your Dell with the correct amount of electricity necessary for proper use.

Choose Right Adapter

The exact voltage required by your Dell varies, and is printed on the underside of the machine, along with the amperage. To determine the proper wattage necessary from your adapter, multiply the voltage and amperage together. A Dell that requires 19V and 3.16A needs an Dell Inspiron 1300 AC Adapter that offers at least 60W. Adapters that offer higher wattages, such as 70W, are also fine to use. You can always use a higher wattage adapter on your laptop, but never a lower wattage one. Keep alert to the adapter’s connector size and shape, as not all Dell adapters fit in all Dell laptops.

Third Party and Universal Adapters

Although you can certainly purchase a Dell manufactured adapter labeled specifically for your laptop, don’t overlook third-party brands and universal adapters. These lower-priced offerings work just as well as the name brand ones, so long as you purchase an adapter that offers the right connector shape and correct amount of wattage your laptop requires. Universal adapters offer the added bonus of allowing you to use the same cord to charge multiple laptops and devices, as long as the voltage and wattage requirements fit within the adapter’s specifications.

Keep It Cool

Like most other  Dell NX061 AC Adapter, those for Dell laptops have a rectangular “brick” in the middle of the cord. This brick holds the circuitry required to convert the house current to the lower current required by the Dell, and can become warm as it works. Avoid the possibility of overheating the brick by keeping it in the open and properly ventilated to help dissipate the heat before it builds to risky levels.

Avoid Undue Stress

Wrapped inside the insulating cover of your adapter cord are wires that carry the electricity from the wall outlet, through the brick and to your laptop. Placing undue stress on the cord through repetitive movements such as twisting and wrapping the cord, or positioning your laptop in an angle that encourages the cord to hang freely and add strain on the HP Pavilion Dv6-1300 AC Adapters jack, can degrade these wires and cause them to fray. Frayed, damaged wires do not carry electricity properly, and will result in improper energy delivered to your laptop.

Use Surge Protection

Even tiny electrical surges can cause problems to the delicate electronics of your adapter and laptop. Although a lightning strike is an extreme example of a surge, smaller electrical surges occur during the operation of a major appliance or the return of power after an outage. These can affect your adapter or laptop without your knowledge, causing power issues and shortening the lifespan of your devices. Keep your adapter plugged into a surge protector at all times to avoid these problems.