THE APPLE 5-WATT CHARGER: A LOOK AT THE INSIDE
Guelimanuel Grullon
Writing for Engineering ENGL 21007 D3
Professor Elizabeth von Uhl
April 6th, 2023
INTRODUCTION
In today’s world, it’s difficult to imagine going a day without using our trusty portable devices such as smartphones and laptops. But have you ever found yourself in a situation where you needed to power up while on the go? Enter the charging brick, a small yet essential device that converts AC power to DC power, making it possible to charge our devices. Apple has been using them for over a decade to charge their iPods, iPhones, and MacBooks. The most recognizable was the 5 watt charger. (figure one) It was first introduced in 2008 with the iPhone 3G (Miani, 2022) (Apple, 2008), and has been packed with iPhones until 2020, when the iPhone 11 was released. Apple’s decision to stop including charging bricks with their new iPhone models has been met with mixed reactions from consumers. Some see it as a cost-saving measure, while others view it as a way for Apple to push more people towards purchasing their own proprietary charging accessories. (IPhones No Longer Come with a Charger or Headphones. Here’s What to Get If You Need Them, 2021)
Figure 1: 5 Watt Apple Charger
(Apple 5W USB Power Adapter, n.d.)
OLD ADAPTERS
Before the introduction of the compact and efficient 5-watt charger, people had to rely on bulky and often incompatible AC to DC adapters to charge and power their electronic devices. Even the iPhone 2G (which is the first one) had their own separate charging adapter (Apple IPhone 2G -8GB First Generation Original Box ,Dock Cable & Charger, n.d.). These older adapters were often a source of frustration for users because they were not designed to work with different voltages and regions. For example, a charger from the United States couldn’t work in a European socket. This is not because they didn’t fit into the socket, but instead because it could cause damage to the device you’re charging or powering, or the charging adapter itself because it’s not regulated for different voltages. Even if adapters could handle different voltages, most were not effective in charging or powering devices. For example, many RadioShack charging adapters, including the one in the figures below (figures two and three), despite having a wattage of 8.5 watts, only outputted 4.5 volts at 700 milliamps of current, resulting in an efficiency rating of only around 37 percent. In addition this causes a lot of heat and is extremely wasteful. This also meant that it was not as effective in charging devices compared to the 5-watt charger, which had a much higher efficiency rating . Additionally, the 5-watt charger has a much higher power output than phone charging adapters earlier than 2008 (when the 5-watt adapter was first introduced) in general, which means it can charge devices much faster and more efficiently compared to others.
Figure 2: Outlet side of the RadioShack charger, showing 1998 as Figure 3: Side view of the RadioShack charger, showing how
the date as well as 120 volt AC, meaning that it will only work in the big the chargers were at the time.
United States and other countries that support the voltage
(Vintage Radio Shack AC Adapter 4.5 v 700 MA Cat No. 273-1757 – Working, n.d.)
WHAT’S ON THE OUTSIDE
An Apple charger is quite simple on the outside. There’s only 2 components: A plug to place it into the wall outlet, and a USB-A port to connect a cable to your phone. On the top (where the electrical prongs are), there is a “Certification Label,” showing all the information about the charger. (figure four) There are labels and model numbers, as well as input and output information. The input specification of the charger indicates that it is compatible with a wide range of voltage outputs, from 100 volts to 240 volts. This means that the charger can be used in any country without the need for a voltage converter, as long as the user has a suitable adapter to connect to the local outlet. This compatibility is a testament to the charger’s versatility and convenience, making it an ideal accessory for frequent travelers. While the 5-volt, 1-amp output of the Apple charger was sufficient for many years, it is now considered slow by today’s standards. Many phones on the market today, such as the Samsung S23 Ultra, support fast charging at 45 watts, with other phones even going higher than that. As a result, users may need to invest in more powerful chargers to keep up with their devices’ needs.
Figure 4: Apple certification label
(About Apple USB Power Adapters, n.d.)
WHAT’S ON THE INSIDE
On the inside of the charger, there’s a lot going on, especially for something as small and seemingly simple as this. The charger must perform the complex task of converting wall power, which can range from 100 to 240 volts AC, to a low, steady 5 volts DC that is safe and efficient for charging portable devices. I’ll be referring to the AC voltage as 120 volts due to it being the standard voltage in the United States. AC stands for alternating current, meaning that the power oscillates in a wave-like pattern, while DC stands for direct current, which is a constant flow of electricity in one direction. Phones cannot charge with AC due to their structure on the inside not supporting it.
There are two boards on the inside of the adapter. One of the boards handles the high voltage supply, whilst the other handles the low voltage supply. Firstly, the 120 volt AC goes through something called a diode bridge rectifier. Depending on the input voltage, it can convert it into anything from 145 volts DC to 325 volts DC. It’s composed of two large black electrolytic capacitors, which act like batteries, as well as an green inductor, where it acts like a fail-safe just in case something wrong happens, such as a power surge. There is also a resistor (which has various colored stripes), which is also a fail-safe and acts like a fuse. It’ll burn and break if something catastrophic happens. Afterwards, it goes through a yellow transformer. In some uses, a transformer can be used to increase the amount of voltage to provide more power. In this case however, it’s placed in reverse to convert the high voltage DC into low voltage AC. Lastly, it transfers the AC from one board to another, converting it into DC in the process. At this point, it goes to the USB charger to be fed into your phone (Figures five and six) (Apple IPhone Charger Teardown: Quality in a Tiny Expensive Package, n.d.). All of these components work together seamlessly to ensure that the charger is able to provide a steady, reliable flow of electricity to your device. Despite its small size and seemingly simple design, the charging brick is a marvel of modern engineering, capable of converting high-voltage AC power into low-voltage DC power with incredible efficiency and accuracy.
Figure 5 & 6: 5 Watt Charger on the inside. There’s a solid green inductor, multicolored striped resistor, a yellow transformer, 2 black capacitors as well as a blue Y capacitor, and a USB input.
(Apple IPhone Charger Teardown: Quality in a Tiny Expensive Package, n.d.)
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the charging brick has become an essential device for our daily lives, providing us with the convenience of charging our portable devices on the go. Apple’s 5-watt charger has been around for over a decade and has been a recognizable accessory, even if the user never had an Apple device. Although it has been officially discontinued as of April 6th, 2023, it has revolutionized AC to DC adapters. The charger’s design is simple, with seemingly only two components, but performs a complex process of converting AC power to DC power on the inside. The internal components, such as the diode bridge rectifier, transformer, and resistor, all work together to ensure a safe and efficient charging process. Despite its small size, the charging brick plays a significant role in powering up and keeping us connected with whatever’s happening in the world.
References
About Apple USB power adapters. (n.d.). Apple Support. Retrieved April 7, 2023, from https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT210133#:~:text=That%27s%20why%20all%20our%20products
Apple. (2008, September 20). Apple Ultracompact USB Power Adapter Exchange Program – Apple Support. Support.apple.com. https://support.apple.com/usbadapter/exchangeprogram
Apple 5W USB Power Adapter. (n.d.). Apple. Retrieved April 1, 2023, from https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MD810LL/A/apple-5w-usb-power-adapter
Apple iPhone 2G -8GB First generation original box ,dock cable & charger. (n.d.). Catawiki. Retrieved April 6, 2023, from https://www.catawiki.com/en/l/9945651-apple-iphone-2g-8gb-first-generation-original-box-dock-cable-charger
Apple iPhone charger teardown: quality in a tiny expensive package. (n.d.). Retrieved April 7, 2023, from https://www.righto.com/2012/05/apple-iphone-charger-teardown-quality.html#ref2
iPhones No Longer Come With a Charger or Headphones. Here’s What to Get If You Need Them. (2021, September 10). Wirecutter: Reviews for the Real World. https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/iphone-12-charger-headphones-options/
Miani, L. (2022, December 11). Opening a 14 year old SEALED iPhone: what happens? Www.youtube.com. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTLbb2mYfso
vintage Radio Shack AC Adapter 4.5 V 700 mA Cat No. 273-1757 – working. (n.d.). Ebay. https://www.ebay.com/itm/225279062538?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&mkscid=101&itemid=225279062538&targetid=1263104805286&device=c&mktype=&googleloc=9073504&poi=&campaignid=14859008593&mkgroupid=130497710760&rlsatarget=pla-1263104805286&abcId=9300678&merchantid=101709331&gclid=Cj0KCQjw27mhBhC9ARIsAIFsETGYpKTmLqXDHhrImPO94HUjxs_4_Wvs66FdoPgu9Om5ZhcYh2fYpccaAtPKEALw_wcB
Reflection Essay
When I first started looking for images for my project, I felt overwhelmed and unsure of where to start. I knew I needed specific images, such as the inside of a charger, but I wasn’t sure how to find them. As I delved deeper into my search, I realized that finding high-quality images of the exact components I needed was more challenging than I anticipated.
One of the most interesting things I discovered during my search was the complexity of the internal components of an Apple charger. I had never considered the intricate inner workings of a charger before, and seeing the various pieces and parts laid out before me was eye-opening. I was fascinated by the level of detail and precision required to create such a small and intricate device.
While searching for the images I needed, I also learned about the importance of properly citing my sources. I realized that using images without proper attribution was not only unethical, but it could also lead to legal consequences. Through my research, I discovered different methods of citing images, including using captions, citations, and providing links to the original sources.
Despite the challenges I faced during my image search, I remained persistent and committed to finding the images I needed. I approached the task by breaking it down into smaller, more manageable steps. I started by brainstorming keywords and phrases to use in my search, such as “inside of a charger” or “charger components.” I then narrowed my search by adding specific details, such as “Apple charger” or “high-quality images.”
As I continued to search, I realized that the information I needed was quite scarce. However, I didn’t let that deter me. Instead, I reached out to experts in the field, read industry publications, and joined online forums to gain insights and advice on where to find the images I needed. These efforts paid off, and I was eventually able to locate the high-quality images that I required.
Overall, my experience searching for images for my project taught me a lot about persistence, attention to detail, and the importance of properly citing sources. It also made me appreciate the complexity of the devices that we use in our daily lives and the level of expertise and precision required to create them. While the process was challenging, it ultimately helped me to grow as a researcher and to develop new skills that I can apply in my future projects. (OpenAI, 2023).
Reference
OpenAI. (2023). ChatGPT (Mar 14 version) [Large language model].
