I have a computer adapter for airplanes, it's supposed to plug into a DC
outlet in the first-class seats. Does anyone know what kind of connector
this is? I mean like, what's it called?


-- Gnarlie
http://Gnarlodious.com/Cogent/

Gnarlodious wrote:

> Entity Gnarlodious spoke thus:
>
>
>>I have a computer adapter for airplanes, it's supposed to plug into a DC
>>outlet in the first-class seats. Does anyone know what kind of connector
>>this is? I mean like, what's it called?

It's an Empower connector. Delivers 15VDC 10A. The
connector is standardized by ARINC 628.

Data sheet:

http://www.hypertronics.com/PDFs/ARINC%20628.pdf

Adapter cables are available for most laptops.

The two small pins do not "output 24V". They're
jumpered together in the plug, so that the power
system can tell that there's a connector inserted.
The aircraft power system may limit the number of
active power outlets, which is done by turning
individual ones off.

The connector has room for 9 pins, and there's
been talk of providing 100baseT Ethernet
through the connector, along with power.

This is a useful little interface, and ought to
be more widely used. These connectors should appear
in cars. Especially since DVD players and game devices
can now plug into them.

John Nagle

>
>
> OK, I uploaded a photo of the offending component:
> http://home.earthlink.net/~gnarlodious/AirplaneConnectors.jpg
>
> The 2 large pins are definitely 12 volt, probably the 2 small ones are for
> 24 volt. On my socket the small receptacles are missing as it only outputs
> 12v.

"John Nagle" > wrote in message
...
> The connector has room for 9 pins, and there's
> been talk of providing 100baseT Ethernet
> through the connector, along with power.
>
> This is a useful little interface, and ought to
> be more widely used. These connectors should appear
> in cars. Especially since DVD players and game devices
> can now plug into them.

It would be nice if some standard DC connector would evolve in place of the
cigarette lighter plug.

Vaughn