EmPower

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EmPower 15 volt plug

EmPower is an on-board power supply system developed for aircraft by the US company Astronics AES .

EmPower 15 volts direct current

Passengers can supply their devices such as laptops or entertainment electronics with energy via the EmPower sockets ( 15 volts DC or 110 volts AC ) attached to the passenger seat . To connect these devices to IFE direct current sockets (15 volts, maximum 75 watts), the passenger needs a special EmPower direct current adapter. The proprietary EmPower DC extra-low voltage plug is intended to supply connected devices with energy for operation, but not to charge them. This is useful in airplanes, as charging batteries can lead to the batteries overheating due to the low air pressure that prevails in airplanes. Each computer model requires a special EmPower adapter cable to use this feature.

The EmPower direct current system is primarily a convenience function which, thanks to the EmPower direct current direct cable, is supposed to save the passenger the mess of cables with conventional chargers.

Apple supplies a charging cable for the EmPower system for its MacBook , which enables laptop operation in the aircraft, but avoids charging the device.

EmPower 110 volts

For many computers, the direct current output of a maximum of 75 watts provided by EmPower is not enough. Astronics points out that the conventional 110-volt AC power supply unit should then be used. The temperature sensor integrated in the laptops prevents overheating. Some airlines, such as Continental Airlines, also prohibit the charging of batteries on the on-board network and therefore ask the passenger to remove the battery from the device. The universal EmPower 110 volt alternating current socket ("PED AC Outlet Unit", 110 volt, 60 Hz, maximum 250 VA) fits all internationally used alternating current plugs, similar to a shaver socket.

EmPower is a registered trademark of Primex Technologies (VA) and Astronics advanced electronic systems, Inc in Redmond, Washington, USA.

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ EmPower specification [1] www.astronics.com accessed on January 16, 2011
  2. ↑ Magsafe Airline Adapter [2]. Accessed January 1, 2011
  3. ↑ Will my battery charge while I'm plugged in? [3] satguru.com. Retrieved January 16, 2011