thinQmaster Virtual testing partner Adaptive practice exams that find your weak spots and drill them. Every answer explained. From $69
Enroll

thinQmaster

Find your exam

Five questions free, before you decide.

Step 1 · choose a vendor

In one of our camps? Your practice exams come with the tuition — they are on your study page already.

IT Support & Hardware · Foundational

Input Voltage Selection

Configuring or relying on a PSU to accept regional AC voltages such as 115 V or 230 V.

Definition

Modern PSUs and laptop adapters use auto-switching (active PFC) and accept 100-240 V. Older or budget PSUs had a manual red voltage selector switch; setting it to 115 V on 230 V power can destroy the PSU. Travelers need only a plug adapter for auto-ranging devices.

Example

A laptop brick labeled 'Input: 100-240V ~ 50/60Hz' works worldwide with a plug adapter.

Exam tip

Check the voltage switch or label before powering equipment in another country.

Related terms