Are all Power Bricks interchangeable?

[dmcgibbo]

I have power supplies from a T42 and an A30 and a few others and they all look the same. The FRU number and the backs look a little different, but they are the same frequency and voltage I believe - so are they all alright to use with my T42p? Thanks.

[Leon]

If the Output Amperage listed on the other brick is EXACTLY the same as that listed on the T42 brick (4.5), then you can use it.... otherwise DO NOT!

[dmcgibbo]

ok cool. all the A T R must be interchangeable

FRU 08K8205
p/n 08K8204
50/60Hz Output 16v = 4.5A

FRU 08K8029
p/n 08K8208
50/60Hz Output 16v = 4.5A


why so many different part numbers if they are the same thing?

[MadeInJapan]

On the Power brick itself, the voltage must be the same, but the Amps doesn't. The brick should be listed with AT LEAST as much Amps as the laptop. In otherwords, you can use a 4.5AMP Power Brick with a Thinkpad that is rated 3.8AMPS, etc., but you can't use a 3.8AMP brick with a 4.5AMP ThinkPad. From 380's on up most of the power supplies are interchangeable.

[dmcgibbo]

On the Power brick itself, the voltage must be the same, but the Amps doesn't. The brick should be listed with AT LEAST as much Amps as the laptop. In otherwords, you can use a 4.5AMP Power Brick with a Thinkpad that is rated 3.8AMPS, etc., but you can't use a 3.8AMP brick with a 4.5AMP ThinkPad. From 380's on up most of the power supplies are interchangeable.

yeah but what i'm wondering is if all the newer bricks are basically the same and interchangeable, why are there so many different part numbers for basically the same part - i mean i have different part numbers for the A30p, T23, T30, and T42 bricks even though they are all identical (well the A30p brick is a larger size). verrrry strange...

[Leon]

there are actually MANY different part numbers... they have to do with subtle differences in cord (3 vs 2 prong), manufacturer, etc....

IBM Tech support has told me that using different amperage or voltage CAN be harmful, because the power goes directly to the MOBO, and the circuitry is expecting the amperage and voltage assigned.....

[AssPenny]

The different part numbers are usually because of different manufactures. One month, BinChangWang make the bricks, next month, FuMeToo, then YucSucDuc, etc......

Even tho they are supposed to create the same psu, there can be suble differences, so it is a differnet part number.