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Feeding 90W AC adapter with two prong plug?

T430-T490, T530-T590 Series
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nfotis
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Location: Athens, Greece

Feeding 90W AC adapter with two prong plug?

#1 Post by nfotis » Tue Apr 27, 2021 9:31 pm

Hello everyone,

I have a T480 with an adlx90nlt3a AC adapter, which has a three hole socket for the wall connection. The other side offers a USB-C power connection to the T480.

Currently, I am using a European Schuko plug (also named CEE 7/7 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schuko), but I wish to use my laptop in a place (rooftop) where only 2-prong plugs are possible (Europlug: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europlug )
Is it possible/safe to make an ad-hoc adapter from a Europlug socket to a Schuko socket?
I guess that line and neutral should be enough to feed the AC power adapter, but I would like to be sure before trying it.

Regards,
N.F.

RealBlackStuff
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Re: Feeding 90W AC adapter with two prong plug?

#2 Post by RealBlackStuff » Wed Apr 28, 2021 12:34 am

You can make one yourself, no problem, or get one of these: https://www.amazon.de/-/en/Travel-Plug- ... B088B3ZDHL
Should fit the 2 prongs from the Schuko.
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nfotis
Posts: 44
Joined: Wed Oct 14, 2009 12:36 pm
Location: Athens, Greece

Re: Feeding 90W AC adapter with two prong plug?

#3 Post by nfotis » Wed Apr 28, 2021 11:33 am

RealBlackStuff wrote:
Wed Apr 28, 2021 12:34 am
You can make one yourself, no problem, or get one of these: https://www.amazon.de/-/en/Travel-Plug- ... B088B3ZDHL
Should fit the 2 prongs from the Schuko.

Many thanks, I found such an adapter myself at a nearby shop. I suppose that's safe to operate the AC adapter this way, right?

N.F.

RealBlackStuff
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Re: Feeding 90W AC adapter with two prong plug?

#4 Post by RealBlackStuff » Wed Apr 28, 2021 12:10 pm

Yes.
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wpyh
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Re: Feeding 90W AC adapter with two prong plug?

#5 Post by wpyh » Tue Jun 01, 2021 3:55 am

It's not safe, because then you don't get the ground pin. But it's okay, I used to do the same thing. And I actually love it, instead of the bulky 3-prong plug. I envy the Italians in this regard. Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AC_power_ ... nd_sockets

Anyway, in case someone knows: How is the ThinkPad adapters with 3-pin cables (C5 & C6) different from those with 2-pin cables (C7 & C8)? Is the grounding system different? Can I safely use a C6-to-C8 converter on such adapters?
Thinkpad X32 - Thinkpad X60 - Thinkpad X61s - Thinkpad T420s

dr_st
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Re: Feeding 90W AC adapter with two prong plug?

#6 Post by dr_st » Tue Jun 01, 2021 7:49 am

The 2-prong adapters, those without the grounding pin, are something that is called "double insulated". Supposedly it's electrically safe. I still prefer the 3-prong grounded versions where possible, but if your area has 2-prong sockets only, then you have no choice.
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