Adapter

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Adapter

An adapter or adaptor (both spellings in use in UK and US English) is a device

Tool

A broad definition of a tool is an entity used to interface between two or more domains that facilitates more effective action of one domain upon the other....
whose purpose is to convert attributes of one device or system to those of an otherwise incompatible device or system.

Some adapters may only affect physical attributes:

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Encyclopedia

An adapter or adaptor (both spellings in use in UK and US English) is a device

Tool

An electrical adapter may enable connection of a socket
Socket

Socket can refer to:In mechanics:* Socket wrench, a type of wrench that uses separate, removable sockets to fit different sizes of nuts and bolts...
used in one region to a plug
Plug

Plug may refer to:* Plug * Plug , a family of fishing lures* Plug , a planting technique* An electrical connector** DC plug, or DC connector...
used in another by offering connections for the disparate contact arrangements, while not changing the voltage.
A garden hose
Garden hose

A garden hose or hosepipe is a flexible tube used to carry water. There are a number of common attachments available for the end of the hose, such as sprayers and Irrigation_sprinkler ....
adapter can convert between thread
Screw thread

A screw thread is a helix structure used to convert between rotational and linear movement or force.A screw thread may be thought of as an inclined plane wrapped around a cylinder or cone ....
s and quick-release, "snap"-type connections.
One kind of serial port
Serial port

In computing, a serial port is a serial communication physical interface through which information transfers in or out one bit at a time ....
adapter enables connections between 25-contact and nine-contact
D-subminiature

The D-subminiature or D-sub is a common type of electrical connector used particularly in computers. Calling them "subminiature" was appropriate when they were first introduced, but today they are among the largest common connectors used in computers....
connectors, but does not affect electrical power- and signalling-related attributes.

Other adapters may affect electrical attributes:

A transformer
Transformer

A transformer is a device that transfers electrical energy from one electrical network to another through inductive coupling conductors — the transformer's coils or "windings"....
adapts household electric current
Electric current

Electric current is the flow of electric charge. The electric charge may be either electrons or ions.The International System of Units unit of electric current intensity is the ampere....
from high voltage
Voltage

Electrical tension is the potential difference between two points of an electrical or electronic circuit, expressed in volts. It is the measurement of the potential for an electric field to cause an electric current in an electrical conductor....
(100 to 240 volt
Volt

The volt is the SI SI derived unit of electric potential difference or electromotive force, commonly known as voltage. It is named in honor of the Lombard physicist Alessandro Volta , who invented the voltaic pile, possibly the first chemical battery ....
s AC
Alternating current

In alternating current the movement of electric charge periodically reverses direction. An electric charge would for instance move forward, then backward, then forward, then backward, over and over again....
) to low voltage suitable for consumer electronics
Consumer electronics

Consumer electronics include electronic equipment intended for everyday use. Consumer electronics are most often used in entertainment, communications and office productivity....
.