Abstract: A leakage reduction circuit is described herein that is configured to reduce high voltage leakage that may occur in electrical power step-down scenarios. The leakage reduction circuit, for instance, may be employed in a power adapter for a client device, such as a mobile computing device. For example, a power adapter may include a high voltage alternating current (AC) input, and circuitry for converting the AC input into lower voltage direct current (DC) for output to a client device. Implementations of the disclosed leakage reduction circuit include an arrangement of capacitors that provides a noise return path (e.g., for common mode noise) in a power adapter, while reducing high voltage leakage that may occur from a high voltage AC input to a lower voltage DC output of the power adapter.

Abstract: Anti-arcing circuits are described herein that are configured to prevent or substantially mitigate arcing when a power adapter is connected/disconnected from a client device. The anti-arcing circuit restricts power supplied when a connection of a connector of a power adapter to the adapter interface is not fully established. The anti-arcing circuit is further configured to detect when a connection is made and remove the restriction to supply power for operations of the client device. In one approach, the anti-arcing circuit includes two different paths and components associated with a detection mode and operational mode respectively. In the detection mode, power supply is suppressed and a current pulse may be sent to determine if a connection is established. If current is detected, a switch is made to operational mode and power for normal device operations is supplied.

Abstract: A leakage reduction circuit is described herein that is configured to reduce high voltage leakage that may occur in electrical power step-down scenarios. The leakage reduction circuit, for instance, may be employed in a power adapter for a client device, such as a mobile computing device. For example, a power adapter may include a high voltage alternating current (AC) input, and circuitry for converting the AC input into lower voltage direct current (DC) for output to a client device. Implementations of the disclosed leakage reduction circuit include an arrangement of capacitors that provides a noise return path (e.g., for common mode noise) in a power adapter, while reducing high voltage leakage that may occur from a high voltage AC input to a lower voltage DC output of the power adapter.

Abstract: Anti-arcing circuits are described herein that are configured to prevent or substantially mitigate arcing when a power adapter is connected/disconnected from a client device. The anti-arcing circuit restricts power supplied when a connection of a connector of a power adapter to the adapter interface is not fully established. The anti-arcing circuit is further configured to detect when a connection is made and remove the restriction to supply power for operations of the client device. In one approach, the anti-arcing circuit includes two different paths and components associated with a detection mode and operational mode respectively. In the detection mode, power supply is suppressed and a current pulse may be sent to determine if a connection is established. If current is detected, a switch is made to operational mode and power for normal device operations is supplied.