What is the difference between 12v120w and a cigarette lighter?
2 Answers
The difference between 12v120w and a cigarette lighter lies in their socket functions: the 12v120w socket can only power electric heating wires, while the cigarette lighter socket can power both cigarette lighters and electric heating wires. Both 12v120w and cigarette lighters are power supply sockets in the car and can be used to install dash cams and car refrigerators. The 12v120w indicates that it can provide 12 volts of voltage and can support electrical appliances with a maximum power of 120 watts. Exceeding 120 watts will blow the fuse. The method to use a cigarette lighter is: 1. Turn on the car power and insert the cigarette lighter into the car power socket; 2. Press down and lock it; 3. The cigarette lighter starts heating. When the temperature of the cigarette lighter's heating wire reaches the required level, it will pop out automatically, or you can wait 5 to 8 seconds until the heating wire turns red. You don't need to wait for the lighter to pop out; you can also pull it out manually.
When I take my kids on road trips, I often use the cigarette lighter to charge my phone. The cigarette lighter socket is a standard 12V DC power outlet in cars, with a typical power limit of around 120 watts. Why this number? Because the fuse is rated at 10 amps, and 12 multiplied by 10 equals 120 watts. 12V120W likely refers to the power specification of a device or inverter, reminding you not to exceed the cigarette lighter's load capacity. The difference is simple: the cigarette lighter is the actual socket in the car, while 120W is its safe carrying capacity; 12V120W describes the power value or product limitation. The key point is that exceeding the power limit with your device can blow the fuse, affecting driving safety—for example, plugging in a high-power heater or inverter might cause issues. That's why I usually only connect power banks or small fans. Knowing this limit helps avoid the embarrassment of breaking down by the roadside.
