What is the voltage of a cigarette lighter?
2 Answers
The cigarette lighter voltage is 24 volts for large vehicles and 12 volts for small vehicles. Below is an extended introduction on measuring cigarette lighter voltage: 1. First, prepare a multimeter and set the dial to the 50-volt position. Do not set it to the current range, as this may damage the multimeter. 2. Then, use the black probe of the multimeter to measure the outer wall of the cigarette lighter socket, while the red probe measures the center of the socket's base. However, be careful to avoid short-circuiting the red probe with the outer wall, which could burn out the multimeter. 3. Finally, the value displayed on the multimeter is the voltage of the car's cigarette lighter.
The cigarette lighter is typically 12 volts, which is the same as the car battery's voltage. When the engine is running, the alternator increases the voltage to around 14 volts to charge the battery. Some people might not be aware of this fluctuation and worry it could affect their devices, but in reality, standard car chargers on the market are designed to handle such variations, so there's no need to worry. However, when using the cigarette lighter, be cautious not to exceed the power limit, as the fuse usually only supports 10A to 15A—overloading it can blow the fuse. I once experienced a sudden power cut while charging, only to find out it was caused by a high-power car fridge. Also, using the cigarette lighter for extended periods with the engine off can easily drain the battery, so be careful with that.
