External Laptop Battery Charger Replacement

I just ordered a replacement and the new one has an added little unit.
What is that ? a power surge protector?
See attached image,item circled in red.

 

Was that the same brand and exact model number replacement charger as the original OEM charger?

My "guess" is that actual AC to DC transformer/converter has a two wire output that feeds your circled device. It seems pretty clear by the size and shape of the battery connector that your battery requires more than just two wire connections. So that device splits the output from the transformer as necessary to feed the multiple connections needed by the battery. It may also divide and help regulate (and maybe filter) the voltage output required by your specific battery too, if different from the output of the transformer.

I would also assume that transformer can be used with dozens (if not 1oos) of different batteries in terms of the applicable output voltages and current requirements. But of course with no industry standard for battery connectors, there are probably dozens of different connector types. So my "guess" again is that transformer is the same used for many different notebooks and notebook batteries, and the replacement charger supplier simply supplies the appropriate compatible "connector cable" for the specific battery and/or notebook.