PPB October 2019

Guide ToWireless Chargers Wireless charging is the latest and greatest way to charge mobile devices. It’s easy to use, fast, safe and there’s no fiddling around with cables. But what is wireless charging? How does it work? And how do you explain it to your clients? Supplier Toddy Gear knows a thing or two about wireless chargers and provides the following information to guide you through the maze. What is wireless charging? Wireless charging is a way of charging electronic devices without the use of a cable. In technical terms, it is called inductive charging. For wireless charging, two things are required: 1 A smart device (phone, tablet, etc.) or other electronic device that has a built-in wireless charging receiver. 2 A wireless charging transmitter that connects to a power source (either a wall outlet or via a USB plug). The transmitter comes in the form of a pad or a stand. Once these two things are present, the physical process to charge a device is straightforward. Place the smartphone on the wireless charger and it will start charging instantly. What are the advantages of using a wireless charger? It comes down to convenience, staying charged, true universal compatibility and, of course, decoration and branding. Convenience Wireless chargers make charging a smartphone a breeze. Just set the phone on the charger and it starts charging immediately. There’s no need to worry about not having a charging cable and there are no connector compatibility issues. It’s true universal compatibility. In most instances, there is no need to remove the phone from its case; most wireless charging pads and stands will work through a phone case that’s 3mm to 10mm thick. It all depends on the specification of the wireless charger. Make sure to check the range before purchasing; the larger the range, the thicker the case it will work through. Be aware that cases made of metal will cause issues with wireless charging. There is a reason why Apple dropped its aluminum shell for a solid glass back; wireless charging cannot conduct through aluminum (or any metal). Staying Charged One of the great things about wireless chargers is they allow a smartphone to get a power boost every time it is set down. Say there is a wireless charger in the bedroom, office and the car. Whenever you enter one of those spaces, you quickly and conveniently charge your device, by setting it down on a wireless charger. As a result, the phone’s power stays topped off and the chances of needing to worry about seeing that little red battery symbol at an inconvenient moment significantly decrease. How does wireless charging work? Wireless charging is based on inductive charging. With inductive charging, power is created by passing an electrical current between two coils. When this happens, an electromagnetic field is created. When the receiving magnetic field on the mobile device comes into contact, or even within range of the wireless transmitter, the electromagnetic field generates an electrical current. That current is converted into direct current (DC). Just like with wired charging, the DC charges your device’s battery. Techno l ogy Pr oduc t s | OCTOBER 2019 | 47 GROW