In 1899, an inventor named Nikola Tesla began experimenting on wireless power transfer. More than a century later, his dreams have been realized. We now have wireless charging technology.
Making phone charging painless and effortless has been one of the most prominent problems to phone manufacturers. Wireless power seems to be the solution to this challenge. Basically, you just place your phone on a charging pad to charge. It is that simple.
But is it safe to use wire technology for mobile charging? Well, this is the question we secretly dread. Before tackling the question head-on, it is important we understand how wireless technology works or check SolarGenerator.guide’s appliance power guide for more hints.
How does Wireless Charging Work?
Wireless charging involves transferring power from an outlet to your device without using a connecting cable. The process requires a transmitting pad and a receiver which are sometimes inbuilt or designed as a case attached to your device.
The technology is based on induction. Inductive charging involves passing an electrical current through two coils creating an electromagnetic field. The magnetic field generates electrical current when a magnetic plate and transmitter are within a specified range of the transmitter coil. Induction works by feeding power to a charging station.
When the receiver coil interacts with a magnetic field, it creates an electric current. You can transfer power wirelessly from base to a device by putting the second coil inside the device.
Electromagnetic induction forms the basis of modern wireless charging. Most wireless chargers only work within a short distance. What’s more, the physical contact between the base unit and device is not necessary for induction to take place. However, the fields lose more power as the devices get farther away.
The main wireless charging standard is Qi. Wireless Power Consortium developed this standard for inductive charging of up to 40 millimetres. The other standard is Powermat.
Currently, major phone manufacturers have adopted wireless charging technology. This includes Sony, Nokia, LG, Apple, Samsung, HTC, Motorola, Blackberry, and Huawei. Several wattages can be applied to mobile charging, including 5W, 7.5, 10W. Some devices like Huawei Mate 20 Pro support 15 W.
Is Wireless Charging Safe?
Wireless charging is definitely safe, but let’s face it, there are concerns about electromagnetic fields (EMF) emissions from wireless chargers. High levels of EMF can cause adverse health effects, such as insomnia, depression, anxiety, and suicide. The good news is that wireless charging emissions are negligible, very low to have any detrimental impact. According to a study by the World Health Organization, exposure to low EMF emission does not cause health problems.
So, there is nothing to worry about. The fields generated from the average induction are no dangerous than radio waves. They are not strong enough to cause any effect on our bodies.
In addition to that, induction components can be sealed in plastic. The unit is therefore waterproof and well-sealed. On the other hand, cables pose a momentary risk of shocks and fraying you during plugging and unplugging.
So, why is wireless charging unpopular? First of all, it is slow. While wireless charging has undergone seismic revolution over the years, cable charging is still relatively faster. Also, the system produces so much waste heat that some charging pads are fitted with a fan. But that’s not all. The major problem is practicality. Although you can use your phone while plugged in a charger, using your smartphone while placed on a wireless base station is quite tricky and there are security issues as well – companies that issue smartphones to employees might not want to staff charging wirelessly, this applies to phone-to-phone charging that is prevalent in high-end mobile phones.
The only concern should be on the type of wireless charger you use. Low quality and fake chargers can damage your battery or phone. Some people are misled to buy these chargers due to their attractive cost-saving feature. However, you will end up paying more in the long run when they damage your devices.
Similarly, improper use of wireless charging can be harmful. Always ensure your charger has proper ventilation to avoid overheating. Some wireless chargers are designed to turn off automatically once the battery reaches full charge to prevent the charging pad from overheating.
Does Wireless Charging Affect the Lifespan of Your Phone Battery?
Degradation of phone batteries is inevitable in the long run. What makes your battery last longer is charging it periodically. Avoid keeping the battery percentage from varying too widely. The best strategy is to keep the battery charge ranging between 45% and 55%.
Perhaps being too much sensitive to your smartphone charging is not the best thing. Why am I saying this? Most manufacturers design phone batteries to last about three years. So, if you replace your phone at least once during this time, charging rates should not worry you too much.
As you know, it is always safe to use authentic devices. The same thing can be said about wireless chargers. Here is another thing. While wireless charging may take longer than the conventional chargers, it is still the safest alternative to power up your device. And the better part? It eliminates the messy use of cords that sometimes cause accidents.
Wireless charging boasts of sealed system. This means that there no exposed port or naked electrical connectors making the product safe. It, therefore, protects users from hazardous accidents. Most importantly, the device is almost waterproof since charging port is not needed.
So What are the Pros and Cons of Wireless Charging?
Pros
- It is a safe way to power your phone
- It easy simply to use, simply by placing your phone on a charging pad
- It does not strain your phones charging ports
Cons
- Wireless charging is relatively slow especially for designed with quick charge technology
- You cannot use it while charging
- Not all phones support wireless charging
Most car models come with in-cabin wireless charging. Some car models that have electron Qi charging specification include Audi, Chevrolet, Hyundai, and Nissan. In addition, there over 5000 public Qi charging locations spread across the world.
Conclusion
In conclusion, wireless charging technology is definitely safe. No doubt about it. It is arguably even safer than traditional charging. This is because there is little contact with sockets, cables, and power supply since It is enclosed in a thick plastic case. Modern phone models have Qi charging specification. It is definitely the future of smartphone charging.
