What is Wireless Charging?
Wireless charging, also known as inductive charging, is a newly introduced approach to charging mobile-phone batteries. This method uses induction from the electromagnetic coils in the phone and charging platform to transfer power.
Photo by While this new concept is convenient for phone users, it may actually be causing phone batteries to weaken and degrade over time. Because both phones and chargers naturally radiate heat, when a phone is placed directly on the charging platform, heat can transfer, and generally, there is no safeguard to prevent excessive heat exposure between the two.
In the article, “Bad News: Wireless Charging Is Probably Killing Your iPhone’s Battery” by iDropNews, the author mentions how this method of charging is not only potentially damaging, the amount of heat radiation can amplify if coils are misaligned within the phone or charging pad. They note how wireless charging systems may increase the amount of power to compensate for this misalignment.
Studies Prove that Inductive Charging can be Damaging
Researchers have even done some studies that prove these hypotheses to be likely. One study determined that properly aligned coils within a phone will cause the iPhone temperature to raise up to seven degrees hotter, while another study showed that misaligned coils would also raise the temperature up seven degrees, but at a much quicker rate, and the temperate would remain at this caliber for longer.
The article also provided some tips to help prevent the potentially harmful effects of wireless charging, including ensuring coils are aligned, not charging in heat, avoiding phone use while charging, and using a fan.
Sticking to Quality-Made Cables Can Save your Phone
While there are safety precautions in place, simply avoiding wireless charging altogether and using wired charging may help protect against unwanted battery damage.
Using compliant cables as opposed to wireless charging will help ensure that your devices are properly and safely connecting to each other, ensuring these devices are maintaining their proper function. With that said, it’s still vitally important to use quality-made cables when charging phones. Our blog, “What are the Dangers of Manufacturing and Using Untested USB Cables?”, explains the many consequences of using and manufacturing poorly-made cables.
The good news is that using known-good cables is easier than ever with the help from Total Phase. Our cable testing solution, the Advanced Cable Tester v2, is the only tool of its kind that performs a complete, comprehensive analysis on cables ranging from USB, Apple Lightning, and video – covering some of the most popular, widely-used cable types on the market. With just one tool, users can test a variety of cable specifications, flagging any inconsistencies and unsafe measurements within pin continuity, DC resistance, E-Marker, quiescent current, and signal integrity. For Lightning cables specifically, users can also run Lightning specific tests including over-voltage, Lightning plug bring up, and quiescent current consumption.
Because this tool is designed for mass-scale production testing, this tester will provide a complete report of a passing or failing cable in just seconds, so maintaining a cost-effective and efficient quality control system is achievable.
For a quick demonstration on how to use the Advanced Cable Tester v2 and an overview of the criteria that is tested, please check out our video: Testing USB, Apple Lightning, and Video Cables with the Advanced Cable Tester v2.
If you have further questions on how the Advanced Cable Tester can help ensure safety and quality in your cables, please email Total Phase at sales@totalphase.com.