Unless you’re a tech nerd, charging terms are most likely going to make your head spin. But with brands trying to one-up each other, it’s in your best interest to know what some of this jargon stands for—so you can tell which brands are touting the highest-grade of accessories.
Rather than whipping out your phone each time you inspect a new, sleek power bank, cable, or charging station, we have assembled here a list of charging terminologies with dictionary definitions sure to help you out. From the impressive-sounding Power Delivery (PD) and the high-tech Gallium Nitride (GaN) to the scientific Watts, Volts and Amps, Energea presents the ultimate beginner’s guide to charging terminology.
Technologies and Standards
Fast Charging Protocols
Fast charging protocols are an almost universal feature found in most smartphone chargers, allowing communication between devices and chargers to prevent overheating or overcharging, enabling the possibility of a faster charge compared to a regular charger, usually from 15W to 100W or more.
Power Delivery (PD)
Power Delivery, or USB Power Delivery, is a universal charging specification that enables fast and safe charging through dynamic power adjustments, particularly in voltage and current. It offers better performance compared to standard charging, and is capable of accommodating larger devices, which require more power, including laptops.
Quick Charge (QC)
Quick Charge is a proprietary fast-charging technology developed by Qualcomm. It is commonly used in Android devices and adjusts voltage progressively to optimize the charging process—perfect for giving phones a quick boost.
Programmable Power Supply (PPS)
Programmable power supply is an advanced charging technology that allows for the control of output voltage and current. Some PPS can also adjust their output automatically and in real-time.
Trickle Charging
This is a slow charging process that supplies just enough power to ensure your battery is adequately full—in other words, at a rate equivalent to its self-discharge rate. It is suitable for small USB devices like True Wireless EarBuds to prevent overcharging.
Magnetic Wireless Charging
Magnetic wireless charging is a form of charging that involves electromagnetic induction. It operates by transmitting power through an inductive coil situated within the charging station or pad, which then creates a magnetic field. This magnetic field induces a current in the coil within the device, allowing the battery to charge without the need for physical connectors.
Gallium Nitride (GaN)
These chargers contain gallium nitride, the semiconductor material often found in electronics. They are used in replacement of silicone, producing less heat and handling higher power levels for better charging efficiency. This allows chargers to be smaller in size, yet still feature optimal heat dissipation properties.
E-Marker
The electronic marker, often shortened to E-marker, is a chip used in USB-C cables to enable communication between the cable and connected devices. E-Markers are required in USB-C cables that support higher power levels (above 60 watts or 3 amps) and ensure the cables meet safety standards and can work reliably with the devices. Additionally, the chip also relays the cable’s data transfer capabilities, ensuring compatibility with high-speed standards like USB 3.1 or Thunderbolt.
Safety and Protection
Battery Management System (BMS)
A battery management system oversees and manages the charge and discharge process of a device’s battery pack, including its voltage, current and temperature. It helps protect the battery from damage, thus increasing its lifespan. It is configured to trigger safety measures, for example temporarily disabling a phone when overheating, allowing it time to cool down.
Battery Optimization
Modern smartphones come with a battery optimization feature to enhance the battery's efficiency and lifespan. It helps your device consume power more effectively, ensuring longer usage times and reducing wear on the battery over time. It reduces unnecessary battery drain by managing background apps, limiting excessive notifications, or adjusting brightness and performance settings. Optimized battery charging involves picking up the user’s charging behavior and adjusting the charging speed to ensure the device is on full power when required.
Overcharge Protection
Overcharge protection is another measure for safeguarding battery health and preventing safety hazards like battery overheating and fires. It works by regulating the charging process to prevent the battery from exceeding a certain voltage, such as by cutting off the charge current once the threshold is reached.
Overcurrent Protection
Likewise, overcurrent protection limits the current flowing through the charging circuit, sidestepping issues like overheating or battery damage.
Units and Measurements
mAh (Milliampere-hour)
mAh stands for milliampere-hour, a unit of measurement for a battery’s charge capacity. As a point of reference, 10,000 mAh power banks can keep your smartphone charged throughout the day.
Watt (W)
Watt is a unit of power that is used to determine the speed of charging. The higher the wattage, the faster a device can charge.
Volts (V)
In charging, volts are used to measure the “electric potential” needed to push the current through—essentially, to charge your device.
Amps (A)
Amps, or ampere, tells you about the flow of the electric current. A higher current contributes to faster charging. Amps and Volts work together to ensure safe and optimal charging if compatible.
Connector Types
USB-C
USB-C is the most widely used connector today for transmitting both power and data. It is rectangular with rounded edges, and reversible. It is now considered the universal connector for a range of devices, including smartphones, laptops and tablets.
Type-A
Type-A, or USB-A is another recognisable USB type featuring a bigger rectangular connector. It connects to the host device, with the other end facing the peripheral device. However, most newer gadgets now utilize USB-C, as it has faster charging and transfer capabilities—meaning USB-A is slowly being phased out.
Lightning Cable
The Lightning cable used to be Apple’s primary connector for its entire ecosystem, from iPhones and iPads to AirPods. It is a narrow and reversible connector with eight symmetrical pins on each side. In 2023, the European Union (EU) mandated that all new phones adopt the USB-C charging port, prompting Apple to abandon the Lightning cable.
Wireless Charging
Wireless charging is sometimes used interchangeably with inductive charging, but more broadly refers to charging without the use of a cable and plug. Qi and the newer Qi2 are wireless charging standards developed by the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC). On the other hand, MagSafe is Apple’s proprietary magnetic wireless charging technology, known for using magnets to align the device with the corresponding accessory, for example chargers and car mounts.
Get the Best of the Bunch at Energea
With our glossary of tech terms at your disposal, you can make more informed charging decisions, whether you’re shopping for power banks, cables, wall chargers or others. A few of these could even fine-tune your charging behavior. Curious if you’re making any charging mistakes? Find out here.
Stay ahead of the curve with Energea’s range of cutting-edge charging accessories, designed to deliver optimal performance and reliability.
