Power Bank

What is a Power Bank? Power Banks Explained?                                 

A Power bank is portable battery designed to recharge electronic gadget when you don't have access to a regular wall charger. Ranging in size from slim, pocket-sized devices up to larger, high-capacity power banks- they can be used to charge cell phones, tablets, cameras, portable speakers, gaming consoles, or even laptops.

So the concept of a power bank is pretty simple : a rechargeable battery that can be used to charge other devices. However, even if they seem pretty basic, power banks can have some pretty complex technologies built-in.

For example, in order to reduce the risk of malfunctioning, a lot of safety features are added : overcharged protection, discharge protection, short circuit protection, etc.

Other types of technologies frequently seen in power banks are pass-through charging, wireless charging, and fast charging technologies such as Qualcomm Quick Charge, Power Delivery, or PowerIQ. some newer models are even featuring battery techs such as GaN or Graphene technology.

How does a Power Bank Work?

                    

Since power banks are basically regular batteries with some extra features, they work just like any other rechargeable batteries. They first store energy up to their maximum capacity and then release it when connected to a different device that needs recharging. That's the basic gist of it.

Of course, in terms of circuitry, they can be quite complex devices. Besides charging and recharging they also have other features such as safety features, power indicators, quick charging technologies, etc.

What are the different types of Power Banks?

               

Power banks come in many different shapes and sizes to suit different budgets and power needs. There are portable chargers that can be used for just about every device. Most people buy power banks to use them for their cell phones, tablets, or laptops. But some portable chargers can also be used for devices such as drones, mini-fridges, or even CPAP machines.

New portable charger models are coming out every day with new technologies. some power banks even work by harnessing solar energy while others double as a protective case that also charges your phone. In terms of shape, the most popular ones are cylindrical or rectangular, similar to a smartphone or a deck of playing cards.

How to charge a Power Bank? 

                                 

All power banks come with a power input port. The type of port can be different based on the model but micro USB was the most popular one until recently. However, micro USB is slowly being replaced by USB type C ports, which seems to be the new standard for the coming years. So, if you're looking to buy a new power bank, our advice is to look for one with has a USB type C input ports.

The most efficient way to charge a power bank is to use a wall charger that can deliver a high power output. Using a low-quality wall charger that only delivers 2A for example, can extend the recharging time for several hours. For this reason, we have put together a list of the best GaN charges and a different one of the best chargers with Quick charge 3.0 and 4.0.

Other ways to charge a power  bank is using your laptops USB port, a car cigarette lighter, or using a solar charger such as the Anker 21W. however, all these methods are slower and you should avoid them unless you can't access a wall charger.

How long does it take to charge a Power Bank?

This is largely dictated by the size of your power bank's capacity. The larger the capacity of the power bank you decide to purchase, the longer it may take to charge. But other factors can influence the charging speed too, such as the charging technology used. For example, power banks with fast changing features or those built based on the new graphene or GaN technologies will charge much faster than usual.

As a rule of thumb, for a power bank of 10000mAH, the average recharging time is around 4-6h. The fastest ones can charge in under 1h but expect to pay a premium price for that. And the slowest ones might take as much as 8h to recharge. It's best to avoid them if you can find faster-charging options at a similar price point.

How many times can a power bank charge my device?

This comes down to the capacity of your device and the power bank/portable charger. A power bank is measured by its capacity, which is reted in mAH (milliampere-hour.)Generally, the higher the mAh rating of your power bank or portable charger, the more power it will have to recharge your devices. A good rule of thumb is to look at the mAh ratingof the devices you want to charge, and purchase a power bank that has an equal rating (preferably higher).

For example, the iPhone 11 has a 3110mAh rated battery. The XCentz Wingman has a mah capacity of 5000mAh.This would charge your phone back to 100% battery. However it is not an exact science, there are factors to consider such as the power bank's efficiency rating and the condition of the battery in the device you are charging. Read more about the real battery capacity. Of a power bank.

The following set of figures can be used as a rough guide to what kind of recharging capacity a power bank may give you.

Is a Power Bank and a Portable Charger the same thing?

Different terms such as power bank, portable charger, portable phone charger, external battery, external battery pack, etc. all refer to the same type of device. If it's battery that you can use to power a device with its own battery without using a wall socket, It's a power bank.

What type of batteries do power bunks use?

Power banks generally come with either Lithium-polymer (Li-Po) and Lithium-Ion batteries. Of the two Li-Ion power banks are more popular.

In terms of differences between these two types :

• Lithium-polymer batteries have a higher energy density but they tend to have a shorter lifespan and are also more expensive to manufacture. They're also less prone to explosion.
• Lithium-Ion betteries , on the other hand, have a slightly lower energy density but they can withstand more charge/discharge cycles and are generally less expensive. 

Are you allowed to take power banks on flights?

Yes, you can take power banks and other batteried on flights, however, some conditions apply:

• You can only take them in your cabin luggage.
• the battery should be under 100 Wh
• batteries that are between 100 Wh and 160 Wh a special permit
• ideally, the output should be clearly labeled on the device. 

Writer: Mr. Krishan Kumar Saini 

Today we have learnt Basics about Power Banks. Hope this lesson is helpful for you.