Essential to our devices is their power source. Power banks are a part of our lives, making it convenient to keep our devices running. They have built-in rechargeable batteries that keep our phones, tablets, and laptops running.
You probably have a routine every night, putting your devices on charge before slipping into bed. But what happens when they are full? Older, fewer known brands were known for overheating when they were fully charged.
Has technology improved this condition? Depending on which model you purchased, it can be safe to leave your devices on charge all night. Here we discuss the details surrounding power banks, what happens when they are fully charged, and how improvements keep us connected in a more efficient way.
What Happens When Fully Charged?
We usually charge our devices when we are not using them. This is usually when we are working, handling household chores, or at bedtime. Putting your device on charge before bed is the norm for most people so that you are assured to have a fully charged phone in the morning.
Modern power banks deliver improved capacity and efficiency when charging and now come with safety features that stop charging when they are full. They are now outfitted with a voltage regulator that lets them know just how much power is needed and when to stop charging. Popular brands include chipsets that guard against voltage surges, high temperatures, and overcharging. This prompts the power bank to switch to trickle charging mode. At that point, the power bank begins to just take enough power as the self-discharge rate. It is important to read through your power bank’s manufacturer’s guide and follow their recommendations on charging time.
Smart Circuitry
We have enough to worry about. Now, this is one less thing that should take up space in your mind. In former models throughout the years, it was thought unsafe to leave batteries charging overnight.
With advances in technology, now once your battery charges, it stops charging. Most power banks have built-in protection to stop devices from overcharging. If the circuity that tells it to stop charges malfunctions. There is another integrated circuit that will stop it from charging once fully charged. This is what you will find in most of the newer power banks. This is to stop battery damage.
Overcharging Is not a Problem
Power banks offer a series of safety features that protect against overcharging. One of those features is overcharge protection. To pass safety regulations, power banks need to have this.
Your battery will not degrade from overcharging with modern power banks. High-quality power banks provide overcharge protection, detecting the upper limit of the terminal voltage and cutting it off when your battery reaches the limit. The integrated circuit continuously detects the state of the battery and stops your device from charging when the accumulator completely loads. It works by monitoring the heat in your power bank using a resistor. The resistance gets smaller with higher temperatures. It reacts to the change and stops the loading process. So, your power bank will not continue to charge a full battery.
Keep Your Power Bank in Good Shape
To get the most out of your power bank, follow these tips:
- Keep your power bank at room temperature and avoid excessive temperatures.
- Charge your power bank fully before the first use.
- If you have not used it in a while, charge it to keep it in the best condition.
- Only use your power bank for the device it was meant for.
- Keep your power bank away from moisture.
Summing it All Up
All of us, at one time or another, will leave our phone connected to a power bank after it is full. We are busy or sleeping and need to trust that our devices will be okay when charging. Rest assured it’s safe to leave your phone connected. Just make sure you choose a quality and reputable brand of the power bank. Less expensive brands may leave out the over-current, overcharged, short circuit, discharge, and high-temperature protections. Choosing a trusted brand and reading your power bank manufacturer’s guide can help you ensure that you have the right power bank for your needs.
