Hardware

How Wireless Charging Technology Works (Qi vs PMA), and How Businesses Can Use It

Electromagnetic conduction offers a way to streamline mobile device charging. But is it really better than standard alternatives?

Doug Bonderud

Doug Bonderud is an award-winning writer capable of bridging the gap between complex and conversational across technology, innovation and the human condition.

Organizations are constantly chasing productivity. Being able to work efficiently is key to maintaining smooth workflows and clear communication, particularly in a remote or hybrid work environment.

Despite the potential distractions, working remotely doesn’t mean that employees are less productive. In fact, 63 percent of workers feel they can be more productive working from home, according to FinancesOnline. Engagement has shown to be a key element for achieving this, as companies that have high employee engagement have 17 percent higher productivity, according to Dynamic Signal.

Human-focused efforts are central to this approach, but it’s also critical for companies to provide employees with tools and technologies that can help them make the most of their environment. This means removing operational barriers and reducing wasted time.

This is the potential of wireless charging technology: By cutting the cord and decluttering workspaces, businesses can fix one common staff frustration and facilitate functionality. But how does wireless charging work? What standards exist, and why does it matter? Are wireless options faster, safer or worth the investment?

Here’s what you need to know.

How Does Wireless Charging Technology Work?

Wireless charging leverages the concept of electromagnetic induction, which occurs when an alternating electric charge across an induction coil produces a fluctuating magnetic field. This field is then used to transfer power between a charging station and target device.

Despite its recent uptake for mobile technologies such as smartphones, tablets and wearables, the concept of induction charging was first explored by English physicist Michael Faraday in 1831 and further refined by Nikola Tesla; his “Tesla coil” was capable of wirelessly powering other devices at a small distance. In fact, many homes already contain wireless chargers in the form of electric toothbrushes; the base is the charging station, and the toothbrush is the powered device.

Here’s how it works in practice: Wireless charging stations are plugged into standard AC outlets. Alternating current is then run through copper induction coils, which produce an oscillating magnetic field. This field creates an alternating electric current in a mobile device’s receiver coil, which is then converted into direct current using a rectifier and applied to device batteries.

Most wireless charging pads are capable of transmitting power only a few centimeters. Larger coils make it possible to send a charge over greater distances, and it’s also possible to improve transmission by causing multiple transfer coils to resonate at the same frequency.

What is Qi Charging?

While induction-based charging forms the basis for wireless power potential, two standards have emerged to deliver this power to devices: Qi and PMA.

WATCH: Learn how businesses are using tech to meet the moment, both with employees and customers.

Qi uses the 100-205 kilohertz band to provide wireless charging, and, as noted by the Wireless Power Consortium, there are now more than 3,700 Qi-certified devices on the market capable of providing 5 to 15 watts of power to personal mobile devices.

What Is PMA Charging?

The Power Matters Alliance charging standard leverages the 277-357kHz band to provide power. Also known as the AirFuel Alliance Standard, this wireless option provides power from up to 50 millimeters away, allows the use of devices while charging and permits the charging of multiple devices at once.

Qi Charging vs. PMA Charging

Although these two standards both use induction charging and have similar component frameworks, they’re not interoperable. Devices require different configurations to support PMA and Qi. And while many newer devices contain the necessary hardware to leverage both charging standards, the market is undergoing substantive changes, with PMA founding member Powermat making the shift to Qi, which has been adopted by Apple as its wireless charging standard.

Is Wireless Charging Faster?

For employees, wireless charging offers the advantage of simplicity. There’s no need to search for specific connectors or untangle snarled cords in home offices or at corporate workstations. Employees simply set down their device and it starts to charge.

The caveat? Speed. As noted by a recent piece in The New York Times, charging an iPhone XR with Apple’s 12-watt wired charger boosted the battery by 38 percent in 30 minutes, but using one brand of wireless charging station for half an hour produced only 24 percent charge.

Is Wireless Charging Safe?

No matter their form, all power transfer methods produce heat. Best-of-breed wireless chargers will have undergone extensive testing to reduce total heat output and will offer failsafe features that shut down charging stations if heat exceeds a specific threshold.

Foreign objects are also a safety concern, especially if they’re made of metal. For example, a coin or set of keys accidentally placed on a charging pad could cause it to start transferring power, potentially melting the object and damaging the charger. Here, it’s worth opting for wireless charging devices that offer foreign object detection to help reduce the risk of accidental power provision.

Put simply? Wireless chargers are safe to use so long as they conform to common charging standards, and they offer reduced risk when paired with automatic overheating and foreign object detection.

With mobile devices now the backbone of business operations as companies look to find a balance between at-home and in-office frameworks, simplicity has become a critical facet of work productivity. Wireless chargers provide a low-friction option to reduce complexity and safely boost staff productivity.

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