Is Using a Phone Safe while Charging It With A Power Bank?
Using your phone while it’s connected to a power bank is becoming an increasingly popular way to keep devices charged and operational, but with the rise of such practice comes certain questions about safety. Are there any risks involved in using a device while it’s connected and charging via a power bank? Let’s find out.
It is usually safe to use your phone while it charges with a power bank. But there are some risks. Ensure the power bank you’re using has the pass-through feature to prevent damage to your device. Only do this when its absolutely necessary.
Why People Using Phone While It’s Connected with a Powerbank?
If you are like me, you probably don’t even have the time to wait for your device to be fully charged. Additionally, many power banks come with multiple ports allowing you to charge more than one device simultaneously, making them even more convenient.
Also If you only have one power outlet and need to charge both your power bank and phone probably, you will try to use your phone while the power bank is connected.
You might be wondering if it’s possible to charge your power bank while using it to charge your phone. The answer is yes, but only if your power bank has a passthrough feature.
If you want to get a basic idea about power bank, refer What Is a Power Bank and Why Do You Need One?
What is Pass Through Charging?
Pass-through charging is a term used to describe a feature that is available on some power banks. This feature allows you to charge both the power bank and your devices simultaneously, using only one power source.
Essentially, pass-through charging means that your power bank can act as a “pass-through” for power, allowing it to be charged while also charging your other devices.
Although this method can be convenient, it can also be inefficient in terms of both time and energy wasted. With pass-through charging, electricity goes back and forth between both devices, resulting in some of the power being lost due to heat dispersion. Furthermore, as power banks are left plugged in for longer periods when using this method, they can start to overheat, increasing the internal temperatures and shortening the lifespan of the device.
One of the benefits of pass-through charging is that it can be very convenient. For example, if you’re traveling and only have access to one power outlet, you can use pass-through charging to charge both your power bank and your device at the same time.
This means that you won’t need to choose between charging your power bank or your device, and you won’t need to wait for one to finish charging before you can charge the other.
It’s worth noting, however, that not all power banks support pass-through charging. Before purchasing a power bank, it’s important to check the specifications to see if it has this feature.
Additionally, it’s important to note that pass-through charging can sometimes be slower than charging your device directly from a power source since the power needs to flow through the power bank first.
More About Pass-through Charging
If your power bank can perform simultaneous charging and recharging, then the ultimate result will be both your device and battery completely refilled with energy.
However, the amount of energy going into the power bank is limited, and only some of it will go into the connected device and some to the unit. So it will take a long time to fully recharge both devices.
What is important to know is the fact that the power bank can’t actually charge and discharge simultaneously. This is because the current can only go in a single direction at a time.
When a phone is connected to a power bank, which is plugged into a wall outlet, then the power will charge the phone. If the charge input of the power bank is larger than its output, then it will also recharge the battery. If it’s not, then it will use up the battery to increase the output power.
However, if the battery goes down to 0%, then the output will shut off, which will allow the power bank battery to take full power from the wall socket. So, if you have a device connected while this happens, it may not get charged until the output is turned on again.
How To Safely Use The Pass-Through Feature?
When using the pass-through charging feature on a power bank, there are a few things you should keep in mind to ensure that you’re using it safely and effectively:
1) Use a high-quality power bank:
When using pass-through charging with a power bank, it’s essential to make sure that the power bank is well-made and reliable. This helps to ensure that the power bank can effectively manage the flow of power between it and your devices. Additionally, many modern power banks come with features such as short circuit protection, which helps provide added safety and ensures that your device remains protected from potential damage during use.
2) Check the specifications:
Before utilizing pass-through charging, it’s essential to make sure that your power bank is compatible with the feature and understand all of the manufacturer’s recommendations or limitations. Not every power bank offers this capability and those that do, may have certain restrictions associated with its use. It is important to review the specifications of your device thoroughly to ensure a successful experience when using pass-through charging.
3) Use a compatible charging cable:
When participating in pass-through charging using a power bank, it is essential to make sure that the charging cable used is compatible with both your device and power bank. Using an incompatible cable could lead to reduced charge times or even permanent damage to any of the involved technology, so choosing the correct cable is vital for optimal efficiency and protection.
Additionally, using an original manufacturer charger or one from a trusted third party can also help ensure reliable and safe charge times.
4) Monitor the charging process:
It’s important to be mindful when using this method. Pay attention to the battery levels of both your device and power bank, as well as any warning signs such as overheating or other issues. Keeping an eye on these things ensures that your pass-through charging experience goes smoothly every time. Additionally, if you experience any problems or concerns, immediately disconnect the devices from each other.
5) Be patient:
Charging with pass-through technology can take longer than other methods, so it’s important to be patient while your devices are charging. It’s best to give the devices enough time to reach a full charge before disconnecting them.
Additionally, keep in mind that if you use a powerbank with a lower capacity, it may take even longer for the device and powerbank to both become fully charged.
By keeping these things in mind, you can ensure that you’re using the pass-through charging feature on your power bank safely and effectively.
It’s also worth noting that some power will be wasted due to power bank electronics when using the passthrough feature compared to charging the phone directly. However, this shouldn’t be a problem if you have a high-quality power bank.
By high-quality power bank I mean a power bank that has a high efficiency and is made of good quality components. This will ensure that not too much power is wasted during the process while still delivering high-performance charging.
Can Pass-Through Charging Affect Battery Life?
Pass-through charging can impact the life of your power bank’s battery. If the internal circuitry of the power bank is designed to match the input and output levels effectively, then the charge capacity may not be significantly affected over time.
However, power banks may lose power capacity after recharging and discharging their batteries. The quality of the power bank’s build can also influence battery degradation. Companies that use pass-through charging typically construct their power banks using robust components, which helps to prevent battery degradation.
To ensure that your connected device and power bank are not damaged, there are two things you should do.
- First, make sure that your power bank has the appropriate circuitry to support pass-through charging.
- Second, it is best to use this feature for a short period of time, such as in an emergency. This will prevent heat buildup while reducing the risk of battery damage.
In my experience, I have found that pass-through charging can be a useful feature to have, especially when I need to charge multiple devices at once. However, I always make sure that the power bank I am using has the necessary circuitry and that I do not use this feature for an extended period of time.
By doing so, I have been able to extend the life of my power bank’s battery and ensure that my devices are not damaged.
Conclusion
In conclusion, as long as your power bank isn’t overheating, you can safely use the passthrough feature. Just be sure to follow the recommended guidelines and keep in mind the potential for wasted power and longer charging times.
