How does wireless charging work?

Wireless charging is possible by means of electromagnetic induction. Electrical energy is transferred between two objects via a magnetic field, such as a charger and a smartphone, which means you don’t need cables any more to charge a device.

Wireless charging or induction charging is based on Faraday’s law of induction (the man with the cage) and Ampère’s law (the man who gave his name to the base unit of electric current). Current that runs through a coil produces a magnetic field. This coil is located in the charging station. The magnetic field generates current in a second coil, which is in the device itself. The electric charge ensures that the current will run into the second coil.

Which devices can you charge wirelessly?
As we mentioned earlier, the first wireless charging was used for the electric toothbrush. More and more smartphone models are equipped internally with wireless charging technology. Of course, your device does need to have a built-in ‘receiver’ in order to transform the electromagnetic field into current.

Smartphone draadloos opladen
Since brands like Apple, Samsung, LG, Motorola, etc. have fitted their latest smartphones with this technology, wireless charging has been given a veritable boost. The most widely used wireless charging standard is the Qi standard (pronounced: chi), which makes it possible to charge all devices at Qi charging stations in airports or cafés.

If your device does not have this technology, then you can use a specially designed charger case with built-in wireless charging technology. The case establishes contact with your phone via a USB port within the case. This technology is rather cumbersome and so not very popular. The great advantage of wireless charging is that you no longer have to plug in a charger, which is not so with this special case.