There are so many different rumors and legends about how to properly charge a tablet that it begins to resemble the lost secret knowledge of the Atlanteans. All kinds of advisers and home-grown specialists, until their voices become hoarse and their fingers go numb (from typing angry publications on forums and blogs), assure the inexperienced user that they are the ones who have the only correct information about the correct method. As a result, we have a pile of electronic gadgets that are discharged right before our eyes and lose their battery capacity within a year after purchase.
There are many versions about how to properly charge a battery.The very history of the development of power sources contributed to the emergence of such a situation. As many people probably know, until some time nickel-cadmium batteries were used. One of the characteristic features of these batteries was the so-called “memory effect”. It was because of this that the first mobile phones had to be “rocked” after purchase (or installation of a new battery) - completely discharged several times and charged again to 100%.
Over time, nickel-cadmium batteries were replaced by lithium-ion batteries - a newer and more advanced technology that does not suffer from the notorious “memory effect”. However, as an ingrained habit, many “experts” continue to mislead their relatives, friends and complete strangers on the Internet with advice to always discharge the device to zero and charge it to 100%. Like, this way it will last longer, and in general, universal electronic happiness will come.
Let's dispel this myth - this method of operating lithium-ion batteries will not only not give a positive result, but can also lead (and even most likely will lead) to dire consequences. The fact is that with modern power supplies in mobile devices (and in addition to tablets, this also includes smartphones, laptops, digital photo and video cameras), both maximum charge and complete discharge are harmful and are fraught with rapid loss of capacity. The correct solution is to maintain it between 40 and 80%.
Most electronic gadgets use lithium-ion batteries Many people probably know that each rechargeable energy source has such a parameter as the number of charge-discharge cycles. With this figure, the manufacturer tells you that this is the number of times you can charge and discharge your device without serious loss of capacity. But few people know that this figure is not fixed and seriously depends on how discharged the battery was at the time it was connected to the charger. The number of charging cycles when used incorrectly (that is, to the charger at the moment when it desperately signals that it is about to turn off) drops not just significantly, but almost by an order of magnitude.
All of the above, of course, does not mean that if you are far from an outlet and your favorite gadget is about to turn off, you urgently need to stop using it. Likewise, it is not a crime to want to charge it to 100% before a long journey. You just shouldn’t make such operating modes the norm.
In addition, you can always charge the tablet, if, of course, the current supplied by the USB ports of the PC or laptop at hand is sufficient.
Another good piece of advice would be to observe the temperature regime. Lithium-ion batteries are very sensitive when used in hot or cold environments. For example, in hot weather, the battery capacity may increase slightly and then it is strictly not recommended to bring the battery charge to 100%. After all, when the temperature normalizes, a phenomenon called “overcharging” will occur, and this can be disastrous for the power source.
In hot weather it is better not to charge the battery to 100% In addition, the question often arises of how to properly charge. The catch lies in the fact that no special manipulations need to be performed. Most modern electronic gadgets turn on quietly after purchase and show the charge level at that same 40%. This is the figure recommended by manufacturers of lithium-ion power supplies for long-term battery storage, and manufacturers of all kinds of electronics are well aware of this.
Let's summarize: in order for your device to last longer, you just need to follow:
- maintain a constant charge level within 40–80%;
- do not allow the battery to be completely discharged;
- do not charge the battery to 100%;
- Always carry the cable from your device with you. Even if you don’t have a power outlet at hand, you can always charge your tablet via USB;
- Do not use the device in extreme heat or cold;
- Prefer short charging cycles over long ones. Do not charge your gadget overnight or use “smart sockets” that turn off after a set number of hours.
Video on how to properly charge your tablet:
By following these simple rules, you will ensure a long life for your tablet's battery and save your own money and nerves.
Each device: tablet, smartphone, e-reader or laptop comes with its own chargers. At least that was the case until recently. Nowadays, most modern smartphones and tablets have a Micro USB connector, and this is becoming a standard. Against this background, the question arises: is it possible to charge all your gadgets through one charger?
Despite the fact that over time more and more chargers are produced according to a single standard, several types of chargers are still widespread:
- Laptops. Unfortunately, we have not yet come up with a single standard for charging laptops and netbooks. There is no universal connector, which means that each device needs an individual charger.
- 8-pin connectors(lightning connectors) for Apple gadgets. Since 2012, Apple has standardized on the 8-pin connector, and now all devices released after that year: iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, iPad Nano, can be connected using a charger certified and developed by Apple.
Older Apple devices have a 30-pin connector, and for those who still have them, Apple produces lightning to 30 pin adapters.
- micro USB chargers. All new smartphones, including Android and Windows Phone devices, come with a standard micro USB connector, so there is no need to select individual chargers for them, as for older mobile phones. To meet this standard, Apple offers Lightning connectors → Micro USB adapters.
Can I charge any device with a connector? Micro USB from any charger Micro USB?
In theory, every Micro USB charger can be plugged into a device with such a connector, which means it can be used for any device, be it a smartphone, tablet or even a laptop. Very convenient - if you buy a new smartphone or tablet, you can charge it with an old charger. The only difference is the voltage and current, but more on that later.
You can also charge the device from a laptop using a Micro USB→USB adapter.
Dangerous chargers
The HP Chromebook 11 is the first laptop to use a Micro USB connector for charging. Most laptops require more power and cannot be charged this way.
But this laptop was also withdrawn from sale due to reports of overheating of the charger, which could cause a fire. An HP spokesperson advised users who purchased the HP Chromebook 11 not to use the original chargers that came with the device.
You can continue to use your laptop by charging it using one of the micro-USB chargers tested by Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (US Standards and Certification Company), for example, from a tablet or smartphone.
You will easily recognize chargers that have been tested and approved by Underwriters Laboratories Inc. - they have the “UL Listed” logo.
This means that the charger has been tested for safety and will not cause a fire or shock you. But in some cases, even proven chargers can cause trouble, namely when the device’s battery is faulty. So the cause of a fire can be either a non-original cheap charger or an equally cheap, uncertified battery.
Voltage and current
All USB connectors are designed for a voltage of 5V. This means that you can safely connect the charger to the device via micro USB.
Another thing is the current strength. To charge the device faster, chargers increase the current, which is measured in amperes (A). The chargers that come with Android tablets are rated for higher amperage than similar devices for Android smartphones. For example, a tablet charger is rated at 2A, while a smartphone charger is only rated at 1A.
If you connect a smartphone charger to a tablet, the tablet will charge very slowly because there is not enough current to charge properly. If you try to charge your smartphone using a tablet charger, nothing bad will happen, and your smartphone will not explode or catch fire.
Most likely, the smartphone will not take the maximum possible number of amps that the charger provides, so everything will be fine. Maybe the smartphone will charge just a little faster.
Unlike phones, the requirements for tablet chargers and their characteristics are different compared to telephone ones. The fact is that not all tablets support charging via USB.
Charging subtleties
For example, the Samsung Galaxy tab charger has an external diameter of 2.5 mm, and an internal diameter of 0.7 mm - these are standard sizes. This is the only way to charge the tablet; charging via USB is simply not possible due to the wiring of the board. Even if this were possible, it would require about six to seven hours of a full charging process. But when used from the mains, charging time will require half as much. Of course, the owner of a tablet will not benefit in practicality, but in speed and charging and saving time - yes.
The Samsung tab charger is a regular power supply that provides not only charging, but also operation of the tablet from the mains. The distinctive features of this device are reliability and practicality; nothing supernatural is needed. The charger performs all tasks assigned to it accurately and reliably. She is able to cope with small current fluctuations in the electrical network, this is enough. If there is a serious failure, the Samsung tab charger will take over the drop, leaving the tablet safe and sound.
The characteristics of the device do not stand out in any way among its colleagues that charge tablets and phones from other manufacturers. The cost is about 100-150 hryvnia, which is actually not that much for high-quality charging. Specialized online stores offer a wide selection of different chargers; these can be both high-quality copies and cheap analogues, which also do a good job with the responsibilities assigned to them.
note
The charger for Samsung galaxy tab should not creak, the components should fit perfectly together, and the plug should have no visible defects. One of the common breakdowns is the breakage of the power cable, which can be solved by simply eliminating the defect and fastening the cable while observing the polarity of the wires. In principle, repairing a cable is a simple matter, unlike repairing the charger itself. Therefore, try to buy a high-quality analogue that will last for many years. And in no case pay attention to the colorful packaging; usually the device covered with it is made of low-quality plastic and cheap elements that will last a maximum of six months or a year at best.
