Conductive wireless charging or simply conductive charging uses conductive power transfer to eliminate wires between the charger and the charging device. It requires the use of a charging board as the power transmitter to deliver the power, and a charging device, with a built-in receiver, to receive the power. Once the charging board recognizes the valid receiver, the charging begins.
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Conductive power transfer uses a conductor to connect two electronic devices in order to transfer energy. It is therefore not a form of wireless power transfer, which explicitly does not use conductors. In the area of cellular phone chargers, phones are equipped with an attachment such as a sleeve which, when placed on the charging board, transfers energy to the phone's battery.
Inductive or conductive charging
Inductive and conductive charging are two types of wireless charging. Again, this is not to be confused with "wireless power transfer".
Inductive charging
Inductive charging involves mainly through space'' the use of an induction coil which produces an electromagnetic field via a charging station where energy is transferred to an electronic device which is also equipped with a corresponding induction coil. The electronic device receives the energy from the magnetic field and then reconverts it into usable electric current which charges the device's battery and a second induction coil in the portable device takes power from the electromagnetic field and converts it back into electric current to charge the battery. One critique of this method is the potential for energy loss as the distance created between the device and the charging board means energy transfer is less efficient.
Conductive charging method
Conductive charging requires a physical connection between the electronic device's battery and the power supply. The need for a metal-to-metal connection between the charger and the device requiring charging is one of the main drawbacks of this method. To accomplish this without the use of physical cords connected to wall outlets, special attachments are made from electronic devices which are fitted with technology that can detect when the device makes connection with the power source, often a charging base. Conduction based wireless accessories may include changeable backs for cellular phones, special sleeves and attachable clips. The electronic devices, fitted with these accessories, are simply placed on the charging base. The base is able to detect when a compatible device has been placed on it and begin the battery charging process. These charging bases are usually designed to be able to distinguish between human and metal contact so that there is no risk of electrocution.