As technology continues to evolve, so does the way we charge our devices. The USB-C port has become the new standard for charging, offering faster charging times and more power output. However, not all devices can take advantage of the maximum wattage output that USB-C ports offer. In this article, we will explore why your device may not be charging at maximum wattage and what you can do to fix it.
Understanding USB-C Charging
Battery Management Processes:
Modern appliances such as laptops and phones have battery management processes that limit the amount of power they draw from the charging source. This means that they will only draw what they need depending on the battery percentage and whether the device is being used at the time. The greater the wattage, the higher the heat, which can potentially damage the battery. Therefore, devices limit their power intake to protect the battery.
Charging Protocol:
Every device has different charging protocols, and the charging device must support it. For example, the EcoFlow uses the standard USB-C Power Delivery (PD) protocol, which allows it to charge devices that support it. When a phone and charger are connected via a data cable, the two integrated circuits will coordinate with each other for the most suitable voltage and current, and the fast charging will only be activated after mutual authentication and "handshake."
Battery Pack that Supports USB-C PD Protocol:
If you want to get the full 100W from a battery pack, you need to find one that supports the USB-C PD protocol, which the EcoFlow supports. This will allow you to charge your device at maximum wattage output, provided your device supports it. A lot of battery packs utilise USB-C PD protocol.
Dell Laptop and USB-C PD Protocol:
Some devices, like the Dell laptop, do not support the USB-C PD protocol, which means they cannot charge at maximum wattage via the USB. The only way to get the high wattage is to connect it with the three-pinned plug. However, the device may not use the highest wattage if it doesn't need it, based on its battery technology and management process.
Samsung Phones and Unsupported Charging Protocol:
When it comes to Samsung phones, there are a few reasons why they may not charge at maximum wattage via the USB-C port. To activate super-fast charging, you need to go into the settings and enable it. Additionally, Samsung says you need the adapter to activate the 9V so you can get it up to 45W. Also, the Samsung has a charging protocol that is unsupported by the EcoFlow. Samsung uses a PPS charging protocol, which is different from the USB-C PD protocol used by EcoFlow. Until EcoFlow adopts this protocol, it won't take the maximum speed.
Battery Draw:
The Samsung phone will only draw 45W when it needs that amount, which is likely at the very start when the battery is very low. Like most modern devices, the battery management process is there to reduce the wattage it takes in to protect the battery. The higher the wattage, the higher the heat, which can damage the battery. Therefore, the device draws what it needs based on the battery percentage.
Graphic by Phonearena.com
Conclusion:
In conclusion, not all devices can take advantage of the maximum wattage output that USB-C ports offer. Battery management processes and charging protocols limit the amount of power that devices draw from the charging source. The EcoFlow uses the standard USB-C PD protocol, allowing it to charge devices that support it. If you want to get the full 100W from a battery pack, you need to find one that supports the USB-C PD protocol.
Samsung and other devices won’t be able to get the max Watt output from the USB- C ports. Later on I will specifically explain why the Samsung phone itself doesn’t draw the max output and why you see 13-15W.
