Frequently asked questions
Most frequently asked questions are available on this page. Click on a topic to expand the questions. If you do not find what you were looking for, please contact us.
(click on a category to expand it)
Technical specifications
+
How much power can PbC© deliver ?
Most common transmitters are rated for 100W, following the USB-C Power Delivery specifications. But we already made some higher power transmitters, up to 1000W for Clear Power Fuze Carts for example.
How fast does it charge?
As fast as a cable.
Which devices does PbC© technology support?
Only devices equipped with a PbC© receiver. Receivers can be embedded in almost any device, or they can be adapters to add on the device.
How does PbC© technology work ?
Through the contact between the transmitter tiles and the receiver electrodes. Thanks to a detection system, the transmitter detects what is placed on its tiles and actives them only when a receiver device is detected and approved.
Do the devices have to be placed precisely on the surface?
One of the main advantages of Power by Contact© technology is the drop and charge feature: there is no need to position your device precisely on the surface, it can be positioned anywhere on it as long as the receiver electrodes rests on the transmitter tiles.
How many devices can be powered at once ?
There is multiple factor for this.
– The number of tiles on the transmitter, as a receiver needs at least two tiles to charge.
– The power input of the transmitter, it cannot deliver more than its input.
– The form factor of the receivers. If the receiver covers all the transmitter tiles, it will be impossible to charge other devices simultaneously.
Can you charge devices at different voltages ?
Multi-voltage is one of the best Power by Contact© feature : it can charge receivers requiring different voltages simultaneously on the same transmitter, thanks to the communication between the transmitter and the receiver, which determines the voltage required and adapts the load accordingly.
Integration
+
Why choose conduction over induction ?
Induction has many disadvantages: difficulty of integration, high cost, modification of the product design, low charging speed, charging on a single point, interference and most of all a power limit.
Power by Contact© technology brings reliability and efficiency to the charging, allowing users to charge multiple devices simultaneously at the speed of a cable, without energy loss and interference. Moreover it can be easily integrated into any electronic device at low cost.
Do I need to redesign my products to make them PbC compatible ?
You can either :
– Enhance your product by embedding the PbC technology directly inside it. In most cases you only need to upgrade the product design, not doing a full redesign.
– Use an appropriate external adapter without the need to modify your products at all, and retrofit existing products.
Are energysquare technologies protected with intellectual property ?
All aspects of Power by Contact© technology are covered and protected by an international patent portfolio.
energysquare has been supported by France Brevets, an intellectual property investment fund created by the French government.
Can energysquare coexist with other charging technologies ?
Power by Contact© technology can coexist with other charging technologies. The choice will be left to the user to charge his device with a wire, a dock, or on a Power by Contact©charging pad
Safety
+
Is it good for batteries ?
Power by Contact© technology has been designed to replace traditional wired charging standards. Our technology is therefore optimal for any type of battery, as it can be integrated on top of the device’s original charging standard. In addition, PbC technology adds multiple layers of protection and monitoring, turning any basic charger into a smart one.
What happens if a liquid or a conductive object is put on the charging surface ?
Power by Contact© technology continuously detects what is placed on the charging surface. If a liquid is spilled on it, or if a metallic object is placed on it, the detection system will determine that it is not a device to be charged, and the surface will remain inert: no current will be sent, and there will be no short circuit.
Is PbC© certificated ?
As the technology does not emit electromagnetic waves and operates at low voltage, energysquare has no certification issues: Power by Contact© technology has received CE and FCC certifications.
How safe is energysquare technology?
energysquare‘s Power by Contact© technology has several layers of protection: software, hardware, and electronic design. The sensors embedded in the charging surface are able to identify precisely what is positioned on it, and the charge is activated only when a compatible device is detected. When no device is detected, the surface remains passive. Our intelligent charge management system prevents any risk for the user or the device.
Does transmitters emit electromagnetic waves ?
Power by Contact© is a conduction charging technology, so it does not emit any electromagnetic waves, unlike induction charging technologies. This has many advantages for electronics manufacturers and users: no interference, no overheating of components, no energy losses and no health risks.
Durability
+
Are the transmitter easy to maintain ?
Some simple maintenance, such as wiping the surface with a cloth when it is dirty, will keep the surface as good as new. As energysquare‘s PbC technology relies on electrical conduction, physical contact is needed and thus it will not work if the surface is covered by a layer of solid material. Our tests showed that the surface needs to be fairly cleared, keeping enough electrical contact even when covered with some fluids or dirt.
Is PbC® technology durable ?
Power by Contact© technology is designed in a way that electronics and mechanics are separated: circuits are placed underneath the conductive elements, and isolated from shocks and possible damage caused by use. As the conductive parts can be customized, it can be designed as robust as necessary.
Could not found the answer you were looking for ?