About the Power Bank
As portable electronic devices have become a crucial part of modern life, keeping them charged is a constant concern. Some products do not hold enough charge to last a full day of heavy use, and it can be difficult to get access to a mains power supply to plug them into, or to find enough time to sit by a power supply waiting for the device to charge. These problems have created a large market for the power bank, a portable charger which can be connected to a wide range of devices including the iPhone, iPad and Android devices.
Like all portable chargers, the PowerBank is very easy to use. It comes with a USB cable which simply needs to be plugged into the device that needs to be charged, in the same way that a charger cable would usually be inserted, and turned on for charging to begin. It is available in many different designs, including various colors and sizes. Some PowerBank models have a key chain attached so they can be added to a keyring. They are all small enough to carry around in a purse, pocket or briefcase.
Charging the Power Bank
One important thing to remember about the power bank is that, like the device itself, it needs to be charged up to work. Therefore, it’s a good idea to charge both the device and the power bank at the same time before going out for the day or away on a trip. This provides the maximum amount of power possible to transfer to the device without any use of a mains power supply.
The power bank can be charged by plugging it into the USB port of a computer or laptop. The power source must be turned on for the power bank to begin charging. Alternatively, for users who don’t have a personal computer, it can be charged from a wall socket with the assistance of an electrical adapter that accepts a USB cable. A power bank will charge more quickly from a wall socket, and will take approximately twice as long from a computer.
Most power banks feature LED lights which indicate how much power it has. This is useful both when the power bank is being charged, and when it is charging the device. In the case of the PowerBank, the LED light is red while the PowerBank is charging up, and the light turns off when it is fully charged. It automatically stops assuming power from the computer or mains supply when it’s full, to prevent over-charging.
