The workplace of the future is mobile – and our end devices must be just as mobile. A powerful and reliable battery is therefore essential when purchasing new devices. In this guide we present the latest charging technology based on gallium nitride (GaN). GaN power supplies combine a compact design with high performance. Read more about the benefits below and discover which devices are already equipped with the technology of the future.
Silicon is passé, the time has come for GaN
Gallium nitride has been used more and more frequently in electronic devices since the 1990s: Originally used in LEDs and solar systems, the crystal-like semiconductor material has now become indispensable in Blu-ray players as well. GaN ensures that the discs can be read.
Gradually, gallium nitride is also being installed in more and more chargers. So far, the most common semiconductor material in power supplies is still silicon. However, the technological development in Si power supplies has reached its limits in recent years and there are only very small advances. The use of gallium nitride makes major further developments possible again.
Compared to silicon, gallium nitride has the main advantage that not as many components have to be installed as with conventional Si power supplies. The devices are kept much more compact. At the same time, GaN has a higher band gap efficiency. For this reason, current can be conducted much faster through a gallium nitride chip than through silicon. This means that the latest connection technologies such as USB-C can be used. The advantage for users: You can charge your compatible devices much faster than with a standard USB-A connection. In this guide, we explain what other advantages a USB-C interface offers.
The increased efficiency also has the advantage that less heat is generated during the current flow and the few necessary components can be installed even closer together. Heat is rather unfavorable for transmissions, because it favors the loss of energy. The more of it that is produced, the more energy is required to achieve the same performance. Looking at GaN power supplies, this means that you need less current than with Si power supplies to get the same charging result. This allows you to save up to 20 percent electricity compared to conventional power supplies.
If you use a fast charger and want to access the full power, you need to make sure that both the cables used and the devices connected are of the same standard. If your USB cable supports more than 3 A, an E-marker must also be installed in the connector. Otherwise there will be a loss of performance.
So far, GaN power supplies are not particularly widespread. However, according to a study by TrendForce, gallium nitride power supplies will account for more than 50 percent of newly manufactured chargers by 2025.
One power pack – many devices: the fast charging stations from Good Connections
One manufacturer already using GaN technology in its product portfolio is Good Connections. The fast chargers offered by Good Connections take advantage of the speed made possible by gallium nitride and therefore prioritize USB connections with the fastest transfer rate: USB-C. However, since not all devices are compatible with the latest USB standard to date, Good Connections gallium nitride power supplies combine USB-C ports with USB-A ports.
GC PCA-W001W: the 1:3 fast charger
Due to the compact design of the individual components, you can charge up to three devices at the same time with the GC PCA-W001W quick charger. It has two USB-C interfaces with a power of up to 90 W per port and a USB-A port with a power of up to 18 W. In addition, it supports the latest charging technologies such as Qualcomm Quick Charge 4+ and Power Delivery 3.0. This allows the power supply to recognize connected devices and communicate with them so that it provides exactly the power required.Charge four devices with one gallium nitride power supply – with the GC PCA-D001W
The GC PCA-D001W even has four connections: two each USB-C and USB-A ports. Depending on the port, it allows you a power of up to 18W (USB-A) or 100W (USB-C) and is therefore even more powerful than the GC PCA-W001W. Both fast chargers are equipped with practical safety features such as integrated short-circuit protection, overcurrent protection, overheating protection, overvoltage protection and overload protection. So you can power your devices worry-free.Conclusion
Gallium nitride (GaN) is the semiconductor material of the future. Due to a higher band gap efficiency, GaN chips can let the current pass much faster compared to silicon chips. In addition, less heat is generated, which is why the chargers can be made even more compact than before. This enables you to supply several end devices at the same time and faster. You will find a wide selection of GaN power supplies in the reichelt online shop.
Images: Adobe Stock
