Image: Jason Hiner/ZDNET.
Over the past year, you may have noticed many USB charger manufacturers talking about GaN, or gallium nitride, technology. But what is this technology? What are the advantages ? Should you now change your charger for a new one incorporating this technology?
To answer these questions, we will talk about chemistry, physics and electronics. Let’s go !
What is gallium nitride?
Gallium nitride – whose chemical formula is GaN – is a crystalline semiconductor with special properties, used in electronics for decades. First introduced in LEDs, in the 1990s, where it was used to emit light to televisions and computer screens, it is later found in solar panels, where it is used to convert light into electricity.
Today, GaN has found a new place in the world of transistors, replacing the industry’s favorite semiconductor until now: silicon.
What is a transistor and why is GaN technology better?
A transistor is a tiny electronic switch that opens and closes very quickly.
Gallium nitride has several advantages over silicon when used in transistors: not only are GaN transistors smaller than silicon transistors, they can carry more energy, switch faster (around 40 million times per second, or about four times faster than silicon transistors), and they are much more energy efficient.
While silicon transistors have an energy efficiency of around 87%, GaN transistors take this efficiency to over 95%.
What are the concrete advantages of GaN technology?
Reducing the size of transistors means that new GaN USB chargers can be physically smaller than older silicon-equipped chargers.
But size isn’t everything. And the most important argument in favor of this new technology is its increased efficiency. Indeed, the more efficient an electronic component is, the less waste heat it generates. And the less heat loss there is, the less risk there is of overheating. The charger therefore requires less cooling to operate safely.
The faster switching also means that a GaN transistor inside a charger can better control charging and respond to events such as overheating or overvoltage much more quickly than older transistors.
This increased efficiency and faster switching is essential for modern USB-C chargers, as USB-C supports increasingly larger loads, with charges of 100W per port and above now common, and 240 W chargers that will soon be a reality.
The advantage of this technology is also that a single charger can have several high-efficiency ports. With a GaN multiport charger, it is therefore possible to replace several old chargers.
Do you need a GaN charger?
GaN technology has many advantages. However, is it necessary to throw away your old USB chargers and replace them with new ones with this technology?
If your chargers still work properly…keep them. We don’t need additional electronic waste!
However, if you need to change them, or you need a more compact charger or one that runs cooler, then you should opt for a GaN USB charger. You will benefit from the most modern technology at minimal additional cost.
And to find out if the charger you want is equipped with GaN technology, just look on the box or on the display that comes with it: the marketing will definitely mention it!
Source: ZDNet.com