Note: The Intelligent Charging System has been retired. Check out our Quick-Sense Charging Hubs with USB-C PD technology, which provide improved power management and advanced charging capabilities.
The Intelligent Charging System was first developed by JAR Systems in 2008 to help charge sets of devices more efficiently from a single wall outlet.
For instance, plugging a charging cart with 30 laptops into a single 15A outlet isn't possible, as the combined power draw is too high for the outlet. This will likely cause a tripped circuit. To get around this problem, the power must be distributed so that not all of the devices are receiving power at the same time.
To accomplish this, some charging carts use a basic timer or electrical switch that turns on one power strip at a time to charge for a set period (20 minutes, for example), then switches to the next power strip for another 20 minutes. The timer continues to switch back and forth a few more times until all of the devices are presumably done charging or until someone physically turns it off. This method is commonly referred to as "round-robin," and it works—but we knew there was room for improvement.
The Intelligent Charging System was designed to measure the amount of power draw from each of the connected power strips (up to four) using power current sensors. When a user initiates charging, the system turns on power to as many strips as possible without exceeding 15A. If all of the connected devices' batteries are completely dead, the system will turn on just one power strip to start. Then, when the devices connected to that strip are no longer drawing as much power, the system will turn on the next strip so that two strips are charging simultaneously. It will continue this process until all four power strips are charging at the same time. The less power draw the devices require, the faster all of them can be charged simultaneously. The system turns off all of the power strips automatically when charging is complete.
The Intelligent Charging System's method provides a more even charge throughout the set of devices, which is especially important when there is not enough time to fully charge all of the devices before they need to be used again—and you need each device to have at least a partial charge. The Intelligent Charging System outlives most common cart timers, saving your organization the cost and hassle of frequent replacements. The system also features an internal circuit breaker, which can protect your devices from power surges.
The Intelligent Charging System also offers a secondary charging mode called "Manage Mode." This mode charges all of the devices in the same way as the regular charge mode, but after the devices reach full charge, the power strips remain on. This is particularly useful if all or some of the devices are not fully powered down. A user can initiate Manage Mode and leave the premises for the day, and when they return the next morning, all of the devices will have been maintained at full charge—regardless of whether they were turned off or not. This mode can also be used in device check-out scenarios, where devices are returned to the cart at various times. Additionally, it enables network management, since a constant power supply is required (hence the name "Manage Mode").
The Intelligent Charging System supports auxiliary devices as well, so you can plug in fans, printers, network switches, and more. However, users should be aware that using auxiliary devices during a charging cycle may extend the time it takes for all of the devices to fully charge.