Support - Frequently Asked Questions
Customer Support Questions
General Questions
- What is Powermat?
- What is the Powercube?
- How can you call this wireless charging if the Powercube has a wire?
- Do I need to buy a receiver for my device to work with Powermat?
- Why do I have to put something on my device?
- Is Powermat planning to work with any OEMs to embed the receivers directly into devices?
- Can the receivers be left on my device or are they only for charging?
Technical Questions
- What is Powermat technology?
- Does the Powermat system send power at all times?
- How much power does Powermat draw when in standby mode?
- How fast does Powermat charge as compared to other standard chargers?
Safety/General Use Questions
- Is Powermat technology safe?
- Does this endanger my family and kids in any way?
- Is there any danger from the magnetic fields?
- What standards does Powermat comply with?
- Can you charge the Powermat through the USB port (by attaching the port to a computer)?
- Is there any risk to my mobile device or to my battery in using Powermat?
- What happens to my credit card or hotel key if I place it next to Powermat?
Customer Support Questions
How do I return my web order?
Returns of merchandise purchased from this website may be made within 30 days of receipt for a full refund of cost of the merchandise. The total of your return will be credited to the charge card that you used at the time of your purchase (minus shipping and handling). If your item is defective, damaged, or incorrect please call Powermat Consumer Relations for assistance at 1-888-856-6783. see full details 
How do I register my Powermat?
Thank your for purchasing a Powermat product. You can now register your product online by visiting our Product Registration page.
General Questions
What is Powermat?
Powermat is a revolutionary wireless charging technology. It allows users to wirelessly charge multiple devices simultaneously and eliminate the tangle of wires that accumulate in the home and behind work stations. Powermat is a 2 part system pairing a sleek, ultra-thin mat with receivers that attach to your device, enabling you to charge by simply placing those devices on the mat.
Powermat is:
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Simple
Just drop and charge and skip the constant plugging and unplugging
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Fast
Charges as fast as or even faster than your device’s charger
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Clean
No spaghetti of wires – charge up to 3 devices from one plug
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Smart
Automatically stops charging once the devices are fully charged
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Safe
Eliminates overloaded outlets and power strips
What is the Powercube?
The Powercube was designed as the ultimate “on-board” accessory for your Powermat and is the most cost effective, catch-all solution to charge hundreds of devices including Bluetooth headsets, eBooks, phones, music players, games and more. There are probably already numerous devices in your home that can be charged with Powermat. Plus, it can be very handy when friends and family visit and need to charge their phone or other device.
How can you call this wireless charging if the Powercube has a wire?
While the Powercube does have cord that plugs into your many devices, the power transfer between the Powercube and the mat is completely wireless. You are still charging up to 3 devices wirelessly off of the same one cord.
Do I need to buy a receiver for my device to work with Powermat?
You can charge almost any hand held device with the Powercube that is included with your Powermat, but to experience the freedom of Powermat to the fullest, you will need to buy dedicated receivers that attach to your device. These are sold separately to offer the greatest individual choice and allow you to build the system that works best for you. Today, there are dedicated receivers for the iPhone, iPod Touch, several BlackBerry models and Nintendo DS Lite and DSi games. Many more dedicated receivers will be introduced in Q2 2010.
Why do I have to put something on my device?
Your device must be able to communicate with the Powermat so that it can charge wirelessly. Powermat receivers were designed to work within the aesthetics of your device while providing the benefits of wireless charging.
We are already working with the major handheld device makers to embed our systems directly into their products so that one day in the very near future you will be able to charge with nothing extra on your device.
Is Powermat planning to work with any OEMs to embed the receivers directly into devices?
Yes, we are already working with many of the major handheld device makers to embed our systems directly into their products so that one day in the very near future you will be able to charge with nothing extra on your device.
Can the receivers be left on my device or are they only for charging?
The receivers are designed to be left on your device. You attach them just once and from then on can simply place your device on the mat to charge. Receivers vary by the individual device for which they are customized, but as an example, the cases for the iPhone and iPod Touch are protective cases similar to those many use on a regular basis but with the added benefit of Powermat technology.
Technical Questions
What is Powermat technology?
Powermat technology is a combination of magnetic induction (a phenomena of physics discovered by Nikolai Tesla in the late 1800’s) and Powermat’s own proprietary technology, which together deliver the fastest and most efficient wireless charging. Additionally, Powermat technology can be miniaturized to a level where it can be embedded into devices, walls and tabletop surfaces.
When a device is placed on the Powermat, the mat will actually detect the device itself – what product it is, what its power requirements are, how full or empty its battery is – and send the right amount of power to that device. And Powermat technology will charge as fast or even faster than the charger that came with your device.
Not only that – when the device is fully charged the Powermat can actually detect this and will stop sending power. This is a feature we call auto-termination, and it not only saves energy but will also protect your device and prolong its life.
Does the Powermat system send power at all times?
The Powermat system does not send any power to the access points on the mat unless needed. A data authentication protocol establishes a “handshake” between the receiver and the mat. Only a successful handshake will trigger power transmission. The connection is monitored at all times and the power transmission ceases once the connection is broken or the device is fully charged. While the system does draw minimal power in standby mode, it is far less than what 3 individual chargers would draw in standby mode.
How much power does Powermat draw when in standby mode?
Powermat draws less power in standby mode than the vast majority of chargers for handheld electronic devices. Powermat utilizes advanced power management as well as an Energy Star Level V power supply to maximize energy efficiency. In internal testing, the Powermat system (with 3 access points) drew less than half a watt in standby mode, while most comparable chargers supporting 3 devices could be expected to draw, on average, 50% more wattage.
How fast does Powermat charge as compared to other standard chargers?
Powermat charges electronic devices as fast or faster than the original chargers that come with the devices. Internal device-specific comparison testing shows that charging speed/time ranges from the same as with the original charger to 35% less with Powermat. On average Powermat charged 9% faster than comparable (original) chargers. Specific examples include: Blackberry at approximately 11% faster, Apple at 7% faster and Nokia at 14% faster.
Safety/General Use Questions
Is Powermat technology safe?
Yes. The system uses a low voltage for energy transmission, is efficient, complies with all relevant standards (CE, UL, EMI, etc.), and the energy transmission starts only after the handshake process between the receiver and the mat is successfully completed and ceases immediately when the device is removed or fully charged.
You can spill water on it; drop a paper clip on it; put any metal or non-metal object on it – nothing will happen. It is totally passive until a Powermat receiver is brought into contact with the mat and the product is identified by the mat. Plus, Powermat meets all relevant safety and regulatory standards including FCC, which ensures that no harmful waves are being emitted.
Does this endanger my family and kids in any way?
The opposite is true: First, the technology is ‘child safe’ as Powermat helps to reduce undesired interaction of children with electrical outlets. Your children no longer plug their devices into the wall socket; they just place their enabled devices on the mat.
Second, it helps eliminate the possibility of sparking between plugs and outlets and, therefore, reduces the risk of electric fires. A significant amount of the fires are caused by a spark between electric plugs and outlets. By eliminating the use of multiple electrical outlets, we reduce the potential for overloading and sparking. Once connected to the wall, Powermat is a spark-free alternative.
Finally, Powermat also helps reduce the risk of overloading the electrical splitter.
Is there any danger from the magnetic fields?
No, there is no danger.
What standards does Powermat comply with?
Powermat system adheres with the following North American and International standards:
- NORTH AMERICAN STANDARDS
- UL,cUL,FCC, NOM
- Energy Star v2.0 (power supply)
- EISA 2007
- INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS
- CE/CB - EMC Certificates
- CE/CB – Safety Certificate
- Energy Star v2.0 (power supply)
- RoHS
Can you charge the Powermat through the USB port (by attaching the port to a computer)?
The USB port on our mat is for power output as opposed to input so no; you cannot charge the Powermat through it.
Is there any risk to my mobile device or to my battery in using Powermat?
No. There is no risk to a device or battery since the Powermat system mirrors the charging characteristics and profile of the device’s original power supply.
What happens to my credit card or hotel key if I place it next to Powermat?
There is no damage to credit card type cards (HC cards) while hotel key and similar cards (LC cards) are significantly more sensitive. These types of cards can be damaged by a standard mobile device such as a cell phone as well as Powermat.
LC and HC (Low/High Coercivity Definitions):
- LC Cards: Examples of LC magnetic cards include hotel keys, train/metro cards, paper cards and collectively all cards produced by machines at the POS, e.g. kiosks at train stations.
- HC Cards: Example of HC magnetic cards are Credit Cards, Club Cards (frequent flyers cards).
Bottom line – keep your hotel keys away from your Powermat (and your mobile devices) while your credit cards are totally safe.
