Behind the growing prosperity of the power bank market, the phenomenon of false capacity labeling occurs from time to time, which not only damages the rights and interests of consumers, but also disrupts the market order.
First, the reasons for the false capacity labeling phenomenon are relatively complicated. In order to pursue higher profits, some unscrupulous merchants deliberately exaggerate the capacity of the power bank cells in the product labeling. They may use low-quality cells with substandard capacity, but label them according to the capacity of high-standard cells. For example, the actual capacity of the cells used by some small workshops is only 5000 mAh, but it is marked as 10000 mAh on the product shell. In addition, in the testing stage, some non-standard test conditions are also used to create the illusion of false labeling. For example, the capacity is calculated with a lower voltage discharge threshold or a shorter discharge time, thereby obtaining a falsely high capacity value, misleading consumers into thinking that the power bank has a strong endurance.
Secondly, accurate capacity testing methods are crucial to regulating the market. A commonly used method is the constant current discharge method. After the power bank is fully charged, it is discharged at a constant current, and the voltage, current, and time parameters during the discharge process are recorded by a professional power monitoring instrument. For example, the power bank is discharged at a current of 0.5C (C is the rated capacity of the battery cell) until its output voltage reaches the cut-off voltage. According to the formula: Capacity = Current × Discharge Time, the actual capacity of the power bank is calculated. This method can more accurately reflect the real capacity of the power bank under different loads because it simulates the actual working state of the power bank when it is powering the device.
In addition, there is a test method based on a coulomb meter. A coulomb meter can accurately measure the amount of charge passing through a circuit. During the charging and discharging process of the power bank, the coulomb meter records the amount of electricity flowing into and out of the power bank. By comparing the charge and discharge amounts, and taking into account factors such as the energy conversion efficiency of the power bank itself, more accurate capacity data can be obtained. However, this method requires a high accuracy of the coulomb meter, and a calibrated high-precision coulomb meter is required to ensure the reliability of the test results.
Finally, in order to put an end to the phenomenon of false labeling of power bank capacity, industry supervision and the improvement of consumer awareness are essential. Regulatory authorities should strengthen supervision and inspection of the power bank market, formulate strict capacity labeling and testing standards, and increase penalties for false labeling. When purchasing power banks, consumers should also choose regular brands and channels, pay attention to product reviews and reputation, and avoid being deceived by products with false capacity. Only in this way can the power bank industry develop in a healthy and orderly manner, allowing consumers to truly enjoy the convenience brought by power bank products that meet their expectations.
