BrightZero® is BrightCharger’s patented charging control technology. It is designed to stop charging automatically when charging is effectively complete (typically at 90-100%, depending on device/battery).

No. Long term, BrightCharger is mainly a technology developer, IPR owner, and solution provider. BrightZero® Smart Plug is currently our main own product, but our broader business model is based on technology integration and licensing.

BrightCharger licenses BrightZero® technology and related implementation rights to selected partners, mainly OEMs, semiconductors, distributors and product brand owners. This may include:

• smart plugs
• socket outlets
• chargers
• charger MCUs / PD chips and related components
• other agreed charging-related product categories

Yes. BrightZero® is based on BrightCharger intellectual property, including patented technology and trademark rights. Our granted patents and IPRs are listed here.

BrightZero® is designed for several charging-related categories, such as:

• smart plugs
• socket outlets
• chargers
• charger control components such as MCUs and PD chips
• other related charging solutions, such as power banks

We work with companies through:

• technology and IPR licensing
• OEM and semiconductor collaboration
• integration support and evaluation projects
• distributor cooperation for finished products

Yes. We support selected partners with integration guidance, application notes, evaluation material, and selected reference design work.

No. BrightZero works on the charger or source side. It is designed to complement, not replace, device-side battery management and safety protections.

No. There is no single exact percentage that applies to every device. In normal use, BrightZero is designed to stop charging after the battery is near full or full, typically around 90–100%, but actual results can vary, based on e.g. battery condition (max. capacity).

Charging behavior depends on the device, battery condition, charger, cable, and software features such as optimized charging in the chargeable device (can be set e.g. to 80 %).

BrightZero is designed mainly to reduce unnecessary post-charge and standby-type energy use. The main benefit is cutting power after charging is effectively complete.

In practical terms, charging can be seen in three stages:

1. Idle power
   The charger is connected to the outlet, but no device is charging.
2. Active charging
   Power is used for battery charging, device operation, and normal charger losses.
3. Post-charge maintenance / trickle-type charging
   After the battery is already near full or full, some devices continue drawing power at intervals while still connected to the charger.

BrightZero is designed to eliminate unnecessary idle power and post-charge maintenance / trickle-type consumption once charging is effectively complete and the device is no longer in active use.

It does not eliminate the energy needed for normal charging itself. Instead, it cuts off the unnecessary power use that can continue after charging is effectively complete.

BrightZero is designed to support better battery care by avoiding unnecessary charging after the battery is already near full or full. Exact impact depends on the device, battery, charging habits, and other conditions.

Yes, many do. Modern smartphones often include charging optimization features. These can help reduce battery stress, but they are usually device-specific and depend on the user enabling the setting or following the right charging routine. The providers also offer manuals for users about manually charging the device correctly to prolong battery life, resulting in extra work for the user.

BrightZero is different. It works on the source side, not inside the device. It is designed to cut power automatically once charging is effectively complete, helping reduce unnecessary post-charge charging and battery stress without relying on device-specific settings or user action.

Many device-side battery management features still keep the device connected to power while it remains plugged in. BrightZero is designed to cut off the power feed at the source and put the charger into deep sleep once charging is effectively complete.

In normal use, BrightZero is designed to stop charging when the battery is near full, typically around 90–100%, depending on the device, battery, charger, and charging conditions. The goal is to support battery lifespan, reduce unnecessary post-charge charging, and improve user convenience.

Source-side charging control matters because it does not depend on one specific device brand, battery system, or software ecosystem. It can be applied across a broad range of charging products and devices.

This is especially relevant for products that do not have advanced battery health controls or easy user-facing charging settings. It can also be useful in products where battery replacement is difficult or costly.

BrightZero is designed to make safer, smarter charging easier for the user by handling the cut-off automatically at the right point.

The main user benefit is simple: less need to think about charging at the right time.

BrightZero is designed to:

• reduce unnecessary post-charge charging
• support battery lifespan
• lower overheating risk
• reduce idle and standby-type energy use after charging is complete

The aim is to make optimized charging easier and more automatic, without requiring the user to monitor settings, battery health features, or charging timing.

BrightZero is designed to stop charging when the battery is near full, typically around 90–100% by default. This range is a practical balance between battery care and everyday usability.

The goal is to avoid unnecessary post-charge stress while still leaving the device with a high charge level for normal use. The exact stop point can vary depending on battery condition, charger behavior, device behavior, and how battery state of charge is measured.

Unlike an ordinary charger, BrightZero is designed to cut off the power feed completely at the source once charging is effectively complete. This helps reduce unnecessary post-charge charging and supports battery lifespan.

Further background on this topic can be found, for example, in these external articles:

https://www.batteryuniversity.com/article/bu-808-how-to-prolong-lithium-based-batteries

https://www.batteryuniversity.com/article/bu-903-how-to-measure-state-of-charge 

There is no single ideal range that fits every device and battery, but in general lithium-ion batteries perform best when they are not kept for long periods at either extreme of charge.

In everyday use, the most practical battery range is often somewhere below full and above empty. Many sources discussing battery care suggest that keeping a battery closer to the middle of its range can help reduce stress over time. This is also why charging to around 80% is often seen as better for long-term battery condition than charging to 100% every time.

Many users notice that once a device is unplugged at 100%, the charge level may drop quite quickly at first. That does not necessarily mean the battery was not full. Battery behavior near the top of the charge curve can vary, and visible percentages are only estimates.

BrightZero is designed with this practical reality in mind. Instead of keeping the device connected to power unnecessarily after charging is effectively complete, it cuts power at the source. The goal is to support battery lifespan while still leaving the device near full for normal use.

Further background on this topic can be found, for example, in these external articles:

https://www.batteryuniversity.com/article/bu-409-charging-lithium-ion

https://www.batteryuniversity.com/article/bu-808-how-to-prolong-lithium-based-batteries

There are many external sources that discuss lithium-ion battery behavior, battery ageing, and charging practices in more detail.

One widely referenced source is Battery University*, which contains background articles on lithium-ion batteries, charging habits, and factors that affect battery lifespan. These materials explain, for example, why keeping a battery at very high charge for long periods can add stress over time.

For example, over time, when battery is charged up to 80% (instead of 100%), it increases useful battery life by 50%, which equals 1 year or more, until the battery becomes useless (=battery’s max capacity drops down to 70%)**.

BrightZero is designed around this same practical idea: once charging is effectively complete, power is cut at the source instead of keeping the device unnecessarily connected to power.

Further background on this topic can be found, for example, in these external articles:

* https://batteryuniversity.com/article/what-causes-lithium-ion-to-die

**https://batteryuniversity.com/article/bu-808-how-to-prolong-lithium-based-batteries

Yes, some chargers and devices already include their own charging control. In many cases, however, this is device-specific and depends on the battery, charger design, and manufacturer ecosystem.

BrightZero takes a different approach. It works on the source side and is designed to support automatic charging cut-off without depending on one specific device, battery type, or voltage range. This makes it relevant across a broader range of chargers and charging products.

BrightZero is also designed to stop charging before unnecessary post-charge stress continues, rather than keeping the device connected to power after charging is effectively complete. For lithium-ion batteries, that is generally a more battery-friendly approach than being held at full charge for long periods.

This is relevant not only for more static products, such as some tools or appliances, but also for mobile and handheld devices that may still be in use while connected to a charger.

Many newer laptops do have battery management and charging optimization built in. When connected to a charger, the system may first charge the battery and then switch to taking power from the grid. After that, it may still top up the battery from time to time to keep it near full, depending on the manufacturer’s settings and user settings.

This helps in some cases, but it does not remove the main issue completely. If a laptop stays connected to power for long periods, such as overnight or over a weekend, the battery can still spend too much time at a high charge level. Over time, that can reduce battery longevity.

That is why many battery care recommendations suggest not keeping a laptop at full charge all the time. In real life, though, many users leave their laptops plugged in for hours or days.

BrightZero is designed to help by cutting power at the source once the battery is optimally charged and the device is no longer in active use. It then sets the charger into sleep. The goal is to support battery lifespan, reduce unnecessary post-charge charging, and improve safety.

Example use case

A user starts the workday with a partly charged laptop and plugs it in during the day.

While the laptop is actively being used, BrightZero is designed to recognize that and allow the laptop to operate normally while charging.

At the end of the day, the user closes the laptop lid and leaves it connected to the charger.

Once BrightZero detects that the laptop is no longer in active use and charging is effectively complete, it cuts power at the source and sets the charger into deep sleep.

This helps reduce unnecessary post-charge charging over long periods, such as overnight or over a weekend, while supporting battery health and safety.

Further background on this topic can be found, for example, in these external articles:

https://www.howtogeek.com/806489/ways-youre-damaging-your-laptops-battery/

1. Plug Smart Plug into a wall socket
2. Connect charger and device
3. Press the button once

LED on means charging is active. LED off means charging has stopped automatically. 

More information at: https://brightcharger.com/smartplug

No. BrightZero® Smart Plug works as a simple standalone product and does not require Wi-Fi or an app.

BrightZero® Smart Plug is intended for charging lithium batteries.

For best results, no. The guidance is to charge one device and one lithium-ion battery at a time. Multi-port chargers, extension cords, wireless docks, and very low-current devices may affect automatic cut-off behavior.

Not always. Smart Plug aims to stop charging at the point that is best for battery life and safety while leaving the device near full, typically around 90–100%.

Check the connections, clean the connector if needed, press the button again, and try another charger or cable. If the battery is fully empty, brief charging without Smart Plug may be needed before trying again.

Restart the cycle and try another charger or cable. Some devices use optimized charging features, and weak or worn batteries may also stop earlier than expected.

Charge one device at a time. Very low-power devices, wireless docks, and weak batteries may not always trigger automatic cut-off reliably.

The product is intended for indoor use only and dry locations only. If the device, charger, or Smart Plug becomes unusually hot, smokes, or makes unusual noise, unplug it immediately and stop use.

Please visit brightcharger.com/smartplug for the latest user guide, FAQ, and product resources.
For support, contact: support@brightcharger.com

Yes. BrightZero can also be integrated into selected charger control components, such as MCUs, PD chips, and related control platforms, depending on the product and business case.

Yes. BrightCharger works with selected partners through technology and IPR licensing models, depending on the product, market, and business case.

No. BrightZero licensing can also apply to smart plugs, socket outlets, charger control components, and other agreed charging-related products.

I am a distributor. Can I work with BrightCharger?

Yes. BrightCharger is building distributor cooperation around BrightZero® Smart Plug and, longer term, around other BrightZero-enabled products and markets.

You can follow BrightCharger on our website and LinkedIn.

For general inquiries, partnership discussions, licensing, or distributor interest, please contact us through our website or email us at support@brightcharger.com.