Smartphone Battery Tips: What Causes Phones to Explode and How Can You Prevent Them?
We Give You the Reasons Why Devices Explode So You Can Protect Yourself
Just recently, Samsung enforced a total pull out of the Galaxy Note 7 worldwide due to issues with the battery pack. Reports said that some units actually exploded upon charging. As drastic as it sounds, it really did and could happen with anyone. With this, then why do smartphones explode? And what can we do to prevent it from happening?
What Might Cause for Your Device to Explode?
As history of tech products has already taught us, product recalls are totally normal if it entails added safety and security for the users. Mobile phones have long been using battery packs made of lithium-ion. These battery packs are some of the most stable power sources currently in the market, so they rarely react explosively. However, there are two main reasons that may cause this.
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The first reason is leaking. Dropping the device, along with the battery inside of course, may cause a tear in the battery material which can induce internal short circuit. This may lead to swelling and eventually lead to explosion. On the other hand, cheap batteries provided either by the official manufacturer or third-party vendors may inadvertently pack microscopic metal particles. These might make contact with other battery cell parts, which again may lead to internal short circuit.
The second major reason is heat production. It is common knowledge that charging devices produce heat in the process. However, if a product does not have a proper heat management system or if it is faulty, internal short circuits may again occur. Do take note that certain amounts of heat are normal, as energy transfer takes place while charging. Be wary though of above normal temperatures while plugged in.
Overcharging the device might also cause this, as batteries receive more current than they can handle. A majority of modern mobile phones now have safety features to prevent this, but some faulty devices might have been missed. A lot more technical processes go into this discussion, but that's the general idea of why and how battery packs explode.
What Can You Do?
Here are some safety measures of what you can do to prevent battery pack explosions from occurring.
Stick to Manufacturer Chargers
The original chargers provided by the device manufacturer always come with safety precautions. They are fully optimized to work together with that particular device and model. The voltage, current, and overall performance of all components have been scientifically measured to certain safety standards. This is especially true when using quick charging features.
Don't Let the Device Be Too Hot
As mentioned above, a certain amount of heat would be acceptable for charging devices. However, when the phone becomes too hot for comfort, then it is usually a sign for you to unplug it. Also make sure that the back of the phone is not covered entirely to allow for proper heat dissipation.
Don't Overcharge the Device
Some users have the habit of leaving their phones plugged in at night as they sleep. While it is true that most devices already have safety precautions and are smart enough to stop juicing up when already full, the battery still has the tendency to gain more power than it can handle. Also, putting the device on the bed or under the pillow may cause it to overheat, even if unplugged.
Charge Your Device in Safe Places
We must look at a safe place for charging the device, meaning that it must not also present hazardous elements. Avoid plugging in near extremely hot places, and also where direct sunlight is abundant. Also check for wet areas as even waterproof phones usually don't have waterproof chargers. Also avoid placing the phone near edges where it might easily slip. Remember, the leading causes of battery explosions are battery leaks due to falls and overheating.
