The alarms went off yesterday: the explosion of a mobile phone that was being charged overnight on top of a sofa was the origin of the recent fire in Guillena (Seville) in which four people died. What exactly happened? Charge the battery smartphone Does it pose a real risk? Experts agree that the probability of this happening is remote, although various factors such as overheating or excessive charging, the use of low-quality chargers, a strong impact, intense heat or internal failures of the phone can increase the chances of a fire or explosion occurring.
The key is in the material in which the batteries are currently made, not only in mobile phones, but in practically all the devices that we use on a regular basis: tablets, eReaderscomputers, scooters and electric bikes… This is lithium, a material that conducts electricity excellently, but which at the same time is very thermally sensitive, heating up or catching fire in specific circumstances. The question is obvious: what can we do to prevent this type of accident from happening and prevent it?
Batteries with protection
The truth is that practically all manufacturers include technologies and tools that help protect batteries to prevent them from overheating and from deteriorating so quickly. They are especially indicated for when charging is carried out at night: basically what they do is that, upon reaching a certain percentage of charge – the usual thing is 80% or 85% – the process stops to reduce the temperature.
To ensure that this option is activated, you must go to the device settings. In it iPhone It is located within the Battery option and, there, Optimized charging; and in the Android in the Battery saver option and then Smart battery. In addition to having this feature activated, what other measures can be taken to protect the battery while charging? These are the main ones:
Always use original chargers or well-known brands. It is important that they meet safety standards and also discard them if they have deteriorated (for example, if the cable has frayed).
Disconnect the mobile from the power when it is fully charged. One of the factors that causes the battery temperature to increase more is when it is still plugged in and 100% has already been reached. In addition, experts recommend the 20-80 rule to minimize the degradation of this component and extend its useful life. Basically, it consists of preventing it from discharging below 20% and trying not to charge it above 80%, thus avoiding the so-called tension zones, which accelerate the degradation of the battery because they are less efficient, require more energy and generate more heat.
Never charge devices on flammable surfaces such as fabrics or papers, since they catch fire easily and, in the hypothetical case that a problem arises with the battery, they cause the fire to spread at high speed. Therefore, always better on a table.
Avoid exposing devices to extreme temperatures. In fact, heat is one of the factors that most affects this component, both on the phone and on any other device: it affects its useful life, its charging capacity and can cause deterioration of the screen or board. The technical sheets of all devices include their optimal operating temperatures, which usually range between 0 and 40 degrees.
Charge your mobile at a temperature between 16 and 22 degreesand never do it under the sun’s rays, close to heat sources – radiators in winter, for example – or in any other place where the temperature is high.
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