THE charge our smartphone It is a recurring topic of debate on some aspects: charging it in airplane mode is better, the order in which we connect the cable and the charger, and the myths of fast charging are just a few examples. It is normal for the user to worry about the health of the battery, it is not in vain, it is what allows us to make the mobile phone truly mobile.
However, and even if we want to disconnect it from the power supply as soon as the battery percentage is recharged, sometimes a smartphone spends hours and hours plugged in: this is the case of using our old phone as a WiFi repeater, as a timer to study, as security cameras or as a baby monitor. Do you have doubts when using a smartphone that is permanently plugged into the mains? We clean them.
Is it safe to leave a cell phone plugged in 24/7?
The quick answer to this question is a resounding yes: a phone can suffer from some issues due to its worst enemy, heat, especially its battery. However, if you use an old smartphone for some of the above tasks, or for any other task that requires it to always be plugged into the charger, you can rest assured. It will not explode or cause a fire..
Modern mobile phones have protection mechanisms against overloads and short circuits, which protect the components from certain conditions that could render them unusable. On the other hand, the charger also has protections against overcurrents, overloads, overvoltages and other alterations of the energy flow.
They also have thermal protection, which causes them to be deactivated or charge reduced to stabilize high temperatures that would damage their components and avoid, in extreme cases, fires. For its part, the mobile phone has different ways of avoid overheating
In addition, the latest trends to avoid the degradation of the internal battery are to leave the percentage around 80%, in order to extend its useful life. And this precisely makes the batteries heat up for less time, which is also particularly interesting if you use an old mobile phone permanently connected to the socket.
Does this mean that it is safe to leave a cell phone plugged in? Not at all. As you may have guessed, there is one very influential element that should not be overlooked: the charger itself. It is the responsibility of this accessory that there is a constant charge and that no problems arise during its use.
Don’t skimp on a quality charger
We said that there is no risk in leaving a mobile phone always plugged into the mains and that is how it is safe very few exceptions. This does not mean that when we go to buy a mobile charger, we should opt for a quality charger, preferably from a proven brand with extensive experience.
The quality of its components will determine that the mobile will not suffer breakdowns during the time it spends charging, such as possible overheating or power surges. This fact is more important today: many manufacturers have thrown away the charger
Therefore, if you use a poor quality chargerYes, we would take some risks. Added to a possible defective cell phone or adverse conditions such as extreme temperatures or poorly ventilated environment, we could have an accident.
This is still not normal: Fire incidents are extremely rareusually occur with devices that have already suffered failures or damaged batteries (a swollen back is a clear symptom). And in the same way, the cable also matters, or rather its interior: the materials used in lower quality materials are less efficient and can generate more heat.
The recommendations are simple. Choose licensed or official chargers, check that they are of good quality, and if you can, opt for a GaN charger. This will entail a greater expense, but in this way we will be safer if we leave a phone plugged into the socket all day. Also remember to keep the environment where it is well conditioned: pleasant temperatures and without elements that can concentrate heat. Thanks to these measures, our house will not burn down because of an old mobile phone.
Cover Image | Microsoft Designer with Editing
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