What Can Turn Your Mobile Phone into BOMB?

The incidents of mobile explosion are one the rise. Learn here why a mobile phone can burst and what you can do to prevent it.

If you are like 90% Singaporeans, you must have a smartphone and must be using various apps in your day to day life. Right?

Be careful as the flashy gadget in your pocket can blast off anytime (just like a time bomb.)

Over the years, many incidents of mobile phone explosions occurred worldwide, whether its iPhone 6 explosion in the plane or bursting of Samsung Grand Duos (alleged) in its owner’s shirt. But it was the blasting of Samsung J7 which made headlines. Such incidents not only harm one’s life, but also give a setback to the manufacturer’s reputation.

Here we have rounded up the reasons why mobile phones explode and what you can do to protect yourself.

Damage:

Lithium batteries are lightweight while there are thin partitions between the electrodes. It means that even a slight damage to the battery may bring the electrodes closer. The contact between the electrode leads to short circuit which cause swelling or potential explosion.

Explosion may also take place if the microscopic metal particles inside come into contact with other parts of the battery cell, which is true in case of some cheaper batteries. The instant reaction will heat the electrolyte and create pressure to gush it out through any breaks in the battery case.

Excessive Heat:

Heat is another notorious reason why mobile phone batteries explode. Excessive heat, which may be due to the overcharging or when the device is being exposed to extreme temperature, can break down the internal cells. Higher heat prompts even more temperature within your battery, which ultimately leads to overheat. Under such pressure, the battery can swell, release toxic chemicals or even burst into flames. This phenomenon is known as thermal runaway.

Overcharging:

What happens when you fill up a bucket with too much water? Same thing goes with your phone battery. Overcharging happens when too much lithium is absorbed by the anode. This was a problem with Ni-Cad and Ni-MH batteries being used in older mobile phones. Today’s lithium-Ion batteries have been built with protection barriers to prevent overheating and overcharging. However, sometime manufacturing defects in the circuitry may affect the battery ability to stop overcharging.

How to Protect Your Mobile Phone from Explosion?

So these are the circumstances when your phone can turn into flames and sparks. Remember, the explosion can pose serious threat to your life. Therefore, follow the measures given below to eliminate such risk factor.

Don’t Buy Cheap or Off-Brand Battery:

Cheap batteries may save you money but they make your device vulnerable to dysfunction and blast. Most of cheap batteries don’t meet the safety standards.

Don’t Charge Wet Phone:

Water and electricity form a “lethal combination” which is not a good thing for your phone.

Keep Your Phone From Direct Sources of Heat:

Don’t leave your phone in parked car during summer or using it near a heat source like heater or stove burner. Also keep your phone out of direct sunlight.

Avoid Too Much Pressure or Stabbing:

Your phone battery may be disfigured with excessive pressure or stabbing. And damage or puncture in the battery may lead to explode (as you read in the very first point of this blog.)

So you must have understood why mobile phone blasts and how you can prevent the one in your pocket from meeting the same fate.