The Signs and Dangers of Bulging Batteries
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Have you ever had a phone or laptop casing crack even though you never dropped the device? This could be a sign of a dangerous occurrence – a bulging battery.
Offices are largely relying on mobile technology solutions these days. This includes more reliance on laptops, tablets, and mobile phones. Most of these devices use lithium-ion and lithium polymer batteries.
Mobile devices make up approximately 60% of the average company’s endpoints.
A serious problem that these types of batteries have is the possibility of a bulge, where they can get nearly double in size. This bulging is caused by excessive heat that produces a build-up of gas. The gas build-up causes the battery to grow in size and bulge out.
Common causes of this problem include the lack of a “smart charger” on the device which stops the flow of electricity when the device is at 100%. Overcharging is a common cause of bulging batteries.
Another cause is simple overheating which can come from multiple causes. This includes things like exposure to high temperatures (over 95°F), improper cooling due to fan malfunction, using a laptop on a soft surface that blocks vents, etc.
Signs of a bulging battery include the following:
The screen of your device appears slightly bent
The device case is coming apart even though it hasn’t been damaged or dropped
The back casing popping off your phone
The touchpad or keypad seems to be lifting off the device
The device rocks even when put on a flat surface
There is a noticeable bulge on the device
Why is a Bulging Battery Dangerous?
It Can Explode and Catch Fire
If a bulging battery isn’t taken care of right away, the pressure of the gas buildup can cause the battery to burst, exploding and causing a fire. This can be extremely dangerous, especially if you’re holding the device at the time.
The potential for the battery exploding is why you need to get this issue addressed immediately.
It Can Crack the Device Casing
Bulging batteries are literally swelling in size, so they’re expanding larger than the casing was designed to accommodate. This can lead to damage to the screen, casing, keyboard, and other components of your device.
There Can Be a Dangerous Off-Gassing
If the battery swells enough to crack, there could be off-gassing of the built-up gas, which could be toxic if you have the device nearby. For example, if you’re talking on your phone at the time the gas escapes.
Performance & Internal Components Can be Impacted
With excess heat build-up comes the potential for the internal components of your device to get overheated and damaged. This will typically impact performance and you’ll notice that your device is no longer working as expected.
Tips for Preventing Bulging Batteries
Don’t Expose Devices to Excess Heat
Don’t leave your mobile device or laptop in a hot car or sitting out in the sun. Lithium-ion batteries don’t like heat, so it’s important to keep that in mind. It’s also not a good idea to charge your devices in direct sunlight or near a heat source.
Ensure Vents Aren’t Blocked
The term “laptop,” in retrospect, might not have been the best name. It’s not advised for laptops to be put on soft surfaces, like your lap or on a blanket because the vents can get blocked, causing heat buildup.
Always use your laptop on a solid surface to prevent this from happening. There are plenty of lap desks out there that can give you the ability to have the device on your lap safely.
Use Only the Approved Device Charger
There are tons of cheap knock-off chargers that you can find online, but all of them may not be built to the same safety standards. The same is true for those “fast charging” stations or batteries you might find.
It’s best to only charge your device with the approved device charger to ensure it’s not being overcharged, which could increase the risk of battery swelling.
Don’t Leave Your Device Plugged in 24/7
While devices with proper safe charging mechanisms will stop charging at 100%, it’s still recommended that you don’t leave your devices plugged in all the time. These batteries are designed to charge and then use the charge, but not be continually charging.
By unplugging your devices for a while, then recharging when needed, you can also increase battery life and performance.
Replace Older or Malfunctioning Batteries
If you have a battery that isn’t holding the charge as it should or is malfunctioning in another way, replace it. This will reduce your risk of problems with that battery as it ages, including the risk of gas build-up and bulging.
Need a Check of Your Device Batteries?
Don’t risk the potential of an explosion from a failing battery. BrainStomp can take a look at your device batteries and quickly replace any that are on their last legs.
Schedule a free consultation today! Call 260-918-3548 or reach out online.
