Choose the right charger to keep your phone durable and prevent accidents

All phones have a power limit. In addition, if you use a cheap cable, the charging process can be slow, interrupted, or even harmful to the device such as short circuit or damage to the battery, easily causing fire.

All types of phones have power limits. Additionally, using cheap cables can slow down the charging process, cause interruptions, or even damage the phone, such as causing a short circuit or damaging the battery, which could easily lead to fire hazards.

1. Cheap Chargers Can Damage Your Phone and Cause Fire Hazards

Around 7:00 PM on March 19, V.C.H (15 years old, residing in An Thuy Hamlet, An Ninh Tay Commune, Duc Hoa District, Long An) was a 9th-grade student at An Ninh Secondary School. After showering, H was about to change clothes to go to school. Since the phone was charging, H, with wet hands, pulled the cord out of the socket and was suddenly electrocuted, falling onto the floor and later passing away.

This tragic incident highlights the danger of not following proper safety measures while charging a phone, especially when using low-quality chargers sold in the market. Experts note that criminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated in manufacturing counterfeit products to sell both online and in stores.

Using substandard chargers poses many risks of accidents.

Dr. Tran Van Thinh, former head of the Department of Electricity at Hanoi University of Science and Technology, said that in many households, improper use of electrical devices or not following the manufacturer's instructions is a significant safety concern, particularly for children.
"I've observed that many homes use electric kettles but often leave the plug in, even though the power switch is on the kettle itself and not on the grounded part. This is very dangerous if the electricity leaks, or if children play with the socket, the risk of death is real. Or the habit of leaving the phone charger plugged in is also extremely hazardous since most of these devices have only a very thin layer of insulation, about 1 micrometer, over the charging pins. If this insulation layer gets damaged, there's a high risk of electrocution," said Dr. Thinh.
According to electronics engineer Nguyen Dang Khai, many people don't fully understand the role of phone chargers, leading to accidents. People often use any charger that fits, which can lead to phone damage, battery wear, or even dangerous situations. Cheap, unbranded chargers are appealing to users due to features like high power output or unique designs. However, to keep prices low, these chargers often lack the necessary safety and quality tests.
On a charger, manufacturers usually state power levels like 5W, 20W, 25W, or 45W. The power (W) refers to how much electricity the charger can deliver — higher power means faster charging, but only to the maximum level that the phone can handle. For instance, a 5W charger will still work with modern phones, but it will charge slower. An iPhone 15, for example, would take 3 hours to charge fully with a 5W charger but only 95 minutes with a 20W charger.

2. Be Cautious with Super Fast Chargers

Experts recommend that phone batteries have a power limit. Additionally, using cheap cables can slow the charging process, cause interruptions, or damage the phone, including short-circuits or battery malfunctions. These cheap cables typically have thin wires, which cause overheating or wear out faster.

Using incompatible cables can also cause the charging process to be slower or less efficient. Sometimes, the cables that come with smartphones don't support high charging power. To meet user needs, accessory manufacturers sell newer cables with clear power specifications, ensuring they support maximum charging capabilities.
Experts warn that users should also be cautious of claims such as "super-fast" or "up to 200W." In reality, with multi-port chargers, the stated power may only apply when charging from a single port. If multiple devices are charged simultaneously, the power will be divided among them.
Just like handheld devices, chargers come with different features. When selecting a charger, consumers should pay attention to factors like whether the charging ports meet the required standards, the power rating, and whether it's compatible with their phone.
The National Technical Regulation QCVN 101:2020/BTTTT for lithium batteries in portable devices specifies that batteries must be clearly labeled with information like the type (Li or Li-ion), battery symbol, electrodes, production date, manufacturer name or code, nominal capacity, and nominal voltage.
According to engineer Nguyen Huy Bao, former staff member at the Military Technical Academy, users should follow recommended guidelines for battery capacity, charge current, and charging time. It’s essential to use the right charger and charging port for each device.
A golden rule for charging batteries is to keep them between 30% and 90%. Only charge the battery when it drops below 50%. If you're charging the phone the traditional way, disconnect it once it reaches 100%. You can also set up a shortcut app to notify you when the battery hits a certain percentage.
Avoid letting the phone run out of battery completely before charging it. To maintain the best battery lifespan, charge your phone when the battery drops below 20%, and don't overcharge it. Most modern phones use lithium-ion batteries, and fully charging the phone and leaving it plugged in for an extended period can harm the battery. This is particularly true for users who habitually leave their phones charging overnight, as it keeps the battery at a high charge level, which can eventually cause damage.

Source: suckhoedoisong.vn - Tô Hội