Keeping our cellphones charged is an issue we all have to deal with. Whether we are at work or at home or somewhere in between, charging our cellphone is a nagging task. To find ways around this problem, many of us use alternative chargers, such as the ones that did not originally come packaged with our smartphones. These alternates are usually cheaper models we pick up at convenience stores. It’s assumed that because we won’t be using them as often as our home chargers that there is no real harm. But the question is: Can a cheap charger really damage your phone?
While this may seem like a convenient alternative, the dangers of using a cheap USB charger are very much real. We discuss some of the repercussions of using cheap chargers below.
The Dangers of Using Cheap USB Chargers
By now, we’ve all heard the stories of cellphones catching on fire. While chargers aren’t to blame for many of those instances, it should serve as a reminder that cellphones are electrical devices and they can be somewhat dangerous. Choosing a cheap charger is one way to not only hamper your device, but possibly make your device dangerous.
Cheap Chargers Cause Damage
Cellphones and other mobile devices come with chargers for a reason. It’s always advisable that you stick to the original chargers. When deviating to any other type of charger and buying cheaper devices at a convenience store you can cause damage to the USB charge chip. This will have a lasting impact on how quickly and how effectively your phone charges in the future.
Stories of Cheap Cellphone Chargers Catching Fire
While this is certainly not the norm, there have been a few horrific stories of cheap cellphone chargers catching fire. In one instance in 2014, it was reported that a cheap chargers caught fire which lead to the death of an Australian woman. Again, this is an extreme case and not all cheap cellphone chargers will lead to death; however, there is potential for something to go wrong when using a cheaper model. There are other options available for charging your phone or mobile device without turning to an inferior model. These mobile chargers present a much safer and more effective means of charging your device without concern of damage.
Electrocutions
Similar to the stories of phone chargers catching fire, there have been numerous reports of people being electrocuted by these cheap chargers. It comes down to a matter of quality and compatibility. If you purchase a charger from a convenience store, you can assume you are not getting a top level charger. What’s worse is that you can’t even guarantee the charger is completely safe. While the thought of saving a few extra dollars is tempting, nothing is worth you possibly getting injured or electrocuted.
How to Spot a Cheap USB Charger
Some manufacturers have perfected the art of disguising their products as certified brand name products, so we can’t just reply on the aesthetics of a charger to determine whether it’s genuine; observing the charging process can help you determine whether your new charger is genuine. Here are a few things to look out for when using a questionable USB charger.
Noise
One way to spot an original USB charger vs. a fake one is the amount of noise it generates. The high noise output of fake iPhone charger cables makes it difficult to use the touchscreen while charging your device. Basically, the noise from cheap chargers interferes with the sensitive electronics that measure your finger’s position on the screen. Genuine chargers are more likely to contain noise-filtering parts that allow them to charge more quietly while allowing the user to use the touchscreen while the device is plugged in—but keep in mind, this isn’t a good habit to form either way!
Heat
Another way to identify a cheap USB charger is to monitor the amount of heat that it produces. One of the main dangers that you face when using a cheap USB charger is the lack of insulation inside the device. Key parts of the charger should be wrapped in insulating tape or tubes in order to minimise the risk of a spark. While genuine chargers are usually equipped with multiple layers of protection, replicas only sport the bare minimum. This lack of insulation can make the wall adapter and actual USB cord to become warmer than usual.
Fake iPhone charges also have the potential to cause physical damage. Since there can be less than one millimeter separating the voltage input from output, which is only a fraction of the safe recommended distance, users are left vulnerable to an electric shock hazard.
Incorrect Rating
Fake chargers are often rated incorrectly and lack sufficient overload protection. For example, some may claim to be able to output over eight watts, but only be able to output four watts safely. This may not seem like a big deal to you, but it can actually mean substantially slower charging times, and it poses the chance of overheating if the device overloads the charger—beware of excessive overheating as it can become a dangerous situation.
Voltage Level Variations
If you’ve ever wondered whether a cheap charger can damage your cellphone, the answer is yes. Inexpensive chargers can have huge spikes in voltage levels, with peaks over six volts and troughs that can be lower than four. What does this mean for your beloved iPhone? This rapid fluctuation and high voltage spikes can damage the sensitive internal electric components and can even shorten the battery life of your phone over time.
Ohming Technology understands the problems facing consumers. Consumers use their phones all day long and need some way to keep their devices charged. It is for that reason we’ve developed the Charge M.E. It is a portable charger that is safe, effective, and capable of charging nearly all of your mobile devices, including your new and legacy cellphones.
To learn more about the Charge M.E, contact Ohming Technology at (561) 386-5251 or send us an email through our contact page.
Paul Romanenko
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