Years ago, the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 made headlines when its battery caught fire in a series of incidents. There has been a series of similar, albeit isolated, incidents since then. However, despite the high coverage of defective batteries, the vast majority of Li-ion batteries are safe.
The chemical reaction that occurs inside a lithium-ion cell is complex, but as in any battery, there is a negative electrode and a positive electrode. In lithium batteries, the cathode is a lithium-carbon compound and the anode is cobalt oxide (although many battery manufacturers are moving away from cobalt). These two compounds cause a safe reaction when controlled and power your devices. Even so, when the reaction gets out of control, you’ll be stuck in your ear with the headphones. What changes a safe reaction to an uncontrolled reaction can be any number of factors: excessive heat, physical damage during use, physical damage during manufacture or use wrong charger.
The three basic rules that have kept me safe (so far) through testing dozens of batteries are:
- Avoid cheap cords, chargers, and outlet adapters.
- Make sure the battery is not exposed to excessive heat (above 110 degrees).
- Regularly check the battery for signs of damage.
The most important thing is to avoid cheap wall outlet adapters, cords and chargers. This is your most likely source of problems. Those chargers you see on Amazon for $20 cheaper than the competition? Unworthy. They could have lowered the price by skipping the insulation, skipping the power management stuff, and ignoring the basics of electrical safety. Price is not guaranteed. Buy from reputable companies and brands.
Then there’s heat. Too much of it can cause all sorts of problems, both in terms of discharge and safety. Avoid heat and pay attention to your batteries while they are charging. If your device overheats while charging, this could be a sign of a problem. Similarly, beware of any batteries that are swollen, inflated, or distorted.
