Keeping your cell phone and other devices properly charged is a must. You never know when you may need to rely on these handy tech items. But this doesn’t mean that you are free to overdo it. Charging up your phone once or twice a week is a good idea. You need to make sure that you don’t do it too often or too long. thermal runaway is a real danger.
Thermal Runaway is a Source of Danger
There are few sources of genuine fire hazards more truly dangerous and devastating than the phenomenon that is commonly known as the thermal runaway. This is due to a number of causes, all of which are linked in an intimate fashion. The main cause of thermal runaway is overcharging. You are ramping up the internal power source to a level that is simply too hot to be handled.
Another common cause of thermal runaway is an internal short circuit. This can be due to the physical damage that you cause to the battery. It can also come about as the result of poor general maintenance on your part. The result is a battery whose internals are stressed out and ready to fail. This can lead up to a fiery and hazardous situation.
The type of chain reaction that results in a thermal runaway can lead to a fire. This is not your regular day-to-day fire but one that is so hot it’s very hard to put out. Now imagine this type of fire happening due to a cell phone exploding on a plane. The fire that results can end with the plane crashing and killing a whole lot of people.
Store Your Batteries at a Safe Temperature
The best way to prevent thermal runaway from occurring is to make sure that you always store your batteries at a safe temperature. You should keep them in a storage area where the temperature can be kept between 40- and 70 degrees Fahrenheit or 5 to 20 degrees Celsius. This will keep their internal systems from getting too heated.
It is true that certain types of batteries, especially most lithium-ion models, do tend to have different capacities. This means that they may respond best to different types of controlled temperatures while in storage. Your best bet, in this case, will be to check the label for specific instructions on how to avoid any nasty side effects.
Keep All of Your Batteries Properly Ventilated
Your next order of storage care should be to keep all of your batteries in an area that is properly ventilated. For example, you can keep them in a special compartment that has been built for this purpose. Such a compartment will come with inbuilt areas that allow the batteries to be cooled so that they won’t turn into a pressure cooker.
This is essential if you are bringing a full set of batteries on a trip. You may need these batteries to operate your phone and other items while you are on vacation. If this is the case, make sure that your storage unit does have a proper level of safety ventilation. Never forget that batteries produce heat when not properly cooled off.
Replace Your Batteries in a Timely Fashion
The last detail for you to consider should also be the most obvious. Batteries have a very definite shelf life. They need to be replaced on a regular basis. You may think you are saving money by keeping old ones around. But you are really only putting yourself and others around you in danger.
Replacing your batteries on a regular timeline will enhance your personal safety. If you come across any batteries that look bubbled or otherwise disturbed on the surface, get rid of them. They are a safety hazard waiting to happen.
Don’t Let Your Battery’s Life Run Out
There are few things in the world more hazardous than a battery that is in the full throes of a thermal runaway. This is a danger that can lead to a situation where people can easily lose their lives. You don’t want to have poor battery maintenance on your conscience. It’s much easier to follow safety rules and keep your batteries in shape.
