Is it dangerous to use a cell phone while charging? – Technology

You should have already done this: Move a file cell phone While the device is connected to the charger, the socket. You may have used the headset while charging the phone.

And if you receive a file Video Which is being traded on WhatsApp, you must be scared.

In it, the man uses a device to “prove” that the charging of the cell phone is going through the current Trica It can cause shock.

“This means that the cell phone is overpowered and it is dangerous to talk to it while carrying it,” the man said in an alert tone. “It could be fatal.” device It detects voltage in the cable and in the device itself.

But is the real danger?

Experts consulted by BBC News Brasil say the risk is there – although it drops completely if it loader The cell phone battery is original and in good condition.

“Neither a charger nor a cell phone is designed to shock or explode. They were born to be safe. But if a charger fails, especially a non-original charger, or the battery itself, you could have problems. So, if that happens,” says electrical engineer Edson Martino, CEO of the Brazilian Association To raise awareness of the dangers of electricity (abracobel), the recommendation is that people not use the device while carrying it.

Given the number of cell phones in Brazil and the number of times they are charged per day, accidents are not “uncommon”. But they happen.

A survey conducted by the same association showed that in the first half of 2021 alone, 10 cases of electric shock that occurred during charging were recorded, with 6 deaths. There were also 3 cases of fire due to overloading.

In one of the most recent cases, a A woman died in the interior of Pernambuco After exposure to a shock in the cell phone connected to the socket.

The video is not shockproof, but it is a valid warning

In the video that is shared on WhatsApp, there is a feeling that this mobile phone is going through an electric current that can shock the user.

Martino, president of Abracopel, points out two potential problems with the “concept” of the experiment. First, the sensitive device may correctly detect that there is a voltage there, but it cannot distinguish the intensity.

Cell phone chargers usually contain a transformer and other components that will convert 110, 127, or 220 volts alternating current (depending on your port) into direct current between 5 and 9 volts – a voltage too low to give a shock.

However, to reduce costs, non-original charger manufacturers can cancel some safety measures that protect the user.

Martinho himself says that he has already conducted an experiment at home with “hacking” chargers, using a specialized detector: “I did a test on the output of the cell phone, and it gave 50 volts,” he says.

Another point that may affect the experiment is the possibility that the device actually picks up the electromagnetic waves generated by passing current through the charger cord and cell phone.

“As the current goes through, there’s a flow of electrons there. And that generates, around the cable, an electric and magnetic field. This type of device has the sensitivity to determine if these electrostatic charges are there, but that doesn’t mean that energy efficiency specialist at Enel franchisees Marconelli Mello. Electricity that operates in states such as So Paulo, Cear and Rio de Janeiro, that it would come as a shock.”

“Now, if the charger is broken, has broken insulation, or is of poor quality, there is a risk.”

Another important point to reduce the possibility of accidents is to stay away from charging the device during a thunderstorm accompanied by lightning.

Lightning discharges generate a magnetic field which leads to a much larger voltage in the power grid. And this can lead to problems not only for the charger, but for any device connected to the mains.

According to Melo, the risk is greater if you take the device to your ear to answer a call or use headphones. Having the device in hand only (for using apps and social networks) and being silent reduces the chances of accidents.

batteries

In addition to having good quality and well-maintained chargers to reduce the possibility of shock, we must also consider the original device battery.

That’s because cellphone explosions – which often appear in the news – are usually the result of overheating and equipment failure.

If the cell phone is fully charged but still plugged into a wall outlet, a fuse on the original batteries will usually protect against possible malfunction.

“Like a spring in a tank of water, it will cut off the passage of electrons. If it fails, they will continue to fill the battery,” Martino explains.

Marconi Melo, from Enel, alerts users to notice if the battery is heating up for longer and longer than usual while charging. “And if you notice a bulge, it’s swollen, be very careful. You have to take it for a review, because it could burst.”

How to reduce risks when charging the device

– In the event of a storm, keep away from the device while charging.

When sleeping, keep the device away from you and flammable objects.

– If you want to answer a phone call, disconnect the device from the charger.

– Do not use headphones

Use pre-approved chargers Anatel (with seals)

– Watch out for fake chargers. They are usually lighter, because they are hollow on the inside, and can cause defects.

Do not charge your cell phone in damp places such as bathroom and service area.

– If you are going to touch the phone, wear shoes on your feet.

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