Why Does My Charger Heat While Charging?
If you own a laptop or smartphone, have you experienced having your
charger adapter heat up while you’re charging the device? Most people dismiss this phenomenon as normal, but this may be a sign of something serious.
Reasons Why A Device Charger Adapter May Heat Up
Let’s run down some of the reasons why some adapters heat up as you plug them into an electrical outlet for charging:
Normal phenomenon
When the
adapter isn’t too hot to the touch, most causes involve a standard warming up of the adapter’s resistive components.
Incompatible charger adapter
A charger with a terminal that’s compatible to a device port (say, a micro USB cable and port) doesn’t necessarily mean that the charger may be used to charge the device. In some cases, this may cause an increase in temperature on either the adapter or the device itself.
Cheaply made devices
Some devices are dirt-cheap and may not have gone through strict electrical or electronic evaluation to clear them from potential risk. In the same sense, some third-party adapters may not be built with the proper safety precautions as those coming from big-brand or
OEM companies.
Placing connected chargers on heat traps
Have you noticed that your
charger or smartphone heats up during a charge, when you put it on the bed or a cushioned surface? That’s because this kind of surface restricts air flow on the device or charger, which essentially traps the heat and thereby increases the temperature.
A quick fix would be to place the device or charger away from a cushioned surface and onto a flat table. You may also put it on a rack or platform where air can flow freely to remove the heat off the device.
Device malfunction
When the smartphone, laptop, or any electronic device has an electrical malfunction, this may cause a short circuit that heats up either the device itself or the connected adapter.
Electrical system abnormality
Although this is a rare occurrence, an issue with your power outlet or the electrical loop may cause a heat-up of your device charger adapter. This is difficult to diagnose, especially if you’re not well versed in terms of electrical stuff.
Are You Suspecting Something Amiss in Your Electrical System?
There’s nothing wrong with being too careful, especially when we’re talking about home electrical concerns. If you think that your
charger adapter is heating up for some serious but hidden issue, let our electrical professionals troubleshoot the source of the problem before something untoward happens.