Heat is a byproduct of almost all electrical processes, as electrons passing through wires and systems pass kinetic energy to atoms outside the wire. The movement of internal components and friction between them can also increase temperatures. When an electronic device is in good working order, the heat they produce should be noticeable but not excessive. If something is causing a phone or laptop to reach levels of heat that burn you or make using them uncomfortable, you should be cautious. When devices overheat, they can break, spark, or catch fire – obviously not a good situation.
Should You Be Concerned When Devices Overheat?
With devices getting smaller and smaller as time goes on, there is less wiggle room for safe temperature ranges. It isn’t uncommon for a laptop or phone to get hot when in extended use, and desktop computers without dedicated cooling are prone to overheating and shutting down. If you ever hear a whirring of a fan or internal component clunk sounds, the device is likely working overtime to cool down its interior.
Consistent overheating will lead to the degradation of the components that make up the device. It can affect the battery, screen, and chips that carry essential information critical to the device’s functions. Furthermore, the user may become injured from burns, explosions, or fires when the device fails. Famously, Samsung recalled their newest flagship Galaxy phone due to concerns over exploding devices and fire hazards.
You should be concerned when the circuit breaker trips for larger devices like microwaves, hair dryers, and irons. These devices require more energy than phone chargers or lights, and a circuit breaker that can’t handle their power demands generally means one of two things.
First, the breaker itself might be causing the issue. If a breakdown in the quality of the wires or circuit breaker logic sends more electricity than needed to the device, it can overload the circuit. Furthermore, a malfunctioning device damaged by extended overuse and overheating can have a higher electricity demand than a working product. Devices connected to the same circuit can be damaged when a circuit breaker trips and end up suffering from similar malfunctions.
Options Address Overheating Devices
First and foremost, devices that are excessively heating up might have internal component failures. Electricians can not address this; the amount of power they demand from the circuit might still be in line with recommendations. However, if you are still unsure if your device or home electrical system is causing the problem, start by using the device in multiple areas of the home and outside the home. If you see the same type of behavior, the device is to blame. If not, specific outlets in your house or the entire circuit itself might be malfunctioning and supplying excess power to devices.
You can prevent malfunctioning devices from demanding excessive power by contracting an electrician to install a house-wide surge protector. These surge protectors will shut off circuits before they reach levels of energy that cause circuit breakers to trip and before the surge of electricity damages devices. By repairing broken components of devices and appliances and using surge protectors, you can ensure that overheating devices never harm you or your family.
Never ignore the early warning signs of an overheating device. Your electrical system may be responsible for supplying excess power that harms your devices and reduces their lifespan. Call a licensed and insured electrician, and have them check out the situation. Promise Electric is trusted in the Sarasota area for providing high-quality commercial and residential electrical services.
