22 Years' Battery Customization
Jan 05, 2023 Pageview：845
Most of our portable devices today come with lithium-ion batteries. They are today the most powerful, long-lasting batteries applicable to many uses.
However, batteries can swell. This can happen due to some internal components meeting or physical damage.
In most cases, people store their batteries in the freezer to reduce internal activities and make stored batteries last longer. It's safe to do so for a good battery.
But when it's damaged or has some issues, you need should not store them anywhere. Not even in the freezer.
Remove the battery immediately and dispose of it off safely. There are various ways of doing so, as we will discover in this article.
Can a Swollen Battery Explode if Plugged In?
Yes. A swollen lithium-ion battery is a risk factor and should never be used in your device. When you discover such a battery, immediately unplug the device and turn it off.
Continued use, especially plugging it in to charge, can lead to fire and explosion. It's, therefore, safer to avoid charging and replacing.
How to Safety Store a Swollen Battery
Storing a swollen battery in your home is dangerous. You need to ensure it is safely disposed of and taken to a recycling center.
Follow these steps for safe storage:
Identifying a Swollen Battery
The first step is to identify if your battery is swollen. You can do this by looking at various indications of a bulging battery.
Use these tips:
Inspect the device.
If the device has a removable battery, it's quite easy to tell when it has a problem. You can simply look at the battery, and you will notice it has an abnormal size.
Batteries are designed in a specific size and form to fit the device they are used in. So, when it begins to swell, you will notice that it does not fit well in the battery compartment. At this point, removing the battery is the best way to keep you and your device safe.
For the internal battery, you can inspect the device to check for any abnormalities. A swollen battery expands and pushes other components out of the way. The display, a button on the trackpad, will be pushed from its normal alignment.
Identify by smell.
Safely sniffing your device can help you identify a swollen battery easily. However, you should be very careful with this because sticking harmful substances near your face or inhaling them deeply can be dangerous.
Safely waft the area near the battery. Any sweet, metallic, or acetone smell could mean battery gasses are leaking. Remove it and take appropriate action.
Opening the Device
If you can open the device without affecting internal components, do so and inspect the battery. You will easily notice any issues when you look at them directly.
Remove the battery.
Now that you know the battery is swollen, you must remove it safely. Follow these steps:
Safety First
Before you start, ensure you have unplugged the device and then run the battery as low as possible. This will reduce the risk of fires and explosions.
Always protect yourself when working with swollen batteries. Work in a well-ventilated place, wear protective gear, and have a pair of long tongs for holding the battery.
Prepare your workplace.
If the battery starts combusting or leaking, create a safe working place. Find a non-flammable surface, ensuring a safe, cool, and dry surface before you start working.
Remove the battery.
Now, this is the trickiest part of the whole process. Removing a swollen battery from a phone or computer can be quite hard. If your device has a battery replacement guide, follow them while taking extra care to avoid battery damage.
Dispose of the Battery
Again, do not store a swollen battery in your house, especially if it still has charge. This could easily lead to an explosion and fire that will cause serious damage. Experts advise finding safe disposal for your batteries before they become a real issue.
Follow these steps:
Don't throw the battery in your garbage bin. Lithium batteries are rated as hazardous waste. It should never be disposed of in a dumpster or garbage. And since a swollen battery is an environmental hazard, you want to ensure it ends up in the right place.
Take your battery to the local electronic shop. You may not know how to store or safely dispose of a swollen battery, but your local electronic store knows. If you don't know where one is, search online for local electronic waste centers, and you will easily find it. They are designed to help safely dispose of such waste. Contact your city's hazardous materials disposal authority for guidelines if you can't find one.
Consider an electronic supply store. You may not find an e-waste center near your home as easily as you may have hoped. A good alternative is your local computer or phone repair/supply shop. They may know how to safely store or dispose of the battery.
In summary, storing a swollen battery in your house is a health hazard. Li-ion batteries are known for causing explosions and fires, which is why we advise safe disposal.
Also, take great care when disconnecting the battery from your device. The last thing you want is to incur extra costs in repairs after damaging part of the device.
It's better to carry the whole device to a repair shop if you are not sure how to remove it. Phone and computer experts will know what to do.
Is it Safe to Use a Swollen Phone Battery?
No. A swollen battery is a hazard and should not be used in your device. Disconnect the battery from the charger as soon as you notice any swelling, and dispose of it off safely.
A swollen battery increases internal reaction, which can cause explosions and fires. Besides, the leaking gasses can be a health hazard if inhaled.
So, if you don't want to incur extra costs of repairing the device or damaged items in your home, stop using the battery immediately and take it from your phone. Follow the disposal procedure we have discussed above.
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