Can you play with your phone charging? understand the risks

Playing games on the cell phone while it is charging has become a common habit for many people, but few realize the risks associated with this activity. The dangers of playing on a cell phone connected to the socket, although rare, include a number of factors that can cause overheating, damage the device and, in extreme cases, lead to fires or explosions.

Calm down, there are ways to protect yourself from these accidents and ensure the safety of your device and the people around you. Know the truth about the dangers of playing games on your cell phone by charging it in the socket and find out if you are at risk.

In addition to the article, we also made a video on the subject that is there on our YouTube channel.

Dangers of playing with your cell phone charging

The main dangers of playing on your cell phone while it is plugged in are electrical overload, overheating, electric shock, exposure to radiation and short circuit. Each of these hazards can lead to serious consequences, such as damage to the device, personal injury, and even fires and explosions. Let's analyze each of them in more detail.

Risk of electrical overload

When we connect the charger to the cell phone, an electric current starts to flow from the power source to the cell phone battery, at the same time, the game running on the cell phone consumes battery power, resulting in a simultaneous flow of input and output of energy. 

If the cell phone battery cannot handle this load, there is a chance that a electrical overload. This can lead to problems like overheating of the battery, leakage liquids and even Explosão the battery. 

But what makes a cell phone battery explode? Most modern cell phone batteries are made with a lithium-ion cell, which is a type of metal that can get into spontaneous combustion when in contact with water or oxygen. And then you see, the explosion is quite violent.

To prevent this explosion, a organic solvent which prevents metallic lithium from forming and coming into contact with water. But this solvent only works at a specific temperature and if that temperature is exceeded, the battery can catch fire or explode.

Therefore, it is super important that the temperature is controlled by an electronic circuit called BMS. If that circuit doesn't work right, the temperature can rise and then it's gone. So it is advised to use batteries original and certified to ensure safety and be able to rely on the battery management system.

overheating risk

Playing games on your phone while it's plugged in can cause your device to heat up. Especially if the game is very processor intensive on the phone, such as games with 3D graphics. 

They overheating of the cell phone can have several technical causes, such as high power consumption of the processor and GPU, the transfer energy from the power source to the battery while charging, the technology where the device is being used and the processing intense.

The continuous electrical charge flowing through the charger cable increases the temperature of the phone, and this overheating can damage not only the battery but also other phone components like the screen and motherboard.

To avoid overheating, it is important monitor regularly check the temperature of the device, ensure a ventilation proper, deactivate unused features like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS, and to turn off the device for a while after prolonged use.

Risk of electric shock

While very rare, there is a small chance that playing on your phone while it is charging could lead to a electric shock. This can happen if the charging cable is pirated, damaged, or if there is a short circuit in the phone or outlet. 

An electric shock can cause a cardiac arrest, as happened in 2018 with young Lucas Jean Marsola from Taubaté, São Paulo, when he was using his cell phone. Firefighters arrived quickly, but CPR failed to bring Lucas back.

The same supposedly happened in 2020 with 18-year-old Paulo Vitor Cochrane Chaves Torres in Paragominas, Pará. The IML verified the electrical discharge when the young man was using headphones on a cell phone plugged in. 

So don't forget, if you feel an electric shock while using your phone plugged in, stop using it immediately and unplug the cord.

radiation risk

While there is no conclusive evidence, there are concerns that continued use of the phone while it is plugged in could increase the body's exposure to radiation. 

It is important to remember that all cell phones emit non-ionizing radiation, such as radio waves and microwaves. These emissions are relatively low and considered safe for normal use, but they can still be harmful if exposed to excess or for extended periods of time. 

The radiation emitted by the phone is stronger when the device is in use and plugged in, which may increase the risk of long-term health problems. Some studies suggest that prolonged use of cell phones close to the body may increase the risk of cancer, although the scientific evidence is inconclusive and controversial.

Short circuit risk

O short circuit is an electrical event that occurs when electrical current flows in an uncontrolled manner, that is, without the resistance that the electrical circuit should offer. This can be caused by a number of factors, such as a failure in the electrical insulation of the components, an error in the assembly of the circuit or an excess of electrical current.

When we are playing on our cell phone with it connected to the socket, a phenomenon known as fast charge ou Quick charge. This process allows the cell phone battery to charge faster than normal, aumentando the flow of electric current through the charger and battery. As a result, the cell phone battery may overheat, causing sparks or other electrical problems.

If the cell phone battery overheats, a short circuit can occur, which can lead to a series of serious problems, such as explosions, fires or other accidents. In addition, other factors can increase the risk of a short circuit, such as using poor-quality chargers, using the phone in high temperatures, or covering the device with fabric or other materials while it is charging.

Safety Tips

We made a list of important tips to avoid the dangers of playing on a cell phone plugged in that can save your device and even lives, check it out:

• Do not use headphones while charging the device.
• Do not play games while charging during thunderstorms or heavy rain.
• When going to sleep, keep the device away from flammable objects and out of reach of your body.
• Don't muffle your cell phone, so don't let the device charge under your pillow or your body.
• Avoid charging the device in damp areas, such as bathrooms or laundry areas.
• Disconnect the handset from the charger before answering a phone call.
• Use chargers certified by Anatel and check if they have quality seals.
• Be on the lookout for counterfeit chargers that are often lighter and have imperfections.
• When buying used cell phones make sure all accessories are original.
• And don't leave the charger in the socket after you finish charging your phone.

Now you know about the real dangers of playing on your cell phone plugged in. In case of accidents, call 192 to call the fire department, turn off the power to the place and keep people and animals away from the accident site. Follow these and other tips here at Showmetech and play safe.

See more:

How to avoid cell phone overheating.

Source: BBC, ProSaude, UOL, G1, Depositphotos

Text proofread by: Pedro Bomfim (07 / 03 / 23)