Should I replace my power bank after six years of use? What is its service life? How can I check it?

Editor: Sunny Morning

Recently, a blogger posted that he bought a 10,000 mAh power bank six years ago. Now he sees a bulge at the end of the power bank, and the charging is not very effective. Sometimes it can charge by itself, and sometimes it needs to be pressed to charge. " Should I replace it after six years of use? " The related topic has sparked heated discussions.

Some netizens reminded: "It is recommended to throw the old power bank into a special recycling area. This power bank looks like it is about to explode." "The power bank should be replaced. The power bank battery also has a service life." Other netizens worried: "The power bank I have been using has not bulged for ten years, but the battery is not working well now." "The same power bank has also been deformed and cracked, but it can still be used, but I am worried about using it."

Judging from everyone’s discussion, many people have used their power banks for a long time, some even for more than ten years. The principle is to use them as long as they can be used. However, many people do not know that power banks have a service life, and it is also very convenient to check, you only need to look in one place.

According to reports, there is a recyclable logo on one side of the brand power bank, and the number in the middle represents the recyclable life of the battery in the power bank. If the number is 5, it means that the recyclable life of the rechargeable battery is 5 years. As a consumable, rechargeable batteries may become abnormal if they exceed the recyclable life due to frequent use.

There are many reasons why power banks bulge. One is that the battery itself is aging , and the accumulated gas will push up the outer shell when it accumulates to a certain level. The second is improper charging , which may be caused by a low-quality charging head, etc., which causes the power bank temperature to rise and the battery to swell. The third is the quality of the battery itself .

The State Administration for Market Regulation reminds consumers that due to the chemical properties of lithium batteries and power banks, such as the use of flammable organic electrolytes, there are certain potential risks . Especially when the production process and structure of the product do not meet the technical requirements of national standards, or are damaged during transportation or use, thermal runaway is likely to occur, causing battery swelling and leading to safety issues such as fire, explosion, overheating or leakage, which directly endangers the personal health and safety of consumers.

Why do power banks explode and self-ignite? The core component of power banks is the battery cell, and the battery cells used in common power banks on the market are mainly divided into two types: lithium ion and lithium polymer. Because the chemical properties of lithium are very active, it will release flammable gases when it comes into contact with water or humid air. Short circuits or excessive current can cause the battery cells to heat up or burn. There are many factors that cause short circuits in lithium-containing batteries, including physical damage, the temperature of the operating environment, and short circuits of the positive and negative poles. Once the battery cell shell is damaged, it will cause it to heat up and burn. What's more frightening is that once a lithium-containing battery cell catches fire, conventional liquid fire extinguishers are of no use at all. In addition, some counterfeit power banks are prone to explosions because their current and voltage cannot meet the approved standards.

However, is the power bank safe within its service life? No. Improper use of the power bank may still cause risks. To reduce the probability of danger, you must develop good usage habits:

◆Try to avoid using electronic products while charging them, or charging the products for a long time, as this will increase the risk of product overheating.

◆Power banks are also afraid of cold and heat. The working temperature of lithium batteries is 0-55°C. When the outside temperature is too low, the battery will work unstably and discharge incompletely. High temperature will shorten the life of the battery and circuit board, damage the battery and cause aging of some components.

◆Do not replace the charger at will. Some fast charging chargers have a large charging power, but for some batteries without limit protection design, it may cause overvoltage or overcurrent charging, causing safety hazards.

◆Do not disassemble the product or replace the battery by yourself. For non-professionals, the selection of tools and the lack of proficiency in disassembly and installation may cause irritation or even damage to the mobile phone battery.

◆Timely inspection and replacement are required. After electronic products are immersed in water or exposed to the sun, they should be sent to a professional repair shop for inspection and confirmation. The lithium battery should be replaced if necessary.

Reference sources: Upstream News, State Administration for Market Regulation, Xining Science and Technology, etc.

Image source: Sina Weibo, etc.