Given that millions of people use this device every day, the Anker incident is a serious warning.
Familiar but risky items
The Anker 321 Power Bank (PowerCore 5K), product code A1112, is not unfamiliar to Vietnamese users. This is a popular battery line, widely sold on major e-commerce platforms. According to the announcement, the cause is a technical error inside the battery cell that can cause overheating and fire.
The company announced that the fault came from a third-party battery cell supplier and implemented a refund program for users. This surprised many people because Anker is considered a reputable brand.
Engineer Tran Ngoc Minh, a microchip design expert at Synopsys - Danang CNC Park, said: "Lithium-ion batteries are high-energy storage devices. If not produced and strictly controlled, the risk of fire and explosion is entirely possible, even if it is a product of a leading brand."
However, most users do not fully understand the potential risks of lithium-ion battery technology, the most popular type of battery today. Many people do not pay attention to safety standards, expiration dates, usage and warning signs of damage.
Ms. Luu Thi Hang, an office worker in Hanoi, said: "I bought a rechargeable battery online for only 170 thousand, with a capacity of 30,000mAh. I left it in the trunk of my car under the sun, opened it and saw the battery was swollen and hot, luckily it didn't explode. From then on, I only dared to use genuine products."
More cautiously, Mr. Vo Minh Luan, a technology driver, said: "Cheap batteries wear out quickly and the device gets hot. I chose a more expensive one, nearly 1 million VND, but I'm less worried."
When a power bank malfunctions, the consequences can be serious. These include damage to connected devices or spreading fire, as lithium-ion batteries are difficult to extinguish when they burn. Even more dangerous is when they explode, cause fires or leak toxic chemicals that can directly cause injury to people.
Signs of power bank at risk of explosion
To recognize that the backup battery is degrading and at risk of explosion, users need to pay attention to unusual signs in appearance, performance and operation. These are instructions from expert Gary Clack - Holo Battery.
- In terms of appearance, a swollen, deformed power bank is the most obvious and dangerous sign. When the battery swells, it means that the electrolytes inside have decomposed, creating gas (such as CO2, CO), increasing the internal pressure. If you continue to use it, this pressure can cause an explosion. The battery case may pop, crack or deform abnormally.
If you see signs of plastic melting in the battery case, or hot, scorched spots, this indicates that the battery is generating too much heat and is at risk of fire.
- Regarding performance, if the product is "hot to the touch" or abnormally hot, it is a sign of an internal problem (overload, short circuit, or severely damaged battery).
“For many types of backup batteries with indicator lights (LED), when the light displays abnormally such as flashing continuously, changing colors, or not being as bright as usual, it is also a sign that the battery is damaged,” added expert Gary Clack.
Cheapness… can easily bring disaster upon oneself
Currently, the trend of prioritizing low prices while ignoring quality is posing many alarming safety risks. The backup battery market in Vietnam is flooded with products of unknown origin, origin, without clear labels, quality inspection stamps or anti-counterfeit stamps.
Ms. Juvy Nguyen - Development Director of Pisen Vietnam said: “With unexpected prices, distributors are caught up in the market, 'giving up the bowl for the plate' and accepting to circulate fake and smuggled goods to gain more profits. Not to mention that fake goods win the price race, so they are far behind in terms of after-sales policy as well as safety. This makes consumers suffer because of damage or tragic fire accidents.”
Battery cells - the key to quality
Each power bank is a combination of many lithium-ion battery cells. Just one defective cell is enough to cause an explosion. Engineer Nguyen Hoang Long, who used to work in Korea, said: "There are many levels of battery cells on the market. Just an average or poor quality cell mixed into the shipment is enough to cause an accident. Famous brands are no exception."
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on the safety of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries has agreed on a common standard, codenamed IEC 62133. This standard includes requirements and tests for the electrical, mechanical and chemical safety of batteries, to minimize the risk of fire or other accidents.
In different countries, quality and technical standards are also applied under different names based on the general requirements of IEC and adding their own strict requirements.
Vietnam has QCVN 101:2020/BTTTT (National technical regulation on lithium batteries for portable devices). This is a national technical regulation applicable to lithium batteries, including power banks, regulating safety and labeling.
Consumers can easily find these batteries on e-commerce platforms, traditional markets or small accessory stores at extremely attractive prices, sometimes only a fraction of the price of genuine products.
Many cheap power banks advertise "huge" capacities, often tens of thousands of mAh, but come in compact sizes or unusually light weights. In fact, these are virtual capacities, not true to reality, and the actual charging capacity is much lower than the advertised number.
Consultant Nguyen Duc Quang, Dien May Xanh Ha Noi shared: “Due to lack of knowledge about safety standards, international standards such as UL, CE, UN38.3 or QCVN 101:2020/BTTTT, Vietnamese users often do not check these certifications. Apart from a small number of knowledgeable users who choose branded, expensive products, most users sometimes only compare capacity and price to choose.”
Fatal mistake when using
In addition to safety standards, a significant number of users have the habit of using backup batteries incorrectly, leading to unsafety.
The most common improper usage habit is charging while using. The habit of charging the phone with a backup battery while using the phone to play games or surf the web, especially for a long time, causes both the phone and the backup battery to heat up quickly. High temperature is the leading cause of fire and explosion.
Some people often have the habit of placing spare batteries under pillows, in blankets, mattresses or other materials that easily retain heat and catch fire when charging or using. This increases the risk of overheating and explosion.
Even when the backup battery shows signs of damage, many people still regret using it. Even when the battery has signs of swelling, abnormal heat, shell deformation, or significantly reduced charging efficiency, it is still used.
In addition, some users, due to living and working conditions, use backup batteries in high temperature environments. Even more dangerous is arbitrarily disassembling and repairing backup batteries without sufficient knowledge and specialized tools.
Expert Nguyen Duc Quang recommends: “To ensure safety, Vietnamese consumers need to change their shopping habits and use of backup batteries. Instead of just looking at the price, prioritize products with reputable brands, clear origins, full safety certifications and comply with the manufacturer's instructions.”
Source: https://khoahocdoisong.vn/tran-lan-sac-du-phong-gia-re-post1552192.html
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