USB cables have become quite popular in recent years. With the increase in popularity of electronic devices, it’s no wonder that USB cables are now being used in a variety of different ways.
One question that we get asked quite often is whether or not a USB cable can cause a fire. The main reason for this concern is because USB cables get hot when using them. So, can a USB cable cause a fire?
The simple answer is yes, a USB cable can cause a fire. The metal surrounding the cord may become electrically charged if it comes into contact with the prongs of a USB wall charger while it is charging, creating a risk of shock and fire.
However, it’s important to understand that the risk of a fire is quite low. USB cables are designed to dissipate heat, so they are not likely to start a fire unless they are damaged or malfunctioning.
In this blog post, we will further explore this topic, including the causes of USB fires and how to prevent them.
Can phone charging cables cause a fire?
Yes, phone charging cables can cause a fire. Any type of electrical cord has the potential to start a fire if it is damaged or malfunctioning. A cable won’t catch fire unless it has a problem of some kind, like a short circuit.
If your cable was designed and built with high-quality materials and cutting-edge design and production technology, the likelihood of it causing a fire is remote.
However, the likelihood grows as the quality of the materials and manufacturing process decreases and the age of the cable increases.
The most common cause of a fire from an electrical cord is when the insulation surrounding the wires inside the cord deteriorates and the wires come into contact with each other. This can happen when a cord is bent too tightly or damaged in some way.
Reasons why USB might cause a fire
Before looking at the reasons why USB might cause a fire, let me tell you about a small incident that happened to me recently.
Like most people, I had a habit of forgetting my cable at home when going to work. So one day I found an old Samsung cable in my closet and decided to put it in and keep it in my bag all the time so that I can use it whenever needed.
A few days later when I was at work, my phone battery died so I decided to charge it with the power bank using that cable. I plugged it in and put both my phone and the power bank in my bag.
Just like most people I also have the habit of checking my phone every 10 or 15 minutes. So after a while, I took my phone out, and to my horror, It was warm as hell, especially the cable almost burned my hand.
My first thought since it was inside the bag that could be the reason. So I decided to put it on the table this time and the same thing happened again. The phone and the cable got so hot that I had to unplug them immediately.
I was lucky enough that my phone was not damaged, but this made me realize that a USB cable can cause a fire. Here are some reasons why USB might cause a fire:
The cable is old and not in good shape
This was the reason in my case. The cable was old and not in good shape, which caused it to heat up and almost catch fire.
Just like most people I did not pay any attention to this part and was happy that I found a cable that could help me in an emergency.
However, it is important to remember that an old and damaged cable can be dangerous and you should always replace them with new ones even if they are from good company.
Low-quality cable
Another reason for a USB cable causing a fire is using a low-quality or counterfeit cable. These cables are made with cheap materials and are not designed to dissipate heat properly.
They can melt easily and cause a fire, If you want to avoid such a problem it is important to only use high-quality cables from reputable companies.
Conclusion
I hope you found this article helpful. In theory, it is very rare for a USB cable to cause a fire. If there is some kind of short circuit in the cable.
Or if the insulation surrounding the wires inside the cord deteriorates, any type of electrical cord including USB cables has the potential to start a fire.
So it is important to look for the signs like heat, smell, etc when using the cable and unplug the device immediately. Also, it is advisable to use only high-quality cables from reputable companies to reduce the risk.