Experts Say This Outlet Mistake Can Cause Your Charger To Wear Out Twice As Fast: ‘A Serious Power Quality Issue’

The Dangers Of Using A Loose Or Worn-Out Outlet

Have you ever used an outlet that you could tell wasn't quite right, but you were in a rush to charge your phone, so you plugged it in anyway? As it turns out, that can do a lot more damage to your device than you'd think. When it comes to using outlets, numerous tech experts advise against using one that seems loose or worn out, barely able to hold onto your phone charger.

"An outlet having weak internal contacts creates intermittent or poor electrical connectivity, which creates constant minor fluctuations in the power delivery to the charger," says tech expert Paul DeMott, the Chief Technology Officer at Helium SEO. "This instability forces the internal voltage regulators and capacitors of the charger to work more and faster to get rid of the dirty power."

"This constant micro-stress causes a thermal breakdown and degradation of the components, which can potentially shorten the operating life of the charger by an estimated 50 percent over time," he continues. "Most people just think of a loose connection as a minor annoyance, but the loose connection is actually considered to be a serious power quality issue."