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Life is hectic and busy, you’re constantly relying on your smartphone for work and to keep your life in order, and without even realizing it, you may be charging your device with substandard accessories. Perhaps you’re thinking: what’s the harm in using an old, frayed, and slightly broken charging cable — it’s still going to get the job done, right? Before you give your iPhone another charge using a damaged cord, read on to find out what tech experts have to say about the scary thing that can happen to your iPhone if you charge it with a broken cord.
When it comes to tech accessories like charging cords, the bottom line is: if it looks like a disaster, you don’t want to rely on it to charge your expensive device.
“When charging a device with a frayed cable, there may not be a smooth and steady flow of power going into the device, leading to power surges that can damage the battery,” says Antti Alatalo, CEO of Smartwatches 4U. “It's not just your device at risk but also the surrounding items. A power surge causes electronic devices to overheat, turning them into a fire hazard. In addition, the exposed wiring is also quite volatile when it's charging a device. Touch it and you risk an electric shock.”
Tech expert George Mouratidis at SIM Tourist agrees. “Frayed cords stop electricity from flowing correctly into your device, and can result in damaging your internal components,” Mouratidis says. “It could damage your battery due to the faulty flow of electricity, and may increase the possibility of electric shock.”
As a rule of thumb, never use any chargers with any of the wiring exposed, Alatalo reminds us. “It's just not worth the risk, especially since charging cables are inexpensive and readily available.”
Considering how broken cords are a risk to the safety of those around you; pets, family, friends, and home, Mouratidis suggests keeping a few simple charging rules in mind. “Be sure to purchase authentic iPhone chargers,” Mouratidis says. “Do not purchase generic cables with cheap thin casing. Take care of them by not carelessly yanking out their phone charger. Carefully remove it from the electrical outlet after you’re done charging your phone.”
These simple, but effective charging strategies will help maintain the integrity of your iPhone battery and device — while also keeping you and your family safe.
