The chance of an influence financial institution inflicting a hearth, which is the results of a sequence response often known as a thermal runaway, is low. However when it does occur, the fires are intense, sometimes explosive, and tough to extinguish. Early in June, Anker recalled more than 1.1 million aging power banks, and whereas the corporate says it solely obtained 19 reviews of fires and explosions, the incidents brought about a number of accidents and over $60,000 of property harm. Extra not too long ago, Anker recalled another five models, which the corporate mentioned ought to cease getting used “instantly as a result of danger of overheating, melting, smoke, or fireplace.”
Sudden remembers apart, the lithium-ion battery inside your energy financial institution isn’t designed to run perpetually. After years of use and tons of of costs, its efficiency and capability will decline, whereas the chance of extra extreme points will increase. There are issues you are able to do to lengthen your energy financial institution’s lifespan, whereas additionally guaranteeing you need to use it safely. And if it’s already a number of years outdated, there are indicators that your energy financial institution could also be reaching the top of its life and must be disposed of correctly.
Understanding tips on how to detect when an influence financial institution has reached the top of its life may also help forestall {hardware} failures and cut back the chance of a hearth, however so can being proactive and realizing tips on how to use the gadget correctly.
The best way to safely use and lengthen the lifetime of your energy financial institution
It could appear apparent, and it’s not foolproof, however shopping for an influence financial institution from a good model can enhance the probabilities it’s constructed from higher-quality elements and supplies, and that it’s free from manufacturing defects. Cheaper energy banks might seem to be a cut price, however the corners which have been lower to scale back their price ticket might have unfavourable impacts on their efficiency and reliability.
Bigger and dearer energy banks with higher capacities — like a 20,000mAh mannequin as a substitute of a smaller 5,000mAh one — additionally usually last more, according to Anker. Extra capability means an influence financial institution has extra battery cells to distribute the ability load, placing much less pressure on them individually per cost cycle and rising their lifespan.
The thermal runaways usually chargeable for energy financial institution fires are brought about when the chemical reactions in a chargeable battery produce extra warmth than might be dissipated, leading to a speedy, uncontrolled launch of vitality. To assist mitigate the chance of overheating, it is best to keep away from utilizing or storing energy banks in environments the place there’s excessive temperatures. For instance, don’t retailer them in a car that’s vulnerable to getting extraordinarily scorching inside, and keep away from leaving them uncovered to direct daylight.
Storing your energy banks in a cool, dry, and darkish location resembling a closet is a good suggestion, however placing all of them in a single container will not be. Preserving a bit of house between them reduces the chance of an overheating energy financial institution inflicting one other one to overheat.
It’s additionally vital to cease utilizing an influence financial institution and get rid of it correctly if it’s been pierced or broken, which incorporates unintentional drops. Though it could look high-quality on the skin (except for a scuff or a dent), it’s not possible to understand how the battery inside has been affected, and it’s higher to be secure than sorry.
Anker’s solutions for extending the lifetime of an influence financial institution embody solely charging it to between 50 and 80 p.c capability to forestall unintentional overcharging, and to keep away from utterly draining it earlier than the subsequent cost. It additionally recommends in opposition to utilizing your energy financial institution to cost one other gadget whereas it’s being charged, which might generate extreme warmth and put additional pressure on the battery.
Some higher-end energy banks enable for software program and firmware updates, and corporations will sometimes launch updates that enhance their efficiency or repair bugs that cut back their capability or lifespan. You’ll be able to verify the particular producer’s web site to see if it is a function provided in your mannequin and whether or not updates can be found for obtain.
The best way to verify in case your energy financial institution is beginning to fail or is on the finish of its life
There are not any instruments that may definitively let you know when it’s time to interchange an influence financial institution, however a typical symptom of batteries which have reached the top of their life is diminished efficiency. If it’s taking considerably longer to completely recharge the ability financial institution than when it was new or if the variety of occasions you need to use the ability financial institution to recharge your gadget has been diminished, it is likely to be time to interchange it.
Energy banks, notably smaller fashions, will all the time get heat when being charged or whereas powering different units. But when your energy financial institution will get so scorching that it doesn’t really feel secure to bodily deal with, that might be an indication that there are potential issues.
Different signs which are simpler to identify embody bodily adjustments like a deformation or swelling. One of many security options of lithium-ion batteries is a sealed casing that stops chemical compounds like electrolyte from leaking whereas additionally defending inside elements. Extreme warmth, or the age of the battery, may cause the electrolyte materials to decompose, which creates a buildup of gases, making the protecting casing develop like a balloon. If it expands sufficient, it may trigger components of the ability financial institution itself to bulge outward, which is straightforward to identify. If left too lengthy, these increasing gases may cause a battery to burst.
Some points are not possible to detect, so it’s additionally a good suggestion to frequently verify producers’ web sites for product remembers. Firms like Anker and Baseus have devoted pages the place recalled merchandise are listed. You too can seek for particular manufacturers and merchandise on the US Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) website to search out details about remembers.
The best way to safely get rid of an influence financial institution
Regardless that the chance of a hearth and explosions is low, energy banks and different units that use rechargeable lithium-ion batteries should be disposed of correctly and will by no means be thrown away with your private home’s common trash or recycling. There have been several reports of garbage truck fires attributable to lithium-ion batteries getting broken by the car’s crushing mechanisms, and prioritizing comfort over another person’s security is irresponsible.
Some shops that promote electronics, like Staples and Best Buy, supply recycling applications, however they usually have limitations on what they’ll settle for. Based on Best Buy’s website, its shops received’t settle for “objects that current a well being or security hazard” or “any product topic to a CPSC recall.” You’ll wish to first affirm what your native retailer is keen to just accept.
If you happen to’re making an attempt to do away with an influence financial institution that’s been formally recalled or is exhibiting indicators of being on the finish of its life, you’ll want to make sure you’re following native legal guidelines and laws in the case of correct disposal and discover a recycling facility close to you that’s outfitted to deal with electronics which are doubtlessly harmful.
Your native municipality might suggest particular services to make use of. As well as, the US Environmental Protection Agency website lists a number of organizations that may allow you to discover a disposal facility primarily based in your location, together with Earth911, Call2Recycle, and the Consumer Technology Association’s Greener Gadgets. However as with retail areas, it’s a good suggestion to first contact the electronics recycling facility and ensure the forms of units that it’s going to settle for.
Replace July 1st, 2025: This text was initially revealed on June 6, 2025, and has been up to date so as to add information about Anker’s second recall.