USB phone charging very hot?

clayto · 17 Jun 2021

For my Android phone I have a USB charger with two 2.1A and one Fast Charge outlets. The usb plug to the charger gets very hot when on Fast Charge. Is this normal and safe? it gets too hot to hold. My practice has beeen to use Fast Charge for only a limited time (say around 30 mins max) and then to complete with 2.1 A. However both of the 2.1A outlets have now stopped working (after about 2 years use). Is it OK to just use the Fast outlet, even if only for short periods?

joeandmarg0 · 17 Jun 2021

NO.
The charger is faulty and should no longer be used.
If you are familiar with electrical circuits,then dismantle it and visually check for discolouration and distortion.
If you aren't,dump it without further ado.

- - - Updated - - -

Could you confirm that the charger and the cable both heat up?
Is the charger body hot also?

W10 Tweaker · 17 Jun 2021

Lithium doesn't play well with water or heat.

Search YouTube for cell phone battery fires.

Like the above poster said, ditch it immediately unless you want to experience something nasty.

Try3 · 18 Jun 2021

clayto said:

… The usb plug to the charger gets very hot when on Fast Charge. Is this normal and safe? it gets too hot to hold. ...

No, it is not OK to use the Fast outlet even for short periods. It would be reckless.

Parts that users can touch are designed not to be "too hot to hold" so what you have is not working as intended and therefore, you must assume, not safe.

It is possible that a simple loose connection within the charger's 'Fast charge' section is causing the heat but few chargers are made to be inspectable [let alone repairable] so all you can do is stop using it.

All the best,
Denis

clayto · 22 Jun 2021

Thankyou all, for the advice and the warnings. I have removed the Fast Charger, and as I did so it rattled loudly. It is sealed, not that I have any intention to open it, after your advice. Fortunately I have another, standard, charger which seems to be working OK.