Is It Normal for Car Charging Cables to Heat Up?

[LaEliana]

Car charging cable heating is not normal. Specific reasons for heating: Battery life expiration: Battery products have a life cycle. If charging is no longer possible, battery life issues need to be considered. Generally, the battery life cycle is 2-3 years, and factors determining lifespan are mainly related to user habits. Fuse blown: If the internal fuse of the battery is blown, the battery cannot charge, and the fuse needs to be replaced. Poor contact at the interface: When there is poor contact between the fuse tube and the fuse holder, the battery may not charge fully or at all. Professional repair services are required to address issues of incomplete charging or failure to charge.

[DelLillian]

A couple of days ago, I also felt the charging cable getting warm when I plugged in, which startled me at first. After consulting a technician, I learned that slight warmth is normal since electric current generates heat. However, if it feels too hot to touch or you smell plastic, you should stop charging immediately. Common issues include loose plugs, poor socket contact, or low-quality cables. I later switched to a certified national standard cable, and now I check the temperature after each charge—it's usually just slightly warm. I also make sure to avoid direct sunlight during charging, as high temperatures can worsen the heating. It's similar to how a phone charger heats up during fast charging—the key is to ensure it stays within normal limits.

[ElliotLee]

Cable heating falls into two scenarios: slight warmth in winter is quite common, and feeling warm to the touch in summer is normal, but if it's too hot to touch, something's wrong. The key is whether the cable specifications match the vehicle's power—using a 3kW cable for a 7kW car will definitely cause overload. Once, my cable connector was noticeably hot, and upon inspection, I found the socket metal tabs were deformed, causing poor contact. Now when charging, I routinely check the temperature at connection points—if the cable body temperature is within 10°C above ambient after half an hour, it's safe. Also, watch for hardened or cracked insulation, as aged cables are particularly prone to overheating. Keeping an infrared thermometer handy is advisable; anything above 60°C should raise concern.

[AlainaAnn]

The passage of electric current through cables inevitably generates heat, which is a physical characteristic according to Joule's law. However, the amount of heat generated depends on the resistance value. Poor-quality cables with thin copper cores and thick insulation layers have significantly inferior heat dissipation efficiency. Through testing cables from different brands, I found that inferior products can be up to 15 degrees Celsius hotter under the same power. Paying attention to the heat dissipation environment during charging is particularly important, as coiled cables can form electromagnetic eddy currents that exacerbate heating. Actual measurements show that laying cables flat results in temperatures about 8 degrees Celsius lower than when they are coiled. Oxidation of metal connectors can also increase contact resistance, making regular maintenance with electronic cleaner essential. Temperatures exceeding 70 degrees Celsius can accelerate the aging of the insulation layer, creating safety hazards.