What are the safety hazards of flying wire charging?
4 Answers
There are two main safety hazards associated with flying wire charging: the risk of charging socket burnout and the potential for electric leakage. Risk of charging socket burnout: If the power selection for the extension board charging is incorrect, it may lead to burnout during use. Currently, the total output power of commonly used household extension boards in China is insufficient to meet the power demands of electric vehicle charging. According to the power requirements for EV charging, it often exceeds the upper limit of extension boards, which can cause overload and potentially lead to fires or even vehicle ignition. Additionally, when using household appliances, high total power may result in burnt fuses or circuit breakers tripping. Potential for electric leakage: Unlike charging piles with human supervision, flying wire charging poses certain risks. Taking residential communities as an example, roadside charging may lead to accidental contact by passersby, resulting in electric shock hazards to personal safety. Another issue is that the exposed "flying wire" itself is extremely dangerous. During rainy or snowy weather, outdoor sockets are prone to short circuits, creating safety hazards during charging. Flying wire charging refers to new energy vehicle owners connecting household sockets to portable chargers via cables through doors or windows when proper charging facilities are unavailable or for convenience. While it can address charging needs for users unable to install wall-mounted charging piles, this method carries significant safety risks, easily causing fires or electric shock accidents. Therefore, flying wire charging is an irregular charging method, and new energy vehicle owners should actively avoid using it.
I live in an old residential area and often see neighbors using ordinary wires for makeshift charging, which I think is quite problematic. If the wires are cheap, the high current during charging can easily cause overheating, smoking, or even fire, especially noticeable with electric vehicle charging, where the wires can get hot enough to melt the insulation. On rainy days, wet wires pose a high risk of leakage, and if someone walks by or a child touches them, the electric shock could be severe. Additionally, unstable voltage can damage the battery, shortening its lifespan, like a swollen phone battery or a ruined electric vehicle battery. It's recommended to use a proper charger with a leakage protection switch for much safer charging—don't just go for temporary convenience.
The key safety hazard of makeshift charging lies in electrical defects. Ordinary wires lack overload protection, and high charging currents can cause localized overheating, leading to wire burnout. For example, using an extension cord to charge an electric vehicle for an hour may make the wire too hot to touch, risking short circuits and fires. Exposed wires are prone to wear; stepping on or crushing them can damage insulation, posing electrocution hazards. In wet conditions, the risk of electric shock multiplies, and voltage fluctuations may damage equipment and battery internal structures. I recommend choosing certified products to avoid cost-cutting risks. Installing a surge protector can also provide better protection for daily charging safety.
I've had a poor experience with flywire charging, which comes with many risks. The wires are too thin and generate excessive heat; when charging a phone, the socket gets hot quickly, raising concerns about fire hazards. For electric vehicle charging, the exposed wires can get bent and the insulation damaged, posing a risk of electric shock. If the wires get wet from rain, leakage currents can easily cause harm. Unstable voltage can also damage the battery's lifespan. Don't cut corners—using a proper, certified charger is reliable and puts safety first.
