Why Does the Car Charger Get Hot?
3 Answers
It is normal for a car charger to get hot. There is energy loss during the conversion between AC and DC power. Most chargers use highly efficient switching power supplies, but due to size limitations, they generally lack a PFC (Power Factor Correction) circuit, resulting in a power factor of less than 0.7. The remaining energy is mostly converted into heat. Precautions for an overheating charger: 1. Charge in a cool environment: If the car charger overheats, it is best to charge it in a cool place during summer, such as an air-conditioned room. This will prevent the charger from overheating. 2. Use the original charger: When charging your phone, always use the original charger to ensure stable output current and protect the battery. Original chargers may still get warm but will not overheat due to built-in protection mechanisms. If the charger overheats, it may be counterfeit or non-original. 3. Avoid using the phone while charging: Using the phone while charging can cause the charger to overheat, as it has to work longer than usual. This can damage the charger and reduce its lifespan.
It's quite common for car chargers to get hot, and I've encountered this several times. There could be several reasons: First, the current is too high, such as when you plug in a high-power device like a tablet or gaming console, and an incompatible charger is prone to overheating. Second, it could be due to the quality of the charger—if internal components like capacitors are short-circuited or aged, the electrical energy converts entirely into heat during the process. Third, poor heat dissipation, especially in summer when the car's interior temperature is high, or if you've tucked the charger behind the air vent, blocking ventilation. Fourth, incorrect usage, like prolonged charging without breaks, keeps it under constant load. I must remind everyone that slight warmth is tolerable, but severe overheating poses a fire hazard, so it's advised to stop using it immediately and check. For daily use, opting for chargers with UL certification or 3C marks is more reliable, ensuring both device protection and safe travel.
When going on long drives and needing to charge my phone, the car charger would get burning hot as soon as I plugged it in. I later figured out the reasons. Mainly, it's due to a mismatch in output power—high power consumption from the device itself can overwhelm the charger with sudden current surges. Additionally, the charger might have poor heat dissipation, especially common in cheap models where plastic casings trap heat and can't release it quickly. Unstable vehicle voltage can also cause internal components to overheat. Once, I used a no-name brand charger, and it overheated and burned out the internal circuitry in no time. Now, I stick to reputable brands, place the charger in a well-ventilated spot rather than cramming it into a corner, and avoid leaving it plugged in for hours on end. These small habits help reduce risks, especially during hot summer months—never let your guard down.
