The danger of electronics

Almost certainly the battery, rather than the 'electronics'. There were a number of cases a little whle ago, of 'clone' batteries (and some genuine ones), that if mechanically distorted, could short internally. When you discharge the energy in modern cells quickly the temperatures involved can be really dangerous. Even worse, on Lithium based cells, once they rupture, if moisture is present, you then get the chemical action as the Lithium re-acts. Many years ago, large Lithium cells were used in some kit in TV studios. I was present one day, when one started to smoulder. It was not doing much harm, till somebody decided to throw a bucket of water over it. Clouds of really hot steam. The fact the man was in the bathroom, may suggest a similar scenario with water...

Best Wishes

If I remember correctly, one of the reason these batteries can be so dangerous is that during combustion, they create their own oxygen source. This can make the fire very difficult to put out, perhaps nearly impossible using ordinary means.

I recall reading an article on this very subject recently (EE Product News, I think?) that was questioning whether these batteries should be allowed aboard commercial aircraft. The incident of battery ignition is indeed quite low, but it that environment could prove catastrophic. I don't think the general public really understands just how dangerous these devices can become - under the wrong circumstances.

But I guess people wouldn't eat fast food behind the wheel (put on make-up, read a book, etc..) if they understood the forces involved in motor vehicle accidents either... Let's just hope the victim here makes a speedy recovery! And incidentally, never throw water on molten metal fires. Bad idea!

-mpm

I think we'll see more of these kinds of accidents in the future. This one is second in the last year if I'm not mistaken (Sony laptop batteries being the first). As Li-ion batteries become less of a high-end power source and more of a commodity more OEM manufacturers will start manufacturing those and some less controlled ones are bound to have quality problems go undetected. I think if you bought a Li-ion battery on the aftermarket of grey market, you are in danger.

As far as managing the risks, however, you still have a better chance to get hit by a bus than to become torched by your cell phone.

On a sunny day (Tue, 16 Jan 2007 16:49:12 GMT) it happened "Roger Hamlett" wrote in :

Sometimes I have 2 or even three celphones, and a digital camera in my pockets, all with high power batteries. This really made me think twice, maybe better carry that stuff in a carrying case. Did not know about the water danger..... Flammable night clothes are forbidden from selling here IIRC, dunno about other clothing.

Sort of, the reaction gets its oxygen from water (if present) or air These light metals react violently with water, producing heat, hydrogen gas and a metal hydroxide. It was one of the spectaculair demonstrations in the chemistry lessons :-) till health and safety regulations probably forbid it :-(

Imagine someone breaking up his laptop lithium battery and throwing it into the aircraft's toilet....If the effect is not sufficient, he can ignite the resulting hydrogen gas, preferably after waiting till the optimal hydrogen/oxygen ratio is reached.

Wim