An article on an Australian website caught our eye, and it told a story we believe is worth retelling. A laptop owner in Melbourne, Australia purchased an aftermarket battery online for her laptop. This was after the original one was no longer able to do the job properly. We assume from what followed she was unaware of the dangers regarding some aftermarket batteries.
What Happened Next Was Not a Pretty Story
The woman installed the laptop battery, put it on continuous charge, and then retired for the night. At just after midnight the battery exploded, sending burning fragments all over the room. The wooden floor could have caught alight which could have turned out a disaster. She also suffered light injuries, but these were thankfully not too serious.
By the time the Metropolitan Fire Brigade arrived the small fires were out, although the injured person needed treating at the scene. The Fire Brigade’s investigators later released these photos as ‘a warning to other computer owners’, and we decided to pass the message on to spread the news.
https://youtu.be/EtbJy1mpQJY
The Dangers Regarding Some Aftermarket Batteries
Laptop batteries are not all the same, although they do all have a tendency to overheat when left on continuous charge for a long time. Manufacturers match laptop batteries carefully with their associated devices, and their chargers. If one of these is out of sync as appears to have been the case, there is a possibility of an electric fire.
There is nothing wrong with purchasing an aftermarket battery on the internet, provided it is the right one, and we are aware of the dangers regarding some aftermarket batteries. When ordering, state the specification clearly, and include a photo of the old one if possible.
When the new one arrives, compare the two carefully. Finally, try not to leave a charging laptop battery unattended, especially for the first few times.
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Video Share Link: https://youtu.be/EtbJy1mpQJY
