HOBI Weekly Blog Recap (9/26-29/22)
As we head into one of the colder months of the year, remember that your electronics can be just as easily damaged when exposed to freezing temperatures. Just like in the summer, it’s smart to never leave your phone, laptop or tablets in a car or outside during this time of year. While you’re making hot cocoa, and lighting a fire, make sure your electronics are stored somewhere they won’t be exposed to the cold. We’ve provided some tips on how to keep your electronics warm and toasty during the winter weather.
- Extreme temperatures of any kind can be harmful to your electronics. If you wouldn’t leave them in the car during the summer, don’t do it during the winter. Likewise, do not leave packaged electronics outside on the porch. Hard drives especially are susceptible to complications. For example, when the lubricants that keep the platters spinning freely thicken, the platter will be unable to spin at design speeds, resulting in improper booting and damaged data.
- If your device has been sitting outside in freezing temperatures, try not to expose it to a sudden rise in temperature, as this will create a layer of fog (much like when your glasses fog up) which will later turn into a thin layer of condensation. Moisture of any kind can cause electrical shortages on circuitry. If the device is inside a box, leave it in the box or package and let it warm up first before removing it. Or, give the device time to thaw before turning it on.
- Despite freezing temperatures, you may find yourself at a soccer game, or another outdoor activity that must go on, and need to charge your phone or laptop. It’s important to note that many smartphones and laptops are now made with Lithium Ion batteries, which cannot be charged below 32ºF (0ºC) without causing damage. Though the device will appear to charge as normal, this will cause metallic lithium plating to occur on the battery anode, and the battery will become more apt to failure in the future. Instead, make sure all of your devices are charged before leaving the house, or charge them inside the car while it’s warm before heading out into the cold.
Keeping your house’s temperature at a comfortable middleground is also a useful method for keeping your electronics functioning properly in the winter. If you’re unsure what temperatures are safest for your device, check the manufacturer specifications for the minimum and maximum temperatures for storage and use.
If disaster has struck before you were able to properly prepare, consider ITAD facilities such as HOBI International as a safe, eco-friendly disposal method. HOBI has been in the IT and Mobile Asset Disposition industry for thirty years, with a focus on maximizing economic return, and mitigating potential environmental liability.
For more information about our ITAD services call 817-814-2620, or contact HOBI at sales@hobi.com.
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