During freezing weather, there are multiple ways electronics can be damaged if not properly stored or protected, including condensation, battery damage, and freezing. Amid the coldest part of the year, we’ve provided some tips for keeping electronics warm in freezing weather and what to do with frozen electronics.
When the temperature fluctuates, condensation builds on surfaces like windowsills, glass, and inside potted plants. This also happens to electronics and can lead to corrosion if not addressed. LCD screens contain fluid that can freeze in extreme temperatures and cause devices to malfunction.
Batteries can also be negatively affected by freezing temperatures. When a battery gets cold, it discharges more rapidly in a “rundown,” which will gradually lessen the charge potential. This will eventually affect the battery’s ability to charge at all. Many electronics are now made with Lithium Ion batteries, which cannot be charged below 32ºF (0ºC) without causing damage.
Electronics such as motors, disk drives, and servo valves that rely on movement can also experience performance failure from the cold. Metal contracts as the temperature drops, making moving parts run under higher load stress.
It is essential to store them properly to prevent damage to electronics during freezing weather. Practice caution when using them after they have been exposed to severe weather. Waiting a few hours before powering on electronics in extreme temperatures is one way to help prevent moisture-related device failure. After bringing in electronics, condensation may form once they are inside where it’s warmer, and waiting before use helps allow any potential moisture to dry.
Keeping your house’s temperature at a comfortable middle ground is also useful for keeping your electronics functioning correctly in the winter. If you’re unsure what temperatures are safest for your device, check the manufacturer’s specifications for the minimum and maximum temperatures for storage and use.
Cold weather and company devices
For businesses, the same risks apply to laptops, phones and servers kept in unheated storage rooms, warehouses or vehicles over the winter. Retired devices waiting for disposal are often stored in those spaces, and they still contain company data.
If cold damage or age means equipment will not return to service, HOBI International, Inc. can collect it with secure pickup and transport, provide certified data destruction and IT asset disposition, and resell devices that still have value through Sell Used IT Equipment. Contact HOBI to schedule a pickup.