Experts warn of fire risk from cheap power banks

New Straits Times

24-05-2025

KUALA LUMPUR: Low-quality power banks pose a serious risk to users as they are more prone to overheating, which can lead to fires or even explosions, warns an expert.
Electrical engineer Associate Professor Dr Mohamad Fahmi Hussin said low-quality power banks, which are cheap and easily available, are characterised by poor internal design, reused battery cells and a lack of safety mechanisms.
Fahmi, a senior lecturer at Universiti Teknologi Mara's (UiTM) Faculty of Electrical Engineering, said such devices often lack battery management systems, which are crucial for preventing overheating, overcharging and short circuits.
"Without a battery management system, lithium-ion cells can enter thermal runaway — an uncontrolled, self-heating process that can lead to fires or explosions," he said.
Fahmi added that some manufacturers use recycled or second-hand cells salvaged from discarded laptops or e-bikes. These cells degrade over time and may develop hidden internal faults.
"No amount of circuitry can fully compensate for a poor-quality cell.
"Such deterioration may not be visible externally, but it increases the risk of internal short circuits, thermal runaway, or unpredictable charging behaviour."
Fahmi also said that placing power banks in enclosed spaces such as handbags or glove compartments may expose them to heat stress, especially if they lack effective temperature cut-offs.
Universiti Malaya's Centre for Ionics physicist Dr Mohd Zieauddin Kufian said leaking battery electrolyte from degraded cells could ignite when exposed to air or moisture.
"Low-end units may not tolerate high temperatures. In a hot car, battery swelling or leakage could lead to chemical fires or small explosions," he said.
Zieauddin added that many cheap power banks carry fake capacity labels, with some units delivering less than half of their advertised output.
He urged regulators to mandate certification and adopt recognized safety standards. These include MS IEC 62133, which tests battery design to prevent overheating and internal faults, and UN 38.3, which ensures batteries are safe for storage and transport under conditions of pressure, heat, and impact.
To combat counterfeit safety markings, Zieauddin proposed a mobile verification system using QR codes linked to a central certification database.
"This step can help prevent users from being deceived by fake certification labels and provide quick access to authentic information regarding product safety," he said.