Have you noticed that your charger gets hot? Perhaps when you are charging your EV you find that it’s hot to the touch? Maybe you are starting to worry if this is something to be concerned about or not?
Or are you wondering what can be done about hot chargers? Whatever your reason might be, we have the answer for you!
We know how scary it can be when your charger starts to get hot. You touch it and worry if the heat radiating off it is dangerous. Will it cause the charger to break? Will it harm your EV or other devices? Should you unplug it? How can you cool it down?
These questions race through your head as you see time slipping away and your charger getting hotter and hotter. No matter how much scrolling and searching you do, you can’t seem to find the answers that you need.
You resign yourself to a life of an overheating charger never knowing if it will break or not.
Well, no more! Today we are here with the answers you need. Keep reading to find out why your charger gets hot and what you can do to prevent this. Today, prepare to become an EV charger expert!
Why Does My Charger Get Hot?
Let’s dive straight into it! We all know that chargers can get hot, whether we are charging our phones or our electric cars, it’s a common problem that affects people across the country. So why does it happen?
It happens when the charger converts alternating current into direct current energy. The process of converting the power from your home to power that your EV can use isn’t easy and often will generate heat as it happens.
A little heat is pretty normal, just like when you charge your phone and your phone or the plug can feel hot to the touch.
The varying currents and voltages that flow from the power socket to the device require work from both the charger and the device. It is also why your phone or vehicle can feel warm when they are charging.
The heat that these chargers generate is pretty normal, and often nothing to worry about.
However, it can be a cause for concern. If the heat from the device is causing the charger to not charge the vehicle or the device, then you might have some issues.
There could be a problem with the fuse or wirings within the plug that is causing the charger to overheat. In this case, you can open the plug to see if the fuse needs to be changed.
We only recommend doing this if you are used to changing fuses. The last thing you want to do is give you an electric shock or damage the charger in any way. If you are concerned, we recommend contacting the manufacturer of your EV for further advice.
It’s better to have a professional to offer you advice and look at the charger than to cause any damage.
It might also void your warranty if you go poking about in the charger. Be sure to check your warranty beforehand, you don’t want to have to fork out for another charger. You can find this information in your warranty, or speak to the manufacturer directly if you have any concerns.
There could also be an issue with the vehicle itself. If you suspect this is the case, then be sure to contact the manufacturer. It is worth booking your car for a service to check that there are not any issues with the car itself.
There could be a problem with the charger port that needs to be examined. Often, this will be covered in your warranty, but be sure to double-check beforehand. You don’t want to get hit with an unexpected fee!
Most times, your charger getting hot isn’t a sign of anything dangerous. It might be that the charger has been on and working hard for a while, in which case simply switch it off and it should cool down.
It’s perfectly normal for your charger to get a little warm or feel hot to the touch, but if the issue persists or you become concerned, be sure to contact a professional who can run some diagnostics and see what can be done.
How To Keep My Charger From Overheating?
To stop your charger from overheating, you will want to ensure that it is functioning and that there is no problem with your car. If your vehicle has issues with its fans or cooling mechanisms, this can cause the charger to overheat.
Making sure that you unplug your charger when it starts to feel warm can stop it from getting too hot and overheating.
Remember, if you have any concerns at all, be sure to raise them with your car manufacturer. They will be able to offer you the best advice depending on your car and the situation.
You can also ensure that the area where you are charging is well ventilated. If you charge your car in a garage, opening a window or having a fan near the charger can help to dissipate the heat quickly and prevent it from overheating.
If you charge your car outside, then any wind can do this for you. It might be more challenging in warmer climates or the summer, so be sure to check on the charger regularly.
It is also worth charging your car in the evenings or overnight when the temperature is a little cooler. Don’t forget to check your user manual for some tips from the manufacturer about the best way to charge your car!
Final Thoughts
And there you have it! Your charger gets hot because of the alternating current changing to direct current and the different voltages it needs to convert between the charger and your car.
While this is completely normal, if this is a repeat issue or you find the charger is getting too hot, then be sure to contact the manufacturer for some assistance. It is normal for your charger to be hot, but you don’t want it to be burning you!
