Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology => Topic started by: annie123 on 26/08/2015 07:04:14

Title: Does sunlight affect the working of electronics?
Post by: annie123 on 26/08/2015 07:04:14
I was sitting outside - phone on a table in the sun, and another battery powered appliance. A guest told me to put them in the shade because they would be damaged by sunlight. Is this true? if so, why?
Title: Re: Does sunlight affect the working of electronics?
Post by: RD on 26/08/2015 07:30:48
Heat affects the performance of batteries, permanently ...

Quote from: batteryuniversity.com
Heat is a killer of all batteries and high temperatures cannot always be avoided. This is the case with a battery inside a laptop, a starter battery under the hood of a car and stationary batteries in a tin shelter under the hot sun ...
http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/how_heat_and_harsh_loading_reduces_battery_life
Title: Re: Does sunlight affect the working of electronics?
Post by: Colin2B on 26/08/2015 08:50:30
Longer term exposure to sunlight also affects the LCD display. It can fade or produce black areas. Keep it covered as much as possible.
Title: Re: Does sunlight affect the working of electronics?
Post by: evan_au on 26/08/2015 15:38:26
A black mobile phone in direct sunlight gets quite hot.

Commercial-grade semiconductors are rated to 50C. The case can easily reach this temperature; the temperature of the chips inside will be even higher. Industrial-grade semiconductors are rated to 70C, but are too expensive for consumer electronics like mobile phones.

When using a GPS mapping application in the hot Australian summer, my wife has to direct cool air from the car air conditioner onto her mobile phone, or it shuts itself down due to overtemperature.

I am sure that having a phone cover attached, and mounted in a car bracket further reduces its ability to dissipate internal heat.

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