Despite bold news headlines of battery recalls and laptops catching fire, modern laptop batteries are actually very safe. In fact, the number of batteries affected by the problems that caused the recall were extremely low. Batteries include a number of safety features to keep small failures from turning into large problems, and many safety features will help prolong the life of a laptop battery. Below are a few of the most common safety features found in modern laptop batteries.

Over-voltage Protection

Most batteries are designed to operate in the 3-4.2 volt range when discharging, or providing power to the laptop. In some circumstances a malfunction could cause this voltage to rise. There is a circuit contained in most batteries that will shut down the battery if it goes outside of this range, protecting it from providing to much voltage. Many motherboards also have a safety feature to protect against over-voltage, offering added protection.

Thermal Interrupt

The thermal interrupt feature protects the battery from receiving too much current or from overcharging. Both cause excessive heat, which can be extremely dangerous to a lithium-ion battery especially.

Shut-Down Separator

The shut-down separator is a safety feature that will shut down the battery in the case of extremely high temperatures that could cause a safety risk.

Despite the safety protections offered by these features, many safety features also help to prolong the life of your laptop battery. Many of the safety features are designed to keep the battery from overheating, which will prolong the life of any battery. When using a modern laptop, you can rest assured that a number of excellent safety features have been implemented to keep you safe. Despite these safety features, it is always a good idea to practice safe laptop usage. Avoid exposing your laptop and its battery to excessive heat and replace your battery if you see any signs of malfunction or damage.