Car Power Outlet Functions & Causes of Damage
2 February, 2023
The convenience of today’s technology is increasingly spoiling vehicle owners, especially car owners who are always on the go, one of which is the presence of power outlets. This component is a cellphone charger that is found on the car dashboard. With this component, you don’t have to worry anymore if your smartphone’s battery runs out in the middle of the road.
In some cases, the car’s power outlet may stop and no longer work. What do you think causes it? To find out more about what a car power outlet is, its functions, and also the causes of the damage, let’s look at the following reviews!
What is a Power Outlet on a Car?
As discussed earlier, the power outlet in the car is the USB socket on the car dashboard which functions to charge the cellphone. Formerly, this part was used as a lighter, namely a lighter for cigarettes. But lately, the function shifts to being a charger socket.
That’s why in the latest cars, this component is no longer used to light cigarettes, but as a portable charging station. One of them is the Wuling Air ev electric car which has a power outlet feature under the head unit as a cellphone charger, so that this position gives the driver comfort to focus on driving.
Power Outlet Functions in Cars
The main function of the power outlet in a car is as a battery charger, both for cellphones and other gadgets such as laptops or tablets. This certainly makes it easier for you when you run out of cell phone battery while driving. You don’t need to stop looking for a power outlet, because power outlets can handle it.
Cause of Damaged Power Outlet
When using a power outlet to charge, you need to be careful, because it can be dangerous to yourself and those around you if used carelessly. The risk of a short circuit is large enough to potentially damage the gadget. It is not uncommon for this part to be damaged or unusable so that the battery cannot be charged. So, what causes a damaged power outlet?
1. Blockage in Socket
The first cause of damage to the car’s power outlet is a blockage in the socket. This is usually the case when mounted vertically where small items can easily fall into the interior of the socket. The blockage can block current flow and prevent the charger from working. In addition, small objects that enter into the socket can also damage parts of the circuit.
2. Disconnect Power Socket
The next cause of damage to the power outlet is the breaking of the power socket so that the power cannot be charged. If this is allowed, then the fuse can also be broken. This is what makes this component not work at all. In addition, a problem with the cable can also be the cause of damage to this one component.
How to Repair Power Outlets
If your car’s power outlet is damaged and can’t work, then you need to try to have it repaired. The trick is to check for foreign objects that might fall into the power outlet, such as food crumbs, small toys, or others. Use tweezers to pick it up immediately to remove the blockage.
Apart from that, you also need to check the power as well as the ground in the socket using a test light. Check the power in the socket, if there is none then check the fuse. If there is still no power, then check the connection, whether or not it is broken. If the power outlet is broken and can no longer be used, you need to replace it or take it to the nearest repair shop.
That’s a review of power outlets and the causes of damage that typically occurs. The damage may look trivial, but it can reduce your comfort in driving. Therefore, deal with the damage immediately so that the power outlet can be used again.
