Can Magnets Damage Electronic Devices? Will it destroy popular gadgets such as laptop, tablet, or smartphone? Let’s find out.
Magnets are objects which produces a magnetic field which causes two different iron-containing objects to be attracted and aligned by a magnetic force.
There are different kinds of magnets such as bonded neo, dipole magnet, electromagnet, ferrite, horseshoe magnet, neodymium, magnet, plastic magnets, superconducting magnets and others. Why do they exist? What are they for?
Did you know that most of us are using magnets throughout our daily activities without being aware that they are present? How? The appliances we have at home like our washing machines, refrigerators, ovens, toasters, television sets, computer sets, air conditioners and others have this magnetic parts or portion which make it do its job.
Also, the machines use in a fast food restaurant, in big companies like IT companies, BPO companies, and factories as well as those apparatus in the medical field or in the hospitals. They are made out of magnets to perform its functions. Magnets are everywhere. However, there are lots of questions and inquiries regarding the effect of magnets to our electronic devices.
Here are some of them with answers for your guidance:
Do Magnets Screw Up Electronics?
Yes. However, it depends on how strong the magnetic field which is present in the magnet. Not all electronics devices are capable of being ruined by a magnet. Some of those that are at risk are Computers, Laptops, CRT Monitors, Hard-Drives, Flash Memory, Cables, Phones, Cell phones, Cameras among others.
Why Do Magnets Damage Electronics?
Literally, there is no reason why magnets causes damage to our electronic devices. The only thing that is important is our awareness of the distance of the magnets when placing our devices at one point especially when they are turned on. There is a possibility that your devices will get affected by the magnetic field of a magnet and would make your device malfunction or shuts down immediately and permanently.
Can Magnets Damage Our Phones?
Yes. However, due to innovation and advanced in technology, the phones that we have are now equipped with a special LCD screens which are vulnerable to magnets. Despite the good news of the vulnerability of recent phones, you should not be relaxed in exposing your phone with a magnet for a period of time because it might still be damaged especially your phone’s digital compass.
Do Magnets Affect Cameras?
In the case of old cameras, the answer is yes. They are susceptible of being damage especially when a hard-drive acts as an internal storage. Data stored in a hard-drive are most likely to be corrupted or erased when exposed to magnets or strong magnetic field. However, what is visible and commonly used nowadays, are the digital cameras.
Do magnets affect digital cameras? No. Digital cameras are not bothered with magnetic field. They are incorporated with features which are immune or magnet-resistant. They have magnetic imaging technology which do not in any way affect the digital cameras even when rubbed with magnets or close contact with it. Thanks to innovation and technology revolution.
Are Magnets Bad for iPhones?
iPhone is one of the most trusted and most popular brand of cellular phones all over the world. I have been an iPhone user for a period of time and I am still amazed and appreciative of how it evolved from time to time. Do magnets bad for iPhone? Well, the answer is it depends. If the magnet produces strong magnetic field or pressure, it will definitely disrupt the sensitive feature of your iPhone.
But of course, if magnets are just present without inducing pressure of magnetic force, you are rest assured that your iPhone will not become inoperable. Just be cautious if you don’t want your iPhone to malfunction drastically. In addition, magnetic accessories for iPhone are just fine.
Can a Magnet Affect a Laptop?
No. A magnet cannot just affect a laptop but it could damage the hard-drive if there is enough or substantial amount of magnetic field which may cause its disruption. Even if you put a lot of magnets beside the laptop, a relative amount of magnetic force is needed in order to disintegrate the performance of your laptop.
Remember, a laptop has also magnets inside creating an electrical power which enables it to power up and its hard-drives are made out of metal which allows the magnet and the hard-drive attracts with each other and messing up the memory stored in it.
Can It Affect Your Personal Computer?
Yes. Just like the laptop, your personal computer has also a hard-drive stored inside which may attract a magnet and could possibly ruin it’s hard drive. However, larger magnetic force is required in order to damage a personal computer.
What is Neodymium Magnet?
The neodymium magnet is the most commonly used type of magnet and is commercially available in the market. How does it affect our electronic devices? It affects our electronic devices because of the strong magnetic field it produces and can severely damage them. Neodymium magnets badly damage magnetic storage which include floppy disk, magnetic recording tapes, hard drives and others. They can also ruin your television, computer, CRT displays and others.
Luckily, your cellphone, iPod, calculator, and other devices which do not have a magnetic storage feature are safe when close contact with a neodymium magnet.
How About Neodymium Magnets Used in Hospitals?
Yes. The neodymium magnets are the most commonly used in the medical field, health care facilities and hospitals in treating patients. If a device malfunctioned because of the magnet, the treatment of patient will be disturbed and his life will be put at risk.
Taking precaution is not overreacting but a sensible way of protecting your electronic devices from magnets. It may or may not harm your gadgets. However, there is nothing wrong of being aware of the effects of magnets to our electronic devices. Your knowledge about the effects of magnets in your electronic devices will be useful and helpful in your daily activities.