Threats to Stored Electronics

If you want to store your electronic items, you should be aware of the threats the items might face in storage. Otherwise, you might come back to trashed items at the end of the storage period. Below are some of the things that can damage stored electronics.

1. Moisture

Moisture is a threat to stored electronics on more than one level. For one, moisture conducts electricity so it can trigger short-circuit and damage your powered electronics. Secondly, moisture encourages corrosion of metal, which means it can corrode electrical contacts and reduce their conductivity. Lastly, moisture also accelerates the deterioration of various materials, including insulation materials. Deteriorated insulation can lead to electrical failure.  

2. Rodents

Rodents like to chew on things like plastic, rubber, clothing, cellulose, and anything else their tough teeth can sink into. Unfortunately, some of these things are used in electronic products, especially as insulation. If pests invade your storage space, you can come back to find cables chewed by rodents and their insulation damaged.

3. Loss of Accessories

One of the best tips when packing things for storage is to disassemble large items and disconnect accessories. Things like cables, computer mice, and detachable screens are best stored separately. Unfortunately, the removable accessories tend to be small, and small items an easily get lost when packing and moving things to the storage unit.

4. Physical Damage

Many electronic items are delicate or fragile. This is especially true for items that have screens, such as television sets, laptops, computers, and many smart home appliances. These screens and other delicate parts can easily get damaged during handling. They can also get damaged during storage, especially if you stack the electronics.

5. Temperature Extremes

Extremely low or high temperatures are also bad for stored electronics. In fact, many electronic products have storage temperatures on their packaging. Also, temperature fluctuations trigger the expansion and contraction of solids such as metal. This not only deteriorates the materials, but it can also lead to the weakening and disconnection of electrical parts.

6. Dust

Lastly, you should also worry about the effect of dust on your electronics. First, dusty electronics can easily overheat during usage since the dust acts as an insulator that prevents heat dissipation. Secondly, dust accumulation between electrical contacts also insulates the contacts and prevents the flow of electrical current. Dust also attracts moisture, and moisture is a threat to electronics as described above.

The duration of the storage and the value of the electronics both determine the nature of the necessary storage unit. Contact local storage facilities to learn more about how they can help you protect your electronics.