Have you ever seen a headline like “Man Seriously Injured After E-Cigarette Explodes” in the news? These headlines are all over the internet, with scary headline descriptions and bloody pictures. It’s an easy way to get a few likes and some heated comments about vaping from both people who know and people who don’t know anything about it.
The problem is that news like this will scare away many people, including smokers who are considering switching to vaping, and parents who are concerned.
Vapers don’t want these rare accidents to discourage people who want to quit, so they’re always ready to explain to newbies how to use them safely. The explanation for the accidents above is that the vaper was using a mech mod with a custom-built coil that exceeded the safe resistance. Mech mods don’t have the safety mechanisms of regulated machines, and if you don’t know what you’re doing with one, you can get yourself into trouble without even realizing it.
“If you use a regulated mod and a good battery,” we say, “your device won’t explode.” We’ll criticize shoddy manufacturers and re-packaged batteries. But most vapers agree that a quality mod is as safe as your phone or laptop.
But are we really right? Do we really feel safe just because we think we’re using a regulated machine and not a mechanical one? Are regulated machines as safe as we think?
With and without control mechanism
Before talking about the safety of regulated mods, users must understand the difference between a machine with a regulated mod and a machine without one.
Basically, Mech mods just pass the battery current directly into the atomizer and have no safety features or minimum resistance limits. If the user uses a coil with extremely low resistance and the battery is not compatible, there is nothing to prevent the power source from causing the battery to go straight into heat and explode.
Regulated mods or mods with controls let you adjust the wattage (or directly control the voltage) or just operate at a preset wattage. They also have safety features, including a minimum resistance limit and a maximum current limit, and will shut down if the mod runs too long or if the coil resistance goes above or below the mod’s limits. Modern mods can do everything a mech mod can do, but much more safely.
This is also why regulated mods are considered a safe choice for casual users. While mech mods are not too dangerous if you know what you are doing, there are still certain dangers if you do not know what to expect when using them.
Regulated mod issues
Problem with the machine starting up automatically
This is a pretty big issue that has been plaguing the once popular iStick 50W and more recently the iCare, as well as most other vape pens and mods, called auto-start. This is when the device starts running without you even noticing, without the switch being pressed.
This error can cause many harmful effects such as quickly running out of essential oils and causing the cotton wick to burn out, affecting the battery. So if you see one of your regulated mods automatically turning on even for a few minutes, immediately “retire” that device, because if this happens when you are not there to stop it in time, it can lead to a fire or explosion with serious consequences.
Problem of using inappropriate battery
With regulated mods that don't use internal batteries, they can run into problems if you use a battery that can't keep up with the wattage you're drawing. Batteries are only safe to operate within their voltage range, and if you try to draw more than the battery's maximum voltage, you can damage the battery.
Most battery problems are heat-related. Once a battery starts to overheat and fail, it continues to heat up. This is called thermal runaway, and it can lead to serious problems with lithium batteries. They will release hot gases rather than explode, but if your device doesn’t have a vent, it can cause pressure to build up in the battery chamber.
While there are many other causes of heat (such as battery age), the biggest cause is that drawing more current than the battery's safety limit can cause heat to build up and damage the battery.
Regulated machines try to mitigate this by increasing the amperage limit in their safety mechanisms, but if the battery still can't deliver that amount of power, you're still at risk. The safest bet is to choose a battery with a slightly higher amperage rating.
Users should choose batteries from reputable manufacturers, avoid using batteries of unknown origin, and minimize the use of re-wrapped batteries.
Expose the battery to high temperatures
Heat is the enemy of batteries, so leaving your device in direct sunlight all day can cause problems. While you should generally avoid leaving your battery in extremely hot or cold places, high temperatures are more likely to cause problems.
Charging circuit error
Even simple fixed-wattage regulated mods like the eGo can explode. Often the cause is a charging issue, such as a faulty charging circuit on a poor quality device. For example, the circuit draws too much power from the charger or doesn’t stop when the battery is full. The problem is tricky to pin down, so the best advice is to stick with devices from reputable companies that are recommended by many vapers, rather than going for the cheapest one you see.
Use regulated mod safely
If you have a regulated mod and want to use it as safely as possible, you can follow the steps below to ensure you minimize any risks.
Don’t be stingy with your money. Choose a machine from a reputable manufacturer with quality. A Kangertech or Wismec device is more affordable and guaranteed than a cheap machine of unknown origin.
Choose the right battery. Choose batteries with high continuous current from reputable manufacturers such as Sony, VTC...
Remember to turn off or lock your device when carrying it outside. A device that turns itself on may be due to a problem with the internal circuitry, but most often it is due to user error. Always remember to lock or turn off your device before putting it in your bag.
Don’t carry batteries around. Batteries left lying around in your bag can come into contact with metal objects and cause a short circuit. This is the cause of most e-cigarette explosions. When you carry batteries around, keep them in a plastic or silicone case.
Do not leave your device in direct sunlight. Your battery may overheat if exposed to sunlight or other heat sources.
Regularly check the battery to detect damage as soon as possible.
Don't drop your phone. Accidental drops happen, but remember that every time you drop your phone, the battery inside can be damaged. Take care of your phone and check it if you accidentally drop it.
Conclusion: Don't Panic Too Much
Regulated mods are generally not something that vapers need to worry about. As long as users always remember the safety rules when vaping, vape devices are no different from other household appliances.