Electronics have made our lives easier, and to ensure their optimal working, humidity levels must be balanced. Both low and high humidity can harm electronic devices. Humidifiers are ideal for boosting the amount of moisture in the air and maintaining optimal humidity levels in low humidity areas, but how do they affect electronics?
Humidifiers can be safely used near electronics when operated at a minimum of 1 to 3 feet away. The mist nozzle must not be directed towards the device. Relative humidity levels should be maintained between 30-50%, which is suitable for electronics and ideal for human health.
This article will explain the importance of humidifiers, the effects of low and high humidity on electronics, the effects of using humidifiers on electronics, and answer some frequently asked questions about them.
Types of Humidifiers
Humidifiers can be warm mist or cool mist.
- Warm mist humidifiers use heat to create and emit steam into the air, raising humidity levels.
- Cool mist humidifiers use rotating disks, fans, or vibrating plates rather than heat to create water vapors that they emit as fog into the air.
Central Humidifiers
Central humidifiers are typically built into the HVAC system of your home. Though costly, this is one of the best options for maintaining humidity levels throughout your entire home and improving the shelf life and performance of electronics that would otherwise deteriorate due to the extremely dry climate.
Ultrasonic Humidifiers
Ultrasonic humidifiers are a good choice for use around electronics because they quickly optimize humidity levels without generating heat or raising the room’s temperature. They split water droplets into fine mist particles using high-frequency sound waves. These humidifiers emit both cool and warm mist.
Impeller Humidifiers
Impeller humidifiers are cool mist humidifiers that use a rotating disk to generate water mist. The rotating disk spins at a high speed, breaking water into fine droplets and releasing them into the air.
Evaporative Humidifiers
Evaporative humidifiers use a fan to create a fine mist that is released into the air through a wick without using any heating element.
Steam Vaporizers
Steam vaporizers use steam to humidify the air. They have an internal heating system that boils water and produces a mist that is cooled before expelling into the air.
Effect of Various Humidity Levels on Electronics
Optimal Humidity Levels
Optimal humidity levels allow electronics to work effectively. Moderate humidity levels support surface mount technology (the method to assemble the electric components on the surface of the printed circuit board) in electronics, maintaining them in excellent working condition.
Most electronic devices operate under optimally humid environments and malfunction if the humidity is too low or high.
Most brands label the humidity range in which their products can work well, and while many have a small range of optimal humidity iPhones for example, are able to function in 5-95% relative humidity.
In fact, most LCD screen TVs are able to operate optimally in humidity levels that range from 10 to 80%.
Low Humidity Levels
Low humidity levels (below 30%) dry out the solder paste in solder joints causing defective products.
In fact, low humidity is the leading cause of electrostatic discharges (ESD) in electronics damaging sensitive electronic components.
Low humidity in homes or offices also leads to static electricity that can be harmful to electronics. Static discharges lead to short-circuiting that has the potential to damage electronic components of devices.
High Humidity Levels
High humidity levels cause condensation in the electronic components, which has a negative impact on devices. It can:
- Reduce shelf life of products
- Cause device malfunctioning
- Condensation on metallic electronic components can cause corrosion
- Condensation combined with dust can clog up the overlay components and vents.
- Cause short-circuiting in the electrical components of a device if you turn it on before the condensation evaporates.
The life of transistors in most electronics is likely to be reduced if electronic appliances are used in humid environments. Continual exposure to high humidity levels can decrease the insulation resistance in electrolytic capacitors.
High humidity can also cause the malfunctioning of semiconductor components, diodes, and microchips.
Are Humidifiers Good or Bad for Electronics?
Humidifiers do not harm electronics, but low (or excessively high) humidity can. This is because the components in electronics are sensitive to changes in humidity. Humidifiers can maintain optimal operating humidity levels (30-50%) and help prevent humidity-related damage to electronic devices.
Low humidity (<30 %) in particular has been associated with electronic device damage caused by electric discharges. While excessively high humidity (>95 %) can cause condensation and ultimately corrosion of metal components, or a loss in color saturation and brightness in screens (e.g., LCD).
All humidifiers are safe to use around electronics. However, it is essential to keep humidifiers away from electronics (ideally 3 feet).
You can use the humidifier in the same room as other electric appliances. However, it is critical to monitor indoor humidity levels so that moisture is added to the air at a moderate rate, rather than exacerbating the problem by adding more humidity than required.
Most humidifiers include a built-in humidistat, which makes humidity optimization simple and eliminates the need for you to babysit the humidifier. You can also track the humidity levels using a hygrometer if needed.
If the relative humidity of the room exceeds 60%, it can be a concern for devices and appliances, leading to surface precipitation and the multiplication of bacteria and mold.
In fact, it is for this reason electronic manufacturing and storage facilities require a consistent relative humidity level of 50% to reduce the risk of defects caused by inappropriate soldering and de-soldering processes. Humidifiers are quite safe and efficient devices to maintain these humidity levels without posing any risk to electronics during their manufacturing, and can provide the same benefits in your home.
Effect of Humidifiers on Computers
A humidifier is unlikely to damage a computer unless you place it right next to it. Although it’s important to remember, running a computer and humidifier in the same room with closed doors can also lead to highly humid environments if the preset humidity level is not appropriate (i.e., >50 %).
Ideally, computers or laptops should be kept 3 feet away from the humidifier to avoid accidental water spills on sensitive electronic devices, or the direct deposit of water droplets from the humidifier outlet.
It is also vital to use distilled water in humidifiers (not tap water). The minerals left behind as tap water (or non-purified water) evaporates are problematic for electronics. The same applies to smartphones and tablets.
Low humidity can also be problematic for computers – Dry air creates static electricity that can damage computers, particularly if the computer is opened to for cleaning or to make some adjustments.
Effect of Humidifiers on TV’s
Humidifiers can be used near a TV if placed at an appropriate distance (3 feet). The screen and power cable should not be directed toward the humidifier’s mist outlet. TV’s are usually designed to withstand some moisture, and it will require a significant amount of water to damage a TV.
Extremely high humidity leads to corrosion and condensation, ultimately damaging your TV.
Take special note of the humidity levels that the manufacturer of your device recommends avoiding such problems – for example, LCD TVs can easily operate at up to 80% relative humidity, while OLED TVs should not be exposed to humidity above 50% to prevent early degradation of the system.
How Far Should a Humidifier be from Electronics?
Your humidifier should be at least 12 inches away (ideally 36 inches or more) from other electric appliances. Ensure the mist nozzle is not directly pointed toward any electronic devices; otherwise, the mist can damage them.
Is it Okay to Put a Humidifier Near a Computer?
A humidifier can be placed up to 3 feet away from a computer. Keeping the humidifier in closer proximity to a computer can cause water droplets to be taken into the computer via the computer’s air inlet or increase the humidity above optimal levels, which can lead to short-circuiting, condensation, and clogging of the vents (that keep the computer cool).
What Humidity is Best for Electronics?
A relative humidity range of 30-50% is best for electronic devices. You can consult your device’s manufacturer to know the precise optimal humidity range of your device. Any electronics used at humidity levels below 30% or above 60% are highly susceptible to early degradation and damage.
How Can I know the Optimum Humidity Range of my Electronic Device?
Most electronics manufacturers mention the optimum humidity range of their products in the owner manual. If not provided, you can consult customer support to have information about the humidity range in which your electronic device functions perfectly.
This will save your device from malfunctioning due to fluctuations in humidity.
