[Reading Science] Is Your 'Digital Door Lock' Constantly Malfunctioning?

Many people get frustrated because the 'digital door lock,' which opens the door by entering a password, often malfunctions.
[Photo by pixabay]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jonghwa] Nowadays, most households use 'digital door locks' that open by entering a password. However, these digital door locks often malfunction, leading to frequent calls for locksmiths. It’s like calling an analog technician to fix a digital device.

The analog technician quickly fixes the device after opening and closing it a few times. In such cases, some people vent their frustration on the wrong repairman. Seeing this, the phrase 'digital age' can sometimes feel quite ironic.

Batteries also seem to drain surprisingly fast. Usually, about four batteries are used, sometimes up to eight, but even with frequent use, replacing 4 to 8 batteries within just one or two months clearly indicates a problem.

Not having to carry a pocketful of keys is an advantage, but if the device breaks down too often and batteries need to be replaced at least once every two months, isn’t that not much different from the analog era? What exactly causes the troubles of digital door locks that make one feel like they are regressing from the digital age?

The cause of most digital door lock malfunctions is said to be the 'battery.' Normally, once batteries are replaced, they should last for at least six months. However, while there may be no problem initially, issues usually start from the second replacement onward.

Out of reluctance to waste batteries, some people even touch the four batteries to their tongue, pretending to check the remaining energy by the current flowing on the tongue’s tip. Without any basis, they replace only half of the batteries with new ones and continue using the other half of the old batteries. In other words, if there are four batteries, two are new and two are worn-out batteries reused.

During this process, batteries from different manufacturers are sometimes mixed. For example, if the old batteries were from Company A, the newly purchased batteries from a convenience store might be from Company B, but they replace them without concern.

This is where problems arise. Even if some battery capacity remains, all batteries?whether four or eight?must be replaced at once. Also, it is correct to use batteries from the same manufacturer. Using batteries with different remaining energy levels together or mixing batteries from different manufacturers can cause leakage, leading to device malfunctions.

If batteries with different remaining energy levels are used together, leakage can occur from the battery that discharges faster. The same applies when using rechargeable batteries. Since the energy levels of each rechargeable battery can differ over time, it is advisable to replace all rechargeable batteries at once.

Why is it problematic to use batteries from different manufacturers? Although batteries look the same externally, their performance varies according to price differences among manufacturers. The particle size and amount of the anode and cathode materials used differ by manufacturer. This means there are differences in battery 'capacity (mAh)' and 'output (W)'.

Moreover, even new batteries discharge at different rates. Therefore, mixing batteries from various manufacturers with different specifications causes the battery that depletes energy first to accelerate the discharge of batteries with remaining energy. Simply put, trying to save money ends up causing other batteries to discharge faster, increasing the overall battery cost.

Although it has the advantage of not having to carry a bunch of keys in your pocket, if it breaks down too often, the "digital door lock" is rather considered worse than a key.
[Photo by pixabay]

If two types of batteries from Company A and Company B are used and Company B’s battery discharges first, Company A’s battery has to work harder to compensate for the lack of energy. Since Company A’s battery must work more than expected, it inevitably wears out faster.

Additionally, Company B’s battery is also affected. Even after its lifespan ends, it is pressured to provide more energy, causing stress that leads to leakage. The leaked substance dries into white powder, sticking inside the device and corroding the mainboard, causing digital door lock malfunctions.

Even if you think there is remaining energy in the batteries, it is best to replace them all at once and use batteries from the same manufacturer together. When disposing of used batteries, always throw them into designated battery collection bins. Batteries contain zinc and mercury, so disposing of them with regular trash can cause environmental pollution and fire hazards.

When placing batteries in collection bins, attaching Scotch tape to the + and - terminals makes it safer. If battery terminals come into contact, the risk of heat generation increases, which can even lead to fire. Now, you won’t have to call the innocent locksmith anymore, right? Even if it feels wasteful, please replace all the batteries at once.