American Government Takes Excessive Actions in Stopping Galaxy Note 7 in the U.S.

Samsung Electronics is facing an emergency state as America’s FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) and CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) are suggesting Americans not to use Galaxy Note 7 in the U.S.

Although Samsung Electronics is looking for ways to solve this situation such as even recalling the entire quantity of Galaxy Note 7, a controversy has reignited as American authorities are taking variety of excessive actions. Rather than simple problems involving a product, some believe that American Government is trying to protect its industry.

These predictions are gaining more momentum as Apple is introducing its iPhone 7 at the same time when Samsung Electronics is introducing Galaxy Note 7.

Worries have gotten even bigger as Samsung Electronics can face a same situation that SONY and Toyota faced in the past.

FAA is advising Americans not to use Galaxy Note 7 in airports as there are variety of fire incidences involving Galaxy Note 7 such as fire that occurred in garage in South Carolina on the 4th (U.S. time) and car fire that occurred in Florida on the 5th. This kind of trend is expanding towards Europe, Canada and Japan as even CPSC is also advising Americans not to use Galaxy Note 7.

South Korean industries believe that this suggestion by American Government is bit too excessive and they are pointing out that this is an excessive response to protect its industry. Experts are suggesting doubts by saying that probability of fire occurring in cars and garages due to combustion of batteries of Smartphones is not that high.

If a cellphone were to ignite on its own, cathode and anode of a battery needs to be combined together and create heat. Due to this energy, LCD liquid crystal becomes crushed and starts ignition. However a representative of a South Korean industry explains that Galaxy Note 7s that were found at accident scenes that occurred in South Carolina and Florida were far from being crushed.

Analysis that believes that possibility of fire is not high due to lithium-ion batteries is actually more predominant.

According to Flammability handbook for plastics, which is a scientific journal for material engineering, combustion of lithium-ion battery that is used for Smartphones is between 90°C and 120°C. Considering the fact that cellophane and polyurethane are ignited at 305°C and 350°C respectively, it is very low temperature.

Battery industries believe that possibility of huge fire is low since time for flame to be maintained is very low since carbon dioxide and flammable gas are produced when lithium-ion batteries are burnt. 

“Until now, Smartphone’s liquid crystal and battery were burnt little bit during these accidents and there weren’t any major explosions.” said Professor Cho Jae-pil of UNIST. “I believe that the U.S. is taking excessive measures since explosion cannot happen since there is a control device.”

Electronics and telecommunication industries believe that not only is the U.S. trying to protect its consumers with this suggestion but it is also trying to protect its electronic industry. They believe that Samsung Electronics has provided a good excuse just like recall incidences that happened to SONY and Toyota in the past.

This kind of opinions are gaining more momentum as Samsung Electronics is battling fiercely with Apple by recovering its market share in the U.S. with Galaxy S6. Although Apple put out iPhone 7, it is not receiving much attention as Galaxy Note 7 did.

“It is certain that any countries will try to implement policies that will be more advantageous for their businesses.” said Professor Lee Byeong-tae of UNIST. “Apple and the U.S. are actively utilizing this opportunity and they do not have to be concerned about protecting their trades.”

“Since there aren’t any special measures that Samsung Electronics can take at this time, it needs to hurry up and find ways to recover from this situation.” said Professor Lee. “It can protect from its brand being tarnished forever by pushing forward a date to re-supply its product as most as it can and increasing number of benefits for consumers.”

Staff Reporter Park, Taejun | [email protected] & Staff Reporter An, Hocheon | [email protected]