Can neodymium magnets damage electronics？

Neodymium magnets (Ndfeb Magnets) are widely used in various industries due to their strong magnetic force. Some netizens are concerned that they may damage electronic devices. So, is this really the case? Actually, it depends on the situation. It is not necessarily the case that they will cause damage. The main factors include the strength of the magnet, the distance between the magnet and the electronic device, the duration of contact, as well as the type and design of the electronic device.

Situations that may damage or affect electronic devices;

Mechanical hard disk drives (HDD): Mechanical hard disks store data using small magnetic areas on magnetized platters. The hard disk contains precision read/write heads that float above the rapidly rotating platters. Extremely strong magnetic fields may interfere with the precise positioning of the read/write heads or cause them to shift, resulting in physical damage.

Old-style cathode ray tube (CRT) monitors/televisions: CRTs create images by emitting an electron beam that strikes the phosphor coating on the inner surface of the screen. The deflection of the electron beam is controlled by a magnetic field. External strong magnetic fields can interfere with the magnetic fields inside the device that control the electron beam, causing color distortion, image distortion, or color spots on the screen. This typically does not cause permanent physical damage.

Credit cards, bank cards, magnetic stripe access cards: The magnetic stripes on the back of these cards store information in a manner similar to hard drives, by magnetizing small areas. Strong magnetic fields can erase or damage the data stored on the magnetic stripe, rendering the card inoperable.

Certain medical devices (e.g., pacemakers, defibrillators): These devices are highly precise and rely on built-in magnetic sensors or electronic circuits to function. Strong magnetic fields may interfere with their normal operation or even cause certain functions to fail, posing a serious threat to the user's health and safety.

Speakers, headphones, and microphones: These devices contain magnets (typically ferrite, which has lower strength) and voice coils. External strong magnetic fields may cause the internal magnets to become partially magnetized or demagnetized, altering their magnetic properties and resulting in sound distortion, reduced volume, or changes in sensitivity.

Illustrated with a 3mm cube neodymium magnets

Situations that typically do not damage electronic devices

Solid state drives (SSDs), USB flash drives, and memory cards: These devices use flash memory chips to store data, which is stored in transistor cells in the form of electrical charges and does not rely on magnetic media.

Smartphones and tablets: Modern smartphones and tablets are generally highly resistant to magnetic fields. Under normal usage conditions (such as using magnetic charging cables, magnetic stands, or phone cases with magnets), the main functions of the phone (storage, screen, battery, core chip) will not be damaged. The main effects may be limited to inaccurate electronic compass readings when close to magnets and slight distortion of the speaker/earpiece (if the magnet is in close contact with them).

LCD/LED displays/televisions: These devices produce images by deflecting liquid crystal molecules or emitting LED light, and do not rely on magnetic fields to control electron beams. Therefore, they will not damage or distort the display on LCD/LED screens.

Most electronic components on a printed circuit board (PCB), such as resistors, capacitors, integrated circuits (chips), and most inductors, do not rely on external magnetic fields for normal operation. Static magnetic fields typically do not alter their electrical characteristics or cause damage.

The risk posed by neodymium magnets to electronic devices is specific and targeted; not all electronic devices are susceptible to magnets. When you are unsure of the internal structure of a device, it is best not to place strong neodymium magnets in direct contact with or very close to any electronic device.

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