System for electrically testing mobile devices at a consumer-operated kiosk, and associated devices and methods

A system for recycling a mobile device, wherein the mobile device has an electronic hardware component, the system comprising:

• an electrical connector configured to be electrically connected to the mobile device;
• testing electronics configured to produce an electrical measurement by measuring an electrical attribute associated with the hardware component over the electrical connector;
• a processor;
• and
• a non-transitory computer readable medium having instructions stored therein that are executable by the processor to valuate, identify, and/or authenticate the mobile device based at least in part on the electrical measurement;
• wherein the testing electronics include:
• a first power line configured to provide a test voltage to the hardware component;
• a current measuring circuit configured to measure an electrical current drawn by the hardware component in response to the test voltage;
• a voltage source coupled to the first power line;
• and
• a power switch configured to switchably connect the first power line to a second power line of the mobile device, and further configured to disconnect the voltage source from the electrical connector when the electrical current exceeds a threshold.