![]() They are often poorly constructed in general.They often try to generalize to multiple plug and socket types resulting in a loose fit, which can lead to arcing and numerous large holes, which can lead to mis-plugging (especially with cheaper adapters that have no shutters and have the contact holes very close to the edge of the adapter).Sometimes sadly you have little choice but to accept the additional risk from operating an appliance that should be grounded without a ground, because the available sockets don't provide one but other times you end up losing the ground even if both the appliance and the socket have a ground connection. Travel adapters are problematic in several ways. It's generally at the receptacle itself, or at a nearby receptacle, or at the circuit breaker all are equally acceptable. ![]() It won't do anything to prevent arc-caused fires, the aforementioned arc-fault breaker (AFCI) would do that.Įither protection could be located anywhere in the building the proof of the pudding is if you hit its TEST button, the outlet loses power. Is the outlet GFCI/RCD protected?Ī GFCI aka RCD/RCBO device will help keep you from getting shocked by a loose or broken adapter. An arc-fault detecting circuit breaker will help protect you, but those are rare. The more current, the more arcing shut off the load and arcing stops. The issue is "series arcing faults", where the power jumps (arcs) across a flimsy connection in order to get through your device. But trying a 1500 watt hair dryer is asking for trouble. ![]() You can get away with murder if your load is only a 10 watt iPad charger. Is the load small?Īdapters are notorious for very flimsy connections. That will help compensate for adapter problems not least that these adapters love to exchange hot and neutral. If you see a "Square on Square" symbol (literally a square inside a square), that means your load is double-insulated. It also depends on the load, in two axes. However if the most prominent mark is CE or CCC, that means they couldn't get a proper listing it's a self-admission of junkness. These shops don't bury the lede: If they have a hard-won UL Listing, ETL, BSI, CSA, TUV etc. So look for ones with the stamp of a reputable testing lab. (in fact the CE mark can be counted on to be counterfeit unless an EU bricks-and-mortar manufacturer made or imported it). It's that an awful lot of that stock is made in the far east, and lacks any certification by any competent testing lab. Stacking two of them isn't really the issue. It really depends on the travel adapter(s)
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