Electrical chargers - buyer's guide...for philippine electrical inquiries and orders: email us: SAFEELECTRICAL2013@GMAIL.COM

Electrical chargers - buyer's guide

Sub-standard and counterfeit electrical chargers can be deadly!

The Electrical Safety Council has developed this guide to inform you about the essential safety checks you need to make when buying a plug-in charger.

To obtain further copies of this guide please email us at enquiries@esc.org.uk.

Notes to safety points below:

1. If the distance between the edge of the pins and the edge of the charger is less than 9.5 mm, there is a risk of electric shock when plugging in and unplugging the charger from a socket.
2. If the charger does not easily plug into a socket, the pins may be the wrong size or length, or the distance between the pins may be wrong. If pins do not fit properly into the socket, overheating, arcing and mechanical damage can occur to both the socket and the charger, which can be dangerous.
3. Do not rely on a CE mark alone as a guarantee of safety. A CE mark on a product is simply a declaration by the manufacturer that the product meets all the safety requirements of European law. Like all markings, they can be easily forged!
   
   
4. Also, look for a model or type reference, and a batch marking (if present), which will ease traceability of unsafe or defective products.
5. Sufficient information must be provided to ensure the charger can be used safely. As a minimum, user instructions should provide information on conditions and limitations of use, how to operate the charger safely, basic electrical safety guidance and details of how to safely dispose of the charger when it is no longer required.

Many imported chargers do not satisfy UK safety regulations and can cause serious electric shock, injury or fire.

Suppliers and retailers have a legal duty to ensure that ALL ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT THEY SELL IS SAFE.

The 3-point safety check

1. Plug pins
   Check that there is at least 9.5 mm between the edge of the pins and the edge of the charger (9.5 mm is about the width of a ballpoint pen)
   
   
   
   Plug the charger into a socket but don’t switch it on or connect it to your appliance. 
   
   
   
   Does it plug in easily?
   
2. Markings
   • Look for a manufacturer’s brand name or logo, model and batch number.
   
   
   
   • Check for a CE mark
   • Check that the output voltage and current ratings marked on the charger and your electrical device are the same.
   
3. Warnings and instructions
   Adequate warnings and instructions must be provided.
   
   

FOR PHILIPPINE ELECTRICAL INQUIRIES CONCERNS AND ORDERS:  

EMAIL US: SAFEELECTRICAL2013@GMAIL.COM