Trust nothing

[8ob]

In recent years I have had a few transformers let smoke escape, also had two of these usb type leads melt. The one below was plugged into a usb charging type double socket but not into anything on the other end, I could smell burning in the workshop, turned out to be this lead self combusting.

Bob

 

[MoreWellie]

quite a few of the transformer blocks are no longer real transformers. Switched mode power supplies used instead. The complexity tends to make them likely to fail than a transformer especially at the cheaper end of the scale

I always try to switch off or unplug power blocks that are not currently in use but the youngsters seem to leave them always on and the lead hanging for convenience

I can imagine that sort of metal sheathed cable are, when flexed, more likely to wear through the inner cable insulation and short out on to the sheath

 

[skotl]

I'd think that a lot of people believe that USB and Lightning (aka Apple) cables are just wires, but must of them do have electronics in them so a poorly made one could definitely transform itself into a smoke machine.

More info:

USB-C e-mark circuitry
Lightning circuitry

 

[Tangledfeet]

I've never had any confidence in the USB chargers in wall mounted sockets so have stuck with the tried and tested standard sockets and separate chargers.

As an aside here's what a very, very small proportion of the £50,000,000 that's been spent on iPads for pupils in Fife... they started being distributed to pupils yesterday. Ironically, the original chargers purchased were withdrawn as they turned out to be a safety risk! There was an absolute mountain of cardboard from all the packaging.

 

[dobbslc]

Brain washing the next generation into iproducts

 

[indy4x]

I'm always cautious of unbranded USB leads, usually bin those that come with cheap USB gadgets and stick with recognised brands

Hate the cloth covered leads and they go in the bin as well

 

[Nomad]

Scary to see that

I'm normally fairly cautious around larger batteries (power tools, e-bikes etc) but had always considered USB cables as passive & safe.
Wall chargers vary, I trust the larger named brands, happy to use unbranded but only when I'm nearby to keep an eye on them.

 

[AVI_8]

That’s an eye opener, we’ve typically got around 4 phone cables plugged in around the house 24/7

As an aside here's what a very, very small proportion of the £50,000,000 that's been spent on iPads for pupils in Fife

The huge poster in the background sums up Scotland, encourage school kids to identify as something they’re not born as, at my sons high school there’s a maths teacher who identifies as a Dragonfly, has blue hair and wears winged costumes, god help any kid who calls him sir, sent straight to the head teacher.

 

[oldbikedavey]

That’s an eye opener, we’ve typically got around 4 phone cables plugged in around the house 24/7


The huge poster in the background sums up Scotland, encourage school kids to identify as something they’re not born as, at my sons high school there’s a maths teacher who identifies as a Dragonfly, has blue hair and wears winged costumes, god help any kid who calls him sir, sent straight to the head teacher.

That's pretty impressive.....

 

[8ob]

Scary to see that

I'm normally fairly cautious around larger batteries (power tools, e-bikes etc) but had always considered USB cables as passive & safe.
Wall chargers vary, I trust the larger named brands, happy to use unbranded but only when I'm nearby to keep an eye on them.

I put a 110v circuit around the mancave powered by this site transformer, a few years ago now it started to smell and the transformer which started to break down was cooking its way through the bottom of the casing. Seldom used and not in use at the time.

Bob

 

[TryingToWeld]

I've never had any confidence in the USB chargers in wall mounted sockets so have stuck with the tried and tested standard sockets and separate chargers.

Absolutely, a fire waiting to happen!

Permanently on, with no way to isolate them if a fault occurs. I don't know who gave approval for such a dangerous idea, but there's no way I'd fit one in my house.

 

[badabec]

The huge poster in the background sums up Scotland, encourage school kids to identify as something they’re not born as, at my sons high school there’s a maths teacher who identifies as a Dragonfly, has blue hair and wears winged costumes, god help any kid who calls him sir, sent straight to the head teacher.

Dragonflies have two sets of genitals, use their penis to rake out other fly's sperm and are carnivorous.
A good role model.
Just what do you call him?

 

[cheb]

That’s an eye opener, we’ve typically got around 4 phone cables plugged in around the house 24/7


The huge poster in the background sums up Scotland, encourage school kids to identify as something they’re not born as, at my sons high school there’s a maths teacher who identifies as a Dragonfly, has blue hair and wears winged costumes, god help any kid who calls him sir, sent straight to the head teacher.

Is he a good teacher, as in can he teach the children well in his chosen subject?

I'd prefer a good unorthodox teacher than a bad mainstream one.

 

[skotl]

This forum's ability to switch topic so quickly never ceases to amaze me

 

[E T]

This must be the best thread diversion of the year.
From usb fire hazzard to dragonflies and the gender malarkey.
My take on the last bit. Anybody who identifies as a dragonfly, or anything other then human should be in an asylum.
There's two genders. Male and female, nothing more to it.

 

[Tangledfeet]

This forum's ability to switch topic so quickly never ceases to amaze me

My fault!

 

[fizzy]

I'd think that a lot of people believe that USB and Lightning (aka Apple) cables are just wires, but must of them do have electronics in them so a poorly made one could definitely transform itself into a smoke machine.

More info:

USB-C e-mark circuitry
Lightning circuitry

So many USB leads aren't what they claim. Even the ones that can handle the full charging current often can't pass data at the speeds they claim. Getting a good lead to do BOTH at a sensible price isn't easy

 

[MetalMonkey]

The chargers from IKEA are pretty well regarded. Most of the cheap chargers from the usual suspects offer little in the way of protection.
For cables I prefer to stick with something branded, Anker are usually pretty good, as are kenable own brand. But USB cables get a hard life and they all fail, unusual failure but not entirely unexpected.

Chargers should always be switched off when not in use, something I’ve been banging on about to friends and family for years and may as well be talking to a brick wall.

Never been a fan of the USB charging sockets for the same reason. Electronics die.
Cheap electronics die quickly, and most of the USB charging stuff is extremely cheaply made to be a minimal viable product.

 

[MoreWellie]

pupils in Fife

Quoted that bit as I don't seem to be able to quote a picture

Glad to see the pupils are exposed to equal opportunity shopping trolley acquisition, judging by the colours of the handles anyway

@skotl bored with the original topic now

 

[oldbikedavey]

This forum's ability to switch topic so quickly never ceases to amaze me

Human beings are chaotic, for the most part.....