charging multiple electrical devices

[David Waterman]

Hi,

I am frustrated by the lack of electrical outlets in my bathroom. I realise there is an electric shock hazard and that is the reason behind this problem. However, I don't see why I can't plug all my devices in at the same time so they can charge, even if they charge one-at-a-time. Isn't it a simple enough matter to time share the supply to multiple plugs?

Is there some risk I'm missing here?

I find myself also wondering why things like shavers and toothbrushes can't charge via a USB outlet too. Of course, I'm presuming there that the risk is lower from a USB socket than the usual one - I know many USB chargers can supply quite a lot of current, and even at 5V that is probably some risk, but they don't have to supply a lot of current, I imagine.

What do you think?

Max.

 

[Andy78]

It is a pita to find a round-pin socket anywhere else in the house; so, yes, I'd say it's a 'hardship'.

As said, you could use a round pin adapter anywhere in your house, or just remember to charge your bathrooms items. My electric toothbrushes and shaver tend to last about 5 days before needing charging, I've never felt the need to charge them simultaneously or sequentially.

 

[davesparks]

Would you want to make your toast and boil the kettle in your living room, not much hardship just inconvenient.

Shouldn't the REGs be updated in this day and age as bathroom design has moved forward in the last 40 years, as an example my bathroom is well insulated and heated no issues with condensation, pan, sink and wall units all wall hung. Times change time to move on.

That is not in any way a comparable situation, the kitchen is a room designed for cooking in, so it's reasonable to expect to have the necessary power available there.

Maybe the regs should be updated, in my opinion there are a lot of things in the regulations which need reviewing. But as it stands at the moment the regulations are what they are.
Times have indeed changed and these days I don't think there's many mains powered shavers out there, so maybe it's time to do away with the shaver sockets since shavers are generally battery powered now?

 

[davesparks]

It is a pita to find a round-pin socket anywhere else in the house; so, yes, I'd say it's a 'hardship'.

I'm not talking about plugging anything in that isn't already meant to be used in a bathroom. For example, I have a shaver *and* a toothbrush, and I'd quite like to keep them plugged in all the time, or at least to be able to plug them both in overnight so they are fully charged in the morning. They don't need to be both charging at the same time, since they don't take all night to charge - just needs a 'smart socket' to switch them half way through the night, or something.

Oddly enough the last shaver I bought came with a 13A plug type charger and not a two pin one. However prior to that they all came with a 13A adaptor for the two pin plug.

Why not stagger the charging so that you charge each item on a different day or night? I can't imagine that the battery is drained enough to require charging every night is it?

 

[David Waterman]

You're over-complicating things here. Do what I do - buy two 'shaver adaptors' and plug them into a bedroom double socket. Both appliances then charge safely. I don't see the necessity of charging them in the bathroom.

...except that what you suggest is more complicated than my solution, where I *don't* take things from the bathroom to the bedroom all the time, nor do I need any adaptors other than those that are there (assuming my proposal is plausible).

 

[David Waterman]

Oddly enough the last shaver I bought came with a 13A plug type charger and not a two pin one. However prior to that they all came with a 13A adaptor for the two pin plug.

Why not stagger the charging so that you charge each item on a different day or night? I can't imagine that the battery is drained enough to require charging every night is it?

That's what I do do...it's annoying, not just to actually do (or more likely forget to do), but with plugs hanging and/or falling on the floor, it's messy and an ugly solution.

 

[davesparks]

That's what I do do...it's annoying, not just to actually do (or more likely forget to do), but with plugs hanging and/or falling on the floor, it's messy and an ugly solution.

surely the plugs hang and fall on the floor when you unplug the chargers when they are not in use just as much as when only one is in use?

Or do you leave them permanently plugged in and wasting electricity?

 

[David Waterman]

As said, you could use a round pin adapter anywhere in your house, or just remember to charge your bathrooms items. My electric toothbrushes and shaver tend to last about 5 days before needing charging, I've never felt the need to charge them simultaneously or sequentially.

Yes, but that is the problem I'm trying to solve...it's a pita to do that, so I wondered if there's a reason why a better solution, such as the one I suggest, isn't viable/plausible.

It sounds like most people don't think there's a need, but I certainly do. My shaver, for example, isn't just a charging device, but a cleaning device. My toothbrush is almost at the point where it does need charging every night. I'd quite like to not have the bother of moving them around and/or unplugging/plugging them in all the time. The don't need long to charge/clean/etc, so I don't even need them to be powered all the time, so why not just automatically switch them in the middle of the night (or perhaps even sense when they stop drawing current and switch to the next one...or something).

 

[Andy78]

That's what I do do...it's annoying, not just to actually do (or more likely forget to do), but with plugs hanging and/or falling on the floor, it's messy and an ugly solution.

If this is really a problem enough for you to suggest a change in the regs, and you don't see why the regs are like they currently are, then just ignore them and install more sockets in the bathroom.
In the long term you can make your fortune developing a multi socket sequential charger.

 

[David Waterman]

If this is really a problem enough for you to suggest a change in the regs, and you don't see why the regs are like they currently are, then just ignore them and install more sockets in the bathroom.
In the long term you can make your fortune developing a multi socket sequential charger.

I don't think I'm suggesting a change in the regs....or *am* I? I guess that is actually the root of my question, actually.

[edit] ...and to ask if there is already such a thing, which is seems not.

 

[davesparks]

I think the main reason no such device exists is that nobody has yet made one, or,if they have they haven't been able to manufacture and sell it profitably.

Personally if I needed two shaver sockets then I would install two shaver sockets, although I've never had a bathroom with any shaver sockets.

There are a lot of mirror/cupboard units with incorporated lights and shaver socket out there, and I think I have fitted one at some time which had a shaver socket inside the cupboard and one on the outside.

 

[DPG]

Right, here's the solution. Fit 3 shaver sockets in your bathroom. Problem solved and all nice and sage.

 

[davesparks]

I don't think I'm suggesting a change in the regs....or *am* I? I guess that is actually the root of my question, actually.

[edit] ...and to ask if there is already such a thing, which is seems not.

A change in thenregs is just the start, you'd need a change in the approach of the vast ,ajority of electricians too. I still occasionally encounter electrician she who are applying regulations which were removed many many years ago. I've had one recently try to tell me that the regulations don't allow a flex of more than 2metres length to be installed, despite this having been removed from the regulations in the 70's (or possibly 80's)

 

[HandySparks]

Hi,

I am frustrated by the lack of electrical outlets in my bathroom.

Just get an electrician to install another (transformer isolated) shaver socket in the bathroom. Can't think of any regulation against it.

 

[Ian1981]

Build a bigger bathroom and make sure your sockets are 3 meters away from zone 1

 

[Squid]

Build a bigger bathroom and make sure your sockets are 3 meters away from zone 1

Or cut a hole in the bathroom wall and plug the device in to a socket in the room next to the bathroom.