shavers only ! toothbrush charging debate.

[NICKYNUNN]

Hi all, I'm trying to get a clear answer regarding whether or not you can use a shaver point to charge an electric toothbrush.
The main opinions I've collected so far are
1. You can't, they are not designed for long periods of use which electric toothbrush charging would require.
2. You can, the "shaver only" notice is just to stop people trying to plug in euro 2 pin hairdryers etc.
Ive seen an MK shaver point with symbols suggesting you can use it for both shavers and electric toothbrushes, not sure how this unit differentiates itself electrically from most other "shaver only" products on the market.
It has been hard to find a solid answer from a respectable source regarding this.
Any opinions?

 

[DPG]

I think the main issue is that these sockets have always been called shaver sockets, and have always had the same shaver symbol on them. Obviously over time electric toothbrushes have come out, but not everybody had added a toothbrush logo; possibly because it's not a requirement.

What about chargers for epilators, skin care device, etc? The manufacturers aren't going to add a picture of every possible chargeable device. Any low current charger should be fine if the socket is made to the normal standards.

 

[Mike Johnson]

The Contactum shaver socket I installed about thirty years ago has been used to charge my toothbrush since I bought one, if I remember when they first became available, must be twenty years hence, it is never unplugged from the charger unit, just took if off the wall and all looks fine inside and the insulation is also fine.

 

[NICKYNUNN]

I think the main issue is that these sockets have always been called shaver sockets, and have always had the same shaver symbol on them. Obviously over time electric toothbrushes have come out, but not everybody had added a toothbrush logo; possibly because it's not a requirement.

What about chargers for epilators, skin care device, etc? The manufacturers aren't going to add a picture of every possible chargeable device. Any low current charger should be fine if the socket is made to the normal standards.

true, but why stipulate shavers only?

 

[DPG]

true, but why stipulate shavers only?

Yes, fair point. I suspect there's no actual good reason for it to be honest.

 

[NICKYNUNN]

As an installer, if a client requests a socket for toothbrush charging, a sensible response could be to fit the "mk dual voltage shaver/toothbrush supply unit". Eg from Wolsey: MK Electrical shaver/toothbrush supply unit dual voltage 115/230v output (220/240v 50/60Hz input) White | Wolseley - https://www.wolseley.co.uk/product/mk-shaver-toothbrush-supply-unit-dual-voltage-115-230v-output-%28220-240v-50-60hz-input%29-white/ That's clearly made for the purpose.

Here's an article: Socket Outlets For Shavers: What Do You Need To Consider? - https://professional-electrician.com/technical/socket-outlets-shavers/
that hints at some of the requirements of the BS EN 61558-2-5 standard:
"The transformer of a shaver supply unit is an isolating transformer, intended to provide protection against electric shock by ‘electrical separation’. The transformer is of the short-circuit proof type (either inherently or noninherently).
A thermal cut-out is provided in a shaver supply unit to limit the temperature of the transformer under conditions of short-circuit or overload. The cut-out may be of either the self-resetting type or the manually resetting type.
The front of a shaver supply unit is marked with the rated voltage(s) and with the symbol shown left. A degree of protection of at least IPX1 is provided by a shaver supply unit."

I fear you may not find a solid answer across the board, but my own view, for what it's worth is that it's safe to plug a low wattage (eg 1 to 2W) toothbrush charger into a BS EN 61558-2-5 shaver supply unit!

thanks, appreciate you sharing your knowledge. I wished MK clearly stated in the technical info that the shaver is suitable for charging over long periods of time (at least the time it takes to charge your average toothbrush/shaver etc), whilst I do sincerely appreciate the opinions of trade experts on here, it would be nice to see some official confirmation from the manufacturer, this is what I'm trying to get at.

 

[freddo]

For a lot of customers we often fit toothbrush chargers such as these that take many of the common toothbrushes: Electric Toothbrush Charger c/w Shaver Socket - White | PROOF (PV12P) - https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/PV12P.html

 

[Avo Mk8]

thanks, appreciate you sharing your knowledge. I wished MK clearly stated in the technical info that the shaver is suitable for charging over long periods of time (at least the time it takes to charge your average toothbrush/shaver etc), whilst I do sincerely appreciate the opinions of trade experts on here, it would be nice to see some official confirmation from the manufacturer, this is what I'm trying to get at.

What is not clear in the technical info that the model I mentioned is not suitable as a toothbrush charger, or will not give a continuous power output of 20VA (200mA trip current apparently)? There is no caveat as to duty cycle or time limit.

MK Electric catalogue

MK Electric catalogue

mkelectric.presti.media

 

[Avo Mk8]

Mind you, having said that in my previous post, I see the Click Scolmore data sheet has a 'disclaimer' about not using their shaver unit for charging purposes. https://www.mylights.co.uk/images/pdf/VPSC100GY.pdf
I'm hoping more research on BS EN 61558-2-5:2010, might make it clearer where the concern about suitability for charging comes from. I'm just wondering if it stems from the test house carrying out the type testing, requiring such a statement because of the (poor?) performance of the overload protection arrangement.

 

[littlespark]

I believe it was mentioned before… the shaver socket as we know it was produced for CORDED shavers. Now everything is cordless, are we using the wrong equipment?
A charging battery will use much less power than trying to run a motor… but is on for much longer.

I do know that the pictogram on my socket denotes a corded shaver. (Wylex, I think)
Has anyone got instructions for a shaver socket that explicitly states that only corded shavers be plugged in, or that other things like battery shavers and toothbrushes must not be.

 

[Avo Mk8]

The pictogram is defined in the standard, so I assume putting it on the outlet is a prerequisite for compliance.
You've made me think, perhaps the issue is all about too little load.
The standard allows a no-load transformer voltage of 275V
Maybe the issue is, with a 1W toothbrush charger, the voltage could be higher than the charger is rated for?