logo elektroda
logo elektroda
X
logo elektroda

Why Does My Phone Charger Spark When Plugged Into Power Strip?

belmont1990 16854 6
ADVERTISEMENT
Treść została przetłumaczona polish » english Zobacz oryginalną wersję tematu
  • #1 14193884
    belmont1990
    Level 9  
    Hello, as in the subject - I have noticed that when I plug the phone charger into the power strip (of course the charger has a plug without a protective pin) when I plug it in there is a slight but visible spark jump from the hole into which the phase is led. What is causing this?
    I should add that there is no spark at all when plugging in a modem, router or landline phone to this strip, but this is not the fault of this particular charger, as I checked another one from a different phone - the spark jump is visible again.
  • ADVERTISEMENT
  • Helpful post
    #2 14193939
    bodom
    Level 30  
    There is no softstart function on the charger and the capacitor in the inverter wants to charge. This is typical. This jump should not be there if you unplug the charger for a second and then immediately plug it back in.
  • ADVERTISEMENT
  • Helpful post
    #3 14193943
    Darkdarkman
    Level 30  
    This is probably due to the high input capacitance of the charger.
    When switched on for a very short time, until a steady state is reached, it is almost a short circuit.
  • ADVERTISEMENT
  • #4 14194069
    belmont1990
    Level 9  
    I see, in that case it is not a fault of either the skirting board or the home installation? As I wrote - other appliances when connected do not give a spark jump, only those phone chargers.

    Since, as my colleague wrote, this spark is "almost a short circuit", is it dangerous for the skirting board or the appliances running on it, or the installation? I wouldn't want a situation where when I plug in a charger it knocks out my fuses....
  • ADVERTISEMENT
  • #5 14194099
    kokapetyl
    Level 43  
    belmont1990 wrote:
    I would not like a situation where when I plug in the charger it knocks out my fuses...
    .
    This phenomenon is perfectly normal and nothing will happen.
  • #6 14194132
    Darkdarkman
    Level 30  
    However, laptop power supplies can sometimes blow a fuse in the power strip.
    Again, this is nothing unusual or dangerous.
  • #7 14195173
    belmont1990
    Level 9  
    Hmm, what puzzles me, though, is that when connecting the aforementioned chargers at my girlfriend's house to a regular extension lead without pins, no spark jumps.

    It's worth mentioning that she has a newer, 3-wire installation with sockets in the walls having protective contacts, while at my place there is an old 2-wire aluminium installation with bridging done (done only a week ago, so there's no way for 99% that the cables are untightened), while from this socket there goes the strip to which I connect the chargers and sparks do appear.
    However, other sockets in other rooms (non-zeroed) also show sparking, so I don't understand it myself anymore....

    EDIT: I checked a few more times at the other house, my mistake - however, at the girlfriend's house also the same jumping occurs in the sockets when plugging in the chargers ;) simply at my place it happened to me recently almost every time I plugged in, here as if less frequently.

Topic summary

The discussion revolves around the phenomenon of sparking when plugging phone chargers into a power strip. Users note that this sparking occurs specifically with phone chargers and not with other devices like modems or routers. Responses indicate that the sparking is likely due to the high input capacitance of the chargers, which can cause a brief short circuit effect upon connection. This is considered a normal occurrence and not indicative of a fault in the power strip or home wiring. Concerns about potential damage to the power strip or electrical installation are addressed, with reassurance that such sparking is typically harmless. However, it is noted that laptop power supplies may occasionally blow fuses in power strips. The discussion also touches on differences in sparking behavior between older and newer electrical installations.
Summary generated by the language model.
ADVERTISEMENT