This can be dangerous That's why it's better not to leave your charger plugged in
Plugged-in chargers are part of everyday life. Convenient, but not harmless. Even when they are not in use, they consume electricity and, in the worst case, pose a safety risk.
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- Plugged-in chargers consume power even when idle, which leads to considerable unnecessary energy consumption for millions of devices.
- Older or damaged chargers pose an increased risk of fire, as defective components can overheat and cause short circuits.
- Experts recommend unplugging chargers after use or using smart sockets to save energy and increase safety.
Modern chargers are efficient. This is also due to the EU regulation, according to which the "power consumption at no load" must not exceed 0.10 watts. This means that, at most, a few centimes a year end up on the electricity bill for plugged-in chargers. Not worth mentioning for each individual.
But extrapolated to millions of devices, this results in a considerable amount of energy being consumed for no benefit at all. It is even more problematic with older or imported models that do not comply with the EU standard. These can draw many times more power when idle.
Fire hazard due to wear and defects
In addition to unnecessary energy consumption, the greater risk is of a physical nature. Transformers and capacitors in chargers are also live when idle. Damage to the housing due to falls or ageing can cause components to overheat. Short circuits and smouldering fires are the possible consequences. The dangerous thing is that many of these defects remain invisible from the outside.
Fire safety experts therefore recommend unplugging chargers from the socket after use. Especially if they are located behind furniture or in poorly ventilated areas. According to insurance statistics, electrical appliances are one of the most common causes of house fires.
Smart alternatives for greater safety
If you don't want to reach for the socket every time, you can use technical aids. Radio-controlled sockets or smart adapter plugs allow you to control the power supply by remote control or app. This allows standby consumption to be interrupted at the touch of a button and minimizes the risk of overheating.
Multiple sockets with an integrated switch are also a simple solution. They disconnect several devices from the mains at the same time without having to unplug them individually. This saves energy without sacrificing convenience.
