charging multiple electrical devices

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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.
 
I can't understand UK regs where you are not allowed to have a mains socket in the bathroom say positioned in a unit away from the water where you can charge your shaver/nutsack trimmer/electric toothbrush etc etc

When visiting Poland they usually have the washing machine located in the bathroom........
 
There are appliances designed to be used in "wet" spaces. But as regs generally don't allow that few UK suppliers will offer such machines.

USB in a bathroom isn't great as the sockets don't perform well in the wet.
 
Pat H said:
There are appliances designed to be used in "wet" spaces. But as regs generally don't allow that few UK suppliers will offer such machines.

USB in a bathroom isn't great as the sockets don't perform well in the wet.
Click to expand...


In a well ventilated and insulated bathroom that doesn't suffer from condensation I can't really see any issues with a double socket hidden away in a hanging unit. If you know what I mean..........

USB sockets still have there issues as its still a "newish" tech with a range of power ratings.
 
If we can have one socket, then the *number* of sockets shouldn't matter (within reason), no? Surely the regulations only apply to sockets *with power*, and if you switch them on one-at-a-time, then that's not a concern, is it?
 
It's not much of a hardship to walk out of the bathroom and plug in the items that need charging somewhere else is it?
The vast majority of uk bathrooms will only have a shaver socket in them, which will have something written on it telling you that it is to be used for shavers only so there is nowhere to plug any chargers in.
 
davesparks said:
It's not much of a hardship to walk out of the bathroom and plug in the items that need charging somewhere else is it?
The vast majority of uk bathrooms will only have a shaver socket in them, which will have something written on it telling you that it is to be used for shavers only so there is nowhere to plug any chargers in.
Click to expand...

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.
 
SWD said:
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.
Click to expand...

We can't really base any change of the regs around your bathroom though can we ?
 
Lol, a well insulated warm bathroom shifts the need from plugging in the three bar open heater to plugging in the oscillating cooling fan over the bath.
And if you ask - is there anyone stupid enough to do that , I think most of us know the answer.
 
I personally don't like sockets in bathrooms, especially where there are showers. You'd be surprised how much moisture there is in the air after a hot shower. Even when a fan is fitted it still takes time to clear it afterwards. I certainly wouldn't want anyone switching a socket on/off or plugging something in while all that steam/condensation was around.
 
davesparks said:
It's not much of a hardship to walk out of the bathroom and plug in the items that need charging somewhere else is it?
The vast majority of uk bathrooms will only have a shaver socket in them, which will have something written on it telling you that it is to be used for shavers only so there is nowhere to plug any chargers in.
Click to expand...

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.
 
It works well it European countries without issues and has done for years so there must be a way to get around these issues.
 
David Waterman said:
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.
Click to expand...

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.
 
SWD said:
It works well it European countries without issues and has done for years so there must be a way to get around these issues.
Click to expand...

There are ways to get round anything. And there are also usually good reasons for not doing so.
 
David Waterman said:
It is a pita to find a round-pin socket anywhere else in the house; so, yes, I'd say it's a 'hardship'.
Click to expand...

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.
 
SWD said:
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.
Click to expand...

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?
 
David Waterman said:
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.
Click to expand...

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?
 
DPG said:
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.
Click to expand...


...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).
 
davesparks said:
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?
Click to expand...

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.
 
David Waterman said:
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.
Click to expand...

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?
 
Andy78 said:
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.
Click to expand...

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).
 
David Waterman said:
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.
Click to expand...

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.
 
Andy78 said:
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.
Click to expand...

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.
 
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.
 
David Waterman said:
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.
Click to expand...

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)
 
Guys: Do you think that maybe the reason nobody has already invented what the OP wants, is that in reality there's no call for it ?
Don't know about you guys, but in all my years in the trade I've never been asked for anything like it.
The majority of houses don't have a shaver socket in the bathroom & when one is installed a lot of them don't even get used.
 
> The majority of houses don't have a shaver socket in the bathroom

I suppose I might be wrong, but I don't think I've *ever* been in a bathroom without one. They're often simply part of a light, of course, but anyway.

> & when one is installed a lot of them don't even get used.

I'd like to see references for that.

Of course, *I* am calling for it. I could be the first, but a quick search on Google shows I am certainly not alone. I guess most people give up looking, or are told it's against regulations and go one of the other routes. Giving up isn't the same as 'no call for it'...almost the opposite, I'd say.
 
Where would you in your wisdom suggest these references are obtained from ?
My reply comes from over 40 years in the industry. As for the I am calling for it, feel free.
I won't say good luck with your quest, personally I think you need to find something more intelligent to waste your life on.

Bye
 
David Waterman said:
> The majority of houses don't have a shaver socket in the bathroom

I suppose I might be wrong, but I don't think I've *ever* been in a bathroom without one. They're often simply part of a light, of course, but anyway.

> & when one is installed a lot of them don't even get used.

I'd like to see references for that.

Of course, *I* am calling for it. I could be the first, but a quick search on Google shows I am certainly not alone. I guess most people give up looking, or are told it's against regulations and go one of the other routes. Giving up isn't the same as 'no call for it'...almost the opposite, I'd say.
Click to expand...
All we can do David is work to the current regulations that are on hand.
Like I said with a bit of jest thrown in you can have socket outlets in a bathroom, just make sure they are rcd protected and 3meters away from the edge of your bath mate
 
LankyWill said:
I can't believe half you lads are entertaining this jobsworth. Instead of moaning about your poor shaver and toothbrush learn how to charge stuff properly. As already stated

Toothbrush in the day
Shaver at night

Is this really the sort of world we live in?
Click to expand...

Customers want all sorts of odd stuff. Is this really any different?
 
LankyWill said:
I can't believe half you lads are entertaining this jobsworth. Instead of moaning about your poor shaver and toothbrush learn how to charge stuff properly. As already stated

Toothbrush in the day
Shaver at night

Is this really the sort of world we live in?
Click to expand...

I view it as an exercise in diplomacy in the face of blatant awkwardness which is a necessary skill with some of the customers I meet.

I can't go around saying "F*** me pal, if not having enough charging sockets for your worn out junk appliances is a hardship and a problem, are you even sure you know what a problem is ?" too often.


Just as a hypothetical example you understand, and in no way related to the post in question.
 
Well the customer is always right. For me the only thing I have on charge in my bathroom is.........nought. Her indoors got her toothbrush plugged into shaver socket once a week, I binned my electric shaver (which only need charging once a month, shaved every day, don't you know), for more manly wet shaver.

But if people want to usb plug in there iPad, iPhone, watch a tv in the bath, hair remover, hairdryer or whatever else, pamper their needs. Personally, wandering around in the nudy :eek:, with lashings of water & steam abound, I rather just manually teeth with a toothbrush. :)
 
here's the answer.

rolls.jpg
 
Nice tel, proper job.
I use an old fashioned cut throat razor or double edge razor with old fashioned brush & soap, can't beat it. Can be fun if your hand shakes though:(:sob:
 
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