You Really Should Stop Using A Fake Charger

By now, you probably already know the dangers of using a counterfeit device. This is further exemplified by a British consumer safety watchdog, who has recently warned shoppers against using adapters and chargers for their electronic devices.

According to the group, using counterfeit chargers could potentially place the individual in grave danger since these failed to meet safety standards.

Trading Standards, the watchdog that reported the danger, reported that out of the 400 counterfeit Apple chargers they tested, only three had enough insulation to endure high voltage. This heightens the failure probability of the chargers by 99.25%.

The testing was done after Apple complained that there were a “flood” of counterfeit chargers sold on Amazon. The watchdog was then able to obtain these fake chargers from a total of eight countries that included the U.S., Australia, and China.

For its part, Apple had already taken action last October when it sued a third-party vendor they found to be selling counterfeit adapters that guised itself as genuine products manufactured by the California-based tech firm.

The collected fakes were then tested by the watchdog group by applying a high voltage to the chargers. Leon, Livermore, CEO for the group, encouraged shoppers to purchase electrical goods from trusted suppliers only.

He warned that using counterfeit products put the lives of customers at risk as well as their home and the lives of their loved ones. Another operation tested 3,019 second hand electrical products; 15% of these were non-compliant.

So how do you spot a dangerous fake charger? Look for these things:

  • Plug Pins – Without connecting to a device or switching on, plug the charger into a socket. If it does not easily fit, its pins may have a wrong size. As a rule, there needs to be a distance of at least 9.5mm between the charger and the pins.
  • Markings – Make sure to look for the brand name or logo of the manufacturer, as well as the model and batch number. Look for the “CE” safety mark too but be cautioned that this can be forged easily.
  • Warnings and Instructions – The charger you are purchasing should have user instructions on conditions and limitations of use, basic electric safety guidance, operating the charger safely, and safe disposal details.

As always, it is advisable to avoid overcharging gadgets as well as covering them when they are charging. Specialists also advise against using a charger with a frayed cable or a cracked case.

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