Have I killed my shaver sockets?

[Doran]

I just moved into a 6 year old newbuild, upgrade from a council home.

This one comes with a shaver socket in the bathrooms.
I used it for charging my toothbrush, was perfect.
Then shaved my face but with my Wahl hair clippers and worked for a bit, but then it slowed right down.
So, I guess I have overloaded it and the clippers had too much power requirements?

Are these easily fixable? or does a whole unit need to be fixed? do they have fuses?

Basically, what have I done, and how can I fix them (coz I've done it on two sockets), or is it likely I need to fully replace them?
Thanks

 

[ericmark]

It should have been self limiting, and it should have tripped if too much power is used, but if it didn't then whole socket will need replacing.

The shaver only means some thing with very low power for a short time, the shaver and tooth brush version has enough cooling for extended use.

 

[SUNRAY]

It should have been self limiting, and it should have tripped if too much power is used, but if it didn't then whole socket will need replacing.

The shaver only means some thing with very low power for a short time, the shaver and tooth brush version has enough cooling for extended use.

I instaled a repacement shaver socket recently, like for like. The instructions actually stated as not suitable for charging toothbrushes and shavers and of course there was a toothbrush charger on the wall right beside.

The shaver and charger version was significantly more expensive.

 

[winston1]

It should have been self limiting, and it should have tripped if too much power is used, but if it didn't then whole socket will need replacing.

The shaver only means some thing with very low power for a short time, the shaver and tooth brush version has enough cooling for extended use.

Sometimes there is a resettable trip inside

 

[winston1]

I instaled a repacement shaver socket recently, like for like. The instructions actually stated as not suitable for charging toothbrushes and shavers and of course there was a toothbrush charger on the wall right beside.

The shaver and charger version was significantly more expensive.

They are rated at 20 watts. I always find it difficult to believe they can't charge toothbrushes or shavers which take considerably less than 20w on charge. I've never had problems charging either on very old, old, and modern shaver sockets. As for Wahl clippers, I don't know, what is their power rating?

 

[ericmark]

They are rated at 20 watts. I always find it difficult to believe they can't charge toothbrushes or shavers which take considerably less than 20w on charge. I've never had problems charging either on very old, old, and modern shaver sockets. As for Wahl clippers, I don't know, what is their power rating?

I remember when I for a short time shaved, my dad's shaver was rechargeable, this is late 60's, I really can't see the diffrence between charging a shaver or tooth brush, but if rechargeable why do it in bathroom?

Using non rechargeable yes, want to do it over the sink and in front of mirror, but today no teeth left, and beard like father Christmas ho ho ho, so don't use shaver sockets.

 

[SUNRAY]

They are rated at 20 watts. I always find it difficult to believe they can't charge toothbrushes or shavers which take considerably less than 20w on charge. I've never had problems charging either on very old, old, and modern shaver sockets. As for Wahl clippers, I don't know, what is their power rating?

OP has said 2 have died, My own experience of hair clippers is far too dated to be of use but it was more than a 60w light bulb (I only had a 10A MI meter in those days)

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

I remember when I for a short time shaved, my dad's shaver was rechargeable, this is late 60's, I really can't see the diffrence between charging a shaver or tooth brush, but if rechargeable why do it in bathroom?

The original purpose for shaver sockets, was to directly power a running, in use shaver. Recharging a rechargeable shaver will require much less current, but over a much longer period of time. Whether that might force a difference design, I don't know - my used only for travel electric shaver is recharged from USB.

 

[ericmark]

With some even leaving the plug in the socket could over heat them. There was a switch which turned off the transformer supply when nothing plugged in, seen so many with a yellowed centre where over heated.

But my point is there was nothing on the sockets which said do not use a rechargeable shaver in this socket.

 

[SUNRAY]

With some even leaving the plug in the socket could over heat them. There was a switch which turned off the transformer supply when nothing plugged in, seen so many with a yellowed centre where over heated.

But my point is there was nothing on the sockets which said do not use a rechargeable shaver in this socket.

It very well may in the installation/user instructions:

The instructions actually stated as not suitable for charging toothbrushes and shavers and of course there was a toothbrush charger on the wall right beside.

The front of the accessory stated something like 'shaver only' and the symbol of shaving. However when the toothbrush MI's say suitable to be charged in shaver socket why would user doubt it? Also who would expect the customer to retain and or read it if it had been left by the installer?

The shaver and charger version was significantly more expensive.

But I have no idea what the difference is

 

[SUNRAY]

With some even leaving the plug in the socket could over heat them. There was a switch which turned off the transformer supply when nothing plugged in, seen so many with a yellowed centre where over heated.

Yes agreed, I recall this being a problem with a brand of doorbell transformers lasting only a year or two whereas I know of a couple maybe 60+ years old (we moved into the house in 1961 but a high possibility one had been in use since before my birth - 1955)

But my point is there was nothing on the sockets which said do not use a rechargeable shaver in this socket.

Indeed, 'Shaver only' does not differentiate between them.

Maybe this https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Produc...xIZG-HN93jbKkxiCC9tlYCFo6_ZRvOlBoCurAQAvD_BwE is the way to go for toothbrushes, no discrepancy.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

To answer the OP's question, what has probably happened it that the transformer has a thermal fuse built into the windings, designed to open at a fairly low temperature build up. Use of a normal none rechargeable shaver does not give enough time for heat to build up to that level, but charging may well and cause the thermal fuse to open.

They are built into the core of the winding, so are not replaceable.

 

[SUNRAY]

To answer the OP's question, what has probably happened it that the transformer has a thermal fuse built into the windings, designed to open at a fairly low temperature build up. Use of a normal none rechargeable shaver does not give enough time for heat to build up to that level, but charging may well and cause the thermal fuse to open.

They are built into the core of the winding, so are not replaceable.

Verry likely to be the case.

However OP says the clippers slowed down so another possibility is the toothbrush had preheated the transformer and the additional load and heat of the clippers started melting the enamel and shorting turns before the fuse kicked out.

 

[winston1]

Maybe this https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Produc...xIZG-HN93jbKkxiCC9tlYCFo6_ZRvOlBoCurAQAvD_BwE is the way to go for toothbrushes, no discrepancy.

Only good for one brand of toothbrush and where is the 120v socket?

 

[SUNRAY]

where is the 120v socket?

Do you have 120V sockets in other rooms of your house?