Toothbrush/shaver socket

Most of the shaver sockets shown online state "Shavers only" on the faceplate.

Are there any similar type socket which can be used to charge a toothbrush in a bathroom?

Also, many of the shaver sockets I have seen (though not all) are dual voltage. Is this an important feature to have?

Thanks.

 

The ones for charging toothbrushes have a toothbrush symbol on them.
Google toothbrush chargers.

Dual voltage is not necessary if you only have British appliances.

 

The MK ones have a toothbrush symbol on them:
https://www.toolstation.com/shop/p32545

There are no other types of sockets allowed within 3m of the bath/shower.

Dual voltage is only of use if you are intending to use items which only work at the lower voltage.

The real solution is to charge the toothbrush elsewhere. Preferably after cutting the shaver plug off and fitting a BS1363 type instead.

 

Do you (or anyone) know what, if any, difference there is electrically between those with and without the toothbrush symbol?

Kind Regards, John

 

Always charge my toothbrush in the shaver socket with no problems been doing it for years.

 

Those with a tooth brush symbol are probably designed to cope with a prolonged ( continuous ) loading.

Transformers ( inductive type ) in a shaver only socket often rely on the thermal mass of the transformer laminations to absorb the heat from the windings which is adequate and safe for short periods of load with long period between to allow the laminations to cool. Prolonged supply of current would ( does ) raise the temperature of the laminations to the point that the windings can no longer be kept from over heating

 

I did consider that, but came to the conclusion (perhaps wrongly!) that the amount of current (at 230V) required for charging a toothbrush was probably so small that there would be no thermal issues, even during prolonged use - but, as I said, maybe I'm wrong!

I've seen very few of the ones with a toothbrush symbol, but I know plenty of people who use shaver sockets (without the toothbrush symbol) to charge toothbrushes, seemingly without any problems.

Perhaps more to the point, I know people who use a shaver socket to charge a cordless shaver, very probably requiring more power (and at least as long a period of charging) than charging a toothbrush, and there's nothing about the 'symbols' which suggest to them that they can't/shouldn't do that!

Kind Regards, John

 

No you are not wrong. Chargeable toothbrushes are relatively recent and manufacturers have not caught up yet with their labelling.

More important is the fact that the regulation on shaver sockets is sh1t. On low loads such toothbrush or shaver charging the output can be as high as 280 volts which could damage the toothbrush or shaver. Much better to charge on the 110v output which will rise to around 140 volts, and which is in the typical voltage range of 100 to 250 for these products.

Note the MK models won't accept a British shaver plug in its 110v outlet. So don't buy an MK one.

 

That rather surprises me. I had always assumed (again, maybe wrongly) that they used a 1:1 transformer (with a secondary tap for 110V), in which case the output voltage would never be greater than the input voltage (but would probably be appreciably lower when powering a shaver).

Kind Regards, John

 

Here.

 

For once Winston has correct information.

The off load voltage on the secondary will be higher than the voltage ( rated ) at normal load. The resistance of the winding and the current flowing through it create a voltage opposing the voltage produced inductively in the winding. So the manufacturer will add a few turns on the secondary to allow for the resistive voltage.

There is a trade off between using large cross sectional wire in the windings to minimise resistive voltage across a range of output currents or design for correct voltage at one specific output current using thinner cheaper wire in the windings.

 

No need for snide remarks. I always try to provide correct information, and am rarely wrong.

 

Rarely wrong????!???

Oooh you do make me laugh

 

I have a rechargeable shaver, that requires a prolonged charge and unsurprisingly I plug it into the shaver socket in my bathroom to charge it. So, if they are designed to cope with that, then surely a rechargeable toothbrush will be fine too..........unless I shouldn't be charging my shaver from a socket marked "Shavers Only"......

 

Well, it does say "shavers"; not "chargers", but then the toothbrush ones say "toothbrushes", not "chargers".