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More potentially dangerous travel adaptors discovered
15th April 2009
Following our investigations last year into the safety of travel adaptors, we have been alerted to a relatively new design of adaptor to reach the UK market that presents several significant electrical safety hazards to consumers when used in the UK and abroad.
This type of travel adaptor is typically referred to as a compact all-in-one ‘universal travel adaptor’ for worldwide use. A small selection of adaptors matching this description was purchased from established internet-based retailers and distributors in the UK for safety screening.
As shown below, the plug portion of the device incorporates various plug pin configurations for use with UK, European and most other international socket-outlets. Each set of plug pins can be independently moved in or out of the body of the adaptor and locked in position. The socket portion of the adaptor is designed to accept any type of plug fitted as standard to a corresponding UK or foreign appliance.
Our initial investigations found that it is possible to unlock and extend a second set of pins whilst the adaptor is inserted into a socket by simply moving a mechanical slider switch to its “unlock” position, as shown (fig A).
As all the plug pins are electrically connected when extended, the second set of pins becomes energised and readily accessible to touch, presenting a real and immediate risk electric shock.
Shock risk from exposed pins whilst inserted in a socketoutlet (fig B).
Additionally, inspection revealed that the live pins of the adaptor that are intended for engagement with UK socket-outlets are not fitted with insulating sleeves, and that they are positioned too close to the periphery of the adaptor to prevent accidental contact with live parts.
Plug pins unsleeved and located too close to periphery of adaptor (fig C).
A further hazard was identified as a consequence of the non-standard dimensions and increased size of the socket apertures of the adaptor, in that it is possible to insert a plug into the adaptor in dangerous ways that will give rise to an immediate shock risk.
As illustrated, it is possible to insert only one live pin of a standard 13 A plug into the adaptor, leaving the other pin exposed to touch, and to insert the earth pin of a plug into a live socket aperture which will energise exposed metallic parts of an earthed (Class I) electrical appliance.
Only one plug pin inserted, leaving the other pin exposed to touch (fig D).
Earth pin of a plug inserted into a live socket aperture (fig E).
It is a requirement of UK product standards that the live apertures of 13 Amp socketoutlets are fitted with safety shutters to prevent inadvertent contact with live parts. However, as indicated below, shutters have not been incorporated into some of the samples purchased.
Socket apertures without safety shutters (fig F)
Finally, none of the samples purchased are suitable for appliances that require an earth connection, as the earth pin in the plug arrangement is made of insulating material. The connection of Class I (earthed) appliances to these adaptors would therefore introduce the risk of electric shock in the event of an earth fault.
None of the adaptors are provided with any warning or instruction about this limitation and in fact, for two adaptors, misleading information was provided on packaging which states “accepts earthed/unearthed plugs from dozens of countries”, whereas in fact they are suitable for use with Class II (double-insulated) appliances only.
Action we have taken
We have been working closely with Trading Standards to ensure appropriate safeguard action is taken to remove this type of potentially lethal product from the market.
Some Trading Standards offices have issued public safety warnings on their websites to raise awareness of the issue.
We are also liaising with media channels within colleges, universities and the National Union of Students following advice received from Trading Standards that these potentially dangerous adaptors have been used as promotional gifts at student and job recruitment fairs throughout the UK.
Although many distributors have already ceased to supply the product as a result of this action, many different brands and variations in design of the same product exist and may still be available from outlets in the UK.
Anyone who is concerned that they may have acquired a travel adaptor that exhibits the electrical safety hazards described in this article are advised contact their local Trading Standards office in the first instance.
