Plug sockets for laptop only

[Neil Polo]

I notice beside me on this SWR train I’m travelling on that there is a socket for laptop chargers only, next to my seat. Is there any reason why it might not suit a mobile phone charger, if indeed this is the case? It seems a bit odd that the socket would be for so specific a purpose. I can understand it’s not intended for ghetto blasters and kettles and such like but mobile charging is definitely a useful thing on trains. Maybe it’s just easier to make the label without mentioning mobile chargers.

 

[edwin_m]

I notice beside me on this SWR train I’m travelling on that there is a socket for laptop chargers only, next to my seat. Is there any reason why it might not suit a mobile phone charger, if indeed this is the case? It seems a bit odd that the socket would be for so specific a purpose. I can understand it’s not intended for ghetto blasters and kettles and such like but mobile charging is definitely a useful thing on trains. Maybe it’s just easier to make the label without mentioning mobile chargers.

Is there also a USB socket? Perhaps they assume phone users will use that instead.

Can't think on any reason why a phone charger would be unsuitable if a laptop charger is OK. A ghetto blaster would probably work too, as they don't draw much current, but not a kettle.

 

[Neil Polo]

Thanks. No there’s no USB port.
I’ll risk using it.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I notice beside me on this SWR train I’m travelling on that there is a socket for laptop chargers only, next to my seat. Is there any reason why it might not suit a mobile phone charger, if indeed this is the case? It seems a bit odd that the socket would be for so specific a purpose. I can understand it’s not intended for ghetto blasters and kettles and such like but mobile charging is definitely a useful thing on trains. Maybe it’s just easier to make the label without mentioning mobile chargers.

Suspect the latter. The key thing is that stuff like hairdryers aren't being plugged in.

 

[cool110]

I would guess it pre-dates smartphones when you would get multiple days from a charge, so laptops would be the only expected use.

 

[Merseysider]

Perhaps they don’t want Samsungs causing a fire on their trains

 

[ivorytoast28]

It can only be a carry over from the wording when people were more likely to be charging a laptop than a phone while commuting that has never changed. Can't imagine any objection to a phone. Though that being said the LNER azumas appear to mess with my phone when charging so maybe there is logic to it

 

[Bletchleyite]

It can only be a carry over from the wording when people were more likely to be charging a laptop than a phone while commuting that has never changed. Can't imagine any objection to a phone. Though that being said the LNER azumas appear to mess with my phone when charging so maybe there is logic to it

Poorly earthed sockets/chargers can cause touchscreens not to work properly while plugged in but won't actually harm the phone.

 

[Darandio]

Perhaps they don’t want Samsungs causing a fire on their trains

Why. Are they known for it?

 

[duffield]

It's fine. You get various wording, but the reality is phones, laptops, tablets are all OK.

These days most new devices all use the same sort of charger, USB-PD. Some phone chargers even have higher power ratings than some laptop chargers.

 

[renegademaster]

I want to see electroboom make a video on British trains

 

[skyhigh]

Why. Are they known for it?

The Galaxy Note 7 (from 2016) was recalled for a fire hazard. So I guess if anyone is still using an 8 year old phone and not the version that all recalled users were issued they'd probably not want you to charge it on their train.

The chances of that happening though......

 

[TheTallOne]

Can I plug my desktop computer and CRT monitor in?

 

[En]

Why. Are they known for it?

the Note 7 had an issue , it;s the one and only phone Samsung has bricked OTA , unlike Apple who routinely brick devices becasue they feel like it

The Galaxy Note 7 (from 2016) was recalled for a fire hazard. So I guess if anyone is still using an 8 year old phone and not the version that all recalled users were issued they'd probably not want you to charge it on their train.

The chances of that happening though......

all note 7s were (supoosed to be) recalled and they (Samsung) OTA bricked them

 

[stuartl]

Poorly earthed sockets/chargers can cause touchscreens not to work properly while plugged in but won't actually harm the phone.

Most if not all the chargers I have seen are class 2 devices with no 'earth'. The earth pin is made of plastic.

 

[PTR 444]

I notice beside me on this SWR train I’m travelling on that there is a socket for laptop chargers only, next to my seat. Is there any reason why it might not suit a mobile phone charger, if indeed this is the case? It seems a bit odd that the socket would be for so specific a purpose. I can understand it’s not intended for ghetto blasters and kettles and such like but mobile charging is definitely a useful thing on trains. Maybe it’s just easier to make the label without mentioning mobile chargers.

Like others have said, the most likely reason is that the labels pre-date smartphones and SWT/SWR just haven’t been willing to update them to reflect modern technology usage.

I don’t blame them tbh. There at much more pressing issues to spend treasury money on than a few hundred sticky labels.

 

[signed]

I don't know if it's the same thing

But in cruise ships, bringing a extension cord is banned because the surge protector would mess up the ship's electrical systems

 

[a_c_skinner]

Poorly earthed sockets/chargers can cause touchscreens not to work properly while plugged in but won't actually harm the phone.

Could you explain this, all these are class II appliances with no earth connection in the plug. I am intrigued.

 

[Chris217]

I was on a Northern 158 a few days ago,plugged my phone into the USB port and travelled from Sheffield to Doncaster and it charged my phone by 3%.
Later on I boarded a TPE 185 and it charged up pretty quick!

 

[ASharpe]

Any objections to using such a socket for charging an electric scooter or electric motorbike?

 

[satisnek]

Can I plug my desktop computer and CRT monitor in?

If you really want to lug all this stuff onto a train then give it a go. People wanting to charge laptops and phones may be a bit browned off, though.

I was on a Northern 158 a few days ago,plugged my phone into the USB port and travelled from Sheffield to Doncaster and it charged my phone by 3%.
Later on I boarded a TPE 185 and it charged up pretty quick!

Check your cable. I had a problem with my phone just trickle charging from the USB points on WMR 172s, then one day I plugged into a chargey-hole on a bus and noticed that the cable at the USB-A end was burning hot! My replacement cable now works fine on 172s and everything else.

Any objections to using such a socket for charging an electric scooter or electric motorbike?

You're probably better off sticking to a desktop PC and CRT monitor

 

[kacper]

unlike Apple who routinely brick devices becasue they feel like it

When has this ever happened?

 

[AM9]

I don't know if it's the same thing

But in cruise ships, bringing a extension cord is banned because the surge protector would mess up the ship's electrical systems

The surge suppressors built into extension leads are designed to protect any devices connected to them and would have no measurable impact on a power system such as is found on a cruise ship. Any rules regarding extension leads are there to prevent trip and fire hazards.

 

[gordonthemoron]

You're probably better off sticking to a desktop PC and CRT monitor

20-25 years ago I saw someone using a desktop PC in first class on MML

 

[Towers]

Any objections to using such a socket for charging an electric scooter or electric motorbike?

Or a Tesla?!

 

[Russel]

I'm currently on a Pendolino heading to Euston, sat behind a young lady who's plugged a set of hair straighteners into the socket, sure enough the sockets have now tripped...

 

[Towers]

I'm currently on a Pendolino heading to Euston, sat behind a young lady who's plugged a set of hair straighteners into the socket, sure enough the sockets have now tripped...

Have you duly advised her?!

 

[Russel]

Have you duly advised her?!

Nothing to do with me.

 

[Goldfish62]

The 444s and 450s were delivered new with these labels, of course at the time only in 1st Class. When sockets were installed in Standard the same fittings and labels were used.

Take no notice. I've charged my phone hundreds of times using them and it's not blown up.

 

[Towers]

Nothing to do with me.

Well it is if she’s spoiled your charging opportunity!