The Consumer Council has issued a warning about using an extension socket with a USB charging port. Because only two of the 15 products recently tested that fully meet safety requirements and one model is so bad that everyone should stop using it immediately, Wednesday (15/5/2019).
RTHK reported, the Council noted on Wednesday that this type of power strip is becoming more widely used nowadays, as almost everyone is looking for an easy way to charge their mobile devices. But after finding that 13 of the 15 models tested failed to fully meet safety requirements, the board called on manufacturers to take immediate action to ensure their products are safe before launch.
Nora Tam, who chairs the board’s research and testing committee, said one of the models from Chinese brand LDNIO failed to meet legal safety requirements, prompting the Department of Electrical and Mechanical Services to step in.
The board said they found that some models of the socket or processor cradle on the motherboard were not built well enough to protect users against electric shock, or to last long or continuous use.
But Tam notes that his test doesn’t reflect everyday socket use, as it’s only designed to see where the risks are. Tam says if people use sockets carefully – for example, by making sure they are not overloaded, near water or in humid areas – they should stay safe.
