Why You Should Never Leave Your Phone Charger Plugged In When Not In Use ?

Pensez à débrancher votre chargeur quand vous ne vous en servez plus. fcafotodigital/Getty Images

Perhaps you have already left your smartphone charger plugged in, out of habit or simply by accident, when you were no longer using it. However, it is advisable to systematically unplug your charger when you are no longer using it, for both economic and safety reasons.

The first reason to not leave your charger plugged in when it is not working is simply to avoid consuming energy unnecessarily. Because even when it is not charging your smartphone, a plugged-in charger continues to consume electricity, up to 0.5 W, as if it were “on standby”. This will remain anecdotal on your electricity bill since it should not represent more than two or three euros per year. However, multiplied by the number of chargers (phones, tablets, computers, etc.) present in the home, this can represent a significant expense.

Safety reasons

But it is especially important to unplug your charger for safety reasons, especially at night or when you are away from home. Indeed, this can lead to a risk of overheating at any time, especially on old models that are sometimes damaged or on others of poor quality. Not only can this further damage the charger, but in extreme cases, they can even catch fire and cause a fire.

Generally speaking, leaving your charger plugged in will also wear it out, no matter what, since it will be subjected to regular electrical fluctuations. In the long run, this can make the charger less efficient. Finally, in the event of a storm or network malfunction, it may very well be caught in a short circuit.

In summary, getting into the habit of unplugging your charger when it is not charging your smartphone not only saves energy, but also reduces the risk of accidents and extends its lifespan.