The new generation USB power chargers have come under scrutiny of a test in evaluation of their safety, energy efficiency, compatibility and convenience of use.
A total of 20 models were put to a test the first ever jointly by the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) and the Consumer Council.
The USB power chargers were equipped with one to six universally standardized USB receptacles capable of connecting and charging, simultaneously, a number of different portable devices.
Gone were the days when nearly every mobile phone or mobile device has its own individually designed battery charger creating a serious environmental issue of massive global waste and volume of discarded chargers.
USB power chargers offer the one-stop solution with compatibility to a diverse range of electronics such as smartphones, tablets and portable speakers.
On the basis of energy efficiency (60%), safety (30%), compatibility (5%) and ease of use (5%), the test models were rated on a scale of 1 to 5 points; the more points the better the overall performance. 8 models scored the top rating of 5 points while 2 at the bottom scale received only 1.5 points.
Both the least performers were unbranded models. Under the Electrical Products (Safety) Regulation, electrical products are required to identify the manufacturer and disclose on the product so that users can follow up with the trader or agent after sales.
On safety, the insulation strength and/or distance across the transformer input and output terminals or circuits were found unsatisfactory in more than half of the models.
Such deficiencies could give rise to the risks of electric short-circuiting or leakage, etc.
3 models were found to make overclaims of their output capacity. Generally, chargers of higher rated output are manufactured with better quality components, consumers might therefore find them a bargain believing the output deliverable is high.
As the practice may be in breach of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, the Council has referred the test findings to the Customs and Excise Department for follow-up action.
Furthermore, the transformer coils of 2 models were measured to exceed the temperature of the standard limit, while the plastic parts supporting the live conductors of 5 models failed the ball-pressure test in that the plastic was found to warp to an extent more than the permitted standard level.
In the test, energy efficiency measurements were conducted with reference to the current EU Commission Code of Conduct. In general, no load energy consumption (when the charger is on standby mode) and average energy efficiency, measured and deduced from the test data, were satisfactory.
However, the requirements of the Code will be tightened in 2016, and only less than half of the models would pass the new no load consumption limit with only 2 models barely meeting the enhanced energy efficiency objective.
On compatibility, the samples were put to test in charging up popular electronic devices such as Apple iPhone and iPads, Samsung Galaxy Note and Tab. The non-mobile-phone branded models were shown to perform better in general while phone branded models were mostly not suitable in charging iPads.
Consumers are recommended to choose USB chargers of the right output capacity: a charger of 1A output would be sufficient to charge smaller phones while a model of 2A output would be more suitable for larger phones and tablets.
Consumers are advised to avoid the risk of overloading the charger when it becomes too hot in surface temperature or takes unusually long time to complete charging. To save energy and the environment, users are reminded also to switch off or unplug the power supply when charging is completed.
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