Most of the shaver sockets shown on the ScrewFix website state "Shavers only" on the faceplate. Are there any similar type socket on the ScrewFix website which can be used to charge a toothbrush in a bathroom? Also, many of the shaver sockets (though not all) are dual voltage. Is this an important feature to have, or is it unnecessary? Thanks.
They'll handle your toothbrush with no issues. Just don't plug a heater or hair drier in there... You don't need dual voltage either - that's only to be sociable to your foreign guests. Probably.
Sorry, but they will not unless specifically approved or tested. I have seen several cases where toothbrushes have been left plugged in and the face plate actually cracks. The MK version is approved for dual use: http://www.screwfix.com/p/mk-dual-voltage-shaver-socket-115-230v-white/55378 Select Q&A then go to page two where you will find the following:
Shaver sockets have a 20 watt transformer for isolation in them. When you put the plug in the transformer is connected to the supply, normally only for a few minutes when shaving. Charging a toothbrush takes longer and the transformer may get warm leading to the discolouration and cracking of the faceplate as mentioned by others. In short, yes it will work but the socket may eventually fail.
Mine's only been in use every day with toothbrush plugged in for about 12 years so I suppose it's not been fully tested yet!
Not just toothbrushes which often take 24 hours to charge or are designed to be permanently trickle charging but rechargeable shavers too. This image shows a shaver only version - with the small logo and text "shavers only" that has cracked. There is a fixing screw holding the transformer in place just on the crack, close to the arrow head. The right half is one that is toothbrush compatible and is used regularly with the Shaver and Toothbrush logo
I have also used toothbrushes in mine for many years without any issues. That cracked plate looks like a stress fracture coming from the fixing. It may well be the plastic expanding, but the fixing being a little too tight giving it nowhere to go EDIT: Just as a point I suspect my shaver will draw a higher load than my toothbrush. it does not say no rechargeable shavers on the logo, or indeed any of the documents I can find. I would expect the "Shavers only" refers more to "don't plug in your euro plug hairdryer" type statement
Exactly Craig, I reckon it only says "shavers only" to prevent some numpties plugging their hair dryers or fan heaters into it! I used my plug in shavers on mine for years but the past 5 years or so have used re-chargeable ones which draw even less power.
As said 20 VA max rating my beard clippers are 10W likely larger than most shavers, but some of the special tooth cleaning units go up to 30W and there have been posts about using them in bathrooms, seems other countries do not have the 20 VA limit, and for UK they make battery driven units as the bathroom socket is not big enough. However for my rechargeable stuff it is not left in the bathroom, there is no need, it is cordless. Units like this can not be used in UK bathrooms. OK maybe a little OTT but people do try plugging them in. The socket is de-energised when there is nothing plugged in, items should only be plugged in while in use. If you knock a tooth brush charger into the sink when plugged into an isolation transformer it will not trip the RCD. OK 20 VA is not a lot of power, but a shaver in ones hand is one thing, an electric tooth brush OK but not a rechargeable tooth brush or shaver, too easy to end up in the sink or bath. Not thinking of regulations just safety.
My tooth brush (a Braun) take about 24 hours to charge and gives around 10-12 brushes per charge whereas my Shaver takes only an hour to charge and will last a few weeks. I conclude that my shaver takes a far higher current when charging but its for a relatively short period of time.
My Philishave 9000 series uses max 9W. Yes much more than the 1.5w~ of a toothbrush, but not a huge amount, the fact they are showing a standby power figure suggests they expect it to be plugged in all the time
It is not the charging/operational current but the losses that all transformers have which causes the heating and that does not vary much depending on load. So, a short 1 hour 20VA burst may not heat the core up significantly, whereas a 24hour 5VA will raise the temperature quite a way
I'm unsure specifically what you mean here - apologies if I'm missing the obvious. Is your concern with the possibility that the charger unit for a rechargeable cordless toothbrush could fall into a water-filled hand basin? If this were to happen the RCD does not trip, so there is the potential for shock? Are you saying that it's best not to have the charging base for a cordless toothbrush in the bathroom?