Never leave the charger in the socket without the phone

You’re right, there are some important reasons to avoid leaving a phone charger plugged into the socket when it’s not connected to a phone. Here are the three main ones:

1. Energy Waste (Phantom Load):
   • Even when not charging a phone, a plugged-in charger still draws a small amount of electricity. This is called “phantom load” or “standby power.”
   • While the amount of energy wasted by a single charger is minimal, it adds up over time, especially if multiple chargers are left plugged in.
   • This contributes to higher energy bills and unnecessary energy consumption.
3. Fire Hazard:
   • A plugged-in charger can overheat, especially if it’s a low-quality or damaged charger.
   • Overheating can lead to a fire, particularly if the charger is near flammable materials.
   • Even quality chargers can occasionally malfunction, and the risk increases when they are left plugged in constantly.
     
     
4. Reduced Charger Lifespan:
   • Constantly supplying power, even without a phone connected, can put unnecessary wear and tear on the charger’s components.
   • This can shorten the charger’s lifespan and lead to premature failure.
   • Also, if there are any power surges, the charger is more likely to be damaged when plugged in.

Therefore, it’s always best to unplug your phone charger when you’re not using it.