Short Circuit Protection

Firegod · 30 Dec 2023 at 13:42

Hey

So I received my new Anker power bank today, but on two sockets which I tried initially, it flashed up with this:

On my third attempt, it started charing and operating normally.

Now it has me worried that something is wrong with those double sockets. Yet I run "things" from them all the time and had no issues. No trips or anything nasty. Should I make them safe, take the faceplates off and check the wiring is still connected tightly and not showing signs of wear etc? All the sockets and wiring in the house are quite new, I think it was all rewired about 20 years ago.

Or is it just the powerbank being overly protective?

Cheers.

jpaul · 30 Dec 2023 at 13:49

isn't it the powerbank saying it is using too much current and thinks itself has a shortcircuit

sx_turbo · 30 Dec 2023 at 13:54

Could check for earth leakage at the socket.

I've got one of them socket testers as I've re-wired most the rooms in the house, and it just gives me a double check before I walk away and leave it.

It could also been as advised the unit itself drawing to much current.

Firegod · 30 Dec 2023 at 14:51

Thanks both. Yeah I wasn't sure, I tried a google but there seems to be little to no info from Anker on what exactly this means. I could always email I guess.

A socket tester is a good shout! Something I've not thought about. Would something like the Martindale EZ165 be good enough?

Martindale EZ165 Socket & Non-Trip Earth Loop Tester – Martindale Electric

martindale-electric.co.uk

andy_mk3 · 30 Dec 2023 at 14:54

It’ll be detecting what it thinks is a short circuit on the low voltage side. It will have no idea what’s going on with the mains side of things. So no need to go testing sockets.

It will pretty much boil down to it not liking the charger or cable for some reason, or the device is faulty.

Firegod · 30 Dec 2023 at 15:01

andy_mk3 said:
It’ll be detecting what it thinks is a short circuit on the low voltage side. It will have no idea what’s going on with the mains side of things. So no need to go testing sockets.

It will pretty much boil down to it not liking the charger or cable for some reason, or the device is faulty.

Ok thanks. Will keep an eye on it then. It has charged OK now, so if it acts up again I'll get on to Anker.

I still might buy a socket tester! haha.

sx_turbo · 30 Dec 2023 at 15:13

Firegod said:
Thanks both. Yeah I wasn't sure, I tried a google but there seems to be little to no info from Anker on what exactly this means. I could always email I guess.

A socket tester is a good shout! Something I've not thought about. Would something like the Martindale EZ165 be good enough?

Martindale EZ165 Socket & Non-Trip Earth Loop Tester – Martindale Electric

martindale-electric.co.uk

Yeah that be fine, it's another tool to have in the arsenal and they aren't very expensive

lewism · 2 Jan 2024 at 11:54

If it was a short circuit on your mains side (Sockets etc) whatever fuse or breaker you would have in your consumer unit would trip/blow. It'll be an issue within the device itself especially if other appliances on the sockets are working.

FlyingFish · 2 Jan 2024 at 14:49

That looks similar to the Anker power bank I've recently bought. It's great how the screen lets you know what's happening.
I also bought the 100W Anker charger, that according to the power bank, makes it charge at 92W. Which is pretty fast

My 65W phone charger manages to charge the power bank at about 45W.

Like others have said, I would be super surprised if the power bank can detect a mains supply issue, if it's getting it's charge from a separate charging unit. It's probably some dust or contamination at the USB connection, or even the cable that's not too clever.