Which kind of appliances can one connect to electric sockets located in a airplane's toilet?












2















Which kind of appliances can one connect to electric sockets located in a plane's toilet?



I have read/heard conflicting information:



http://asiaspirit.com/lavatory.html (mirror):




The electric socket in the toilet is for shaver only, do no try to power up your notebook computer.




-> Why shaver only? What happens if one tries to power up one's notebook computer?



Quote from a United Airlines flight attendant:




Don't use electric sockets located in a plane's toilet otherwise it'll create a short circuit.











share|improve this question



























    2















    Which kind of appliances can one connect to electric sockets located in a plane's toilet?



    I have read/heard conflicting information:



    http://asiaspirit.com/lavatory.html (mirror):




    The electric socket in the toilet is for shaver only, do no try to power up your notebook computer.




    -> Why shaver only? What happens if one tries to power up one's notebook computer?



    Quote from a United Airlines flight attendant:




    Don't use electric sockets located in a plane's toilet otherwise it'll create a short circuit.











    share|improve this question

























      2












      2








      2








      Which kind of appliances can one connect to electric sockets located in a plane's toilet?



      I have read/heard conflicting information:



      http://asiaspirit.com/lavatory.html (mirror):




      The electric socket in the toilet is for shaver only, do no try to power up your notebook computer.




      -> Why shaver only? What happens if one tries to power up one's notebook computer?



      Quote from a United Airlines flight attendant:




      Don't use electric sockets located in a plane's toilet otherwise it'll create a short circuit.











      share|improve this question














      Which kind of appliances can one connect to electric sockets located in a plane's toilet?



      I have read/heard conflicting information:



      http://asiaspirit.com/lavatory.html (mirror):




      The electric socket in the toilet is for shaver only, do no try to power up your notebook computer.




      -> Why shaver only? What happens if one tries to power up one's notebook computer?



      Quote from a United Airlines flight attendant:




      Don't use electric sockets located in a plane's toilet otherwise it'll create a short circuit.








      air-travel power aircraft toilets






      share|improve this question













      share|improve this question











      share|improve this question




      share|improve this question










      asked 4 hours ago









      Franck DernoncourtFranck Dernoncourt

      5,41454280




      5,41454280






















          2 Answers
          2






          active

          oldest

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          2














          A shaver socket is designed to deliver a very limited current - typically 200mA, or 20 to 40 watts, depending on voltage. What happens if you plug something else in depends on the 'something else', and the circuit supporting the socket.



          For low power devices they'll probably work just fine. However, even phone chargers can draw more than 200mA, and laptop or notebook computers much more.



          Plugging in a high-power device will probably trip a fuse or circuit breaker somewhere. In the case of an airline toilet it'll probably light a warning light in the cockpit or flight attendant's station, either of which could prompt an invasion of your privacy



          And in any case, if you do manage to plug your notebook in and browse Facebook for thirty minutes in an airline toilet, do you really want to face the wrath of the assembled queue waiting for increasingly urgent use of the facility?





          I gathered some of the source material here






          share|improve this answer


























          • Thanks! If the electric socket located in a plane's toilet doesn't say "shaver only", in practice is it ok to assume it's a normal socket?

            – Franck Dernoncourt
            3 hours ago













          • I don't know, but possibly. See the last paragraph of my answer for other hazards you might face.

            – Redd Herring
            3 hours ago



















          1














          I was assigned to work as a cabin crew on very long ferry flights before (12+ hrs flights with no passengers) at the times when passenger seats didn't have electric sockets, it was boring flights and laptops were the gadgets of the choice at the time, usually the old Boeing 747, and I have tried using the sockets inside the lavatories and I remember very well that it didn't work. The charging light would go on then off, and keeps doing so while not charging.



          I also remember trying checking out the sockets next to doors (on the side of the doors in older planes too), which are used for special vacuum cleaners, but it had some big figures written on it (for watts or something, can't remember), it made me worried so I decided not to.



          If it says for shavers only, it means it's for shavers only. If it's in the toilet, then for sure it's not meant for laptops even if it did't say "shavers only".



          I asked the pilots once, they advised me not to, and let me use the socket inside the cockpit, which was a regular one.



          My advice, follow whatever instructions are written there, especially in older airplanes. Do not cause some confusion among the crew by giving them a popped out circuit breaker, it's not fun. I personally hate popped out circuit breakers and makes me think something is really wrong, whether it's in a cabin galley or when I visit the cockpit and see one.






          share|improve this answer
























          • Thanks! "If it's in the toilet, then for sure it's not meant for laptops even if it didn't say "shavers only". -> sure but it could be meant to be used for other more typical bathroom purpose e.g. water floss, hair dryer, etc.

            – Franck Dernoncourt
            2 hours ago














          Your Answer








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          2 Answers
          2






          active

          oldest

          votes








          2 Answers
          2






          active

          oldest

          votes









          active

          oldest

          votes






          active

          oldest

          votes









          2














          A shaver socket is designed to deliver a very limited current - typically 200mA, or 20 to 40 watts, depending on voltage. What happens if you plug something else in depends on the 'something else', and the circuit supporting the socket.



          For low power devices they'll probably work just fine. However, even phone chargers can draw more than 200mA, and laptop or notebook computers much more.



          Plugging in a high-power device will probably trip a fuse or circuit breaker somewhere. In the case of an airline toilet it'll probably light a warning light in the cockpit or flight attendant's station, either of which could prompt an invasion of your privacy



          And in any case, if you do manage to plug your notebook in and browse Facebook for thirty minutes in an airline toilet, do you really want to face the wrath of the assembled queue waiting for increasingly urgent use of the facility?





          I gathered some of the source material here






          share|improve this answer


























          • Thanks! If the electric socket located in a plane's toilet doesn't say "shaver only", in practice is it ok to assume it's a normal socket?

            – Franck Dernoncourt
            3 hours ago













          • I don't know, but possibly. See the last paragraph of my answer for other hazards you might face.

            – Redd Herring
            3 hours ago
















          2














          A shaver socket is designed to deliver a very limited current - typically 200mA, or 20 to 40 watts, depending on voltage. What happens if you plug something else in depends on the 'something else', and the circuit supporting the socket.



          For low power devices they'll probably work just fine. However, even phone chargers can draw more than 200mA, and laptop or notebook computers much more.



          Plugging in a high-power device will probably trip a fuse or circuit breaker somewhere. In the case of an airline toilet it'll probably light a warning light in the cockpit or flight attendant's station, either of which could prompt an invasion of your privacy



          And in any case, if you do manage to plug your notebook in and browse Facebook for thirty minutes in an airline toilet, do you really want to face the wrath of the assembled queue waiting for increasingly urgent use of the facility?





          I gathered some of the source material here






          share|improve this answer


























          • Thanks! If the electric socket located in a plane's toilet doesn't say "shaver only", in practice is it ok to assume it's a normal socket?

            – Franck Dernoncourt
            3 hours ago













          • I don't know, but possibly. See the last paragraph of my answer for other hazards you might face.

            – Redd Herring
            3 hours ago














          2












          2








          2







          A shaver socket is designed to deliver a very limited current - typically 200mA, or 20 to 40 watts, depending on voltage. What happens if you plug something else in depends on the 'something else', and the circuit supporting the socket.



          For low power devices they'll probably work just fine. However, even phone chargers can draw more than 200mA, and laptop or notebook computers much more.



          Plugging in a high-power device will probably trip a fuse or circuit breaker somewhere. In the case of an airline toilet it'll probably light a warning light in the cockpit or flight attendant's station, either of which could prompt an invasion of your privacy



          And in any case, if you do manage to plug your notebook in and browse Facebook for thirty minutes in an airline toilet, do you really want to face the wrath of the assembled queue waiting for increasingly urgent use of the facility?





          I gathered some of the source material here






          share|improve this answer















          A shaver socket is designed to deliver a very limited current - typically 200mA, or 20 to 40 watts, depending on voltage. What happens if you plug something else in depends on the 'something else', and the circuit supporting the socket.



          For low power devices they'll probably work just fine. However, even phone chargers can draw more than 200mA, and laptop or notebook computers much more.



          Plugging in a high-power device will probably trip a fuse or circuit breaker somewhere. In the case of an airline toilet it'll probably light a warning light in the cockpit or flight attendant's station, either of which could prompt an invasion of your privacy



          And in any case, if you do manage to plug your notebook in and browse Facebook for thirty minutes in an airline toilet, do you really want to face the wrath of the assembled queue waiting for increasingly urgent use of the facility?





          I gathered some of the source material here







          share|improve this answer














          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer








          edited 3 hours ago

























          answered 3 hours ago









          Redd HerringRedd Herring

          1,099413




          1,099413













          • Thanks! If the electric socket located in a plane's toilet doesn't say "shaver only", in practice is it ok to assume it's a normal socket?

            – Franck Dernoncourt
            3 hours ago













          • I don't know, but possibly. See the last paragraph of my answer for other hazards you might face.

            – Redd Herring
            3 hours ago



















          • Thanks! If the electric socket located in a plane's toilet doesn't say "shaver only", in practice is it ok to assume it's a normal socket?

            – Franck Dernoncourt
            3 hours ago













          • I don't know, but possibly. See the last paragraph of my answer for other hazards you might face.

            – Redd Herring
            3 hours ago

















          Thanks! If the electric socket located in a plane's toilet doesn't say "shaver only", in practice is it ok to assume it's a normal socket?

          – Franck Dernoncourt
          3 hours ago







          Thanks! If the electric socket located in a plane's toilet doesn't say "shaver only", in practice is it ok to assume it's a normal socket?

          – Franck Dernoncourt
          3 hours ago















          I don't know, but possibly. See the last paragraph of my answer for other hazards you might face.

          – Redd Herring
          3 hours ago





          I don't know, but possibly. See the last paragraph of my answer for other hazards you might face.

          – Redd Herring
          3 hours ago













          1














          I was assigned to work as a cabin crew on very long ferry flights before (12+ hrs flights with no passengers) at the times when passenger seats didn't have electric sockets, it was boring flights and laptops were the gadgets of the choice at the time, usually the old Boeing 747, and I have tried using the sockets inside the lavatories and I remember very well that it didn't work. The charging light would go on then off, and keeps doing so while not charging.



          I also remember trying checking out the sockets next to doors (on the side of the doors in older planes too), which are used for special vacuum cleaners, but it had some big figures written on it (for watts or something, can't remember), it made me worried so I decided not to.



          If it says for shavers only, it means it's for shavers only. If it's in the toilet, then for sure it's not meant for laptops even if it did't say "shavers only".



          I asked the pilots once, they advised me not to, and let me use the socket inside the cockpit, which was a regular one.



          My advice, follow whatever instructions are written there, especially in older airplanes. Do not cause some confusion among the crew by giving them a popped out circuit breaker, it's not fun. I personally hate popped out circuit breakers and makes me think something is really wrong, whether it's in a cabin galley or when I visit the cockpit and see one.






          share|improve this answer
























          • Thanks! "If it's in the toilet, then for sure it's not meant for laptops even if it didn't say "shavers only". -> sure but it could be meant to be used for other more typical bathroom purpose e.g. water floss, hair dryer, etc.

            – Franck Dernoncourt
            2 hours ago


















          1














          I was assigned to work as a cabin crew on very long ferry flights before (12+ hrs flights with no passengers) at the times when passenger seats didn't have electric sockets, it was boring flights and laptops were the gadgets of the choice at the time, usually the old Boeing 747, and I have tried using the sockets inside the lavatories and I remember very well that it didn't work. The charging light would go on then off, and keeps doing so while not charging.



          I also remember trying checking out the sockets next to doors (on the side of the doors in older planes too), which are used for special vacuum cleaners, but it had some big figures written on it (for watts or something, can't remember), it made me worried so I decided not to.



          If it says for shavers only, it means it's for shavers only. If it's in the toilet, then for sure it's not meant for laptops even if it did't say "shavers only".



          I asked the pilots once, they advised me not to, and let me use the socket inside the cockpit, which was a regular one.



          My advice, follow whatever instructions are written there, especially in older airplanes. Do not cause some confusion among the crew by giving them a popped out circuit breaker, it's not fun. I personally hate popped out circuit breakers and makes me think something is really wrong, whether it's in a cabin galley or when I visit the cockpit and see one.






          share|improve this answer
























          • Thanks! "If it's in the toilet, then for sure it's not meant for laptops even if it didn't say "shavers only". -> sure but it could be meant to be used for other more typical bathroom purpose e.g. water floss, hair dryer, etc.

            – Franck Dernoncourt
            2 hours ago
















          1












          1








          1







          I was assigned to work as a cabin crew on very long ferry flights before (12+ hrs flights with no passengers) at the times when passenger seats didn't have electric sockets, it was boring flights and laptops were the gadgets of the choice at the time, usually the old Boeing 747, and I have tried using the sockets inside the lavatories and I remember very well that it didn't work. The charging light would go on then off, and keeps doing so while not charging.



          I also remember trying checking out the sockets next to doors (on the side of the doors in older planes too), which are used for special vacuum cleaners, but it had some big figures written on it (for watts or something, can't remember), it made me worried so I decided not to.



          If it says for shavers only, it means it's for shavers only. If it's in the toilet, then for sure it's not meant for laptops even if it did't say "shavers only".



          I asked the pilots once, they advised me not to, and let me use the socket inside the cockpit, which was a regular one.



          My advice, follow whatever instructions are written there, especially in older airplanes. Do not cause some confusion among the crew by giving them a popped out circuit breaker, it's not fun. I personally hate popped out circuit breakers and makes me think something is really wrong, whether it's in a cabin galley or when I visit the cockpit and see one.






          share|improve this answer













          I was assigned to work as a cabin crew on very long ferry flights before (12+ hrs flights with no passengers) at the times when passenger seats didn't have electric sockets, it was boring flights and laptops were the gadgets of the choice at the time, usually the old Boeing 747, and I have tried using the sockets inside the lavatories and I remember very well that it didn't work. The charging light would go on then off, and keeps doing so while not charging.



          I also remember trying checking out the sockets next to doors (on the side of the doors in older planes too), which are used for special vacuum cleaners, but it had some big figures written on it (for watts or something, can't remember), it made me worried so I decided not to.



          If it says for shavers only, it means it's for shavers only. If it's in the toilet, then for sure it's not meant for laptops even if it did't say "shavers only".



          I asked the pilots once, they advised me not to, and let me use the socket inside the cockpit, which was a regular one.



          My advice, follow whatever instructions are written there, especially in older airplanes. Do not cause some confusion among the crew by giving them a popped out circuit breaker, it's not fun. I personally hate popped out circuit breakers and makes me think something is really wrong, whether it's in a cabin galley or when I visit the cockpit and see one.







          share|improve this answer












          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer










          answered 3 hours ago









          Nean Der ThalNean Der Thal

          68.8k26255359




          68.8k26255359













          • Thanks! "If it's in the toilet, then for sure it's not meant for laptops even if it didn't say "shavers only". -> sure but it could be meant to be used for other more typical bathroom purpose e.g. water floss, hair dryer, etc.

            – Franck Dernoncourt
            2 hours ago





















          • Thanks! "If it's in the toilet, then for sure it's not meant for laptops even if it didn't say "shavers only". -> sure but it could be meant to be used for other more typical bathroom purpose e.g. water floss, hair dryer, etc.

            – Franck Dernoncourt
            2 hours ago



















          Thanks! "If it's in the toilet, then for sure it's not meant for laptops even if it didn't say "shavers only". -> sure but it could be meant to be used for other more typical bathroom purpose e.g. water floss, hair dryer, etc.

          – Franck Dernoncourt
          2 hours ago







          Thanks! "If it's in the toilet, then for sure it's not meant for laptops even if it didn't say "shavers only". -> sure but it could be meant to be used for other more typical bathroom purpose e.g. water floss, hair dryer, etc.

          – Franck Dernoncourt
          2 hours ago




















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