Although it's not that uncommon to see borderline separation between the high and low voltage sides of a USB power supply, there are some that have jaw-dropping design errors that result in sub millimetre separation. In this case around 0.2mm! And it was just completely avoidable. The component that violates the already poor separation could easily have been put in a slightly different location well away from the clearance zone.
I believe these plugs may have come from Poundworld but latterly been recalled. If you have one I would not recommend its use for anything with exposed connections.
Shame reallym, since it does actually hold a fairly solid 5V at an Amp.

13 thoughts on “Silly isolation fail in cheap usb power supply.”
  1. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars jimW133 says:

    Interesting, thank you. For my money the "fall apart" and leave mains exposed is a more serious issue.

  2. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Gregory Thomas says:

    I would love to see you do a high voltage test with these chargers…like 1000V 🙂

  3. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars stewart caldwell says:

    This is a job for DREMELman !!!

  4. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars luderick wong says:

    Why did they do that?

    Is it obvious? They want to burn you house. These things were build to create a fire on the consumer`s house. The germans in ww2 did that with v2 rockets. That's why they fail, a v2 rocket worth thousands of Deutsche mark and germans pay for it. This piece of shit worth a pound and the british user pay for it, but the result is same, burn you house! See the difference?

  5. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Hunter's Moon says:

    Poundworld chargers = crap – Poundland chargers = good

  6. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Live & Go livango says:

    hello, do a fake apple laptop charger, i have one here only that I am far away in Venezuela, communist country does not make it easy to send stuff out….

  7. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Crocellian says:

    "Start with good intentions" – remember that Clive.

  8. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Joshua C. says:

    I have one of those knock-off US iPhone chargers (two actually!) with the crappy, nearly non-existent isolation. I also have a large isolation/noise filtration system.
    I should make a vid, "How to safely use a fake iPhone charger", by showing it connected to this system.
    Which would be entertaining:
    Tiny 1" square USB power charger, connected via GFI outlet, to this huge industrial panel covered in transformers and EMI filters.

  9. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Dragon Butt says:

    I want a video on your printing setup and ink supplies.

  10. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars shadshowadradna says:

    I have to say, in terms of isolation, the back coming off seems like at least as big a fail.

  11. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars MrBDoggames says:

    i have no idea why but when you draw on photos like that. it reminds me of when sportcasters on tv go over sports plays

  12. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars DeoMachina says:

    Could it be that the design was done by different people/companies at different stages? For example, the board was cut and the holes were drilled at one factory, then they all get sent to another for the etching on the idea that the next guy could handle the rest of the design.

  13. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Andy Lundell says:

    Makes you wonder how things like this happen.
    In my mind, I imagine that they had a reasonable design, but then a change had to be made and the original designer wasn't available. Then the factory owner, not wanting to hire a contractor just to place one resistor, does it himself.

    That seems plausible, but it sure would be interesting to find out for real.

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