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Perhaps you have already left your smartphone charger plugged in, out of habit or simply inadvertently, when you were no longer using it. However, you should always unplug your charger when you are no longer using it, for both economic and safety reasons.
The first reason not to leave your charger plugged in when it is not working is simply to avoid consuming energy unnecessarily. Because even when it is not charging your smartphone, a plugged-in charger continues to consume electricity, up to 0.5 W, as if it were “on standby”. This will remain anecdotal on your electricity bill since it should not represent more than two or three euros per year. However, multiplied by the number of chargers (phones, tablets, computers, etc.) present in the home, this can constitute a significant expense.
But it is especially important to unplug your charger for safety reasons, especially at night or when you are away from home. In fact, this can at any time lead to a risk of overheating, especially on old models that are sometimes damaged or on others of poor quality. Not only can this cause further damage to the charger, but in extreme cases they can even catch fire and cause a fire.
Generally speaking, leaving your charger plugged in will also wear it out, whatever happens, since it will be subject to regular electrical variations. In the long term, this may make the charger less efficient. Finally, in the event of a storm or network malfunction, it may very well be caught in a short circuit.
In summary, getting into the habit of unplugging your charger when it is not charging your smartphone not only saves energy, but also reduces the risk of accidents and extends its lifespan.