Leaving laptop charger plugged in

[Computer0304]

Is it ok to leave a laptop charger and a phone/tablet charger plugged in to the electrical outlet when not in use? Or is there a risk of a problem happening if I do that?

Thanks.

 

[oscer1]

I do not see a problem keeping them plugged in.

 

[Digital Life]

I am pretty sure that the charging circuit has a built in safety mechanism that make's it impossible to overcharge the battery

 

[ThrashZone]

Besides power outages and surges due to it
It's best to disconnect when not in use,
Most of the ones for laptops are not designed to be plugged in 24/7 where as desktops are.
Might shorten the life of the cord contact the manufacture to see if the last is applicable ?

I personally do not leave my laptop plugged in the battery also needs to cycle down.

 

[oscer1]

Not sure if when he uses the laptop or tablet/ phone just unplug from the device but leaves plugged into wall outlet if that is what he is asking the nothing to worry about leaving plugged into wall as no amps will be drawn since no load is on it. Won't hurt a thing how we always done it. Never a problem

 

[LMiller7]

For my phone I leave the adapter plugged in all the time. This is really no different than the AC adapter for a modem or router that is on all the time. I wouldn't leave a laptop adapter plugged in all time.

Of course if thunderstorms or unstable power is common in your area you need to consider that.

 

[Computer0304]

To make it clear, I mean leaving the charger, not the laptop or phone, plugged in. I almost always use my laptop at home anyway. I have been doing this since I got this laptop which is more than 1 year. It didn't start a problem so far. But now I think it might be bad, but I'm not sure.

 

[Computer0304]

So, should I stop leaving it plugged in? I can leave the phone charger plugged in but plug out the laptop charger?

 

[ThrashZone]

I'm not sure why you would leave any charger plugged in ?
Especially if your not there :/

If you read the instructions they will state plug the device to the charger and then plug in into a outlet.

 

[linnemeyerhere]

I think all computers need to have clean stable power and I use an appropriate sized UPS. With that in place you can also pop the battery back out and just run of the ac adapter plugged in and the battery out. Just know that batteries will slowly discharge on their own.

 

[Computer0304]

I'm not sure why you would leave any charger plugged in ?
Especially if your not there :/

If you read the instructions they will state plug the device to the charger and then plug in into a outlet.

It's because I use my laptop almost like a desktop. I barely use it outside my home so usually the only time I move it is to print something since the printer is in another room. Also, I thought you would have to plug into a outlet first in case there's a electrical arc or a spark. Is it dangerous to leave the outlet end plugged in and the other end just sitting on my desk?

I think all computers need to have clean stable power and I use an appropriate sized UPS. With that in place you can also pop the battery back out and just run of the ac adapter plugged in and the battery out. Just know that batteries will slowly discharge on their own.

Hey there, what does a UPS have to do with a laptop charger left plugged in?

 

[ThrashZone]

UPS is a battery backup and surge protection system which at minimum you would need a surge protector on any electronic device

The wall outlet must be in a painful to get to place
I would suggest a surge protector with a switch on it so you can use it to turn it on and off if that's the case
Amazon.com: 7 OUTLET SURGE PROTECTOR W/INDIVIDUAL SWITCHES: Electronics

Or just a regular one with 1 main on off switch
Amazon.com: Surge Protectors: Electronics

 

[Computer0304]

Well, I do have a power tap or surge protector, but the router is also plugged in there. Is there any articles that it is bad to leave it plugged in?

 

[Digital Life]

Not sure if this will help you but when I got my first and only laptop about 3 years ago I left it charging all the time and as time passed after a few month's I got concerned that maybe the battery would loose the ability to fully charge since I remember reading somewhere that most batteries have a finite number of charges ( for some reason I don't know why but I think it's around 1000 ) and like you my laptop is more of a desktop than a laptop so I removed the battery and wrapped it in a plastic bag and stuck it in my sock drawer and take it out whenever I think it's been around 3 month's and charge it again, Last time I charged it it charged to 96 or 98 percent. Is my method right - wrong -or the worst thing to do to a battery I don't know but whatever comments people have about it I won't be changing now after 3 years

EDIT: Yes I leave my power adapter plugged in 24-7 I had to replace it once because the tip got broken somehow, cost me $40 Canadian to replace with a original manufacturer adapter ( $500 64 bit Acer laptop )

 

[UsernameIssues]

sml156,
In my opinion, the charge in Lithium ion batteries should keep moving (e.g. slight charge followed by a slight discharge)*. The chips that control the charging should take care of this minor charge/discharge cycle. Putting batteries away for months at a time is not best, but probably did no noticeable harm.

The battery pack should be serving as part of the laptops surge protection. If you operate your laptop without the battery installed, then you probably have less surge protection.


*some people disagree. That is why there are smartphone ROMs that eliminate this charge/discharge cycle.


Computer0304,
I see hundreds of laptop chargers that stay plugged in 24/7 at my office. I've not heard of any issues due to that. I also see lots of laptops that stay plugged into their charges 24/7. These laptops do not sleep and those batteries last longer than "normal".


All,
Although the topic is not about leaving laptops on their chargers most of the time, I'll go ahead and state that this is one area where users should consider doing what the manufacturer of the laptop suggests. The manufacturer should know how the charging chips are setup. If the manufacturer took the cheap route, then they should tell you to not leave the batteries on the charger.

 

[ThrashZone]

Well, I do have a power tap or surge protector, but the router is also plugged in there. Is there any articles that it is bad to leave it plugged in?

That's where the separate switches come in handy
Leave the router on
Amazon.com: 7 OUTLET SURGE PROTECTOR W/INDIVIDUAL SWITCHES: Electronics

I agree contact the manufacture for the best way to handle it

 

[UsernameIssues]

To be clear:
I do not think that I have ever seen a manufacturer speak to the question of leaving a charger plugged in. They probably have very little (if any) design input into the charger. They just create a spec (voltage in/out, compliance current, ripple...) and start accepting bids for chargers. Batteries are much different. The charging chip set inside of the battery pack should get along with the charging chip set inside of the laptop. There are industry standards for how these chip sets should work, but designers tweak features faster than the industry specs change.

 

[Computer0304]

sml156,
In my opinion, the charge in Lithium ion batteries should keep moving (e.g. slight charge followed by a slight discharge)*. The chips that control the charging should take care of this minor charge/discharge cycle. Putting batteries away for months at a time is not best, but probably did no noticeable harm.

The battery pack should be serving as part of the laptops surge protection. If you operate your laptop without the battery installed, then you probably have less surge protection.


*some people disagree. That is why there are smartphone ROMs that eliminate this charge/discharge cycle.


Computer0304,
I see hundreds of laptop chargers that stay plugged in 24/7 at my office. I've not heard of any issues due to that. I also see lots of laptops that stay plugged into their charges 24/7. These laptops do not sleep and those batteries last longer than "normal".


All,
Although the topic is not about leaving laptops on their chargers most of the time, I'll go ahead and state that this is one area where users should consider doing what the manufacturer of the laptop suggests. The manufacturer should know how the charging chips are setup. If the manufacturer took the cheap route, then they should tell you to not leave the batteries on the charger.

Not sure if this will help you but when I got my first and only laptop about 3 years ago I left it charging all the time and as time passed after a few month's I got concerned that maybe the battery would loose the ability to fully charge since I remember reading somewhere that most batteries have a finite number of charges ( for some reason I don't know why but I think it's around 1000 ) and like you my laptop is more of a desktop than a laptop so I removed the battery and wrapped it in a plastic bag and stuck it in my sock drawer and take it out whenever I think it's been around 3 month's and charge it again, Last time I charged it it charged to 96 or 98 percent. Is my method right - wrong -or the worst thing to do to a battery I don't know but whatever comments people have about it I won't be changing now after 3 years

EDIT: Yes I leave my power adapter plugged in 24-7 I had to replace it once because the tip got broken somehow, cost me $40 Canadian to replace with a original manufacturer adapter ( $500 64 bit Acer laptop )

You guys know I mean leaving just the outlet end plugged in, not leaving the laptop plugged in, right?

 

[Computer0304]

Well, I do have a power tap or surge protector, but the router is also plugged in there. Is there any articles that it is bad to leave it plugged in?

That's where the separate switches come in handy
Leave the router on
Amazon.com: 7 OUTLET SURGE PROTECTOR W/INDIVIDUAL SWITCHES: Electronics

I agree contact the manufacture for the best way to handle it

Ok, I'll try first checking the manual and then contact manufacturer.

Edit: Also, my laptop is an ultrabook-like laptop.

 

[UsernameIssues]

sml156,
In my opinion, the charge in Lithium ion batteries should keep moving (e.g. slight charge followed by a slight discharge)*. The chips that control the charging should take care of this minor charge/discharge cycle. Putting batteries away for months at a time is not best, but probably did no noticeable harm.

The battery pack should be serving as part of the laptops surge protection. If you operate your laptop without the battery installed, then you probably have less surge protection.


*some people disagree. That is why there are smartphone ROMs that eliminate this charge/discharge cycle.


Computer0304,
I see hundreds of laptop chargers that stay plugged in 24/7 at my office. I've not heard of any issues due to that. I also see lots of laptops that stay plugged into their charges 24/7. These laptops do not sleep and those batteries last longer than "normal".


All,
Although the topic is not about leaving laptops on their chargers most of the time, I'll go ahead and state that this is one area where users should consider doing what the manufacturer of the laptop suggests. The manufacturer should know how the charging chips are setup. If the manufacturer took the cheap route, then they should tell you to not leave the batteries on the charger.

Not sure if this will help you but when I got my first and only laptop about 3 years ago I left it charging all the time and as time passed after a few month's I got concerned that maybe the battery would loose the ability to fully charge since I remember reading somewhere that most batteries have a finite number of charges ( for some reason I don't know why but I think it's around 1000 ) and like you my laptop is more of a desktop than a laptop so I removed the battery and wrapped it in a plastic bag and stuck it in my sock drawer and take it out whenever I think it's been around 3 month's and charge it again, Last time I charged it it charged to 96 or 98 percent. Is my method right - wrong -or the worst thing to do to a battery I don't know but whatever comments people have about it I won't be changing now after 3 years

EDIT: Yes I leave my power adapter plugged in 24-7 I had to replace it once because the tip got broken somehow, cost me $40 Canadian to replace with a original manufacturer adapter ( $500 64 bit Acer laptop )

You guys know I mean leaving just the outlet end plugged in, not leaving the laptop plugged in, right?

Yep, I know
But always charging a laptop did come up and it did not seem too far off topic to discuss it. Looking back, it seems that not many of my sentences where strictly on topic. So, here are a few more sentences on topic: It might be "greener" to unplug the charger (no matter how little electricity it uses when the laptop is not connected). However, you might negate all of that "greeness" if the charger fails due to handling. I'm not saying that you do this - but some people wrap the power cords around the charger is a manor that breaks the cord near the charger. Making a charger last longer might be the "greenest" thing to do.