Travel Gear in today's screen world

[markis10]

One of the key areas of change in recent times is USB charging, an area full of jargon, traps and potentially life ending scenarios.

First and foremost is electrical safety. In order to sell a charger, power supply or AC adaptor in Australia the device needs to be certified as electrically safe.

The Regulatory Compliance Mark (RCM) is a mark that indicates that electrical equipment is safe and compliant with Australian standards.

What does the RCM mean?

• The RCM means the product has been tested and meets Australian standards
  
  
• The RCM shows that the equipment is linked to a responsible supplier
  

Who needs to use the RCM?

• Importers and manufacturers in Australia and New Zealand
• Registered Responsible Suppliers of Level 1, 2, or 3 electrical equipment

Many of the travel chargers available via EBay, Ali Express and Amazon don’t have this mark. Another common indicator of non compliance is the lack of insulation on the AC prongs designed to avoid electrocution of little fingers jammed into an AC socket.





So that’s the electrical safety aspect covered, one of the first things insurers look at in a claim.

What’s the best charger?

USB C is fast becoming the predominate standard, thanks to the EU mandating one type of connection. Many USB C devices are low power, 10-15 watts. However in the last year we have seen the advent of GAN chargers from 35W - 100W or even more. So what is GAN, Gallium nitride is basically a more efficient way of converting power with less heat loss, so all of a sudden we can power a laptop requiring 100W of power from an adaptor 30cm x 20cm, rather than the bricks of years gone by.

Given 35-65W GAN chargers are now available for $10 to $35, an easy solution for travel is a 4 way power board with a plug adaptor and a couple of cheap locally purchased, certified GAN chargers.

Now you’re probably wondering about powerbanks. Lithium Iron batteries have changed the world as we know it and it’s fair to say the revolution is just starting. But as frequent flyers we need to be mindful of the dangers and the regulations when it it comes to carrying powerbanks for our devices.

Rather than reinvent the wheel, I will refer readers to this very good guide on what’s legal when it comes to airlines:

Flight Safe Power Banks / Battery Packs by Wh & Australian Airline

www.ozbargain.com.au

With phones, laptops, cameras, drones, and speakers, these days we are reliant on portable battery packs, or “power banks”. Unfortunately, batteries can cause sudden fires. Therefore, airlines have strict legal requirements about how batteries are transported.
Note: While this post is accurate, to the best of my knowledge, as of 31/05/2023: You are responsible for your own research. For the Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s most up-to-date guidelines regarding batteries, visit the CASA website(casa.gov.au).

Quick Reference Table​

5,000	19	Safe to carry-on
10,000	37	Safe to carry-on
15,000	56	Safe to carry-on
20,000	74	Safe to carry-on
25,000	93	Safe to carry-on
27,000	100	Limit without airline approval
30,000	111	Seek airline approval
35,000	130	Seek airline approval
40,000	148	Seek airline approval
43,000	160	Legal limit
45,000	165	Illegal to bring on plane

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Safe travels, and be safely fully charged

 

[RooFlyer]

Very helpful, thanks.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

So that’s the electrical safety aspect covered, one of the first things insurers look at in a claim.

Can you please expand on this? How it works, and some examples?

 

[markis10]

Can you please expand on this? How it works, and some examples?

I have covered the RCM mark and mentioned a giveaway for non compliance is the lack of insulation on the prongs, what else would you like to know?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I have covered the RCM mark and mentioned a giveaway for non compliance is the lack of insulation on the prongs, what else would you like to know?

How this affects a travel insurance claim, with some examples of where a claim has been denied or affected because someone used charger or plug that didn’t have the RCM mark.

The safety advice is spot on, but I am sure most of us have purchased or used equipment overseas - at hotels or staying with friends or family - that doesn’t have the RCM mark, or insulation.

 

[RooFlyer]

The safety advice is spot on, but I am sure most of us have purchased or used equipment overseas - at hotels or staying with friends or family - that doesn’t have the RCM mark, or insulation.

Yes, using 'non compliant' equipment (non Australian standard) as a reason refuse an insurance claim must be questionable. If you die in an overseas hotel fire, or lose gear and the hotel fire escapes, sprinklers etc aren't to Australian standard, do they refuse claim?

 

[markis10]

My comments re insurance were more related to home insurance, I didn’t mention travel insurance specifically. I know of two house fires caused by charging a battery device where a non compliant charger was used. In both cases, the insurance companies have taken several months to finally advise non-coverage as the policyholders did not fulfil their duty of care, a.k.a. they were negligent in reducing the risk of Lithium-ion fires. Travel insurance policies have the same principal applying.

You might think it’s only applicable to EV or scooter charging but we have had deaths from faulty phone charges in Australia, one where 240v was routed through a phone headphones, and others due to fire caused by thermal runaway and subsequent fires.

 

[markis10]

Yes, using 'non compliant' equipment (non Australian standard) as a reason refuse an insurance claim must be questionable. If you die in an overseas hotel fire, or lose gear and the hotel fire escapes, sprinklers etc aren't to Australian standard, do they refuse claim?

Using a non compliant charger falls under duty of care, hotel equipment issues don’t as they are not under your duty of care, pretty obvious.

I am sure one of our members who is an insurance investigator would provide an authoritative answer, we have a few. It was an interesting and illuminating night discussing similar matters at an AFF event, all off record of course.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Using a non compliant charger falls under duty of care, hotel equipment issues don’t as they are not under your duty of care, pretty obvious.

I am sure one of our members who is an insurance investigator would provide an authoritative answer, we have a few. It was an interesting and illuminating night discussing similar matters at an AFF event, all off record of course.

It would be interesting to see some analysis on that. Agree using an obviously faulty piece of electrical equipment might fall under duty of care - even if it’s provided by the hotel.

But I’m not sure one is required to confirm equipment purchased while overseas complies with Australian standards in order for us to be covered by insurance… especially given many of us have needed to buy an emergency charger or adaptor at some time!

 

[markis10]

But I’m not sure one is required to confirm equipment purchased while overseas complies with Australian standards in order for us to be covered by insurance… especially given many of us have needed to buy an emergency charger or adaptor at some time!

I recommend buying local not overseas and making sure it has the RCM mark. If you do need to make an overseas purchase, buy one that has an electrical safety certification, eg the EU standard will be widely available:



The Conformité Européenne (CE) marking is a regulatory standard that verifies that electrical products are safe for use in the European Economic Area (EEA).

What does the CE marking mean?

• The CE marking is a symbol that indicates that a product meets European safety rules
  
  
• The CE marking is mandatory for manufacturers of products that fall within the applicable CE directives and regulations
  
  
• The CE marking is not a quality mark or guarantee

 

[RooFlyer]

Using a non compliant charger falls under duty of care, hotel equipment issues don’t as they are not under your duty of care, pretty obvious.

Maybe getting off your very helpful topic, but if you don't mind exploring:

I don't think its 'pretty obvious'. If you use hotel equipment, could the insurer argue that you did have a duty of care in making sure it was 'appropriate/well maintained/'compliant' ' (or whatever weasel word they would choose). I rarely find any insurance issue to be 'pretty obvious'.