Can the cigarette lighter be left plugged in all the time?
2 Answers
It can be left plugged into the cigarette lighter without causing any harm to the circuit. The car charger uses a series switching voltage regulator, and when not in use, its circuit automatically stops working. Therefore, it will not affect the operation of the circuit. The static current of the circuit is only about 1-2mA, which has no impact on the circuit. Additionally, when the car key is turned off, the cigarette lighter also loses power. Here is some related information about car chargers: 1. Introduction: A car charger is a device that is typically powered by a car battery (12V for cars, 24V for trucks) and is widely used for charging lithium batteries in various portable and handheld devices. 2. Precautions for use: A car charger uses the car's cigarette lighter as a power socket to directly charge mobile phones. Since the voltage provided by the car is relatively low, the car charger only needs an overload protection circuit inside. There is a fuse designed at the front end of the car charger socket. When the current exceeds the range that the overload protection circuit can handle, the fuse immediately blows to provide protection. Note that charging should only be done when the car's engine is running.
As a seasoned driver, I believe the cigarette lighter socket can safely have devices plugged in long-term, such as USB chargers. The charging plug in my own car has remained inserted for years without any issues. As long as the device's power consumption isn't high—like a standard phone charger under 100W—it typically won't overheat or short-circuit. However, it's important to note that leaving devices plugged in after turning off the car may slowly drain the battery, potentially leading to a dead battery and failure to start over time. A friend of mine experienced this issue, where a low-quality charger caused the socket to overheat. Cigarette lighters are designed to be durable, but it's advisable to check if plugged-in devices are powered off before shutting down the engine. Developing a habit of unplugging devices is safer, especially in older cars with lower-quality socket materials. In summary, small everyday devices are generally fine, but avoid leaving high-power devices or the lighter itself plugged in continuously.
