Compliance

Double adaptors were in everyday use a decade or so ago but are becoming increasingly less common.  There are some excellent reasons for this!

Double adaptors cannot be used on building sites in Victoria, but no legislation prevents them from being used in other workplaces or homes.

By nature of their design, and due to the habits people have developed using them, they can be extremely dangerous.

Double adaptors rarely have any form of overload or surge protection to limit the amount of current drawn through them; here at Jez Test and Tag, we have never seen one that has.

They can be prone to overheating due to increased electrical load, mainly when they are piggy-backed on top of each other (which you should NEVER do).  This load can significantly increase the risk of overheating and fire.

Their design also lends double adaptors to being easily knocked and dislodged from sockets or other adaptors. If piggy-backed, which can create a significant hazard by introducing the increased risk of electrocution resulting from someone touching the partially exposed pins.  Most double adaptors in homes are pre-2005, so very few have insulated active and neutral pins.

Jez Test and Tag does not endorse the use of double adaptors and recommends replacing them with powerboards or adding more electrical outlets (wall sockets).  Double adaptors are not covered by AS/NZS 3760:2010 and consequently are not tested for electrical safety.