Has any one tried these USB mains sockets?

[SteveU30]

I'm after cutting down on the amount of chargers lying around and the fact that they take up valuable wall sockets when in use an have seen the wall sockets that you can get that add a mini transformer built in to provide a USB power outlet.

Now I've spotted this one on eBay and was just wondering if anyone had used this specific one or can recommend a better one?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/230696916989

 

[dazza1883]

I wouldn't buy any of these electrical goods from hong kong most of them are not certified for British use and in some cases can invalidate your house insurance if they should catch fire. They are cool I have seen a few uk ones in the odd DIY shop

 

[blueboy1971]

I have to agree, i would not touch it with a barge pole as it is not certified.

 

[SteveU30]

Fair comment guys, has anyone else used a proper kite marked one that they can recommend? Don't mind paying for the proper thing!

 

[noiseboy72]

This is a widow maker!

It is not suitable for the following reasons:

No containment (Covering) around the low voltage circuit, so a wire going astray could short out the usb and become mains potential

Not suitable for use on ring mains

Socket has various outlet types, including those not fitted with fuses, so in the UK, you could be connecting to a 30A ring main...

Nice idea though. There is no reason why one of these could not be produced to meet british standards, but it would probably be built around a double socket.

 

[SteveU30]

OK so found this here: Hamilton Single Wall Socket With USB Port which seems to be a proper UK spec and conforms to BS5733 as per page 7 of the official spec sheet here: http://www.hamilton-litestat.com/assets/Brochure/EuroFix.pdf

What do people reckon?

 

[smiley125]

All depends how much power the usb socket will give off as some usb powered devices take 1200ma.

I have seen double versions from a reputable make but cant seem to find the mag i found them in now..
Try asking at a local electrical wholesalers?

 

[towns]

I understand what you guys are saying, unfortunately all the ones that are on the market seem pretty awful. However what about if you used one like this, Dual Two USB Ports Wall Plate Coupler Outlet Socket Panel | eBay which is just a plug board essentially but then powered it from behind with a proper CE phone charger from the mains, would be no use for installing in a proper wall but with a false wall/chimney, you could plug in your phone charger behind and then just link through to the face plate as a tidy solution?

Safe?!

 

[DLoop]

MK do one that fits into their Euro module range

K5837

 

[daffykyle]

This seems like a very old thread but was the first one that came up in Google!

I've been thinking about getting some of these installed in my place and stumbled upon these for quite cheap, anybody recommend these?

The hamilton ones mentioned earlier have been discontinued, but this is a 2 gang too.

Selectric Double Socket with 2 USB Outlets 2 Gang 13A at UK Electrical Supplies

 

[Rakesh72]

I was looking for a socket with usb too!

Did you get the selectric and if so how did you find it?

 

[daffykyle]

I did get it, also my work have installed a few around in a new part of the office for staff workstations - they do the job!!

 

[MassiveJim]

I dont get it, why not just install a normal plug socket leave a charger plugged in to it, then it can double up as a plug socket as well ???

 

[alfiethecat]

I quite like this product - does it work well.

 

[daffykyle]

God, i should check out these threads more often!

Product is great, big fan of it!

No3ntry - it has two normal plug sockets on it PLUS two USB sockets. They do just singular USB ones which are for tidyness purposes I guess.

 

[Bigfoot9]

Being looking at these are really that good?

 

[Stupot43]

Have a look at these:

DUAL GANG DUAL PORT UK MAINS FACEPLATE WITH TWIN USB CHARGING SOCKETS : TGUSB

 

[Geordie Simon]

Have a look at these:

DUAL GANG DUAL PORT UK MAINS FACEPLATE WITH TWIN USB CHARGING SOCKETS : TGUSB

And here.....

LAP 13A 2-Gang Switched Socket & USB Charger Port Brushed Steel | Switches & Sockets | Screwfix.com

 

[oakland]

And here.....

LAP 13A 2-Gang Switched Socket & USB Charger Port Brushed Steel | Switches & Sockets | Screwfix.com

I have had these for a couple of months and can say they do the job brilliantly.

 

[RSWhite]

Frankly most of the above stuff is cheap and nasty, in my opinion not safe, there are some UK made units on the market from reputable manufacturers. Check out the 5V output with a DVM, most of them fall outside the USB spec limits, so who pays if they fry your iPad? Try this, made in UK and meeting UK safety standards and USB voltage limits!
SCOLMORE GROUP - WIRING ACCESSORIES | CLICK New Media, a wide range of media and power module solutions for all manner of media cabling problems.

 

[redz]

B&Q do some too.. work great but need a 35mm back box.

 

[Geordie Simon]

B&Q do some too.. work great but need a 35mm back box.

The Lap USB ds from Screwfix comes with a spacer to get away with using a 25mm box. Just fitted mine and admittedly... they would look better without the spacer but they still look good with it (polished chrome with high gloss black spacer).

 

[redz]

same ones, just diff boxes!

 

[Laudrup1]

I've seen this post bumped a few times now. Is it not just easier and possibly safer to use the likes of the plugs that come with an iphone to give you a USB charging point?

 

[Stebinners]

I agree, is there really any need?