Wall socket with USB connection

Paully232000

Hi,

Are these plugs worth it and easy to install?

http://www.screwfix.com/p/lap-13a-sp-2-gang-switched-socket-usb-charger-port-white/1204F?kpid=1204F&cm_mmc=Google-_-Product%20Listing%20Ads-_-Sales%20Tracking-_-sales%20tracking%20url&kpid=1204F&cm_mmc=Google-_-Shopping%20-%20Lighting-_-Shopping%20-%20Lighting&gclid=CLGH8v-bzMUCFTQatAodLlMAcg

Look good to replace the phone, and tablet chargers that I can never find:-), and reviews seem good (maybe there are better ones that people know of).

Thanks

gjchester

Paully232000 wrote: »

Hi,

Are these plugs worth it and easy to install?

Worth it depends on your situation, my desk has a few USB extension socket's loose that mainly get used for charging my phone and tablet.


Easy to fit, yes, simple as changing a plug socket, only gotcha is if you have small shallow depth back boxes as they may not fit, or if you cables are short but that's not really a fault on this, more the wiring you have.

poppy10_2

Only 2.1A between the two USB sockets. Won't be enough to charge an iPad and another device at full speed. Better just to buy a standalone multicharger like this

Kernel_Sanders

poppy10 wrote: »

Only 2.1A between the two USB sockets. Won't be enough to charge an iPad and another device at full speed. Better just to buy a standalone multicharger like this

IDU why 5 Amps between 5 USB sockets is better than 2.1 Amps between two USB sockets.

grumbler

Kernel_Sanders wrote: »

IDU why 5 Amps between 5 USB sockets is better than 2.1 Amps between two USB sockets.

I am pretty sure 'between' means consumed by all connected devices in total.
If it's only one device, then it's 2.1A v 5A, not 1.05A v 1A

almillar

I've got a very similar one that had an RRP of £20 but eventually came down to £10, and was 2.1A too. That's fine if you've got one thing at a time, and would also be fine for two phones, say.
Easy to fit - the socket you remove will have either one or two live, neutral and earths, and the one you put in has one, so you have to shove the thick, difficult solid copper wires into the connections, with the circuit off of course!
Much handier and less messy than that standalone charger.

chrisw

I presume the socket contains a transformer. Does this mean it will be consuming power all the time, even if nothing's plugged in?

securityguy

chrisw wrote: »

I presume the socket contains a transformer. Does this mean it will be consuming power all the time, even if nothing's plugged in?

It can't possibly have a large transformer in the space available. It'll be a switch-mode power supply. A well-designed switch-mode dissipates almost no power when there's no load, and if it's installed in a wall box any power dissipation would be dangerous because it would heat up. It's possible there's a tiny amount of power dissipated and heatsunk to some metal part of the socket, but the myth of chargers consuming measurable power while off is just that. If a switchmode has a transformer at all, it's a very small, high-frequency one located downstream from the rectifier.

Plug half a dozen chargers into a distribution board. Plug that into a power meter. Plug that into the mains. It will almost certainly read zero (i.e., less than 0.5W).

Paully232000

poppy10 wrote: »

Only 2.1A between the two USB sockets. Won't be enough to charge an iPad and another device at full speed. Better just to buy a standalone multicharger like this

Thanks, I will have a look at these, but it was more the fact that I dont want my ordinary plug sockets taken up with chargers, so I think the wall socket with USB points might be a better solution, especially as they seem easy to fit.

AndyPix

Paully232000 wrote: »

Hi,

Are these plugs worth it and easy to install?


Look good to replace the phone, and tablet chargers that I can never find:-),

But you will still have to find the usb lead wont you ??
Stop being silly and just buy a couple of cheap chargers