USB sockets

50Twuncle

Are these any good ?
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=CJ-82M2jj8cCFWWWtAodR9UADA

forestwn6

As they have relevant standards quoted they should be OK.

Zola.

I don't really see the point in them personally. You'll get a faster charge when you use the actual charger with the power source.

If you are going to the bother of plugging in a wire you might as well just stick the whole thing on with the power outlet and get it done quicker.

spo2

I have one beside my bed and never had any problem with it. I charge my phone overnight and like to use this as it frees up the sockets for electric blanket/clock radio/bedside lamp etc

stator

The question is, does it waste electricity when the USB sockets are not used? They don't seem to be switched.

50Twuncle

stator wrote: »

The question is, does it waste electricity when the USB sockets are not used? They don't seem to be switched.

No - similar to the actual mains socket - power won't flow unless there is a "load"

System

Zola. wrote: »

I don't really see the point in them personally. You'll get a faster charge when you use the actual charger with the power source.

If you are going to the bother of plugging in a wire you might as well just stick the whole thing on with the power outlet and get it done quicker.

they are quite handy really...
the voltage and amps on that looks as much as you'll need for a fast charge on an ipad so can't see why it would be any quicker than using the actual charger?

On the jobs I've used them there does seem to be a quality control issue where they don't always seem to work out of the box and are replaced by the manufacturer...

stator

50Twuncle wrote: »

No - similar to the actual mains socket - power won't flow unless there is a "load"

Unless there's a controller in there the transformer will be using/losing some energy.

PheoUK

2.1a fast charge on the LAP ones. Admittedly this would be halved if you plugged two ipads into one plug simultaneously. But thats a bit of an edge case.

Terry98

What are the things you need to consider when looking for a usb charger?

The OP's link looks ideal if you want to be neat and tidy but presumably it will not be a fast charge if you are charging two items at once.

This 5 port desktop charger has 2.4 amps per port or 5 amps overall http://www.amazon.co.uk/Desktop-Charger-PowerIQ-Technology-Motorola/dp/B00KHN9SE4/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1438752306&sr=8-3&keywords=anker+usb+charger

Which one is better and is there anything else you need to look out for when buying one? Do cheap cables have any effect on charging?

50Twuncle

Terry98 wrote: »

What are the things you need to consider when looking for a usb charger?

The OP's link looks ideal if you want to be neat and tidy but presumably it will not be a fast charge if you are charging two items at once.

This 5 port desktop charger has 2.4 amps per port or 5 amps overall http://www.amazon.co.uk/Desktop-Charger-PowerIQ-Technology-Motorola/dp/B00KHN9SE4/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1438752306&sr=8-3&keywords=anker+usb+charger

Which one is better and is there anything else you need to look out for when buying one? Do cheap cables have any effect on charging?

A device will only draw what current it can take - depending on the impedance of the device (and cable) and a normal maximum for USB is around 1 amp - so 2.1 amps is going to suit most dual charging situations ...