Mains wall sockets?
 

Does anyone have those mains wall sockets that have built in USB ports?
Are they safe enough as I don't fancy blowing by tech or am I better just using a USB charger.

Re: Mains wall sockets?
 

I have an unit that consists of two mains sockets and 2 USB ports which plugs into a continental socket. I have had no problems with it in France I wouldn't think there would be any problems.

Re: Mains wall sockets?
 

I'd just stick to a normal Plug to USB charger. That's just me though.

Not 100% on this second bit but I do know it affects light fixtures, I'm aware that some maintenance voids home insurance if not carried out by a certified electrician, as above, light fixtures are the ones I'm aware of but it would make sense to affect wall sockets too, maybe someone else can confirm.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/TeckNet-Univ...words=usb+plug

Would this not suffice? Can click around to tone the amount of ports down.

Re: Mains wall sockets?
 

I have one in my kitchen when it was refitted I think it is great. It was fitted by the electrician who did the electric work in our kitchen so I could not advice on fitting.

We got ours from screwfix.


http://www.screwfix.com/p/lap-13a-2-...ed-steel/18294

Re: Mains wall sockets?
 

Yea go ahead. There is nothing unsafe with them
..i have 2 of them at my pc desk : http://www.amazon.co.uk/Masterplug-B...+Outlets+metal

Re: Mains wall sockets?
 

How would it affect light fixtures?

All it is is a wall plate with the 5v transformer built in, saving you having to plug a 5v transformer into one of the three-pin sockets.

I have never seen one of these up close, but I assume the socket plate requires a slightly deeper back box to accommodate the transformer. I would say that as long as the OP is confident he can fit one into his existing back box, or is competent to change the back box if necessary, then there is no reason not to go for it.

Re: Mains wall sockets?
 

Only thing I'd highlight is that built-in USB sockets probably won't support any 'fast-charging' standards.

Re: Mains wall sockets?
 

Again ... Why would that be? I'd have thought wiring it directly to the ring main would make it easier to add clever stuff like fast-charge support.

Re: Mains wall sockets?
 

Yes, but then unless I'm misunderstanding how it works it would be dependent on the manufacturer of the socket paying for the licence to use the appropriate fast charging standard, in addition to the hardware. None of the sockets I can find currently include it.

That's not to say that they won't in the future - but it would still only be whatever is available at the time, rather than any future revisions.

Re: Mains wall sockets?
 

Got many chargers and none of them have gone wrong, only thing that tends to break is the cables (which is a pain for those that have a cable permanently attached).. There's no reason as to why these sockets are not just as reliable. I keep meaning to buy myself a few.

PS @ Chris.. No transformer but instead a little switch mode PSU ;) Linear PSU's seem to have died for any application which isn't hum sensitive like ham radio ;)

Re: Mains wall sockets?
 

:nworthy: to CF's resident goddess of electrical engineering. :D

Re: Mains wall sockets?
 

Better I suppose than being the CF goddess of spanking ;)

Re: Mains wall sockets?
 

Sorry I appear to have written it backwards, it was the bit that followed regarding home insurance. I knew changing fixtures affected it but was unaware if changing wall sockets also voided home insurance in lieu of an accident.

Re: Mains wall sockets?
 

Being "directly connected to the ring main" has nothing to do with it. Being proprietary, expensive, manufacturer-specific licensed technologies that change very quickly does however.