USB Enabled Sockets

[Onoff]

Anyone taking advantage of the cheap deals on these be aware there might be an ulterior motive to shift them. With the new "any way up" USB-C connector becoming more common you might end up having "old" sockets when they bring out power sockets with USB-C ports rather than USB-A as they are at present:

 

Edited December 14, 2016 by Onoff

[ToughButterCup]

5 hours ago, Onoff said:

[...] might end up having "old" sockets when they bring out power sockets with USB-C ports rather than USB-A as they are at present:

 

@MrsRA used to build high-end computers in her own time (when it was worthwhile doing so), and as well as that, she hoards. So, we have every single 'technology' somewhere squirreled away in this old house - from an Amiga through zip drives, 4.5 inch floppies, ZX Spectrum any number of laptops, a few 'boxes, spare memory and some random number of Processors; the loft is groaning,  in one (used to be) bedroom  you can slip on defunct CDs lying around the place.

 

USB A? It's a spring chicken. "You never know when we might need it"

Give me strength folks, strength.

[ProDave]

This is probably the best argument for NOT fitting USB sockets at all, and just using plug in adaptors of whatever flavour is in use today.
 

[Guest Alphonsox]

7 hours ago, ProDave said:

This is probably the best argument for NOT fitting USB sockets at all, and just using plug in adaptors of whatever flavour is in use today.
 

 

Completely agree - and you get an off switch for the USB charge circuit. As far as I can see the integrated ones are powered 24/7.

[Barney12]

53 minutes ago, Alphonsox said:

 

Completely agree - and you get an off switch for the USB charge circuit. As far as I can see the integrated ones are powered 24/7.

 

Yep don't get USB sockets in mains plugs. Way too much risk of outdated tech.

 

I made an "iShelf". The cables disappear into a cupboard that houses a multipoint USB power bank.

The only annoying thing is I should have made it from Apple not Oak

 

[ProDave]

57 minutes ago, Barney12 said:

 
 

Yep don't get USB sockets in mains plugs. Way too much risk of outdated tech.

 
 

I made an "iShelf". The cables disappear into a cupboard that houses a multipoint USB power bank.

The only annoying thing is I should have made it from Apple not Oak

 
 

But then it would have cost twice as much and you would have had to use iscrews to fix it to the wall. no other tyoe of screw would have been compatible.


 

[Onoff]

Ever noticed there's an "i" in SHITE? 

[AliG]

I have managed to find one very ugly USB-C built in socket so far.

 

With the ability to provide 100W I doubt they will be replaced for some time and I wouldn't mind putting a few in.

 

We are in an annoying switchover period though where many people will still be using USB-A for the next few years. I am surprised how slowly people are moving over to C, but I see more and more phones now come with C, it is funny though that they are still usually designed to charge up from a USB-A socket.

[ProDave]

The point is though, USB A is the default connector. There are then a myriad of different sized and flavours of usb socket on all your devices. you just use an adaptor lead to suit the device you are charging. The same would be true if your outlet was USB C.
 

[AliG]

Adaptors don't sit well with my OCD

[Construction Channel]

how much more expensive are they than a standard socket in the same style?

 

after some limited research, they are about 2 1/2 times the price, 

 

how much is a few years convenience worth to you in £££

 

im going to be putting a couple in at least  

[Roger440]

I have not once in my life felt the need to have a socket with a USB port. Nor do i understand why you would. Maybe im just backwards?

 

[Construction Channel]

we have a double socket by the home phone downstairs which is where my parents charge their mobiles, it was fine when they just had a phone each, But now they have a tablet  

they needed another lead to be coming out of the socket and a USB faceplate seemed the easiest solution  

[Roger440]

Hmmm, My phone and laptop came with Chargers. So i use them. As does my wife.

 

Still not getting it. Did see them in  the screwfix catalogue when i was there. Somewhat bemused then too.

[ToughButterCup]

9 hours ago, Roger440 said:

I have not once in my life felt the need to have a socket with a USB port. Nor do i understand why you would. Maybe im just backwards?

 

 

The single advantage is that the socket cannot be taken to work, lost in the sofa or chewed by the cat.

[Nickfromwales]

12 hours ago, Barney12 said:

The only annoying thing is..............

The screws aren't 12 o'clock to 6 o'clock 

[Nickfromwales]

9 hours ago, Roger440 said:

I have not once in my life felt the need to have a socket with a USB port. Nor do i understand why you would. Maybe im just backwards?

 

"During the war, Rodney"...........

[Barney12]

7 minutes ago, Nickfromwales said:

The screws aren't 12 o'clock to 6 o'clock 

 

I know I know, stop it. 

 

they were and then of course the crappy bloody wall plugs lost a bit of tension in the equallly crappy plasterboard so I had to "winch em up a bit".  'Twas a sad sad day  

 

V2 will have secret fixings so no screws on display  and some other modifications. Mind you by the time I get round to making it they will have developed truly wireless charging or you'll just get Alexa saying...... "Barney, I've noticed your phone is at 50%, I'm charging it for you now" 

[Nickfromwales]

@Bitpipe

Hugh, did Smiffy fit the same USB sockets for you ( not plug socket integrated but stand alone ones ) as he did for Greg?

These had an integrated switch which only energised the transformer when an USB plug was fully inserted.

Whats the general consensus with the vampire load on these cheap ones ( socket USB duos ) as I can't recall seeing one specifically mention if the transformer is constantly energised OR NOT? A house full of these may add up but I won't shit the bed over it that's for sure. 

21 minutes ago, recoveringacademic said:

 

The single advantage is that the socket cannot be taken to work, lost in the sofa or chewed by the cat.

Exactamundo squire. . The dustbin lids constantly disappear with ours, and it drives me nuts. 

I've promoted / fitted these on the last couple of kitchen fits and folk are raving over them. Less clutter and more convenience. 

9 hours ago, Roger440 said:

Still not getting it.

Try to keep up old boy 

[Barney12]

25 minutes ago, recoveringacademic said:

............ or chewed by the cat.

 

[SteamyTea]

@Barney12I have had middle age firmly thrust upon me recently.  The NHS has asked me to go for a bowel screening.  Will I look like that cat?

[Barney12]

4 hours ago, SteamyTea said:

@Barney12I have had middle age firmly thrust upon me recently.  The NHS has asked me to go for a bowel screening.  Will I look like that cat?

 

[Barney12]

Actually I dont mean to worry you @SteamyTea but NHS cutbacks mean that they've commissioned @Onoff to build you a new scanner. Rumour has it that there is a new BuildHub MEGA build thread coming soon as he's just finished the drawings.......

 

[Onoff]

I've worked in that area before :

 

 

[Bitpipe]

6 hours ago, Nickfromwales said:

@Bitpipe

Hugh, did Smiffy fit the same USB sockets for you ( not plug socket integrated but stand alone ones ) as he did for Greg?

These had an integrated switch which only energised the transformer when an USB plug was fully inserted.

Whats the general consensus with the vampire load on these cheap ones ( socket USB duos ) as I can't recall seeing one specifically mention if the transformer is constantly energised OR NOT? A house full of these may add up but I won't shit the bed over it that's for sure. 

 

He's here now making sure OpenReach play nicely with his work so will ask him. We have the integrated sockets though with two USB A under the switches.