Integrated USB sockets - will USB-A ever really die out?

[Great_scot_selfbuild]

We are putting a select few sockets with integrated USB ports in our build. We’ve given thought to where we *really* need / would value the fast charge ones (as they’re so much more expensive), but I’d like to throw out the question of whether we go for USB-C only or USB-A sockets.

 

Worked example:

Under the kitchen island (has seating) we will have a fast charge integrated USB socket (2 ports). Do we go double-C or A&C. I have my own initial thought, this thread is more to gather a bit of the wider view without leading the witness as it were.

 

TIA

[-rick-]

Double C no question.

 

USB A will hang around but anything new will come with C and adapters are easy to get.

 

Having said that, personally I wouldn't get socket integrated USB at all. The prices are high, standards change, the standby energy use of them adds up and the risk of them breaking/costing you more money during their life is not great either. (Some types of electrical testing done during EICRs and fault investigation would require all these sockets to be disconnected before the test is run, that's going lead to the electrician charging more).

 

I'd rather get something along these lines for when USB is needed (not a recommendation just result of quick search - in fact not sure the foldable pins is a good idea).

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/TEKRAT-Charger-Foldable-iPhone-Samsung-White/dp/B0DNRLYSZ1

Edited 16 hours ago by -rick-

[garrymartin]

@-rick- has some great advice there, and I would echo every comment, especially those related to making an electrician's job just a little more difficult!

 

Connector types and abilities have changed greatly in a relatively short space of time, so you don't want something that might be obsolete in a couple of years, or not as performant as you'd like.

 

I'd also add that cables and connectors are more prone to damage when they come out of a socket at a 90-degree angle, and it's also difficult to push furniture back against them (as an example). I'd much prefer a plug-in adapter where the cable exits at 180-degrees below the outlet. Hope I've explained that correctly! Like in this image...

 

 

[Iceverge]

Does USB C charge faster than the old ones?

 

I have a multiple outlet charger and maybe its my imagination but I think it does*. 

 

*No science applied here,I'm guesstimating. 

[garrymartin]

1 minute ago, Iceverge said:

Does USB C charge faster than the old ones?

 

Yes, USB-C generally charges much faster than USB-A, although it really depends on what you are charging, the cable you are using, and the capability of whatever sits beyond the actual port. Some USB-C ports with Power Delivery (PD) can pump out 240W compared to a USB-A port rated at 2.4A pushing out just 12W.

[Iceverge]

240w, goodness. 

 

[-rick-]

Just now, Iceverge said:

240w, goodness. 

 

For laptops, monitors, etc.

 

The charger will be physically quite a bit bigger if it's putting out that much power. I'd guess the more commonly available ones will go up to 30-60W max. If you have a USB-C laptop charger that will be 60-150W probably.

[Super_Paulie]

For what it's worth, the majority of my bench height sockets have both A and C. The one on my island is a high power one so can charge the laptop up while sat at it. Use them most days and if it ever becomes obsolete id just change them to whatever comes out next. USB-D 🤷🏼‍♂️

[-rick-]

And that brings us back to mains sockets with USB-C. The vast majority of them will be more basic chargers so basically the same as a USB-A fast charger but with a usb-c connector.

 

So that means even if you have a socket with a USB-C you can't necessarily plug your higher power device into it and charge at a reasonable rate. All devices have to support the lowest power standard but a laptop would take hours upon hours to charge at that rate.

 

When I say higher power device, obviously laptops but it also applies to tablets and even the big high end phones. Anything with a big battery wants a higher power charge.

[Iceverge]

Spending too much of my life in hotels with work I've completely abandoned the USB sockets in the wall in favour of my own charger. 

 

They are always very very slow and sometime give up the ghost altogether. 

[Great_scot_selfbuild]

Thank goodness I posted this. I have changed my mind! (A self-builder, changing their mind based on opinions counter to their starting position?!? It’ll never catch on).

 

 

12 hours ago, -rick- said:

Some types of electrical testing done during EICRs and fault investigation would require all these sockets to be disconnected before the test is run, that's going lead to the electrician charging more

Well, firstly, @-rick-, I hadn’t been aware or considered this at all. Thanks.

I hadn’t considered (though it’s obvious now I pause to think about it, but the ‘permanently on’ current draw of the USB ports is negligible in terms of cost, but adds a faff-factor. I could do without when it comes to electrical commissioning / testing etc.

 

 

9 hours ago, Iceverge said:

Spending too much of my life in hotels with work I've completely abandoned the USB sockets in the wall in favour of my own charger. 

 

They are always very very slow and sometime give up the ghost altogether. 

I can totally relate to this.

 

Where I’ve ended up…

 

I hadn’t paused to double-check the varying (and ever-increasing) power demands of even the simple phone. Having done a quick search for the power requirements of different devices to check what sockets would be required, it quickly points towards very high power consumption (45w may do a current laptop / tablet, but in a few years, it’ll probably want more to power a bigger battery / processing chip etc…).

 

65W sockets often get close to £70, plus you have to watch out for whether the claimed power rating is shared or per-socket (they often like to hide this little ‘gem’.

 

So, given that we still have locations that will be primary/most frequent charging spots, I’m now looking at plug-in docking stations, some of which I may leave almost permanently in place (and as it’s early enough I could have the cabling hidden). This Anker 200W 6-port option (each USB-C port supports max 100W output - there are others that go up to 140W) comes in well below the cost of a Knightsbridge 65W integrated socket!

 

 

Thanks all

[Conor]

We've sockets with USB A and C ports in them through the entire house. It's wonderful, no longer need to faff around looking for a charger, or not having enough sockets. Ours are Click brand and we've not had a single failure 5 years in. The C ports are more powerful than the A ports and most of our plugin chargers.

[Great_scot_selfbuild]

12 minutes ago, Conor said:

Ours are Click brand

@Conor Can you share a link please? I did a quick search but nothing obvious came up - some brands have a ‘click’ model it seems. Just interested to see the power ratings as I’d done a bunch of searches before posting this but hadn’t come across that one.