Kitz Forum
Computers & Hardware => Hardware - Deals & Bargains => Topic started by: kitz on January 21, 2015, 11:07:31 AM
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Double Wall Socket with 2 USB outlets - £12.99 @ Aldi (https://www.aldi.co.uk/en/specialbuys/thur-22-jan/product-detail/ps/p/double-wall-socket-with-usb/?pk_campaign=uk_product_newsletter&pk_kwd=2015-01-19_17-39)
(https://www.aldi.co.uk/typo3temp/pics/W04_PD_Thursday_New_UK24_f520ee6ec5.jpg)
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A clever idea, but will Apple devices complain that it's not one of their chargers?
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I'd never come across such a thing, but I see they are actually quite commonly available in various designs.
Certainly useful, but I wonder whether the USB outlets are switched, or always on?
Not that I'd worry about the energy usage, a topic we've done to death, and any cost saving from switching off is an urban myth. But from a safety perspective, I'd probably not feel comfortable leaving a charger of unknown pedigree permanently connected to the mains... :-\
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I've got one, and it does what it says on the tin. The USB ports aren't switched, but it claims to meet UK safety regulations. I've only found one oddity, namely that my Kindle doesn't seem to like it; it starts to charge, then after several minutes the charging light goes green (indicating that charging is complete) but charging isn't complete. Everything else I've tried works fine.
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A clever idea, but will Apple devices complain that it's not one of their chargers?
Not sure, but I think if as long as you use genuine cable then you should be ok.
Its the cable that contains the chip.. you can plug the cable into various power sources such as PC or car USB adapter.
Positioned between the cord's USB contact and the power pin on the Lightning plug, the chip seems to be the key to keeping Lighting cables and adapters proprietary.
http://gizmodo.com/5945889/some-third-party-adapters-might-not-work-with-your-new-iphone/all
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I wish that I'd been aware that there were such things as these before I had some rewiring work and new sockets installed in my bedroom last year.
I presently have a trailing extension socket by the side of my bed. This extension permanently has plugged into it: 1)Dect Phone, 2) Mobile phone charger 3) Apple charger (for ipad & ipod) which is usually always charging one or the other device.
I recently bought from Aldi a WorkZone 6 socket extension with 2 USB, but when I got it home realised it was longer than my bedside cabinet and therefore classic stub your toe material. It was overkill really as aside from the Dect Phone all the other devices are all usb plugs. When I feel like pulling my built in office furniture to pieces, Im going to put it in the PC room.
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Just for reference, the one I've got is this: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00KO1KDN4?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00
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:hmm: Hmm . . . Not the sort of item I would consider installing at The Cattery. :no: But I am a very suspicious and perpetually grumpy cat . . .
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but it claims to meet UK safety regulations.
Hmm, are there any such safety standards, specific to these devices?
I'm not the only one with reservations, found this...
http://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/mediafile/100145109/web_usb-article-from-so32.pdf
Even apart from safety, we kind of expect a socket outlet to have life expectancy measured in decades. The internal shots of these devices show simple aluminium electrolytics which, if powered and heated 24/7, are most unlikely to last beyond a year or five. Certainly not decades.
I do think the concept is excellent. I feel an urge to install them in several places. But I'll probably wait until safety regulators have introduced some standards, and some of the major UK brand names give it some backing... :)
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I do think the concept is excellent. I feel an urge to install them in several places.
I've decided to order a couple for convenient desk-level sockets that often have adapters/chargers plugged in.
These are both sockets I installed myself many years ago so I know the circuits and how to isolate them if necessary.
As for life, I'm not too bothered, though I am re safety so will give them a very thorough check before installing.
I suspect that within the lifetime of these charging technology will have moved on (e.g. to wireless pads etc.) so I'll revert them to standard sockets or a later replacement as required.
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Thank you for providing that link, 7LM. Having now read it, :o I would not install any such an item in The Cattery. (Other than the rubbish bin, perhaps . . .)
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There's a thread on AVForums (https://www.avforums.com/threads/has-any-one-tried-these-usb-mains-sockets.1562463/) about these, and some useful info to take into account when purchasing. Thread was started in Dec 2011, so they've been around for some years.
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I see MK have a version though it takes up a full module slot, so you'd lose half of a double outlet. But still no switch, not even an accessible fuse. It seems they auto-detect cable attachment and power themselves on, but I'd be so much happier with a physical switch so I could isolate it if/when it develops a fault.
https://www.mkelectric.com/en-gb/Products/WD/logicplus/Powermodules/USBchargingmodule/Pages/default.aspx
Unfortunately, the MK USB module alone seems to be selling for best part of £30, plus more for the faceplate, and more again to populate the adjacent module if replacing a double socket. :o
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May I slip in a question?
Which is quicker; to charge a phone via the mains socket or a computer USB port?
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There should not be any difference in the time taken. The device will be taking the energy available to it (to recharge the internal battery) at a certain, fixed rate.
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May I slip in a question?
Which is quicker; to charge a phone via the mains socket or a computer USB port?
Without intending to contradict B'cat who, I see, has posted while I typed...
Usually there will be no difference, although it is likely that a respectable manufacturer's own mains charger will be optimal as designed to match the device, and therefor charge the fastest.
As I understand (happy to be corrected) manufacturers may choose to provide devices that charge faster when connected to suitable chargers that exceed basic USB requirements, and provide a more generous current.
I believe (again, may be wrong!) some iPads/ iPhones behave as such and, when connected to an Apple charger, will charge in impressively double-quick time. When connected to more 'basic' outlets, whether PC or wall-mounted that may limit the charging current, it may take longer.
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In reality not all sockets are capable of supplying the same/adequate current levels.
In general a mains charger is more likely to provide a realistic current to charge in an acceptable timeframe.
Edit: 7LM has said the same while I was typing, but at more length. 8)
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I asked because no mains charger came with my Tesco Mobile supplied Galaxy Fame. Thanks for views! :)
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My Hudl2 takes much longer to charge from a USB port on my PC than on the supplied mains charger. Discovered incidentally just recently. Just looked at the charger which states output as 2A at 5V which explains it.
Tony
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I'm sure that your Hudl2 won't be taking 2A of charging current. But presumably it will take more current than the PC USB port can supply, when it's connected to a higher capacity source.
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I will be around (or a significant proportion of) that figure though.
An iPad battery is of the order of 30 Watt-hours capacity and a Hudl is probably similar.
2A at 5v is 10 Watts, so "could" fully charge such a device in 3 hours or so. How long does it actually take?
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Never checked carefully but I would think about that time. Not sure of the Hudl2's battery capacity but they advertise it as having an 8 hour operating time which would point to a substantial capacity even allowing for promotional exaggeration.
Tony
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I will be around (or a significant proportion of) that figure though.
An iPad battery is of the order of 30 Watt-hours capacity and a Hudl is probably similar.
2A at 5v is 10 Watts, so "could" fully charge such a device in 3 hours or so. How long does it actually take?
Never timed it but 2-3 hours feels about right for mine, an iPad 2 and iPad Mini.
A consequential problem for such high charge rate devices is that the voltage drop in thin USB cable conductors can become significant beyond a few feet in length. I believe that is one reason the Apple cables are so short, and that the longer 'non Apple' cables either don't work at all or take a month of sundays to charge.
As noted by kitz earlier, the newer lightning cables appear to be chipped, in any event.
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Thought I'd add this as I was just pondering whether to get an MK Logic double socket with USB ports (my existing sockets are MK Logic), anyway I found the this thread (https://www.theiet.org/forums/forum/messageview.cfm?catid=205&threadid=63973&STARTPAGE=1&FTVAR_FORUMVIEWTMP=Linear) which was interesting reading, and raised some very good points.
It also mentioned this (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Masterplug-SRGAUSBPW-Surge-Protected-Charger/dp/B007TQNUCS/), which seems a very good idea, and certainly a lot better than a fixed socket.
Although each port only gives 1 amp (just found there is a 2.1amp version (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Masterplug-SRGAUSBPW2-Charger-Surge-Socket-white/dp/B01HGQSITA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1518119579&sr=8-1&keywords=SRGAUSBPW2)), it would be ideal for what I need, and is available in black or white.
https://www.masterplug.com/my/usb-charger-surge-protected