IT'S BACK!

Thank the lord above, I have been bereft looking for these, heartbroken, devastated and all the sad emotions possible combined but IT'S BACK, IT'S BACK!

Guess who's back, back again. Socket's back, tell a friend.

It's got pointy bits on one end and loads of holes at the other. What exactly can one expect from a £6 switched extension - it's not likely to have Qualcomm Quick Charge :smirk:

whats the specifications?

IT'S BACK!

Thank the lord above, I have been bereft looking for these, heartbroken, devastated and all the sad emotions possible combined but IT'S BACK, IT'S BACK!

what's the length on these please?

Good.

It's back?

But we had the funeral...and a lovely service.

You weren't meant to return..................

Just when you thought it was safe enough to plug in two vibrators! It's back! and this time you're getting white finger!

!

Does anyone know if this can be opened and rewired, or is it a sealed unit?
Rather than make a special trip and be disappointed, I'd appreciate some knowledge.

Is this a decent brand or is it likely to set fire to my house?

i alway wonder, is those usb socket safe? dont they need fuse or some sort of transformer?

Looks the same as one on ebay. The one on ebay is 2m and 2.1A shared for the USB.

Can anyone confirm if this is definitely these specs?

Very tempted to vote cold just for the use of "it's back!" :laughing:

Guess who's back, back again. Socket's back, tell a friend.

Branksome, Poole had loads at the weekend.

Its the JON SNOW of wall sockets!

what's the obsession with the usb ports in wall sockets?? you have to use a cable anyway to charge your device, doesn't really makes a difference whatever you use a proper charger or an usb charger since it's still a cable you have to use?

Mains wired USB ports are extremely dangerous (because of cheap transformers), can't believe people even buy integrated wall sockets ones! and you can't switch them off (no individual USB switches) so it's always ready to burn down your house. I would have preferred this without the USB's TBH.

I have one of these & came across an unusual issue

Firstly I have my laptop PSU plugged into one of the normal sockets

If I then try to plug my smartphone into one of the USB ports I find I end up with some sort of weird feedback on the headphones I have attached to my laptop

perhaps some budding electrical engineer can explain that

Does anyone consider auto-downvoting any deal with in the subject?!

Kudos to the OP in this case though; s/he actually used an apostrophe!

looks like a good deal but...
From the picture above it seems that USB sockets are always on - which means it drowns some power. Depending on efficiency of such down-converters it may take little or even a nominal power.
Some of badly designed wall plugs take the same amount of energy regardless if there a device being charged or not.
I personally prefer extension lead like this, where you can switch off power supply for USB circuits as well:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251942699348
(I have no connections with the seller)

I've also read somewhere on the internet (so it must be true), on the AV forums, that switched extensions should be avoided if using for AV equipment as they tend to cause interference, USB or not.

IT'S BACK.

OMG.

IT'S BACK

OMG111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'll Be BACK

Yes, it's the second-most annoying phrase used on this site.

Whats the first ?

I was hoping someone would ask me that! :wink:

It's "Heads Up", which some people insist on putting in their deal titles and is completely superfluous. As the definition of "Heads Up" is "an advance warning of something." then every deal on here is a "Heads Up"!

Me to, but wouldn't they have recalled them or given out some kind of notice if they were dangerous?

but nobody wants to see sockets no more, without usb ports

And there was me almost about to throw myself off a bridge, such has been the torment of never knowing if or when my beloved extension lead would return.

Yeah, but those are the guys that tell you you should spend £150 on a mains lead to improve your amp's sound, and that speaker cables need to be laid with the metal crystals pointing in the right direction.

Loads in Edmonton Green.

brilliant stuff.

Tried to find these online through their website but had no luck, anyone know if they're available to order online?

They are different though, for two reasons:
- they contain a linear transformer rather than a switch-mode power supply
- the transformer is automatically disconnected from the mains when there is no plug in the socket

Automatic cold from me. Always.

Does anyone know where it went too then?

Oh dont worry, the main thing is, its back!

Quality of the switches can be an issue with power strips. On cheap ones the contacts can easily weld together, often due to inrush current on otherwise low power appliances. The result is that you can't switch the socket off any more.

OMG this must be why I blew my fibre optic doll up it putting me off these extensions now not voting either way cos I don't understand all the is it safe or is it not safe

So it's back? That's fantastic news.

Me too.

The switch buttons are really fragile ... binned mine after about 6 months because switches were either stuck or came off completely. Maybe, I turned them on/off too often.

and the brand is?

wow - did not realise that the phrase "It's back" would cause such a stir!

For anyone 'down-voting' due to the first two words... you must lead a stress-free life!! There are bigger things to be concerned about.
I wrote "It's back" as a polite way to acknowledge that this has been previously posted. Basically, to kerb the comments (perhaps the same people) stating that it has been posted before.

Regarding the safety comments.... does anyone have any evidence to prove this? I'm genuinely interested.
I, like many, put faith in that unsafe products will not make it to the shelf. Consumer safety/ kite marks, etc...
I'm smart enough to realise that transformer devices will use energy when they are not even plugged in. Which doesn't necessarily mean they are unsafe. I also think I understand electricity /mains voltages enough to think that the fuse should trip if an unexpected short/load occurs.



Here is some cannon fodder to keep people going...
"It's back", "this is my first post so be kind", erm "heads up", "here is the same 2TB hard drive thats been posted a billion times".
Thats probably made a few heads explode!

Oh dear!

Yes possible problem with toggle switches as one I got in last batch had hard to press switches which looked like they maybe inserted the wrong way round; very handy item with usb ports and will buy another after checking switches are sorted.

Shaver sockets disconnect the power to the transformer when there isn't a plug in the socket, there is a little flap which activates the supply. That why if you listen to the socket carefully there is only a hum from the transformer when something is plugged in. USB sockets do not shut off.

At least if a dodgy USB chargers goes up in flames it's OUTSIDE the dry wall! Usually the wall sockets outer casing prevents any risk of further damage.


You shouldn't be buying 10p USB chargers :smirk: They use shoddy transformers, thinner wire than required for high voltages and are usually not insulated or soldered properly.



Because they are always on and because there is a transformer constantly converting the voltage from 250V to 5V there is a risk. IMO they are more risky than they are worth. If you buy from a reputable seller it should be OK but remember that even branded genuine USB chargers have been recalled over safety fears in the past so goodness knows which components go into these unbranded integrated wall sockets. At least with a USB charger you can see it and switch it off if it starts smoking or something.

With a normal extension socket nothing is being converted, it's just splitting the mains power, the minute things have to be converted and controlled it becomes very important how good quality the products components are. Why not just use a USB charger?, surely buy now people have like 10 around the house! Or just buy a mains powered USB hub instead, like ones made by Anker etc.

I didn't mind the "it's back" at all- but now you've gone and said "kerb" instead of "curb", which is MUCH MUCH worse! :confused:

Read this first then make your own mind up http://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/mediafile/100145109/web_usb-article-from-so32.pdf

Great spot, picked 2 up in Northampton. Heat added

ha ha ha. Fair play!
And their I was finking I no's it all!

This may mean the end of Trump

And the 3rd is Possibly National on some obscure in store purchase where the shop just wanted to get shot of something.

Just been out and picked one of these up. The transformer on the USB side of things "whine" like crazy when anything is plugged in.

Don't you DARE bring facts into this "discussion"

​I registered a new account to like it twice. lol.

There is a lot of debate on transformer, as to whether it is auto off when not in use, could someone put an energy consumption meter in between this and its wall socket to test if it draw any current please?

Oh home bargains visit in in order than you for posting I need one!

Thank you, I don't think I'll take the risk!

P.s. I mean with the wall sockets mentioned, where the USB sockets can't be switched off, not the item posted which CAN be switched off if you switch the whole thing off at the mains.

Thanks, I'm going to take them back and put in normal sockets. Cheaper option anyway!

Bear in mind that the article is a year old and things move on though....

Yes - could be even worse now...

I'm an E. Engineer, see these all the time. Did you guys actually opened this thing to check what's inside and compare it with a know good unit?

All these cheap USB chargers are quite nice and all until you figure out they dont meet clearances from the mains to the output, EMI issues (including interference with audio equipment) and most often under rated outputs. Would I buy it? Definitively no. A quality power supply (without Qualcomm fast charge) for a single USB port is likely to cost at least £5-6 (with the later not costing much more).

Why risk a substandard quality?

I installed many UK sockets and other products with built in USB port. All had the built in power supply permanently powered. The higher quality ones, however have energy star rated supplies which draw only a few milli watts in standby. Most draw so little a energy meter is not typically able to detect the load and appears to be 'off'. The "elcheapo" ones draw about one watt.

Most (not all) of these products are not subject to any certification or independent quality checking. Refer to previous post for issues. On the contrary any power adapter provided with a namebrand device is subject to these, so even if left on, consumption will be minimal.

That's why now there is a new trend to sell some smartphones without chargers. It's just not viable for the manufacturer to add the cost involved in designing and certifying a quality power supply when the consumer is likely to be able to find one in the market for less, even if it is of a lesser specification (How many of us actually test them?).

Don't believe, buy a 230VAC power meter, a 5V power monitor and a check it for yourself. After a year, the electricity costs would have paid for a quality, multi-port output charger.

There were plenty in the star wars bar shop... I mean Blaydon Tyne & Wear :smile:

Rubbish absolute rubbish, for one all electrical items sold in the UK by law are tested to stricked BSI/BSA testing for safety and for excepting radio interference, do you really think a major store chain like Home Bargains are going to run the risks of selling cheap Chinese knockoffs the which some independent corner shop retails try to get away with, if they did Im sure they would be out of business before they knew what had hit them. So I would be care of what you say instead of just opening your mouth and letting your belly rumble Mr so called E. Engineer lol

Get a grip people. If you're not sure, don't buy it. They are safe. Ce marked and passed eu and UK specification. They are mid range in quality, they won't burn your house down unless you plug 4×13 amp fused appliances in at once with both usb and wrap it in cling film! The wall sockets with built in are safer as they are straight on your electric fuse but if you have modern wiring the chances of a fire are minute.

I think he's just trying to make a point. They're from a legitimate supplier and ce marked. They are the same as any other 4 way trailing socket. Do you usually panic when buying a 4 way socket? What's with the concern? Just follow the normal rules for these things.

:confused:

Sock-it...........u Rock-it....
sock-it...........u Rock-it...
Sock-it...

Don't forget also the additional complication of charge current selection - if the appliance thinks the charger isn't capable of supplying enough current because the data pins aren't strapped up the right way, it won't draw it and you'll get slow charging. Hence smart charge sockets, which this and related crappy USB supplies don't have.

But like i said, if you dont want to risk it, dont buy it. If your going to plug it in to give it to a dog to chew on, no, but otherwise go to argos and pay for a more expensive one that still doesnt guarantee that your home wont go up in flames, but gives you peace of mind because it wasnt 'from Home Bargains'.simples....

That's only part of the story. My phone checks to see if it is connected to a USB or a USB charging port. Once its happy that it is connected to a USB charging port it tries to pull 1.6A (Max).

If at any point the voltage drops below 4.75V, it first defaults to about 1A. If the voltage still isn't enough, ends up defaulting to 400mA, same as with a non charging USB port. That's why some USB leads charge faster than others. If the conductors are thin the voltage at the other end is lower and the device pulls off the fast charge until the cable is re-inserted again

And that is how cheap knock offs can advertise being able to provide full load on both USB ports... when often the real ratings are much lower.

Some manufacturer chargers have automatic voltage drop compensation. Samsung note charger for example bumps the voltage from 5.2 up to 5.6V from no load to 2.5A.

Genuine chargers which come with phones are going to use much higher quality components than generic extension sockets like these. I very much doubt a cable like this costing what it does is going to contain the USB innards of, lets say, an Apple USB charger costing £15.

Ugh - even worse then. Of course the other factor which isn't pointed out, though, is that resistance is proportional to cable length so a short crappy cable is likely to be more usable than a long crappy one...

ok put it this way, what it states has to be true! if not they are liable for god knows what. As said a cheap knockoff states all sorts of rubbish but a high street retailer has to abide by the law and stating otherwise will allow them to be prosecuted. I think maybe a few bits of grey matter may help when commenting, oh yeah if these do not come up to the advertised limits they wouldve been recalled.

I cant confirm it outputs 2.1a but my phone chargers quicker and it runs my pi2 no problems.

I dont think they are liable for a miss representation, you are covered under the Sale of goods act in regards for a refund/replacement if it doesn't match the specs and that's probably all

yea u check cus could not charge my phone it charged other thing but not the phone

You're hardly going to get 2A outputs on a very cheap unit such as this. The usb ports might be handy for a few things but I'd never trust cheap tech to charge expensive gear like a smartphone or a camera.

One other question, are these suitable to run an IPad from?
TIA

Phone's these days come standard with just one USB a to b cable and a USB plug, so when people lose the plug they can still charge their phone from the wall.

Is this still available or does anyone know where I can get something similar for the cheapest price?