IBuy one of these: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00W2WRDS6?psc=1

You can then charge from any socket in your house...

Thanks for clarifying that.

The short circuit protection on the MK sockets is to protect the socket in the event the USB output is shorted/overloaded due to a bad lead or USB device being charged rather than a failure of the switch mode power supply. Saying that I would expect the MK ones to use good quality capacitors and I also believe the units are assembled in the UK so would hope the QA is spot on.

Timed served electrician of 27 years although I'm in an office now rather than on site.

I believe the MK one has short circuit protection, so you should still be able to use the socket if the USB side fails.

Perhaps paulj48 could confirm?

Are you a DIY'er or a qualified electrician?

what I'm saying is the voltage for the USB parts is stepped down with a switch mode power supply, the capacitors on this will eventually dry out (more so on cheaper brand sockets) and fail more than likely causing a short thus blowing the fuse/circuit breaker in your consumer unit.

If the socket faults this way then you wont be able to energise the whole circuit (rendering you with no sockets at all on that circuit) until you change that one faulty socket, not a big job for a DIYer but if you're not then you'll be at the mercy of an emergency electrician and any costs associated with that.

So what you're saying is if the USB ports fail the whole socket fails? Would I not be able to plug anything in?

​Why?

That is a totally different argument. If it fails you'd still need to isolate via consumer unit - exactly the same as the USB socket therefore the same inconvenience factor.

shaver sockets are slightly different as they have the local isolation built in.

The transformer is only physically connected in circuit when the pins of the shaver are pushed into the outlet.

If it was up to the IET, I'd need a Part P chap to come and change my toilet roll because I couldn't be trusted not to somehow electrocute myself :smiley:

Also, you're interpreting a recommendation and applying it to something based on convenience not safety.
By your argument, shaver sockets should also have an isolating switch but not a great many (if any) do.

These are not just my reasons but the reasons the IEE also recommends it good practice for local isolation of all devices permanently connected to fixed wiring.

No - they aren't! It's £5 cheaper for 2 of these than 1 MK socket - so these are far less than half the price.
​Have you inspected these to know they are different from the MK ones?
The MK ones still only deliver the same USB current output of 2.1A over the 2 USBs.
Because it's branded and sold by such a big company - I would assume it's up to British Standards - it'd be illegal for them to sell it otherwise.

​In a nutshell... yes they're safe and have as much chance of burning your house down as a normal plug in charger.

Just get a decent UK standard one rather than cheapo Chinese one from eBay. The innards of those look a little scary.

I've seen them in some hotels.

​I'm fully aware and you're just being pedantic now.

Far quicker to say transformer than 'switch mode PCB' and many more can understand what I'm trying to say without me trying to sound smart :smiley:

In a nutshell don't buy a usb plug as your house will burn down...or are they safe to use.?

Hotels have them?

These don't contain a transformer, the voltage is changed using a switch mode PCB

Applause for the Maths kid here :smiley:

It's about time that they produced a version that have a switch for the USB sockets. Even if it switches both off. I'm holding back until this type arrives. The MK version, although a lot more expensive, would be a better bet though!

I've often thought about getting these. in the end I chose a 10 gang tower extension with 4 usb ports, which sits behind the AV. A better option IMHO.

​I understand your reason, just don't agree.

My point is, the convenience of these outweighs the inconvenience of the very rare inconvenience of having to isolate one individually.

Even more so when you consider if transformer fails, chances are rest of the circuit will still be usable.

But perhaps let's agree to disagree. :smiley: