I got one of these a while ago. It seems like an odd design flaw but is fairly obvious if you look on the photos of the product, basically the switches are set too close to the socket. They work fine to plug in a standard 13A plug but anything that has a transformer built into the plug will either hit the switch when you plug it in or obscure the switch so that you can't turn it on or off.
Might not bother some people but really frustrating for me as I installed it in the kitchen right where I want to plug in my radio but it won't fit.
Also the switch operation feels really cheap on these, really stands out compared to the rest of the sockets in the house which are all MK or Schneider.
Does anyone know if the usb sockets use electricity when not charging something (as they're always "on")?
Wol377 to bones79
7y 47d1#22
This is not the case. It's a bit like asking if an empty plug socket uses energy when turned on.
EDIT* On second thought, there will be a IC somewhere in there to step down the voltage which will require some energy... but we are talking minimal power usage.
Active circuitry in walls is not for me, also I am dubious of the quality of the output of these too. Would be good to get one on a scope to measure. However comparison to others offering the same it's a good deal.
donslibi to mogsog
7y 47d2#11
There are always plugs left on unless you switch off every plug manually every time you leave the house? If so, turn off the mains and these will turn off too.
In terms of quality I would never buy these or any other without it being one of the decent makes such as MK or BG
scottishpunter to mogsog
7y 47d2#13
They do have BS 5733 & BS 1363 kitemarks on the £8 ones, suspiciously missing from the £6 ones
rickycj to mogsog
7y 47d#15
Unless you turn your consumer unit ( fuse board) of at the main breaker then you have active circuitry in your walls . turning off a socket turns of what is plugged in the cable feeding the socket is always live
SAGE9
7y 47d#12
got it cheaper at Screwfix.
jacko791
7y 47d7#14
I got one of these a while ago. It seems like an odd design flaw but is fairly obvious if you look on the photos of the product, basically the switches are set too close to the socket. They work fine to plug in a standard 13A plug but anything that has a transformer built into the plug will either hit the switch when you plug it in or obscure the switch so that you can't turn it on or off.
Might not bother some people but really frustrating for me as I installed it in the kitchen right where I want to plug in my radio but it won't fit.
Also the switch operation feels really cheap on these, really stands out compared to the rest of the sockets in the house which are all MK or Schneider.
nemo786 to jacko791
7y 47d#48
thank you very much for this insight
rickycj
7y 47d#16
These cheap electrical items are all well and good . They might last they might not its a gamble . but if you don't have an up to date consumers unit don't put them in . UK regs on ccu are incredibly strict for the exact purpose of unqualified people putting cheap accessories on. your board will protect you just in case it or you mess up. But an old re wire able type fuse board and this malfunctions it won't trip off and you die in the fire.
Spend the extra couple of £ and get the 3.1a version
AdaamP
7y 47d1#19
Power is halved if both are USB'S are in use. Seems abit rubbish?
Smiff
7y 47d3#20
no thanks unless big Clive has been inside one
mattym129
7y 47d#21
The difference is that the mains circuitry does not consist of active electronics - it's just passive wiring. These USB faceplates have always-on active power supplies, full of cheap capacitors and transistors, just waiting to go short and leave a scorch mark up your wall. Not something I would want to worry about while I was out of the house.
If £6 can only just buy you a 'safe' mains-to-USB charger, how can you expect it to include a safety-certified twin socket without a drop in quality?
Honestly, less than £20 and I would not expect these USBs to be functional in a year or so.
nharrold
7y 47d1#23
Might be a good deal but full sized usb is going to be obsolete without adapters to be able to use USB C. If Apple switch to it like all the Android OEMs then soon the only cable anyone will ever need for charging or data transfer could be a double ended usb c cable.
djames108 to nharrold
7y 47d#28
there are adaptors, so they wont become obsolete.....
n217970 to nharrold
7y 47d#30
err... what? you do realise cables can come with USB A on one end and USB C on the other?
qwerta369
7y 47d1#24
Never.
Majik
7y 47d#25
Already have - my laptop bag full of damned adaptors is testament to that.. :/
qwerta369
7y 47d1#26
I'm talking about iOS devices. It will be proprietary lightning all the way.
Holdsworth
7y 47d#27
Very tempting, but I generally prefer brands for electrical - oddly, neither MK or Schneider do a 3a version (or didn't last time I checked). Wonder why...
djames108
7y 47d#29
I've got a few of the screwfix ones in the bedroom had them for well over a year, were similar price so quality is likely to be comparable. guess what........nothings shorted out or burned down! isn't it great, and when I wake in the morning my phone is fully charged. I would say they are much like ronseal.
let's face it, if a reputable retailer is selling something of this nature it would have to be made to a certain standard and pass safety checks. For the moaners it's simple........don't buy one
gap30
7y 47d2#31
I am an NICEIC approved contractor, these are great have them all over my house
Why do people over complicate simple things
kirvings
7y 47d#32
Alternative
I found this "BG Double Socket with 2 USB Ports (2.1A) – Twin Pack.", while browsing the Argos Mobile app:
These will charge really slow over USB, only 2.1amp.
I'd strongly recommend these 3.1amp ones from Screwfix: Add 2 to your basket as they're buy one get one free working out at £7 each.
Yes they will charge faster but may lead to over charging causeing battery damage.
999mansell to kirvings
7y 47d#36
Nonsense... All devices are protected against over charging.
999mansell
7y 47d#35
2.1 amps shared between 2 outputs is no good to man nor beast.
leematthews871
7y 47d#37
So which do I get 2.1a or 3.1a? I'm confused
CampGareth to leematthews871
7y 47d#40
A device that can safely draw 1A will draw only 1A or less. So the higher current model won't cause any problems. Let's say you've got two devices that can each take 2A, if you plug those into the 2.1A model they'll charge at less than their maximum speed. They'd charge faster attached to the 3.1A model. Go for the 3.1A.
rickycj
7y 47d#38
No not all devices are. not everyone has brand new tech
Mr.Mot
7y 47d#39
I have a couple of the MK 2.1A doubles. They're £24 a pop and have decent circuitry in the USB side of things. I don't think I'd want to plug hundreds of pounds worth of iDevice into a £6 wall socket.
dereklogan7
7y 47d#41
It's nearer 20p per year. They use 0.23W on standby.
jasee
7y 47d#42
Agreed. The connectors and grub screws are never as good as those in MK sockets for instance.
Also regarding replacing sockets, if the job has been done well, then there should be enough cable wire to stretch to the different connections to the new socket but it's usually messy.
mogsog
7y 47d1#43
Hi rickycj,
You're right about the latter, you have live wires to all the sockets in your house providing your consumer unit is on and fed. I think you're getting a bit confused with the definition of active circuity mistaking it for live wires. I mean active circuity referring to the components on the charger inside the wall. They consist of transistors, silicon controlled switches and diodes all of which can fail, sometimes badly. Electronics have a limited life-span, so does wiring but it can last as long as the insulation can.
You will likely find two (more than likely one on a single board with two USB ports) of the below inside the listed socket, a component will fail and you'll have a broke one.
Also consumer units are totally passive, the RCDs have a sense coil which requires no active circuitry.
mogsog
7y 47d#44
Ohh dear:(, I wonder why they failed or maybe they just didn't bother applying?
ruheluddin86
7y 47d#45
Can I replace existing sockets with this or does it require additional wires etc?
dlozuk to ruheluddin86
7y 47d#46
JUst replace. I did two myself. took photos of the wires. turned off mains..
joanne250 to ruheluddin86
7y 47d#47
no additional wires required
chezybezy
7y 46d#49
I keep making sure to unplug my usb cable each morning after nightly charging, I assume it's like a normal plug, it'll draw power even when not connected (like a laptop one etc) and less of a safety risk should something touch the bare end.
Do I need to do this? Have I just got an old wife's tail in my head? Does it even apply?
Obviously saving money is a good thing but...
Smiff to chezybezy
7y 46d#50
no its not going to make any significant difference, the circuitry in the plug is always on whether a usb cable is in there or not (it could have some kind of clever sensing, but it doesn't). a laptop power lead is different, you are unplugging the entire transformer from the mains, some of which are quite inefficient.
Krizzo3
7y 46d#51
Live wires is slightly different to live devices - such as this
Currently rewiring the house and none of this is going in, no trust
larder
7y 45d#52
I am considering using the usb outputs to power chromecast & firestick type devices. I assume 2.1amp output will do the trick? Thanks
Opening post
Top comments
http://www.wickes.co.uk/Alpha-13A-2-Gang-Socket-with-Twin-3-1AMP-USB-Sockets%2C-White-Plastic/p/145275
Might not bother some people but really frustrating for me as I installed it in the kitchen right where I want to plug in my radio but it won't fit.
Also the switch operation feels really cheap on these, really stands out compared to the rest of the sockets in the house which are all MK or Schneider.
All comments (52)
http://www.wickes.co.uk/Alpha-13A-2-Gang-Socket-with-Twin-3-1AMP-USB-Sockets%2C-White-Plastic/p/145275
EDIT* On second thought, there will be a IC somewhere in there to step down the voltage which will require some energy... but we are talking minimal power usage.
http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/lap-13a-2g-sp-switched-socket-3-1a-2g-usb-charger-white-screwfix-2-for-14-free-c-2672570
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4LlCqL0Q9I
In terms of quality I would never buy these or any other without it being one of the decent makes such as MK or BG
Might not bother some people but really frustrating for me as I installed it in the kitchen right where I want to plug in my radio but it won't fit.
Also the switch operation feels really cheap on these, really stands out compared to the rest of the sockets in the house which are all MK or Schneider.
If £6 can only just buy you a 'safe' mains-to-USB charger, how can you expect it to include a safety-certified twin socket without a drop in quality?
Honestly, less than £20 and I would not expect these USBs to be functional in a year or so.
let's face it, if a reputable retailer is selling something of this nature it would have to be made to a certain standard and pass safety checks. For the moaners it's simple........don't buy one
Why do people over complicate simple things
I found this "BG Double Socket with 2 USB Ports (2.1A) – Twin Pack.", while browsing the Argos Mobile app:
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/5586220.htm
I'd strongly recommend these 3.1amp ones from Screwfix: Add 2 to your basket as they're buy one get one free working out at £7 each.
http://www.screwfix.com/p/lap-13a-2g-sp-switched-socket-3-1a-2g-usb-charger-white/4087p
Also regarding replacing sockets, if the job has been done well, then there should be enough cable wire to stretch to the different connections to the new socket but it's usually messy.
You're right about the latter, you have live wires to all the sockets in your house providing your consumer unit is on and fed. I think you're getting a bit confused with the definition of active circuity mistaking it for live wires. I mean active circuity referring to the components on the charger inside the wall. They consist of transistors, silicon controlled switches and diodes all of which can fail, sometimes badly. Electronics have a limited life-span, so does wiring but it can last as long as the insulation can.
You will likely find two (more than likely one on a single board with two USB ports) of the below inside the listed socket, a component will fail and you'll have a broke one.
Also consumer units are totally passive, the RCDs have a sense coil which requires no active circuitry.
Do I need to do this? Have I just got an old wife's tail in my head? Does it even apply?
Obviously saving money is a good thing but...
Currently rewiring the house and none of this is going in, no trust