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Other Vintage Household Electrical or Electromechanical Items For discussions about other vintage (over 25 years old) electrical and electromechanical household items. See the sticky thread for details. |
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29th Jan 2019, 4:32 pm | #1 |
Heptode
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13 amp sockets with USB?
I have a single gang socket under the worktop in my kitchen in permanent use for the freezer. However, it is easily accessible and ideally situated to charge my phone on the unoccupied worktop above. It would be such a nice, tidy solution instead of using the socket above the worktop with the cable all over the place!
I've bought a socket (see pic) but I'm dubious, because presumably the USB transformer would be running continuously, regardless of whether anything was connected to it. I'm scrupulous about unplugging chargers when they aren't actually charging anything, so I can't quite decide what to think Any thoughts, please? Yay or Nay?
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Best Regards, Peter. Last edited by Lancs Lad; 29th Jan 2019 at 4:38 pm. Reason: additional text and forgot to attach photo!! |
29th Jan 2019, 4:40 pm | #2 |
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Re: 13 amp sockets with USB?
These units have a bad reputation with some forum members. Apparently they go "pop".
I don't know about the BG units, but an MK unit I installed has worked flawlessly for several years now. The problem with some of these units is that they are too deep for a standard pattress box and you have to use a spacer plate.
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29th Jan 2019, 4:41 pm | #3 |
Dekatron
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Re: 13 amp sockets with USB?
They seem to work OK - some people are against them for various 'safety' reasons but the only one I've seen that has failed was actually because the fuse-clips in the associated 13A plug (which fed a tumble-drier in a house with three under-fives so it got regular daily use) failed and the live-pin melted the shutter on the socket causing the nasty burning-smell.
Reputable-brand USB 13A sockets have a primary-side microswitch activated by the USB plug, so if you pull the USB plug out it turns the SMPS-part off. |
29th Jan 2019, 4:51 pm | #4 |
Dekatron
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Re: 13 amp sockets with USB?
I share your dilemma, Perhaps I should keep with the modern times?
At least BG is a respected brand so the USB circuitry will have adequate protection. Contrast that to the no-name wallwarts that people might have plugged in all over the place. Without X-Ray vision, how do you know what protection is in there. The 32A MCB in the consumer unit might just possibly be your only protection
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29th Jan 2019, 4:53 pm | #5 |
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Re: 13 amp sockets with USB?
That's equally true of a socket with nothing plugged into it.
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29th Jan 2019, 5:12 pm | #6 |
Heptode
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Re: 13 amp sockets with USB?
There was a thread about this a little while back.
https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...ight=mains+usb I have had a double socket version for about 2 years with no problem.
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29th Jan 2019, 5:20 pm | #7 |
Heptode
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Re: 13 amp sockets with USB?
Thankyou, StationX Graham! I wasn't sure about British General. I'd never even heard of them before I saw them on Amazon, and read all the positive reviews. Are they part of Masterplug? Who make all those extension leads?
I was intending to play safe and buy MK until I saw the silly prices! I think the name British General lulled me into a bit of a (possibly misplaced) sense of security. It reminded me of goold old GE. A name I have always trusted. So are these products any good then? And is the company reputable?
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Best Regards, Peter. Last edited by Lancs Lad; 29th Jan 2019 at 5:36 pm. Reason: getting my facts right! |
29th Jan 2019, 5:22 pm | #8 |
Heptode
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Re: 13 amp sockets with USB?
Thankyou, Martin. I'll have a read of that
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Best Regards, Peter. |
29th Jan 2019, 5:26 pm | #9 |
Dekatron
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Re: 13 amp sockets with USB?
On the face of it these sockets look like an innovative idea, but i believe the 13A part of it will vastly outlive the USB part, then you end up having to replace the whole thing. Bigclive on youtube has reviewed one or two of these combo sockets.
Dave |
29th Jan 2019, 6:25 pm | #10 | |
Dekatron
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Re: 13 amp sockets with USB?
Quote:
Every BS1363 plug has to have a suitably rated fuse that the user can access. For some reason, wall-warts are exempted, and we have to put our trust in the manufacturer to do the right thing internally.
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29th Jan 2019, 6:44 pm | #11 | |
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Re: 13 amp sockets with USB?
Quote:
Another £100 for new matching sockets added to the bill for the new carpets/curtains/door-furniture/redecorating isn't likely to be a deal-breaker. |
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29th Jan 2019, 6:54 pm | #12 | ||
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Re: 13 amp sockets with USB?
Quote:
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29th Jan 2019, 6:59 pm | #13 |
Heptode
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Re: 13 amp sockets with USB?
I just don't want to lie sleeplessly in bed, fretting about a transformer buzzing away downstairs in my kitchen - possibly getting hot and about to go pop - without knowing if it's going to be reasonably safe or not.
Yes! I know I'm probably being a bit OCD, but it would be comforting to hear your experiences before I replace the freezer socket - and go to bed tonight!
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Best Regards, Peter. |
29th Jan 2019, 7:07 pm | #14 |
Dekatron
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Re: 13 amp sockets with USB?
Stick to the lead on the worktop and sleep safe. J.
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29th Jan 2019, 7:21 pm | #15 |
Guest
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Re: 13 amp sockets with USB?
There are things like this https://www.toolstation.com/socket-converter/p83705 that would allow you to use a 'normal' wall wart, even safer than a normal socket as these are fused 13A. I have lots despite fitting double sockets every three feet around the kitchen worktops.
Last edited by Guest; 29th Jan 2019 at 7:22 pm. Reason: Getting the right link... |
29th Jan 2019, 8:01 pm | #16 |
Nonode
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Stafford, Staffs. UK.
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Re: 13 amp sockets with USB?
Or even named brand stuff. Vodafone Sure Signal. It does have a fuse buried in it, but it's still the 32A MCB that gets taken out when (not if) they fail. When I had a wall wart go, it took out a 5A in the adaptor lead (used for the modem, router etc). So I prised it open. There was a chip minus its top. I was glad I'd had it in the adaptor strip!
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29th Jan 2019, 8:32 pm | #17 |
Heptode
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Re: 13 amp sockets with USB?
I'd personally use a two way adapter in the wall socket (or a multi-socket extension block, if you prefer) and plug a 'normal' (easily replaceable!) USB charger into it.
I personally don't like the idea of loads of cheap SMPSU's embedded in the fabric of a building - if it goes bang, I want to be able to unplug it! BG are a fairly cheap brand of accessories as well. |
29th Jan 2019, 8:57 pm | #18 |
Heptode
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Re: 13 amp sockets with USB?
The other issue is that of leaving potentially suspect devices unattended for long periods in a ring main [or even a radial] whereat other non-suspect devices are energised e.g. a freezer containing potentially £100 worth [or more] of perishable food stuff.
Yep you may be able to live with a brief burning smell, and it may not create a conflagration ..... and the MCB + RCD may each do its job - but your nosebag may still be spoiled!
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29th Jan 2019, 9:27 pm | #19 |
Octode
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Re: 13 amp sockets with USB?
I tend toward caution - probably my age !
Risk is a cumulative thing - each item you leave plugged in unattended adds an element of risk of fire. The problem is we don't know what that risk is - it may be insignificant, or it maybe substantial. Even if you buy known names, is the item a fake ? Has there been a design error (there have been several high profile cases of top name equipment manufacturers making a mistake) or have the Far Eastern manufacturers changed the specification of a component that the UK marketing organisation does not know about ? To many unknowns for my liking. Personally I'm not keen on having this always on stuff buried behind my dry lining.
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Chris Last edited by evingar; 29th Jan 2019 at 9:34 pm. |
29th Jan 2019, 9:28 pm | #20 |
Heptode
Join Date: Oct 2018
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Re: 13 amp sockets with USB?
Oh, sod it! I'm going to fit the socket tomorrow when it's daylight and see what happens. It's a surface mounted box, not a flush metal one, so at least it won't set fire to the cavity inside the wall!
I mean, they wouldn't be on sale if they weren't reasonably safe, would they? Many thanks for all your informed thoughts
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Best Regards, Peter. Last edited by Lancs Lad; 29th Jan 2019 at 9:35 pm. Reason: just to add comedy! |