UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Powered By Google Custom Search Vintage Radio and TV Service Data

Go Back   UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum > Specific Vintage Equipment > Other Vintage Household Electrical or Electromechanical Items

Notices

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.

Closed Thread
 
Thread Tools
Old 29th Jan 2019, 4:32 pm   #1
Lancs Lad
Heptode
 
Lancs Lad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Blackburn, Lancashire, UK.
Posts: 729
Default 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?
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	WP_20190129_15_08_27_Pro (2).jpg
Views:	224
Size:	38.3 KB
ID:	177345  
__________________
Best Regards,

Peter.

Last edited by Lancs Lad; 29th Jan 2019 at 4:38 pm. Reason: additional text and forgot to attach photo!!
Lancs Lad is offline  
Old 29th Jan 2019, 4:40 pm   #2
Station X
Moderator
 
Station X's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4, UK.
Posts: 21,192
Default 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.
__________________
Graham. Forum Moderator

Reach for your meter before you reach for your soldering iron.
Station X is online now  
Old 29th Jan 2019, 4:41 pm   #3
G6Tanuki
Dekatron
 
G6Tanuki's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Wiltshire, UK.
Posts: 13,951
Default 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.
G6Tanuki is offline  
Old 29th Jan 2019, 4:51 pm   #4
Graham G3ZVT
Dekatron
 
Graham G3ZVT's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Greater Manchester, UK.
Posts: 18,675
Default 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
__________________
--
Graham.
G3ZVT
Graham G3ZVT is offline  
Old 29th Jan 2019, 4:53 pm   #5
Station X
Moderator
 
Station X's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4, UK.
Posts: 21,192
Default Re: 13 amp sockets with USB?

Quote:
Originally Posted by rambo1152 View Post
The 32A MCB in the consumer unit might just possibly be your only protection
That's equally true of a socket with nothing plugged into it.
__________________
Graham. Forum Moderator

Reach for your meter before you reach for your soldering iron.
Station X is online now  
Old 29th Jan 2019, 5:12 pm   #6
sortedradio
Heptode
 
sortedradio's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 653
Default 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.
__________________
Martin
BVWS member
GQRP Club
sortedradio is offline  
Old 29th Jan 2019, 5:20 pm   #7
Lancs Lad
Heptode
 
Lancs Lad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Blackburn, Lancashire, UK.
Posts: 729
Default 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?
__________________
Best Regards,

Peter.

Last edited by Lancs Lad; 29th Jan 2019 at 5:36 pm. Reason: getting my facts right!
Lancs Lad is offline  
Old 29th Jan 2019, 5:22 pm   #8
Lancs Lad
Heptode
 
Lancs Lad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Blackburn, Lancashire, UK.
Posts: 729
Default Re: 13 amp sockets with USB?

Thankyou, Martin. I'll have a read of that
__________________
Best Regards,

Peter.
Lancs Lad is offline  
Old 29th Jan 2019, 5:26 pm   #9
The Philpott
Dekatron
 
The Philpott's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Colchester, Essex, UK.
Posts: 4,081
Default 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
The Philpott is offline  
Old 29th Jan 2019, 6:25 pm   #10
Graham G3ZVT
Dekatron
 
Graham G3ZVT's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Greater Manchester, UK.
Posts: 18,675
Default Re: 13 amp sockets with USB?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Station X View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by rambo1152 View Post
The 32A MCB in the consumer unit might just possibly be your only protection
That's equally true of a socket with nothing plugged into it.
I think you may have missed my point Graham.

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.
__________________
--
Graham.
G3ZVT
Graham G3ZVT is offline  
Old 29th Jan 2019, 6:44 pm   #11
G6Tanuki
Dekatron
 
G6Tanuki's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Wiltshire, UK.
Posts: 13,951
Default Re: 13 amp sockets with USB?

Quote:
Originally Posted by The Philpott View Post
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.
These days, loads of people [the kind of people who are rather likely to want USB sockets everywhere] replace their domestic switches/sockets every few years when they refurb a room anyway....

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.
G6Tanuki is offline  
Old 29th Jan 2019, 6:54 pm   #12
Station X
Moderator
 
Station X's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4, UK.
Posts: 21,192
Default Re: 13 amp sockets with USB?

Quote:
Originally Posted by rambo1152 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Station X View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by rambo1152 View Post
The 32A MCB in the consumer unit might just possibly be your only protection
That's equally true of a socket with nothing plugged into it.
I think you may have missed my point Graham.

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.
I had indeed missed the point. I thought you were talking about USB sockets rather than wall warts. That's what thread drift does for you.
__________________
Graham. Forum Moderator

Reach for your meter before you reach for your soldering iron.
Station X is online now  
Old 29th Jan 2019, 6:59 pm   #13
Lancs Lad
Heptode
 
Lancs Lad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Blackburn, Lancashire, UK.
Posts: 729
Default 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!
__________________
Best Regards,

Peter.
Lancs Lad is offline  
Old 29th Jan 2019, 7:07 pm   #14
Heatercathodeshort
Dekatron
 
Heatercathodeshort's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Warnham, West Sussex. 10 miles south of DORKING.
Posts: 9,145
Default Re: 13 amp sockets with USB?

Stick to the lead on the worktop and sleep safe. J.
Heatercathodeshort is offline  
Old 29th Jan 2019, 7:21 pm   #15
Guest
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default 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...
 
Old 29th Jan 2019, 8:01 pm   #16
duncanlowe
Nonode
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Stafford, Staffs. UK.
Posts: 2,529
Default Re: 13 amp sockets with USB?

Quote:
Originally Posted by rambo1152 View Post
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
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!
duncanlowe is offline  
Old 29th Jan 2019, 8:32 pm   #17
ColinB
Heptode
 
ColinB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Newton Abbot, Devon, UK.
Posts: 759
Default 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.
ColinB is offline  
Old 29th Jan 2019, 8:57 pm   #18
Tractionist
Heptode
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, UK.
Posts: 872
Default 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!
__________________
Red to red, black to black. Throw the switch and stand well back!
Tractionist is offline  
Old 29th Jan 2019, 9:27 pm   #19
evingar
Octode
 
evingar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Newbury, Berkshire, UK.
Posts: 1,770
Default 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.
__________________
Chris

Last edited by evingar; 29th Jan 2019 at 9:34 pm.
evingar is offline  
Old 29th Jan 2019, 9:28 pm   #20
Lancs Lad
Heptode
 
Lancs Lad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Blackburn, Lancashire, UK.
Posts: 729
Default 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
__________________
Best Regards,

Peter.

Last edited by Lancs Lad; 29th Jan 2019 at 9:35 pm. Reason: just to add comedy!
Lancs Lad is offline  
Closed Thread

Thread Tools



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 10:01 am.


All information and advice on this forum is subject to the WARNING AND DISCLAIMER located at https://www.vintage-radio.net/rules.html.
Failure to heed this warning may result in death or serious injury to yourself and/or others.


Powered by vBulletin®
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright ©2002 - 2023, Paul Stenning.