USB Ports in wall sockets

FiestaRed

FiestaRed

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I recently bought a couple of items that need connecting through a USB port, headphones and an LED light.

At the minute these plus a Wacom tablet and two backup drives get plugged in through ports on my PC and a USB extension. I was wondering if, like normal cable extension leads you can have to many plugged in and thought about getting a couple of wall sockets changed to the type that have USB ports in them.

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.
 
I guess it depends what you are using the USB connection for. If it’s for power only then it should potentially work off a wall socket. If there is any data transfer then it won’t transfer any data to the computer. The LED light (I’m guessing it’s a light bar that sits above your computer screen) should be ok powered off something else as long as the source power it’s too great.
 
rob-nikon said:
I guess it depends what you are using the USB connection for. If it’s for power only then it should potentially work off a wall socket. If there is any data transfer then it won’t transfer any data to the computer. The LED light (I’m guessing it’s a light bar that sits above your computer screen) should be ok powered off something else as long as the source power it’s too great.
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Thanks for the reply Rob. The headphones are charging only so I guess there's no data going to those and the light is just power as you say.
 
FiestaRed said:
Thank for the help and the links, really appreciated.
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FWIW I have both the first 2 items on that list :)

The 10 port hub is a relatively new purchase for me. It works just like other Anker products, i.e. it sits there and works at a speed you'd expect without catching fire :) 7 power and data sockets and 3 power only which I use for charging headphone, keyboard and phone (power only is useful as some devices try to connect to your computer via power + data).

The 4 port charger is my go to travel charger. Chuck it in a bag and you can charge 4 things at once, quickly, anywhere in Europe.

However, wall sockets with USB sockets are *much* neater. BG or LAP from Screwfix (whichever is cheaper this week) and as long as you are happy changing a socket it's dead easy - fit and forget. I have these behind the TV for Firestick etc and by the bed for a phone charger. You don't get all the fancy IQ high speed charge features but for an always plugged in or overnight charge they are perfect. No LEDs either so bedroom friendly....
 
you can just use a usb mobile phone charger as a power supply it will do the same thing.
 
Most of the USB wall sockets are for charging only.
Otherwise you need a specialist USB socket with a data cable connection, and you then of course need to run that data cable back to your PC or whatever.
 
If, like me, you have extension leads to power your computer, monitor, printers etc. you can get them with USB points built in. No need to change a wall socket.
 
JonathanRyan said:
FWIW I have both the first 2 items on that list :)

The 10 port hub is a relatively new purchase for me. It works just like other Anker products, i.e. it sits there and works at a speed you'd expect without catching fire :) 7 power and data sockets and 3 power only which I use for charging headphone, keyboard and phone (power only is useful as some devices try to connect to your computer via power + data).

The 4 port charger is my go to travel charger. Chuck it in a bag and you can charge 4 things at once, quickly, anywhere in Europe.

However, wall sockets with USB sockets are *much* neater. BG or LAP from Screwfix (whichever is cheaper this week) and as long as you are happy changing a socket it's dead easy - fit and forget. I have these behind the TV for Firestick etc and by the bed for a phone charger. You don't get all the fancy IQ high speed charge features but for an always plugged in or overnight charge they are perfect. No LEDs either so bedroom friendly....
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Thanks Jonthan. Really appreciate the help.
 
Suvv said:
If, like me, you have extension leads to power your computer, monitor, printers etc. you can get them with USB points built in. No need to change a wall socket.
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Brilliant. I didn't realise you could get extension leads with built in USB ports. Thank you.
 
We've got several sockets with USB power sockets built in. Very handy for phones, ear buds, headphones etc..
 
Our latest settee and arm chair have built in usb sockets to on the recliners charges our i.pads and phones up fine
 
the black fox said:
Our latest settee and arm chair have built in usb sockets to on the recliners charges our i.pads and phones up fine
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There's no answer to that. I doubt if I'd ever need to move from the settee again. ;)
 
The output amps varies, if you are charging things you are probably better with a more powerful standalone USB charger with multiple outlets
The ones fitted in sockets seem a bit gimmicky. Computer USB sockets are generally quite slow to charge too.
 
USB sockets on a computer normally provide 5V at 0.5A (which is the USB standard). Most standalone chargers will provide 1A or 2.4A, which will mean that the majority of devices will charge much more quickly.

The USB sockets built in to mains sockets have a bad name for reliability - possibly because of the heat generated by the 220V-to-5V transformer running 24/7 in a very confined space. If you're going down this route, I'd pay a bit extra for a quality brand (e.g. MK) rather than a cheapo cheapo.
 
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4wd said:
The output amps varies, if you are charging things you are probably better with a more powerful standalone USB charger with multiple outlets
The ones fitted in sockets seem a bit gimmicky. Computer USB sockets are generally quite slow to charge too.
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This^
the usb wall sockets aren’t suitable for plugging in a hub.

a better option is a plug w multiple usb sockets.

believe it or not in our house we’ve 4 wall sockets with USB’s (2 in bedroom, 1 living room, 1 dining room), and 2 4 port plugs for charging, as well as all the computers and if we need them the original chargers that came with the devices.
 
4wd said:
The output amps varies, if you are charging things you are probably better with a more powerful standalone USB charger with multiple outlets
The ones fitted in sockets seem a bit gimmicky. Computer USB sockets are generally quite slow to charge too.
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Thanks for the post and apologies for the late reply. Being new to all these, do you have a link to one of the standalone USB chargers you're referring to please?
 
twist said:
You could either get a powered hub for your pc

Anker 10 Port 60W Data Hub with 7 USB 3.0 Ports and 3: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics

or something like this...

Anker USB Plug Charger 5.4A/27W 4-Port USB Wall: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics

Anker PowerPort 60 W 6-Port Family-Sized Desktop USB: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics
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Please excuse what may sound a daft question, but with the six port one in the bottom link, do you just sit it on a desk, on the top of a PC tower or can they be fixed to a wall or something similar?
 
FiestaRed said:
Please excuse what may sound a daft question, but with the six port one in the bottom link, do you just sit it on a desk, on the top of a PC tower or can they be fixed to a wall or something similar?
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You can put the box anywhere you like (could mount onto pc with double sided velcro). If youre at a desk and like a clean look, Id leave it on the floor buy some long USB cables and use a cable tidy stuck on the desk.

SOULWIT® Cable Holder Clips, 3-Pack Cable Management Cord Organiser Clips Silicone Self Adhesive for USB Charging Cable Power Cord Mouse Cable Wire PC Office Home: Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools
 
Looks like you just sit it on a desktop but I can't see why you couldn't fix it to the side of a tower or similar using heavy duty foam tape.

Great minds thinking alike or fools seldom differing!!! :p
 
twist said:
You can put the box anywhere you like (could mount onto pc with double sided velcro). If youre at a desk and like a clean look, Id leave it on the floor buy some long USB cables and use a cable tidy stuck on the desk.

SOULWIT® Cable Holder Clips, 3-Pack Cable Management Cord Organiser Clips Silicone Self Adhesive for USB Charging Cable Power Cord Mouse Cable Wire PC Office Home: Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools
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Brilliant Thanks for all the help and the links, really appreciated.
 
4wd said:
This sort of thing gives you 4 outputs and one will charge things up to 50% faster if the battery can accept higher amps.
www.ebay.co.uk

4 Multi-Port Fast Quick Charge QC3.0 USB Hub Mains Wall Charger Adapter UK Plug | eBay

Plug Type: UK Plug. charging current to ensure faster and more effective charging. Charging current: 2100mA.
www.ebay.co.uk
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It's not quite as simple as that, I'm afraid. The device will need to be QC3 (Quick Charge 3) compliant if it is to gain from the variable voltage (between 20V and 5V) quick charging that the Qualcomm QC3 standard allows.

Most Samsung devices will be QC2 (not sure about the very latest handsets, which may be QC3) and Apple phones use a different USB-PD (Power Delivery) standard. For most cameras and similar devices, it's unlikely to make any difference.
 
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