USB sockets in 13A socket outlets. Are they safe?

rustic · 13-02-2016, 09:42

There seems to be a lot of places now selling these double and single wall sockets that have USB's outlets, what a great idea... I thought.

I bought a couple from Aldi last week, at under a tenner... then I thought just how safe are they?

So I searched on the internet and found this test report.

http://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org...-from-so32.pdf

Now these things are on 24/7 no way of turning them on or off locally, and are protected only by the 30Amp fuse or trip in the main switch board.

Whilst the report only tested certain ones, and not necessarily Aldi ones, it did set me thinking.
In the report it states there is no provision for them in the current regs for the design of wall sockets, etc, most of those tested fail basic testing, the one that concerns me is the creapage and clearance, this is the protection you have from getting a 240 volt shock from the USB should it fail.

Well I haven't fitted them yet, so when I find the receipt I am off to Aldi for a refund.
Am I being too cautious?

First read the report and make your own decision, and please comment.

Uncle Rustic.
Caring about health and safety, when I have my "Uncle" hat on lol...

Thomas-the-Terrano2 · 13-02-2016, 10:20

fair points raised. had a couple of plug in ones go pop, with quite a bang!

so are plug ins even fused, or is it fail and dispose?

if not in regs i'd give a miss. we leave 4 plug in type er plugged in live all the time
reckon cant have enough. perhaps its time furniture, well sofas had them built in
like modern public transport at seat types.

perhaps best bet is the multi plug in types for say bedroom and kitchen and can
then use originals near sofa.

jims-terrano · 13-02-2016, 13:16

Personally I don't like them. Chargers are often the cheaper built devices and I would personally like to be able to isolate them. Not sure if any of them actually have fuses inside the standard chargers.

rayf3262 · 13-02-2016, 17:31

Those manufactured by MK have a shutter on the USB socket that disconnects them from the AC supply when no USB connector is inserted.
They also claim to have safety standards to BS 1363-2 etc.

But, they are around 25 quid a pop...

Thomas-the-Terrano2 · 13-02-2016, 17:38

for that could get decent plug throughs and be able to move as needed

Mobieus_uk · 13-02-2016, 17:40

no less safe than the cheap plug in adaptors, as long as your house wiring is up to scratch then any electrical problems then electrics should trip

Thomas-the-Terrano2 · 13-02-2016, 17:43

this looks decent with usb to top rather than near earth pin of 13A

circuit breaker and on off switch, tenner.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Masterplug-S...b+through+plug

13-02-2016, 09:42	#1
rustic Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Staffordshire Vehicle: Maverick Mk I 2.7 TD LWB Posts: 7,825	USB sockets in 13A socket outlets. Are they safe? There seems to be a lot of places now selling these double and single wall sockets that have USB's outlets, what a great idea... I thought. I bought a couple from Aldi last week, at under a tenner... then I thought just how safe are they? So I searched on the internet and found this test report. http://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org...-from-so32.pdf Now these things are on 24/7 no way of turning them on or off locally, and are protected only by the 30Amp fuse or trip in the main switch board. Whilst the report only tested certain ones, and not necessarily Aldi ones, it did set me thinking. In the report it states there is no provision for them in the current regs for the design of wall sockets, etc, most of those tested fail basic testing, the one that concerns me is the creapage and clearance, this is the protection you have from getting a 240 volt shock from the USB should it fail. Well I haven't fitted them yet, so when I find the receipt I am off to Aldi for a refund. Am I being too cautious? First read the report and make your own decision, and please comment. Uncle Rustic. Caring about health and safety, when I have my "Uncle" hat on lol... __________________ Ford Maverick GLX 1995 2.7TD LWB in illusion silver, 98k miles. Owned since new, for 22 years. Best car I have ever owned. Just wish I could drive it more.

13-02-2016, 10:20	#2
Thomas-the-Terrano2 Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Hackenthorpe Sheffield Vehicle: Terrano2 R20 lwb 2.7TDi Posts: 5,234	fair points raised. had a couple of plug in ones go pop, with quite a bang! so are plug ins even fused, or is it fail and dispose? if not in regs i'd give a miss. we leave 4 plug in type er plugged in live all the time reckon cant have enough. perhaps its time furniture, well sofas had them built in like modern public transport at seat types. perhaps best bet is the multi plug in types for say bedroom and kitchen and can then use originals near sofa. __________________ M6YTB / 20YTB '60' 2010 Ford C Max Zetec 1.6i, black '56' 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0TD, silver 2021 Bailey Pegasus Grade SE Turin caravan Smile, its more likely to confuse. One Life, Don't Just Live It, Drive a Nissan, or ...... a Jeep. Owner of Nissan 4x4s 2005 to 2019, and maybe in the future too!

13-02-2016, 17:31	#4
rayf3262 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Norfolk, Poringland NR14 Vehicle: Terrano 3.0 SVE 2002 Posts: 1,549	Those manufactured by MK have a shutter on the USB socket that disconnects them from the AC supply when no USB connector is inserted. They also claim to have safety standards to BS 1363-2 etc. But, they are around 25 quid a pop... __________________ Remember what the dormouse said: Feed your head....

13-02-2016, 17:38	#5
Thomas-the-Terrano2 Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Hackenthorpe Sheffield Vehicle: Terrano2 R20 lwb 2.7TDi Posts: 5,234	for that could get decent plug throughs and be able to move as needed __________________ M6YTB / 20YTB '60' 2010 Ford C Max Zetec 1.6i, black '56' 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0TD, silver 2021 Bailey Pegasus Grade SE Turin caravan Smile, its more likely to confuse. One Life, Don't Just Live It, Drive a Nissan, or ...... a Jeep. Owner of Nissan 4x4s 2005 to 2019, and maybe in the future too!

13-02-2016, 17:43	#7
Thomas-the-Terrano2 Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Hackenthorpe Sheffield Vehicle: Terrano2 R20 lwb 2.7TDi Posts: 5,234	this looks decent with usb to top rather than near earth pin of 13A circuit breaker and on off switch, tenner. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Masterplug-S...b+through+plug __________________ M6YTB / 20YTB '60' 2010 Ford C Max Zetec 1.6i, black '56' 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0TD, silver 2021 Bailey Pegasus Grade SE Turin caravan Smile, its more likely to confuse. One Life, Don't Just Live It, Drive a Nissan, or ...... a Jeep. Owner of Nissan 4x4s 2005 to 2019, and maybe in the future too!

13-02-2016, 13:16	#3
jims-terrano Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: UK Posts: 12,965	Personally I don't like them. Chargers are often the cheaper built devices and I would personally like to be able to isolate them. Not sure if any of them actually have fuses inside the standard chargers.

13-02-2016, 17:40	#6
Mobieus_uk Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Tonbridge Vehicle: Terrano ii SE+2.7tdi Posts: 232	no less safe than the cheap plug in adaptors, as long as your house wiring is up to scratch then any electrical problems then electrics should trip