13A Twin DP Switched Socket 2 x USB

[newtothis]

Been out and got a few of these this morn, nice. :cool4:
https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/AA213USB.html
7.99 +vat

I know some poeple don't see the point of these, those that have them know they're proper handy !
Just checked they do my tablets as well as phones.
Some of these socket specs claim they do tablets, but they don't.

Only neg, say they require min 35mm back box - hmmmm wouldn't agree with that.
48mm really.

 

[tomspark93]

installed a lap on next to my desk which is a spur in a 25mm back box and it fitted fine. approx the same price as the one you mention. use it all the time as a charger and the sockets are free for my lamp and speakers. strategically place i think they are handy.

 

[Richard Burns]

They had a lot of bad press about poor manufacturing and control renderingthem dangerous which slowed the inital uptake of thesze devices.

Presumably now they have addressed these issues and the big manufacturers now stock them.
Always look for the ones that can deliver 2 Amps (even if that 2A is actually split between the two sockets, so 1A each) as some of them can provide very small current ratings down to 0.2 Amps I have seen.

It is a bit like having a 100A RCD, OK so it is fine for my 30A load, having a 1A socket will be fine for a 0.1 A charger but at least you have the capacity to ensure it will not overload.

 

[Barry White]

Installed the lap usb version in a 25mm box( just replaced a standard 2 gang socket) The manifacturers instructions say it will fit a 25mm back box and it did. charges Iphone or the Ipad ok (one Ipad or two Iphones at full charging rate) will charge 2 ipads or any combination at a reduced rate.
Fitted 2 british general 2 gang usb sockets (additions so installed 35mm boxes as per manifactures instructions) They did come with a 10mm spacer so they can be retrofitted but would look ugly. Charging rates were identical to the Lap.

 

[Flanders]

Yes i was unsure about them but got myself a couple of the m2 ones , one in kitchen and one by the sofa , find them very handy , as i dont have to keep looking for the charger

 

[123]

Yes i was unsure about them but got myself a couple of the m2 ones , one in kitchen and one by the sofa , find them very handy , as i dont have to keep looking for the charer

You don't need to look for the charger, but still need to look for the USB cable...now where did I leave it, oh yes it's on the end of the charger lol

 

[benji]

Is the charger part of the socket live 24/7 or do the switches control them

 

[Richard Burns]

If the unit is well designed then the power to the USB sockets will only switch on when a plug is inserted, for the cheaper models it will be on all the time and wasting a small amount of power. However the general design of the transformers means that usually they have to take some current out of the secondary in order top operate fully.
The socket switches only switch the 13A sockets.

 

[newtothis]

I read somewhere that it was advisable only to fit the DP ones. All the Lap brand are SP.
The only DP ones I could find were the MK brand at £25 inc.
So when these ones came out at less than a tenner I bought 3.

Is there any truth in this, DP being safer than SP for these USB sockets ?

 

[Richard Burns]

Again merely a matter of space availability behind the socket, if the 5V has to be positioned too close to 230V this may cause hazards, any decent brand out there that provides single socket USB outlets should have made them safely, but space will be more limited.

 

[malcolmsanford]

How do you go about doing an IR test on them? Also would it effect a Zs reading as it does if there is an appliance plugged into a socket

 

[a-z electrics]

How do you go about doing an IR test on them? Also would it effect a Zs reading as it does if there is an appliance plugged into a socket

In my experience, you have to disconnect the L and N wires. I know some brands say no need to disconnect and give a resistance figure to expect when doing IR test but my argument is how do you know it isnt masking another fault? only by disconnect can you be sure and this makes it a pain if you have lots of them..

 

[a-z electrics]

So if retrofitting, do IR test before connecting up. For the Zs test, I assume that would be ok if nothing plugged in..

 

[Barry White]

Is the charger part of the socket live 24/7 or do the switches control them

Always on switches are for the individual sockets