Good deal on AC wall outlets with dual USB charging ports

Originally published at: https://boingboing.net/2017/09/21/good-deal-on-ac-wall-outlets-w.html

First link is broken. It goes to the wallplate.

Looks like it’s this guy…

http://a.co/a3d8vq8

I’m still waiting for a an AC outlet with USB Type-C connectors and high current charging. It’s the first USB charging specification that seems future proof enough to me to bother replacing an outlet.

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I have a major issue with these. In fact they have a wall wart built in. If you have a 110 VAC wall wart plugged in charging a high charge device, put you hand on it to see how warm it gets while charging. Now figure that same heat is generated in that receptical that is jammed in a handibox that has about 3 cubic inches of space. If the outlet is on an outside wall it will be also wrapped with insulation.Why would you add heat inside an electrical outlet.

Second point is, will we still be using USB A plugs in 5 years. You can just buy a new wall wart when we all switch to type C in a year or two.

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Kind of like this one? https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B0749HY9VP

WARNING: Don’t turn the screws counterclockwise.

So it’s safe to assume these are all legitimately sourced products, which could burn down my house if made poorly, from reputable manufacturers known for their integrity which are being recommended at very reasonable prices. :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:

I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s a plate behind the screw to help cinch the screw into place, and if you turn it counterclockwise the plate falls off and into the case (which would be terrible design, but certainly not surprising).

This, for sure. Not to mention these things are massive so they won’t fit in some wall boxes. Then there’s the constant vampiric power draw since it’s not like you can unplug them.

I love the idea of these things in theory, but I have yet to see a well executed one.

saw the same thing at costco this week (2 for $20, wall plates included). They are the same size in the wall box as a dimmer switch.

Yes, that’s it exactly. You can imagine the little internal wall-wart having a mechanical switch, moved by the connector pushed into it, that isolates or connects it as needed.

But you know goddamn well it’s burning power night and day, just in case something is plugged in.

When you are dealing with equipment which can potentially electrocute you, cheap is not necessarily good.

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