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netboy34
join:2001-08-29
Kennesaw, GA
kudos:1 | reply to jabarnut
Re: Something new (electrical) The main reason for me is that it frees up an outlet (or two)
Some of the wall warts take up a lot of space on the outlet itself to provide power over a USB cable. With these outlets you free up that space, use just the USB cable and still have room to plug in regular devices.
Take this senario...
You have a phone, a tablet, a laptop, and say a lamp in a little desk nook in your kitchen.
Normally you would have a power strip, which in itself takes up some space in an already crowded desktop, and the outlet isn't under the desk area itself. You could put the power strip under the desk, but you don't feel like crawling under it to unplug things so you can take them with you.
With the outlets that have two plugs and two USB's you can now get rid of the power strip that has two of the wall warts (and think the larger ones sometimes take up two spaces on the strip) and now you can use just regular USB cables to plug in your phone and tablet, then use the two regular outlets for your laptop and lamp.
Now you might say "why not just plug the phone and tablet into the laptop?
In theory you can. but USB ports on a computer are limited to power output. So now your phone and tablet take an hour or two to charge, Vs. 30 minutes from the wall. When you are on the move, a 15 minute charge to get half a battery is more needed than a quarter charge in the same time | |
 jabarnutLight Years AwayPremium,MVM
join:2005-01-22
Galaxy M31
kudos:2
2 edits | I understand that part. That these would be a lot more useful and clutter free than, say, a power strip. (One of the reasons I think these are really cool). But my real question is, wouldn't a model like one of these be easier and more useful: » www.amazon.com/Wall-Plate-Slim-S···duct_top» www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004CL···_i=typ01Rather than those shown in the OP: » www.cooperindustries.com/content···740.html» fastmac.com/usocket.phpIn other words, one is 'hard wired'. So, you shut off the breaker, REPLACE the existing receptacle with the USB model, and turn the breaker back on. The "portable" models, you simply "plug it" into the existing receptacle, and secure it with the center screw. Is there a distinct advantage over a 'hard wired' model, as opposed to a 'plug in' model? (Other than the fact that the hard wired model would be flush with the wall and look a little nicer). Also, some of the portable plugin models also have the added advantage of some surge protection. (Not sure how effective it is, but it's there none the less). Sorry, maybe I'm misunderstanding you, or you're misunderstanding me.  --
I had a life once.....now I have a Computer and a Modem. | |
sk1939Premium
join:2010-10-23
Washington, DC
kudos:9 | No benefit, other than aesthetics. | |
netboy34
join:2001-08-29
Kennesaw, GA
kudos:1 | reply to jabarnut
I think it was a little on my side... the caffine hadn't hit yet... I read it as in wall vs. a strip with warts on it...
well, in that case I would say mostly how it looks, clearance, and in some cases the outlet it is covering...
Looks: Some don't like the fact that another box is hanging on the wall and not flush... (I'm not one of those, if I was the DSL filter on my parents wall mount phone would drive me nuts)
Clearance: I'm partially in this camp... If you have an outlet hiding behind a night stand, or a table, etc. you might only have enough for the plug itself in the outlet Vs. the plugin and the plug itself. Granted I doubt this is common in the context of the USB port outlets/plugins, I have seen it in the just plug versions. At that point I would just hide a power strip.
another clearance issue would be an outlet on a counter backsplash. I've seen some where they have a breakfast bar, and the outlet is sideways to fit. The plugin models are in most cases larger than the footprint of the outlet and cover. In some cases the plugin wouldn't even fit.
Outlet: This is where I would fall mostly into. Some of the houses around here that I have done some work in to help a neighbor, troubleshoot a network problem, etc. have outlets that have no center screw, the Leviton Decora Series for example:
»www.amazon.com/Leviton-T5325-W-R···0&sr=8-1
In that case you would have to shut off the breaker, replace the outlet and get a new cover plate just for the plugin model to work correctly...
Sure you can install it without the screw, but it would just come out when you try to unplug something. The main reason for that screw...
Hope that helps on where I am coming from. | | |
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jabarnutLight Years AwayPremium,MVM
join:2005-01-22
Galaxy M31
kudos:2
1 edit | Yes, I can see where the newer outlets without a center screw would be a problem with a plugin model. And the plugin models could be a problem where space is limited or you prefer a nice clean flush look.
(If the surge protection included with some of the plugin models works at all though, that would be one advantage to me for using one of those).
At any rate, we're on the same page now. 
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I had a life once.....now I have a Computer and a Modem. | |
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| reply to netboy34
said by netboy34:If you have an outlet hiding behind a night stand, or a table, etc. you might only have enough for the plug itself in the outlet Vs. the plugin and the plug itself.
This was my issue ... receptacle behind a nightstand. For some time I had planned to put a 120V receptacle high on the wall right next to the headboard so this seemed to be a perfect example of the old two birds, one stone cliche.
The FastMac 7169 made sense there, since it's where my wife usually plugs in all her Apple mind-control devices. iPad, iPhone, MacBook. The iPad was charging at the receptacle by the foot of the bed and it bothered me to see it there on the floor. With this she can probably have everything plugged in and still use them in bed. Woo-hoo. Now that I've got this installed I'm officially obsolete.
No big problems with the installation but getting 12 AWG stranded THHN on the screw terminals was challenging as usual, especially with the ground configuration and the protrusions around the neutral screw. I use backwire devices whenever available but I've had to wrap around screws regularly for stuff like odd-configuration switches.
I was tempted to try lugs but I doubt there was enough clearance on the mud ring. I probably could have dug out some solid wire but I'd rather do the extra work than have the colors not match! I would think twice before cramming one of these in a remodeler box. Maybe with a 3" deep old work box and a lot of patience.
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