Opinions on USB Socket Outlets

[loulew]

Just curious about everyones views and opinions on USB Socket outlets.

I'm being asked more and more lately from customers about them, seems like they are starting to become very popular very quickly but i'm not quite sure how reliable they are just yet. I've fitted a fair few from leading brands that have failed.

Anyone else had any similar experiences?

 

[ED17]

Fitted loads of the Satin Chrome click deco ones. Not had any complaints about any of them.

Same here.

 

[freddo]

We are currently fitting MK ones every other socket in a load of offices in a building that is being refurbished. They make testing a nightmare! I've not tested any of the USB ports though. I do have one at home that is still working.

 

[Rob1984]

Yeah I've fitted quite a few mainly hager and different click models can't say I've a had a problem yet but there's always a first one to go wrong sometime I suppose.
Insulation testing is a problem with them but if you test live and neutral together to earth it usually works fine and won't damage the USB outlet on the socket which 500v can do

 

[loulew]

I find kitchens quite a popular place for them too, along with beside the bed and next to sofa in a living room.
Seems like it must have just been a bad batch with the MK's I had fail then.
Megger did an article a few years ago about the problems with testing USB sockets and solutions, I think they turned it into a little PDF for download too.

 

[Octopus]

This makes interesting reading:

http://www.----------------------------/mediafile/100145109/web_usb-article-from-so32.pdf

 

[coolsparx]

I have fitted a few USB sockets, mainly Click & Hager, I always test the actual USB outlet with a USB votlage tester (https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01DIPF350/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1), no problems with them so far.

I am a massive fan of the Scolmore Click range & almost exclusively fit it unless the customer is supplying their own. Their MiniGrid system is brilliant, the terminals are good quality, unfortunately their USB sockets are only single although how much of an issue that is I don't know, ceiling pull switches etch I use Hager as they are better.

 

[freddo]

This makes interesting reading:

http://www.----------------------------/mediafile/100145109/web_usb-article-from-so32.pdf

So 9 products tested, all failed. It would be helpful if they told us what the products were so we could avoid them. They always seem to do that, test products but blur out the manufacturers name and model numbers, how is that helping anyone?

 

[Octopus]

^^ maybe we should all tell our clients not to fit them ..... That's what I do

 

[telectrix]

THE ITEM #9 IN THER TESTS SEEMED TO DO ALL RIGHT.

oops, soz.about the caps lock.fat fingers strike again.