Wall Receptacle USB Charging - Switched Transformer?

Peter,

The spec sheet (94Y4162) shows 5A available on the 5V USB jack.  There was no mention of the idle current, but I would expect it to be quite low.  I have seen similar plugs available at home depot (I did install some in a recent kitchen remodel, which worked great).

Gene

I know that it is low, but I want to know what the phantom load / standby power / vampire power is.  How much am I going to pay to use this as a standard outlet instead of using outlets with no transformer in them?  The information is never in the specifications, but surely someone has measured it.

I am generally mystified at North America's stubborn refusal to use switched outlets, but that is a another discussion.

Peter,

Interesting, I found a full catalog from the vendor (Hubbell) and these plugs switch off with no cable attached (in line switch in the jack), so they can go to zero draw when not in use.

http://ecatalog.hubbell-wiring.com/press/catalog/x.pdf

Gene

That is for the USB4 and USB2 "Charger outlets," not the "USB Charger Receptacles," unfortunately.  The two- and four-port chargers have a mechanical switch activated by the port cover (one cover for both or all four ports, since there is only one transformer).

It is interesting that Hubbell put the cover / switch on the replacement outlets but not on the combination receptacles.

Peter,

I missed that distinction (between charger outlets  and USB charger receptacles).  Yeah, strange separation of features between two very similar products.  There could have been space limitation on the outlet units.

Oh well,

Gene

Personally I like to see the input power switched off on all these devices.

They are a switched mode supply and the components have a limited life span (usually a few thousand hours).

Mark

I guess that I could buy the switch / 2 USB version and wire the power to the USB ports through the switch.

In addition to my concern about the power draw, your point about wearing out the power supplies is also a significant consideration.

I guess that I could buy the switch / 2 USB version and wire the power to the USB ports through the switch

That is one idea, but without looking at how they have connected them, it might be the whole socket that gets swtiched.

Here in NZ we have PDL/Schneider making one that can be fitted into a socket outlet.

I note that they do specify the standby load (0.07w) and is able to be wired rather than be part of the sockets.

http://www.pdlglobal.com/data/product_documents/600%20&%20800%20USB%20Charger%20Flyer.pdf

They can be added to outlets that have an extra switch, or you could fit them to a switch plate without the socket.

  or

Mark

Nice products!  In the suggested configurations, they do not show a USB port with a switch.  Do you know if that can actually be configured?

It seems funny to me that someone would not just make a port that connects power to the transformer when a cable end is pushed into it.  At least PDL / Schneider is up front about the stand-by draw.

phumphries

they do not show a USB port with a switch.  Do you know if that can actually be configured?

You're quite right

I forgot to link this which shows some suggested connections

http://www.pdlglobal.com/data/product_documents/642M%20install%20sheet%200414%20v7.pdf

The switch is connected internally to the phase of the socket, BUT having pulled one apart, they are very easy to modify.

You simply remove the cover and add a wire, which switches off the USB with the socket.

If you don't need/want the socket, you can use their switch range.

PDL : Products, Domestic, 600 Series, Switches, Standard Switches

Each switch is a unit and come is 2 - 6 apertures.

I'm tempted to add one to where we charge our phones ...

Mark