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DragonJade

macrumors 6502
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May 2, 2009
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I'm thinking of installing wall sockets with USB points in them. Will these continuously draw power even if nothing is plugged into them, much like regular power adapters? And if so, are there any on the market which don't - as in they have an on/off switch?
 

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I'm thinking of installing wall sockets with USB points in them. Will these continuously draw power even if nothing is plugged into them, much like regular power adapters? And if so, are there any on the market which don't - as in they have an on/off switch?


A few second searching for 'wall sockets with usb continuously draw power' turned up tons of articles on the subject. They do, though there are some designs that draw less, and some like this:

https://www.newertech.com/products/power2u.php/

That actually have a cutoff for the USB ports.
 
Will these continuously draw power even if nothing is plugged into them, much like regular power adapters?
Yes, they will continuously use energy, even if there isn't a load of the USB side, but it is probably just a tiny amount of energy wasted.
 
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This is a pretty interesting question, and I did a little research. I guess a lot of people were wondering the same thing, as there are plenty websites on this topic.

I thought that there would be some draw of energy from USB chargers when not in use, but it looks like there is a very, very small amount of energy that is being wasted from most USB chargers.

In the US, it would be about $0.05 a year worth of power used from one USB charger. Electric is about twice as expensive in the UK, so about 10 cents a year for you per USB charger.

I am not sure of your intentions of wanting the USB charger to totally turn off when not in use, but if it was to save money or energy, it probably wouldn't be worth it to most.
 
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You can get a switch/USB combo and have the switch control the USB outlet. You can wire it for the outlet to be always on or be controlled by the switch.
 
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You can get a switch/USB combo and have the switch control the USB outlet. You can wire it for the outlet to be always on or be controlled by the switch.

Good find. Unfortunately, UK sockets don't come in that shape. I did manage to find UK wall sockets with USB on/off switches on Aliexpress, like this one:

HTB1vJkNoC3PL1JjSZFxq6ABBVXac.jpg
 
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What’s the difference between IOS and Android USB?

Also if USB a gets dropped these would be obsolete.

I have plenty of world wide adaptors - I tend to buy one whenever I pass through airports, as,when I am abroad, I will usually need at least two or three.

Anyway, I also use them at home, and they tend to come complete with USB sockets.
 
Same. Although many hotels I stay in have USB sockets which is great.

Agreed, re hotels, but I find that having half a dozen adaptors (two permanently plugged in, one or two in briefcases, one borrowed by my brother) to be very handy for that situation.

Abroad, one is never sufficient for everything that you need; personally, I have always found having two to hand an awful lot better.
 
What’s the difference between IOS and Android USB?

Also if USB a gets dropped these would be obsolete.

Not sure if there's any difference. Probably just labelling for labellings sake.

USB is so ubiquitous it'll be a while before USB charging becomes obsolete.
 
A USB standard may be dropped, but a new one takes its place. You would need to develop battery tech that could take a higher flow of electricity without degrading before you'd look for a new system to replace USB.
 
I've put one of these USB combination sockets in most of the rooms of my houses, both in the UK and the USA. I accept that they represent a tiny constant parasitic power draw. But I'm willing to accept that loss in exchange for the considerable convenience of not having a host of ugly wall-warts. My guests appreciate them too.

The cost of the outlets themselves is pretty reasonable, about $10 each, and the install can be carried out by anyone who is capable of wielding a screwdriver and understanding how to turn off a breaker.
 
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