[ckelly10]

I have a lot of USB devices, mostly all of my apple products and have seen USB wall sockets that you can install into your wall that look like a normal socket but obviously with the USB hole in.

I wanted to try and do it myself but I have very limited electrical knowledge. My question is has anybody here done this before? Is it difficult.

I have contacted a local electrician (http://www.anhobsonelectrical.co.uk) in my area and I think he quoted around £30-£40 pound to do the job.

It seems like a fair price which is putting me in two minds. Is it better to pay and make sure its done properly or attempt it myself and try and learn - after all I might want to put these sockets around the house later on.

Does anybody know where to get cheap USB sockets? I want ones with 4 USB holes in if possible, if not then 2.

Thanks for any help

 

[TheBobmanNH]

They're the same as installing any other plug socket - turn off the power, unscrew, rescrew. If you're not comfortable with that, then hire someone.

 

[ckelly10]

Thanks for the reply. Is it really that simple? I thought because there was other other sockets (USB) - it would involve more work as my current ones only have 2 sockets and my new ones would have 4.

 

[joed]

The USB plug is part of the receptacle. It is as simple as described. There is no USB connection that will need to make.

 

[ckelly10]

Thanks Joed - I think I will brush up on my electrical knowledge and attempt this myself as it sounds like a simple task that even I should be able to do. Also as I can see myself installing these in a few rooms in my house it will work out a lot cheaper than calling in a electrician

 

[TheBobmanNH]

Thanks for the reply. Is it really that simple? I thought because there was other other sockets (USB) - it would involve more work as my current ones only have 2 sockets and my new ones would have 4.

Yeah, they just put a little AC/DC converter inside the switch plate to provide the 5v for the USB, but it still just connects to house power as it normally would from your perspective. Might be a little harder to work with / fit in the box as the back is likely bulkier to account for the extra circuitry, but ti's still just hot, common and ground.

 

[J. V.]

USB ports do more than just charge devices. A USB port IMO should be fed with cat5 or cat 6 cable to provide network capability. I have never heard of a USB plug without connecting a network cable to it? What am I missing here? Are you just looking for USB charging or networking? If its both, than you need to run network cable not electrical cable.

 

[Oso954]

USB charging.
Something along the lines of this. (US version, OP is UK.)

 

[stickboy1375]

USB ports do more than just charge devices. A USB port IMO should be fed with cat5 or cat 6 cable to provide network capability. I have never heard of a USB plug without connecting a network cable to it? What am I missing here? Are you just looking for USB charging or networking? If its both, than you need to run network cable not electrical cable.

Most devices are wifi... only the power portion is required. But in regards, the OP is talking strictly USB power ports only.

 

[Wildie]

USB ports do more than just charge devices. A USB port IMO should be fed with cat5 or cat 6 cable to provide network capability. I have never heard of a USB plug without connecting a network cable to it? What am I missing here? Are you just looking for USB charging or networking? If its both, than you need to run network cable not electrical cable.

USB isn't compatible network cabling! Its different technology!

 

[joed]

The USB receptacles are simply a power source for charging. They have no data capability. There is no network connection possible to them.

Here are some videos that might be useful to you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZL15uDqHrgI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTy9EuVVTBE

 

[epson]

I have a lot of USB devices, mostly all of my apple products and have seen USB wall sockets that you can install into your wall that look like a normal socket but obviously with the USB hole in.

I wanted to try and do it myself but I have very limited electrical knowledge. My question is has anybody here done this before? Is it difficult.

I have contacted a local electrician (http://www.anhobsonelectrical.co.uk) in my area and I think he quoted around £30-£40 pound to do the job.

It seems like a fair price which is putting me in two minds. Is it better to pay and make sure its done properly or attempt it myself and try and learn - after all I might want to put these sockets around the house later on.

Does anybody know where to get cheap USB sockets? I want ones with 4 USB holes in if possible, if not then 2.

Thanks for any help

watch this vid... http://howto.cnet.com/8301-11310_39-57389548-285/how-to-install-a-usb-wall-socket/