In-wall USB charger is as cheap as it is ingenious
By Vlad Savov 
posted December 3rd 2009 7:56AM
posted December 3rd 2009 7:56AM
posted December 3rd 2009 7:56AM
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It's like the power point has a worried expression!
Why not one of each?
I was looking for this a few months back...
@(Unverified)
After actually R'ingTFA, I see that it's very DIY, and maybe not the safest USB fix out there.
I think I'll wait for an actual USB outlet/wall plate...
@(Unverified) +1 A wall outlet could have one of each. Although, it isn't as though super small power dongles exist.
Also, you would want to mod your wallplates so that they use some sort of green chip. Putting dongles in your wall that constantly draw power isn't great on your energy bill.
One of each? How about using a rectangular plate, putting in one electrical outlet and SIX usb charging ports.
Even better: make one of those 2->4 outlet adapters that fits over the top. Put four USB charing ports on each of the sides. Now you have four power outlets and eight usb charing ports.
@(Unverified) Apple's latest US power to USB "brick" is only about a cubic inch. That isn't small enough for you?
Agreed on the constant dongle power usage issue. They should have put an on/off switch next to the thing that would break the connection.
@nrb and then how about making all SIX network back to your server!
@(Unverified)
I'm late but ... why sacrifice one? You can have the two plugs AND squeeze in some USB ports in there.
would be nice if you'd use one of those sky-blue links in the midst of the article when mentioning skipping to the source link
@mrqs
http://www.instructables.com/id/Outlets-of-the-Future-aka-in-wall-USB-Charger/
I don't know about any other country but in Finland fiddleing with these kinds of things is illegal and should only be done by someone with a licence. Insurance-wise this is a no-no. But the idea is good and, well, why can't all the electrical appliances have a USB-plug in the future? In a similar way as how the mobile industry is planning on regulating USB-charging to every product
@(Unverified)
Wow, Finland sucks. We do have licensed electricians in America, but anyone is allowed to work on their own electrical outlets so long as they follow regulations (or simply follow the instructions that came with whatever replacement outlet/dimmer/etc that is being installed).
While electricity can be very dangerous, basic tasks such as these are very simple and anyone can do them. I think it's absurd that people would be outlawed from doing this work themselves.
@(Unverified) Americans live in a country where a man has the freedom to do whatever he wants with his electric outlets, even if that means he hurts himself.
@(Unverified) The same goes for any sane country. Especially in the European Union. Fiddling with your own electricity installations is a big no-no.
@(Unverified)
Man that's some serious government intervention. In the US, I got a quote for rewiring a bathroom - it was close to $700, which was essentially the budget for the entire remodel. I spoke to the neighbor, and he taught me wiring 101 in about 15 minutes. I spent $20 on some tools, and $20 on supplies, and did it myself in less than a day. Gotta love the US!
@Ned Scott
Technically, in some jurisdictions, I believe you'd have to hire a licensed electrician to do this sort of thing legally, but it's not like the electric police are going to come knocking at your door to see if you've been changing outlets on your own.
Still, these code regulations exist because there's always some moron out there who thinks he knows what he's doing, but ends up burning down their house because an electrical connection was made improperly.
@(Unverified)
All this "you can do it in America" talk is all well and good, but from an insurance standpoint Allstate may say, "what caused the fire a usb hack? Yeah we aren't paying for your burned down home."
@glamajamma I wouldn't really call this a hack, you are using 3 standard manufactured devices in a non standard manner. You are basically setting a power plug a little deeper in a box with what looks like two Apple iPhone chargers glued to a notched blank faceplate. If a fire results its most likely do to a fault in the AC to USB adapter, which Apple has had a problem with.
http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/19/apple-issues-a-recall-for-its-ultracompact-usb-power-adapter/
@(Unverified) People(including myself) often do their own tinkering with wiring, but you are supposed to be licensed for most work. Even Habitat for Humanity and projects where volunteers build homes aren't allowed to have unlicensed people do electrical work. It's mostly a liability thing that goes back to insurance, but it's also a safety thing.
@KAL326 Neither would they, the insurers sure would though.
@sitruc "It's mostly a liability thing that goes back to insurance, but it's also a safety thing."
No, it's entirely a liability thing. Technically, safety is a liability. If you burn your own house down you reap the reward of your own inexperience. If you try to claim insurance on your own mistake, that's fraudulence. If your work burns a house down while working for a company, they are libel. That's the only reason for required licenses. So the consumer purchasing your labor knows that you know what your doing.
For the record, this is what it means to have true freedom. If you could be fined or put in prison for doing your own electric work, I pity you and everyone living in your country. You can hire someone with experience that is willing to take on that liability if something goes wrong or you can do it yourself. It's that simple. You are free to make the judgment.
@(Unverified) In America, A home owner is given the right to modify as he wants without inspection (at his own risk and providing it is not for lease). One difference is that we don't use 2x0 volts on an individual leg of the incoming power; so we don't have as high of a risk. NEC states that residences can only use 110/220 (most often 120/240).
Give it 240 volts, earth it and give me the ability to check household power consumption by plugging in a computer through the USB and I'd buy it!
@kingdomskingdom
Maybe even Internet over the USB? Could you imagine?
@exenter
I think WiFi WIN
@kingdomskingdom I am completely on board with that thought process. USB's can save the world, I am convinced!
Neat idea but with how fast the computer industry changes, you know that that USB formfactor is probably not going to be around in 10 years.
I think a much better solution would be adding 2 USB ports to a regular wall outlet instead of replacing it. I have a lot more things that plug into a standard outlet than ones that run off USB.
@Hazdaz
USB was created in 1996. That's 13 years ago, and the plug is still the same. Even with the brand-spanking new USB 3.0 you can still use stuff from USB 1. Considering some countries are making laws regarding cellphones needing to use standard-USB-based chargers, the past history of USB, and so on..... I'd have to completely disagree with you on USB not being around in 10 years. It might not be the best choice anymore, but it will certainly still be there.
@Hazdaz I hate engadget's comment system so much
Were they fitted by a qualified Electrician???
@mofy
A qualified electrician? Lemmie guess, you get you PC fixed at a shop too. Where is your diy spirit? In reality, changing a wall outlet and keeping it code is extremely easy. All you need is a Philips screwdriver, the replacement outlet, and Google and you could figure it out.
This has two transformers in it that are powered continuously. Why don't american sockets have switches?
@(Unverified)
You assume they all don't have switches...
@(Unverified) I was thinking the same thing. But this is an easy, low-investment way to do this hack. A more thorough way would be to have a nice, clean 5v power supply in the box (with on/off switch and indicator light).
Great idea overall, I think, but needs a way to kill the Vampires.
USB3?
@toast it is only to charge, not to transfer data.
@(Unverified)
USB 3 provides more power than USB 2 and would be important if you want to charge your devices quickly.
OH the Bling Factor... (Is you're house not wired for USB?)
I think you can fit more than 2 on that plate...
I think this would have been a slightly better solution:
http://i46.tinypic.com/709s83.jpg
@untitled
Where could I get me one of those?
@untitled Wouldn't it have been better to put the usb ports over the standard sockets so they wouldn't be in the way of large adapters that would require the lower socket?
@(Unverified) absolutely maybe.
All in all I think this is pretty stupid. They're just recessing a normal outlet, placing two separate USB adapters (that alone is just retarded..) on each power point, and then putting a custom-made plate cover over all of it.
@Ned Scott I'm confused as to how that is dumb? I would love to be able to plug my devices into the wall without having to worry about keeping adapters plugged in
@victorstuber This is a code violation and an unsafe fire hazard. Additionally, it's poorly executed.
@Rocky Rutherford
It's not a code violation and it certainly isn't a fire hazard.
@victorstuber
The reason I think this is kind of stupid is that it's just a cosmetic hack at the cost of the more flexible outlets. One could just as easily keep an adapter plugged into the wall, even in a recessed outlet.
There is going to be a tussle over USB powered devices vs. power over designed incumbent, ethernet in the near future.
I've been wanting to do something like this as well.
While I agree that the 120v socket is far more versatile, I'd love to have some neatly installed USB power points right above the spot in the hallway where I drop my keys, iPhone, MP3 player, etc. A simple USB wire extending from the wall to the device is far more elegant than a 120v plug, wall wart, and bundle of cheap wire.
Also, I have to agree with those who think this should be switched. It should also have a telltale light indicating if it's on or off.
@mwendell: Of all reasons to want this, you want it because it's elegant? You have devices that charge for maybe a couple hours a day. Having to have a charger plugged into the wall isn't really a big deal. People understand that chargers charge devices and they won't think your house is ugly if they see a charger.
Would this simplify things? Yes. It would be nice to have one or two of these in the house.