In-wall USB charger is as cheap as it is ingenious

What you'll require here is about 30 minutes' endurance, a $10 budget, and a good reason why you'd want to swap some good old versatile wall plugs in for USB-only power outlets. Once you've got all that sorted, it's a quick skip to the source link, where you'll get step-by-step instructions on converting to "the future" of power distribution. And hey, just to help you justify all that expenditure of effort, we've got a whole category devoted to the cornucopia of most awesome devices you can power via USB. Kudos gained for clever design, kudos lost for relatively redundant outcome.

[Peter F Posted Dec 3rd 2009 10:21AM]

@Jordan
I would like it for its elegance, too, and why not?
Its not all about what other people think, it just plain old looks nicer and has less clutter in the way.

[myrkr Posted Dec 3rd 2009 9:01AM]

It's going to take a lot of plugs to power my vacuum cleaner in the "future". Where's my flying car!

[Masterface7 Posted Dec 3rd 2009 9:06AM]

He did not wire it, he just plugged a usb adapter into the outlet then pushed it flush.
No, usb can not provide enough power to power most appliances, plug 5 volts into your blender or microwave and they will laugh at you.
If it were me i would put at least 6 usb ports in the plate probably more.

[John H Posted Dec 3rd 2009 9:09AM]

I prefer machines like the new Dell laptops that have the option of keeping the USB ports powered even while the system is off for this purpose.

[levilynned Posted Dec 3rd 2009 9:09AM]

Kudos to you Vladimir Savov for repeating the word kudos for 2 times... LOL - kudos to everyone

[suaspont Posted Dec 3rd 2009 9:18AM]

I believe this does not comply with the National Electrical Code - having both high voltage (110) and low voltage (usb power) in the same electrical box.

[Wriiight Posted Dec 3rd 2009 10:08AM]

@suaspont : I was wondering the same thing, though it may be OK because all of the low-v is sealed, there is no low-v wiring in the box. It shouldn't be any different than something like a light with a built-in transformer.

I am more concerned that the appliance isn't attached to the box anymore, there don't appear to be ground pins in the USB sockets, and you shoving everything way back in the box, smooshing all your wiring together (you might have junctions back there as well). I bet it totally doesn't work in a shallow box.

[twach Posted Dec 3rd 2009 10:33AM]

@Wriiight yeah, I could definitely see the insurance companies denying claims if this was found to be the start of an electrical fire. Remember people this is still a 110 outlet just with AC/DC transformers hidden in the wall.

[glennS Posted Dec 3rd 2009 2:16PM]

@suaspont

Not sure, but I think you are misinterpreting that regulation. The notion there is to separate high voltage and low voltage in-wall wiring inside the box, because the low v. wiring is not properly insulated for high voltage, and in the event of a short, the low v. wiring could catch fire a spread along the in-wall wires. In this case, the are no in wall low v. wires. It is all contained inside the box. IANAE, but IAAL, however TINLA (hehe)

[Jordan Posted Dec 3rd 2009 9:54AM]

Remember that litle idea of not leaving your chargers plugged in when not in use since they draw power....I belive this totally violates that. This looked cool at first, but now that I found out that it's just to Apple chargers inside the plate, this is stupid, very very stupid.

[peepeeland Posted Dec 3rd 2009 9:59AM]

I did this, but then I messed up and died.

[Ken J Posted Dec 3rd 2009 10:48AM]

@peepeeland

Darwinism

[hct43 Posted Dec 3rd 2009 10:08AM]

Hi, we did invented a while ago this outlet and it is patented, here there is: http://www.internalusbcharger.com
And the video demo is: http://internalusbcharger.com/video/
What do you think guys? It will be in the stores soon.

[scyber Posted Dec 3rd 2009 10:59AM]

@hct43

Much nicer looking. I like the fact that it retains one regular outlet.

Also it is probably more code compliant than the one above.

[eugeneaction Posted Dec 3rd 2009 4:00PM]

@hct43 i do declare... you win the pig

[Peter F Posted Dec 3rd 2009 10:23AM]

@brown like dookie
That looks nice, but two USB plugs in the wall looks even nicer.

[Christian Posted Dec 3rd 2009 10:28AM]

Essentially, you're embedding two of those $3-$9 faux Apple chargers into your single-gang wiring box. This is a bad idea.

Those chargers are of dubious quality. They look like Apple chargers, but read the reviews on Amazon. And you're talking about sinking them into a wall, where you won't be able to see them, should any problems arise.

Sounds like a fire just waiting to happen.

[michaspi Posted Dec 3rd 2009 10:44AM]

This is a Code violation. You are not allowed to mix low- and high-voltage lines.

[Ken J Posted Dec 3rd 2009 11:00AM]

@michaspi

What code is this violating? I love hearing people spout laws and regulations, but never actually posting the actual reference. This item is the same as a plate with a built in LED nightlight. Produced correctly, a product like this (not the DYI hack) would have no problem getting CE and UL certified. I'd personally would like to see a GFCI incorporated as well.

[blef Posted Dec 3rd 2009 12:52PM]

@Ken J It is in violation of the NEC

[va jj Posted Dec 3rd 2009 11:00AM]

all that space and only two usb.

[mastman26 Posted Dec 3rd 2009 11:02AM]

Saw this product in one of the links on the Instructables page. As noted there and above, the home-made version likely violates code as well as common sense fire prevention. The product below (not yet available) says the ports are smart - it would only use electricity when a device is connected. Disclosure; I have no affiliation with Universal USB Outlet.
http://internalusbcharger.com/
mastman

[BMills Posted Dec 3rd 2009 11:04AM]

How awesome would it be if the entire house was connected to a single computer like a huge USB hub?

I can imagine an April Fools joke involving someone running through their house being shot at from every turn and corner by USB rockets!

awesome.

[SergioAM Posted Dec 3rd 2009 11:13AM]

It's about time someone did this. Now if I only had the guts to do this myself x.x

[hungarianhc Posted Dec 3rd 2009 11:31AM]

I'd rather have an outlet with two standard 3-prong sockets. 2 USB sockets, and 1 ethernet socket for gigabit around the house. I think it's quite doable, space wise.

[xJuice Posted Dec 3rd 2009 11:31AM]

Or just buy a wall charger off ebay for $3 ....

[v1001 Posted Dec 3rd 2009 12:07PM]

Personally I think it's pretty lame. I'd rather just have a wallwart and keep my outlet where it is.

[JCerna Posted Dec 3rd 2009 12:54PM]

You do know that this will create waste of electricity, even if nothing is plug in to the usb plugs electricity will still be comsumed.

[BigD145 Posted Dec 3rd 2009 12:56PM]

The cut in the faceplate is rough. I'd be ashamed to show that in public.

[crow610 Posted Dec 3rd 2009 2:33PM]

:-0 :-0 | |

[theguedz Posted Dec 3rd 2009 3:23PM]

Put LAN support on those and price them €30 and you got a deal.

[nthn2551 Posted Dec 3rd 2009 4:44PM]

I'm someone who moves furniture around so this wouldn't be good for me. I'll stick to the small square-like things you plug into an outlet and then the USB into that.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 3rd 2009 4:44PM]

It's just a show-off article, but it highlights how USB charging for all our gadgets will help out in the future, whether with a USB wall charger, USB car charger, and USB charging off of laptops.

Many laptops, like Macbooks act as a USB charger when asleep. It's very useful when traveling, cuts way down on the cables, since the data and power cables are the same. Plus it helps when the Hotel has one outlet that you can actually find that isn't powering the fridge, lights, or A/C already.

[AbeFroman Posted Dec 3rd 2009 7:36PM]

I would rather use a plugin adapter that I can take anywhere instead of losing the 120v use of an outlet.

[leg Posted Dec 3rd 2009 10:58PM]

I feel sorry (not really) for anyone who did this with those apple mini chargers recalled in 08 for overheating.

[THJ Posted Dec 4th 2009 1:05AM]

@brown like dookie I have one, it's quite the wall wart. Great for travel, not so nice at home (vs flush mount).

[endgadget Posted Dec 4th 2009 1:40AM]

my toaster doesn't do USB. nor does my washing machine. no does my shaver. yes, my PC does, so does my phone and my music player. guess what, all these usb thingies crash occassionally. ever heard of a toaster that crashed?or a washing machine that crashed? keep the usb, my friend. i prefer my morning toasts crisp, not crashed.

[hillstrubl Posted Dec 4th 2009 4:02PM]

http://www.gadgetvenue.com/truepower-power-outlet-usb-ports-12040305/#more-15347

better

[TheJason Posted Dec 8th 2009 5:07PM]

You can get these - much better:

http://store.fastmac.com/product_info.php?products_id=458

[RickStar Posted Dec 9th 2009 11:06AM]

I think this is pretty brilliant as is, but it would be pretty great if there was a typical socket on bottom or top, with dual USB on the flip side of the plate. I can't imagine it would be extremely hard to pull off, and might even try to myself sooner or later, unless of course, someone builds me a kit =D