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+--- Thread: USB plus AC outlet (/showthread.php?tid=88977)
USB plus AC outlet - pRICE cUBE - 12-04-2009
http://store.fastmac.com/product_info.php?products_id=458
Re: USB plus AC outlet - JoeH - 12-04-2009
It might get UL approval, but won't meet code here. Electrical code here does not allow mixing of 120 and low voltage in the same outlet box.
Re: USB plus AC outlet - GGD - 12-04-2009
JoeH wrote:
It might get UL approval, but won't meet code here. Electrical code here does not allow mixing of 120 and low voltage in the same outlet box.
I'm curious to see more details about the product, they make it sound like it actually plugs into the existing outlet, rather than replacing it, so it seems more like it would be considered a wall plate and might not be be a code violation.
Here's what the site says.
Installation:
This item can be installed on any existing wall outlet.
We will have an installation video available shortly so that you can see exactly what is involved and if this is something you feel comfortable doing on your own or if you will need assistance.
Re: USB plus AC outlet - JoeH - 12-04-2009
Given how it looks, it might have the AC-DC electronics in the face plate. But it does look like it replaces a standard duplex outlet in the box. Anything that includes a statement that there is an installation video and you might need assistance, implies it is connecting directly to the 120 wires, not a plug-in. Here that is considered 120 and low voltage outlets in the same box, and is not allowed. Low voltages have to be in an entirely separate box and wall mounting. It might meet code in other states and localities.
Re: USB plus AC outlet - macphanatic - 12-04-2009
It might meet code. IIRC, code states that you can't have low voltage and high voltage wiring going into the same box. If this outlet only has connections for 120 volt wiring and provides an AC>DC conversion in the receptacle itself it may not be an issue.
Re: USB plus AC outlet - GGD - 12-04-2009
JoeH wrote:
Given how it looks, it might have the AC-DC electronics in the face plate. But it does look like it replaces a standard duplex outlet in the box. Anything that includes a statement that there is an installation video and you might need assistance, implies it is connecting directly to the 120 wires, not a plug-in. Here that is considered 120 and low voltage outlets in the same box, and is not allowed. Low voltages have to be in an entirely separate box and wall mounting. It might meet code in other states and localities.
Hopefully when they post a video it will all be clear, I'm trying to figure out how it might work based just on the single picture and what's written, I could see why they might post a video on how to change a wall plate, even though it's about as difficult as changing RAM in an Apple laptop, and some people seem to need videos for that too.
Even with my thoughts that it plugs into an existing outlet and just replaces the wall plate, I'm not sure how they can make it as thin as it appears. Maybe one of the two AC sockets could just be a thin plastic cover that allows the plug to insert into the socket behind it, but they need to draw power from the other socket, possibly they insert a thin loop of metal that still allows room for the prongs of another plug.
Maybe we can all chip in and buy one just to see how it's designed.
Re: USB plus AC outlet - OWC Jamie - 12-04-2009
supposedly charge port and AC outlet has sensors,
charge port is off with nothing plugged in.
Wheteher this means the AC outlets get turned off when the charge port is active is unclear.
Only way around dual power I can think of.
Would probably still not be allowed by local code here anyway.
Even that outlet installed upside down like that wouldn't pass.
Ground up on anything new here.
Next town over they don't care.
Can't cry to state for over-sight either.
Re: USB plus AC outlet - Filliam H. Muffman - 12-04-2009
I can see something like that catching on. I have thought that it would save energy to have 10 devices run off 5 Volts direct from a high efficiency switching power supply rather than have 10 devices each with their own internal power supplies.