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USB A, B or C sockets

  • 13-02-2025 02:03PM
    #1
    looksee
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29,680 ✭✭✭✭


    I want to change a couple of electrical sockets for electrical/usb sockets. I gather there are A, B and C type sockets. We have a mix of the new usb connectors and the older ones. I guess I would be better getting C ones fitted (I assume that is the current newest ones) and just continue to use the plug-in adaptor for older ones? Or is C something that has not been introduced yet? Can someone clarify for me please?

    All this assumes I can get someone to do the job! I will not be doing it myself.



Comments

  • #2
    fritzelly
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,105 ✭✭✭✭fritzelly


    Get type C - A and B are old types and nearly every device comes with type C now



  • #3
    Boggles
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 42,399 ✭✭✭✭Boggles


    C is the new standard. But you can get sockets with both A and C.

    Then you need to decide on wattage, future proof for charging other devices.

    Then you need to measure the backbox and make sure the new sockets fit.

    Good luck getting an electrician to change a couple of faces for you.

    More chance of getting a friend who knows what they are doing.



  • #4
    looksee
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29,680 ✭✭✭✭looksee


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123167112#Comment_123167112

    Thank you, I understood that the boxes fit interchangeably? Not sure about wattage, would have to investigate that. I guess the C one is the way to go. There are a couple of other jobs and my usual electrician (who has virtually rewired the house and is helpful) may be able to fit me in if he's in the area, its a bit mad for getting any kind of tradesmen at the moment.



  • #5
    Boggles
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 42,399 ✭✭✭✭Boggles


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123167132#Comment_123167132

    The front will line up with the screw or bolt lugs, but it is the depth of the back box that is the concern.

    A USB socket designed for a 25mm backbox won't fit into a 20mm backbox, it barely fits in a 25mm. They are bulkier at the back than a standard socket to accommodate the extra circuitry.

    The simple workaround is to use a spacer, a surround that goes between the socket face and the wall.

    If you have a sparky on speed dial who has done extensive works to the house he will know exactly what you need and don't need.

    The only decision you have to make is type of finish on the socket face itself and the wattage.

    45 Watts will probably charge most laptops on the market at varying speeds and the future ones coming down the line as well as everything else.



  • #6
    looksee
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29,680 ✭✭✭✭looksee


    Lol, I didn't say he was on speed dial! I may have to do some nagging and annoying 😁



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  • #7
    coylemj
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25,754 ✭✭✭✭coylemj


    I was considering replacing one of my wall sockets with one that had a USB-C socket. The trouble is that the MK and Hagar models both have a limit of 15W on the USB-C outlet. Which means it would be limited to charging a phone or smaller tablets, say up to 10" screen size. For anything requiring more juice, you'd need an external charger.

    For reference, the Apple charger which came with my iPad Mini5 (7.9" screen) is rated at 20W.

    So I decided to hang on to my existing wall socket and nearby, I keep a Belkin charger with dual USB-C ports. The top port can deliver up to 18W (phone or tablet) and the lower port can do up to 45W (laptop). If there's nothing connected to the top port, the lower port can deliver up to 65W.

    The charger looks like this Belkin model. My one is a few years old now and would be a bit too heavy to use for travel but it's ideal for home use. This would be the equivalent Anker model. It can also do up to 65W and has a single USB-A plus 2 x USB-C ports.

    One of the issues that occurred to me is that a clumsy guest could all too easily ram something into the USB-C port on a wall socket and damage it beyond repair. So I figure that keeping a versatile external charger and cable beside the socket is probably the better option.



  • #8
    Boggles
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 42,399 ✭✭✭✭Boggles


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123167800#Comment_123167800

    MK apparently have to a 30 Watt version.

    But I have never seen them for sale anywhere.



  • #9
    looksee
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29,680 ✭✭✭✭looksee


    Now that the chargers are being standardised the situation will no doubt improve, but for the moment we have an extension 'tower' with what seems like a christmas tree of chargers and cables hanging out of it. I am fed up looking at wires all over the place, some of which have to trail as the house is mostly solid wall so putting in more sockets is too much of a major undertaking.



  • #10
    coylemj
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25,754 ✭✭✭✭coylemj


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123167870#Comment_123167870

    They quote 30W on the MK USB Charging Solutions website but when you dig into the technical details, it's clear that the maximum power you can draw is 15W. The UBS-A port is limited to 2A (10W) and the USB-C port can do 3A (15W).

    In theory that's 25W but here's the kicker… in the feature list (extract copied & pasted below) in the USBA+C technical document, they explicitly state that 3A is the combined limit when two devices are simultaneously connected. The 'Technical Specification' box under the heading 'Current Rating' states: 'Combined total 3A drawn from USB outlets'.

    So 30W is pure fiction.

    Features

    • Can charge Type A and C devices at up to 2A and 3A respectively
    • USB outlets are designed to provide optimum charging compatibility across a wide range of devices
    • Differing manufacturers devices can be charged simultaneously via the two USB outlets
    • If two devices are connected to USB outlets the total rated current of 3A is divided between the two outlets
    • If the total charging current exceeds the rated level of 3A then the device will enter a current limiting safety mode


  • #11
    reniwren
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 352 ✭✭reniwren


    With so many devices having 120w charging now is there much point in replacing, I know they don't supply power supplies with new phones, I would still prefer an hours charge than a 4 hour one



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  • #12
    Explosive_Cornflake
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,175 ✭✭✭Explosive_Cornflake


    One thing I would note, is there's USB C, and then there's is USB C PD.
    I suspect some of cheaper sockets are really just usb 5v 2a ones with a usb c socket on it. I've wired up my own USB C ports like this for a project.
    USB C PD is far more advanced, it does 5,9,12 and 20v



  • #13
    monseiur
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,566 ✭✭✭monseiur


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058396262/usb-a-b-or-c-sockets

    No need to change your sockets, you can get an adapter that plugs into your existing socket, it's the size of normal plug top. It has two ports for USB C PD up to 40watt and two 3.1a USB A type The USB C type ports (with PD) can charge 2 devices simultaneously at up to 40 watt Costs approx £17.00 sterling



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