How to Choose a USB Outlet | Ask This Old House

Ask This Old House master electrician Scott Caron walks through the best options when it comes to USB wall outlets in your home.

#ThisOldHouse #AskTOH

Shopping List for How to Choose a USB Outlet:
- USB charging-port outlet

Tools for How to Choose a USB Outlet:
- Pliers
- Wire cutters
- Wire nuts

Steps for How to Choose a USB Outlet:
1. Scott shows off a number of options for wall outlets in your home. The first comes with two USB ports and a standard outlet option.
2. The second offers two standard outlet options along with two USB ports positioned in the center of the outlet.
3. The third option offers four USB ports in a single electrical outlet without any standard outlet.
4. Scott installed a four-port USB hub with AC adapter inside a drawer with an extension arm.
5. As another option, instead of replacing the entire outlet, Scott also shows off a cover adapter. The cover goes over an existing outlet, locking in using brass hooks that latch onto the box screws. The cover offers a USB port on the side and allows users to keep the existing two electrical outlets.

About This Old House TV:
This Old House is the No. 1 multimedia home enthusiast brand, offering trusted information and expert advice through award-winning television, a highly regarded magazine, and an information-driven website. This Old House and Ask This Old House are produced by This Old House Ventures, LLC and are presented on PBS by WGBH Boston.

Follow This Old House and Ask This Old House:

How to Choose a USB Outlet | Ask This Old House

[jeremyd]

I love how the running gag is that Kevin just steals stuff lol

[barflybean]

I use a six plug and two USB adapter that has a built in surge protector at Home Depot. Cost $15.00cdn. Plugs right in, just makes the plug a little larger. Best thing is I can move it anywhere I want.

[dangerdavefreestyle]

Be sure when buying these things to do your research and read the amazon reviews. Some brands are known to have meltdowns and start smoking! while others put out such little current it'll take way too long to recharge.
oh and they are bulky! they take up more space inside the box than a gfci. you may have to go with a deeper box especially if yours is overstuffed as is with 12 gauge wires!

[TheSeanUhTron]

As a person who works with mobile devices everyday, I'd pass on the hardwired or even the outlet cover USB chargers. Mobile technology is a rapidly evolving market.

7 years ago: The standard was 5V 1A
5 years ago: The standard increased to 5V 2A
4 years ago: Qualcomm Quick Charge 1.0 was released which can increase from 5V all the way up to 12V (Most devices are only rated to 9V).
2 years ago: USB Type C first appeared on phones, which uses USB-PD which can exceed the 5V 2A limits of USB.
Today: Type C is quickly becoming the standard on mobile devices. While it is backwards compatible with Type A, you do not get the USB-PD benefits without Type C->Type C connection.

I see the usefulness of hardwired USB chargers in places like waiting rooms, hotels and libraries, but not at home. I'd rather invest in a good quality multiport Anker charger.

[marcotoni]

scott has the most chilliest way of talking. what a boss

[steve_main]

I love how the completely ignore amperage ratting for your device... THEY ARE NOT UNIVERSAL they are all very different and you need to explain that or else people will assume they are all the same

[Mannyman]

nice! it's true, now a days we have more and more USB needed devices. this is one easy and convenient way to approach a solution.

[FranciscoRodriguez-beik]

Thanks to you guys and this great program, I am now making lots of money 💰! I don't have a job, I have a great career.

[oldtwinsna]

Nice try about the power converter being universal but these 1amp built-in devices shown in the video are functionally obsolete for trying to power usb-c devices which take up far more amps for today's devices. Just because the plug fits doesn't mean you'll want to be using it.

[johnmeyer]

Modern chargers offer intelligent charging where the amperage varies based on the state of charge for the specific device as well as how much amperage is being pushed to the device. As the device gets closer to a full charge, the amperage drops to a trickle to top the device off safely. Some of the units I have see share 1.0 amp across both usb outlets virtually useless for today’s high powered devices. According to Apple, you need at least 20watts to fast charge the iPhone 12. Good luck finding that on an outlet.
BTW, I am NOT an EE, please don’t nitpick the above.

[AxcelGamer]

Eh, given USB Type-C, I'd avoid these and just go for a regular outlet. You might as well just go for a regular outlet if you really wanna just be good for the future.

[howiboy]

Their electrician always does great videos

[tygrahof]

Great Idea. They use power constantly though so a switched option is better.

[QuadroNVS]

that contact based socket cover could be useful but is it safe ?

[Siystemattic]

this is good... but now they have USB-c now.... some even up to 60w just for USB c
can charge phoens and laptops with no adapters.

[ryanscott]

Who makes the outlet cover adapter shown at the very end of this video? I can't find one. Thanks!

[javiercastillo]

The only reason I’m not a big fan of these is the fact that your charger when plugged in gives you an inch or so to use while charging. Also I would charge any device in a kitchen let alone that drawer. I really do like how newer end tables and even bed frames have usb outlets which I wonder how safe and efficient they are.

[lowridingtrucks]

Where do you buy the "3rd party cord guid adapter"?

[ekjswim]

I wanna see one of those usb covers in metal!

[VolpeInCalze]

or for a fraction of the price you can do what I did in my bed room:
install a triple gang remodel box, 3 deco outlets and a little bit of wire and plug everything into the 6 new outlets you got lol

but in all seriousness those outlets are pretty cool.