Are USB sockets on wall outlets live all the time, even when the switch is off?
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I got a USB wall socket fitted. When it was installed, I tested the USB port with a tester with the switches off, but the USB outlet was live. Is this normal?
electrical receptacle uk
edited 2 hours ago
manassehkatz
10.8k1440
asked 13 hours ago
sean kellysean kelly
262
New contributor
sean kelly is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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add a comment |
I got a USB wall socket fitted. When it was installed, I tested the USB port with a tester with the switches off, but the USB outlet was live. Is this normal?
electrical receptacle uk
edited 2 hours ago
manassehkatz
10.8k1440
asked 13 hours ago
sean kellysean kelly
262
New contributor
sean kelly is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
1
Hello, and welcome to Home Improvement. It's hard to understand your question; would you edit it to clarify? (Some punctuation would be great...)
– Daniel Griscom
12 hours ago
5
Could you please provide the actual switch/outlet you used.
– Ben
10 hours ago
This can only be a UK question.
– Harper
2 hours ago
add a comment |
I got a USB wall socket fitted. When it was installed, I tested the USB port with a tester with the switches off, but the USB outlet was live. Is this normal?
electrical receptacle uk
edited 2 hours ago
manassehkatz
10.8k1440
asked 13 hours ago
sean kellysean kelly
262
New contributor
sean kelly is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
I got a USB wall socket fitted. When it was installed, I tested the USB port with a tester with the switches off, but the USB outlet was live. Is this normal?
electrical receptacle uk
electrical receptacle uk
edited 2 hours ago
manassehkatz
10.8k1440
asked 13 hours ago
sean kellysean kelly
262
New contributor
sean kelly is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 2 hours ago
manassehkatz
10.8k1440
asked 13 hours ago
sean kellysean kelly
262
New contributor
sean kelly is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 2 hours ago
manassehkatz
10.8k1440
edited 2 hours ago
manassehkatz
10.8k1440
edited 2 hours ago
manassehkatz
10.8k1440
10.8k1440
asked 13 hours ago
sean kellysean kelly
262
New contributor
sean kelly is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 13 hours ago
sean kellysean kelly
262
asked 13 hours ago
sean kellysean kelly
262
262
New contributor
sean kelly is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
sean kelly is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
sean kelly is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
1
Hello, and welcome to Home Improvement. It's hard to understand your question; would you edit it to clarify? (Some punctuation would be great...)
– Daniel Griscom
12 hours ago
5
Could you please provide the actual switch/outlet you used.
– Ben
10 hours ago
This can only be a UK question.
– Harper
2 hours ago
add a comment |
1
Hello, and welcome to Home Improvement. It's hard to understand your question; would you edit it to clarify? (Some punctuation would be great...)
– Daniel Griscom
12 hours ago
5
Could you please provide the actual switch/outlet you used.
– Ben
10 hours ago
This can only be a UK question.
– Harper
2 hours ago
1
1
Hello, and welcome to Home Improvement. It's hard to understand your question; would you edit it to clarify? (Some punctuation would be great...)
– Daniel Griscom
12 hours ago
Hello, and welcome to Home Improvement. It's hard to understand your question; would you edit it to clarify? (Some punctuation would be great...)
– Daniel Griscom
12 hours ago
5
5
Could you please provide the actual switch/outlet you used.
– Ben
10 hours ago
Could you please provide the actual switch/outlet you used.
– Ben
10 hours ago
This can only be a UK question.
– Harper
2 hours ago
This can only be a UK question.
– Harper
2 hours ago
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
In the US, no the USB ports will not have power when the outlet is not powered. Most outlets in the US don't have power switches on them, so if you switch them off there is no way for power to be provided.
In the UK, outlets often have power switches. In that case, your USB ports are usually powered while the outlet switches are off. This is because the outlet assembly itself is always powered, but the switches only control the outlet and not the USB power transformer.
You said cheers in your original post, so I'm assuming you're probably British and have the UK type of USB outlet. Yes, this is normal.
Other answers are assuming that you are in the US, where that wouldn't be normal.
edited 1 hour ago
Brock Adams
2,22821527
answered 11 hours ago
DotesDotes
2,575314
add a comment |
Sometimes power supplies/transformers can hold voltage in capacitors to make it look like they are on for a short time after they are unplugged. Rather than checking with a tester, plug a phone (or anything that actually consumes power) into the charger and operate the switch to see if it is still on when the switch is off.
It's not impossible for the USB portion to have power all the time, but I've never seen a USB receptacle that would allow for it in the US.
edit: UK outlets can have integrated switches where this is much more plausible. See the other answer for the UK...
answered 12 hours ago
JPhi1618JPhi1618
10.9k22548
1
I have the British type as shown in Dotes' answer. I'm trying the experiment and so far it is charging my phone perfectly well with both switches off. I'll look in a few minutes but I'm pretty sure no capacitors are doing the charging.
– chasly from UK
6 hours ago
1
@chaslyfromUK, that makes sense. Our receptacles are different in the US and don't have integrated switches like that so it would be hard for this to happen. The UK based answer is right, but I'm leaving this answer because it can explain why voltages or small led lights stay on even after a charger is unplugged or switched off.
– JPhi1618
6 hours ago
add a comment |
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2 Answers
2
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2 Answers
2
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active
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votes
In the US, no the USB ports will not have power when the outlet is not powered. Most outlets in the US don't have power switches on them, so if you switch them off there is no way for power to be provided.
In the UK, outlets often have power switches. In that case, your USB ports are usually powered while the outlet switches are off. This is because the outlet assembly itself is always powered, but the switches only control the outlet and not the USB power transformer.
You said cheers in your original post, so I'm assuming you're probably British and have the UK type of USB outlet. Yes, this is normal.
Other answers are assuming that you are in the US, where that wouldn't be normal.
edited 1 hour ago
Brock Adams
2,22821527
answered 11 hours ago
DotesDotes
2,575314
add a comment |
In the US, no the USB ports will not have power when the outlet is not powered. Most outlets in the US don't have power switches on them, so if you switch them off there is no way for power to be provided.
In the UK, outlets often have power switches. In that case, your USB ports are usually powered while the outlet switches are off. This is because the outlet assembly itself is always powered, but the switches only control the outlet and not the USB power transformer.
You said cheers in your original post, so I'm assuming you're probably British and have the UK type of USB outlet. Yes, this is normal.
Other answers are assuming that you are in the US, where that wouldn't be normal.
edited 1 hour ago
Brock Adams
2,22821527
answered 11 hours ago
DotesDotes
2,575314
add a comment |
In the US, no the USB ports will not have power when the outlet is not powered. Most outlets in the US don't have power switches on them, so if you switch them off there is no way for power to be provided.
In the UK, outlets often have power switches. In that case, your USB ports are usually powered while the outlet switches are off. This is because the outlet assembly itself is always powered, but the switches only control the outlet and not the USB power transformer.
You said cheers in your original post, so I'm assuming you're probably British and have the UK type of USB outlet. Yes, this is normal.
Other answers are assuming that you are in the US, where that wouldn't be normal.
edited 1 hour ago
Brock Adams
2,22821527
answered 11 hours ago
DotesDotes
2,575314
In the US, no the USB ports will not have power when the outlet is not powered. Most outlets in the US don't have power switches on them, so if you switch them off there is no way for power to be provided.
In the UK, outlets often have power switches. In that case, your USB ports are usually powered while the outlet switches are off. This is because the outlet assembly itself is always powered, but the switches only control the outlet and not the USB power transformer.
You said cheers in your original post, so I'm assuming you're probably British and have the UK type of USB outlet. Yes, this is normal.
Other answers are assuming that you are in the US, where that wouldn't be normal.
edited 1 hour ago
Brock Adams
2,22821527
answered 11 hours ago
DotesDotes
2,575314
edited 1 hour ago
Brock Adams
2,22821527
edited 1 hour ago
Brock Adams
2,22821527
edited 1 hour ago
Brock Adams
2,22821527
2,22821527
answered 11 hours ago
DotesDotes
2,575314
answered 11 hours ago
DotesDotes
2,575314
answered 11 hours ago
DotesDotes
2,575314
2,575314
add a comment |
add a comment |
Sometimes power supplies/transformers can hold voltage in capacitors to make it look like they are on for a short time after they are unplugged. Rather than checking with a tester, plug a phone (or anything that actually consumes power) into the charger and operate the switch to see if it is still on when the switch is off.
It's not impossible for the USB portion to have power all the time, but I've never seen a USB receptacle that would allow for it in the US.
edit: UK outlets can have integrated switches where this is much more plausible. See the other answer for the UK...
answered 12 hours ago
JPhi1618JPhi1618
10.9k22548
1
I have the British type as shown in Dotes' answer. I'm trying the experiment and so far it is charging my phone perfectly well with both switches off. I'll look in a few minutes but I'm pretty sure no capacitors are doing the charging.
– chasly from UK
6 hours ago
1
@chaslyfromUK, that makes sense. Our receptacles are different in the US and don't have integrated switches like that so it would be hard for this to happen. The UK based answer is right, but I'm leaving this answer because it can explain why voltages or small led lights stay on even after a charger is unplugged or switched off.
– JPhi1618
6 hours ago
add a comment |
Sometimes power supplies/transformers can hold voltage in capacitors to make it look like they are on for a short time after they are unplugged. Rather than checking with a tester, plug a phone (or anything that actually consumes power) into the charger and operate the switch to see if it is still on when the switch is off.
It's not impossible for the USB portion to have power all the time, but I've never seen a USB receptacle that would allow for it in the US.
edit: UK outlets can have integrated switches where this is much more plausible. See the other answer for the UK...
answered 12 hours ago
JPhi1618JPhi1618
10.9k22548
1
I have the British type as shown in Dotes' answer. I'm trying the experiment and so far it is charging my phone perfectly well with both switches off. I'll look in a few minutes but I'm pretty sure no capacitors are doing the charging.
– chasly from UK
6 hours ago
1
@chaslyfromUK, that makes sense. Our receptacles are different in the US and don't have integrated switches like that so it would be hard for this to happen. The UK based answer is right, but I'm leaving this answer because it can explain why voltages or small led lights stay on even after a charger is unplugged or switched off.
– JPhi1618
6 hours ago
add a comment |
Sometimes power supplies/transformers can hold voltage in capacitors to make it look like they are on for a short time after they are unplugged. Rather than checking with a tester, plug a phone (or anything that actually consumes power) into the charger and operate the switch to see if it is still on when the switch is off.
It's not impossible for the USB portion to have power all the time, but I've never seen a USB receptacle that would allow for it in the US.
edit: UK outlets can have integrated switches where this is much more plausible. See the other answer for the UK...
answered 12 hours ago
JPhi1618JPhi1618
10.9k22548
Sometimes power supplies/transformers can hold voltage in capacitors to make it look like they are on for a short time after they are unplugged. Rather than checking with a tester, plug a phone (or anything that actually consumes power) into the charger and operate the switch to see if it is still on when the switch is off.
It's not impossible for the USB portion to have power all the time, but I've never seen a USB receptacle that would allow for it in the US.
edit: UK outlets can have integrated switches where this is much more plausible. See the other answer for the UK...
answered 12 hours ago
JPhi1618JPhi1618
10.9k22548
edited 6 hours ago
answered 12 hours ago
JPhi1618JPhi1618
10.9k22548
answered 12 hours ago
JPhi1618JPhi1618
10.9k22548
answered 12 hours ago
JPhi1618JPhi1618
10.9k22548
10.9k22548
1
I have the British type as shown in Dotes' answer. I'm trying the experiment and so far it is charging my phone perfectly well with both switches off. I'll look in a few minutes but I'm pretty sure no capacitors are doing the charging.
– chasly from UK
6 hours ago
1
@chaslyfromUK, that makes sense. Our receptacles are different in the US and don't have integrated switches like that so it would be hard for this to happen. The UK based answer is right, but I'm leaving this answer because it can explain why voltages or small led lights stay on even after a charger is unplugged or switched off.
– JPhi1618
6 hours ago
add a comment |
1
I have the British type as shown in Dotes' answer. I'm trying the experiment and so far it is charging my phone perfectly well with both switches off. I'll look in a few minutes but I'm pretty sure no capacitors are doing the charging.
– chasly from UK
6 hours ago
1
@chaslyfromUK, that makes sense. Our receptacles are different in the US and don't have integrated switches like that so it would be hard for this to happen. The UK based answer is right, but I'm leaving this answer because it can explain why voltages or small led lights stay on even after a charger is unplugged or switched off.
– JPhi1618
6 hours ago
1
1
I have the British type as shown in Dotes' answer. I'm trying the experiment and so far it is charging my phone perfectly well with both switches off. I'll look in a few minutes but I'm pretty sure no capacitors are doing the charging.
– chasly from UK
6 hours ago
I have the British type as shown in Dotes' answer. I'm trying the experiment and so far it is charging my phone perfectly well with both switches off. I'll look in a few minutes but I'm pretty sure no capacitors are doing the charging.
– chasly from UK
6 hours ago
1
1
@chaslyfromUK, that makes sense. Our receptacles are different in the US and don't have integrated switches like that so it would be hard for this to happen. The UK based answer is right, but I'm leaving this answer because it can explain why voltages or small led lights stay on even after a charger is unplugged or switched off.
– JPhi1618
6 hours ago
@chaslyfromUK, that makes sense. Our receptacles are different in the US and don't have integrated switches like that so it would be hard for this to happen. The UK based answer is right, but I'm leaving this answer because it can explain why voltages or small led lights stay on even after a charger is unplugged or switched off.
– JPhi1618
6 hours ago
add a comment |
sean kelly is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
sean kelly is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
sean kelly is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
sean kelly is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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1
Hello, and welcome to Home Improvement. It's hard to understand your question; would you edit it to clarify? (Some punctuation would be great...)
– Daniel Griscom
12 hours ago
5
Could you please provide the actual switch/outlet you used.
– Ben
10 hours ago
This can only be a UK question.
– Harper
2 hours ago