Here is a Friday discussion topic for you guys. In the UK we are seeing a plethora of aftermarket 250v AC mains outlet sockets which are supplied for installation, it seems by the homeowner, (this has been a traditional practice over here. In the US I understand that this happens less). The advantage of these sockets is that they also give you 2 USB charging ports in the wall as well as two socket outlets. I see large distributors (Screwfix, Amazon.co.uk and Ebuyer for e.g.) selling several https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=lap+mains+socket&sourceid=ie7&rls=com.microsoft:en-GB:IE-Address&ie=&oe=&gfe_rd=cr&ei=edoCVauNDquD8Qekq4HgBQ&gws_rd=ssl#rls=com.microsoft:en-GB:IE-Address&tbm=shop&q=usb+mains+power+socket+outlet . Look out for an explosion of these items is my suspicion as the idea of getting rid of plug in USB chargers is very appealing, even to me!
Questions from the compliance side Energy Efficiency Single rail PSU's are subject to mandatory Energy Efficiency marking and performance. All the units I have seen thus far do not mark or declare any performance figures. The PSU being wired into the mains does not to my mind preclude these products from compliance with the Eco-design Directive and 278/2009 specifically, or am I missing something? Safety of USB port All of the devices I have seen are stamped with EN 60950-1 on the back thus appear to be purporting compliance this std. Not seen any DoC's. I do not understand how they can meet the Disconnect Device requirements of CL 3.4 by design unless the mains switches are the disconnect device. I see however that the switches only turn off the mains to the traditional BS1363 sockets. Any thoughts? Certification Several of these items claim ASTA certification. I wonder what ASTA certified them to. I suspect not EN 60950-1. Is that not misleading? Insulation test At least one of these devices states "Do not Megger" the device. Apparently the USB charge circuitry cannot stand high voltage and would likely or possibly fail. As it is recommend in the UK that home wiring be regularly checked for insulation issues is this product "fit for purpose" ? CE marking Several of these are not CE marked. See this http://www.amazon.co.uk/Connekt-Gear-Power-Socket-Charging-white/dp/B00KO1KDN4 Rather bizarrely one supplier with a seemingly non CE marked product issued this http://www.groupgear.co.uk/catalogue/27-2000-Counterfeit-warning.pdf Does outlet sockets require CE marking by the placer on the market and if they also incorporate a PSU for charging ITE product doesn't it become an ITE product itself subject to EMCD and LVD and thus require CE marking for that purpose also? All this said it seems that they are getting great reviews but likely from the user benefit rather than the above Look forward to interesting responses. John - ---------------------------------------------------------------- This message is from the IEEE Product Safety Engineering Society emc-pstc discussion list. To post a message to the list, send your e-mail to <[email protected]> All emc-pstc postings are archived and searchable on the web at: http://www.ieee-pses.org/emc-pstc.html Attachments are not permitted but the IEEE PSES Online Communities site at http://product-compliance.oc.ieee.org/ can be used for graphics (in well-used formats), large files, etc. Website: http://www.ieee-pses.org/ Instructions: http://www.ieee-pses.org/list.html (including how to unsubscribe) List rules: http://www.ieee-pses.org/listrules.html For help, send mail to the list administrators: Scott Douglas <[email protected]> Mike Cantwell <[email protected]> For policy questions, send mail to: Jim Bacher: <[email protected]> David Heald: <[email protected]>
