receptacle with USB charger
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rlitman
Well-known member
They're not any deeper than a GFI.
You can always add a "mud ring" to increase the box depth if you need.
Ray-CA
Well-known member
We had to replace our metal boxes in order to use the combo outlets like you're talking about. However, our home was built in 1939 and the metal boxes were very small. If you have newer metal boxes, you may be okay. The original boxes we had won't hole anything other than a standard duplex outlet/switch etc.
Good luck,
Ray
Good luck,
Ray
malibu101
Well-known member
I wanted to put one in and the box didn't have enough depth to accept it.
I cheaped out and took the easy way by putting a Wiremold extension box on the surface.
It works for me.
Example link- https://www.legrand.us/wiremold/rac...single-gang-flush-type-extension-adapter.aspx
I cheaped out and took the easy way by putting a Wiremold extension box on the surface.
It works for me.
Example link- https://www.legrand.us/wiremold/rac...single-gang-flush-type-extension-adapter.aspx
wssix99
Well-known member
I tried using them, but they kept tripping the GFCI protection...
I just checked with a raised cover plate I think I can get the GFCI or USB to fit easily (depth wise)
The question for your guys do you think it will work with BOTH GFCI and USB outlet in one square box. I am always a bit nervous about the conduit fitting and how close it gets to the wiring screws of the receptacles. But I think I am doing top entry.
The question for your guys do you think it will work with BOTH GFCI and USB outlet in one square box. I am always a bit nervous about the conduit fitting and how close it gets to the wiring screws of the receptacles. But I think I am doing top entry.
alfredeneuman
Well-known member
A raised cover is for 4" square metal box.
Use a deep one if you're afraid of the conduit be too close to the terminals.
Both the USB and GFI receptacles will fit in 1 box.
Use a deep one if you're afraid of the conduit be too close to the terminals.
Both the USB and GFI receptacles will fit in 1 box.
James-W
Well-known member
I bought a similar one of these and it works really well. I just plugged it into an existing outlet and I got extra electrical outlets and some USB ports for charging stuff. Simple and not expensive.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Steren-...t-and-2-USB-Converter-ST-BL-920-310/205594087
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Steren-...t-and-2-USB-Converter-ST-BL-920-310/205594087
Farmall450
Well-known member
Not very clean.
rlitman
Well-known member
So this is a new box? If so, instead of a two outlet box, buy a 4" square box with a receptacle cover. That will be a little wider, leaving more room.
This box is a little bigger than a standard two outlet box:
With this mud ring, if you'll be using a standard cover with flush mounted outlets:
Or this cover, if the box will be visible:
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raddksn
Well-known member
“cheaped out and took the easy way by putting a Wiremold extension box on the surface“
Cheaped out not! That is a very nice and professional way of accomplishing this installation
Cheaped out not! That is a very nice and professional way of accomplishing this installation
James-W
Well-known member
I am confused. What is not clean about it? You plug it in and use it. If you are finished using it and don't need it for awhile, unplug it and put it up in a drawer. Now you have your regular outlet back again.
southalabama
Well-known member
I bought one to install at the office behind the desk. I have multiple outlets.
It's on the list of things to do. It's a long list.
It's on the list of things to do. It's a long list.
mrobins297aaa
Well-known member
I like it, I'm getting me one of those
CJ7VFR
Well-known member
I had a dual receptacle give out in our kitchen last year (bus bars inside would no longer hold onto the male tabs on a plug) and my wife wanted one of the USB/dual receptacles so she could plug in her personal phone and work phone without having to use the wall warts.
Since my house was built in 1955, all the original boxes are the not-very-deep metal ones. I didn't want to have to replace the metal box with a slightly deeper one, so I used one of the 1/4 inch thick plastic "mud rings" from Home Depot, along with a deeper Decora style wall plate and that worked out fine.
The other issue you may run into is that the older metal boxes, while not being very deep, are also not very wide!
If you buy any of the USB receptacles, make sure you buy one that will also fit the width of the metal boxes as well. Some of these USB receptacles have pre-installed wires coming out of the back, and some have side wiring screws for installing your own wires.
If you get one of the side wiring USB receptacles, be sure that when the wires are installed into the screws, that the screws will NOT hit the sides of the metal box! I ran into this situation with the box I had in the kitchen. It is not deep and it was just a bit too narrow to comfortably fit the newer style side wire USB receptacle that I bought.
Yes, it fit, and yes I could wrap some tape around the body of the receptacle to cover the screws once I had the wires installed, but I did not feel comfortable doing that "just incase".
So I returned the first USB receptacle and bought the kind with the pre-installed wires coming out of the back. This receptacle fit perfectly with the addition of the "mud ring", and there are no side screws to accidently come in contact with the metal box.
Just food for thought.
Oh, and if you are going to get a USB receptacle, make sure the one you get has the two receptacles and the two USB ports in positions so that all four things can be plugged in!
I found that the USB receptacles that have the USB ports in the center of the receptacle, positioned vertically, and more towards the outside of the two main receptacles, works best so that even larger male plugs on some electrical items still fit and will not come in contact with anything plugged into the USB ports.
Jim
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wssix99
Well-known member
Yes. I just did this in my kitchen with a regular 4" box that has a 1/2" drywall ring installed, but...
when you protect the USB outlet by running it through the GFCI outlet (as would be required by code) it's going to instantly trip the GFCI.
This happened to me and I did some research at the time. I found that it's a common problem and didn't find any USB combo outlets that would work in this configuration.
I installed two in my kitchen last year. They work fine.
I have usb outlet devices from both eaton and leviton tha work fine protected by GFCI. If the device doesn't work behind a GFCI, it is garbage.
neilc
Well-known member
Might look at something like this. Installs over existing receptacle.
https://www.amazon.com/ACE-9522-Receptacle-Installs-Charging-Smart-Phones/dp/B078T2HMWR/ref=asc_df_B078T2HMWR/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=242124331408&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13274750617105454609&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9021485&hvtargid=pla-403976712182&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/ACE-9522-Receptacle-Installs-Charging-Smart-Phones/dp/B078T2HMWR/ref=asc_df_B078T2HMWR/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=242124331408&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13274750617105454609&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9021485&hvtargid=pla-403976712182&psc=1
No UL listing for any product like that, for the really good reason that it looks like a really good way to start a fire.
wssix99
Well-known member
I was using Leviton on Leviton but don't recall trying another USB outlet. I read stories of folks having the same problem and just gave up.
If possible, I'd love to hear specific model numbers of what works together.
3rdgendslmech
Well-known member
I started to get deterred from doing my install but I gave it a shot and everything works fine.
Off of a 20 amp breaker....first outlet is a 20 amp GFCI then 2 more outlets down the line, last outlet is a 20 amp "USB" outlet.
Both the USB and GFCI came from Lowes, pretty sure they're both Legrand / Pass-Seymour
Off of a 20 amp breaker....first outlet is a 20 amp GFCI then 2 more outlets down the line, last outlet is a 20 amp "USB" outlet.
Both the USB and GFCI came from Lowes, pretty sure they're both Legrand / Pass-Seymour
wssix99
Well-known member
Thanks all for breaking me out of my funk on this. I was actually wrong about my original install...
I re-created the scene of my crime and I used a demo model Pass-Seymour USB outlet, which was fresh off the manufacturing line in China and given to me for free. It has all the quality, feel, and heft of a Happy Meal toy. I was pairing it with a Leviton 15A GFCI.
My original install was when these types of outlets had just come out. Although I think the units are suspect, I wired them up to a cord and plug today and they worked when plugged into the front of my GFCI - so I guess that I could have fudged the wiring also. I did also find the articles I read at the time (4ish years ago) and there was discussion about leaky USB outlets.
Regardless, I hooked up a Leviton 002-T5633-00W outlet to my GFCI today and it works perfectly! The wife is happy!
BTW - The instructions specify the box size for this and require a 2 1/2" deep box.
The Leviton unit is beefy, but allows for ventilation space inside it's case and is built with more durable plastic than the Pass-Seymour outlet. (It also has two outlets and two USB options, which is great.)
Thanks again!
I re-created the scene of my crime and I used a demo model Pass-Seymour USB outlet, which was fresh off the manufacturing line in China and given to me for free. It has all the quality, feel, and heft of a Happy Meal toy. I was pairing it with a Leviton 15A GFCI.
My original install was when these types of outlets had just come out. Although I think the units are suspect, I wired them up to a cord and plug today and they worked when plugged into the front of my GFCI - so I guess that I could have fudged the wiring also. I did also find the articles I read at the time (4ish years ago) and there was discussion about leaky USB outlets.
Regardless, I hooked up a Leviton 002-T5633-00W outlet to my GFCI today and it works perfectly! The wife is happy!
BTW - The instructions specify the box size for this and require a 2 1/2" deep box.
The Leviton unit is beefy, but allows for ventilation space inside it's case and is built with more durable plastic than the Pass-Seymour outlet. (It also has two outlets and two USB options, which is great.)
Thanks again!
nadogail
Well-known member
Several years ago I was asked to install duplex receptacles with USB ports, I resorted to wrapping the receptacles with 3M 33+ and shoving them in with a wooden hammer handle.
wssix99
Well-known member
Ahhh - I missed the other nice thing about that Leviton USB outlet. ^
The sides are chunky, but the electrical screws (hot and ground) are only on one side! So, it's easier to get the outlet in a box without touching the wires.
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