Innovation is everywhere these days, it’s in places you’d least expect it like your electrical outlets. You might wonder how that could be innovative but Newer Technology has recently introduced their Power2U AC/USB Wall Outlet that adds two USB ports to a standard electrical outlet. The Power2U is something that I’ve found makes life a lot easier if you’re the type of person that has many gadgets.

Tech Specs, Features or the Basic Info:

Newer Technology Power2U AC/USB Wall Outlet

Features:

-Patented (US 7,997,925 B2) design charges iPads, iPhones, iPods, Android tablets and phones, tablet computers, MP3 players, GPS devices, digital cameras, and other USB 3.0/2.0/1.1 chargeable devices without requiring a bulky adapter

-Smart Power feature only outputs enough charging power required by the attached device

-Energy-efficient, spring-loaded Safety Shutter design turns USB ports off when connecting cable is removed

-Uses standard four-pin type-A jack USB cables

-Installs on standard 15A electrical circuit

-First and only UL/CUL Listed (E339607) device of its kind – For use in United States & Canada

-Includes mounting screws with white plastic covers and matching white wall plate

Overview:

OWC’s Installation Video

The Newer Technology Power2U AC/USB Wall Outlet is the safe in-wall solution for conveniently powering and charging USB devices at home. Now you can charge and/or power up to four devices at once when using the USB 3.0/2.0 ports and standard three-prong outlets, while eliminating unsightly clutter created by multiple cables and bulky power adapters.

Ideal Home Upgrade For Multiple Device Users

Ideal for homes with users of multiple USB chargeable devices, the Power2U AC/USB Wall Outlet is a basic “DIY” install on any 15Amp circuit with a 16 cubic inch electrical box** to blend seamlessly into the wall as a standard power outlet. A “straightforward” rated “how to” video demonstrates how the Power2U can be installed in as little as 20 minutes.

Money Saving, Energy Efficient Design

Offering a modern, centralized location for charging/powering USB devices, the Power2U offers two energy efficient features to complement its use convenience. The Smart Power design only outputs enough charging power required by the attached device, while spring-loaded Safety Shutters turn power off to the USB ports when a connecting cable is removed.

Install With Confidence

Power2U AC/USB Wall Outlet is the first home-safe, fully UL Listed and approved product of its kind! Beware of knockoffs and other similar in-wall solutions which misrepresent or do not have verified UL approval.

Compatibility*:

Apple iPad (all models)

Apple iPhone (all models)

Apple iPod (all USB chargeable models)

Android tablets and phones, tablet computers, cellphones, gaming systems (Nintendo, Sony PSP, etc.), Bluetooth headsets, digital cameras, or GPS devices which charge via standard USB plug

* To maintain factory-stated charging duration when charging two iPads or a combination of iPad and iPhone simultaneously, we recommend charging the iPad via the factory wall adapter.

** Electrical boxes typically range from 15 to 16 cubic inches. To determine the size of the electrical box you intend to install a Power2U into, turn off power to outlet, remove faceplate cover, and measure height, width, and depth of the box. Multiplying those measurements together will equal the cubic inches or volume of the electrical box. If you are unsure of how to do these and/or cannot follow all safety precautions, you should consult an licensed electrician.

Specs:

Electrical Requirements:

-14 Gauge (15A) Electrical Circuit.

-16 Cubic Inch or larger single gang electrical box.

Electrical Specifications:

-Grounding: Self

-Amperage: 15 Amp

-Voltage: 125 Volt

-NEMA: 5-15R Compliant

-Pole: 2

-Wire: 3

-DC power specs: 5.2 volt, 2000mA (10W) Duplex USB charging receptacle with integrated on/off safety switch for USB power

-Dielectric Voltage: Withstands 2000V per UL 498

-Overload Test, HP Ratings: 125V AC 58.8A

-Current Limiting: Full Rated Current

-Temperature Rise: 15A, Maximum contact temperature rise 62.95° F (17.2° C); Maximum terminal temperature rise 59.36° F (15.2° C)

Environmental Specifications:

-Flammability: Rated V-2 per UL94

-Operating Temperature: -40° F to 140° F

Materials Specifications:

-Face & Body Material: Polycarbonate

-Line Contacts: Brass triple-wipe .031 thick

-Terminal Screws: Brass 10-32

-Grounding Screw: Brass 8-32

-Strap Material: Zinc-plated steel

-Clamp Nuts: Zinc-plated steel

-Ground Clips: Brass-Plated

-Color: White

Mechanical Specifications:

-Terminal ID: Brass-Hot, Green-Ground, Silver-Neutral

-Terminal Accommodation: 14-10 AWG

-Product ID: Ratings marked on device

-Termination: Side

Compliances:

-First and only UL/CUL Listed (E339607) device of its kind

– For use in United States & Canada

-Patented (US 7,997,925 B2) design charges iPads, iPhones, iPods, Android tablets and phones, tablet computers, MP3 players, GPS devices, digital cameras, and other USB 3.0/2.0/1.1 chargeable devices without requiring a bulky adapter

Warranty: 1 Year

Price: ThePower2U is now priced at $29.95 MSRP, with street pricing as low as $22.99.

Price: $27.99 (from Amazon at time of review)

A Better Look at Things:

The Power2U comes in a plastic box, the kind that you need to cut open to get at.

When you get the box open you’ll find the outlet and an instruction sheet.

The outlet looks like most any other but just quite a bit larger.

What makes this outlet special is the fact that it comes with two USB ports for charging your devices. There are spring loaded doors over the USB ports that protect them but they also turn off the power to the USB ports when they’re closed.

Installation and Testing:

To the installation you’ll need to remove the outlet cover with two screws under the covers.

Once the cover is off your can see the spring loaded doors from the backside.

Then here’s the Power2U outlet without the cover on:

Installation should have been easy, and I planned it to be, but my house is over 100 years old and it seems every project I’ve ever done just doesn’t work out as planned. Something that should take a short amount of time ends up taking all day. It’s annoying but luckily I know how to do all of my own work, I should say thankfully as it can be expensive to hire people to come fix problems with our houses.

My home is a project and it’s constantly “under construction” as I’ve always got something to do here. You could say it was a fixer upper, but not really, I just don’t like it the way it is, it’s not my taste or style so I have to change it.

So, anyway back to the outlet installation, the first problem I ran into was the existing wasn’t grounded correctly. The hacks who did the wiring for the previous owner cheated them really and didn’t run new wires, they connected new wires from the box to the old stuff that was here. I’ve been replacing it as I find it of course as it is way too big of a project to do all at once. I think I’ve got most of it done actually.

The next problem I ran into was that the existing electrical box was too small for the outlet so I needed a new one. I kind of expected this problem though as it does say the Power2U does require a larger box. So off to the store I went to get one. Then I had to make the hole in the wall bigger and I made a mess, a big mess. Luckily I’m still working on the walls and I can patch it up later. So new box, bigger hole in my wall and new wiring and I’m ready to get going…

I should mention that what I’m going through with this installation is most likely not typical.

The wiring is simple for this outlet for me as it’s the end of the line, meaning it’s just the one connection to make. If I would have had other outlets after this one then I would have had more wires to attach.

Here’s the outlet installed with the hole still there and then sort of without.

The outlet has the two USB ports on it with spring loaded doors, open the door and plug in your device and it will charge. I charged my Le Pan Android tablet and iPod to test it and it worked fine.

Summary and Comments:

The Newer Technology Power2U AC/USB Wall Outlet is one of those things that I think is a must-have device for the home of today. Let’s face it, most of us have too many gadgets, well maybe there is no such thing as too many gadgets, but the point is having some place to charge all of them can be a hassle. The Power2U can help solve the problems finding somewhere to charge your gadgets with USB ports built right into your outlets.

The price is about $30, but it can be had online for about $23 some places and that’s really good for what it is and what it can do.

Pros:

+Inexpensive

+Very useful

+Fairly easy to install

+Can install without professional help

+Excellent construction

Cons:

-Needs large electrical box