lidl power ext thingy

[flying haggis]

just seen these in Lidl and thought they would be perfect to hang from the workshop roof to provide power from overhead and avoid trailing cables

https://www.lidl.co.uk/en/MiddleofLidl. ... leId=20546

 

[sunnybob]

as long as you realsie that all those sockets only have a 13 amp fuse to cover everything, no probs.
But you would need to make a strain clip so that the whole thing isnt swinging from the tiny clamp inside the plug.

 

[John Brown]

I have read somewhere that the built-in USB charger port is a bad idea, as it's effectively always on, and, depending on the quality of manufacture, could cause problems.

I'm just passing this along, I make no claims to be any expert of any sort(we've had enough of experts, after all).

If I were thinking of doing soething like that, I'd probably use something like this:
https://www.clasohlson.com/uk/Trailing-Socket/18-2495

 

[sunnybob]

The downsides to a charger being "permanently on" is firstly that it uses electricity even if nothing is connected. But as the cost of that is a lot less than a penny a month its not a deal breaker.
Secondly, as its a transformer, it has a finite life cycle. Even switches that are rated for a million operations will likely fail before they get to 2 million, and transformers will also, eventually fail. But even so, although being on 24 hours a day, that charger should last several years. And if like this, its on an extension lead that gets switched off, only the very cheapest of units are likely to fail in your lifetime.

 

[John Brown]

Why take the risk?
I doubt the OP is think of charging his phone from a dangling socket.
https://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.u ... m-so32.pdf

 

[Brtone]

Hanging from the ceiling would need the support of something akin to a cable, withou support it looks like a disaster in waiting.

 

[Seiken]

Why take the risk?
I doubt the OP is think of charging his phone from a dangling socket.
https://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.u ... m-so32.pdf

That report is 5 years old so not so valid now, buy from a reputable source, named manufacturer etc. there shouldn't be a problem. I've had two twin sockets with USB fitted for a year now (sourced from Screwfix) no problem to date.

 

[John Brown]

You think build quality will have improved over the last five years?

Anyway, regardless of your anecdotal evidence, which reminds me of the farmer who tried feeding his horse on wood shavings, unless the OP wants to charge their phone hanging from the ceiling, I believe there are better, and probably cheaper, solutions.

 

[Seiken]

As I said buy a reputable make, these sockets are now mainstream and manufacturers such as MK meet a raft of standards that those in the outdated report clearly don't. I'm not sure I would trust the Lidl one.
What you feed your horses is your problem.

 

[whiskywill]

I recently bought one of these with the same idea in mind.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIp3yMfpO4M

I haven't tried it yet but it looks like it might be going back.

 

[flying haggis]

isnt it wonderful how these threads expand!! anyway just for info the same sort of thing(possibly from same manufacturer??) is available from Sealey. So is it any better?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/Sealey-EL144US ... 2532413653

 

[John Brown]

Do you actually want USB sockets?
If so, you will, apparently, have to buy MK. If they make trailing sockets with USB, which I doubt.

 

[flying haggis]

i didnt even mention usb sockets and why would I have to buy MK??

 

[John Brown]

The one you linked to had USB sockets, as I recall.