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.
Product Name: Newer
Technology Power2U AC/USB Wall Outlet
Author: Kristofer Brozio
Sponsor: Newer Technology
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.
DragonSteelMods gives the Newer Technology Power2U AC/USB Wall Outlet a
5 out of 5 score and our Recommended Award as well.
Pros:
+Inexpensive
+Very useful
+Fairly easy to install
+Can install without professional help
+Excellent construction
Cons:
-Needs large electrical box
review# 724
Disclosure: This product was given to DragonSteelMods for review
by the company for review purposes only, and is not considered by us as payment
for the review; we do not, never have, and never will, accept payment from
companies to review their products.
To learn more about our review policy, testing methods and ratings
please see this page.