At home there is often a family fight for plug sockets, where only one person can charge their smartphone or tablet at a time. The solution? Convert standard plug sockets to sockets with an integrated USB hub. You can also hide electrical outlets in a table or other more visually appealing piece of furniture. This guide explains how to install the the USB socket and how to skilfully hide sockets.
The project
Suitable for: advanced
Time required: 2 hours
Budget: about £44 to £130
What you need: BJ 20EUUSBAC-44G (socket insert with USB charging station), BACH ELEVATOR, TYPE J
Can be extended with: Plug adapters
You need: socket
Be cautious when installing
It’s important to note that you should always change a socket in the voltage-free or de-energised state. For this, the power for the corresponding room must always be switched off in the fuse box and for safety, a further investigation with a voltage tester is recommended. If you are not completely sure that you can do this work yourself, get help from a professional.
Step by step guide to install USB sockets
The first step is to unscrew the socket cover, then loosen the screws for the wall bracket of the socket. Next, remove the metal housing for the screw holes and disconnect the socket from the wall. Then, with the socket in your hand, you will see three cables: the protective conductor (green-yellow, centre), the neutral conductor (blue, usually right) and the outer conductor (brown or black, usually left). It should be noted that the protective conductor must always be in the middle. If you see other colours at the outlet or if you see several conductors, you should contact a specialist and stop working for the time being.
Otherwise, continue to unplug or unscrew the plug connection. It is important that the protective conductor is the last to be disconnected from the regular socket, and first plugged into the USB socket. Then the other wires are attached to the USB socket.
In the final step, screw the metal frame back into the wall and attach the socket cover. This completes the installation of the USB socket and it can be used once you have re-established the power flow for that room.
USB socket alternatives
Visually not quite as appealing, but equally functional, are USB adapters for sockets. For just under £10 you can choose adaptors such as the EL USB Charge. This then offers you, like a USB socket, a USB hub and a regular socket.
Hide sockets
If there is a particularly high demand for plug sockets and refitting existing sockets with USB hubs doesn’t solve the problem, an alternative is to hide connectors with multiple plug-in options in furniture, for example, in the table. This means you can effectively connect to a power outlet in a visually appealing way, without visible connectors. The TWIST, TYP F – CEE 7/3 from BACHMANN is an easy to use and easy to install USB connection.
Install the ‘hidden’ socket unit
To hide the power strip in a table, make a 42.5mm diameter cutout in the table, then insert the unit and secure it with a lock ring. Thanks to its compact design and its low installation depth of only approximately 40mm, the TWIST can also be easily mounted over drawers, because the power cable is routed close to the housing. In addition, the closure is very attractively designed making it a great option not only for desks but also for kitchen counter tops.
Conclusion: Retrofit and hide
The effort required to retrofit power sockets to USB sockets and to hide power sockets is relatively straightforward and therefore highly recommended in the case of a power outage or for visually appealing reasons. On the one hand, you no longer have to do without the light of your floor lamp if you want to charge your smartphone at the same time, and on the other hand, you can end the fight in the family for plug-in options once and for all.
Images: Adobe Stock
