Newer Technology Power2U AC Wall Outlet with USB Charging Ports (White)

by Newer Technology

• Patented 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
• UL/CUL Listed (E339607) - For use in United States & Canada

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 4 x 4 x 6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• ASIN: B0065I114K
• Item model number: NWTPWR2USB
• Average Customer Review: 2.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (172 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
  • #21 in Electronics > Accessories & Supplies > Batteries, Chargers & Accessories > AC Adapters
• Date first available at Amazon.com: November 10, 2011

Product Description

Newer Technology Power2U Dual-socket wall outlet with two integrated USB ports for powering and charging USB devices. The Newer Technology Power2U AC/USB Wall Outlet is the convenient and energy-efficient solution for powering and charging USB devices. 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 'DIY' Upgrade For Multiple Device Users. Ideal for 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. UL Listed. Electrical boxes typically range from 15 to 16 cubic in". 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 of the electrical box.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

113 of 119 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Deep electrical boxes required - may not work in retrofit boxes January 11, 2012

By Elliot

Amazon Verified Purchase

I had three possible locations where I attempted installation. I've an older home with a combination of old metal boxes (not wide or deep enough), retrofit boxes (not wide enough) and new boxes. While it would have fit in the new boxes, the one I wanted to put it into was a double gang box. The wall plate for this outlet is unique, so I attempted to modify a standard double cover. This required some significant cutting with my dremel tool. After all that, the USB ports were not providing power, so I tossed both outlets back into the box and returned them.

I like Newer Tech's products and the savings from Amazon and OWC for this product (versus Newertech) is significant. If it fits and if the USB ports work, then this is an elegant solution. I don't doubt that other manufacturers will soon be making these. Factories in Shanghai will, no doubt, move quickly to clone these and provide them for 1/3 the price.

Belkin Belkin Mini Surge Protector Dual USB Charger makes a nice mini surge protector with multiple ports and two USB ports that I like and it takes about 2 seconds to plug into the outlet - not as clean, but foolproof and allows multiple angles.

In other words, just beware that there are some significant liimitations for installation and not all are spelled out on Amazon's web site.

* Do NOT install the Newer Technology Power2U wall outlet into an electrical box that is smaller than 16 cubic inches. If your electrical box contains more than 4 wires (not including ground wires), verify that it's capacity is large enough to accomodate this device before proceeding. Do not overfill the electrical box!

Minimum box dimensions from the user manual: 54.5mm wide x 62.3mm deep x 90.5mm tall.
http://www.newertech.com/products/images/power2u/nwtpwr2u.pdf

63 of 66 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Caution - May Not Easily Fit Your Outlet Box April 13, 2012

By D. Goulian

Amazon Verified Purchase

Well, I thought this project would take about 15 minutes. After all, its just an outlet, right? I've changed dozens of these in minutes. I could not have been more wrong. It took about two hours from start to finish, and I'm a very handy guy. There are three main problems: First is the size of the outlet itself. Its huge, mainly because of the 2 USB outlets and circuitry, the outlet is much larger than any other outlet I have installed (including GFI). I don't have the actual dimensions ( and since its now installed, I have no way to measure it), but Amazon needs to provide those dimensions in its description. The outlet is so large, it actually DID NOT FIT in the outlet box the electrician installed in my kitchen island cabinet. So most of the two hours was consumed with trying different outlet boxes, modifying the existing one, creatively enlarging the cutout, etc.

The 2nd problem: Because the outlet is so large, there is no way to connect your solid 18 gauge wire to this thing. They only provide screw terminals on the sides towards the front, no slide-in connectors on the back - so its a real wiring nightmare. This meant having to connect short pieces of stranded wire to the terminals, then using wire nuts to connect to the solid wire. But this means you now need to fit wire nuts into the box where there is barely room for the outlet.

The 3rd problem: The trim plate that they provide is flat - its has no curved edge to accomodate the the outlet that does not fit completely flush to the wall or cabinet. This means you can't use the blue outlet boxes which insert from outside the wall becuse they do not sit flush. I had to use a dremel to get my existing outlet box so sit slightly back from the surface.

The 4th problem: For safety, they have switches on the two USB sliding covers so the USB only activates when the cover is slid open. But they did not work reliably. After fussing with them for a while, I finally decided I had no choice but to glue the switches in place so they are always on. Not a huge deal, but annoying.

If you are still reading, now for the good news; despite the time investment, I really like the result. The outlet looks great, it charges my iPhones, and it even charges my Kindle Fire. SO I like the product, but just know what you are potentially getting into and have an electrician standing by in case you get stuck.

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Finicky faceplate makes USB door switches annoying April 3, 2012

By Ray Everett

Amazon Verified Purchase

An important fact that I'd missed previously is that the unit has little switches that turn on power to the USB ports only when you open the little doors and insert a USB plug. This is ostensibly to help combat the issue of "phantom" power drain. Unfortunately, the spring-loaded door mechanism and the janky little switch assembly are very poorly designed and very badly constructed.

The big problem comes in that unless the faceplate is EXACTLY perfectly aligned, flush but not actually touching the wall, the USB doors will not fully close the switch and then your USB ports will have no power. I spent nearly 30 minutes removing the faceplate, adjusting the screws for the unit, then reattaching the faceplate and testing. After 6-8 iterations of this, neither USB port would reliably power-up when inserting my Apple OEM iPhone charging cable.

I eventually gave up trying to make it work, and was about to return it when I realized that I could easily pry off the sliding door assembly. Then with some electrical tape, I wedged the switches "on", reattached the faceplate, and voila! it all works just fine. Not as pretty without the sliding doors... but it works. I have no idea why they couldn't put the switch inside the USB port itself such that plugging in something activates the power... the switch mechanism is very flimsy looking and I'm thinking it was probably only a matter of time before I had to do an electrical tape "fix" on it anyway.

I also have to echo the other reviewers' concerns about the size of the electrical box and the bulkiness of the unit. I had to rewire the box a bit to reduce the amount of loose wire inside in order to make room for everything. It did fit, but it complicated the effort to try and get the unit and faceplace properly mounted so as to make the terrible little USB power switches work properly.