USB POWER DELIVERY
When it was introduced in 1996, the Universal Serial Bus (USB) simplified the transfer of data from external devices to computers, while also enabling a tiny bit of charging power. That was USB 1.0, and the rectangular connector (still in use but declining) was USB-A. Today, for so many devices we use, USB ports are about power delivery first and info exchange second. And they’re smaller. We’re talking about USB 4, USB-C and USB Power Delivery (USB PD). What does this mean for those of us who don’t work in IT? It means we can benefit by adding new electrical outlets with USB ports for faster charging and increased convenience.
The removable plugin adapter cube that comes with a USB cable is convenient—until you lose it or until the outlet you want to use already has two devices plugged in. USB is now a nearly universal power socket for phones, tablets, speakers, laptops and more. The time for a dedicated wall outlet is here. But they’re not all created equal.
A group called the USB Implementers Forum Inc. (USB-IF) leads the development of USB technology. A nonprofit corporation, USB-IF was founded by the group of companies that developed the Universal Serial Bus specification. The group’s board of directors includes execs from Apple, HP, Microsoft and other tech giants. The latest update to the USB Power Delivery specification announced by USB-IF “enables the maximum functionality of USB by providing more flexible power delivery along with data over a single cable.”
To get USB Power Delivery working in homes, Leviton makes the T5635, a USB-equipped wall outlet that can charge a device at 30 watts from a single port, while still allowing you to use the outlet’s AC plug-ins for your coffee maker and toaster.
It’s easy to swap your old AC outlet for the Leviton T5635, and even easier to add it to new construction. This new outlet fits in a standard electrical box, though it sits nearly an inch deeper into the box. It won’t work with shallow electrical boxes. To replace an outlet that has GFCI protection, Leviton makes a GFCI outlet for Type A USB connectors, but not for Type C.
We installed the Leviton outlet in our homeLAB, replacing a standard two-plug outlet. It enabled faster charging for every device we plugged in. All Leviton USB outlets use a smart chip that recognizes the power needs of the device you’re charging–more power for a laptop, for example. With the increasing use of USB Type C connections, this Leviton outlet is a good addition to a home office space or busy kitchen counter.