USB charger Euro modules

I'm a bit disappointed to read this. I was expecting the IET to have carried out an investigation into these USB charger modules as they are permanently wired into buildings as opposed to being a plug-in consumer product.

An interesting perspective, but perhaps there is another perspective.


The socket-outlet itself is merely a consumer product. One containing an integral USB charging outlet is covered by the same British Standard, BS 1363-2:2016. This standard is managed by BSI Technical Committee PEL/23. The Wiring Regulations, to which I'm assuming you are referring based on the IET's involvement, is BS 7671, and this standard is managed by the joint IET/BSI Committee JPEL/64.

BS 7671 requires generla 230 V socket-outlets for domestic and similar use to comply with BS 1363-2, and this would imply that those containing a USB charger comply with BS 1363-2:2016.


To the best of my knowledge, BS 1363-2:2016 requires the USB charger to comply with a suitable British Standard such as BS EN 60950-1 for electrical safety.

 

Electrical accessory manufacturers sell plates consisting of 13A sockets with holes for Euro modules. They are colloquially called lounge plates presumably because they are designed to be installed behind a TV and contain Euro modules for TV antenna, satellite, HDMI, audio and video, and Ethernet. Do these violate segregation rules?

That depends on whether you install it as per the manufacturer's instructions and maintain segregation of services at different voltage bands (or to maintain SELV/PELV) in accordance with BS 7671 - also depends on whether you mix Band 1 and Band 2 modules in the same "compartment".


(NOTE: links below for convenience and to illustrate a point, not a preference of supplier or manufacturer)


e.g. with this plate: https://www.screwfix.com/p/british-general-13a-2-gang-combination-plate-white/7425f

the manufacturer recommends this backbox: https://www.screwfix.com/p/british-general-mounting-box-steel/5072f?_requestid=249404


As you will see, the backboxes for both parts are actually physically segregated, so provided you keep the "mains" wiring in the socket-outlet box, and reserve the EuroMod box for Band 2 (audio / video / broadcast RF / data), there should be no safety problem. In terms of wiring in the "safe zones" to the accessory ... well, there's nothing to prevent you providing plastic or metal conduit in one or the other box as necessary to pass a cable through of the other voltage band?


So, if you are talking about putting a USB EuroMod module in one of these plates, I think the manufacturer would not recommend that if there are Band 2 circuits (audio / video / coax / data) in the same backbox - and you'd certainly need to be careful for BS 7671 compliance.

I'm a bit disappointed to read this. I was expecting the IET to have carried out an investigation into these USB charger modules as they are permanently wired into buildings as opposed to being a plug-in consumer product.

An interesting perspective, but perhaps there is another perspective.


The socket-outlet itself is merely a consumer product. One containing an integral USB charging outlet is covered by the same British Standard, BS 1363-2:2016. This standard is managed by BSI Technical Committee PEL/23. The Wiring Regulations, to which I'm assuming you are referring based on the IET's involvement, is BS 7671, and this standard is managed by the joint IET/BSI Committee JPEL/64.

BS 7671 requires generla 230 V socket-outlets for domestic and similar use to comply with BS 1363-2, and this would imply that those containing a USB charger comply with BS 1363-2:2016.


To the best of my knowledge, BS 1363-2:2016 requires the USB charger to comply with a suitable British Standard such as BS EN 60950-1 for electrical safety.

 

Electrical accessory manufacturers sell plates consisting of 13A sockets with holes for Euro modules. They are colloquially called lounge plates presumably because they are designed to be installed behind a TV and contain Euro modules for TV antenna, satellite, HDMI, audio and video, and Ethernet. Do these violate segregation rules?

That depends on whether you install it as per the manufacturer's instructions and maintain segregation of services at different voltage bands (or to maintain SELV/PELV) in accordance with BS 7671 - also depends on whether you mix Band 1 and Band 2 modules in the same "compartment".


(NOTE: links below for convenience and to illustrate a point, not a preference of supplier or manufacturer)


e.g. with this plate: https://www.screwfix.com/p/british-general-13a-2-gang-combination-plate-white/7425f

the manufacturer recommends this backbox: https://www.screwfix.com/p/british-general-mounting-box-steel/5072f?_requestid=249404


As you will see, the backboxes for both parts are actually physically segregated, so provided you keep the "mains" wiring in the socket-outlet box, and reserve the EuroMod box for Band 2 (audio / video / broadcast RF / data), there should be no safety problem. In terms of wiring in the "safe zones" to the accessory ... well, there's nothing to prevent you providing plastic or metal conduit in one or the other box as necessary to pass a cable through of the other voltage band?


So, if you are talking about putting a USB EuroMod module in one of these plates, I think the manufacturer would not recommend that if there are Band 2 circuits (audio / video / coax / data) in the same backbox - and you'd certainly need to be careful for BS 7671 compliance.