As the demand for USB charging points increases hugely, so does the demand for the speed and power they can deliver and to meet the needs of both consumers and commercial users. Hannah Liscombe, Marketing Director at Knightsbridge, reports.

USB charging has moved from being a useful extra to an increasingly expected feature of modern electrical installations. As smartphones, tablets, laptops and other portable devices are now integral to everyday life, the conventional combination of a mains socket, plug-top charger and trailing cable is increasingly being replaced by integrated USB charging directly at the wall. For wholesalers and electrical stockists, that creates both a practical product category and an opportunity to trade customers up into higher-value wiring accessories.

A key point is that not all USB sockets are the same. Charging output ranges from relatively modest solutions for phones and smaller devices through to high-power USB-C Power Delivery (PD) products capable of charging laptops.

The current Knightsbridge range, for example, includes USB sockets offering outputs around 15.5W, 18W, 20W, 30W, 45W, 63W and 65W, providing a useful hierarchy of products for different applications.

Rapid charging

At the lower end, standard USB A+C charging is well suited to everyday smartphone use, small personal electronics and applications where high-speed charging is not a priority. An 18W fast-charge socket represents a step up, making it appropriate for smartphones and other portable devices where rapid charging is valued. Knightsbridge’s 45W products add USB-C PD, providing sufficient output for many tablets and compatible laptops while retaining USB-A charging for legacy devices.

Higher-power products are increasingly relevant in commercial environments. A 63W charger with two USB-C and one USB-A output is ideal for offices, hotels, cafés, bars and other locations where users may need to charge laptops as well as phones and tablets. USB-PD and PPS can manage voltage and current dynamically, helping compatible devices charge efficiently without requiring a separate power adaptor.

The latest 65W dual USB-C sockets take this further. They can deliver up to 65W to a single compatible device such as a laptop, or distribute power between two devices, with one combination providing 45W and 18W. GaN technology can also improve efficiency while reducing heat and energy loss.

Different markets

These capabilities translate readily into different markets. In residential applications, integrated USB charging helps declutter worktops, bedside areas and home offices, while decorative finishes make the socket part of the interior design rather than simply a functional fitting. In commercial settings, accessible charging can be an amenity in offices, hospitality, retail and communal areas. Educational buildings present another obvious application, particularly classrooms, libraries and staff workspaces where mobile technology is now commonplace.

There is also a strong design dimension. USB-equipped sockets are now available in multiple plate styles and finishes, including matt black, anthracite, brushed chrome, matt white and antique brass. That allows charging functionality to be specified alongside the wider accessory scheme rather than treated as an add-on.

For wholesalers and stockists, this creates a useful opportunity to build a clear product ladder rather than carrying a single USB offering. Lower-output products can address price-sensitive replacement work, while 18W, 30W and 45W models provide obvious upgrades. Higher-output 63W and 65W products can target offices, premium residential projects, hospitality and technology-heavy environments. Decorative versions add another route to upselling, while compatible charging cables provide a natural complementary sale; the Knightsbridge range includes 60W cables and certified 100W USB-PD C-C cables.

The commercial proposition is therefore broader than simply selling another socket. USB charging combines convenience, technology and design in a familiar electrical accessory, while giving the trade multiple points at which to differentiate products by performance, specification and finish.

For stockists, that means the opportunity to meet a wider range of applications, increase average transaction value and move customers from basic replacement products towards higher-value, feature-rich accessories.

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Knightsbridge has added Helix – a modular non-corrosive lighting range engineered to deliver flexibility, durability and installation efficiency across demanding commercial and industrial environments – to its extensive commercial lighting portfolio.

An upgrade from the trusted Torlan range and designed for both indoor and outdoor applications, Helix combines robust construction with modular functionality, offering designers, specifiers and installers and specifiers a versatile lighting platform that can be adapted to suit a wide variety of projects. The range includes three product tiers – Helix One, Helix Shift and Helix Max – each tailored to different application requirements while sharing a common focus on performance, reliability and ease of installation.

Manufactured from anti-corrosive polycarbonate and fitted with stainless steel clips as standard, every Helix fitting is rated IP66 and IK10, providing protection against water ingress, dust and impact in challenging environments. Each fitting also incorporates rear, side and end conduit entries, detachable terminal blocks, large bracket fixing points and compatibility with BESA box mounting to simplify installation on site.

At the entry level, Helix One delivers a cost effective modular solution with fixed wattage outputs and a 4000K colour temperature. emergency and microwave sensor modules, enabling greater flexibility without the need for additional product stockholding.

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Get yourself set for autumn with Knightsbridge and the chance to win a fantastic prize bundle, which includes a £250 Amazon gift card, a box of 10 SpektroLED EVO downlights and a five-pack of the company’s BT EVO bulkheads.

The SpektroLED EVO downlight combines flexibility with easy installation, offering selectable wattages, colour temperatures and interchangeable bezel finishes. Available in fixed, tilt and smart versions, it can be set to either 5W, delivering up to 465 lumens, or 7W, delivering up to 795 lumens, using a switch on the lamp body. Four CCT options are available, selected via a sliding switch, while the LED has a 60° beam angle. The tilt version can be adjusted through 90° and magnetic bezels in six finishes provide further scope for customisation.

With a dimmable lifespan of 50,000 hours, the downlights are fire-rated for installation in solid timber, web joist and I-joist applications for up to 90 minutes, depending on the material. They are also IC-rated to maintain the efficiency of mineral wool insulation in the ceiling void. An IP65 rating from below makes EVO suitable for bathrooms and wet rooms.

The robust and straightforward-to-install BT EVO is a versatile bulkhead designed to suit a wide range of applications. Three wattage choices – 9W, 14W and 18W – can be combined with CCT options from 3000K to 5700K. Additional versions include emergency, microwave sensor, corridor function, emergency corridor function and emergency daylight sensor options. Bezels are available in standard round or eyelid styles, with matt black, chrome and grey finishes.

Established in 1998, Knightsbridge is a leading name in the UK electrical sector, supplying a comprehensive range of quality wiring accessories together with interior, exterior and commercial lighting products.

For more information please visit: https://www.mlaccessories.co.uk

HOW TO ENTER

To be in with a chance of winning this prize bundle, simply choose the correct answer from the options below:

Q. What is the dimmable lifespan of a Knightsbridge SpektroLED EVO downlight?

A) 30,000 hours

B) 40,000 hours

C) 50,000 hours

Simply fill out the form below and tell us your answer for the chance to WIN!

Deadline for entries 30/09/26

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The BATM collection of modular LED from Knightsbridge offers distributors and installers a practical solution that simplifies stock management while meeting a broad range of lighting requirements.

Designed to deliver maximum versatility with fewer components, the range includes single-colour and tri-CCT, quad-wattage variants. At the heart of the BATM series is its adaptable modular construction. Each unit can be upgraded to include emergency functionality, microwave sensing, or a combination of both through simple plug-and-play add-ons.

New to the collection is the BATMCRN, a high-efficiency batten for installation into perpendicular wall and ceiling junctions to optimise illumination while minimising glare and dark spots. The design frees up ceiling space, allowing for the integration of other safety products such as emergency signage, making it ideal for narrow corridors and confined spaces.

With performance of up to 140 lumens per watt, the range offers a meaningful improvement in energy efficiency over traditional luminaires. This translates into lower running costs, reduced environmental impact, and long-term financial benefits.

For ease of installation, the fittings incorporate push-fit terminals for rapid wiring, loop-in/loop-out capability, and both rear and end 20mm conduit access points.

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