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.

Additional details can be found here

Find more industry features here

The post How USB charging points can meet the needs of both consumers and commercial users appeared first on Professional Electricians Wholesaler.

The range of Evolve decorative wiring accessories from BG Electrical is flying off the shelves thanks to end user demand for value for money style and décor-matching elegance with easy, quick fitting and ‘no-return’ reliability for the installer.

The award-winning Evolve range of decorative switches and sockets are designed for both domestic and commercial applications and are the perfect way to ensure all essential power points enhance décor rather than detract from it. Aesthetically attractive, the slimline switches and sockets are designed with screwless face plates which easily clip on and off making decorating easier.

Launched by leading lighting and electrical brand Luceco under its specialist wiring and accessories brand BG Electrical, the Evolve range boasts eight different colours including brushed steel, black chrome, and matt blue as well as satin brass, polished copper, matt black, matt grey, and pearlescent white.

The range includes switches, sockets and innovative fast charge USB sockets, Wi-Fi range extenders, touch dimmer switches as well as Grid range extension and Euro module range extension combining power, data, TV, telephone, and audio.

There are 25-year warranties, and the range design ensures a ‘right first time’ approach to any wiring installation.

For more information, click here

The post BG Electrical | Decorative switches and sockets appeared first on Professional Electricians Wholesaler.

Knightsbridge has enhanced its range pioneering 45W USB charging solutions with the introduction of four additional decorative finishes in the company’s popular screwless format.

At the time of their initial launch, Knightsbridge’s 45W USB sockets and modules were the fastest chargers available on the market and still remain at the top of the competitive tree. Now, beyond curved or square edge moulded sockets in white, these powerful 230V 13A two-gang switched USB sockets come in anthracite, matt black, matt white and brushed chrome.

The sockets offer up to 45W PD (Power Delivery) over a USB-C port and 18W QC (Quick Charge) over a USB-A port. This means that power-hungry devices like laptops can be charged from wall outlets with compatible cables using a 45W USB-C port and without the need for bulky adapters. QC devices (mainly android-based smartphones) can be charged at up to 18W, allowing for a quick charge of up to 50% in under 30 minutes with compatible smartphones. Where multiple devices are being charged simultaneously, power is shared between both ports.

Knightsbridge also offers 60W A-C and C-C cables, as well as a 100W certified USB-PD C-C cables so that devices can maximise the power outputs available.

The high-performance 45W USB wall charger range is completed three 50mm x 50mm Euro modules, in white, grey, and black; which are compatible with a variety of modular and multimedia combination plates, allowing for more bespoke installations.

The 50×50 modular inserts are available in white, grey, and black and may be paired with a variety of modular and multimedia combination plates, allowing for a bespoke creation.

All designs are available with dual earths for high integrity earthing, angled top-down terminals for quick installation, and are designed to accommodate 25-35mm back boxes (depending on wiring conditions).

For related articles, click here

The post Knightsbridge | Usb sockets appeared first on Professional Electricians Wholesaler.