Thinking about this a little more, if you have any split receptacles, common above kitchen counters, I wouldn’t install this. For split receptacles each of the two brass screws has separate 120VAC and the contact tabs on this USB plate could create a 240VAC short circuit across them!
Dollarama
- USB Wall Plug Receptacles - 2.4A - $4 - Wpg YMMV
- Last Updated:
- Jul 13th, 2020 12:36 pm
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- SCORE+13
- blyndfyre
- Deal Addict
- Jul 22, 2014
- 1874 posts
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- Calgary, AB
- Raead
- Deal Addict
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- Jun 7, 2005
- 2963 posts
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The usb charge extremely slow
Be warn
Be warn
Look here
- adhika
- Sr. Member
- Jun 13, 2017
- 672 posts
- 459 upvotes
- Ajax, Ontario
I got one today before reading this thread. OP mentioned it, but I will mention it again.
It is not for the traditional face plate!
It is not for the traditional face plate!
"If you offend the OP instead of thanking him, I will gladly report you for either harassment or off-topic."
ArloCopter
ArloCopter
- porksoda
- Deal Fanatic
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- May 17, 2006
- 7110 posts
- 2891 upvotes
- GTA
Well you can switch your outlet to a decora style... no biggie.
- blyndfyre
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- Jul 22, 2014
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- Calgary, AB
- sheyenne
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- kenchau
- Deal Guru
- Apr 11, 2006
- 11388 posts
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- Vaughan
But those are pricier. Standard decora receptacle without cover can be had for $3 (probably not even the best price) plus this piece for $4. USB receptable is notably more than $7.
More importantly, what about the light?!
- porksoda
- Deal Fanatic
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- May 17, 2006
- 7110 posts
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True. At $4 its a temptation but then you are tied to an outlet, i prefer using my high amperage chargers and take em with me room to room.
- Terabithia
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- Apr 1, 2015
- 1637 posts
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- NOYFB
Interesting design!
I'm worried about longevity of those lights tho..
I'm worried about longevity of those lights tho..
<inappropriate signature>
- misterlamed
- Sr. Member
- Dec 15, 2012
- 705 posts
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- Toronto
- ssiu
- Deal Addict
- Apr 18, 2008
- 1704 posts
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- Toronto
MaDgamEr wrote: ↑Only word of caution is to make sure they fit your outlet snug since they're friction fit adapters. A loose fit would mean arc and sparking which could lead to a fire. Search for similar devices on amazon and you can see the occasional reviews where people have run into issues. Great little device, just make sure it fits your particular outfit properly!
Kleftiko wrote: ↑Ok so if you refer to the diagram below, the metal flanges that are built into this plate will be making contact with the metal screws that you find on the sides of plugs (they are hot/live) and thus providing power to the bottom portion of this wall plate (for the USB charging and night lights).
My translation of all these is "if I don't know what you're talking about, then I should skip this, it is not worth the risk. "What do you mean the metal screws are hot/live?blyndfyre wrote: ↑ Thinking about this a little more, if you have any split receptacles, common above kitchen counters, I wouldn’t install this. For split receptacles each of the two brass screws has separate 120VAC and the contact tabs on this USB plate could create a 240VAC short circuit across them!
"Amerifriend threads need to include instructions on how to acquire an amerifriend. 
- keyser-soze
- Deal Addict
- Oct 8, 2009
- 2380 posts
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- Kitchener
I guess If your outlet if powered by 2 circuit, ie the top outlet and the bottom are on separate circuits, youd want to make sure the metal clips from this are not so wide they bridge the two together..
- keyser-soze
- Deal Addict
- Oct 8, 2009
- 2380 posts
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- Kitchener
Thank you for highlighting this, this is what I was trying to say, but not sure if i articulated it well. You have.blyndfyre wrote: ↑Thinking about this a little more, if you have any split receptacles, common above kitchen counters, I wouldn’t install this. For split receptacles each of the two brass screws has separate 120VAC and the contact tabs on this USB plate could create a 240VAC short circuit across them!
- chanc2
- Sr. Member
- May 30, 2013
- 545 posts
- 622 upvotes
- Markham
I know it is not necessary, but I always wrap my receptacles with electrical tape just to be safe. These thing seems to draw power from just touching the side of the hot and netural terminals. Is there any safety concern if using it?
- tatung
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- Feb 15, 2009
- 1567 posts
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Which dollarama in Winnipeg did you find this at? @Kleftiko
- karlb
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- Apr 30, 2009
- 2580 posts
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- GTA
It's ETL tested by Intertek, so there's that, but this raises too many red flags for me to consider it. Just like those electrical receptacles where you can insert the wire in the back (vs. using the proper screws).
Then again, I never build to minimum code either.
If you're going to use this, take some care installing it. You're playing with live 120VAC.
As others have said, ensure that the contacts are very firmly pressing onto the receptacle. There should be some resistance as you press it on from the spring metal.
If not, you can have arcing and over time that can cost a lot more.
I would also remove this annually and check for any arcing (black marks) on the contacts.
And even easier: Occasionally feel that the wallplate is not warm on the sides of the receptacle (where the contacts are); it should never be. If it is, time to remove.
(warm = there's resistance on the contacts, causing heat, or arcing causing heat, both should never happen on a proper connection).
Then again, I never build to minimum code either.
If you're going to use this, take some care installing it. You're playing with live 120VAC.
As others have said, ensure that the contacts are very firmly pressing onto the receptacle. There should be some resistance as you press it on from the spring metal.
If not, you can have arcing and over time that can cost a lot more.
I would also remove this annually and check for any arcing (black marks) on the contacts.
And even easier: Occasionally feel that the wallplate is not warm on the sides of the receptacle (where the contacts are); it should never be. If it is, time to remove.
(warm = there's resistance on the contacts, causing heat, or arcing causing heat, both should never happen on a proper connection).
- ej25i
- Sr. Member
- Dec 2, 2009
- 593 posts
- 868 upvotes
Sounded like it could be a good deal, but I'd rather not take these kind of risks with dollar store items.karlb wrote: ↑ It's ETL tested by Intertek, so there's that, but this raises too many red flags for me to consider it. Just like those electrical receptacles where you can insert the wire in the back (vs. using the proper screws).
Then again, I never build to minimum code either.
If you're going to use this, take some care installing it. You're playing with live 120VAC.
As others have said, ensure that the contacts are very firmly pressing onto the receptacle. There should be some resistance as you press it on from the spring metal.
If not, you can have arcing and over time that can cost a lot more.
I would also remove this annually and check for any arcing (black marks) on the contacts.
And even easier: Occasionally feel that the wallplate is not warm on the sides of the receptacle (where the contacts are); it should never be. If it is, time to remove.
(warm = there's resistance on the contacts, causing heat, or arcing causing heat, both should never happen on a proper connection).
Thanks a lot for the explanation.
- psyko514
- Deal Fanatic
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- May 9, 2009
- 6675 posts
- 2909 upvotes
- Montreal
I'm not sure if they're the originator, but SnapPower has been selling similar products since 2014. However, SnapPower has the lighting and USB charger as separate options.
These are a great price at $4 each, but I don't really need both features. In places where I'd regularly use the USB charger (by my bed or the kitchen counter) I don't need/want a nightlight. And in the places where I'd want a nightlight (hallway, staircase), I have no need for a USB charger.
That said, I'll probably get 1 or 2 if I see them just to try them out.
These are a great price at $4 each, but I don't really need both features. In places where I'd regularly use the USB charger (by my bed or the kitchen counter) I don't need/want a nightlight. And in the places where I'd want a nightlight (hallway, staircase), I have no need for a USB charger.
That said, I'll probably get 1 or 2 if I see them just to try them out.
- elpaso
- Deal Addict
- Aug 15, 2009
- 2564 posts
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- Montreal
I don't think this would be up to standard electrical code and CSA approved.
- Prelude38
- Member
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- Oct 2, 2008
- 231 posts
- 90 upvotes
I received and email saying Wyze will have an outdoor camera releasing very soon. rather that toy with the idea of a long USB and a Camera not designed for outdoor use. it might be in your best interest to wait for the outdoor wyze cam.makaheehee wrote: ↑ I have an outdoor plug in my soffit for a camera. I was thinking of plugging in a Wyze camera with an outdoor shield up there. Do we think that this would work to make it a little neater instead of a large plug hanging down or should I just find a 90' USB plug?
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