A Closer Look at the First-Ever GFCI USB Outlet
From features for superior safety to multiple options for convenient USB charging, find out what’s all inside this revolutionary GFCI outlet.
February 1, 2021
The revolutionary GFCI outlet with USB charging offers homeowners a unique blend of superior safety and convenient charging options. With the number of mobile devices used at home these days, having built-in charging can save people time and frustration. Common areas like the kitchen are required by the National Electrical Code to include ground fault protection, making the first-of-its-kind, all-in-one GFCI USB Outlet an ideal option for any household.
What makes the USB GFCI Outlet so special?
Since there is a lot of functionality to fit into one electrical box, and a lot of interior components for an engineering team to prioritize, tweak or reposition, the Legrand engineering team was hard at work designing the perfect solution. It required combining industry-leading safety features with the advanced charging options modern life demands without exposing users’ devices to the risk of overheating. They then adjusted and fine-tuned as necessary to still fit it all into a standard 18-cubic-inch wall box and maintain an easy installation.
1. Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter for Code Compliance
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI), for code-compliant protection in kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, basements, etc. – anywhere an outlet is within six feet of a sink or water source. This monitors the outlet’s electrical currents and recognizes when a ground fault occurs, then cuts power to the outlet immediately, keeping you and your family safe from electrical shock.
2. Built-in Type-A and/or Type-C USB Connections
Built-in USB Connections, for accessible charging of two devices at once, without sacrificing a plug or using a bulky adapter. And multiple outlet options are available, giving you the choice of an outlet with traditional USB Type-A connections, the newer USB Type-C connections, or one of each to ensure you’re ready to charge any and all devices.
3. Transformer for Device Protection
Transformer, for safe and efficient charging of your favorite devices. The included transformer protects your devices from pulling more power than they can handle, by stepping down the voltage from the outlet itself (110V AC) to a safer, lower output (5V DC) that will charge your smartphones and tablets without a risk of damage.
4. Industry-Leading Self-Testing GFCI Every 3 Seconds
GFCI Self-Testing with Patented SafeLock Protection, for ensuring the outlet is always ready to protect you and your family against shock. This outlet, as with all of Legrand’s GFCI Outlets, self-tests at a rate of every 3 seconds (the most frequent self-testing of any solution on the market). If critical components are damaged and ground fault protection is lost, power to the outlet is disconnected. This way, you can trust the outlet is doing its part to keep you safe and it’s easy to tell if a replacement is needed.
5. GFCI Point-of-Use Test/Rest Buttons
The point-of-use test/rest buttons offer a visual indication of the GFCI’s status, as well as easy access and troubleshooting. If a ground-fault does occur – whether due to a damaged wire or an older appliance – this GFCI Outlet keeps you safe and makes it easy for you to recognize that a trip has occurred and then reset the outlet once the issue has been corrected. No running to the breaker box; just hit the Reset button found on the outlet itself. You can manually test the GFCI there too, with a simple press of the button.
6. Tamper-resistant invisi-shutters
Tamper-Resistance, for power access that helps you keep curious young children safe, complete with patented black invisi-shutter system to discreetly prevent the insertion of foreign objects while blending in seamlessly. It was a tall order, but our engineers pulled off something just shy of magical.
