Quick answer
A USB electrical outlet is a wall receptacle with built-in USB charging ports, which turn the 120-volt household supply into low-voltage direct current so phones and tablets can charge without a separate plug-in adapter.
Most models keep one or two standard sockets beside the USB ports. Their USB output is rated in watts, and the rating decides how fast a device charges.
Quick facts
The key facts about USB Electrical Outlet, with sources:
- Input
- 120 V AC from the branch circuit
- Output
- Low-voltage DC through USB-A or USB-C ports
- Example rating
- Leviton T5835: up to 30 W on one USB-C port with Power Delivery; 15 W per port when both are used 1
- Standards listed
- UL 498 (receptacle) and UL 1310 (Class 2 power unit) 1
- USB-C PD ceiling
- USB PD Revision 3.1 raised the ceiling from 100 W to 240 W 3
- Wallplate rule
- NEC 2023 406.6(D): USB or night-light wallplates must be listed, with integral circuitry 4
- Tamper resistance
- Required for dwelling receptacles under NEC 2023 406.12, with exceptions 5
Key takeaways
- A USB outlet is a normal receptacle with a small charger built in.
- The watt rating matters more than the number of ports; many split their power when two devices charge.
- USB-C with Power Delivery charges laptops and fast-charging phones far quicker than older USB-A ports.
- A USB receptacle and a USB wallplate are different products; the code treats them differently.
- Installing one is receptacle work for a licensed electrician; look for UL 498 and UL 1310 listings.
What a USB outlet is
A USB outlet is an electrical receptacle with a charger inside it. It fits in a standard wall box and usually keeps one or two normal sockets and adds one or two USB ports.
Your devices charge on low-voltage direct current, or DC. The wall supplies 120-volt alternating current, or AC, so something has to convert it: a wall-wart charger does that in a plug-in box, and a USB outlet does it inside the wall.
The Leviton T5835 is a typical example: a 20-amp, 125-volt, tamper-resistant NEMA 5-20R receptacle with two USB-C ports. It lists both UL 498, the receptacle standard, and UL 1310, the standard for Class 2 power units 1.
How a USB outlet charges a device
Inside the device, a small power supply turns 120 V AC into DC. With a basic device, the port supplies a steady 5 volts. With a USB-C Power Delivery (PD) device, the outlet and the phone agree on a higher voltage, which allows more watts.
The T5835 data sheet shows how this works in practice. To a PD device on one port, it can supply 15 volts at 2 amps, or 30 watts.
To a non-PD device, it supplies 5 volts at 3 amps, or 15 watts. When both ports are in use, each gets 5 volts at 3 amps, with 30 watts total 1.
Watts are volts times amps, which is why the same port gives a laptop 30 watts and an older phone 15 watts.
- 120 V ACFrom the branch circuit
- Built-in power supplyConverts AC to low-voltage DC
- NegotiationUSB-C PD device and outlet agree on voltage
- ChargingFor example 5 V × 3 A = 15 W, or 15 V × 2 A = 30 W
Source: [1]
Types of USB outlets
| Type | What you get | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| USB-A only | The older, rectangular port; usually 5 V output | Older phones, small devices |
| USB-A + USB-C | One of each | Mixed households |
| Dual USB-C with PD | Higher-voltage charging, for example 30 W on one port 1 | Newer phones, tablets, some laptops |
| 15 A vs 20 A receptacle | NEMA 5-15R or 5-20R sockets beside the ports | Matches the circuit rating |
| USB wallplate | A cover plate with USB ports that clips onto an existing receptacle | Code limits apply under 406.6(D) 4 |
Example: what one port gives two different devices
Real output figures from the Leviton T5835 data sheet 1.
| Situation | Voltage × current | Power |
|---|---|---|
| One PD-capable phone or tablet | 15 V × 2 A | 30 W |
| One PD device at a lower setting | 9 V × 3 A | 27 W |
| One older, non-PD phone | 5 V × 3 A | 15 W |
| Two devices at once | 5 V × 3 A each | 15 W each, 30 W total |
A laptop that ships with a 65 W charger will charge slower on a 30 W port, or only hold its level while in use. Check the device’s charger rating before you count on a USB outlet for it.
Where USB outlets make sense
USB outlets are most useful where chargers pile up: kitchen counters, bedside walls, home offices and entry tables. They free the sockets for lamps and appliances.
Where a receptacle needs GFCI protection, such as a kitchen counter, that protection still applies. A USB outlet can sit downstream of a GFCI receptacle or a GFCI breaker. An electrician plans that layout.
Every new dwelling receptacle must be tamper-resistant under NEC 2023 406.12, with listed exceptions 5. Many USB receptacles, like the CC2P3, are sold as tamper-resistant 2.
Pros and cons
What it does well
- Frees sockets and removes loose plug-in chargers.
- USB-C PD models charge many phones and tablets quickly.
- Combines receptacle listing (UL 498) with a listed power supply (UL 1310) 1.
- Tamper-resistant versions meet dwelling rules.
Where it falls short
- Power is shared; two devices often get less each.
- USB standards move faster than wiring, so ports can feel old before the receptacle wears out.
- Deeper body; may not fit a crowded or shallow box.
- Usually below laptop-charger wattage.
Limits to know
A USB outlet does not raise the circuit’s capacity. The charger draws a small amount from the same branch circuit as everything plugged in beside it.
Plug-on USB wallplates are a separate product, and under NEC 2023 406.6(D), they must be listed with the circuitry built into the plate.
Plates that rely only on spring-tensioned contacts must touch brass or copper alloy terminal screws and be rated 1 watt or less. From January 1, 2026, steel screws are allowed only for plates listed for them 4.
Leviton’s own code guide recommends a USB receptacle over these plates 4.
Receptacle vs wallplate
A USB receptacle replaces the whole device and is wired in by an electrician. A USB wallplate clips onto an existing receptacle’s screws. The code limits plates more tightly, and they deliver less power.
What drives the cost
We do not print prices, because cost depends on the device (USB-A, USB-C PD, 15 A or 20 A, tamper-resistant), whether the box is deep enough, whether GFCI protection is needed, and how many outlets are done in one visit. See the project cost tool for drivers.
Warranties are short compared with the life of wiring. The CC2P3-W carries a one-year limited warranty 2, so plan on the USB part being the first thing to date.
How an electrician installs one
Receptacle replacement is wiring work; this site does not give DIY steps.
- Confirm the circuit rating so the receptacle matches (5-15R on 15 A, 5-20R where allowed on 20 A).
- Check the box, because USB receptacles are deeper than a plain duplex receptacle.
- De-energize and verify the circuit is dead, then wire the hot, neutral and ground to the marked terminals.
- Confirm GFCI protection where the location needs it.
- Test the sockets and USB output before closing up.
Care and checks
Warning signs
Stop using a USB outlet that buzzes, smells hot, has a discolored face or charges devices only on and off. A hot faceplate is a sign of trouble in the charger or the wiring behind it.
Avoid unlisted plug-in “USB plates” and adapters, because listing marks such as UL show the product was tested to a safety standard.
Heat is the warning
If the outlet or plate is hot, unplug devices, turn the circuit off if you know which breaker it is, and call an electrician. Do not remove the plate or device while the circuit is live.
Standards and rules
USB receptacles are listed as receptacles under UL 498 and as Class 2 power units under UL 1310; both appear on the Leviton T5835 and CC2P3-W data sheets 1 2.
The USB side follows USB-IF specifications, and USB PD Revision 3.1 added fixed voltages of 28, 36 and 48 volts for 140, 180 and 240 watts 3.
Installation falls under NFPA 70, and the 2023 NEC sections that matter most are 406.12 for tamper-resistant receptacles 5 and 406.6(D) for USB and night-light wallplates 4. Local amendments apply.
USB outlet vs other ways to charge
| Option | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| USB receptacle | Built in, frees sockets, listed | Fixed port types; shared power |
| Plug-in USB charger | Easy to upgrade; can be high wattage | Takes a socket; easy to lose |
| USB wallplate | No device swap | Code limits; low power 4 |
| Standard TR receptacle | Simple and cheap | Needs a separate charger |
Myths
- Myth USB outlets waste a lot of power when nothing is plugged in.
- Reality We found no reliable published figure for typical idle draw; check the product’s data sheet rather than assume either way.
- Myth Every USB-C port charges a laptop.
- Reality Many wall ports give 15–30 W 1; many laptops need more.
- Myth A USB wallplate is the same as a USB receptacle.
- Reality Plates have tighter limits under NEC 406.6(D) 4.
- Myth More ports means faster charging.
- Reality Ports usually share one power budget.
Code edition matters for wallplates
Is a USB outlet worth it for you?
Match the outlet to what you charge.
- If Mostly newer phones and tablets
- Then Choose USB-C with Power Delivery
- If Older devices with USB-A cables
- Then Choose a USB-A + USB-C model
- If Laptop charging
- Then Check the laptop’s charger watts; a plug-in charger may suit better
- If Kitchen or bath location
- Then Make sure GFCI protection is in place
Bundle the visit
If you are adding USB outlets, ask the electrician to check GFCI and tamper-resistant coverage in the same rooms. Our electrical installation page explains how to get matched.
Questions about USB Electrical Outlet
Are USB outlets safe?
Listed USB receptacles are tested as receptacles under UL 498 and as power supplies under UL 1310. Installed correctly, they are as safe as a plug-in charger. Stop using any outlet that gets hot, buzzes or smells burnt, and call an electrician.
Do USB outlets use power when nothing is plugged in?
The built-in power supply can draw a small standby amount. We did not find a reliable published figure for typical idle draw. Check the product’s data sheet if standby power matters to you.
How fast does a USB outlet charge?
It depends on the outlet’s rating and on your device. A typical USB-C wall receptacle gives up to about 30 watts on one port to a Power Delivery device, and 15 watts to an older phone. When two devices charge, the power is usually shared.
Can a USB outlet charge a laptop?
Some laptops will charge slowly on a 30 W USB-C PD port. Many laptops ship with chargers of 65 W or more, so they charge slower or only hold their level on a wall port. Check your laptop’s charger rating.
What is the difference between USB-A and USB-C outlets?
USB-A is the older rectangular port and usually gives 5 volts. USB-C is the small oval port and can use Power Delivery to agree on higher voltages, so it can supply more watts to compatible devices.
Do USB outlets need a special circuit?
No. They go on the same 15 or 20 amp branch circuits as normal receptacles. The receptacle must match the circuit rating and any GFCI requirement for that location.
Are USB wallplates allowed by code?
Under the 2023 NEC, a cover plate with USB or a night light must be listed, with its circuitry built into the plate. Plates that rely only on spring contacts have extra limits, including a 1-watt rating cap. Leviton’s code guide recommends a USB receptacle instead.
Do USB outlets wear out?
The sockets wear like any receptacle, and the USB electronics can fail or become dated. Warranties are short; one Leviton model has a one-year limited warranty. Replace any device that stops gripping plugs or gets warm.
Can I put a USB outlet in a kitchen?
Yes, as long as it meets the location rules. Kitchen counter receptacles need GFCI protection, which can come from a GFCI breaker or an upstream GFCI receptacle. An electrician arranges that.
Do USB outlets need to be tamper-resistant?
In homes, new receptacles generally must be tamper-resistant under the 2023 NEC 406.12, with a few exceptions. Many USB receptacles are sold as tamper-resistant; check the label.
Sources
- Leviton, T5835-W 30W USB Type-C/C 20A Tamper-Resistant Receptacle specifications, retrieved .
- Leviton, CC2P3-W 20A Tamper-Resistant 30W Dual USB-C Outlet specifications, retrieved .
- USB Implementers Forum, USB Charger (USB Power Delivery), retrieved .
- Leviton Captain Code (NEC 2023), Restrictions on Wallplates with USB or Nightlight (406.6(D)), retrieved .
- Leviton Captain Code (NEC 2023), Tamper-Resistant (TR) Receptacle Requirements Expanded (406.12), retrieved .
- US CPSC, Home Electrical Safety Checklist (Pub 513), retrieved .
- Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, 2023 National Electrical Code is almost here, retrieved .
- Washington State Register WSR 25-23-069 (L&I adopts the 2026 NEC), retrieved .
Expert review
Written by the HyreElectrical Research team. Not yet reviewed by an outside expert. We say so rather than imply a review that has not happened; see our editorial policy.
How the numbers were checked: Output, ratings, listings and warranty come from Leviton T5835-W and CC2P3-W data sheets. USB PD levels come from USB-IF. Code rules follow Leviton’s NEC 2023 guide (406.6(D), 406.12). Owner checks follow CPSC Pub 513. No DIY wiring; no prices under G-COST.
Suggest a correction. We fix errors and say what changed.