How do I add USB charging outlets to my home in New Brunswick?

USB outlets — receptacles with built-in USB charging ports alongside standard electrical sockets — are one of the easiest and most satisfying electrical upgrades for any New Brunswick home. They eliminate the clutter of charging adapters and make every outlet a convenient charging station.

Types of USB Outlets Available

USB-A Outlets (Standard USB)

The original USB outlet type with the familiar rectangular USB-A port:

• Output: Typically 2.4A per port (some older models only 1A — avoid these)


• Best for: Older devices, basic charging


• Price: $15–$25 each at Kent Building Supplies, Home Hardware, Canadian Tire


• Status: Being phased out in favour of USB-C

USB-C Outlets (Current Standard)

USB-C ports deliver faster charging and are compatible with nearly all modern devices:

• Output: Up to 15W (3A at 5V) standard, some models offer Power Delivery (PD) up to 30W for fast charging phones and even charging laptops


• Best for: Modern smartphones (iPhone 15+, Samsung Galaxy, Pixel), tablets, wireless earbuds


• Price: $20–$35 each


• Recommendation: Buy USB-C outlets, not USB-A. All new devices use USB-C, and the price difference is minimal

Combo Outlets (USB-A + USB-C)

Dual-format outlets with both USB-A and USB-C ports:

• Typically 2 standard AC sockets + 1 USB-A + 1 USB-C


• Good transition choice if your household has a mix of older and newer devices


• Price: $20–$30 each


• Most popular option currently

High-Power USB-C PD Outlets

Premium outlets with USB-C Power Delivery capable of 30W or more:

• Can charge laptops, tablets, and phones at maximum speed


• Typically have 1 USB-C PD port + 1 USB-A port + 2 AC sockets


• Price: $35–$55 each


• Worth the premium for home office and bedside locations where you charge laptops

Recommended Products

| Product | Ports | Output | Price | Available |
|---------|-------|--------|-------|-----------|
| Leviton T5833 | 2 AC + 1 USB-C + 1 USB-A | 30W USB-C PD | $35–$45 | Home Hardware, electrical supply |
| Legrand USB-C | 2 AC + 2 USB-C | 15W per port | $25–$35 | Home Hardware |
| Eaton USB Combo | 2 AC + 1 USB-C + 1 USB-A | 24W total | $20–$30 | Kent, Home Hardware |
| TP-Link Kasa KP115 | 2 AC + 2 USB | Smart/Wi-Fi controlled | $30–$40 | Amazon.ca |
| Generic CSA-certified combo | 2 AC + 1 USB-C + 1 USB-A | 15W USB-C | $15–$25 | Canadian Tire, Amazon.ca |

Critical: Only buy outlets with CSA certification or cUL listing. Uncertified USB outlets from overseas sellers may not meet Canadian safety standards and can overheat, catch fire, or damage connected devices. Look for the CSA or cUL mark on the device itself, not just the packaging.

Installation: DIY or Electrician?

DIY Installation (No Permit Required)

Replacing an existing standard outlet with a USB outlet is a like-for-like device swap — same box, same wiring, same circuit. No TSANB permit is needed.

What you need:

• Non-contact voltage tester ($15–$25 — essential safety tool)


• Flat and Phillips screwdrivers


• The new USB outlet


• Possibly new wire nuts (the USB outlet may be bulkier, requiring longer wire tails)

Step-by-step:

Turn off the breaker for the circuit at the panel

Verify power is off with the voltage tester at the outlet

Remove the cover plate and unscrew the old outlet from the box

Note the wire connections: Black (hot) to brass screw, white (neutral) to silver screw, bare copper (ground) to green screw. Photograph before disconnecting.

Disconnect wires from the old outlet

Connect wires to the new USB outlet using the same terminal assignments

Carefully fold wires and push the outlet into the box. USB outlets are physically deeper than standard outlets — this is the most common challenge. If the box is shallow (old metal boxes in pre-1970s NB homes), you may need to:

- Use the outlet's screw terminals instead of back-stab connections (saves space)
- Trim wire tails slightly shorter (leave at least 6 inches per CEC)
- If the box is genuinely too shallow, a box extender ($2–$5) adds depth

Secure the outlet, install the cover plate, restore power

Test: Plug in a device to verify USB charging works

Time: 15–20 minutes per outlet once you've done one.

Electrician Installation

Hire an electrician if:

• You're not comfortable working with electrical wiring


• The existing box is too small or damaged


• You want to add USB outlets where no outlet currently exists (new circuit — TSANB permit required)


• Your home has aluminum wiring (requires special AL/CU connectors)

Cost: $30–$50 per outlet for labour (you supply the outlets), or $50–$80 per outlet if the electrician supplies them. Most electricians charge a minimum service call of $100–$150, so batch multiple outlets into one visit.

Where to Install USB Outlets (Priority Locations)

Highest value:

Bedside tables — nightstand charging for phones, watches, tablets. Both sides of the bed in the master bedroom.

Kitchen counter — charging phones while cooking, powering kitchen tablets/displays

Home office desk — laptop, phone, tablet, wireless earbuds charging

Living room end tables — convenient charging while relaxing

Entryway/mudroom — charge phones when you walk in the door

Good value:

Bathroom vanity — electric toothbrush, shaver, phone charging (must remain GFCI-protected — use a USB outlet with GFCI, or ensure it's downstream of a GFCI)

Kids' rooms — tablet and device charging

Guest room — visitors always appreciate available USB charging

Usually not needed:

• Outlets behind furniture or appliances (refrigerator, washer/dryer)


• Garage outlets (tool circuits, not charging locations)


• Outdoor outlets

GFCI Considerations

In locations that require GFCI protection (bathrooms, kitchens within 1.5m of a sink, outdoors, garages), you have two options:

USB outlet + GFCI breaker in panel: Use a standard USB outlet and protect the circuit with a GFCI breaker. Cost: $40–$60 for the GFCI breaker.

GFCI + USB combo outlet: Some manufacturers make outlets that combine GFCI protection with USB ports in one device. These are bulkier and more expensive ($35–$50) but provide integrated protection.

Standard USB outlet downstream of GFCI: If the circuit already has a GFCI outlet (first outlet on the circuit), any standard USB outlet downstream is GFCI-protected. This is the most common and economical approach.

Technical Notes

Circuit loading: USB ports add a small load to the circuit (5–30W depending on the outlet and how many devices are charging). This is negligible on a 15-amp (1,800W) or 20-amp (2,400W) circuit. You won't need circuit upgrades for USB outlets.

Box depth: USB outlets are 25–35mm deeper than standard outlets because they contain a transformer and charging circuitry. Standard modern plastic boxes (3 inches deep) accommodate them easily. Old shallow metal boxes (2 inches deep, common in pre-1970s NB homes) may be too tight — use a box extender or have an electrician install a deeper box.

Heat: USB outlets generate slight warmth during charging (the internal transformer converts 120V AC to 5V DC). This is normal. The outlet should feel slightly warm, never hot. If an outlet feels hot, unplug devices and replace the outlet — the internal components may be failing.

Cost for a Typical NB Home Upgrade

| Scope | DIY Cost | Electrician Installed |
|-------|----------|----------------------|
| 4 USB outlets (bedside + kitchen) | $80–$140 | $200–$350 |
| 8 USB outlets (bedrooms + kitchen + office + living room) | $160–$280 | $400–$650 |
| 12 USB outlets (whole house) | $240–$420 | $550–$900 |

For most New Brunswick homeowners, 4–8 strategically placed USB outlets at $80–$350 is the sweet spot — it covers the locations where you actually charge devices without overdoing it.

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