Do low profile switched USB-A adapters exist?

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Mehrts

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#302115 30-Oct-2022 12:18

Hi GZ,

Bit of an odd request, but does anyone happen to know if any low profile USB-A switched adapters exist? My Google-fu has run out, and I can't find anything except for the short cables with a bulky switch in the middle (see pic below).

Ideally the type of thing I'm trying to find would have a USB-A male plug, an on/off switch, and a USB-A female socket all within the same small housing (no cables). It's really no biggie if nothing like this exists, but I'm surprised there's nothing out there, especially on Aliexpress. It's just to switch USB power on/off.

Mehrts

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#2989648 30-Oct-2022 12:46

I'm tempted to make my own, with one of these 180 degree adapters and just solder a small switch to the back of it after cutting the +ve trace within the PCB.

SCUBADOO

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#2989659 30-Oct-2022 14:21

Something must exist. I have a few of these in our motorhome. The touch switch works perfectly.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003034313584.html

mattwnz

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#2989661 30-Oct-2022 14:48

Usually you switch off the USB transformer itself, otherwise it is still on. Otherwise the device itself should have a switch. The switch on the picture you have pasted in is the identical type they use on the cord of bedside lights.. You can buy HPM ones similar to it but they are bulky because they are often designed to switched mains. I did notice when setting up low voltage LED lights, that there are a lack of physical low voltage switches.

Mehrts

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#2989665 30-Oct-2022 14:54

This is just for a car application, where the USB port is always live anyway. It's for powering a phone charger/mount, no data goes over the link.

I wanted to find a small switched setup to avoid having to insert/remove the connector every time I either wanted to charge (or not charge) the phone while it's on the mount. Yes the cables will work, but they're just too bulky, and I can just make one myself if I wanted. Same goes for adding a switch into the upstream power supply for the USB port.

SCUBADOO

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#2989687 30-Oct-2022 16:23

Mehrts:

This is just for a car application, where the USB port is always live anyway. ...

Note the power switch on the right hand side. It is a TOUCH switch. USB power on or off.

Surely there must be a similar mains powered device on Aliexpress?

Mehrts

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#2989688 30-Oct-2022 16:35

SCUBADOO:

Note the power switch on the right hand side. It is a TOUCH switch. USB power on or off.

Surely there must be a similar mains powered device on Aliexpress?

There are plenty of outlets like that for sale, and if I didn't already have a USB port available then I'd use one. The only reason why I was trying to find a small switch block instead of a cabled solution was to make it as discreet as possible in the space available.

I'm just surprised there is zero options out like that out there!

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neb

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#2989700 30-Oct-2022 18:33

Mehrts:
Bit of an odd request, but does anyone happen to know if any low profile USB-A switched adapters exist? My Google-fu has run out, and I can't find anything except for the short cables with a bulky switch in the middle (see pic below).

Be careful with those switched cables, there's some site somewhere that tests things like this and the switched USB cables are absolute garbage, 5V in, 4V out (depending on current).

neb

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#2989701 30-Oct-2022 18:35

Mehrts:
The only reason why I was trying to find a small switch block instead of a cabled solution was to make it as discreet as possible in the space available.

I'm just surprised there is zero options out like that out there!

I think the reason you can't find any is that the switched cable is just three standard off-the-shelf parts joined up while a switched connector would require custom moulding and tooling to create.