Combined double outlet & USB making a noise?

[RonA]

Had a curious incident this am in chateau nous. Whilst connecting my Ipad to one of those combined double outlets & USB charge points thought I heard water running. It sounded as if it was coming from below the floor boards & given it was adjacent to the radiator, immediately had visions of having to remove the radiator, lift the laminate floor to repair a leak on the central pipe work.
To be sure it was a leak, depressed the CH system & shut off the incoming water supply but sound was still present. On a long shot shut off the downstairs ring main & the noise stopped!.
It would appear the USB socket on the double outlet was the source of the ‘leak’, anybody experienced similar?
Also have noticed some LED lights ‘whistle’ just beginning to wonder if it’s my sensitive hearing?
RonA

 

[ampegboy1]

I've got a couple of the BG ones ScrewFix sell in the bedroom and they whistle slightly, but it's just quiet enough to ignore. The chargers for some of our electronic devices do it as well, I can't have those plugged in in the bedroom at night or the whistle keeps me awake! The LED bulbs in the kitchen whistle noticeably and the baby's LED night-light does it when the brightness is turned down. One of the compromises of modern living? I'm almost starting to look forward to the natural deterioration of my hearing, since it's the high frequencies that go first!

Michael

 

[rikrobson]

the power supply shouldn't really be buzzing or hissing. I'm not sure I'd leave a potentially faulty device in by wall to be honest.

I've never liked the idea of thes USB chargers in the sockets.

 

[tlovatt]

I have gone through a number of charger devices to find ones that do not buzz, whistle or hum. I find it really annoying when they do, but it can be a feature of SMPS, especially when they are poorly designed. Having tried a few I now use 4 port 2A chargers made by (or branded by) RAV Power as they have all been quiet so far.

 

[WorkshopChris]

As above its is a unfortunate characteristic of a poorly specified switch mode power supply. Not necessarily dangerous, alough quality manufactures will tweak designs to almost eliminate any audible noise.

 

[Migmac]

Ha, i’m partially deaf but I can hear one of our hall lights making a noise. Makes a nice change from my tinnitus!

 

[wookie]

I'm almost starting to look forward to the natural deterioration of my hearing, since it's the high frequencies that go first!

I'll happily trade you my knackered hearing and tinnitus for your good hearing, I wish I'd taken more care of it back in the day.

 

[armalites]

When these USB equipped sockets first became common I read report online where they stripped about 9 of them apart, all different manufactures. Some they said were down right dangerous and bare USB connections very close to mains connections amongst other things. From what I remember not one of them got a completely clean sheet. I have a couple now and I had no issues with them. The one thing that rang alarm bells for me is that MK took ages to get one out there and at one point they even listing them in Screwfix but the stock never made it to the stores, it may have now.

I've got a Dewalt L-Ion charger that squeeks for want of a better word when left plugged in, I always thought it was one of those things but I've recently bought another and it doesn't do it.

 

[armalites]

Here's the article I read

https://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/mediafile/100145109/web_usb-article-from-so32.pdf

 

[zx9]

As above its is a unfortunate characteristic of a poorly specified switch mode power supply. Not necessarily dangerous, alough quality manufactures will tweak designs to almost eliminate any audible noise.

I am amazed by how small some of the USB combined double gang switched outlets are, makes you wonder how long they will last in comparison to the Wandsworth ones I have seen being fitted in some of the hotels I have worked in which were a tight fit in a 35mm metal back box.