DIY Industrial USB Charging Station

Have you ever been in need of an electrical outlet only to find that they’re hidden by furniture or in a hard to reach place? How about that elusive time of day when you’re cell phone’s down to 1% and you have a handful of charging cables, but nothing to plug it into? This seems to be a regular occurrence at The DIY Village, so we’ve finally solved these problems! We created a DIY industrial USB charging station that has an accessible outlet; 2 usb ports capable of charging all of your devices; and even has a built-in accent light! We think it would be the perfect addition to an office, your teenagers room, or even a college dorm room!

DIY Industrial USB Charging Station Materials List:

(Contains some affiliate links)

DIY Industrial USB Charging Station Tool List

DIY Industrial USB Charging Station Instructions:

In order to make room for connectors and fittings that you’ll be using to build your Industrial Charging Station, you’ll need to remove (2) 1/2-inch and (1) 3/4-inch knockouts from the handy box. (Set the handy box aside)

The hardwired emergency light has screw-out plugs that give you installation options.

Remove one of the side plugs from the light base and re-route the wiring through the opening.

Screw a 1/2-in x close nipple fitting into the side of the light base

Next, add a 90 degree elbow fitting to your base assembly. (Each time you add a piece a fitting, make sure to pull your wire through)

Take a 1/2” lock nut and screw it down onto a 1/2-inch x Close nipple fitting

Screw the bottom of the 1/2″ x Close nipple fitting into the 90 degree, then insert the top end into the left side knockout opening on the handy box and secure it in place with a 1/2″ lock nut.

To help support the weight of the electrical box, you’ll need to create a pedestal leg out of a 1/2” x 3/8” bushing, a 3/8” x 3” nipple fitting, and a 3/8″ floor flange.

The 1/2” end of the pedestal leg gets attached to the handy box with a 1/2″ lock nut.

Place a 3/4” cable connector through the 3/4” knockout opening on the back of the handy box.

Measure from the plug and cut the indoor extension cord to 42″. Remove the cable sheath from 3-4″ of the extension cord and run the insulated wires through the cable connector.

Use the remaining length of extension cord for wiring the rest of the charging station.

We are not electricians, and don’t claim to be, so when it comes to wiring, follow the manufacturers instructions for installing the outlet and switch. The only difference will be, where you would normally install an outlet and switch into existing wiring in the wall, you’ll be wiring it into an extension cord that gets plugged in. Here’s a look at a wiring diagram we followed.

When making the wire connections, use the proper size wire nut for the gauge wire you’ve chosen.

Once the connections have been made, wrap the wire nut with electrical tape.

Install the wired outlet and switch to the handy box with the supplied machine screws.

Finally, secure the faceplate onto the handy box.

Just like that, you have an accessible power supply for all of your USB devices! And if that wasn’t enough, you also have an open power outlet and an accent light, all in one!