In alt.home.repair, on Sat, 25 Jul 2015 17:18:04 -0400, "Robert Green"
wrote:

"micky" wrote in message

I would recommend getting another power strip and seeing if it exhibits
the
same characteristics as the one you have now.

Or if you're really dedicated to knowing the answer, and I gather that
is the point of the thread, reversing strips a and b can be done right
now.

Even quicker. I've found that power strips, particularly ones with filter
circuits, can interact with each other. I've had some that block X-10
signals and it doesn't matter if A goes to B or B goes to A.

As I said to Trader, I am bowing out. Too many red flags and not enough
interest, I guess. Without the proper tools on the OP's end like . . .

https://www.adafruit.com/products/1852 (USB Charger Doctor - recommended to
me by someone here and INCREDIBLY useful for such situation. It tells you

I love gadgets like this, but how often do such situations really occur?
Even in this case, I assume the OP is only academically curious, and
that his practical problem is solved by using strip A, and that he knows
this.

what voltage and amperage is actually reaching the charger. It's only $7.50
and no one who charges anything by USB should be without it.)

I want you to convince me to buy this, but then I see

plus xxx for shipping. SHIPPING (CALCULATED IN CHECKOUT), I hate
that., Sure enough, they want my name, email, address, and PHONE
before they'll tell me the shipping cost.

And then I see these and wonder if I shoudl buy these too!

USB Micro-B Breakout Board
Simple but effective - this breakout board has a USB Micro-B connector,
with all 5 pins broken out. ...
$1.50

USB Cable with Switch
Add a power switch to any USB-powered project simply by plugging this
between the USB power port and ...
$2.95 Is unplugging just as good as using this switch?

. . . there's going to be a lot of tail-chasing for little long-term or
useful edification for me, anyway, because if I had such a problem I'd put
the Charger Doctor on the case (no financial interest - just a very happy
customer who saw similar items selling for $75.)

Wow. Okay the price is great, but do you really use it?