Apparatus and method for providing power from a power source to a portable electrical device

An apparatus for providing power from a vehicle power source to at least one portable electrical device includes: (a) a power interface unit for coupling with the vehicle power source; (b) a power converter unit coupled with the power interface unit; (c) at least one first voltage output connection structure coupled with the power converter unit; the at least one first voltage connection structure presenting at least one first voltage output; the at least one first voltage output connection structure being configured for effecting universal serial bus coupling; and (d) first short-circuit protection circuitry coupled with the power converter unit and the at least one first voltage output connection structure.