In everyday life, we constantly use switches and sockets, which means that their choice should be approached thoroughly, and the products themselves should be chosen correctly. There are different types of outlets and switches designed for normal use on a 220V AC 50Hz network. And here it is important to consider their characteristics:
- type and design features;
- rated load;
- workmanship and manufacturer;
- type of climatic protection;
- appearance and compliance of this type with the interior design of a house or apartment.
Paying attention to the technical side when choosing a socket, as well as a switch, is as important as their appearance. Appearance is not just about color and style. And also the material of their manufacture. Let's look at the topic of choosing a socket, what are the options in our market, and what will be the best option for you?
This article was prepared with the support of specialists from the Russian company LK Studio.
Types of sockets
If you are faced with the question of choosing an outlet, then you need to buy it, based on the conditions in which you plan to use it. There are various models of sockets, here we can highlight:
- standard options for a two-phase electrical network;
- with the presence of grounding contacts;
- with the presence of protective curtains;
- double or single execution;
- with built-in USB connector;
- in the performance of additional protection.
What are the best sockets? It all depends on the place of their application in the house or apartment, as well as the type of network. The price-quality ratio is of great importance when choosing. In our market you can find different options from well-known or little-known companies, Western, Chinese or domestic production.
Separately, I would like to highlight the products of the Russian company LK Studio. Her series sockets and switches LK60 has an optimal combination of price and high quality. In fact, you are choosing products from the best brands, but at our prices. This is an important advantage today.
The sockets and switches of this brand have a huge selection of designs. Here the style and colors go well with the choice of materials. There is room for creativity when choosing them.
Criterias of choice
What should you consider when choosing outlets and switches for your home? If we briefly describe the most significant parameters, then here we can highlight:
- the type of electrical wiring for which they are designed;
- execution of sockets and switches;
- specifications;
- product design;
- protection of the case, if required;
- cost.
It is worth dwelling on some points in more detail, because taking them into account, you can choose exactly the option that suits you best.
Electrical wiring type
The correct product assumes that it exactly matches the wiring in the house. Therefore, choose sockets that exactly match the electrical lines laid in your house or apartment. In total, the following types of outlets and the corresponding types of wiring can be distinguished:
- outdoor design of networks with wires laid openly on insulators or in cable ducts;
- internal or hidden wiring, with wire laying inside the walls;
- a combined version, for example, an overhead socket;
- wireless switches.
Sockets and switches for an apartment, your own house or an outbuilding should be purchased based on the type of wiring. Separately, it is worth commenting on the options for overhead sockets, when the power supply point is placed on the hidden wiring not inside the wall in the installation box, but outside the wall. In this case, the cable is led out into the mechanism of such an outlet also outside.
Enclosure protection
In some situations it is required that the socket housing has a degree of protection. This may be needed in such situations:
- when installing a power point in a bathroom or kitchen, as well as in places where there is high humidity or splash protection is required;
- if there is an increased level of dust in the room;
- if additional protection of switches or sockets is required;
- if you want to choose an outlet for outdoor outdoor use under a canopy or roof (without direct jets of water entering the product).
The degree of protection has its own classification. If you need to additionally protect the switch or the socket inside the dwelling, then the protection level IP44 is sufficient. For better protection or when installing the product outdoors under a canopy, IP54 or IP55 protection is required. A more serious level of climatic performance will already involve the installation of a power supply point simply in the open air.
Breaker selection
Which switch is best to use is up to you. Here are the options:
- one, two or three-key type;
- with or without indication;
- push-button type;
- touch-sensitive switches;
- with the possibility of dimming;
- with swivel mechanism;
- wireless switches.
The choice of which model you want to take for yourself according to the design features is up to you. Only one point can be highlighted here, it is worth using only a high-quality and aesthetic switch.
Design and material
The design of the socket and other wiring accessories plays a huge role. In this case, choose outlets that perfectly match the style of your home and specific rooms. As opportunities, you can single out such design options, as well as the materials used. Here we can highlight:
- form and principle of work;
- color and combination of shades;
- material of manufacture;
- additional decoration;
- additional cladding options.
Here you can comment on the item related to the material. There are electrical accessories, which are made not only of high-quality plastic, but also of natural wood, tempered glass, metal and decorative stone. For example, such design options are available in the products of the LK Studio company, which we mentioned earlier.
The cost
On the issue of the purchase price of an outlet, here it is worth giving only one piece of advice - you should not buy cheap and low-quality products. This is not only not particularly aesthetically pleasing, but also unsafe. When choosing, be sure to pay attention to the technical specifications. Some western well-known companies have outlets that have understated parameters. They are specially manufactured for specific purposes, which means that you should understand whether they are suitable for you.
Important specifications
You need to buy an outlet of the appropriate type and a reliable manufacturer. Let's take a closer look at what technical parameters you should pay attention to.
Earthing
Do your networks have a ground wire, or do you have old two-phase wiring? If there are only two wires in the cable - phase and zero, then only such an outlet should be installed. For a three-conductor wire that is grounded, the outlet should only be purchased with grounding contacts.
If you put a grounded outlet on a two-phase network, then you need to equip the ground loop yourself, taking into account all the rules and requirements. It is forbidden to connect grounding to water, gas, sewerage or heating pipes.
Ratings
When choosing wiring products, be sure to pay attention to the nominal values of their characteristics. They are indicated in the instructions for the outlet or on its mechanism case. It is worth choosing sockets and switches that are designed for:
- rated load current up to 16A;
- total power of connected devices up to 3.5 kW;
- voltage up to 250V;
- connectable cable with a cross-section of 2.5 sq. mm.
The ability to operate at loads close to the nominal values distinguishes high-quality products from low-quality counterparts. Good outlets will not overheat, spark and generally break under load. All of this is very likely to happen with cheap low-end products.
Screw and screwless connection
There are several types of clamping the power cord contacts on the socket mechanism terminals. There are two most common here:
- standard and customary screw connection;
- screwless clamp.
The screwless connection of the contacts in the socket mechanism is a latch clip that tightly presses the bare wire to the contact. Such options are found in Legrand products, for example.
The conventional screw version is a familiar but well-proven fastening method. If we compare these two types of fastening the wire to the socket terminals, then they are completely identical in terms of reliability and safety.
Types of connectors
There are quite a large number of types of connectors in the world that are used in sockets. In various countries, you can find sockets and plugs on them that are completely incompatible with the standards you are used to.
In our country, the most common is the so-called Type "C", which involves standard arrangement of sockets for round plugs with and without center pins grounding. This is an old standard used on two-phase networks.
Also, the type of sockets marked "F" is gaining popularity. It completely repeats type "C", but has contacts at the top and bottom for grounding. If we talk about all the variety of connector types, then we need to take the English alphabet and go from the letters "A" to "O".
Popular manufacturers
Sockets of which manufacturers should you buy if you want to make a purchase according to this criterion? We have already mentioned here the products of our Russian company LK Studio and the French brand Legrand. To these you can add such manufacturers, whose wiring products are also worthy of attention: Schneider electric, ABB, Siemens, Berker, Gira and a number of others.
Pay attention to the materials from which the contact block is made, the mechanism case, the caliper and the bezel with the frame. They must be durable, safe and reliable, and minimize the chance of fire. These are important parameters.
Also important is the ability of electrical accessories to operate at loads close to nominal values without losing their qualities. This is, perhaps, the most important difference between good products, from their, albeit inexpensive, but low-quality counterparts.