How to choose sockets and switches: an overview of the best brands in today's market

Agree, among the proposals of sockets and switches, it is sometimes not easy to decide on a suitable option that will combine high quality products at an affordable price.

To facilitate the selection, we give an overview of popular wiring products from manufacturers whose products have won the trust of consumers. In addition, we will show you what characteristics and parameters should be taken into account in order to choose the optimal sockets and switches for the home.

Leading European manufacturers

In the safety of the technical equipment of an apartment or house, the installation of high-quality sockets and switches plays an important role. Therefore, the buyer’s attention is primarily focused on the products of well-known manufacturers with impressive experience and a well-deserved reputation in the market.

The composition of the five leading European brands that produce high-quality wiring products has not changed over the past ten years. All standard models of rating leaders in approximately the same price segment.

If we consider exquisite solutions, for example, from antique brass and bronze, ceramics and glass, then due to the high price they will be more likely inaccessible to the ordinary buyer. But in any case, these five leaders produce really high-quality products.

Schneider Electric - Energy Management Expert

The French company, founded 180 years ago, initially specialized in weapons. Over time, expanding his specialization, the multinational enterprise began to deal with issues of electrical engineering and telemechanics, exploring more promising electricity markets.

Today, the company is considered a global expert in energy management.

Thanks to the efforts of leading engineers and designers of the concern, the range of manufactured equipment is quite wide and includes:

• information sockets, models with grounding and protective curtains, etc .;
• breakersas well as single and double-key switches equipped with light indication.

To find fault with unsurpassed quality is simply impossible. All elements are made perfectly. The use of spring bronze in the design of contacts allowed the manufacturer to avoid the use of an additional clamping element.

Sockets and switches are reliable due to tried and tested clamps. They firmly hold fasteners even when creating heavy loads. Installation of switches and sockets, produced by a French concern, will not be difficult. Installation can be done using screws or mounting “feet”. Everything is accessible and understandable.

Properly thought out to the smallest detail, the reliability of its individual components and the entire structure as a whole is the key to the demand for Schneider products

Today, Schneider factories produce many series of sockets and switches.

The most popular among consumers are two series:

• Unica - A series of communication sockets and switches made according to the modular principle. This embodiment of the devices greatly expands the possibility of creating various functional combinations based on one seat.
• Sedna - the products of the series presented in 2012 are characterized by a low fit and sophistication of forms.

The catalogs present both concise models with a minimum of design elements, as well as devices with bright cases that can act as worthy decoration of the interior. All collections have vertical and horizontal frames in a wide color palette.

The products of the leading French manufacturer are a balanced combination of affordable prices and excellent quality.

Legrand - the solution for the "smart home" system

Wiring accessories of a world famous brand will cost a little cheaper Legrand. This is one of the few companies that supplies products such as three-key switch with a socket or a socket combined in a common housing with a switch.

Good and inexpensive products of this brand, which is famous for its reliability and safety, have long settled in the homes and offices of our compatriots

The French company, founded in the middle of the 19th century, relied on the use of new technologies in the production. Today wiring products in technology "smart House" This manufacturer is sold in more than 150 countries.

In our country, products created at the production sites of the concern are represented by trademarks: Legrand, Zucchini, BTicino, Sarlam, "Contactor" and Cablofil.

The range of products is wide and varied, both in nominal and functional set of parameters, starting with the available models and ending with wiring products made in an exclusive design.

In addition to traditional switches, the company offers rotary and walk-through, regulating cord devices.

Sockets are presented by television and acoustic, video and radio. Most of these outlets are designed to withstand currents up to 16 A.

Moreover, product quality does not deteriorate depending on the price of the product. All sockets and switches of this brand are made of self-extinguishing material. After all, the main postulate of the leading manufacturer is reliability and safety.

In the production line you can find truly exclusive product options with unique French charm

The use of various finishing frames allows you to harmoniously fit the purchased wiring product into the already equipped interior.

ABB - Swedish pedantry and Swiss precision

Corporation ABBestablished in 1988 as a result of the merger of a Swiss company Air force with a Swedish concern ASEA, today it is rightfully included in the top leading European manufacturers of wiring accessories.

The company specializes in the manufacture of automation equipment and power equipment. But the wiring products it produces are also on top quality.

Sockets and switches of this brand are able to withstand loads up to 3.5 kW; they work reliably and do not spark, and the term of their “life” reaches 15 years

All equipment of this European company is made in strict accordance with safety standards. And the design of each line has individual features. For example: series Impuls characterized by soft rounded shapes, and Reflex made in compliance with classical geometry.

Even in the basic collections, there are fluorescent frames that highlight the outline of the keys with soft light.

Bticino - Italian premium products

Wiring accessories of the Bticino trademark are not inferior in quality. The plastic used by the manufacturer of the highest quality allows the use of Italian sockets and switches in the arrangement of the "smart home" system.

For example, today they are very popular. motion switchthat responds to the presence of a person in the reach.

Products have high quality and long service life. They are easy to install and operate.

It is also important that all products of the Italian brand are manufactured in accordance with international safety standards. To obtain non-combustible plastic at the production stage, polycarbonate is added to the polymer.

Viko - functional simplicity and sleek design

The products of this brand are no less popular in the post-Soviet space. Most consumers choose sockets and switches Vico due to their reliability and affordable price.

They are exploited on the streets, installed in residential premises and even bathrooms - degree of protection Some models allow you to install outlets in rooms with high humidity.

All products manufactured under this brand are distinguished by standard functional simplicity and are famous for their laconic classic design.

Turkish manufacturer Viko, although not so actively introducing innovations, but with a price ratio, quality can surpass some of the more famous manufacturers.

On the market, the products of this brand are represented by five lines:

• Vera - for open laying;
• Palmiye - for external wiring;
• Kardelen, Carmen and Carme plus - for hidden wiring.

The manufacturers listed above over the years of competition have not ceased to improve production technologies.

And today, products manufactured under these brands are a guarantee of quality and reliability.

Popular budget solutions

Among budget models, products under the brand name deserve special attention Am.

Upon a quick inspection, the sockets of this brand seem a little awkward, and the switches are bulky with wide fields and huge buttons. But in terms of the quality of the plastic used, this is perhaps the best of budget applicants.

Made from quality material, the core of the products provides high protection against overheating, and the reliability of wiring in outlets prevents the likelihood of a short circuit

In the same price segment there is a brand name product Makel. The Turkish manufacturer specializes in producing high-quality and at the same time inexpensive sockets and switches. Products manufactured under this brand meet international safety standards.

Not so long ago, products appeared on our market Lezard. The Chinese brother, although it is part of Legrand, is inferior in quality to the “giant parent.”

Lezard products are made of good plastic. But they have one flaw - in them contact groups are not well developed. So, some consumers note that the “native” screws of the wiring accessories are rather frail, and the clamps are not large enough.

Wiring accessories brand Wessen - also a good option, produced by a domestic manufacturer. Since 2008, he has been part of the concern Schneider electric. But absolutely all stages of production, starting from design and ending with the release of goods, take place on the territory of Russia.

The most popular among consumers among the products produced by the “Russian Schneider” are the Rondo, Prima, and Hit ranges.

The only downside to Wessen products is the sloppiness of execution. For example, circuit breakers of this brand sin in that when assembled they can give asymmetry. During operation, the key may make an incomprehensible sound, and eventually fall out altogether.

Do not make high demands on budget models. Most of them have a low threshold for maximum load power.

Vulnerabilities in the budget models listed are low-strength clamps made of soft and thin metal, as well as weak fasteners

Switches and sockets of this group have a small reliability resource, and their service life rarely exceeds 5-6 years. It should be prepared for the fact that the plastic coating of the device will lose its presentable appearance after 1-2 years.

Competent selection criteria

The choice sockets or switch from a well-established manufacturer in many respects determines the quality and reliability of the device. But there are cases when, in an effort to make money quickly on someone else's "name", cheap counterfeit products of well-established manufacturers appear on the shelves.

Therefore, when choosing wiring devices, it is worth paying attention not only to the brand, but also to a number of parameters:

1. Appearance. Plastic components of the case when pressed on them should not give in to deformation.
2. Smell. The body of the product should not smell. A pungent and unpleasant smell indicates poor-quality plastic.
3. Device weight. A quality wiring device should be relatively heavy. This will allow us to hope for the thickness and strength of the material, as well as the durability of its structural elements.
4. Internal content. The clamps of the device can be made in the form of springs or screws. In sockets with a large rated current, a combined version is used: combined screw and spring clamps.

If possible, ask the seller to unwind the attractive outlet to carefully examine its "heart" - springs made of an alloy of non-ferrous metals.

They must be strictly aligned with the holes in the cover. The reliability of the contact and the long service life of the product directly depend on how firmly they compress the ends of the plug.

Pay attention to the place where the wires are attached to the contact elements. The thread, both of the bolts themselves and of the terminals, must be strictly vertical and devoid of spaces.

The pads for attaching the core of the device must be made of durable material. Low-quality metal is easy to identify even with the naked eye.

Preference should be given to collapsible models, the components of which, if necessary, can be replaced separately: calipers, core, removable frames, fasteners (+)

When choosing an outlet, keep in mind that different countries have standards that are different from our accepted standards for wiring products. This, in turn, can cause minor installation difficulties. In our country, the German standard has long been prevalent.

Today, euro sockets are also actively used. Universal models adapted to different types of forks.

According to the PUE p. 1.7.73 sockets of different voltage classes must be structurally different. This solution eliminates the possibility of installing in them the plugs of an electrical appliance designed for a different voltage class.

When choosing a model, focus on the type of your wiring, for example: for flush wiring, purchase recessed models

At choosing a light switch should be guided by two criteria:

• Maximum power. Particularly relevant when choosing to turn on powerful lighting fixtures.
• Guaranteed number of inclusions. Modern models can withstand up to hundreds of thousands of on / off without problems.

If we take the switching method as the basis, then the switches come with and without screw terminals. Masters recommend giving preference to models without screw clamps. They better provide tight contacts with conductive elements.

In any case, the product you purchase must be certified and have a guarantee. So you protect yourself and your loved ones from short circuits and electric shocks. Buying wiring products from official distributors, the risk of running into a fake is easily reduced to zero.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

A detailed analysis of the pros and cons of four models of sockets from different manufacturers:

The market for wiring products is vast. Leading brands and budget options calmly coexist on it. The main thing is to carefully study the nominal parameters of the products and how to install them.

After all, the leading European companies mainly produce highly specialized products for a specific type of equipment. And the inattention of the buyer can play a trick on him when an expensive and high-quality device, when not properly installed to the wrong network, quickly breaks down and provokes an emergency.

Tell your readers which brand you prefer when choosing outlets and switches. You can leave comments and ask questions on the topic in the communication block located below.