What sockets and switches are best to put in an apartment
To determine how to choose the right switches and sockets, it is advisable to know their structure and the main characteristics of different types of devices. Basically, which sockets are best installed in the apartment, you will have to choose according to their main parts, such as the base, conductive elements and front panels.
Content
Selection by accessories
The base is made of ceramic or plastic material. Ceramics are heat dissipative and flame retardant. The plastic base, for its part, is not as fragile, and some types of plastics are also capable of resisting fire.
The metal used for the conductive parts is brass or bronze with various coatings. When choosing a socket with brass elements, one must take into account their low reliability in conditions with high humidity. It is also undesirable to use it with aluminum wires, since these materials oxidize upon contact and slow down the conductivity of electricity.
Choosing which sockets are better, it is difficult not to pay attention to models with bronze contacts or pressure springs - their rating beats all reliability indicators. True, such outlets are very rare - these are premium products and are not purchased by stores for the mass consumer.
An integral part of a modern outlet is grounding contacts, which help to save equipment, wiring, as well as the life and health of their owner. In addition, such a protective element is capable of dissipating static voltage that periodically appears on the cases of electrical appliances and "jerks" users when touched. This is especially true for the use of water-related appliances. It is not worth the risk - you need to choose a household outlet manufacturer who has taken care of such an element.
The fastening mechanism is built into the inside of the socket - it is responsible for the reliability of the device. If this unit is not critical for external sockets, then the spacer of the internal ones must be resistant to mechanical stress.
The choice of outlets is also influenced by quality bezels. They do not transmit current and do not hold the entire device in place, but are an insulating layer that prevents foreign matter from entering. The choice of the socket front panel can be timed to the design of the interior of the room - then separately you need to pay attention to their material and style of execution. Some manufacturers produce sockets with several front panel options that can be freely changed without interfering with the interior.
Selection by type of installation
The most acceptable option for the best household outlet for an apartment is built-in. These sockets are designed so that the electrical part is recessed into the wall. Such a structure saves space, but it is advisable to choose the installation site in advance, even at the time of wiring. This is due to the fact that such devices are used together with wiring laid inside the wall. Such connections are the safest and highest quality in operation.
Surface-mounted sockets screw on the surface - this is a good option when using exposed wiring over a wall. They are more often used as a temporary device and are somewhat inferior in security.
Additional functions
When choosing which sockets and switches are better, you should pay attention to the rating of devices with protective curtains that cover the holes.This is an additional protection for children to exclude experiments in which nails and other metal objects are inserted into the outlet.
If you intend to frequently change electrical appliances, then you can choose outlets with a push-out mechanism. This not only facilitates the operation, but also increases its reliability, since there are no constant jerks when removing the plug. Thanks to the built-in mechanism, the fork is easily removed.
For forgetful people, it makes sense to look at outlets with an automatic shutdown or timer start device, which is set depending on the needs.
In addition to all the above types of outlets, you should pay attention to the rating of the company that manufactures such products. At the same time, one must remember that one cannot be the best in everything - if a manufacturer leads the rating in terms of build quality, this does not mean that he will lead in design, etc.
Selection by manufacturer
Basically, the quality of devices is determined by the service life, reliability and ease of installation. According to these criteria, each company was selected for the rating presented below. The top ten were made by the most popular manufacturers. They, in turn, can be divided into two subgroups, including budget and high-end:
- The first subgroup includes: Anam, GUSI, Makel, Lezard, Wessen, Belarusian sockets. These manufacturers know exactly what sockets it will be better to install in the apartment and solve this issue at the expense of quality and reasonable cost. The design of the products is quite simple and discreet, however, in terms of functional characteristics, they are standard high-quality models that can be safely installed in an apartment.
- The second group consists of premium class products that amaze not only with their quality, but also with their elegance and style. These include French Legrand, Italian Bticino and German Scneider-electric. Each of these firms demonstrates an original approach to the production of manufactured models. They have no fundamental differences in functionality, there are only individual preferences of the client, who is ready to overpay not only for a well-known brand, but also get excellent quality. The collections of these manufacturers are so diverse that it is rather difficult to choose the appropriate option. There are also standard models that are not inferior in reliability and in a relatively similar price range.
The first place can still be given to the French for their reasonable prices. At the same time, the colors and lineup are one of the most diverse. The next is a German manufacturer, which takes into account the most popular needs and implements solutions in various directions, producing high-quality sockets and switches. The Italian manufacturer, in addition to the quality of the components themselves, focuses on the originality of the appearance of the sockets, which invariably evokes a sense of admiration among the consumer.
Unfortunately, it is not yet possible to include domestic manufacturers in the list of the best, since the indicators of their products do not reach world standards. However, this does not mean that domestic sockets are of poor quality - they just are not in the TOP ratings.
Video selection
Where to choose
The variety of products on the market solves the main consumer's question - how to choose a socket that is suitable for all the above parameters. True, which company the products will be best for him, the buyer will still have to decide on his own, depending on the required characteristics and the proposed cost.
The only thing to consider when choosing a foreign manufacturer is the possibility of the existence of counterfeit goods on the market, which suffer from quality problems. The filling of such products does not correspond to the original description that is proposed.Most often, they save on materials, metal and plastic parts, which fail much faster and are practically not recoverable. If you come across supposedly high-quality products, but at a price significantly different from the average on the market, then this is a reason to think.
As a result, the choice often comes down to the amount to be spent. If this issue is not considered, then you can simply focus on choosing the design of the outlets, since the filling of the TOP manufacturers is unlikely to be of poor quality.
