Sockets and switches: tips, advantages and disadvantages

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Sockets and switches: tips, advantages and disadvantages

It can be a difficult decision when selecting sockets and switches: we go for the classic range, which is the round dose and every device is in a dose, or we choose the modular version where we can put more than one device in a single dose. Depending on the simplicity or complexity of the electrical installation and how many sockets and switches you have in your house, for example if you have a large number of sockets and switches, our advice is to choose a modular range that is more compact and allows multiple devices to fit in the same dose as in the photo.

If you have a smaller number of sockets and switches, and you do not have groups of more than 3 devices then our advice is to go on the classic version that is cheaper and has a much wider offer in stores.

Simple and modular sockets

In this category the most important are: Schuko socket, RJ45 internet socket, TV socket, radio socket, RJ11 phone socket and newer USB socket. Our advice if you are making an electrical installation now is to adapt it to the evolution of the technology and use the Schuko socket (schuko is grounded) for power, the TV socket, signal TV and the USB socket to charge the phones, and give up the internet sockets for anyway you will mount a wireless router and all the devices will connect to it – plus they are also the most expensive, and the same with the radio sockets that we no longer find the utility these days.

Simple and modular switches

Here we have as usual: simple switch, double switch (commutator), head-step switch, head-ladder switch, head-cross switch, return switch, shutter switch. From our point of view, each of these switches can be found in almost 80% of electrical installations. As a short endlessness we will start with the simple or double switch that turns on or off the light from a single consumer, we continue with the head-ladder that can turn off / light the same consumer from two different places of the room; the cross-head switch that can be intermediate between head-ladder switches and increases to 3 the number of places where you can turn off / on the light; The return switch can  be used for example to the buzzer and the shutter switch that is used to operate the blinds, curtains, etc.

After this brief detailing of socket types and switches, we will remember that it is important to look for quality products that will relieve problems such as melting contacts, avulsion of the sockets from the wall, the unsightly assembling, poor quality finishes, etc. We will mention a few manufacturers that provide a guarantee and at least good quality: Legrand, Schneider, sockets and switches – Gewiss, Biticino, Hager.

Each of the mentioned manufacturers also has a cheaper and a more expensive range depending on the finishes chosen or the color of the appliances and the frames. You will find, for example, glass, marble, granite, leather, natural wood, wrought iron frames that can greatly increase the cost of equipping a house. Our advice is to choose according to the budget, the colors and materials used in the decoration of walls and doors.

In order to make a conclusion we will present some advantages and disadvantages in buying a simple range or a modular range.

Advantages:

Modular range: compact assembling, aesthetic and a good design, very good fixing in doses;

Simple range: lower price, more varied offer, quick assembling;

Disadvantages:

Modular range: Dose + support + device assembly, higher price, careful information before ordering them;

Simple range: it occupies a lot of space on the wall, problems with fixing in doses.