Crabtree, Marbo, MK, Volex, BG, Contactum, Telco, OEM etc - which sockets + switches to choose?
David Robinson
I don't like the look of the MK range - I just want simple square flat
white fittings.
I don't want the switches to fail.
I don't want the sockets to be so stiff you can't get plugs in+out.
I want the rear terminals to grip 2 or 3 cores of 2.5mm T+E properly.
The most exotic thing I need is a 3-gang intermediate switch - I'll
probably use MK grid for that. I also need a couple of 2-gang
intermediate switches. I can only find these from Contactum - rounded
corners (wanted square) but not too bad I suppose. Also need a couple
of neons, couple of dimmers etc.
I'm _fairly_ happy if some of those switches look a little "different"
from the rest - so what is the best and cheapest choice for the rest
of it?
Cheers,
David.
Tim Watts
I've been using GET white plastic. So far so good - the terminals are
nice, sockets are not overheating despite having been maxed out by fan
heaters over winter and the switches seem positive. But I cannot give a
long term opinion yet.
The GET grid range is pretty nice too - with a variety of colours of
plates and modules including white plastic.
Very inexpensive if you shop around on the internet (expect <3 quid for
a double 13A socket). GET have some nice button dimmers (slavable using
one or more remote pushbuttons) that are also grid format - checkout
Homebase, they sell those.
MK are pretty solid by reputation too and have lost of grid stuff.
--
Tim Watts
Hung parliament? Rather have a hanged parliament.
Tim Watts
>
> I don't like the look of the MK range - I just want simple square flat
> white fittings.
OK - you don't like MK - fair enough - they are quite clunky.
I've heard bad things about Volex. Contactum went bust and they got
revitalised so I don't know what their current stuff is like. Crabtree
have had a good long term reputation. Marbo gives me the heebies, not
sure why.
Have a look on the IET (IEE) forums too - there's lots of comments about
makes - remmeber, proper sparkies get called back if stuff dies after a
year, so there is a fairly balanced opinion there.
See if Adam comments too.
Grimly Curmudgeon
drugs began to take hold. I remember David Robinson
<davidr...@postmaster.co.uk> saying something like:
>I don't like the look of the MK range - I just want simple square flat
>white fittings.
>
>I don't want the switches to fail.
>I don't want the sockets to be so stiff you can't get plugs in+out.
>I want the rear terminals to grip 2 or 3 cores of 2.5mm T+E properly.
I've been using mostly Curva for the past few years. Very decent quality
at just above contract-grade prices.
Charles Fearnley
"David Robinson" <davidr...@postmaster.co.uk> wrote in message
news:ab20e9a4-3d64-4cf8...@v18g2000vbc.googlegroups.com...
> Complete re-wire.
>
> I don't like the look of the MK range - I just want simple square flat
> white fittings.
>
> I don't want the switches to fail.
> I don't want the sockets to be so stiff you can't get plugs in+out.
> I want the rear terminals to grip 2 or 3 cores of 2.5mm T+E properly.
>
> of it?
>
> Cheers,
> David.
Rewired three years ago and went through same decision making progress. I
ordered one item each from half a dozen manufacturers, for technical
assessment and "household approval".
Decided on Crabtree for:
Mid price, "classic" appearance, good terminals, and apparent solid
construction. Sensible spring tension on sockets, and positive but not
overloud switches. Also Crabtree don't seem to change design too often, so
further purchases to match are possible (hopefully) in the future.
Appearance is basic square, with slightly rounded corners and edges, with
switch toggles slightly concave. Colour is trending more towards cream than
bright white. Good range of less common accessories.
No failures in three years so far, and no signs of cooked contacts or
sockets - but I would hope for much longer life than this anyway.
TLC don't do Crabtree (I think), but Screwfix often have offers on 13A
sockets, and stock most other options. Double pole switches on the sockets
cost almost no more, so this is probably a useful option.
The fittings I replaced were Crabtree too, with almost 40 years of service
from newbuild, and apart from some slightly vague switch actions were all
still OK - the best have ended up installed in the garage for now.
Best of luck with your choice,
Charles F
John Rumm
> Complete re-wire.
>
> I don't like the look of the MK range - I just want simple square flat
> white fittings.
I have almost exclusively been using the GET ultimate range form TLC
over the last few year.
These are square cornered - by they do taper slightly toward the top and
bottom - making less protrusion top and bottom:
http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Images/Products/size_3/GU3020.JPG
they also have little blanking plugs to fill the screw holes with! (with
2 spares per socket)
> I don't want the switches to fail.
Not had a problem yet
> I don't want the sockets to be so stiff you can't get plugs in+out.
These are not
> I want the rear terminals to grip 2 or 3 cores of 2.5mm T+E properly.
These have nice large square holes with proper clamps - will take 4 x
2.5mm without too much difficulty.
> The most exotic thing I need is a 3-gang intermediate switch - I'll
Don't think TLC do that...
> probably use MK grid for that. I also need a couple of 2-gang
> intermediate switches. I can only find these from Contactum - rounded
> corners (wanted square) but not too bad I suppose. Also need a couple
> of neons, couple of dimmers etc.
>
> I'm _fairly_ happy if some of those switches look a little "different"
> from the rest - so what is the best and cheapest choice for the rest
> of it?
Double sockets are on special offer at the mo - �1.55 + VAT each if you
buy 10 or more.
--
Cheers,
John.
/=================================================================\
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\=================================================================/
David Robinson
> Have a look on the IET (IEE) forums too - there's lots of comments about
> makes - remmeber, proper sparkies get called back if stuff dies after a
> year, so there is a fairly balanced opinion there.
Ah, hadn't been there before - thanks.
Can't find that much comment on the cheaper brands - but several
threads about how MK and Crabtree aren't the gold standard they once
were. Interesting forum though.
Cheers,
David.
PeterC
Screwfix used to do Superswitch white moulded range, but that seems to have
gone and there's now Varilight that looks very similar.
If Varilight is the same as Superswitch (just a change of name), then I
found that Superswitch had positive, quiet action, nicely rounded but not
overstated profile and seemed to be of reasonable quality.
http://www.screwfix.com/cats/A482046/Electrical-Supplies/Switches-Sockets/White-Moulded/Varilight-White-Range
--
Peter.
2x4 - thick plank; 4x4 - two of 'em.
John Rumm
> On Tue, 18 May 2010 09:18:02 -0700 (PDT), David Robinson wrote:
>
>> On 18 May, 13:11, Tim Watts<t...@dionic.net> wrote:
>>
>>> Have a look on the IET (IEE) forums too - there's lots of comments about
>>> makes - remmeber, proper sparkies get called back if stuff dies after a
>>> year, so there is a fairly balanced opinion there.
>>
>> Ah, hadn't been there before - thanks.
>>
>> Can't find that much comment on the cheaper brands - but several
>> threads about how MK and Crabtree aren't the gold standard they once
>> were. Interesting forum though.
>>
>> Cheers,
>> David.
>
> Screwfix used to do Superswitch white moulded range, but that seems to have
> gone and there's now Varilight that looks very similar.
Varilight have been about for quite a while. I have used a fair number
of their dimmers without any problems.
Their master / slave touch dimmers are quite handy if you need dimming
control from more than one switch position.
ARWadsworth
"David Robinson" <davidr...@postmaster.co.uk> wrote in message
news:ab20e9a4-3d64-4cf8...@v18g2000vbc.googlegroups.com...
CLICK stuff is reasonably priced. They used to have the the nice feature
that you could take a 3 gang lightswitch and each gang was a module that you
could remove and replace individual modules with intermediate modules, The
end result looked just like a 3 gang switch.. I can double check that they
still do that later if you wish.
Cheers
Adam
The Natural Philosopher
Dunno who makes em, but I swaer by Newey and Eyre's pwn brand - Newlec -
for basic 'does what it says' stuff,
Grimly Curmudgeon
<adamwa...@blueyonder.co.uk> saying something like:
>CLICK stuff is reasonably priced.
That's the badger.
It's Click who make Curva - Curva being the name of the range.
David Robinson
wrote:
> "David Robinson" <davidrobin...@postmaster.co.uk> wrote in message
I'm interested. Where is this sold Adam?
Cheers,
David.
ARWadsworth
Lots of wholesalers. But probably not CEF, Neweys and Edmunsons. Most small
wholesalers will sell the or be able to get CLICK in.
CLICKS home page is
http://www.scolmore.com/
and the info on the switches is here
No doubt you can buy from eBay.
Cheers
Adam
ARWadsworth
"The Natural Philosopher" <t...@invalid.invalid> wrote in message
news:ht03nj$gbr$2...@news.albasani.net...
GET supply Neweys with the sockets and switches.
Adam
ARWadsworth
"ARWadsworth" <adamwa...@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote in message
news:g%TIn.12970$dh7....@newsfe13.ams2...
And I have only ever done this with the CLICK standard range of switches.
Adam