Categories: Sockets and switches
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How is the design of expensive sockets different from cheap

 

Arriving at the electronics store, you sometimes notice that your eyes are scattering from the number of different outlets that are presented on the window. Overhead and domestic, expensive and cheap, with and without curtains, etc. Which choice? A flair seems to suggest that a good and high-quality product, in principle, can not be cheap.

On the other hand, what can be so unusual in the design of a seemingly ordinary outlet, which makes it so expensive? Although the bitter experience reminds: “once I took the cheapest outlet, it cracked during installation right away”. The answer suggests itself. More expensive sockets are really better, and it would be better to take a closer look directly at the store, what is so useful hidden in the design of an expensive socket.

Installation of an electrical outlet

The bottom line is that new outlet designs, from manufacturers who value their reputation, are developed taking into account the shortcomings of previous versions of this product. Therefore, by purchasing the outlet of a new model, you are betting on the engineering innovations and improvements brought by the company's developers to this more modern model.

How is the design of expensive sockets different from cheap

In fact, it is worth taking a closer look at an expensive outlet, paying attention to new elements, the features of a modern design, in contrast to previous versions. Indeed, you see, when making repairs in your home, nobody wants to redo everything later, on the contrary - there is a desire to do everything efficiently and for many centuries. So why not immediately put reliable and high-quality sockets, even if you pay a little more money once.

Disassembled socket

The stainless steel mounting plate for more expensive outlets contains an additional protective polycarbonate overlay on top of it. This dielectric element serves as insulation in the event of a phase breakdown on the conductive structural element. By the way, the mounting plate itself can be completely made of a sufficiently strong dielectric - this is an even safer solution.

Suppose you needed to change the wiring configuration, re-stick the wallpaper, or even for some purpose dismantle an outlet already installed on the wall. If you forget to turn off the electricity, then if there is a breakdown on a metal plate, you risk getting an electric shock.

The presence of an insulating polycarbonate lining will not allow this to happen, and if the plate is not entirely metal, electric shock is excluded. At the very least, it will exclude direct hand contact with the metal part of the outlet, which could be energized.

In addition, the pads help to connect the sockets to each other in blocks, since usually they have docking elements of the "spike" and "groove" type.

Snap-on front panel

More advanced outlet models the front panel has a snap fastener, and not at all with screws, as was customary before. The latches, unlike screws, allow you to instantly carry out installation, and it is just as easy to dismantle the socket if necessary, simply by prying the latches with a screwdriver.

When the outlet mounting is based on screws, once you tighten these screws, it is better not to touch them at all, because the thread of the screws and seats is simply erased from such actions. And if you have to often manipulate the wiring, or you decide to continue the protracted repair, or will it be decided to completely rearrange the outlet to a new place? The socket with screws will start to fall out, and the socket with the front panel on the latches can be said to be reusable in terms of dismantling and installation.

Polyethylene cover

It happens that the repair, especially in a new home, is delayed not for one day, or even for one week. And it will be very a pity to just take and accidentally stain a new outlet with paint. Protective Plastic Covers help stop a similar problem in the bud. During transportation, these covers will protect the product from scratches, dirt and dust, and during repair - from the ingress of unnecessary liquids, etc.

You can install the socket without external elements, protect it with a temporary transport cover, and continue painting without straining each time because of the thought of accidentally painting a new socket. In addition, the outlet can be used already at the repair stage, despite the fact that it does not yet have a front panel or an outer frame.

The best models of internal outlets have snap-on patch frame that mounts independently of the front panel of the outlet. This is very convenient during installation, because you do not have to torment and dock the bulky design on the screws, it will be enough to install all the elements one after the other in turn. In addition, the installed frame, if desired, can easily be replaced with a frame of a different color, or somehow design an existing frame by simply removing it.

The patch frame without any problems is aligned in level, several outlets are joined frame to frame, if you want to install outlets in the unit, several pieces in a row. The latches on the frame can have several marks, so that in case of a slight roughness of the wall, the frame would not be skewed.

Electrical outlets after installation

It is good if current-carrying elements even inside the outlet have own dielectric protection. While the front panel and frame are not installed, for example, if you use the outlet during incomplete repair work, not a single element under voltage is open, direct access to them will not be.

In cheap outlets, there is never such protection, and it is worth leaving a cheap outlet unmounted, one of the households risks getting an electric shock. And even during installation it is much safer to wrench with a screwdriver not near open elements of the outlet (which may accidentally be energized) but in conditions when they are at least slightly covered by a dielectric. You definitely will not make an accidental shorting with a screwdriver while mounting the rest of the socket body.

The design of modern outlets

The design of the curtains at a regular cheap outlet is very simple and unpretentious. The curtains slide in that part of the outlet, which is located directly near the outer edges of the plug holes. This leads to the fact that some plugs (not Euro-standard, with narrow pins) get stuck in the outlet when you pull them back. As a result of repeated repetition of such manipulations, the curtains of cheap outlets often break and then prevent even the regular correct euro plug from being stuck.

It is better if the mechanism of the protective curtains at the outlet is hidden deeper inside it, closer to the center of the structure. To break such a mechanism of the curtains, you will have to specially try. In general, high-quality and thought-out shutter mechanism - This is the key to a long and trouble-free functioning of the outlet with any plugs. Because curtains are not only protection against unnecessary accidental contacts, but also a screen against dust.

Protective curtains

Now about the main thing - about fixing the outlet in the socket. Spacer fasteners, tightened by screws, are present in almost any internal outlet. However, the appearance of gliding spacer grips on more expensive outlets can be improved.

Two separate teeth with sharp protrusions - a pair on each side of the socket - is a much better and more reliable solution than traditional single double-toothed plates.

Separated and improved (pointed on the sides, and not directly) spacers will hold the outlet more firmly in place. It will not loosen and will not fall out at the most inopportune moment, as it happened before. You cannot pull out such a socket “with meat” anymore, at one fine moment, awkwardly tugging at a firmly set plug.

Self-locking screwless terminals

Finally, a key aspect in the topic of connecting the wiring to the outlet. Previously, all sockets came with a screw mount.During installation, it was necessary to turn the tip of the conductor into a ring, flatten it with a hammer a little, then put it under the screw and clamp it “tightly but not very”.

Cheap sockets are still available with such screw clamps for wire. However, they are not very durable. The screw mount weakens over time, because the metal, although slowly, flows, as a result, the contact area decreases, the resistance at the junction increases, sparks appear, and in the end everything goes crashing.


The best modern sockets have self-clamping screwless terminals that do not require any tool or twisting the tip of the wire into a ring. Such terminals always keep the wire pressed for many years. Periodically pull up with a screwdriver will not have to.

Varieties of sockets: their differences from each other and purpose

Sockets and switches in the house in the photo (+50 photos)

The outlet does not work, what should I do?

How to remove a wall outlet and disassemble it

See also at i.electricianexp.com:

  • How to remove a wall outlet and disassemble it
  • Varieties of sockets: their differences from each other and purpose
  • How to replace an external outlet with an internal
  • I AM ITSELF: Blonde and Rosette
  • How to install a power outlet. Detailed photo instructions for installing outlets

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    Comments:

    # 1 wrote: Andrew | [quote]

     
     

    By the way, I can argue about the clem. When you clamp a 2.5 kV hard cable and then you pack all this into a boom, then there is nothing better than a screw clamp. Maybe cheap sockets flopped. But because of these terminals, wires happened to fly out several times during installation. Unfortunately, the cable is very hard. Not all customers are willing to buy GOST.

     
    Comments:

    # 2 wrote: Vladimir | [quote]

     
     

    Well, very unobvious benefits. Everything is very controversial. Except one thing - expensive sockets are usually better.
    For 30 years, screw clamps work without pulling up.
    Dielectric gaskets ... "If you forget to turn off the electricity, then in the presence of a breakdown on a metal plate" What a horror !!! This is written on the website of electricians?

     
    Comments:

    # 3 wrote: Alexander | [quote]

     
     

    A controversial opinion about without screw (on latches) fastening the covers themselves, or "front panels," as the author wrote. The thread has never been broken even once, especially since a couple of times it may be necessary to unscrew it ever. What kind of thread is it if it becomes unusable after unscrewing? Does the author generally know that the thread is for detachable connections? Multiple with. And about the screwless connection. 16 amperes all the same, as it is scary, you will tighten the terminal block yourself, knowing how, but here are the springs. It's no secret that vago connectors are good for lighting, but I would not use them for power wiring. So here, probably, the same principle. But this is just my opinion.

    This impression remained, especially after watching the video, that the author simply retold its contents in his own words, while he himself was never particularly involved in installation and operation. I agree, it’s convenient for the installer, I pushed everything, took the money and left. But if you need to rearrange, replace something, these latches are not clear how they will behave. IMHO, pure advertising of a specific product line.