The best sockets for the home. DKC - individualist in the market of electrical products

Apartment renovation

The very first thing to start with overhaul apartments - this is the installation of electrical wiring. Upon completion of the laying of wires and cables for new communications and the installation of junction boxes, you need to make a choice and and.

Let's figure it out: which sockets are better to choose and what to pay attention to when choosing sockets. In this article, we will share our experience on how to choose sockets and switches and make our own rating of electrical devices.

Which sockets are better to choose for an apartment or a house? Selection criteria

Main criterion when buying any thing, it is to make a choice with an optimal price / quality ratio. Since the cost of one outlet can easily range from 50 to 500 rubles, it is possible to conditionally divide the whole variety of devices into two price categories: the older one is 300 rubles. for a product both higher and younger - about 100-150 rubles.

Probably, this review will be quite subjective, since only those devices that we had to deal with, try and compare take part in it.

The description includes sockets intended only for installation hidden in the wall. Their appearance, maintainability and user reviews are analyzed. Included in the article various manufacturers, most often found on the shelves of hardware stores. In addition, the price range between brands is important for us, and not the specific cost of the outlet.

The role of the most successful outlet will be claimed by the most common products from each model range all brands. Regarding the collections included in the rating, we tried to compare switches and sockets of approximately the same price range. At the same time, they must not be too refined, but not primitive either. The main criterion is to choose a classic model range and what you can install in your apartment with a light soul. Due to the great popularity of modular socket designs (various prefabricated bases, interchangeable frames, frames, etc.), we will analyze this category of goods first of all, taking into account the cost of a set of one socket.

Manufacturer rating

The vast majority of the brands described below have some degree of notoriety, and individual comparative materials can be found on the Internet for each of them. So, let's announce our top ten contenders for the role of the best manufacturer of switches and sockets:

1. GUSI
2. Belarusian sockets
3. Bticino
4. scneider-electric
5. anam
6. Wessen
7. Makel
8. Legrand
9. Lezard

Summing up

Considering only the cost, as a result of competition, the contenders were distributed as follows: a trio of eminent forwards and a large budget company. As a result, at the finish line, we will evaluate the characteristics in two groups of different price categories - older and younger.

Senior group

1. Legrand
2. Bticino
3. scneider-electric

In the older community, the distribution of roles is somewhat arbitrary. Having sufficient funds and relying only on your own verbal sensations, it is not difficult to make a choice. Here it is important not to get lost among the variety of collections. All classic solutions these manufacturers are almost comparable in cost. Exquisite designs are also inaccessible to the average layman, as before, but this is really a high-quality product!

Legrand - found itself in first place only because of its more flexible pricing policy. Schneider Electric is somewhat more expensive, while Bticino is even more expensive. But, if you pick up Bticino products, you can feel that this price is not for “air”, Scneider Electric and Legrand products are still simpler. Perhaps this is because Legrandom today no longer surprises anyone, and Italian products are not yet so common.

On the other hand, it is simply impossible to find fault with German quality, everything is so beautiful and flawless that you can feel like a child who received a long-awaited toy as a gift. Simply put, any of these brands can become a worthy decoration for your apartment. If you have enough Money, feel free to buy the French, Italians or Germans - only your personal subjective feeling from this product will play a role here.

The above, of course, is not news, having long established themselves in Europe and widely known throughout the planet, these firms cannot afford to lose face. It is much more interesting to disassemble the budget group.

Junior group

1. anam
2. Makel
3. Wessen
4. GUSI
5. Belarusian sockets
6. Lezard

On the pedestal - Anam. Probably, the championship will not seem fully deserved to someone: odd-shaped sockets and switches with huge buttons and wide fields. But this undisputed leader of the contenders for the quality of plastic, while at the cost cheaper than competitors directly in the block version. It's not news to anyone that installing single sockets is completely irrelevant, even if the socket is designed for one device, there must be a reserve. In addition, ANAM has significantly expanded its range in our market and now, in addition to the standard collection decorated in ivory, new design solutions have appeared.

Second place is rightfully given to Makel. On the one hand, Makel, Lezard, GUSI are almost the same thing. Here the issue of availability for replacement and cost comes to the fore, Makel is already well known in Russia. Lezard is less developed, and GUSI is also not famous, despite the fact that with the update of the collection it has become much better. In addition, all brands of this group, except for good plastic there is only one drawback - insufficiently well-designed contact groups: either flimsy screws and small clips, or soft and thin metal.

A well-deserved third place belongs to Wessen. This is probably the best replacement for Belarusian sockets both in terms of design and practical implementation. In addition, Wessen has a very attractive price, which is quite comparable to the quality.

At the end of the rating are Belarusian sockets. These products ended up in the last place because of the too simple design and occasional negligence of execution: either the key falls out, or the screw does not hold the cable well. In addition, some switches may make strange sounds, and when installation errors are made, problems with turning on appear over time. However, despite these shortcomings, it is optimal to use Belarusian sockets during the implementation of the budget project.

At the DKC finish, but not because of Bad quality. Simply, these products stand apart: in terms of cost, they are comparable to the older group, but in general, in terms of quality, they still do not reach the same competitors. But don't think DKC is bad. This brand has a well-known other product - for example, cable channels. Therefore, DKС is the ideal solution for installation in cable ducts. Great for offices, but not the best for residential apartments. In this regard, and its special position in the ranking, and a special status.

findings

So, when deciding which sockets are better to choose for an apartment, first of all, you need to pay attention to products of the middle price range related to well-known trade brands. Products of "solid middle peasants" are almost never subject to fakes, Russian manufacturers know how to make sockets good quality, however, they still need to catch up to foreign brands. When choosing outlets of well-known Western brands, the main thing is not to run into a fake product.

If you started a major overhaul in an apartment or a private house, then you can’t do without work related to electrical wiring. After all the cables are laid and sealed, it's time to choose sockets and switches. Not every person can name the best brands in this segment, and therefore we will try to fill in theoretical gaps in order to facilitate the subsequent choice of electrical accessories. It will not be about “conveyor” construction, when equipment is purchased in large quantities, but about ordinary and private electrical work.

Let's denote the most popular manufacturers producing sockets and switches ( top brands), taking into account the opinions of experts in this field and the reviews of ordinary owners of these accessories.

Criterias of choice

Anyone's desire potential buyer- choose good product with the best value for money. In our case, sockets and switches (the best brands) will vary greatly in the price range - from 25 rubles to 300.

In principle, two main groups of this kind of accessories can be distinguished, where the price is the critical factor: the older one is about 300 rubles per product, the younger one is about 50 rubles per copy.

The article will be partly subjective, because it is very difficult to cover the entire range that is presented on the shelves of electrical goods stores, and a large number of fakes can form a buyer about a particular brand misconception. It is also worth noting that the products that will participate in the review are intended only for flush-mounted installation in the wall (standard block socket with a switch). By and large, we are not interested in the specific cost of products, but in the difference in prices between products from different manufacturers.

The main criterion for the review is classic, that is, products without pretentiousness, but at the same time not primitively simple. In general, everything that is not ashamed to be mounted at home or with a good friend / girlfriend at home. Due to the wild popularity of modular electrical products (prefabricated frames, interchangeable frames, composite bases, etc.), they will be considered as a basis.

Manufacturers of electrical goods (sockets and switches)

The best brands and eminent manufacturers of electrical accessories have their own, sometimes very rich, history, own production and also received recognition at specialized exhibitions.

In addition, the list below can be seen in the reports of large companies involved in the construction and improvement of buildings.

Popular brands producing sockets and switches (top manufacturers) are as follows:

• Legrand;
• Wessen;
• Lezard;
• anam;
• bticino;
• "Belarusian sockets";
• GUSI;
• Makel;
• scneider electric.

Top Models

Based on prices and consumer reviews, the following picture emerges. The bulk of manufacturers and their products have occupied a niche in the budget group, and the three venerable heavyweights have become the leader. As a result, we will evaluate the qualitative indicators of two price groups - the older and the younger.

Senior price group

1. Legrand.
2. scneider electric.
3. Bticino.

The distribution of positions in this group is purely conditional. Each of these three manufacturers has extensive premium collections and a huge range of budget models, that is, sockets and switches, the price of which does not exceed three hundred rubles. Standard and universal solutions of these brands practically do not differ in cost. As for the elite models, they remain just as inaccessible to the average buyer as before, but these are truly high-quality products that will decorate any home.

Sockets and switches "Legrand" are in the first place due to their affordable price. As for Schneider-Electrician, the prices bite there, and Bticino can be eaten at all. But in defense of the latter, we can say that if you hold Bticino products in your hands, then in each element you feel Italian quality, from which goosebumps run down your back, while the same “Legrand” does not cause such emotions. It is quite possible that you won’t surprise anyone with Legrand, and the Italians have recently appeared on our market.

As for the Germans Scneider-electric, there is simply nothing to complain about - everything is done beautifully and impeccably. Turning any socket or switch from Schneider Electric in your hands, you think that you are playing the legendary Lego constructor.

Any product from the above brands is more than a worthy decoration for your apartment or house. If you have free funds, then do not hesitate to spend money on products from one of these manufacturers.

The owners in their reviews speak very warmly about these companies. Users appreciated the quality, beauty and flexible pricing policy of brands. There were no critical comments on specialized forums, so there are no questions about quality.

Junior price group

• anam;
• Wessen;
• Lezard;
• "Belarusian sockets";
• GUSI;
• Makel.

In the first place is a fairly popular company "Anam". Someone may disagree with this choice, because the products of this brand have a very specific look: awkwardly shaped products with giant buttons and wide margins. But in defense of Anam, we can say that this is one of the best contenders for the first place due to the excellent quality of plastic and the enviable pricing policy, which was appreciated by the domestic consumer.

Reviews of the brand's products are mainly in a positive way. The owners appreciated the high-quality and durable products of the company, as well as the original appearance. Some, on the contrary, complain about the frivolity and difficulty of adapting switches and sockets to some design solutions, but this is already a matter of taste and this factor cannot be attributed to critical moments.

As for the rest of the participants in the list, here you can simply say: “both cheap and cheerful!”. These are ordinary models with some distinctive design features, from which you should not expect anything supernatural. Yes, they meet certain quality standards and norms, they can last for a long time, but be prepared for some surprises. Judging by the reviews on the products of these companies, sometimes you can find a small factory defect, like a screw that does not hold a wire, a slightly lopsided button, or an incomprehensible sound when turned off.

Summarizing

If you are engaged in a budget project or arrange an apartment "for sale", then the lower price group is an ideal option. Well, in cases of "I'll do it myself" your choice is the older group. It would also be useful to note that the products of "solid middle peasants" are very rarely faked, while the electrical accessories of European brands, if you look at our shelves, consist of almost 40% of counterfeit.

During our grand renovation, I had, among other things, to choose and install throughout the apartment required amount sockets and switches. Naturally, I wanted these to be the most optimal electrical installation products in terms of price and quality, but unfortunately theoretical searches did not give me a clear answer to the question, which sockets are best, but only sowed a bunch of doubts in my head.

Which sockets are better - my selection criteria

• optimal price-quality ratio;
• only sockets for flush mounting into the wall were considered;
• maintainability, aesthetic appearance and user reviews were analyzed;
• the comparison did not include both overly cheap and primitive, and overly pretentious and expensive specimens;
• for comparison, I took classic samples from each model range in one price category, so I had to single out two price groups in order to be completely objective;
• only those sockets that I saw with my own eyes, felt, tried, compared in work participated in the rating.

So, I outlined my approximate requirements for answering the question of which sockets are better. If interested, you can read in more detail about my criteria for selecting high-quality electrical installation products in the article. Of course, no one is safe from fakes, and if one fell into my hands, then an erroneous opinion could have formed about the manufacturer. Therefore, in no case do I pretend to be the truth, but I pursue only a narrative goal.

Whose sockets are better - rating of manufacturers

Most of the presented brands of sockets and switches are more or less known, and we have a separate detailed comparative article about each of them. Our top ten contenders for the title of the best include such brands as:

According to the pricing policy, all these manufacturers had to be conditionally divided into two groups - this is a large budget group and a trio of heavyweights. Therefore, we will compare the participants within each of these groups.

• - french brand
• - italian brand
• - German brand

Any of these sockets will become a worthy decoration of your home.

In general, regarding the products of all the above brands, we can say this: if you want to buy not just more expensive, but also better, feel free to choose Germans, Italians or French - here only the subjective personal feeling from meeting face to face or by touch plays the final role. The main thing is not to get lost in the variety of collections. All standard solutions from these manufacturers are almost comparable in price. And these are really high quality products!

Legrand- in the first place because of the opportunity to offer the most affordable price. The main advantages of this French brand are excellent quality and a wide range of colors and models.

Sockets Legrand

Schneider Electric a little more expensive. But this German brand, first of all, tries to take into account the wishes of consumers, so all their products, including sockets and switches, are broadly focused. Here you can find how budget models, and products designed for a wealthy buyer, and in the first and second cases these will be samples, the German quality of which is simply impossible to find fault with - everything is so impeccable and beautiful that you feel like a child playing with the legendary LEGO constructor.

Bticino on average price its products outdid the two previous brands. However, when I held Bticino products in my hands, I felt goosebumps with delight, but Legranda and Scneider Electric did not. Perhaps due to the fact that Legrandom will no longer surprise anyone, but I saw the products of intricate Italians for the first time. It was the Bticino switches that I installed in my new apartment. I could not resist their quality and appearance, despite the rather high cost. Which, by the way, I don't regret at all.

Products of the Italian brand Bticino

Not mentioned here ABB concern just because I didn't have own experience dealing with this brand. This applicant is better known as a leader in the field of electrical wiring protection systems. But ABB sockets and switches can also be members of the higher price group.

It is very pleasant that in this case high price for sockets and switches is fully consistent with the quality of these products. Having proven themselves in the West and also known throughout the world, these manufacturers cannot lose face. The more interesting it will be to deal with more budget solutions.

At the first place - . Perhaps it may seem to some that the first place is not entirely deserved: awkwardly shaped sockets and switches with huge buttons and wide margins. However, in terms of plastic quality, this is the best of the contenders, and at the price it is more profitable than competitors in block design. It is no secret that today it is not relevant to install single sockets, even if the socket is designed for one device, there must be a reserve. If earlier ANAM had only one collection on our market - with the same ivory color design, today everything has changed. The new Zunis collection from Anam-Legrand makes it possible to realize various design fantasies. A very worthy choice, time-tested!

I will give the second place to three contenders at once - Makel, GUSI and Lezard. Here you should focus on your taste, as well as on the availability for replacement! Makel is already known in Russia, Lezard is not yet so developed, and GUSI, until recently, did not have the highest reputation, although it has become better with the advent of new collections. All representatives of this group, in addition to good plastic, have only one flaw - the contact groups are not well developed: either thin and soft metal, or frail screws and insufficiently large clamps.

A good solid third place is Wessen. As people say: "and cheap - and cheerful!". Perhaps the best replacement for Belarusian sockets, both in concept and in execution. Even at the price Wessen is a very attractive offer. Just don't expect supernatural from Wessen - its price justifies the quality.

In fourth place in the ranking Belarusian sockets. Belarusian sockets are in last place due to a very simple design and negligent execution: either the screw does not hold the wire, or the button falls out or looks ugly. And some switches make an incomprehensible sound, and with installation errors, problems with fuzzy switching occur over time. But despite this, when implementing the maximum budget project, it is better to use Belarusian sockets.

In last place DKC, but in no case due to poor quality. Rather, it is because this brand stands apart: in terms of price, it more claims to be in a high price group, but in terms of quality it cannot yet compete on equal terms with eminent manufacturers. But still DKC is very, very good. His other products are better known - cable channels and other related products. Especially for installation in cable ducts DKC is a particularly good solution. Amazing for industrial premises and offices, but not the most elegant for apartments. Hence its special status and a special place in the ranking.

Thus, in order to determine which sockets are best for your home, look at average-priced products, more or less well-known brands. The products of "solid middle peasants" are almost never faked, domestic producers they can make good wiring products, but they still have to catch up to foreign brands. When choosing products of well-known European brands, the main thing is not to run into a fake.

The use of electricity in apartments and private houses has not surprised anyone for a long time - one of the benefits modern world deeply embedded in the way of human life. Boil Electric kettle, charging a phone or simply applying voltage to a lighting lamp does not seem to be a difficult undertaking, however, without intermediary devices, it would be much more difficult to perform such operations. These include sockets and switches - seemingly unpretentious, but very important elements power circuits.

However, supplying power to lighting fixtures and household appliances is not the only function performed by sockets and switches. With the development of production methods and various design trends, they have acquired the status of decorating elements, the poor choice of which could negatively affect the overall appearance of the living space.

The range of such a liquid product today is represented by a huge number of foreign and domestic firms, which is why it can be incredibly difficult to stop at one single option. Even with a proper attitude to the purchase process, there is always a chance to choose a low-quality model, the degree of safety of which is obviously lower than the requirements of world quality standards. In connection with such a high importance of the topic, we have created a rating of the most the best manufacturers sockets and switches, whose products meet the highest requirements of industry standards and guarantee proper preservation of the appearance during a long period of use. The main criteria for selecting nominees for the top were the following parameters:

• the level of fame and popularity of the company among domestic users;
• expert evaluation of the product series of each company;
• average service life of sockets and switches within the range of one manufacturer;
• nominal workmanship, no fakes on the market;
• value feature.

The best manufacturers of sockets and switches in the budget segment

3 WESSEN

The best price for a range of products. The presence in the line of models stylized under the tree
Country: Germany
Rating (2018): 4.6

The next place in the ranking goes to one of several representatives of the Schnider Electric Corporation, which develops budget versions of sockets and switches based on the production base of the well-known cartridge. It differs from competitors in its commitment to originality (even to the detriment of common design sense) and the low cost of the entire product range.

According to experts, the main trend of products from Wessen leans towards the classics, however, some representatives of the company are outwardly stylized as wooden coatings. The brightest representative of this trend is the Wessen 59 series, designed with a precise wood texture on solid and segment models of sockets (and switches). The reverse (standard) side of the representation is expressed by a typical Prima series, manufactured at the company's Russian plant. This sample is characterized by general sparseness and a nondescript (but informative) dot indicator.

2 MAKEL

High quality standards. Commitment to classic style
Country: Turkey
Rating (2018): 4.8

A Turkish manufacturing company with almost half a century of experience, widely known in the Russian Federation. Her feature is based production on German high-precision equipment, which makes it possible to compete even with the recognized pillars of the world market.

Sockets and switches from Makel do not have any innovations in terms of appearance, remaining true to classical standards. However, one feature can be traced in this component: the predominance of rounded lines can be traced in the features of the forms, which will definitely fit into any design concept of a house or apartment. The main color that prevails in the assortment is white, diluted with bright (more often golden) inserts and additional structural elements (indicators, motion sensors, brightness controls or connectors). Among the most popular representatives of the company include:

• Makel Cellia;
• Makel Lunis.

1 Berker

The best range of choices. About 100 years on the lighting market
Country: Germany
Rating (2018): 4.9

A German manufacturing company, whose activities began to develop actively almost a century ago. It is a prime example of a company that produces unpretentious products in various fields of electrical engineering with a low selling price and satisfactory quality indicators. To call the assortment of sockets and switches Berker classic, perhaps, that is possible. But not scarce at all - for such an impressive history of concepts, quite a lot has accumulated.

The striking difference of the German concern from the main competitors in the category lies in the absence of a single design solution as such: in the Berker assortment you can find both angular rosettes and streamlined, smoothly curved contours. A striking representative of the first group can be the basic line Berker B.3, sharpened for the angularity of the contour and button segment. The second line, Berker R.1, provides consumers with quieter and more pleasant looking sockets and switches, made with a circular central segment for a key or connectors.

The best manufacturers of sockets and switches in the middle price segment

4 FEDE

The original design of the entire range of products
Country: Spain
Rating (2018): 4.8

A very young Spanish company, which began operations in 2007. I chose for myself a very specific, but unloaded niche for the production of sockets and vintage-style switches. All the work of FEDE is associated exclusively with the intended style, which is why the company, although it does not become a leader in sales, is remembered by absolutely any user.

In general, prefabricated products from this company do not cost that much - the main profit comes from trading in expensive frames, leaving the price in the premium segment. Actually, only true connoisseurs of design with a predominance of historical embellishments use the services of the company - in ordinary house or an apartment, such a pretentious element will be out of place. It is very difficult to single out any one model here, since all of them in one way or another represent a certain visual value. The most unusual thing in the selection, in the author's opinion, are the Sanremo and Toscana Palace collections, although taste is a subjective matter.

3 Jung

The best variability within the classic socket design. Attractive price
Country: Germany
Rating (2018): 4.8

Another representative of the middle segment (with an emphasis on budget series) became the German manufacturer Jung, design direction which strikingly coincides with a number of other German companies. At the time of its pedantry, the company does not deviate from the canonical type of sockets and switches, making a classic square shape the standard of your style.

However, such a serious limitation did not in any way affect the breadth of the assortment - on the contrary, the creation of artificial "barriers" allowed the company to create many variations of one plan. So, by expanding the key (or jack space) of the typical A500, Jung designed the LS990 series with a thin bezel that perfectly matches the Hi-Tech design. Other variations were created in the same vein, based on the detailing of the boxes, the thickening and thinning of their free edges, as well as the variety of key geometry, plugs and connectors.

2 Gira

High degree of strength of the constituent elements
Country: Germany
Rating (2018): 4.9

The Gira company, which developed its activities at the very beginning of the 20th century, could not move away from the canons of the form of sockets and switches, smoothing the corners, but still taking square boxes as a basis. Despite this fact, it is certainly impossible to call the assortment and variety of series boring: where forms lay down their powers, design and design continue to retain a solid audience.

Yes, Gira's coverage of countries is not as large as, for example, that of ABB (about 36 versus 100), but given the scale of a German company, this is a very solid indicator. In their reviews, consumers often praise the strength of the construction of boxes, keys and connectors, while noting middle level prices with a smooth (serial) transition to premium. The most popular products of the company include the Linoleum Multiplex and E2 lines of different price categories, which are not devoid of design sophistication and High Quality.

1 ABB

The best manufacturer in terms of price and quality. Wide range of products
The country: Sweden/Switzerland
Rating (2018): 4.9

ABB was formed by the merger of two well-known (at the time) companies - the Swedish brand ASEA (founded in 1883) and the oldest Swiss concern Brown, Boveri & Cie, which opened a little later (in 1891). The purpose of such integration was the possibility of a massive “capture” of the market with its own products, which naturally resulted in success and sales in more than 100 countries around the world.