We come across electrical outlets every day, so it is very important that they are convenient and reliable. A lot depends on the correct choice of outlet. Firstly, it is an opportunity to fully satisfy your needs for turning on electrical household appliances. In addition, the correct choice plug socket depends on its service life.

When a person does not know the basic rules that must be followed when choosing an outlet, he often faces the problem of frequent failure of outlets. Perhaps, in this case, the outlet simply does not correspond to the actual load parameters of the household appliances that are plugged into it. Therefore, it is necessary to know how to choose a quality socket. We will talk about how to do this correctly in this article.

At the moment, the range of sockets is very large. In this case, your task is to choose a high-quality outlet. If you buy the first socket you come across that was recommended by the store salesperson, you will make a mistake. Since there is a high probability that this outlet does not meet the required parameters.

What to consider when choosing sockets

There are several criteria to consider when choosing an outlet. First of all, this is the type electrical wiring. If your wiring is mounted directly into the wall, that is, a hidden type, then you need to select an internal outlet. Distinctive feature of the socket of this type is that it is installed in a special box, which is pre-mounted into the wall. In this case, only the socket body is located outside the wall, and the socket body is located directly in the box.

If your wiring is laid open method, then you need to purchase an external type socket. This type of socket is mounted directly on the wall. A distinctive feature of an external outlet is that its entire body is located outside.

The next criterion is the degree of protection of the socket housing. In accordance with generally accepted standards, there are several types of plug sockets, which are classified depending on the degree of protection of their housing from the negative effects of both moisture and mechanical impact from foreign objects. How to choose a socket in this case?

Explanation of designations for the degree of protection of electrical equipment from environmental influences

As a rule, a special IP AB type marking is applied to the socket housing, where “A” and “B” are digital values ​​that correspond to one or another degree of protection of the housing from negative influences. In order to produce right choice sockets, you need to know the decoding of these numerical values.

So, the number “A” shows the diameter of the object from the external influence of which the housing of the electrical equipment, in particular the plug socket, is protected. The number “B” indicates the degree of protection of this housing from moisture. Let us list the possible numerical values ​​and the corresponding parameter.

Number “A” - diameter and type of object:

“1” - more than 50 mm, as well as the back of the hand;

“2” - more than 12 mm, as well as fingers;

“3” - more than 2.5 mm, including hand tools;

“4” - more than 1 mm, including nuts, washers, bolts and individual conductors;

“5” - the housing is protected from dust, and is also completely protected from the impact of objects;

“6” - the case is completely dust-proof and fully protected from the impact of objects.

“0” - there is no protection of the housing from the impact of objects.

The number “B” is the degree of exposure to moisture on the housing:

“1” - individual drops that fall vertically onto the body;

“2” - individual drops that fall on the body vertically under small angle, up to 15 degrees;

“3” - rain;

“4” - splashes of water that can hit the body from different angles;

“5” - water jet;

“0” - the housing is not protected from moisture.

Other important criteria to pay attention to

An important criterion for choosing an outlet is the presence or absence of a grounding conductor in the wiring of the apartment (house). If one is present, then you must select an outlet with an additional grounding contact.

The next, no less important criterion for choosing a socket is the operating rating characteristics: type of current, its magnitude, voltage value, frequency of the supply network. Household voltage electrical network variable, its value is 220 volts, frequency 50 Hz. The rated current is selected in accordance with the load of household electrical appliances that you plan to plug into this outlet.

Its service life depends on the correct choice of the socket according to its nominal parameters. If, when choosing an outlet, you find that there is no marking on it, then refuse to purchase it. There is a high probability that this outlet does not correspond to the expected load or the parameters of the household network.

In addition to the above, one more criterion for choosing a socket can be noted - the quality of the plug connectors. Choose a socket that has connectors with springs, as they provide additional rigidity of contact when the plug is turned on. household appliance. If you choose a socket with conventional connectors, that is, without additional springs, then after some time the rigidity of the contact between the connectors and the plug will significantly decrease, which will lead to their heating and possible damage.

In order to choose a high-quality outlet, pay attention to how the electrical wire is connected to the outlet. In this case best option- this is to choose the connection where the area of ​​​​the contact surface of the wire with the contacts of the socket is larger.

If there is a need to connect several sockets with a cable, then pay attention to the presence of an additional pair of contacts on the socket. This will greatly simplify the connection of the wire and also increase the reliability of the connection.

Manufacturers of quality sockets

Expensive, high-quality sockets are produced by European manufacturers. These are such well-known companies as "Legrand", "Schneider Electric", "Polo", "ABB", "Jung", etc. There are also very expensive designer sockets, most often these are Italian manufacturers, for example "Bticino", "Fontini" .

Sockets from Turkish and Polish companies "Makel", "Viko", "Karlik", "OSPEL" stand out for their good quality and average prices. It is better not to buy cheap and very cheap sockets (legacies of Soviet times and domestic analogues from well-known manufacturers). Since among these sockets there are a large number of low-quality ones. Although you may come across normal sockets, this is already a lottery.

Electrical sockets can be fake or original. Buy only original sockets, and do it in trusted places, where sellers value their reputation.

When repairing or replacing electrical wiring in your home, always try to choose modern solutions. As a rule, they already take into account all the identified shortcomings of previous series of electrical installation products.

Therefore, when buying new sockets and switches, you can and should choose those that already today have several characteristic differences from previous traditional ones.

This, of course, does not mean that old sockets are bad, however, the engineering thought of manufacturers does not stand still and you need to use all the advantages of innovation in your apartment. Let's compare how modern sockets and switches differ from previous budget models.

The new sockets are made of two layers:

• cover - polycarbonate

What benefits does this provide? Polycarbonate provides additional electrical safety.

Even if somehow a phase from the wiring breaks through to the socket body, front part the caliper will be reliably isolated. And touching it with your fingers will not give you an electric shock.

But often, many electricians unscrew and disassemble sockets to find a fault, without even removing the voltage from it. This function will greatly protect against accidental electric shock.

And the presence of two layers allows you to increase the strength of the entire structure by about 50% compared to a traditional galvanized steel caliper.

The front panel is secured with latches. To dismantle and install it back, it takes no more than 3 seconds.

Just pry it from the side with a screwdriver and pull it out with your fingers.

There is even a designation in which places you need to pry with a screwdriver.

Put it in place in the same way, pressing and snapping it into place at the fastening points.

However, if you come across a fake whose plastic elasticity deteriorates over time, these latches can turn from a plus into a minus.

After a couple of years, when dismantling, you may forget how they initially snapped into place and accidentally break them.

Traditional bezel mounting requires longer dismantling. You will have to unscrew the mounting screw, and maybe even more than one.

And if you perform such an operation quite often, then it is quite possible to ruin the thread. After which, you will have to replace not the socket, but the entire socket.

If you plan to use sockets and switches even at the stage finishing works, then it is better to choose mechanisms with protective covers.

Firstly, they protect the products during transportation. And secondly, they allow you to paint walls and paste wallpaper even without dismantling the front panels.

Overlay frame

Frames in good sockets are attached independently of the front panels. This allows you to freely dismantle and install them.

In older series, the frame is secured and tightened by the front panel. Therefore, in them, replacing the frame with another of the same type, but of a different color, occurs only simultaneously with the panel.

In this case, it will be better if such products are two-layer.

• outside – ABS plastic

• reverse inner side– reliable polycarbonate

Inside the panel there are latches, due to which the fixation on the mechanism occurs. Please note that they may have several marks.

This will make it easy to align the frames in case of slight unevenness in the walls.

Internal insulation

A high-quality socket, even with the front panel removed, ensures complete electrical safety.

All internal current-carrying parts are securely closed and insulated. There is no access to them.

In sockets of the budget series, there are always clearly open live parts.

And if you work with a screwdriver that does not have an insulated tip, then you may well either get energized or accidentally overlap the phase and the grounded body with the tip itself.

In accordance with safety regulations, all sockets installed in living rooms, must have protective curtains. How do good sockets differ in this regard from cheaper ones?

In budget products, the curtain mechanism is fixed directly to reverse side front panel.

Very often, due to such curtains, next problem. There are forks combined type. That is, part of the fork legs are insulated with plastic, and the ends themselves are metal.

Most often, such plugs are used in various types of chargers. Their metal ends are slightly thicker than the middle part of the contact legs.

This plug plugs into a regular outlet without any problems. But when you try to remove it and pull it out, the protective curtains bite the contacts like a guillotine.

Biting occurs precisely at the boundary of the plastic-metal transition of materials. As a result, the plug gets stuck in the socket.

And to pull it out you have to put in extra effort. Often this all ends with a break in the protective curtains.

In good modern socket The curtain mechanism is recessed deep into the body, and is not located on the back side.

Accordingly, such a problem as biting the fork simply does not exist. Any fork goes in and out of it very smoothly.

Fastening

Sockets are fastened in both traditional and new models either with screws located in the socket box or with clamps. When tightened, the grips dig into the walls of the socket box.

However, the design of the improved models has its own peculiarities. The so-called “double tooth” technology is used here.

It allows you to increase the tearing force by about one and a half times.

Another difference between a high-quality socket is the presence of a special profile, the so-called “ dovetail" It makes it very easy to install sockets and switches in blocks.

If you need to connect two or more mechanisms under one frame, according to the Pocket Electric level, you set the very first one perfectly exactly, and mount the second and subsequent ones using a dovetail.

As a result, all mechanisms will be quickly and smoothly installed in their seats.

Screw or screwless contacts

Modern and most older models also differ in the technology for connecting conductors. The newest sockets have screwless terminals, which allow you to very quickly both connect and disconnect cables or wires.

There are still heated debates among electricians about which contacts are more reliable. Supposedly screwless, they reduce the area of ​​contact with the wire.

This reduces current-carrying capacity and reliability. However, such a dispute is reminiscent of the age-old question, which is better: Wago or twist?

Here a lot depends on the quality of execution and operating conditions. There are sockets where a fairly powerful spring exerts pressure on just one point - for example, from manufacturers Gira, Legrand, Schneider.

But ABB has a spring with less elasticity, but it presses at two points simultaneously.

Use all products according to standards and recommendations and problems will never arise. For example, in some European countries, at the legislative level, the use of screw terminals has been prohibited since the 60s.

The main advantage of screwless terminals is that such connection does not require further maintenance. As the manufacturer assures, after installation, subject to rated loads, you will not look into such an outlet again for many decades.

All older sockets use screw technology. The stripped wire strands are clamped with traditional screws.

Moreover, the clamping force is also normalized. Professional installers use special torque screwdrivers for this.

Such contacts are much more labor intensive during installation and disassembly. In addition, it is advisable to periodically tighten these clamps, that is, maintain them. And this entails dismantling almost half of the structure of the entire outlet.

Wires pressed with a screw during temperature fluctuations - heating at maximum load and cooling when it is turned off - can shrink. And accordingly, the contact will weaken over time.

In high-quality sockets, the conductors in screwless contacts are in a constant state of tension, no matter how hot or cold.

In addition, they have a limiter template on the reverse side, which shows how accurately in millimeters the insulation needs to be removed from the core.

Sockets and switches are integral parts of using the conveniences that electricity provides. They come in completely different shapes, purposes and configurations. You can choose exactly the product that best fits into the interior and will best suit its purpose. Besides wide range prices for electrical fittings will allow you to choose what suits your pocket perfectly. This will be very easy to do if you read the suggested purchase rules below and follow them.

Both sockets and switches have many different functions depending on the product types.

Types of sockets

Before choosing an outlet, first determine suitable look products, taking into account that they are of the following types:

• Sockets without grounding. They are used in cases where grounding is not provided or is not necessary, for example, in residential premises.
  
• Grounded sockets. Installed in places where it is important to have grounding. Most often these are the kitchen or an outlet for connecting a computer. They are also used in private homes.
• Sockets with cover. The use of such an outlet is relevant in rooms with high humidity, such as a bathroom, boiler room, swimming pool, external socket on the house. Such products have a special cover that covers the entire area of ​​the outlet and actively prevents the ingress of water or moisture. In addition, it is important to know that sockets for use in wet areas must have a special IP rating.
  
• Double sockets. They are mounted in a socket box, allowing you to use two electrical connections at once. The not very reliable mechanics of such an outlet can be unsafe.
  
• Sockets with a protective shutter or valve. Children's rooms are equipped with such sockets to prevent the possibility of plugging something thin into them. The openings of such an outlet are covered with a kind of curtain, which opens only if an electrical plug is inserted into it.
  
• Plug-pull sockets. They are equipped with a special button, by pressing which a person can easily remove the plug from the socket. Protects the wire from damage, useful in places where equipment is frequently changed, for example, in the kitchen or hairdresser.
  
• Sockets with shutdown timer. The timer function allows you to independently set the operating time of the outlet. It is important, if necessary, to turn off the network at night or in production at the end of the working day. Also used in combination with appliances equipped with a timer, such as an air conditioner, electric oven, multicooker or TV.
  
• Special sockets. Designed for antennas, telephones, radio points, computers, etc. There are both built-in and overhead options. There are also types that combine several connectors at the same time.
  
• Power connectors. Special plug connections, which are mainly used on construction sites to connect particularly high-power devices, for example, a welding machine.
  

Types of switches

To get a clearer picture of how to choose circuit breaker or manual, also initially check out existing varieties provided by modern manufacturers:

Important! All sockets and switches are also divided into two types, depending on the type of wiring:

• external wiring;
• hidden wiring.

When choosing a device, pay attention to this, as they are not interchangeable, and you may have to go to the store to get a replacement if, when deciding which sockets to choose, you chose the wrong option.

How to choose a switch by type of design?

As already mentioned, switches can have several design options:

When considering sockets and switches, which ones to choose, decide based on the criterion maximum convenience and network layout features. Also take into account the number of lamps in the lighting fixture.

How to distinguish quality products from fakes?

To be able to determine the quality of the product yourself, do the following:

Which contact system is better?

There are two types of systems:

Considering all of the above, quick-release systems have the following advantages:

Which material is better?

Since the switch and socket are devices that are regularly exposed to mechanical force, it is important to choose a product made from materials of increased strength:

To understand why it is better to give preference to such options, let’s note some advantages:

Facing material

As facing material two types are used:

In addition to products made from the two materials described above, which have a simple design, there are more sophisticated options, but less safe:

Safety indicators

The main indicators that determine the degree of reliability and safety of the device are its technical parameters: voltage and current of precisely calculated strength. These are the characteristics that should be taken into account first of all if you independently cope with the task of how to choose the right outlet.

The main number of sockets is designed for the following conditions:

To determine the level of protection yourself, be sure to look for a special IP code on the socket packaging, which is a conditional indicator. It is indicated by two numbers:

Of course, the higher the IP, the better protection and the more expensive the socket. Therefore, keep in mind that the standard indicators recommended for different types premises meet the following parameters:

Price categories of sockets and switches

There are several price groups electrical outlets and switches. Each of them has advantages and disadvantages.

Which color do you prefer?

The color palette of modern products is quite diverse, so it allows you to choose a suitable socket or switch that will fit perfectly and very organically into the interior with any choice of shades.

It includes the following design options:

Which manufacturer should you prefer?

All the manufacturers presented below have already proven themselves in the electrical fittings market. You can find information about each of these brands on the Internet. The full range of products offered is also presented there.

Check out a few well-known manufacturers to make your purchasing choice easier:

Video

Check out the video review of sockets and switches to clearly understand distinctive features different types.

Conclusion

Installing sockets and switches is the final chord in your renovation. High-quality products will serve you for many years, but it is worth remembering that you can make the choice yourself, and it is better to trust the installation of such products to professionals. The safety of your home directly depends on this.

The choice of socket and switch must be made taking into account the specific use of the room, the reputation of the manufacturer of the relevant equipment and the characteristics of the devices for connection.

The choice of such products can make even a professional electrician think: the range on display, presented in specialty store, wide and varied. And it is not easy for a simple consumer to navigate the criteria and safety requirements imposed on himself. simple view electrical equipment that has to be used daily and repeatedly.

What sockets and switches should be installed in the apartment?

Two common groups that do not leave much choice for a person living in a residential building:

• securely attached hidden (or internal) sockets;
• as safe as possible, with wires laid in special grooves (overhead or external).

The second group is used exclusively for unique decorative purposes or is recommended fire regulations safety for installation in wooden premises. In an apartment, office or institution, internal sockets are used, in which only the rim and holes for the plug remain for visual inspection.

In reality, everything turns out to be not so simple: you can decide on the subject of preference only by knowing your own requirements: what room the structure is intended for, what safety measures are needed, and even what style compliance is planned to be achieved. Since these are functional devices, for continuous operation they will require reliability and additional gadgets.<

Correct Selection Options

Categories of sockets and switches for apartments are divided into simple and special. Expensive innovations that are controlled from the Internet, with a special type of grounding, or designed for low-power media, with a voltage indication and even a special mechanism that allows you to pull the plug without any effort. All this is not a cheap pleasure, but if they are produced by a manufacturer, it means there is a demand.

Most of these devices are designed for special cases, for example, with protection from children - for installation where there are small children, with protection from dust and moisture - in the bathroom, retractable - in the kitchen.

For the bathroom

PUE standards previously prohibited the installation of sockets and even switches in the bathroom, in order to avoid electric shock. Even washing machines had longer cords to allow connections to be made outside the room with moisture. There are now sockets with spring-loaded lids that provide protection from drops and splashes even when the plug is plugged in. There are overhead waterproof ones - for those who thought about installation too late, but built-in ones are safer, although their installation requires more effort.

If the outlet is for connecting a washing machine, it must have a copper cable of the appropriate cross-section, and if you also plan to connect heaters, then the thickness of the outlet cable is increased by at least one and a half times.

Kitchen

The main requirement for sockets in the kitchen is their correct number and exact location for the appliances used. If you have to pull an extension cord, it is both unaesthetic and inconvenient. A free socket for a laptop or charging can be simple or protected from contamination. For a washing machine or electric stove, you will have to purchase a thick copper cable and allocate a separate line. With a button for free exit, the plug can be installed for a refrigerator or microwave, if its location is at the back of the device and requires effort to reach the desired place.

Bedroom and hall

The main criterion for choosing a switch and the location of the plug in the bedroom and living room is maximum convenience. Most often, the most commonplace one is used here - a rocker switch, although complex options can also be used - for example:

• on a button timer;
• with automatic shutdown at a specified time;
• a block of several inputs for connecting night lights and necessary household electrical appliances;
• a key that allows you to immediately provide darkness and silence with one press.

Both in the bedroom and in the living room, the aesthetic component is important. Therefore, attention is paid to the color and decor of the electrical outlet. But in the living room it is better to give preference to the built-in type with a backlight indicator, and in the bedroom it is better to make it easier to press when you are asleep using the same indicator light, only with a soft, overhead-type rocker key. It is easy and simple to feel with your hand in the dark, and the characteristic click is much quieter.

Living room and corridor

There are no restrictions except the correct location and aesthetic component. For both types of electrical devices, the most convenient place is provided, and their number and height are calculated depending on the electrical devices used. A computer and TV, a home theater and an electric fireplace, shelving lighting, a table lamp or a floor lamp near the chairs are taken into account. All that is required from the owners of the premises is to ensure maximum aesthetics of the premises where strangers are most often allowed. The socket and switch must correspond to the style solution - be built-in, in a suitable color, and if it works out with texture - the option will be simply ideal.

Veranda and balcony

You can get by with the correct installation of overhead options so as not to bother with electrical wiring, but if the owners intend to do everything to the highest standard, it is better to take one with an indicator and dust protection. If children often play on the veranda or balcony, you need to take a model with special protection, and when the owners prefer to work not in the office or bedroom, but on the balcony and equip a workplace there, you should also think about an outlet for the Internet.

How to choose the best quality and most reliable sockets for the Internet

The correct choice of such an outlet is made according to the type of cable that the provider uses. Twisted pair is determined by the transmission speed and the best choice of a special device for connection would be products of categories 5 and 6, for example, RJ-45. If the supermarket does not have a consultant for this category, or is poorly informed about the type of product for Internet connection, it is better to consult with a person who is involved in this area.

How to spot a fake

An absolutely simple process, even in appearance. If there is no special marking, or it is somehow stuck on, plastic products are distinguished by roughness and a pungent odor, uneven or uneven gaps between the component segments - this is already a sign of counterfeit. You can take a closer look at the material of manufacture and contacts (they should not be crushable and made of thin metal).

TOP popular brands: what to take

Recommendations from professionals involved in the installation of electrical wiring of equipment from Legrand, SchneiderElectric, Polo, ABB, Jung are excellent, and preference is given in the listed order. Legrand received the largest number of positive reviews: buyers note the original design, quality of materials, multifunctionality of the device and long, trouble-free operation.

The best inexpensive sockets and switches

In the relatively inexpensive price segment, you can pay attention to the products of Chinese and Turkish manufacturers, about which there are many positive reviews: Makel, Viko, Bticino, Wessen, Lezard.

The use of a non-standard option is justified in specialized premises, but the simplest ones are suitable for a room and bedroom. Sometimes people deliberately buy the most expensive thing in order to guarantee themselves a high-quality item with long-term use.

Useful video

During our grandiose renovation, I had, among other things, to select and install the required number of sockets and switches throughout the apartment. 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 better, but only sowed a bunch of doubts in my head.

Which sockets are better - my selection criteria

• optimal price-quality ratio;
• only sockets for hidden installation in the wall were considered;
• maintainability, aesthetic appearance and user reviews were analyzed;
• the comparison did not include either overly cheap and primitive or overly elaborate and expensive specimens;
• for comparison, I took classic samples from each model range in the same price category, so I had to highlight two price groups in order to be completely objective;
• The rating included only those sockets that I saw with my own eyes, touched, tried, and compared in work.

So, I have 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 counterfeits, and if I came across one, then I might have formed an erroneous opinion about the manufacturer. Therefore, in no case do I claim to be the truth, but I pursue only a narrative goal.

Whose sockets are better - manufacturer ratings

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 best included the following brands:

Based on their pricing policy, all these manufacturers had to be roughly divided into two groups - a large budget group and a trio of heavyweights. Therefore, we will compare participants within each of these groups.

Higher price group of sockets and switches:

• - 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 quality, feel free to choose Germans, Italians or French - here the final role is played only by the subjective personal feeling of meeting face to face or by touch. 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 truly 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 diverse range of colors and number of models.

Legrand sockets

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

Bticino In terms of the average price of its products, it outdid the two previous brands. However, holding Bticino products in my hands, I felt goosebumps of delight on my skin, but not Legranda and ScneiderElectrika. Perhaps it’s because Legrandom won’t surprise anyone anymore, but this is the first time I’ve seen the products of intricate Italians. It was the Bticino switches that I installed in my new apartment. I couldn't resist their quality and appearance, despite the rather high price. Which, by the way, I don’t regret at all.

Products of the Italian brand Bticino

Not mentioned here ABB concern only because I had no personal experience with this brand. This contender is best known as a leader in the field of electrical wiring protection systems. But ABB sockets and switches can also be members of the senior price group.

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

Which sockets are better in a lower price group

In first place - . Perhaps some may think that the first place is not entirely deserved: sockets of awkward shape and switches with huge buttons and wide margins. However, in terms of plastic quality, this is the best of the contenders, and the price is more favorable than competitors in the block version. It's no secret that today installing single sockets is not relevant, 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 an unchanged ivory color design, then 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 second place to three candidates at once - Makel, GUSI and Lezard. Here you should focus on your taste, as well as 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 sufficiently developed: either thin and soft metal, or weak screws and insufficiently large clamps.

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

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

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

Thus, to determine which sockets are best for your home, take a closer look at mid-priced products from more or less well-known brands. Products from “solid middle-of-the-road” brands are almost never counterfeited; domestic manufacturers can make good electrical installation products, but they still have to catch up to foreign brands. When choosing products from well-known European brands, the main thing is not to run into a fake.