thinking of replacing white sockets.....

psd99

psd99

psd99

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7 Sep 2008
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Hi, I'm thinking of replacing my white LAP sockets all over the house

especially in the kitchen area before my splashback is fitted, I'm struggling to decide on what type of finish I want. I have a lot of polished chrome around the house like on the handles and downlights but this finish is quite difficult to maintain and has to be constantly cleaned. I'm veering towards a brushed finish...

What kind of sockets do you all have in your homes?

the ones I have taken a liking to are these MK ones:

https://www.toolstation.com/bg-scre...d-stainless-steel-13a-dp-switch-socket/p81359

I was wondering a few things...

1. How do the screwless sockets/switches work? Is it like a backplate that gets screwed in and then just snap the front on top where the plug is?

2. Are these quite reliable or quite fiddly to install?

3. Why does the USB version of these require a deeper 35mm socket? (I'm replacing a few usb sockets, so I'm hoping that they fit without me having to change the back box to stop it looking ugly)

Thanks all.

p.s it's about £90 to replace the sockets in the kitchen area, dread to know the costs of how much it will be around the rest of downstairs who looks upstairs anyway!?
 
I have some of these in the kitchen - https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00ZJLV2CA/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
And then some of these in the Bedrooms - https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01DFBQ5J0/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Both are excellent quality IMO.

As for why USB ones need a bigger backplate, its because the workings are bigger on the back than a normal socket to accommodate the USB part.

As you can see from my second link they are screwless ones, and you should just be able to see in the pictures the little notches in the sides that clip the front into place.

I no longer have any white sockets in my house they have all been replaced with metal ones - with at least 1 USB one in each room.
 
pepp77 said:
I have some of these in the kitchen - https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00ZJLV2CA/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
And then some of these in the Bedrooms - https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01DFBQ5J0/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Both are excellent quality IMO.

As for why USB ones need a bigger backplate, its because the workings are bigger on the back than a normal socket to accommodate the USB part.

As you can see from my second link they are screwless ones, and you should just be able to see in the pictures the little notches in the sides that clip the front into place.

I no longer have any white sockets in my house they have all been replaced with metal ones - with at least 1 USB one in each room.
Click to expand...


thanks, I think the MK ones look a bit better hence the price probably.

I wonder how much I could get back from all of the white sockets/switches I will have left over, what did you do with yours?
 
Squid Vicious said:
I'd keep hold of em in case you move, you can then switch them all back and reinstall in your next home.
Click to expand...

Good shout, I think the new shiny ones will look much better overall.

I often wonder how far I could go when I move like taking out the LED lights from the downnlights, like removing the megaflow etc but some of this might be too far. and unreasonable. I will take my lovely mirrors though!
 
i took all my led lighting and just went to poundland to get replacement bulbs as leaving no bulbs would have been a bit harsh, cost me like 14 quid to replace all the bulbs but my bulbs actually cost well over 150 as i have three lifx bulbs and all the others very good quality Phillips bulbs.
 
adwol48 said:
i took all my led lighting and just went to poundland to get replacement bulbs as leaving no bulbs would have been a bit harsh, cost me like 14 quid to replace all the bulbs but my bulbs actually cost well over 150 as i have three lifx bulbs and all the others very good quality Phillips bulbs.
Click to expand...

I'd have like 40 to replace!

how much would that cost in pound land!?
 
If the walls are light > MK Sockets. If the walls are dark, like in my living room, then I have copper sockets however, I still prefer MK sockets.
 
In the last house we had these;

Schneider Ultimate Flat Plate in Nickel, https://www.rselectricalsupplies.co.uk/schneider-ultimate-flat-plate-black-nickel.htm

This time round fancied something different so went with;

MK Edge in White Metal, https://www.gil-lec.co.uk/switches-sockets/flat-plates/mk-edge/white-metal

For anything that isn't on show (things in cupboards, under counter, etc) I've used the MK Logic Plus stuff.

The Schneider ones stood out more (especially against light walls), but both brands are good quality and I'd happily use either. Tried out lots of other brands and really didn't like the feel of the switches.
 
Felix said:
My thoughts entirely! Apart from maybe the kitchen where they are above the worktop. Elsewhere leave them as white.
Click to expand...

I could just change the ones In the kitchen to look fancy

I was thinking about doing this. The rest are still pretty good but it will not match the rest of the house.
 
Participant said:
Plain white, as I want them to blend in, not stand out as some kind of fashion accessory.
Click to expand...
I agree with you. I hide my sockets as much as possible just have the odd one positioned in the open for things like vacuum cleaner and hair dryer.

I really don't like the metal faced ones at all, I think they look tacky. Good rounded white MK look much cleaner to me.
 
Never really understood shiny ones outside of a kitchen when the sockets are on show, why would you want to draw attention to them? But like chrome downlighters on a white ceiling!
 
We have been moving to the white version of MK sockets.

They, plus the light switches and isolation switches in the range are great. £25 for the double with usb is very high cost but they’re very useful.

We are using a similar white single usb switch as they don’t make a single usb in that range now :/
 
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