Pop Up Kitchen Sockets - Yes or No?
Discussion
Just having a kitchen installed - it's late in the day but the fitter's suggested pop up kitchen sockets on the island instead of a couple of trad double sockets on the end vertical panels. Anyone got the pop up type? Good / Bad experiences (I'm thinking ergonomics, quality action / feel etc)? Thanks.
te.Thanks all. Think I'll go for the traditional sockets on the end panel. I wasn't taken with the round topped cylinder style - they all seem a bit fussy, although the 'S Box' flush fitting unit look better... albeit at a price!
I have pop up sockets (x2) and no sockets on the wall. Risky!!
They are brushed stainless steel so look good when down, they're in the corners of the worktop so don't notice too much when up, however you can plug 4 things in then push the socket back down so it's never seen! It also has 2 x USB chargers on it. Doesn't get crumbs/dirt down it at all.
They weren't cheap but they were a very good decision.
Cheaper pop up sockets are a bit rubbish for the reasons stated above though.
http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Index/Wiring_Acce...
The plastic ones look a bit rubbish but the stainless is lovely, albeit a lot more expensive.
I can take pictures if you want...
They are brushed stainless steel so look good when down, they're in the corners of the worktop so don't notice too much when up, however you can plug 4 things in then push the socket back down so it's never seen! It also has 2 x USB chargers on it. Doesn't get crumbs/dirt down it at all.
They weren't cheap but they were a very good decision.
Cheaper pop up sockets are a bit rubbish for the reasons stated above though.
http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Index/Wiring_Acce...
The plastic ones look a bit rubbish but the stainless is lovely, albeit a lot more expensive.
I can take pictures if you want...
MrSparks said:
I have pop up sockets (x2) and no sockets on the wall. Risky!!
They are brushed stainless steel so look good when down, they're in the corners of the worktop so don't notice too much when up, however you can plug 4 things in then push the socket back down so it's never seen! It also has 2 x USB chargers on it. Doesn't get crumbs/dirt down it at all.
They weren't cheap but they were a very good decision.
Cheaper pop up sockets are a bit rubbish for the reasons stated above though.
http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Index/Wiring_Acce...
The plastic ones look a bit rubbish but the stainless is lovely, albeit a lot more expensive.
I can take pictures if you want...
Not an unreasonable price though bearing in mind lack of labour for channelling the walls and also possible savings in the wall coverings. I looked at glass splash backs, not an unreasonable cost at all but made expensive by the cost of each socket being cut.They are brushed stainless steel so look good when down, they're in the corners of the worktop so don't notice too much when up, however you can plug 4 things in then push the socket back down so it's never seen! It also has 2 x USB chargers on it. Doesn't get crumbs/dirt down it at all.
They weren't cheap but they were a very good decision.
Cheaper pop up sockets are a bit rubbish for the reasons stated above though.
http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Index/Wiring_Acce...
The plastic ones look a bit rubbish but the stainless is lovely, albeit a lot more expensive.
I can take pictures if you want...
How well does the cable exit work, from the pictures I'd be concerned about the flex possibly getting crushed by the flappy thing?
Edited by JimbobVFR on Thursday 19th June 17:14
JimbobVFR said:
Not an unreasonable price though bearing in mind lack of labour for channelling the walls and also possible savings in the wall coverings. I looked at glass splash backs, not an unreasonable cost at all but made expensive by the cost of each socket being cut.
How well does the cable exit work, from the pictures I'd be concerned about the flex possibly getting crushed by the flappy thing?
Very true, I didn't really look at the cost savings as I'm an electrician so it was all negligible for me.How well does the cable exit work, from the pictures I'd be concerned about the flex possibly getting crushed by the flappy thing?
Edited by JimbobVFR on Thursday 19th June 17:14
The clamp doesn't really interfere with the flex, which was actually my only disappointment thinking about it, as I thought the flap would have a cut out/another flap for the cable to sit through so the flap can sit flat to the work top with something plugged in (I'm pretty sure that made no sense!!!) so with a socket plugged in the flap is in the air a bit (see pic!)
I definitely would recommend them, but its horses for courses... the USB charger I thought would be a novelty, who charges their phone in the kitchen? Me I guess! It's used almost daily.
![](http://thumbsnap.com/sc/h9zDFZdZ.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="http://thumbsnap.com/648hDuJ1" Target="_blank">[img]http://thumbsnap.com/sc/648hDuJ1.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="http://thumbsnap.com/Af7avk6U" Target="_blank">[img]http://thumbsnap.com/sc/Af7avk6U.jpg)
Jimboka said:
Fast forward a few years. Pop up goes faulty. Replacement not available or different shape etc...
Its a round hole, about 90mm ish I believe. I'd be very surprised if other ones had a specific shape other than a hole and it would be difficult to imagine a smaller hole being sufficient. These do the job well, although none of them really pop up but the name in the industry stuck.
http://www.evoline.co.uk/portfolio-item/evoline-po...
http://www.evoline.co.uk/portfolio-item/evoline-po...
RevHappy said:
These do the job well, although none of them really pop up but the name in the industry stuck.
http://www.evoline.co.uk/portfolio-item/evoline-po...
We have that one on a breakfast bar, the toaster stays plugged in the whole time- pull up, plug in, push down and the top tilts so you don't see the plugs, couldn't be neater. If it stayed pulled up when in use, yes, it's a mess, but the tilting top means it's pretty inconspicuous. http://www.evoline.co.uk/portfolio-item/evoline-po...
MrSparks said:
Very true, I didn't really look at the cost savings as I'm an electrician so it was all negligible for me.
The clamp doesn't really interfere with the flex, which was actually my only disappointment thinking about it, as I thought the flap would have a cut out/another flap for the cable to sit through so the flap can sit flat to the work top with something plugged in (I'm pretty sure that made no sense!!!) so with a socket plugged in the flap is in the air a bit (see pic!)
I definitely would recommend them, but its horses for courses... the USB charger I thought would be a novelty, who charges their phone in the kitchen? Me I guess! It's used almost daily.
]
What was your reasoning in using popups where standard wall sockets were an option?The clamp doesn't really interfere with the flex, which was actually my only disappointment thinking about it, as I thought the flap would have a cut out/another flap for the cable to sit through so the flap can sit flat to the work top with something plugged in (I'm pretty sure that made no sense!!!) so with a socket plugged in the flap is in the air a bit (see pic!)
I definitely would recommend them, but its horses for courses... the USB charger I thought would be a novelty, who charges their phone in the kitchen? Me I guess! It's used almost daily.
]
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