Double socket with USB - MK worth the premium?
Discussion
Im fitting a couple of double sockets in my bedroom and be handy to have an integral USB charger. Always been told that MK gear is the dogs by my electrician friend so thats what Im using on the whole. However, MK double sockets with USB are about £25 each retail, and even with trade discount they are still expensive compared with, say LAP sockets which are 2 for £18 - about half the price of the MK brand.
Is the MK brand and engineering worth it? They will undoubtedly be better made and higher quality materials, but double the price is a big premium to pay. Also some sockets have 2.1amp charger, split between 2 USB ports, and some have 3.1amp. Would 3.1amp be too much? Likely to knacker a battery?
Is the MK brand and engineering worth it? They will undoubtedly be better made and higher quality materials, but double the price is a big premium to pay. Also some sockets have 2.1amp charger, split between 2 USB ports, and some have 3.1amp. Would 3.1amp be too much? Likely to knacker a battery?
Condi said:
Would 3.1amp be too much? Likely to knacker a battery?
No, phones, tablets, etc. can cope with that. They just draw what they need up to a maximum.I don't know the answer to the question. I've only installed one such socket because, like you say, the MK was so expensive but I don't know enough about the alternatives.
Got a few - couple of MK double + USB, couple of cheap ones from Light Up UK - no discernible difference as far as I can tell.
Just watch out as some have one 2.1A and one 1A USB socket. One pain is they all need to be disconnected before the final electrical testing is done as they are always on.
Just watch out as some have one 2.1A and one 1A USB socket. One pain is they all need to be disconnected before the final electrical testing is done as they are always on.
LotusMartin said:
Got a few - couple of MK double + USB, couple of cheap ones from Light Up UK - no discernible difference as far as I can tell.
That will do for now thank you. I'll put the cheap ones in and see what happens, can always change them in a few months time if the cheap ones are st. MK has been pretty far from "the best" for 20 years but some people still havent got the memo. Crabtree is still very old school good. Personally I find the midrange brands like BG or GET decent, avoid anything cheaper like lap, wickes stuff as the quality drop off is quite noticable for whats pennies saved. Or grab both and look at them alongside!
Id find the thread from a couple of weeks ago on USB sockets though, personally I really dont rate them as the power supply is permanently connected
Id find the thread from a couple of weeks ago on USB sockets though, personally I really dont rate them as the power supply is permanently connected
hairyben said:
Id find the thread from a couple of weeks ago on USB sockets though, personally I really dont rate them as the power supply is permanently connected
Interesting, albeit a very negative thread IMO. Millions of people leave their phone chargers plugged in anyway, with no issues, and they've been around for years with no negative reports. I'll be a test pilot and report back if I die or not. If they're st its only 10 mins to swop back to a standard double socket. Condi said:
Interesting, albeit a very negative thread IMO.
Perhaps. I wouldnt be suprised to see such non isolatable devices specifically classified as non conforming at some point though.Those who write the regs are normally several years behind the curve while they pontificate what legaleze betters simply phrased rules
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