Double socket with USB - MK worth the premium?

Double socket with USB - MK worth the premium?

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Condi

Original Poster:

17,088 posts

170 months

Sunday 9th October 2016
quotequote all
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?

768

13,601 posts

95 months

Sunday 9th October 2016
quotequote all
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.

LotusMartin

1,112 posts

151 months

Sunday 9th October 2016
quotequote all
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.

eliot

11,364 posts

253 months

Sunday 9th October 2016
quotequote all
There was a thread on here a few weeks ago. Main point is to avoid cheap unbranded chinese ones - the isolation between the mains and 5v is very poor in some cases.

Dogwatch

6,222 posts

221 months

Sunday 9th October 2016
quotequote all
I think MK ones are better able to cope with wear and tear especially if using the wall switch a lot. From the USB aspect the £10 ones from. B&Q charge everything including my IPad,at 2.1 amps.

Apols for IPunctuation.

Condi

Original Poster:

17,088 posts

170 months

Sunday 9th October 2016
quotequote all
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.

hairyben

8,516 posts

182 months

Sunday 9th October 2016
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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

Condi

Original Poster:

17,088 posts

170 months

Sunday 9th October 2016
quotequote all
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.

mondeoman

11,430 posts

265 months

Sunday 9th October 2016
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I put 4 LAP ones into the house a couple of years ago. Only one is working now, two failed withing the first 6 months.

Make of that what you will.

Alucidnation

16,810 posts

169 months

Sunday 9th October 2016
quotequote all
MK are no longer the quality product they once were, but still command a premium.

Crabtree are a bit better.

Also, most double USB sockets will spilt the output with two items charging at the same time, as the total is across both outlets.

hairyben

8,516 posts

182 months

Sunday 9th October 2016
quotequote all
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