Brand choice

1

Crabtree is my favourite here - well constructed and easy to wire; terminals sensibly positioned - screwdriver access from a common direction. MK are solidly constructed but more awkward to wire, with terminals in less-friendly positions. MEM also good. I have not come across what I would call a really bad brand. MK has a very good range (but not lamp holders it seems - or has that changed lately?). I used to buy MK for the dolly operated switches, which I preferred to the rocker type, but these seem to have disappeared from the market.


For plug tops I have never liked MK. They are of heavy, solid construction (perhaps giving the "quality" feel to some, hence popular in d.i.y shops) but are not the easiest to wire. The philosophy goes back to the BS546 range - wrap around terminals and narrow channels in which to run the sleeved conductors, requiring conductor length to be precisely cut and risking snagging. Pinch pillar terminals are much easier. At least the pins do not fall out when the top is removed!


The MK auto-cord grip is the basis of a good idea but it needs refinement. Certainly it grips a thin cord very tightly - pull harder and it grips harder. Thick cords are very difficult to insert. You would not believe (or maybe you would) the number of times I have come across thick cord wired into MK plugs with the outer sheath stripped right back so the cord grip is gripping the inner sleeved conductors. The MK shutter arrangement - requiring the simultaneous insertion of the live and neutral pins, instead of the insertion of the earth pin, to open the shutters - is a good idea, for which MK deserves credit.


Overall for plugs, Crabtree wins again. Note that Crabtree was the first to introduce sleeved live and neutral pins (now compulsory) and in fact introduced this idea on its former BS546 interlocking plugs.

2

Fancy stuff - not handled enough to have an opinion.

3

Light fittings - again not handled a great deal. Fitzgerald was mentioned earlier; I have installed a few of these - easily available, practical, affordable, do the job well.

4

Yes, it is the ubiquitous Wylex. Easy to get spares for upgrades and modifications. However the consumer units in my house are Square-D, one of them installed by me - also good.

1

Crabtree is my favourite here - well constructed and easy to wire; terminals sensibly positioned - screwdriver access from a common direction. MK are solidly constructed but more awkward to wire, with terminals in less-friendly positions. MEM also good. I have not come across what I would call a really bad brand. MK has a very good range (but not lamp holders it seems - or has that changed lately?). I used to buy MK for the dolly operated switches, which I preferred to the rocker type, but these seem to have disappeared from the market.


For plug tops I have never liked MK. They are of heavy, solid construction (perhaps giving the "quality" feel to some, hence popular in d.i.y shops) but are not the easiest to wire. The philosophy goes back to the BS546 range - wrap around terminals and narrow channels in which to run the sleeved conductors, requiring conductor length to be precisely cut and risking snagging. Pinch pillar terminals are much easier. At least the pins do not fall out when the top is removed!


The MK auto-cord grip is the basis of a good idea but it needs refinement. Certainly it grips a thin cord very tightly - pull harder and it grips harder. Thick cords are very difficult to insert. You would not believe (or maybe you would) the number of times I have come across thick cord wired into MK plugs with the outer sheath stripped right back so the cord grip is gripping the inner sleeved conductors. The MK shutter arrangement - requiring the simultaneous insertion of the live and neutral pins, instead of the insertion of the earth pin, to open the shutters - is a good idea, for which MK deserves credit.


Overall for plugs, Crabtree wins again. Note that Crabtree was the first to introduce sleeved live and neutral pins (now compulsory) and in fact introduced this idea on its former BS546 interlocking plugs.

2

Fancy stuff - not handled enough to have an opinion.

3

Light fittings - again not handled a great deal. Fitzgerald was mentioned earlier; I have installed a few of these - easily available, practical, affordable, do the job well.

4

Yes, it is the ubiquitous Wylex. Easy to get spares for upgrades and modifications. However the consumer units in my house are Square-D, one of them installed by me - also good.