The equipment does not break the electricity; it always happens the other way around. It reacts to the quality of the power supply and does not work as it should or even fails. One of the elements of the electrical network is the socket – the "end point" from which we receive electricity. Experts from vencon electrical goods store explained to us that a careless attitude towards this component can lead to malfunctions and other undesirable situations.
Do not buy low-quality sockets
The assortment of the Vencon store includes both budget and premium models of sockets vencon.ua/ua/catalog/rozetki - all of them are of high quality, from manufacturers with a good reputation. Low-quality sockets, which are sometimes found on the market, lead to the following consequences:
- contacts may loosen, overheating may occur, sparks, voltage spikes, and the powered equipment may break;
- the socket may simply not withstand the load it is theoretically rated for;
- it may fall out of its niche and injure users with electricity.
Recommendation from Vencon expert:
“If a socket is expensive, it is not a sign of quality. And a cheap one is not necessarily bad. Quality is a brand. Choose sockets from trusted manufacturers – Schneider Electric, Hager, Legrand, ETI, and others.”
Sockets must meet safety requirements
If the chosen socket is of high quality but does not meet the safety requirements of the environment in which it is installed, it can pose a threat to users. For bathrooms, kitchens, and other rooms, sockets with an IP44 protection class are recommended. If it is to be installed in a place where there is a likelihood of direct water splashes, it is advisable to choose IP54 or IP55.
Using sockets with an inappropriate moisture protection class is prohibited. This can not only lead to equipment malfunctions but also cause injuries.
If there is grounding in the wiring, the socket also needs to be grounded
Grounding is necessary to divert electricity from the user in case of leakage. It eliminates injuries and device malfunctions. If the wiring includes grounding, the socket must also have it. It is easy to determine the presence of grounding – in addition to two wires, neutral and phase, there should also be a third one. Accordingly, the socket has a third connector for connecting this wire.
If there is no grounding in the wiring, there is no need to buy a socket with grounding support – a regular one will suffice. However, if a socket with grounding is installed in this case, nothing bad will happen – it will work just like a regular one.
Vencon warns – do not overload sockets
One of the dangerous situations that can arise with a socket in everyday life is its overload. This can lead not only to equipment malfunctions but also to fire. To prevent this, Vencon specialists recommend following these tips:
- One socket is usually rated for a power consumption of up to 3.5 kW. Therefore, devices with a higher power should not be plugged in.
- If a double socket is used, it does not mean that two devices of 3.5 kW can be connected simultaneously. This is considered as one socket, and the total power for both should not exceed 3.5 kW.
- Devices with a power of more than 3.5 kW can only be connected to special reinforced sockets through reinforced wiring.
- Be sure to ensure that the sockets are connected through circuit breakers in the electrical panel, which are properly selected and functioning. In case of overload, the circuit breakers will disconnect the circuit.
No experience or tools – trust the installation of the socket to a specialist
If you do not have the necessary experience or tools, do not attempt to replace the socket yourself. Vencon warns against this, as the following situations may arise:
- while working on a live circuit, you can get injured;
- if you confuse grounding with phase or neutral, the equipment will not work or may break;
- if the contact is not tightened properly, it will loosen, sparks will appear, and voltage spikes may occur;
- if the contact is over-tightened, the conductor may crimp, its cross-section will decrease, leading to overheating;
- if the conductor breaks during connection, you will need to contact an electrician to extend it.
The specialists from the Vencon store are practicing masters and recommend trusting the installation only to professionals.
