Switch and Socket product design, Quick question

DG599 · Jun 4, 2018

Hi There,
I'm designing a range of switches and sockets for the UK market, to launch in the next 6 months. Any feedback or thoughts on the below would be much appreicated.

Socket/Switches are attached to metal or plastic mounting boxes. When a plastic box is used there is a 1mm flange. This means the switch/socket cannot be flush to the wall.

-Does this annoy you or your customers?
-What percentage of metal / plastic mounting boxes do you use?

[ElectriciansForums.net] Switch and Socket product design, Quick question

Andy78 · Jun 4, 2018

I use 98% metal boxes. Plastic plasterboard boxes of the type pictured are only used for rare occasions where I can't get into the wall to fix a box.
I believe they are used extensively in the "chuck any old ---- in and do it quick" ethos of the modern new build industry though.

telectrix · Jun 4, 2018

looking at pic #3, that would be unacceptable in my opinion

DG599 · Jun 4, 2018

Thanks for the replies. Exactly what I hoped for.

MJPD29 · Jun 4, 2018

I agree pic 3 wouldn't do

telectrix · Jun 4, 2018

and a socket should never be that close to the floor. aprt from stressing the flex on an appliance, it would do my back in bending.

DG599 · Jun 4, 2018

The Oak is my desk, the socket is just mocked up in a bit of wood! I have a lot of samples and models around.

DPG · Jun 4, 2018

Bearing in mind the huge range of electrical accessories available currently, what do your products offer that is different?

DG599 · Jun 4, 2018

I think at the mid to high end there is opportunity to innovate in the product and improve on service. The choice is so vast that choosing what you like, and trusting the quality is difficult for non-tradespeople. There are also a lot of companies buying generic components and calling them their own. We intend on offering a concise range, where we have designed every component.

Thats the current plan

DPG · Jun 4, 2018

Innovate and improve sounds interesting, but it also sounds vague. What are your back boxes and sockets, for instance, going to offer?

AJshep · Jun 4, 2018

If you in that line of work @DG599 one thing i would like to see is Zwave compatible outlets..
There are currently no Z-wave operated sockets in the UK there is also very limited range of light switches.
At the moment people are relying on small modules to insert in the back of a momentary switches.

The only thing we have in the UK is RF lightwave.
If you could manufacture one you would have a huge market straight off the button especially as Smarthings, Alexa Vera hubs are gaining more popularity, there are hundreds of devices for the US market but it runs on a different frequency.

DG599 · Jun 4, 2018

Sorry, I can't be specific yet. The business isn's launched. There wont be any dragons den style breakthrough inventions I'm afraid. We are going to decide on the product values would resonate with our target customers. Then design a suite of products that fits those. But we have very few constraints on spec which is rare.

Pete999 · Jun 4, 2018

DG599 said:
I think at the mid to high end there is opportunity to innovate in the product and improve on service. The choice is so vast that choosing what you like, and trusting the quality is difficult for non-tradespeople. There are also a lot of companies buying generic components and calling them their own. We intend on offering a concise range, where we have designed every component.

Thats the current plan

Will your design comply with all the relevant British Standards? will they have CE compliance thirdly what is the difference between your design and the current designs?

einstein · Jun 4, 2018

personally i’d think of a better product to better than a 3mm lip

were in the screwfix age, people dont even dog leg anymore rather just pack it out with some timber LOL

Octopus · Jun 4, 2018

Best of luck getting a product designed, tested, into manufacturing and on the shelf in 6 months ........

How much do you think you can "encourage" people to pay for a 2G socket?