MK Logic Plus vs Hager Sollysta - which one should I choose?

Alla Musica · Jan 3, 2024

Ric2013 said:
At the time, between 28W and 40W lamps were fitted.

I'm truly sorry to hear what happened to you. That's just unreasonable, given that it's far below the limit and that it's a simple switch rather than electronic...

pc1966 · Jan 3, 2024

Ric2013 said:
It wasn't a loose wire, so either a dodgy contact or plaster dust had got in. I had a broken faceplate that had got dropped before installation and swapped out the switch insert and no problem since then.

OK, getting plaster dust inside would explain things and is not a manufacturer-related fault.

Ric2013 · Jan 3, 2024

pc1966 said:
OK, getting plaster dust inside would explain things and is not a manufacturer-related fault.

I wouldn't want to judge a manufacturer on a single switch failure anyway, and we don't know if it was plaster. There was obviously dust in the air due to various decorating works and it didn't seem to affect any of the switched sockets or other switches that are in the same room; however, if I did carry out an autopsy, the result wasn't conclusive.

All I am saying is that, statistically, MK Logic Plus hasn't been the most reliable lightswitch in this house because there were 5 installed 15 years ago (if we count a 2G switch as two) and one failed. You could also say that the very old Ashley lightswitches haven't been reliable because there were 4 in use 15 years ago and one has since failed. The sample size is insufficient and there a lot of lightswitches in this house and some get used more than others. I just thought I'd add my sample to the other 5 pages as, combined, the sample size becomes more meaningful.

Alla Musica · Jan 3, 2024

Ric2013 said:
I wouldn't want to judge a manufacturer on a single switch failure anyway, and we don't know if it was plaster. There was obviously dust in the air due to various decorating works and it didn't seem to affect any of the switched sockets or other switches that are in the same room; however, if I did carry out an autopsy, the result wasn't conclusive.

All I am saying is that, statistically, MK Logic Plus hasn't been the most reliable lightswitch in this house because there were 5 installed 15 years ago (if we count a 2G switch as two) and one failed. You could also say that the very old Ashley lightswitches haven't been reliable because there were 4 in use 15 years ago and one has since failed. The sample size is insufficient and there a lot of lightswitches in this house and some get used more than others. I just thought I'd add my sample to the other 5 pages as, combined, the sample size becomes more meaningful.

On the other hand, speaking of Logic Plus, I'm having problems with my terminal screws which have worn out upon installation (3 out of 5 gangs failed). Never going for it again.

Alla Musica · Jan 3, 2024

Alla Musica said:
the Mode and Polar ranges were made in China...

And so are the Hager Sollysta line, FYI.

Ric2013 · Jan 3, 2024

Alla Musica said:
And so are the Hager Sollysta line, FYI.

What about Electrium (Crabtree, Marbo[ourn], Volex, and Wylex brands)? Wikipedia still shows one UK factory, whatever that means...

Alla Musica · Jan 3, 2024

Ric2013 said:
What about Electrium (Crabtree, Marbo[ourn], Volex, and Wylex brands)? Wikipedia still shows one UK factory, whatever that means...

I'll email them - please wait for my next reply. Cheers

nicebutdim · Jan 3, 2024

Alla Musica said:
And so are the Hager Sollysta line, FYI.

I expect most low priced goods to be manufactured in China, but thought I'd read that Click manufactured accessories in the UK. I guess they'd be much more expensive if made here.

nicebutdim · Jan 3, 2024

Ric2013 said:
What about Electrium (Crabtree, Marbo[ourn], Volex, and Wylex brands)? Wikipedia still shows one UK factory, whatever that means...

Possibly UK assembly of some components or manufacture of more specialised items.

Alla Musica · Jan 3, 2024

nicebutdim said:
I expect most low priced goods to be manufactured in China, but thought I'd read that Click manufactured accessories in the UK.

Not to worry at all - you're not the only one who suggested that Click accessories were made in the UK!
(And it's just a bit cringe to me that there are tons of made-in-China items that just aren't available in China)

I guess they'd be much more expensive if made here.

Click to expand...

Makes total sense. No wonder the Varilight white unfurnished dimmer faceplate (UK-made) were far more expensive, i.e. £7~£8, while that of Click is only £1~£2.

Alla Musica · Jan 3, 2024

@nicebutdim Mate - have you ever come across Knightsbridge accessories please, and how do they fare? (I have a discontinued in-line dimmer from them, and just came to realize that they also made wall accessories)

nicebutdim · Jan 3, 2024

Alla Musica said:
@nicebutdim Mate - have you ever come across Knightsbridge accessories please, and how do they fare? (I have a discontinued in-line dimmer from them, and just came to realize that they also made wall accessories)

It's not a brand I would ever have considered buying, but recently wired a house with decorative Knightsbridge accessories. I couldn't fault them and the grid range was a perfect match for other accessories, when needing intermediate switches on a couple of four gang plates. Terminals and terminal layout was no better ot worse than most other accessories.

Obviously I've no idea about long term use.

Alla Musica · Jan 3, 2024

Ric2013 said:
It wasn't a loose wire, so either a dodgy contact or plaster dust had got in. I had a broken faceplate that had got dropped before installation and swapped out the switch insert and no problem since then.

There was one occasion when I was enjoying the possession of my newly purchased Click Mode wall switches - and water sprayed onto them by accident and I was in total panic.

Fortunately, thanks to the design, individual modules could be taken off the faceplate, and even the modules themselves could be easily taken apart and reassembled.

I dried the water out and put the switches back, and now all the 5 gangs are now in proper use.

[ElectriciansForums.net] MK Logic Plus vs Hager Sollysta - which one should I choose?

Not sure if other series / brands could be taken apart this easily, but if your installation environment is subject to plaster dust or such, you might consider light switches that are convenient to take apart for inspection before reassembly.

Mike Johnson · Jan 3, 2024

Or conversely use accessories that are totally enclosed and will not let plaster dust past into the mechanism.

Alla Musica · Jan 5, 2024

Ric2013 said:
What about Electrium (Crabtree, Marbo[ourn], Volex, and Wylex brands)? Wikipedia still shows one UK factory, whatever that means...

@Ric2013 Mate, with the absence of a prompt reply from Electrium, I would assume they're made in China, or elsewhere with cheaper labor cost, given their similar cost to Click Mode.