Switch and Socket product design, Quick question

[DG599]

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?

 

[mydigitalhome]

Hi, use mostly metal backboxes with plasterboard. What I would like is isoloator switch to remove the USB on a socket so insulation resistance can be done easier rather than remove socket prior to test. It would be nice to have wago lever type connectors on the back to allow for two 4mm cables. A cable install where all cables are cut the same length for speedier installation like the Crabtree range. Flat plate fronts, screwless would be icing on the cake in stainless steel or a clear plastic version which could be colour matched on the back to local wall making for less obtrusive product. Finally, a decent grid switch system with 32A DP switches and a extended back box to give room to terminate the cables easier. My normal product of choice is Schneider Get Ultimate, flat plate, black insert, screwless. Customers love them.

 

[mydigitalhome]

Hi, use mostly metal backboxes with plasterboard. What I would like is isoloator switch to remove the USB on a socket so insulation resistance can be done easier rather than remove socket prior to test. It would be nice to have wago lever type connectors on the back to allow for two 4mm cables. A cable install where all cables are cut the same length for speedier installation like the Crabtree range. Flat plate fronts, screwless would be icing on the cake in stainless steel or a clear plastic version which could be colour matched on the back to local wall making for less obtrusive product. Finally, a decent grid switch system with 32A DP switches and a extended back box to give room to terminate the cables easier. My normal product of choice is Schneider Get Ultimate, flat plate, black insert, screwless. Customers love them.

 

[Rpa07]

Nice reply but I’m not going to read it twice.
With all those ideas he’ll be a millwionaire by next year - Rodders!

Hi, use mostly metal backboxes with plasterboard. What I would like is isoloator switch to remove the USB on a socket so insulation resistance can be done easier rather than remove socket prior to test. It would be nice to have wago lever type connectors on the back to allow for two 4mm cables. A cable install where all cables are cut the same length for speedier installation like the Crabtree range. Flat plate fronts, screwless would be icing on the cake in stainless steel or a clear plastic version which could be colour matched on the back to local wall making for less obtrusive product. Finally, a decent grid switch system with 32A DP switches and a extended back box to give room to terminate the cables easier. My normal product of choice is Schneider Get Ultimate, flat plate, black insert, screwless. Customers love them.

 

[Rpa07]

I do not like flat plates but I lurve low profile, just something about them.
Hamilton style! bit more expensive than Denmans Designa though as @Murdoch says - how much are people prepared to pay?

 

[DG599]

Thanks for the generous replies to a new forum member! Some good points here. Leftfield points appreciated too.

The smart device trend is quite interesting with wireless enabled components. The rate of change is so high in that area that it may be a few years before we know if its a gimmick or not. -Even then they may have a short working life before standards change.
Designing products to last 10-50 years is more interesting. This can be done in the time, to bsen standards and to a reasonable cost
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This is a very old thread now, but I'd like to update it. I appreciated the comments here, as well as speaking to loads of local electricians I have found the comments from the trade to be really good. After a lot of development, and a shocking amount of £ spent on tooling we have launched 3 collections of electrical products. If there is interest I can go into the details of the development journey and tell you about the details of bringing new things to market, which are usually quite hidden.
I wont post a link or pictures unless it's allowed, or there's interest.

Cheers