Switches and sockets

[overlander matt]

The house is slowly being rewired and we have almost reached the point where we need to choose a style of socket/switch. This is not proving so simple. In the past I have happily used fairly economical options from Screwfix. This time I feel I need to be looking at something a little more upmarket...

Is there a general style for a Georgian house anyone could suggest?

Thank you in advance.

Matt

 

[plasticpigeon]

I'm not sure. White good quality sockets kind of disappear as people are so used to them. The brass ones with rope edges are called Georgian but are a bit naff in my opinion. Some companies make replica turn of the century sockets and switches that need to be mounted on wooden patresses which I like. I have used toggle light switches with ceramic bases and brass spin on covers made by clipsal, an Australian firm as I think they look nicer than white switches. There are English brands too but it is all personal choice, I don't think there is a precedent to follow.

http://www.classic-switches.co.uk/bakelite_index.htm

http://www.periodpattresses.com/epages/es108574.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/es108574_es120039009115/Categories/%22Light%20Switches%22/%22Brass%20Dolly%22

 

[Craig89]

Your house wouldnt have had electricity until the late Victorian times at the very earliest so theres no Georgian period options. As said above its very much personal preferance and something that goes with your decor really.

https://www.broughtons.com/store/department/3/switches-sockets/

Have a look through that site for some more inspiration

 

[a twig]

https://www.switchtowood.co.uk/shop/

They are great if you aren't poor...

Otherwise, I used to work in an old building, they had standard white plastic MK sockets but with sprung brass covers so none of the plastic was visible when not in use. Struggling to find a picture though at present

EDIT: Like this but nicer: https://www.toolstation.com/floor-socket-twin/p70674

 

[88v8]

eBay is your friend for period sockets and switches. Piecrust/jelly mould switches are my favourite.
These are rather ambitiously priced.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/8-x-1940s-BRASS-PORCELAIN-JELLY-MOULD-LIGHT-SWITCHES-7-x-1way-1-x-2way/163896410822?hash=item2628fcc2c6:g:9I0AAOSwIzFaibqC

They used to be a few quid, hmmm, my little collection seems to have gone up in value :shock:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Antique-Edwardian-Brass-And-Ceramic-Shallow-Jelly-Mould-Light-Switch-Dolly-Vinta/274039813845?hash=item3fce0bb6d5:g:mcgAAOSwaURc4rgq
I believer there are repros available which no doubt comply with something or other.

I also like these MK sockets, they are available in brown but much easier to find in white or cream.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-MK-Ivory-Bakelite-Power-Sockets/133194587963?hash=item1f03041f3b:g:cZ0AAOSw0OxZronA
This is the MK series I use
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-x-Vintage-MK-Brown-Bakelite-Surface-Mounted-Square-Pin-Single-Plug-Socket/333297647457?hash=item4d9a167f61:g:-ccAAOSwEhBdVCkL
Available switched and unswitched, single, double, and with patresses. Not so easy to find nowadays but I have quite a few.
There are sockets and patresses in the rhs of this picture
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/JOB-LOTS-RARE-MIXED-BAKELITE-VINTAGE-MK-PLUGS-SOCKET-SWITCHES-LIGHT-FITTING/174001212942?hash=item288347ce0e:g:iLAAAOSwOQJdWWoQ
Yes, they were easier to find when I started buying them 40 years ago.

And not forgetting the cooker of course
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MK-COOKER-SWITCH-VINTAGE-RETRO-1960s/113912807356?hash=item1a85bb7fbc:g:l5YAAOSw0-xdei94

Ivor

 

[noj]

Or go for something a little different (but not cheap) https://www.dowsingandreynolds.com/product-category/light-switches-plug-sockets/

Some of the switches could work with the right decor

 

[Flyfisher]

As mentioned above, there's no such thing as genuine Georgian light switches as domestic electricity didn't exist in that period, so choose whatever you feel best suits the room.

We have quite a few of these light switches:




They are all fitted to conduit boxes and I suspect they were the original switches fitted when the house was electrified, though I've no evidence for that. Unfortunately they don't meet current safety standards because the brass tops can be easily unscrewed to reveal live terminals. Not ideal if inquisitive children are in the house!

In some rooms they were replaced (before our time) with cheap modern switches but we have, in turn, replaced them with a modern version of the old ones from https://www.broughtons.com/store/department/3/switches-sockets/ They're not identical but pretty close.





But it's just personal choice really and I also agree with the earlier comment about modern switches and sockets being so ubiquitous that they blend in. In fact, in the same room as that second photo we have standard white sockets in the skirting, mainly because they are fairly inconspicuous whereas a darker or brass/metal socket would be highly conspicuous. Good or bad? You decide.

 

[MatthewC]

The brass ones with rope edges are called Georgian but are a bit naff in my opinion.

Well, I used polished square brass ones with rope edges and they look quite good in my opinion!

 

[plasticpigeon]

The brass ones with rope edges are called Georgian but are a bit naff in my opinion.

Well, I used polished square brass ones with rope edges and they look quite good in my opinion!

"De gustibus non est disputandum"! Good job this isn't facebook!

 

[Flyfisher]

I’ve often wondered about the ‘design cues’ behind those ‘Georgian’ electrical fittings. Are there any tangible reasons for them being named ‘Georgian’ or was it simply a marketing decision? As far as I can tell, they are usually just a brass plate with a rope-like motif around the edges. Is that a particularly Georgian thing?

 

[Owain]

They are all fitted to conduit boxes and I suspect they were the original switches fitted when the house was electrified, though I've no evidence for that. Unfortunately they don't meet current safety standards because the brass tops can be easily unscrewed to reveal live terminals. Not ideal if inquisitive children are in the house!

They can be reused safely if you wire them with safety extra-low-voltage to control a relay which actually switches the mains.

 

[a twig]

They are all fitted to conduit boxes and I suspect they were the original switches fitted when the house was electrified, though I've no evidence for that. Unfortunately they don't meet current safety standards because the brass tops can be easily unscrewed to reveal live terminals. Not ideal if inquisitive children are in the house!

They can be reused safely if you wire them with safety extra-low-voltage to control a relay which actually switches the mains.

Spot on!

 

[overlander matt]

Many thanks for the ideas and suggestions. I was unsure whether there would be much discussion about this topic. I think it will boil down to personal taste. The problem for me with the period switches are the absence of sockets and other fittings in a corresponding style. The following online supplier looks to have a decent range but I still find some of the prices a bit steep... I'm not one for the Georgian rope look but maybe the 'Edwardian'. £25 for a double socket still seems a bit pricey with the number we will need.

https://www.socketsandswitches.com/?SKSID=828&SKSRange=7

Thanks again,

Matt

 

[steveb]

Unfortunately they don't meet current safety standards because the brass tops can be easily unscrewed to reveal live terminals.

I would try to solve that with a 4mm drill, a tap and die set and an inconspicuous grub screw

 

[Flyfisher]

There's no imperative to remove old switches unless they need rewiring, in which case the rewired system will require to be tested to the latest wiring regs and it will fail with that type of old switch. At least, that's what our electrician told me - if he doesn't need to touch it then they can remain in the system. Fortunately, our wiring is still ok (rewired in the 80/90s I believe) and I'm not anticipating having to rewire in the forseeable future so the old switches are not going anywhere. The new, compliant, round toggle switches we've installed were to replace modern 'square' switches (one of which was 'Georgian! :lol: ).

 

[Flyfisher]

They are all fitted to conduit boxes and I suspect they were the original switches fitted when the house was electrified, though I've no evidence for that. Unfortunately they don't meet current safety standards because the brass tops can be easily unscrewed to reveal live terminals. Not ideal if inquisitive children are in the house!

They can be reused safely if you wire them with safety extra-low-voltage to control a relay which actually switches the mains.

That might be true in theory but in practice it could easily be more destructive (installing additional low voltage wiring, positioning a suitable transformer, housing a suitable relay, etc) than simply replacing the switch with a modern equivalent that meets current safety regs. Then there would be the issue of finding an electrician who is more of a 'design engineer' who could work outside the latest edition of the 'Guide To xxx Edition Wiring Regs' and document the system in a manner that a future electrician would understand.

Alternatively, just leave the switches in place but disconnect them and wire the lights permanently 'on'. Then replace the bulbs with those wifi controlled ones and switch them on/off with a phone app - it's the future y'know! :lol:

 

[Tom-H]

As said above, original Bakelite switches do not meet modern wiring regulations due to being able to twist the cover off and exposing the live terminals without the use of a tool.

I’ve fitted the reproduction Bakelite switches mounted to an oak pattresss (From switch to wood). They get expensive very quickly depending on how many switches you have which is why I’ve limited it downstairs areas only at the moment, however they really do look excellent and are much better than a brass Georgian style switch.

One thing to consider is how many switches(gangs) there are at each light switch as the bakelite switches can only be bought in 1 gang and take up the space of a standard switch. The 2 gang switch requires a double backbox to be fitted (I have modified mine to mount a single box but your electrician may not be able to do this). Any more and it looks a bit silly having a wall of switches :lol:



For sockets I use MK white plastic - These are the best looking standard socket and look timeless. Once the furniture is in place most sockets are out of sight anyway and not really noticed.

 

[Feltwell]

Then replace the bulbs with those wifi controlled ones and switch them on/off with a phone app - it's the future y'know! :lol:

Believe it or not, a British motorhome manufacturer more or less did that with 1 model - you could only turn the lights on in the habitation part of the van with an app, no switches. Must be fantastically convenient when you can't find your phone or the battery is flat! :lol:

Cordless phones drive me mad enough when someone doesn't put it back in it's cradle and I can't find it (exactly why we have a 1960's wall mounted phone in the kitchen!)

 

[Flyfisher]

I know there are 'apps for everything' on phones these days, especially as manufacturers continue to push the fabulous advantages of IoT, but I find myself seriously unimpressed by all this 'home automation' stuff . . . . and that's from someone who spent his working career in electronics/computer technology and loves a good gadget. Just because something is possible does not make it sensible or desirable, though I accept that's a personal opinion.

We recently replaced our dishwasher and I discovered many models are wifi enabled. Bosch, for example, offer something called 'Home Connect' which they describe thus:
Welcome to Home Connect and to a whole new way of life. With Home Connect, you can control your home appliances easily: From the washing machine to the oven, to the coffee machine or the vacuum cleaner. The Home Connect app gives you access to all the relevant information at any time. It can not only switch your appliances on and off, it can also select programs, adjust timers, set appliances to eco mode and much more.

Personally, I'd be more impressed if they could manufacture a dishwasher that would last longer than 5 years before it breaks down beyond economic repair. :evil:

I don't really feel the need for a constant stream of updates on my phone with up-to-the-second news about when the current wash cycle will finish or whether I'm running low on rinse-aid. I find the LED display perfectly adequate for such things, which I guess officially makes me a grumpy old man - which is interesting because in my younger days I would probably have loved such whizzo gadgetry.

Given my changing views over the years, I think I'm now beginning to better understand the stereotypical view about 'old people' being unable to cope with modern technologies. It's not that they can't cope with it, it's more that they're no longer impressed with such techno-trickery and simply can't be ar$ed with it!

Needless to say, our new dishwasher is not 'smart'. :lol:

 

[Feltwell]

Needless to say, our new dishwasher is not 'smart'. :lol:

Mine is - in fact, it's the Bosch one you mention. It looks so fabulously useful that I've never bothered to give it the wifi code to set it up! :lol:

It was from the AO factory shop, so was cheap enough anyway.

I just don't get the whole "must have the latest greatest phone" tech race. I have a smartphone, it's about 5 years old, it does what I need it to and I can't see that a new £1500 iPhone does much more. My kids aren't bothered about having a fancy new phone either.