MK sockets ... Rubbish?

[SUNRAY]

I see MK are at last accepting their Essentials sockets are NFFP with a recall.

 

[opps]

Oh... not fit for purchase...

 

[justigator]

Details? I have been concerned for some time at the quality of the screw terminals in the Logic Plus (is that what they call it) series. But I like their more recent screwless sockets with Wago-style connectors despite their high price.

 

[Adam_151]

One wonders what market they were chasing with them... possibly D&B projects where the consultant has been careless enough to specify the sockets just as "MK" rather than "MK logic plus" and therefore opening up an avenue for value engineering

 

[trojanhawrs]

Their faceplate screws are **** as well.

 

[plugwash]

Details?

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6751edf819e0c816d18d1e3b/2411-0130-product-safety-report-3-pin-socket-with-switches.pdf

It seems to be basically all MK essentials double switched sockets, including neon variants and USB variants. Curiously other items from the range, including single sockets, and unswitched double sockets do not seem to have been recalled.

One wonders what market they were chasing with them.

I wonder if, while they may have attempted to chase some penny-pinching buisiness in the UK they were targetted primarily at the middle east. I remember MK had listings on their site for "MK essentials UK" and "MK essentials ME" and the design of the essentials sockets look like they are designed to support use without backboxes.

In the UK we have traditionally made sockets out of thermoset materials, which are more hard-wearing and more fire resistant, but are more prone to breakage, but I'm not convinced this is the norm worldwide.

 

[Murdochcat]

MK = making carp

 

[chivers67]

I did have a Double USB socket that lasted about 6 months, I have replaced it and it's been ok for over three years now.

 

[Ragnar_AT]

In the UK we have traditionally made sockets out of thermoset materials, which are more hard-wearing and more fire resistant, but are more prone to breakage, but I'm not convinced this is the norm worldwide.

Are you sure the more brittle ones aren‘t urea resin? That certainly used to be a very common material for white accessories (even back when black ones were bakelite) and for quality products still is. Budget manufacturers tend to use more flexible thermoset plastics and have been since the 1980s, possibly late 70s.

 

[ericmark]

Not MK recall but government see also the PDF with pictures who pays is more to the point

can you think of the work involved if MK sockets used on a housing estate?

The product presents a high risk of fire as it has been identified that when the switch on the socket is being switched on, switched off, or whilst it is under load, there is a possibility for an arc flash to occur. This could cause the socket and surrounding materials to ignite, causing a fire.
The affected sockets do not meet the requirements of the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 or the Plugs and Sockets (Safety) Regulations 1994.

Sales period of affected products: 2018 to 3rd July 2024

That's a long time, I am thinking about the electrician knocking on a door and saying I fitted some sockets 5 years ago, I need to change them, there's been a recall.

I was looking at the installation certificate and compliance certificate for my solar panels, there were two RCD sockets fitted, and it does not show anywhere on paperwork the test results, I have a new RCD tester and was going to compare results, I also looked at the earth rod readings.

and even the supply earthing

it is both TN-S and TN-C-S depending on if the DNO supply or the battery and inverter supply is being used.

I am not sure I could have every found paper work for a 5 year old job which would tell me even what make of socket used, never mind the SKU/Model this will be a nightmare for MK product users.

 

[plugwash]

Are you sure the more brittle ones aren‘t urea resin?

Yeah, they are Urea-formaldehyde

According to wikipedia

Urea-formaldehyde (UF), also known as urea-methanal, so named for its common synthesis pathway and overall structure,[1] is a nontransparent thermosetting resin or polymer.

That certainly used to be a very common material for white accessories (even back when black ones were bakelite) and for quality products still is.

In the UK it seems to be the norm for regular domestic accessories, even for budget ranges. MK essentials being thermoplastic was very much the exception here.

Budget manufacturers tend to use more flexible thermoset plastics and have been since the 1980s, possibly late 70s.

I think you may be mixing up the terms thermoplastic and thermoset.

 

[plugwash]

never mind the SKU/Model this will be a nightmare for MK product users.

Well specifically for MK essentials users.

I think many electrians took one look at MK essentials and said hell no. Heck MK released their "base" range a few years later, which seemed to me to be a tactit admission that essentials had failed to live up to UK market expectations even for a budget range.