Retro sockets and switches for open wiring: advantages, features and use

The fashion for new design solutions in the interior has made another historical turn in electrical installations. Moreover, as in other spheres, she turned to antiquity - to half a century and even centuries-old traditions. Ceramic insulators have been commonly used for home networking in the past. Now, in addition to them, the market offers a wide selection of retro sockets and switches for open wiring.

Fashionable and safe

Retro electrician is not only a tribute to fashion. The demand for it, despite the dominance of plastic, has remained, albeit not in the same volume. First of all it is used in private householdswhere open, not hidden, wiring is needed. And with new trends in design, such an electrician got another life.

Quality semi-antique products and accessories corresponding to them are now offered by a number of Russian enterprises. The most famous brands are Vintage, Villaris, Retrika, Bironi, Salvador, Fountini, Zion, Lindas. The products of western and southeastern firms are also presented on the market. But European counterparts are expensive, and Asian ones cannot always boast of decent quality.

The use of retro electrics has some limitations. Sockets, for example, are designed mainly for the power of the connected equipment no more than 3500 watts. This may not be enough for modern stoves and water heaters.

But taking into account the grounding and the materials from which the products are made, we can talk about their high reliability in operation. If you do not purchase semi-antique cheap plastic and follow the installation rules, retro will look not only fashionable, but also quite safe.

Leading manufacturers guarantee not only environmental friendliness and functionality of products, but also high quality. It is clear that the external differences between the "old" models from the modern ones do not indicate their inconsistency with the requirements of fire or electrical safety. All GOSTs must be strictly observed.

From bronze to gold

Retro sockets and similar electrics are presented in a wide range. The most demanding home interior designer can find a line of such products to his liking. Classical materials such as copper, bronze, porcelain, ceramics, wood are used, and their color range is almost limitless. The minimum choice of such an electrician looks like this:

• Porcelain rosettes (black, white, brown, "marble"), incl. television and radio. There are options for painting under Khokhloma and Gzhel.
• Ceramic switches (incl. swivel) with handles made of copper or bronze.
• Glazed ceramic insulators of any color.
• Distribution (junction) boxes of various types and sizes.
• Cable leads.
• Wooden frames of all types and colors, both for sockets and switches: horizontal and vertical from single to quadruple.
• Copper twisted wire with silk braid.
• Cotton braided aluminum cables.
• Fittings (up to retro self-tapping screws).

Manufacturers and developers of vintage products do not stand still. Unique and original electrical products are now even represented by computer sockets, which were unnecessary half a century ago. And the same elementary switch, if desired, can be matched even with gold.

Historical charm

Antique wiring design can successfully complement a modern interior (especially if you stylize household appliances with it). But in a wooden house, where only open installation of the network can be installed, such a design will be the most correct solution for security reasons. At the same time, the country "villa" will acquire an individual historical charm. Retro network has a number of features in installation and operation.. It is necessary to consider and remember:

1. The network must be easy to maintain. Even at the installation stage, it is necessary to provide for unhindered access to its key elements. You need to take care of creating the circuit in advance.
2. It is better to refuse the European fashion for sockets and switches near the floor. They need to be mounted at about a height of about 1 meter. The meaning of this lies not only in convenient operation and a guarantee of protection against accidental damage - retro also performs a design function, so products should be visible and create mood.
3. You shouldn't skimp on fittings and various accessories. The plastic box in the system will look ridiculous.
4. Mixing different old styles in one room will not look the best. But to arrange, for example, a kitchen under Gzhel, and a living room under a Khokhloma would be useful.

The owners are unlikely to refuse to try themselves in the role of home interior designers, although it is advisable to entrust its development to professionals. But myself It is better to entrust the installation of the network to a certified electrician. Of course, such a specialist does not come across retro today every day, but he still won't have to reread old textbooks.

Retro actively manifests itself in the 21st century and in other areas of life. Today this style can be seen in clothes, various household items and cars, and tomorrow it will affect other household items as well.

Contrary to popular expectations, retro-style electrical products are not that expensive compared to the rest. This is another reason for thinking about returning to the "old days".