Wall Socket Selection Guide
Wall sockets come in types such as grounded, wet location, UPS, data, telephone, TV and USB charging; the choice depends on the intended use and the environment.
This guide covers what to look at when choosing products in the Wall Sockets category.
Wall socket types
- Grounded Wall Sockets: two-pole grounded (2P+E) mains sockets. Single, double and triple models are available, with covers, label areas and child protection.
- Wet Location Sockets: types with an IP54 surface-mounted housing; single sockets, double sockets, and horizontal and vertical combinations in which a switch and a socket are in the same housing.
- UPS Wall Sockets: used to tell the line fed from an uninterruptible power supply apart from the other sockets.
- Data and Telephone Sockets: single and dual port sockets with RJ45 data (CAT5E, CAT6) and RJ11 telephone outlets.
- TV and Satellite Sockets: terminating, pass-through and resistorless TV sockets, and satellite sockets with an F connector.
- USB Charging Sockets: models of the Viko Karre and Meridian series with a 5 V 2 A output; USB-only types and types combined with a grounded socket are available.
The USB charging sockets of the Schneider Electric Yeni Unica, Asfora and Merten series and the Yeni Unica and Asfora TV and satellite sockets are listed directly in this category; for USB sockets, the port type (Type A, Type C) and the output current or power are written in the product name.
What to look at when choosing a wall socket
- Current and circuit. The Schuko type grounded socket is a system used up to 16 A in 230 V circuits. The socket does not provide protection against overcurrent; the circuit's cable cross-section, miniature circuit breaker and residual current device are determined in the project.
- Environment. According to IEC 60529, an IP20 housing has no protection against water. IP44 indicates protection against objects larger than 1 mm and against water splashing from any direction; IP54 indicates protection against dust and splashing water. For sockets with covers, the manufacturer's data states under which condition (cover closed, plug inserted) the value applies.
- Series compatibility. The socket mechanism is chosen from the same series as the frame and box on the wall; frames are listed separately in the Switch and Socket Frames category.
- Child protection. The abbreviation Ç.K. in the product name means child-protected; these sockets have a shutter behind the contact holes.
- Connection terminal. Screw and quick-connect (screwless) models are separate products.
- Plug type and orientation. British type sockets do not accept a Schuko plug. In the 45° angled double and triple sockets of the Yeni Unica series, the sockets are arranged diagonally.
Line structure in TV, satellite and data sockets
For a TV socket, the type is chosen according to the form of distribution. In a series line where a single cable runs from socket to socket, pass-through sockets are installed at the intermediate points and a terminating socket at the last point of the line; the continuation output of the last pass-through socket is not left open. A pass-through socket diverts part of the signal to its own output; the dB value in its name (such as 8-12 dB, 10 dB) is the attenuation the manufacturer gives for this output. In star distribution, where a separate cable is run from the splitter to each socket, the sockets are not connected to each other; verify from the manufacturer's data which type is suitable for this use (the types called independent in the Yeni Unica series, and terminating or resistorless in the Viko series). For the cable, see the Satellite-TV Broadcast Cables category.
The category of a data socket must match the cable; for a CAT6 line, the cable side is in the CAT6 Cables category. RJ11 telephone sockets are listed as CAT3.
Difference between a UPS socket and a grounded socket
A UPS socket is electrically a grounded socket; it does not provide backup power itself, it only separates the circuit connected to the UPS output from the other sockets. Depending on the model, the distinction is made by color, by a marking on the housing, or by a keyed socket structure that accepts only a UPS plug. In this category, besides red UPS sockets, white, cream, aluminum and anthracite models are also listed.
Brands in this category
- Viko: grounded, UPS, data, telephone, TV and satellite sockets in the Karre, Meridian and Karre 55 series; USB charging sockets in the Karre and Meridian series; IP54 surface-mounted wet location sockets in the Palmiye series.
- Schneider Electric: Yeni Unica (child-protected, 45° angled, quick-connect, UPS, USB and British type 15 A sockets), Asfora and Asfora Plus, and Merten System-M and System-D mechanisms.
- TP Elektrik: IP54 wet location sockets, switch and socket combinations, and wet location data and telephone sockets.
Ordering notes
- Products are sold per piece; each color of the same socket has a separate stock code.
- For Viko Karre, Meridian and Karre 55 sockets, the supplied components are stated as the mechanism plus the button/cover; the grounded socket with two USB ports is listed as a complete unit.
- Products listed as made-to-order make up most of this category; for these products the lead time is confirmed before ordering.
- For product names that carry a stock code (such as MEG2302-0319, NU304518, 90555420), searching by the code takes you directly to the product.
Wall Socket Types and Technical Comparison Table
| Socket Type | Rating and Connection | Protection and Safety Feature | Typical Application | Category Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grounded Wall Socket (Schuko) | 16 A · 250 V AC · Side earth clips | Optional child-protection shutters · IP20 | Residential, office and general indoor power outlets | Wall Sockets |
| Hinged-Cover / Splash-Proof Socket | 16 A · 250 V AC · Spring-loaded lid | IP44 – IP54 splash water and dust protection | Bathrooms, kitchen counters, balconies, terraces and workshops | Wall Sockets |
| Dedicated UPS Power Socket | 16 A · 250 V AC · Red / keyed face | Visually and mechanically separated from utility mains | IT rooms, POS terminals, medical equipment and critical workstations | Wall Sockets |
| Data (RJ45), Coax TV & USB Sockets | Cat6 RJ45 / F-Connector / 5V USB-A & C | Low-current shielding and integrated charging module | Meeting rooms, office desks and hotel guest rooms | Switches and Sockets |
Frequently asked questions
How does a child-protected (Ç.K.) socket work?
There is a shutter behind the contact holes; it opens when the two pins of the plug are pressed in together, and it is designed so that it will not open with an object inserted into a single hole. It appears in product names with the abbreviation Ç.K. and in the technical specifications as a protective shutter. The shutter does not change the socket's IP rating; for water and dust protection, look at sockets with covers or wet location type sockets.
Can a normal plug be inserted into a UPS socket?
It varies by model. A UPS socket is electrically a grounded socket; it separates the UPS line from the other sockets by color, by a marking on the housing, or by a keyed socket structure that accepts only a UPS plug. A standard plug does not fit keyed-socket models. Verify the plug to be used from the product page or the manufacturer's catalog; the total load connected to the line is planned according to the UPS power.
Can a CAT5E cable be connected to a CAT6 data socket?
Because both use an RJ45 connection, it can be connected physically; however, the performance of the line is determined by the lowest-category component, so the line works as CAT5E. For CAT6 performance, the cable, the socket and the patch cable must all be CAT6. In this category, CAT5E and CAT6 data sockets and CAT3 telephone sockets are listed as separate products.
How many amperes is a grounded wall socket?
The Schuko type grounded plug and socket system is used up to 16 A in 230 V circuits. The socket's own rating is written on its housing and in the manufacturer's data; the circuit's fuse and cable cross-section are determined in the project. This category also includes British type grounded sockets; these are for a different plug system and their rated currents are written in the product name (such as 15 A in the Yeni Unica series).
What is the difference between a quick-connect socket and a screw socket?
The difference is in how the conductor is fastened to the terminal. In a screw socket the conductor is tightened with a screw; in a quick-connect (screwless) socket the stripped conductor is pushed into a spring terminal. There is no difference on the user side of the socket. Which conductor type and cross-section are accepted, and the stripping length, are written in the manufacturer's data; these values must be followed during installation.