Electrical supplies for renovation: how to buy sockets, wire and MCBs
What the electrics of a flat or house consist of
Broadly there are three groups: wire and wiring, the distribution board with MCBs, and sockets and switches. Each has its own parameters, and confusion between them is the main source of wasted money. So before buying, make a list by group and work out the quantities, rather than “I'll take a few”.
Wire and MCBs
The wire size is chosen by the load: sockets and lighting use different sizes, and a hob or a water heater needs separate lines. Ask not just for “wire” but for the type, the size (for example, 3-core 2.5 mm²) and the number of metres. An MCB is chosen by its current rating and sometimes by its tripping characteristic. Also discuss RCCBs, or residual-current protection, for the bathroom and kitchen. It is best to settle the exact choice with an electrician who knows your project.
Sockets and switches
The price here depends heavily on the series and the brand. Different series have different designs and plates, which are not mixed with each other. Decide in advance: one-way or two-way switches, with earthing or without, concealed or surface-mounted, and the colour. Plates are usually bought separately from the mechanisms.
What to put in your request
- What you need — switches, sockets, wire, MCBs, a distribution board, a meter, LED strip.
- Type and parameters — number of gangs, concealed or surface, with earthing; wire size or MCB rating.
- Brand — if you have already chosen.
- Series — if you have decided.
- Quantity — pieces, packs or metres.
- Colour — white, matt black and others.
- Installation — whether you need an electrician.
- Delivery city and budget.
Example: “I need 10 sockets with earthing and 6 one-gang switches in matt black from one series, with plates. Also 100 m of 2.5 mm² 3-core copper wire. Courier delivery to Toronto. Budget up to $340.”
How to buy better through BlaBlaPrice
Electrical goods are sold by big depots and small shops alike, so the price of one item can vary. You write a request with the full list, and sellers in the chat offer their terms: availability, price, delivery. Each one sees where its offer ranks and what the ones above it give, so it often lowers the price or adds good terms. BlaBlaPrice shows the best-value offer first, with reviews of the seller beside it. Contacts stay hidden until you pass them to the seller you choose. Details are on the “How it works” page.
What to look at when comparing
Pay attention to the certification of the wire and MCBs, because “the same” wire can differ in the quality of the copper; look for the safety certification required where you live. Check that plates and mechanisms are from one series, and ask about the warranty and returns. For a bathroom socket, the degree of protection matters. Don't buy sets without working them out: it is better to have a few extra metres of wire than to buy more from another batch.
If the wiring is connected with other work, look at the categories heating and ventilation, which also need a power supply.
