Electrical switches etc - buying online and other questions

Hello
Adding here from 20yrs experience in selling electrical goods, including switches lighting Automation etc.
So in switches, best is to understand the Use-case of your entire application
Basic Recommendations:
1. Always buy colored switches (colored are more hygienic and don't become Yellowish with time)
Blacks/Greys are very stylish and value-for-money.
Other tones can be expensive but can look good as per interior themes.
White is a big no no in terms of design, pale-yellowish, hygeine, scratches. Never go for white.

2. Understand the Electrical layout of house before you finalise any brand. As different brands models come with different features.
Most versatile brand today is an OSUM switches, which gives you conventional switches that are forward-compatible with easy 2-pair wire Automation.

3. Easily available might not be the best choice. Infact far from it.

4. Best to visit experience center of OSUM. Understand application and your requirement through their guidance. They can give you complete solution.

5. Off topic: They even do Nanoleaf lighting (relevant to a fantastic PC gaming room, or entertainment room) (check their online Catalogs)

Www.osum.in

Checkout this video of their experience center (PS: Its 1hour, but alot of details for layman understandin of applications)

Local small shops, basic switches like Anchor ROMA (Company was sold off to Panasonic, so quality deteriorated, and USB-C, Cat-6 socket wont be available).
Goldmedal NIXON which not as popular as Anchor, but better quality at Rs. 25/switch. But again, best you can get is USB-A (max 10w), Cat-5. This is the best cheap option that you can look for.
For any brand i recommend going to their experience center, as they guide you the best.
Other brand mentions :
1. Legrand Arteor is much expensive, and at times more expensive than OSUM Click series.
2. Schneider Unica Pure the quality is good but pricey. Schneider Livia more common, but very cheap quality and no accessory availability.
Regarding where to buy from, Big electrical shops is your best bet for availability of multiple brands for long period with maximum accessory availability. Small shops usually stock only Switch, socket, plates.
PS: Model of the brand matters more than the brand.

{{Regarding availability of OSUM Click (Conventional on-off switches), they have many stores in each city, but only Big shops usually, who have big turnovers and hence good service.
Btw OSUM is highly reformed series by CONA electrical brand (cheap widely available Indian brand since 30-40yrs))
Check screenshot of Osum Click: Grip Switch series, as it has USB-C, USB-A, RJ45, Cat-6, etc.}}

Let me know your city, you can DM as well, so I can suggest the best dealer network and service availability there.
And ofcourse stay away from online. The prices are too high there.

sato1986 said:

Hello
Adding here from 20yrs experience in selling electrical goods, including switches lighting Automation etc.
So in switches, best is to understand the Use-case of your entire application

Click to expand...

How can one see all the switches/sockets as in your pic , Website is not user friendly , makes on click every range then model .
Motto is elegance and simplicity in product but one of the most confusing website i have seen
Still couldn't find simple 5/15Amp models for installing in house

Had queries , PM you ?

Yes can you can PM me.
Websites these days are you know, all about HYPE.
Like Goldmedal is also a very simple brand but fancy (in a way Nice) website.
Btw I had attached catalog screenshot of basic switches in my 1st post. I can send the hi-res catalog to you, unable to attach here due to size limitation.

All @lockhrt999 questions. He seems to have gone AWOL of late

sato1986 said:

Local small shops, basic switches like Anchor ROMA (Company was sold off to Panasonic, so quality deteriorated, and USB-C, Cat-6 socket wont be available).
Goldmedal NIXON which not as popular as Anchor, but better quality at Rs. 25/switch. But again, best you can get is USB-A (max 10w), Cat-5. This is the best cheap option that you can look for.

Click to expand...

So Goldmedal is the most value for money option now that Roma has been bought by Panasonic or is there any other brand that is more VFM?

I have installed Vinay brand switches around 3 years ago and seems good built and quality. Also you can get designer switches and board and reasonable price.

DigitalDude said:

btw which brand and model has best fire retardant features?

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Wires catch fire before the switch does.
Havells Lifeshield wire melts at 280 degree Celsius.
Normally all brand wires catch fire at 70/80/90 celcius.
Only buy HFFR wires with zero smoke and Halogen properties with good oxygen index.

In switches, companies change their build quality model to model and yearly too.
Goldmedal Nixon has okish FR properties as per the price (25/pc)

sato1986 said:

Only buy HFFR wires with zero smoke and Halogen properties with good oxygen index.

Click to expand...

Is the cheapest Havells Life Line Plus S3 HRFR still a good option?

mantheman said:

Buy Flexible Cables Online | Havells Home Electricals

Discover high-quality flexible cables at Havells. Shop now for durable, reliable cables for your home electrical needs. Explore a variety of options designed for safety and performance.

havells.com

Is the cheapest Havells Life Line Plus S3 HRFR still a good option?

Click to expand...

It's ok.. Just if you have access to HFFR, and price diff is less than 15% then go for it.
Burning point difference is huge impact. (90 Celsius for HRFR vs 280 c for HFFR)
Conductivity difference is medium impact
Toxic gases composition difference is medium impact.

sato1986 said:

HFFR,

Click to expand...

HFFR is not in stock, as per havells, should I go for FR-LSH?


OR these FRLS? same with FRLSH above?

In Mumbai, Goregaon East, some industrial area have lots of electrical parts/switch mfg.
If they do not sell directly to end users, any electrical goods RETAIL shop in that area may have such local brands with fast warranty support also.

There is one Mfg. unit in Vasai East also, but I forget it's name and contact details, they too have EXPORT Quality switches.

mantheman said:

HFFR is not in stock, as per havells, should I go for FR-LSH?
View attachment 212337

OR these FRLS? same with FRLSH above?

HAVELLS 1.5 SQMM FRLS COPPER 180 MTR WIRE

Havells HAVELLS 1.5 SQMM FRLS COPPER 180 MTR WIRE provides flame retardant, low smoke, and halogen-free properties, making it suitable for internal electrification and power supply. It is heat resistant up to 85°C, ROHS compliant, and protected against termites and rodents.

www.cauverypowers.com

Click to expand...

Yes

Buy
1. LIFESHIELD HFFR
else
2. Lifeguard FRLSH (same as FRLS in Havells case) (different technically incase of other brands)

Please note: Buying 180mtr rolls is much cheaper than buying 90mtr rolls.
Ask for "Project rate".
You can DM me for current price trends I can guide you cause average house wiring goes in lacs