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Noticed these power boards are $2.48 each at Bunnings, Bankstown Airport (NSW). They had several in stock. Thought it was a good price for a known brand.
Arlec 4 Outlet Powerboard with Overload Protection $2.48 @ Bunnings
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ariann on 02/05/2021 - 15:35 bunnings.com.au (780 clicks)
Last edited 02/05/2021 - 15:36 by 1 other user
Last edited 02/05/2021 - 15:36 by 1 other user
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Yeah i think it is
6 socket for $4. I'm tending to only buy 6 socket boards these days, because the moment your plug in a DC adapter it more often than not blocks the adjoining plug anyway.
See my comment below. Boards are a gamble. I too was tempted because of price. Manufacturing quality seems to be hit and miss. Not worth the cost nor the hassle to drive back to return.These are great from my experience:
https://www.woolworths.com.au/shop/productdetails/172281?reg…
I've got the arlec and the chevron, I haven't noticed any difference, although I've probably only inserted plugs once and never touched them again.
The chevron 6 socket is also available from big W , but for $4, the same price that they sell the 4 socket for.
Yeah I had a 50/50 experience out of 4 boards. But never a problem with the Woolworths. So just a thought for those looking. Both are priced pretty fair. Good find oh the 6 outlet! This may be the one to get.
@camelfarmer: Has the quality improved for the Chevron boards since 2014?
https://www.productsafety.gov.au/recall/big-w-chevron-4-and-…
Yes, Arlec are a known brand. Whether they’re a good brand is another thing altogether…
Fortunately, they are EMC (C-Tick) compliant, so at the very least, they will be safe.
As for for long jevity, I guess for a few dollars it doesn't really matter as long as they are safe.
To be able to retail for that price, you can be sure that they are made of the absolute minimum of everything inside. All it takes is for the contacts to become a little loose and your house burns down.
All it takes is for the contacts to become a little loose and your house burns down.
Curious, which contact points are we referring to here that will burn your house down when they get loose?
The metal fingers in the sockets that the prongs of power plugs push into. You'll have seen several people here comment that their sockets were loose from new, and one that said sparks came from the sockets. These cheap power boards are a house fire waiting to happen.
These are pretty poorly constructed. I've found at times plugs fall out by themselves.
Okay if you're plugging something in and leaving, but if in constant use I'd get something else.
Arlec used to be a good brand, now they are the standard crap coming out of China…
Don't care where they come out of.. - But yeah these are horrible. bought 4, and on 2 of the boards the sockets don't even fit safely, they are lose and fall out or spark when inserting the plug. Not good. Spend another 1-$2 and get the one from Woolies.
https://www.woolworths.com.au/shop/productdetails/97519?regi…
Rubbish! (and I don't mean the power strip).
All power strips sold in Australia must meet EMC (C-Tick) standards. The standard forces manufacturers to adhere to strict guidelines (including durability) or risk significant financial penalties including recalling the product
"EMC (C-Tick) standards" have absolutely nothing to do with electrical safety.
Compliance with the Australian EMC regulations is mandatory and they apply to almost all electronic products supplied to the Australian market. Application of the RCM mark signifies compliance with appropriate Australian EMC standard. EMC Compliance requirements are currently limited to mains terminal disturbance voltage measurements (RF emissions travelling along the AC power lines), telecommunications terminal disturbance voltage measurements (RF emissions travelling along the telecommunication lines) and radiated RF emission measurements (RF emissions emanating from the device through the air).
Basically, it's a regulatory framework for electrical interference. Nothing to do with electrical safety at all.
Also, it hasn't been called "C-Tick" for about five years.
Perhaps you might like to take a look at this page:
https://www.productsafety.gov.au/news/check-your-homes-for-u…
Every one of the 13 power boards listed claimed approval with electrical safety standard AS/NZS 3820 and every one of them had to recalled. As the ACCC says "These products were recalled because there is a risk of overheating and fire".
Claiming compliance with the standard and actually complying with the standard and being safe can be two very different things.
Honestly, if the bright yellow doesn't put you off, look into the PlugBOSS Range.
They are splash proof (which can be relevant in a kitchen or lounge), the sockets are spaced for DC bricks, and I've had more than 10 of them I've tested, and all the sockets are 'equal' secure, but not hard to insert.
Something about that range is just well made;
Well above this price point, but still, hovers around the $15 mark depending on sales and such.
https://www.bunnings.com.au/hpm-5-outlet-plug-boss-powerboar…And if you go up to $29, there's a 700joule protected version
https://www.bunnings.com.au/hpm-6-outlet-plugboss-surge-prot…As a self confessed electronics nerd, I'm probably 'checking' and re-plugging my boards more often than most, they're never loose, and they feel like you could run them over with a ute.
These look pretty good, thanks for the recommendation. I'm going to replace all my ones with these since reading through this thread has got me worried about my really old (and cheap) power boards. These aren't too expensive either.
Isn't that the standard price?