Several socket outlets made by MK.
Singole outlet, switched.
Oval MK logo at the centre of the plate.
Moulded On and OFF legend abouve and below the switch. Two fixing holes. These are the same spacing as modern socket outlets.
The back is made from moulded brown plastic, with terminal markings and other information moulded into the plastic. The terminal holes have a high quality clamp type mechanism, where the wires are clamped between two flat pieces of metal, rather than the screw contacting the wires directly.
Double outlet, no switches. Two fixing holes.
Single oval MK logo at the centre of the plate.
The outlets are not vertically centred on the plate - they are positioned towards the top, leaving a much larger space under the live/neutral holes. This would have allowed this outlet to be fixed very close to the floor, as there is more space for the flex to bend underneath the plug.
Double outlet with centre switches. Oval MK logo at the centre of each outlet. Moulded 'ON' and 'OFF' detail above and below each switch.
Two fixing holes, same spacing as modern sockets. The outlets are vertically centred on the plate.
This example has signs of overheating on the left outlet - the hole for the live plug pin is discoloured. This was probably due to a plug with a loose connection, causing the plug pin to heat up when in use.
DIY decorators have also been at this, which is why there is emulsion paint all over it.
Double outlet with centre switches. Round MK logo at the centre of each outlet.
Unlike the other examples, this has four fixing holes, two on each of the longer edges. Boxes of the same age as this outlet typically had 6 fixings - two on each longer edge, and one on each shorter edge. Modern sockets with two fixing holes will therefore fit onto old boxes, but old sockets like will not fit onto new boxes, as they only have the two side fixings.
This example was removed from a kitchen, which is why the switches are caked in ancient grease.
