This was posted 6 months 16 days ago, and might be an out-dated deal.

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Arlec 4 Individually-Switched Outlet Power Board 2-Pack $10 + Delivery ($0 C&C/ in-Store/ OnePass) @ Bunnings [Limited Stores]

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Arlec 4 Individually-Switched Outlet Power Board 2-Pack $10 + Delivery ($0 C&C/ in-Store/ OnePass) @ Bunnings [Limited Stores]
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outlander on 11/10/2023 - 10:58 bunnings.com.au (6915 clicks)
Last edited 11/10/2023 - 13:21 by 1 other user

Was $16, then $14, now it's dropped to a mere $10. At that price, you're basically buying regular boards and getting the switches for free

I bought a bunch from my local yesterday, and once I find the old receipt I'll return them to get some money back. They had at least two full boxes then

Now cue the whiners, who will say

  • this doesn't have enough plug sockets (like you can't just join two together)
  • the sockets are weak (not my experience, but maybe get a few and return the bad ones?)
  • I bought something that was white once and it failed (okay? Lots of things are white. It's a powerboard though, not the hadron collider. If it fails you return it, but I've been using these for a year and so far the only problem has been an overly sensitive overload switch tripping on a 2.4kw heater)
  • You're better off getting [insert brand that is $60 and comes with blinking lights]
Electrical & Electronics Arlec Power Board

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closed Comments

  • doobey1231 on 11/10/2023 - 11:01
    +10

    Do people really have issues with Arlec? I stand by their products, never had an issue with anything I have bought from them.

    • Edamamme on 11/10/2023 - 11:12
      +2

      Same. Even have an old pedestal fan for outdoor use, and it still chugs along as if new!

      • Logical on 11/10/2023 - 14:00
        +3

        An outdoor fan that chugs beer along with you… sign me up, I am always looking for good company that always keep cool

    • Falbium on 11/10/2023 - 11:44

      My Arlec wireless doorbell failed after a few years, it was never 100% reliable, so I switched to the more expensive Swann. But no problems with their powerboards.

      • goliath on 16/10/2023 - 11:47

        I've got one as well. Used it for <1 yr as the batteries ran out so quickly that I needed to recharge/replace the battery so often, like every month. It's still in my toolbox and can give you free if someone needs it.

    • outlander on 11/10/2023 - 12:23

      Idk really. Arlec is a bunnings homebrand: they make a million items. Some of it is going to be good, some is crap. You can't really generalize across the whole brand.

      I just felt bad for the last guy, because he posted the deal and the first dozen comments are all about Arlec being shit, based on the experience with other arlec products.

      • doobey1231 on 11/10/2023 - 12:31
        +9

        I am not sure where you got that info but Arlec is definitely not a bunnings home brand, in fact I cannot find any association with Bunnings beyond the fact that they stock their products. Most trade electricians I know will only use Arlec, they are the only electrical brand I use for home stuff as a hobbyist. Not gonna say they are perfect - no one is especially with mass manufacturing, but hit and miss rate for Arlec is much better than any other brand I have discussed with trade professionals.

        • [Deactivated] on 11/10/2023 - 18:38
          -1

          https://www.google.com/search?q=best+Australian+power+point+…

          Arlec ain't mentioned, at least not in a positive light. Both HPM and Clipsal have been sold off in the last few years, but they were always the industry standards. At least they were for good electricians who weren't out to shave a few bucks off quotes to win contracts (which they then get to walk away from leaving the client with the end result). Now maybe "industry standard" has changed since they were sold, but I seriously doubt many would now agree Arlec is "much better than any other brand." That's just nonsense. Equal? MAYBE. But when I was doing hospital fitouts as a TA, the electricians who checked and certified the work would have laughed your mates to scorn if they said that. Arlec plastic was quite thin for a start but I could pretty much give Clipsal a good whack with a hammer without breaking it. I seriously doubt Arlec has had some huge surge in quality and threads on Whirlpool show no indication of that.

          • doobey1231 on 11/10/2023 - 19:26
            +2

            @[Deactivated]: Your use of quotations suggests that’s what I said, it isn’t. I just said I stand by their products and haven’t had an issue with them, as well as professionals I know use them exclusively. Never suggested better than any other brand, you are making that up, if you’re gonna use words out of my comment use the whole thing, very disingenuous.. I also tend to not whack things with hammers that do not need whacking, so I am good lmfao

            • [Deactivated] on 11/10/2023 - 19:37
              +2

              @doobey1231: I cut and pasted those words from your own post. You said their "hit and miss rate" … "is much better than ANY other brand." Thus elevating the brand to being better than other brands. It's equal at best, and as before, unless they've had a huge jump in quality, it's likely not equal, and I don't see Arlec being recommended by anyone else, electrician, people doing DIY solar installations, etc on Whirlpool - which tells me no significant improvements.

              • doobey1231 on 11/10/2023 - 19:53

                @[Deactivated]: You’re reading way too far into this, it’s the personal experience of 3 people - as in between the three of us we believe arlec has been the most reliable, that is in no way saying it is definitively the best.

        • outlander on 12/10/2023 - 20:58

          Arlec is definitely not a bunnings home brand,

          Yeah my bad. Got confused with Click.

      • DAT on 11/10/2023 - 15:20
        +3

        Nah mate, Arlec is a reputable company .. Google it

        https://www.arlec.com.au

        & some other references
        Arlec is a successful Australian business that is proud to have been operating since 1945. Over this time, Arlec has grown to become a well-known, reputable brand in the Australian and New Zealand markets, as well as supporting retailers in the Asia Pacific Region.

        • MagnamoniousRex on 11/10/2023 - 18:48
          +1

          Yeah I'd go this over most chinesium any day. Arlec being Australian based means you can sue them in Australia under Australian laws.

      • Namidairo on 11/10/2023 - 20:37

        I believe saying that Arlec make a million different things might be a little bit of an exaggeration these days.

        Quite a few of their products are just going to be stuff from oems that they've ordered large enough quantities of to customise by slapping their logo on there.

        The problem with this is that you can't make any broad generalisation about the quality of their products because it's unlikely they were ever involved in doing anything more than some cursory QA and branding. (At best they'd submit for testing, but even the CN manufacturer will do that for you these days)

        I mean, usually it's decent stuff. And then sometimes you just get the pins wired backwards or something.

    • jaypee06 on 11/10/2023 - 12:28

      I've had minor issues but for the price you can't really complain.

      Worst thing is on the smart powerboards the button to manually turn on/off all the outlets (only 1 global button, no button to turn on/off individually) gets jammed. Have to open it up to fix it and it feels scary messing with the internals of a powerboard (unplugged of course).

    • daydreams on 11/10/2023 - 13:32
      +3

      I purchased several Arlec products a long time ago, but most of the switches on the powerboard started to break down after a year. Now I don't know if the quality has improved, but I never buy Arlec products because I don't want to repeat the same experience.

      • [Deactivated] on 11/10/2023 - 17:32
        +2

        My personal experience is Arlec has produced crap as far back as the 1970s. Several years ago I bought some more of their products and soon learned they hadn't wavered from that commitment. Since they've spent decades perfecting the art of crappy quality and planned obsolescence they're unlikely to shift direction any time soon. ;-D

      • Roney on 12/10/2023 - 14:59

        Many of my Arlec Grid Connect plug-in sockets broke down after a year too.

    • Russ on 12/10/2023 - 11:38
      +1

      Yes, I've had a problem with Arlec double adaptors, so I'm always cautious when buying Arlec products.

      The problem was that I plugged an item in, and the slightest bump would disconnect power. I took the Arlec double adaptor apart, and it had a weird configuration for the electrical contacts. Looking into the contact, it looks like a rectangle of copper with the long sides bent in slightly.

      So then I used a vernier micrometer to measure the dimensions of the plug I was having problems with, and the metal prongs were 0.2mm thinner than mains plugs on other devices I have.

      I changed to a HPM double adaptor, and all my problems went away, so the Arlec double adaptor was the cause, with its weird contacts.

      I then searched the house and found a couple more Arlec double adaptors, and they had the same contacts. I binned all of them, as loose contacts cause fires.

  • nocure on 11/10/2023 - 11:09
    +21

    https://nrby.in/bunnings/0372626

    • JamesLu on 19/10/2023 - 09:56
      +1

      Don't know how accurate this, but it looks good. Thanks for sharing this.

  • carboncider on 11/10/2023 - 11:13

    Thanks got it with free delivery on onepass

    • Catsfan070911 on 11/10/2023 - 11:20

      Did you buy 8 to meet the $80 minimum or did they change their conditions for free delivery?

      • babiguling on 11/10/2023 - 11:26
        +5

        no min spend for free delivery if you have onepass membership

        • Catsfan070911 on 11/10/2023 - 11:26

          Awesome, didn't realise, I think some time ago there was an $80 minimum even with OnePass

          • Chickenleg on 11/10/2023 - 12:23
            +3

            @Catsfan070911: Yep they only changed it a few weeks ago which is great for me as I don’t have one that’s super close. Until I opened my first delivery order yesterday and realised they messed it up 🤦🏽‍♂️

  • iamjase on 11/10/2023 - 11:13
    +1

    is surge protection needed?

    • doobey1231 on 11/10/2023 - 11:15
      +3

      No, but depends on your use case. Question too open ended to answer properly.

    • bio on 11/10/2023 - 11:32
      +4

      Cheap surge protection doesn't do much anyway.

    • Ezekiel2320 on 11/10/2023 - 13:57

      Not very expensive to get a proper surge protective device installed in your switchboard.

      The ones in those powerboards don't have a very high protection rating but it's better than nothing I suppose

  • fleaf on 11/10/2023 - 11:15

    let's see if this time my order can go through. In the past, most of time the staff (click&collect) in the store were slower than Ozbargainers who drove in store to buy them.

    • fleaf on 11/10/2023 - 13:25

      no surprised. my order couldn't be filled again. but this time they called rather than cancel the order. They tried to transfer my order to other store which is ok. let's see how quick the other store's staff can pick up the item from the shelf.

  • foxes28 on 11/10/2023 - 11:22

    and once I find the old receipt I'll return them to get some money back.

    +1 for this :D

  • bio on 11/10/2023 - 11:36
    +2

    like you can't just join two together

    I'm not sure if this is a tongue-in-cheek comment but don't do this. Power boards are already tricky devices because they are rated for the total load (i.e. 10A means you can plug in 4 devices that consume a total maximum of 10A, not 10A per device) and two powerboards in series makes this even more dangerous.

    • Ademos on 11/10/2023 - 11:46
      +2

      How can that possiibly be correct if it has overload protection.

      • outlander on 11/10/2023 - 12:12
        +1

        Its not. They've probably read something about double adapters and got confused.

        As long as the first device plugged into a wallsocket has overload protection (and it's illegal to sell powerboards without it), then it doesn't matter how many you daisy chain because everything goes through the first powerboard and thus if it draws more than 10amps it will trip.

        • Ademos on 11/10/2023 - 12:39

          As will your home's circuit breaker, etc, etc, so on, so forth.

        • cerealJay on 11/10/2023 - 12:45
          +2

          Sure, but the general idea is to avoid tripping the circuit. Depending on what you have plugged in, the sudden power loss could cause secondary issues.

          "Keep daisy-chaining until it trips" might not be the best advice for the average person who may not pay attention to power requirements, limits and other factors. Now they've added 6 of these boards to their cart, with a brilliant plan to daisy-chain them from one wall outlet. Genius!

          • outlander on 11/10/2023 - 13:15
            +2

            @cerealJay: Fair point. Note to everyone: Don't plug grandmas life support system into the last daisy chained powerboard

            • [Deactivated] on 11/10/2023 - 17:26

              @outlander: Otoh please plug every politician's life support into the 27th daisy-chained powerboard. Especially Arlec ones.

        • Chazzozz on 11/10/2023 - 13:50
          +3

          You’re also assuming the 5¢ part the manufacturer is using for surge protection is working properly and won’t get stuck before it trips, thus negating any negligible protection it allows. Ask your insurance company if they’d cover you for a fire caused by two power boards chained together, then think again if you’d do it.

          Honestly, the only safe way is to stick to a single power board and ensure you’re not putting a total load above its nominal rating. Putting two or more together is just inviting danger.

          • Russ on 12/10/2023 - 21:11

            @Chazzozz:

            the manufacturer is using for surge protection

            The conversation is about overload protection, not surge protection. Many people think they're the same thing, but they're completely different.

            Surge protection usually uses MOVs, and also filtering in the higher-quality power boards.

            Overload protection uses a circuit breaker.

            • Chazzozz on 12/10/2023 - 21:58

              @Russ: You’re right, and I stand corrected. My intention was to address the issue around total current loading of the powerboard but I chose the wrong wording. I still maintain, though, that cheap devices like this are built down to a low price point and not up to a high standard, so the parts in them are going to be ‘just good enough’. Best to add up how much current each appliance plugged into it is drawing and stay well under the rating.

              • Russ on 12/10/2023 - 22:06

                @Chazzozz: I've had a powerboard trip its circuit breaker at less than 10A loading, from memory one was tripping at about 8A.

                So in general, you're correct, like all real-world products they have tolerance, probably +/-10%. But my sample size of one suggests the manufacturers may be using a 9A breaker, to make sure they are always under the 10A limit, even with tolerance.

    • ODST05 on 11/10/2023 - 16:34
      +1

      While it isn't inherently more dangerous to daisy-chain powerboards, it can be depending on the load. Like you said, 10A is the maximum that can be drawn from a single standard home power point. AFAIK all powerboards sold in Australia must have overload protection built in anyway, which should trip before causing any danger. See this page for basic safety details - https://www.fire.nsw.gov.au/page.php?id=630

  • wasdw246 on 11/10/2023 - 11:44

    It’s only like this because the wiring in your walls is rated 10A per wall socket.

    • hothed on 11/10/2023 - 12:21
      +2

      The wiring in your walls is 2.5mm cable. The size of the wiring in the lead into the powerboard will most likely be 1.0mm or 0.75mm.

      The switch on the GPO/powerpoint is rated for 10A.

    • Russ on 12/10/2023 - 21:54

      the wiring in your walls is rated 10A per wall socket.

      Not so. The wiring usually has a 16A or 25A continuous rating, and is connected to a 16A or 25A circuit breaker (respectively) at the (now incorrectly named) fusebox.

      Each run of wiring usually has several power points connected to it. Go and have a look at your fusebox, you'll have far fewer circuit breakers for powerpoints than you have powerpoints. My house has four circuit breakers for powerpoints, and has 11 powerpoints.

      It's not too difficult to overload a power circuit, and have the circuit breaker trip. Two 2400W heaters will trip a 16A breaker. Even though the heaters may be in different rooms, they may still be connected to the same circuit breaker. For a 25A circuit breaker, you'd have to add an 1800W or higher kettle to the same circuit.

  • ozzieblue on 11/10/2023 - 11:51
    +2

    I bought 5 packs a while back (They have been at $10 for a bit). I think they are very good quality leads. Better than the cheap leads you can pickup without the switches. Cord could be longer.

  • Slave1 on 11/10/2023 - 12:21

    Seems to be OOS for delivery

    • outlander on 11/10/2023 - 13:09
      +1

      Still there for me.
      I think it depends on the state you're in

    • pull the lever on 11/10/2023 - 21:36

      Worked for me and I bought late! 2141

  • hothed on 11/10/2023 - 12:23

    4 sockets just doesnt cut it in todays electrified world. One fat power brick and you're down to 3.

    I prefer the powerboards with wide spacing and 5 or 6 plug options.

  • raiseyoursteaks on 11/10/2023 - 12:44

    Is it surge protector?

    • raiseyoursteaks on 11/10/2023 - 12:48

      "safety overload protection, and 4 regular spaced"

      This is pretty good deal

      • hothed on 11/10/2023 - 13:14
        +5

        surge protection is different to overload protection.

    • c64 on 11/10/2023 - 12:55

      no

  • na4ma4 on 11/10/2023 - 12:53

    for the Home Assistant users out there, I'm fairly certain these are cloud-only.

    • bio on 11/10/2023 - 13:26
      +2

      I'm fairly certain these are not cloud-only. They are not even close.

      • na4ma4 on 13/10/2023 - 16:29

        for the Home Assistant users out there, I'm fairly certain these are cloud-only.

        Oops, confused it with the Grid Connect one

    • deadpoet on 12/10/2023 - 16:04

      What on earth are you talking about? These power boards are not smart boards/plugs in any way.

  • chinaman on 11/10/2023 - 14:03

    Just recieved a call from bunnings. No stock anywhere. So they cancelling order :(

    • payton on 11/10/2023 - 16:45

      got a collection ready notice just now, some stores still have stock for pickup

      • chinaman on 11/10/2023 - 18:57

        Wow. I'm in Perth… He said they never even recieved delivery of these…. Dunno

  • Mulcha on 11/10/2023 - 15:35

    Or you could get this for $15 Arlec 8 Outlet USB Powerboard - 2 Pack without individual switches but with 2 USB Ports
    https://www.bunnings.com.au/arlec-8-outlet-usb-powerboard-2-…

    • [Deactivated] on 11/10/2023 - 17:20

      So still buying poor quality, only without switches to easily turn off individual appliances, USB ports that are on 24/7, which costs more. Arlec is crap but out of the two I'd take the switches, no 24/7 live USB ports, and plug in a USB charger. ;-)

    • chinaman on 11/10/2023 - 19:00

      Mine couldn't find that page

  • [Deactivated] on 11/10/2023 - 17:16

    Now cue the whiners, who will say

    You forgot: "Arlec is crap quality (but higher than "Jackson") so you should pay more and buy Clipsal or HPM instead." But since it's not whining but fact, you didn't actually forget to include it. ;-D

  • neverlate on 11/10/2023 - 19:25

    i have 1. 1 of the switches died after a year, but it stayed in the on position.

    • Russ on 12/10/2023 - 22:15

      If the old powerboard looks the same as this one, then buy a new one, and return the old one with the new receipt.

      Maybe wait a month or three before returning the old one, so the signs of wear don't look too suspicious when you return it.

  • lachlantula on 11/10/2023 - 19:28

    found 2 at castle hill near the powerboards section on a hanging display but none with the rest of the 'boards. they might be elsewhere, idk. or an employee could've snagged heaps of them like last time there was a popular powerboard deal..

  • frugaljerk on 11/10/2023 - 20:29

    Spent half an hour wandering around my local Bunnings looking for these. Website and store computer reported there was stock at the store, but couldn't find them anywhere even with staff help. Sigh…

    • c64 on 11/10/2023 - 22:14
      +1

      apparently they are a promotional item so probably not with other power boards but hanging on a display somewhere

      • frugaljerk on 11/10/2023 - 22:16

        Yeah I found one hanging display that had already been OzBargained, but there were supposed to be 44 more in stock. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

  • PoKGuy on 12/10/2023 - 10:20
    +1

    Got a couple this morning >>> pic

    Also picked up these Arlec 6 outlets powerboards - twin pack, on clearance for $5 >>> pic

    This was @ the Pymble NSW store.

  • SimbaGirl on 12/10/2023 - 15:12

    Lots in stock at Bunnings Kingston (Tas) - had a look through multiple aisles but couldn't find them, had to ask a staff member and they brought down two large boxes of them from the storage area on top of the shelves, and looked like there were another two boxes up there.

  • Naigrabzo on 19/10/2023 - 16:27

    Can I power my DIY hadron collider with this?

    • c64 on 20/10/2023 - 13:44

      certainly! you might need to plug one or two in parallel though ..

  • datscheap on 20/10/2023 - 09:39

    If these are switched powerboats, that is great customer service..
    Ed: $21.46 board look to be non switched usb boards. A good deal but not what I need

    Good morning xxxxx due to incorrect stock quantities we are unable to supply you with the 2 x 2 pack of Arlec power boards. We have substituted it for 4 individual Arlec power boards valued at $21.46. We have brought the price down to total your original payment of $20 for all 4. If there are any concerns, please feel free to give us a call. Hope you have a great day! Rgds Sarah Bunnings xxxxxx. Please do not reply.

  • ultramic on 26/10/2023 - 06:30

    Gladesville store has the black colour for $11 if anyone is interested. Had a large box of them next to the self service counter.

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