Have you ever wanted to create a bespoke switch on one plate? Maybe a 12 gang switch, with 4 intermediate switches and 8 2 way rocker switches; or a 2 gang switch with one intermediate and one retractive. Grid switches are the simplest and perhaps most cost effective way to do this.
What Are Grid Switches?
Grid switches come in separate parts. You can order a grid plate, which looks like a regular light switch plate, but without anything behind it and no switches built in. These come with grid frames, which allow you to fit everything together. You can also choose from a selection of grid modules. These are simply single switch modules that pop into place on the grid plate to create your bespoke switch. This allows you to create unusual or non-standard combinations, without the expense of getting it custom made by a factory.
How Do Grid Switches Work?
As the wiring goes through the grid modules, and the frame holds the modules in place on the plates, there is no need for any screwing or unscrewing.
When Would You Use Grid Switches?
You can use grid switches whenever you need a switch that you can't easily get hold of. There's nothing more frustrating than finding a socket and switch finish and style that you like, and finding all but one or two of the switches that you need in that finish. Grid switches make it less likely for that to happen.
How To Choose The Right Grid Switches?
The first questions you need to ask yourself are:
- What functions do we need?
- What finish do we need?
When deciding which function you need, think about what exactly you need the switch to control. Do you need to control light switches? Do you need a switch that works with smart home technology? Is an appliance switch needed? First you need to decide on the function needed, and how many switches are needed. When choosing the finish, you may need to simply go with the same finish as the other sockets and switches in the room. If you are just at the beginning of the planning process, read our guide on Matching Switch and Socket Finishes to Interior Design Styles.
What Are Front Loading and Back Loading Grid Switches?
There are a couple of different options when it comes to adding the switch modules: front loading and back loading. To put together a grid switch, the grid frame (yolk) is connected to the wall in with the modules, and then the plate is attached to the front. If the modules are front loading, they can be pushed in from the front, once the frame is screwed or clipped in place. If they are rear loading, they need to be attached from behind, before the frame is screwed or clipped on.
Browse our selection of grid switch plates and grid switch modules.
FAQs
Absolutely! We do a variety of combination plates to suit almost every need, from a 2 gang rocker and dimmer combo, right up to an 8 gang with four rockers and four dimmers. There are a multitude of different combinations, with different positions for the switches you require. Take a look at the grid plate range to find the most suitable option for your needs.
Yes, we do all of the plates in the Fusion range, so that you can have a completely matching set of switches no matter the size.
We do a customised engraving service for all metal switches, sockets, and grid plates. Check out our enquiry form to get a quote.
Have you ever wanted to create a bespoke switch on one plate? Maybe a 12 gang switch, with 4 intermediate switches and 8 2 way rocker switches; or a 2 gang switch with one intermediate and one retractive. Grid switches are the simplest and perhaps most cost effective way to do this. What Are Grid […]
Choosing the right colours for your home or commercial property can be tricky. And even if you are happy with the colours in the room, you need to also think about electrical fixtures, door handles, photo frames and other features that can really add to the room.
Polished Chrome vs Brushed Chrome
One of the most common and popular finishes for sockets and switches is chrome. There are a number of different styles of chrome, with perhaps the most popular being brushed chrome and polished chrome. For a full run down of the differences between brushed chrome and polished chrome, read our blog post: Brushed Chrome Vs Polished Chrome.
The short explanation however, is that polished chrome has a mirror-like finish and is smooth. Brushed chrome isn't so reflective, but is good for hiding blemishes and finger prints.
Whilst they are both very versatile, they can be suited to slightly different styles of decor. Brushed chrome sockets and switches have a warm finish and are well suited to modern or contemporary style interiors. It can also work well in industrial themed settings. Polished chrome sockets and switches have a universal appeal and work well in modern or contemporary styles too, but also suit period decor styles like art deco. For more information, read our article on matching socket and switch finishes to interior design styles.
What Colour Goes With Chrome
As well as interior design styles, it's also good to think about the colours you are using in the space. Chrome, much like silver goes well with black, or white, as you can see with our black and white inserts on our sockets and switches.
Other influential colours that work with many styles of chrome include dark / navy blue, royal blue, cream and burgundy. Even slightly soft or pastille blues can work well too. This really is a universal finish, so tends to work well with lots of different colours. The lightness of chrome allows for it to complement most styles without overpowering or taking attention away from the rest of the room.
See our selection of sockets and switches including brushed chrome and polished chrome.[related_products is_auto_added="1"]
In this blog we look at what colours go well with different styles of chrome.
Updated April 2022.
In recent years, LED lights have gone from being available only as unsightly and partly covered in plastic, to being available in traditional or vintage styles. But LED also offers a number of benefits. Some you many know about and others you may not. In this article we look at some of the top benefits of LED lights.
LEDs Are Longer Lasting Than Traditional Incandescent Bulbs
One of the factors that can put people off buying LED bulbs is the price. They tend to be slightly more expensive than incandescent bulbs. However if you take into account the long life of LEDs, over time LED bulbs can become cheaper than traditional incandescents.
LED bulbs don't burnout in the same way that other bulbs do. The filament in incandescent bulbs weakens over time, causing it to burn out; whereas the amount of light produced by LEDs gradually decreases in what is known as lumen depreciation. The lifetime of an LED is based on how long it takes for the output to decrease to 30%. So whilst the illumination will decrease overtime, the lifetime is much longer. LEDs tend to have lifetime of 35,000-50,000 hours, compared to incandescents which have 750-2,000 hours.
LEDs Are More Energy Efficient Than Incandescent Bulbs
They can turn around 70% of their energy into light as they have a high lumen output per light. This makes them far more efficient than other bulbs, which give off heat. A 6 watt LED bulb can produce the same amount of light thata 40 watt incandescent bulb produces. Incandescent bulbs can get very hot but LED bulbs tend to be cooler.
LEDs Are Cost Effective To Run
As mentioned earlier, LEDs can often cost more money to purchase compared to incandescent bulbs, however they also cost a lot less to run, due to their energy efficiency. Therefore, in the long run, they offer savings. So if you take into account the lower energy costs, as well as the fact that you will not need to replace them so often, the savings can really add up.
As energy bills continue to rise in recent months, this benefit is more important than ever.
The Environmental Benefits of LED Bulbs
Whilst clean energy has a positive impact on carbon footprints, the energy efficiency of LEDs and other efficient electrical appliances has even more of a positive impact. Essentially, using clean energy is good, but not as good as using less energy. Therefore, an added benefit of the energy efficiency of LEDs is that they have less of an environmental impact.
The long life of LEDs also means that we purchase fewer over our lifetimes, which saves on material production and waste. Many office strip lights contain mercury as well as other chemicals according to an article on the environmental benefits of LED by SEPCO-Solar Lighting. These chemicals can have a negative effect on the environment.
Getting Started With LED Bulbs
If you are looking to make the switch to LED bulbs, but aren't sure which ones you need, start by reading our LED bulb buying guide. You can also browse through our selection of LED bulbs, and contact us if you have any questions.
Whilst in previous years, the drawback of LED bulbs has been that they haven't been available in many different styles (we often had to settle for unsightly plastic bulbs) more and more unique styles are becoming available all the time, including colour changing, vintage, smoked, various shapes and styles.
Updated April 2022. In recent years, LED lights have gone from being available only as unsightly and partly covered in plastic, to being available in traditional or vintage styles. But LED also offers a number of benefits. Some you many know about and others you may not. In this article we look at some of […]
If you've recently switched to LED light bulbs, or you have used them for a while but now want to use a dimmer switch with them, you may encounter some problems if you don't use the correct dimmer and LED bulbs. Using the incorrect bulbs or switches could lead you to experiencing flickering and buzzing, or no dim at all.
If you've experienced that problem, it is likely to be down to one of two things: the LED lighting you have chosen or the dimmer switch.
Do you have dimmable LED bulbs?
Traditional incandescent light bulbs can generally dim without issue, so don't need to be specifically dimmable, however not all LED bulbs are dimmable, and this is due to the way that LED bulbs and incandescent bulbs dim. Analogue dimming, with incandescent bulbs involves controlling the current to dim or brighten the light, whereas LED lights use Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) which involves the light going through a cycle of being on and off, so fast that you won’t be aware of it. So for a bulb to be 20% dimmer, it would need to be off 20% of the time.
Therefore, when planning the lighting in your home or business, if you wish to use a dimmer, you'll need to use dimmable LEDs, be they bulbs or downlights.
See our range of dimmable LED bulbs.
Are you using the correct dimmer switch for LED lights?
Some LED bulbs can work with the older leading edge dimmer switches, however it's more likely that they'll work with a more modern, trailing edge dimmer switch. (Need more information on these types of dimmers? Visit our blog Trailing Edge vs Leading Edge).These can be a little more expensive than older dimmers, but are more likely to stop issues including buzzing, humming, inability to achieve full brightness or premature bulb burnout.
Better yet, choosing one of our dimmers means you can choose. All of our dimmers contain Enkin dimmers, and the PDM150 allows you to choose between Trailing Edge and Leading edge at the touch of a button. And with soft-start, flicker-free technology, our dimmers will also prolong the life of your LED bulbs.
See our full range of LED dimmer switches.
FAQs
Yes, we carry Dimming Toggle Switches that best suit traditional or period homes. These are a great alternative to the more modern style dimming knobs.
If you’ve recently switched to LED light bulbs, or you have used them for a while but now want to use a dimmer switch with them, you may encounter some problems if you don’t use the correct dimmer and LED bulbs. Using the incorrect bulbs or switches could lead you to experiencing flickering and buzzing, […]
Brass has been a popular finish for sockets, switches, lighting, handles and other features around the home. With a timeless appearance, brass can complement multiple styles of decor, although it perhaps looks most at home in a traditional or classic interior. There are, however multiple types of brass finish including brushed brass, antique brass, burnished brass and polished brass.
In this article we look at the differences between polished brass and antique brass and which sort of styles of design suit each.
Polished Brass Sockets & Switches
Polished brass sockets and switches have a brash finish that has been polished and therefore have a mirror-like reflective surface, whilst still carrying the almost golden brass colour. This finish tends to be bright and shiny as well as very reflective. They gleam more and perhaps appear more eye catching than brushed brass (which has a more satin finished). But the downside is that they can show fingerprints or blemishes a lot more than other brass finishes.
Polished brass is a lot more bright and flashy than antique, brushed and satin brass. But it can look slightly less warm, though it is timeless and has been popular for a long time. It is best suited to traditional rooms, but has a neutral style that works well in more modern homes too.
Antique Brass Sockets & Switches
Antique brass or aged brass is more of a statement finish than polished brass. This beautiful finish is treated to appear aged and typically has a rich brown town with slightly golden undertones. With a warm finish, it doesn't shine or reflect anywhere near as much as polished brass. Therefore hides watermarks and blemishes so much better.
This finish is well suited to vintage, historical, or classic style rooms, however it looks great as a classic twist in a more modern decor. Cheaper sockets and switches can let down antique brass, as it really needs to look robust and strong in order to look the part, so be sure to go for higher quality antique brass sockets and switches.
This finish may not be quite as universal as polished brass, but when the style of decor calls for something more classic and eye-catching, antique brass is likely to fit the role.
Laquered Brass Vs Unlacquered Brass
When comparing these two finishes, it is very much down to personal preference.
Lacquered brass has a finish or surface coating that prevents the brass from ageing or tarnishing over time. This is a huge benefit because the finish can be enjoyed throughout the lifetime of its use. It will always retain its beautiful, rich colouring and will not fade or distort through weather or time. If you're looking for a low maintenance light or socket and switches, then this is a favourable option.
Whereas unlaquered brass does not have a surface coating for protection so it can age and tarnish overtime, however, its original finish can easily be restored by polishing it.
Burnished Brass Vs Antique Brass
The finish of antique brass appears aged and has a typically rich brown tone with golden undertones. This executive finish is not flashy. The subtleness of the finish makes it well suited to the decor of most homes, but is mostly suited to vintage and period style properties.
Burnished brass combines the aesthetics of bright polished brass with antique and weathered brass. Indeed, it's a finish that has the best of both worlds. Combining the gorgeous bright gold tones from polished brass and blending with the brown tones from antique or aged brass. Unlike polished brass, the golden colour is not shiny, it could continue to patina depending on the burnishing technique that is used.
Take a look at our full range of sockets and switches to find your perfect finish.[related_products is_auto_added="1"]
In this article we look at the differences between polished brass and antique brass and which sort of styles of design suit each of them the most.
A soft mixture of green and blue, turquoise can add a certain serenity to any room. It can be used subtly, or throughout the décor and adds a nautical style due to its association with the sea or calm lakes on a sunny day.
Turquoise can be a welcome addition to any room, as it isn’t overly stimulating for a bedroom, isn’t overbearing for a living room and can suit the nature of the bathroom. You don’t need to go all out and colour everything in turquoise though, there are many ways to add a splash of the blue green colour to your room. In this article we look at five turquoise décor ideas.
1. Paintings & Photography
This is a really simple way to inject a bit of turquoise into the room. Simply put up some pictures on your wall. Photos of the sea can work really well for this, or paintings that mix blues and greens. This can subtly affect the overall feel of the room without taking a lot of effort.
2. Lighting
Decorative lighting is a great way to bring in some colour. The OhSo F&B range from Soho Lighting includes a selection of beautiful hand made duck egg blue / turquoise pendant lights and wall lights. These stunning lights come in variety of designs to suit various sizes and shapes of room. The larger lights make a real statement and can be enough alone to add turquoise to the space, and the smaller lights work well in clusters to have a similar effect.
3. Rugs
If you wish to add a bit of turquoise to the lower part of your room, without changing everything, a rug can be a far easier solution than changing the carpet or painting the floorboards. If you later decide that the colour isn’t for you, it is far easier to remove a rug too!
4. Paint the walls
If wall art, lighting and rugs don’t quite add enough turquoise to your room, try painting one or more of the walls. This can create a tranquil feel and can work well with greys and whites.
5. Furniture
Try adding turquoise tables, sofas or chairs to your room. This may look a bit over the top if you have painted the walls in the same colour, but if you add turquoise furniture to a room that has been painted white or grey, it can make it look eye catching.[related_products is_auto_added="1"]
Turquoise can be a welcome addition to any room. In this article we look at five turquoise décor ideas.
Despite not taking up a huge amount of space, sockets and switches can be seen throughout any property, so often play a big part in the appearance, as well as being vital to the functionality. Often overlooked as an afterthought, choosing which sockets and switches to purchase is actually a big decision.
In this article, we look at five considerations to take into account when choosing the right sockets and switches for your property.
Setting and Appearance
If you have a vintage style property with high ceilings, expensive pieces or art on the walls and antique furniture, the whole appearance of the room will be ruined if you fit cheap white plastic sockets and switches. And if you have a contemporary style room, antique style electrical fittings could equally look out of place.
Think about the style of décor you have, before thinking about the finish. Some common finishes like brushed chrome and polished chrome can fit in well with both contemporary or traditional styles. Black nickel tends to suit modern rooms, especially if you have black furniture or electronics.
Antique brass and antique bronze fittings suit period properties, as does brushed and polished brass, although polished is fairly versatile in the way it can fit in modern new builds too. Many modern new builds with a neutral décor tend to be fitted with chrome or white fittings, which don’t tend to make such a statement as fittings such as brass and black nickel, but are far more neutral.
Industrial style rooms tend to suit antique brass or even copper fittings, but this depends a lot on the sort of colours and finishes used elsewhere in the room.
When choosing a style for your sockets and switches, also consider whether certain trends are likely to pass. There are some types of switch that are currently popular, but may look dated in year. Generally, if you want a regular switch style, you can't go wrong with the timeless rocker, dimmer or regular toggle. These have been popular for a long time, and still show no signs of looking old.
Plate type
The type of plate you choose can have a subtle impact on the overall look of the room. Screwed plates tend to look a little cheaper, however they may fit in well with an ultra urban / industrial style of décor. Screwless finishes tend to look more classy though.
Flat plates tend to look more slick than raised plates, however it’s not always possible to install them, and they do often cost more than raised plates.
Switch Type
This is where you have to take into account both appearance and functionality. There are plenty of options on the market, with even more becoming available every so often. Some of the common options include toggle, rocker, dimmer and touch switches.
Dimmer switches are great for versatility, but not always needed. These do often cost more than rocker switches, so you may choose to use them only where you really need to adapt the lighting levels to the situation.
Toggle switches are perfect for period properties and really elevate the style of the room to the next level, giving it a feeling of class. Again they tend to cost more than rocker switches, and may not suit more contemporary designs.
Rocker switches are the most common light switches. These are the “trusted model”, the switches that tend to be the default choice, but they don’t offer the same level of versatility as dimmer switches.
Touch switches are the more futuristic option, and run the risk of looking out of place in period properties or rooms. They tend to be suited to more contemporary styles of room, but also come with a higher price, so may not be the best choice for the project.
Quality
Much like in other areas of life, you really do get what you pay for. Many people go for cheaper options, but often neglect the overall appearance, as well as the functionality.
Look for products with higher guarantees, as you really want your sockets and switches to last for a long time. Whilst it’s not a huge job to replace them, it’s not quite as simple as re-painting a wall or moving a table, so going for electrical fittings that could break in a year or two may come back to bite you. Aim for at least 5 years.
Depth and Breadth of Range
Whilst there are common finishes that can look the same, even if bought from two different suppliers, many styles of sockets and switches don’t quite look exactly like each other, so be sure to choose a range that has every electrical fitting that you need. You can often use data plates and euro modules to make up the remaining few, but these tend not to look as good as regular sockets and switches, so it’s best not to over-rely on them.[related_products is_auto_added="1"]
Despite not taking up a huge amount of space, sockets and switches can be seen throughout any property, so often play a big part in the appearance, as well as being vital to the functionality. Often overlooked as an afterthought, choosing which sockets and switches to purchase is actually a big decision. In this article, […]
When renovating your home or updating the switches and sockets, you may have to decide on the type of switches to go for. Not only is the finish a big choice (for example, whether to go for brushed chrome, polished chrome, white, black nickel or brass), you may also be unsure about the style of switch to go for.
Wiring & Functionality
Whilst choosing between dimmer and rocker switches is a little more simple, rocker switches and toggle switches have exactly the same functionality, so the key consideration is the style. When looking at the wiring requirements, these are identical for both types of switch. Both toggle and rocker switches control electricity the same way, are designed to fit within the same back boxes and can both be interchanged if needed.
Operation
Both rocker switches and toggle switches operate in the same way, as they both have a regular on/off function. Toggle switches do, however tend to offer a slightly louder “click” sound when switched on or off, compared to rocker switches.
Intermediate Rocker Switch Vs Intermediate Toggle Switch
Rocker switches do tend to be available in more types of switch, for example, 20 amp switches and 45 amp switches, but for general light switches, toggle switches can cover most needs. Although intermediate toggle switches can be more difficult to find, they are available (on Elesi) and can do everything that regular intermediate rocker switches can do.
Cost
Whilst the cost of electricity is the same, no matter whether you use toggles or rockers, the price of the actual switch can vary. Toggle switches tend to be more expensive than rocker switches.
Appearance
This is the main difference between toggles and rockers. Rocker switches are far more universal, fitting in with a wide range of interior design styles. They tend to look more modern, but toggle switches tend to make more of a statement.
Rocker switches are available in every finish, and whilst white plastic toggle switches are available from many stores, it is the metal finishes that really bring out the best in the style of switch. White plastic toggle switches have a retro, 1970s style, but also look far cheaper than chrome, brass or nickel toggle switches.
Rocker switches tend to work well in contemporary and modern decors, with toggle switches fitting in perfectly to more classic and period styles, however this is far from being a hard and fast rule, as you can add a modern twist to a period style with rockers, or a classic addition to a modern interior with a toggle switch. What it really comes down to is the style and appearance, as your room may suit a toggle switch more than a rocker switch, or vice versa.
Can you replace a toggle switch with a rocker switch?
You can replace a toggle switch with a rocker switch but you will need to replace the mounting yoke/faceplate too.
Is a toggle switch analogue or digital?
A toggle switch is a mechanical switch.
[related_products is_auto_added="1"]When renovating your home or updating the switches and sockets, you may have to decide on the type of switches to go for. Not only is the finish a big choice (for example, whether to go for brushed chrome, polished chrome, white, black nickel or brass), you may also be unsure about the style of […]
If you’re choosing downlights for your bathroom, you really need to take great care. There are strict regulations around the sort of lights you can use, and of course, you need to be sure that they are safe. In this article we look at what are IP rated downlights, why they are important, and where you can use them.
IP (in IP Rating) stands for Ingress Progression. This is a simple way of indicating how well protected the light is from external influence. The IP rating determines if an electrical product’s exterior case will protect the working parts from water or solid object intrusion. IP testing should always be performed at an accredited test laboratory and includes repeatedly testing the standards to ensure protection.
Why does IP rating matter?
Simply for safety. If you are using non-IP rated downlights, there could be a risk that water or solids could get through the casing and into the product wiring. This is especially important, and essential when using downlights in bathrooms.
Where can IP rated downlights be used?
The IP rating of your downlights relates to where they can be used in the bathroom. Think of the bathroom as being split into different zones, rather than being one whole space. In the image below, we can see the different zones in the bathroom. These relate to the likelihood of water being around the product.
Zone 0
This is inside the bath or the shower itself. Any fitting here must be low voltage (max 12v) and be rated at least IP67 (total immersion proof).
Zone 1
This is the area above the shower or bath, to a height of 2.25m from the floor. Here the minimum rating required is IP46, but it is generally better to go higher - to IP65.
Zone 2
This is the area stretching 0.6m outside of the perimeter of the bath and to a height of 2.25m from the floor. An IP rating of at least IP44 is required here. It is also good to consider the area around a sink, within a 60cm of any tap to be considered as zone 2.
Outside Zones
These are anywhere outside zones 0,1 and 2 and where no water jet is likely to be used. There are no specific IP requirements for this zone, however it is recommended that you consider a light with an IP rating of at least 20. If you are likely to use water jets for cleaning, you should use a fitting with a minimum of IP65.
Browse our selection of IP rated downlights.
There is no regulation requirement for kitchen downlights to be IP rated.
In this article we look at what are IP rated downlights, why they are important, and where they can be used.
If you’re currently choosing which downlights you would like to buy, you may be faced with the choice of fire rated or non-fire rated downlights. You may be wondering whether all of your downlights need to be fire rated or just some of them.
Choosing the right downlights can be a bit of a daunting task. So, before deciding, it’s best to know what fire rated downlights are, why and where to use them.
What are fire rated downlights?
When a hole is cut into your ceiling for your downlight, this creates a potential fire hazard as plaster board ceilings, and other safe ceilings can work as a fire barrier. If there are people living above the ceiling, the ceiling must be fire rated.
A hole in a ceiling could allow fire to spread upwards. Fire rated downlights essentially block the risk by sealing the gap, slowing the damage. Modern fire rated downlights tend to be fitting with an intumescent pad that swells. This blocks the flames when it reaches a certain temperature.
You may have noticed that some downlights are rated at 30, 60 or 90 minutes, or all three. This rating depends on the size and structure of the building. A top floor flat would likely require at least a 90, whilst the bottom floor may need 30 minutes.
Where Should Fire Rated Downlights Be Used?
According to the Electrical Safety Council, fire rated downlights should be used in all ceilings, no matter what type of building in which they are installed.
LED downlights need to be fire rated if they are recessed or semi-recessed as the fire rating of the ceiling would need to be maintained. If they are on the surface of the ceiling, and don’t compromise the plasterboard, the fire rating will not be affected. Therefore the downlights do not necessarily need to be fire rated.
See our LED fire rated downlights.
FAQs
Our range of fire rated downlights included fixed, tiltable, and even Dim to Warm downlights. Check out our wide range of downlights to find out the best fit for your needs!
Yes, you can match your downlights to your sockets and switches. We have a great range of finishes, including Soho Lighting Co. finishes!
Choosing the right downlights can be a bit of a daunting task, so before deciding, it’s best to know what fire rated downlights are, why to use them and where to use them.