20A Double Pole Switch with Neon - Ocean Blue

Colour is the point here: a deep ocean blue plate with a chrome rocker and a small neon window that lights while the circuit is live. The plate is screwless, so the front face reads as one clean panel with nothing breaking it up. Switching is double pole, which means both live and neutral are broken when the rocker is thrown, and it is rated at 20A. The plate is 88mm square, the usual single gang footprint, so it lines up sensibly with other accessories along the same wall.

We would use this where an appliance needs isolating close to hand rather than at the consumer unit: an immersion heater, a heated towel rail, a wall heater or an extractor. The neon does the useful work of telling you at a glance whether the circuit is still on, which saves a trip to check. It earns its keep in kitchens, utility rooms, airing cupboards and workshops, and the blue gives you something better than a plain white plate in a room where the switch is going to be seen. It is one we point customers towards when the taps, handles and other hardware are already chrome.

The plate and rocker are moulded in polycarbonate and the fitting is double insulated, so it is a straightforward, hard-wearing thing rather than something delicate. To keep it looking right, wipe the face with a barely damp cloth and dry it off; bathroom sprays, bleach and cream cleaners will dull the blue over time, so keep them well away from it. It is intended for dry rooms inside the house, running on an ordinary household supply. It carries a ten year warranty. Set against pale walls or a painted timber surround, the chrome rocker picks up the light and the plate does the rest.

What does double pole switching actually do?

It breaks both the live and the neutral conductors at once, so the appliance it feeds is fully isolated when the rocker is off. That is why double pole switches are the usual choice for water heaters, towel rails and similar fixed appliances.

What is the neon for?

It is an indicator built into the plate. When the switch is on and the circuit is live, the neon glows, so you can see the state of the appliance from across the room without touching anything.

What size is the plate?

It is 88mm by 88mm, the standard single gang size, and the back box depth is 25mm.

What is the current rating?

The rocker is rated at 20A.

Can it be used in a bathroom or outside?

No. It is rated for dry indoor rooms only, so it is not suitable for bathroom zones, wet areas or any outdoor position.

How should I clean it without spoiling the colour?

A soft cloth, barely damp, then dry immediately. Avoid solvents, abrasive creams and bleach-based sprays, all of which can leave the blue looking flat and patchy.