13A Fused Spur - Pink

Pink is not a colour you see often on electrical accessories, which is rather the point of this one. The screwless plate carries no visible fixings across its face, so what you get is one clean square of colour, 88mm across, with a chrome rocker set into it and a chrome-trimmed flex outlet below. It does 13A fused spur duty: the rocker isolates whatever is wired beyond the plate, and the fuse behind it protects that leg on its own.

We would fit one of these wherever a fixed appliance wants its own local switch, whether that is a heated towel rail, an extractor, under-cabinet lighting or a boiler tucked into a utility room. The flex outlet brings the appliance cable out through the front of the plate, which keeps the run short and the wall tidy. It suits anyone who has already committed to colour in a room and would rather the switchgear joined in than tried to vanish. In a child's bedroom, a laundry or a small cloakroom, the pink stops the plate reading as an afterthought.

Plate and cover are moulded in ABS, a tough plastic that holds colour through the body rather than wearing a thin coat of it, and the accessory is double insulated. For cleaning, switch off at the consumer unit, then wipe the face with a cloth wrung out in plain warm water; cream cleaners and solvent wipes scuff the gloss and take the life out of the pink, so keep them well away. It carries a ten year warranty. Indoors, on a household supply, in a dry room is where it belongs. We keep it as a small piece of hardware that happens to be cheerful, and the chrome insert gives it something in common with chrome taps, handles and cupboard pulls nearby.

What does a fused spur switch actually do?

It gives a fixed appliance its own switch and its own fuse. Rated at 13A, the rocker lets you isolate the appliance locally without going to the consumer unit, and the fuse behind the plate protects that spur alone.

How big is the plate?

The front plate is 88mm by 88mm, and it needs a back box of 35mm depth behind it. The whole accessory weighs 0.11kg.

Can it go in a bathroom or outside?

No. It is rated IP20, so it is for dry indoor rooms only. Kitchens, utility rooms, hallways and bedrooms are its territory.

What is the flex outlet for?

It is the opening the appliance flex passes through on the front of the plate, so a towel rail, fan or lighting cable can be taken straight out of the accessory rather than through the wall face.

How do I keep the pink looking fresh?

Turn the power off, then wipe with a barely damp cloth and dry it straight away. Avoid abrasive creams, bleach and solvent-based wipes, which will dull the gloss.

Is the switch a rocker or a rotary type?

It is a rocker switch, so on and off are read at a glance.