2 Gang 2 Way Light Switch - Matt Black

Two rockers sit on a square, flat plate finished in matt black, with no screw heads interrupting the face. Chrome inserts behind the rockers give a bright line of contrast against the dark plate. The switching is two way, so each gang can work in a pair with another switch at the far end of a hall, landing or run of stairs, and the rocker action is firm, quiet and easy to find in the dark.

We reach for this where a pair of lighting circuits meet at one point: a kitchen with separate ceiling and worktop lighting, a sitting room split between a central fitting and wall lights, or the top and bottom of a staircase. It suits darker schemes and rooms where the ironmongery has been chosen as carefully as the paint, sitting happily beside black taps, black door handles and dark cabinetry. It is meant for indoor rooms on domestic lighting circuits, so hallways, bedrooms and living spaces rather than anywhere damp or exposed.

The plate and rockers are moulded polycarbonate rather than metal, which keeps the whole thing light and gives the matt surface an even, low sheen right across the face. Construction is Class 2, double insulated. For cleaning, a dry microfibre cloth lifts fingerprints from matt black better than anything wet; if something sticky needs shifting, use a barely damp cloth and dry it off straight away, keeping polishes, sprays and solvents away from the finish, as they will leave shiny patches you cannot rub out. It carries a ten year warranty. Small as it is, a dark plate reads as a deliberate choice on a pale wall, so it is worth matching it to the other black hardware in the room rather than leaving it as the only dark square on show.

What does two way switching mean on this plate?

Each gang can be wired as part of a pair, so the same light can be turned on at one switch and off at another. It also works perfectly well as a straightforward one way switch if you only need a single control point.

How big is the plate?

It is 88mm square, with a depth of 25mm behind the plate.

What is the current rating?

The rockers are rated 10AX, which covers normal domestic lighting circuits, including LED and filament lamps.

What is it made from?

Moulded polycarbonate in a matt black finish, with chrome inserts around the rockers. It is Class 2, double insulated, and weighs just 75g.

Can I use it in a bathroom or outside?

No. It is rated IP20 for indoor use only, so it should be kept to dry rooms and away from splashes or exposed positions.

Will the matt black finish mark?

Fingerprints show on any matt dark surface, but they wipe off easily with a dry cloth. Avoid cream cleaners and solvent sprays, which can polish the matt finish into uneven shiny patches.