4 Gang Twin 2 Way Light Switch - Platinum Silver

Four rockers sit side by side across a wide platinum silver plate, each one ringed by a chrome insert so the moving part is easy to find at a glance. The plate is screwless, clipping over its frame to leave a flat front with no fixing heads on show. Every gang is wired for two way operation, which means any of the lights can also be switched from another plate elsewhere, and each is rated 10AX for ordinary household lighting loads.

It earns its keep where a lot of switching lands at one doorway: an open plan kitchen running pendants, downlights, plinth lights and the utility beyond, or a hall that takes care of the porch and the stairs as well. We reach for this plate in rooms where the switch sits at eye level on a plain wall, because there is less ironmongery to catch the light. The rocker action is firm and quiet under the thumb, and the gangs are spaced far enough apart to work by feel once everyone has learnt the running order. It belongs indoors, on domestic lighting circuits.

The body is moulded polycarbonate rather than pressed steel, which keeps the plate light and gives the silver a soft, even sheen rather than a mirror shine. It is double insulated throughout. To clean, wipe the face with a barely damp cloth and dry it off; solvents, kitchen sprays and cream cleaners will dull the moulding and are best kept well away from it. We would pair it with chrome socket fronts and door furniture in the same key, and with a matt wall paint that lets the plate read as a quiet horizontal line. It carries a ten year warranty.

What size is the plate?

The face measures 146mm long by 88mm high, and the plate stands 25mm deep at the front.

Does two way mean I need a pair of switches?

No. Two way simply gives you the option: each gang can run on its own, or be paired with another switch so the same light works from two positions, such as the bottom and top of a staircase.

What does the 10AX rating mean in practice?

It is a 10 amp rating tested for inductive loads, which is what lighting circuits present. It comfortably covers normal domestic lighting on all four gangs.

Can it dim the lights?

No, this is a rocker switch with a straightforward on and off action. For dimming you would need a dimmer plate instead.

Is it suitable for a bathroom or outbuilding?

It is rated IP20 and made for indoor use only, so dry rooms such as halls, kitchens, bedrooms and living rooms. Keep it out of splash zones.

How heavy is it?

Around 0.16kg, so it is a light plate for its width.