45A Cooker Control Unit - Carbon Fibre

A cooker control unit does two jobs at once, and this one tucks both behind a single screwless plate. A double pole rocker isolates the cooker circuit at 45A, and a 13A socket sits beside it for whatever else the worktop needs. The face is a carbon fibre texture with chrome rockers, so it reads as a fine woven grain rather than flat gloss and has a slight tooth under the fingers. We reach for it in kitchens where the appliances lean modern and a plain white panel would look like an afterthought.

It belongs on the wall near an electric cooker or hob, within easy reach but clear of the heat, giving a clear means of switching the circuit off before anyone starts cleaning behind the oven. The socket earns its keep for a kettle, a toaster or a hand blender, which saves the worktop from trailing leads. It runs on ordinary household mains and wants a dry room, so kitchens and utilities are its home while sheds and workshops are not. It suits a kitchen refresh where a dated cream panel is the last thing spoiling an otherwise dark, quiet wall.

Polycarbonate and metal do the work here, and the textured surface hides fingerprints and steam spots far better than a mirror finish, which counts for something a stride away from a hob. To clean, turn the power off, then go over the plate with a dry cloth or one just barely damp, and keep degreasers, bleach sprays and scouring pads off the texture because they dull it. It carries a ten year warranty. The dark grain sits well with graphite cabinetry, brushed metal handles and slate or dark stone worktops, and it stays quiet next to stainless steel appliances.

What size is the plate?

The plate measures 146mm across and 88mm high, the standard double plate footprint used for cooker control units.

What loads does it handle?

The double pole rocker is rated at 45A for the cooker circuit, and the socket beside it is a standard 13A power point running on a 220-250V household supply.

Can it go in a bathroom or an outbuilding?

No. It is rated IP20, which means dry indoor rooms only, so kitchens and utility rooms are fine but damp or unheated spaces are not.

Is the carbon fibre a real woven composite?

It is a textured carbon fibre finish on a polycarbonate and metal plate, giving the woven look and a fine grain to the touch.

How should I clean it without spoiling the texture?

Switch the power off, then use a dry cloth, or one only slightly damp, and dry it straight away. Avoid kitchen degreasers, bleach and abrasive pads.

How long is the warranty?

It carries a ten year warranty from the manufacturer.