Switches and Sockets

The right switches and sockets can add so much to your decor. While selecting the ideal component for your home or commercial space, there are several things you must think about. From the colour of the switchplate to the functional features, a simple switchboard can do so many things.  

Things To Consider When Choosing Switches and Sockets

Even though these components don’t take up a lot of space, switches and sockets often play a significant role in a space’s appearance. 

Whether you’re installing them in residential spaces or big commercial lots, having a cohesive design can elevate your aesthetic. 

Here are all the important factors to help you device which switches or sockets work best for you. 

Appearance and Design

As we’ve mentioned, the appearance of switches and sockets is a significant factor to consider. 

If you have a vintage decor on your property or have a lot of antique furniture and decoration, you might need a socket that fits this appearance. 

A plain white switch can look jarring in this setting and ruin your room’s aesthetic. However, if you have a contemporary and modernist space, a simple white switch can work well here. 

With this in mind, you must think about your decor before opting for switches and sockets. 

While there are specific finishes for each space, some switches and sockets can work well in multiple locations. Switchplates such as brushed chrome and metal are flexible enough for numerous installations. 

If you want an understated approach, opt for a black nickel socket. You can browse through all these shades and more at Meteor to find your ideal switch and socket. 

The Type of Switch/Socket Plate

Aside from the overall finish, the backing plate of the switch/socket plays a vital role in its appearance. Screwed plates are great for industrial-style spaces, while screwless plates work well in modern installations. 

In addition, you can also choose between a raised plate and a flat plate. Even though flat plates seem like a better option, they are much more difficult to install and can be fairly expensive. Raised plate switches and sockets are easier to install and add to the overall appeal of this component. 

The Type of Switches

With this factor, you must consider both the style and functionality of your switches and sockets. Nowadays, you can get various switches/sockets depending on your need. 

Some even include special features such as dimmers, rockers, and toggle or touch switches. Some even come with a USB port for even more functionality than standard switches and sockets. 

Create A Cohesive Design

If you’re choosing a design for one switch/socket, make sure it matches all the other components in your space. A cohesive design strategy will be much more aesthetically-pleasing than mismatched switchplates.

If you don’t want the same design throughout your home, you can select the finish according to each room’s decor. This way, you can customise your switches and create a uniform design. 

What Are The The Different Types Of Switches?

Let’s look at different electric switches based on how they affect their function.

Single Pole Electrical Switch

A single pole or one-way switch is the most common type of electrical switch. You can easily recognise this device due to its simple on-and-off marking. 

Single-pole switches are commonly used for controlling lights, fans, appliances and sockets from one location. The simple toggle in a single pole switch sets it apart from other configurations of electrical switches. 

Most single pole switches include a ground terminal that connects the circuit’s grounding wire. When this switch is turned on, the two terminals become connected. The contact between the two components is broken when it's turned off. 

Double Pole Electrical Switch

A double pole or two-way electrical switch is typically used in industrial settings, but you can also use it in some home electrical systems. 

Like the single pole version, this two-way electrical device sometimes also has the on and off marking on the body. With this switch, you can control any equipment or device from multiple locations. 

Double pole switches are commonly used for equipment with a 30 amp capacity. This means they can control appliances with a higher capacity, such as air conditioners, water heaters and furnaces. 

Double pole switches are commonly used for equipment with a 30 amp capacity. This means they can control appliances with a higher capacity, such as air conditioners, water heaters and furnaces. To better understand this device, just think of two single pole switches combined to form one switch. 

Three Way Switch 

Three-way electrical switches are often used in pacers and are great for multi-location control. For example, you can find them at both ends of a staircase. 

These can also be installed in the basement or garages with two separate entry points. In short, these switches are ideal for controlling one appliance from two different wall locations. 

A three-way switch can be connected to the hot wire running to the light fixture. The rest of the screw terminals are connected to traveller wires that link two triple pole switches together. These electrical switches also have a green grounding terminal with a copper grounding wire attached.

Dimmer Switch

Dimmer switches work by cutting down the power supplied to your appliances. These switches are a great way to reduce your electricity consumption.  Some dimmers come with a round knob or a slider for light adjustment. 

If you want a dimmer to control your lighting, choose the trailing edge option. Trailing edge dimmers are most commonly found in households and are slightly more efficient than leading edge dimmers. 

They are also more expensive than the leading edge; however, they have many great features such as silent running, better control, multi-way dimming and soft start. 

These benefits give you better control over your lighting. If you have an LED lighting system, a dimmer switch can increase the lifespan of these bulbs so you can enjoy energy savings for a long time in the future. 

Smart Switches and Sockets

If you want to start building the perfect smart home, it is crucial to understand how every connected device will operate in a home automation system. 

Generally, smart light switches are connected to your home network system. The most common network connection for smart switches is Wi-Fi; however, you can also use other connections. 

A smart switch provides additional functionality with your regular lights and ceiling fans. Some smart switches also work with fireplaces as well. You can use a smart switch like a standard plug by simply pressing the switch to turn it on/off. 

To use the smart technology of these switches, you can control their operation through your smartphone. With a smart switch, you can manage your lighting and ceiling with a few taps on your phone screens. This ability sets smart switches apart from regular switches. 

With this device, you can automate switchable appliances' on/off functions and program their settings according to your needs. Once you turn the switch on/off, a signal is sent via the Wi-Fi or mesh network. 

This signal allows you to program all the connected devices in your household. If you have a home assistant device, you can use voice commands to switch on the appliances. Apart from ease of control, there are several other functions of smart switches. 

Once you pair the smart switch to your phone, you can schedule to turn it on/off the switch at specific times. You can also use these schedules to operate your appliances while away from home. 

For example, if you can control your fireplace with a smart switch, you can schedule the fireplace to start heating your home while you are away. 

Since you have more precise control over how your appliances work, smart switches can also help you save energy in some cases. With better control, you can use your devices more efficiently.

If you forget to turn off your lights or fans, you can use your smartphone to turn off these appliances anywhere inside or outside your home. You can also find dimmer switches with smart capabilities for even more precise control of your lighting systems. 

You can install smart switches anywhere in the house, including the living room, kitchen, dining room, and bedrooms. There are many smart switches on the market, and specific features may vary product by product; however, almost all smart switches provide homeowners ease of control and comfort.

How Do Smart Sockets Work?

Smart sockets are a great way to turn ordinary devices into smart products. You can take your first steps toward creating a smart home with a smart socket. 

This connected socket gives you better control and customisable options for regular devices, and you can start using these features by simply plugging in your appliances. 

You can plug in appliances such as table lamps, clothing iron, Christmas lights, coffee makers, etc. These sockets connect to your Wi-Fi network; however, just like smart switches, you can connect a smart socket to other networks. 

You can start using smart sockets with your smartphone once you download its app. If you have a home assistant hub, you can use voice control to command your applications instead of using your phone. 

Even without a home assistant, you can use voice commands on your phone to operate the smart sockets. Like a smart switch, you can also create appliance timers and schedules. 

Most smart switches only control lighting and fans, but you can do much more with smart sockets. Another great benefit of smart sockets is that they provide energy insights on their corresponding. With this feature, you can keep track of your energy data and make efficient energy decisions. 

How To Match Your Decor With Antique Brass Switches and Sockets?

Antique brass switches and sockets have an elegant design that goes well in many spaces. But since these have a unique finish, there are a few things to remember when installing them. 

Before purchasing antique sockets, it is important to look at how a room’s colour scheme works alongside the antique sockets. 

Since most antique sockets have a traditional or vintage finish, they work well in households with similar decor. However, you can also add brass electrical sockets to modern homes. These brass electrical sockets give a contemporary space a warmer touch. 

When it comes to the colour scheme, it is best to avoid putting antique brass electrical sockets in bright or neon-coloured rooms. Instead, you should opt for a simple colour scheme. 

Brass electrical sockets can be added to the monochromatic black and white decor. You can also install brass electrical sockets in rooms with a dark or deep colour scheme.   

Selectric and Zahler’s Rage of Switches and Sockets

Investing in high-quality products is the best way to maintain your switches and sockets. Selectric is one such solution offering customers an excellent range of electrical components in various styles. 

At Meteor Electrical, you can browse multiple varieties of Selectric switches and sockets, including dimmer switches, blanking plates, connection units and much more. If you want to elevate the experience of a regular switch, Selectric offers various finishes and colours to match every home’s aesthetic. 

Whether you want a sleek modern look or an antique feature, Selectric has you covered on all fronts. You will find a wide range of finishes and colours in this range. These include:

• Antique Brass: This finish has a slight gold undertone that adds character to any ordinary room. With this unique shade, you can add them to contemporary and traditional homes for an elevated look. 
• Satin/Brushed Chrome: this metal plating is easy to clean, providing a clean look to your home. The smooth finish blends seamlessly with your surrounding while protecting the hardware. 
• Black Nickle: with a dark metallic finish, this colour works great for modern and traditional homes. The finish also provides corrosion resistance for a long-lasting experience. 
• Standard White: Opt for the standard white finish if you want your switches and sockets to look simple. This white finish can work well in both domestic and commercial properties. 

Zahler’s switches/sockets are designed from high-grade materials with a bright white finish that gives off a clean appearance. This design can fit perfectly well in households as well as commercial and industrial spaces. 

If you’re looking for standard white switches and sockets, Zahler offers an extensive range of products in this design.