Description
The Toggle Switch by Forbes & Lomax is a line-voltage toggle switch based on the elegant nickel and brass switches of the 1930s. Toggle switches can be mixed with rotary dimmers, push buttons and outlets on the same plate.
Established in 1987, Forbes & Lomax is a UK-based heritage electrical brand recognized by architects and designers for refined switch and outlet design.
FAQ
- Can I order online? Yes, if you know the plate type, the gang count, how many switching positions are on the circuit, and the plate is 4 gang or under.
- What should I confirm? Junction box depth and how many circuits run to the location. Your electrician will know both.
- Does the Painted or Invisible plate need finishing? Yes. The Painted plate is painted and the Invisible inner plate is papered or painted, both before the electrician fits them. Allow for it in the schedule.
- When should I request a custom quote? 5 gang or more, mixed plates, low voltage dry contact toggles for home automation, or anything you are unsure about should be confirmed by our sales team in order to ensure compliance and compatibility. Please reach out to us at contact@cassonhardware.com.
- Can I install it myself? No. Line voltage, licensed electrician only.
Full specifications and installation requirements are below.
Plate Overview
The switch mechanism is identical across all three plates. What differs is how the plate meets the wall, which finishes are offered, and what has to happen on site before the electrician fits it.
| Plate | What it is | Site work before fitting | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metal | Solid metal, hand finished. Plate and toggle share the same finish | None | Rooms where the plate is meant to be seen |
| Invisible | Clear acrylic top plate with bevelled edges over a primed inner plate, no visible screws | Inner plate papered or painted | Wallpaper, lime wash and paint you do not want interrupted |
| Painted | Etch-primed plate, painted on site. Toggle in your chosen finish | Plate painted and dried | Walls where the switch should disappear into the colour |
Metal
- Construction: Solid metal, finished by hand. Plate and toggle are supplied in the same finish.
- Site Work: None. Fitted as supplied.
- Finishes: The full range. Aged Brass is the one exception, and applies to the plate only.
Invisible
- Top Plate: Transparent acrylic with bevelled edges, secured without visible fixing screws.
- Inner Plate: Primed aluminium, supplied ready to be papered or painted. Each unit ships with both plates.
- Wallpaper: The inner plate can be used as a template to cut a piece to fit.
- Over Stone or Tile: The inner plate can be faux painted to match the surrounding surface.
- Sequence: The inner plate is decorated as part of the wall finish, before the top plate goes on. Allow for it in the schedule rather than at handover.
- Finishes: Applied to the toggle and screws only. Aged Brass is not offered.
Painted
- Construction: Etch-primed metal, supplied unpainted. The plate itself carries no metal finish.
- Method: Lay the plate flat and apply two to three coats with a small roller. Rolling, hand-painting and spraying each give a different look.
- Top Coat: A clear matte varnish can be applied to protect against marks.
- Glaze Paint: Undercoat the plate in the same colour as the walls.
- Sequence: Paint the plate separately and let it dry completely before fitting. Screw heads can be painted to match and touched in afterwards.
- Finishes: Applied to the toggle only. Aged Brass is not offered.
Plate heights, widths and thicknesses are listed under Specifications below.
Electrical Ratings
| Model | Rating | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| 3-way | 15 A. Also works as single pole | Order online |
| 4-way | 15 A | Order online |
- Supply: Line voltage, for conventionally wired installations.
- 3-Way: Covers most installations. It works as either single pole or 3-way, so it suits both a single switching position and two.
- 4-Way: Needed only for a third switching position on the same circuit.
- Dimmed Circuits: Only one position on a circuit can dim. Where a light is dimmed from one place and switched from another, every remaining position must be a non-dimming toggle.
Low Voltage Toggles
Forbes & Lomax also make dry contact toggles for Class 2 circuits, in 2-position momentary, 3-position momentary and 3-position latching. They carry no line voltage and send a signal to a home automation controller rather than switching the load directly. They work only with systems such as Lutron Homeworks, Crestron, Savant, Vantage and Control 4.
These are specified and quoted by Forbes & Lomax directly rather than ordered from us, as the configuration depends on the control system. Contact us and we will put you in touch. Instruction sheets are in Product Downloads below.
Installation
- Electrician: Must be installed by a licensed electrician, in accordance with appropriate electrical codes and regulations.
- Junction Box Depth: Recessed at least 1/8″ below the finished wall surface. Refer to the Junction Box Assembly Diagram below. Check existing boxes before ordering.
- Plate Finishing: Painted and Invisible plates are decorated before the electrician fits them. Refer to Plate Overview above.
- Areas of Application: Light-duty commercial, residential.
Requesting a Quote
Plates of 5 gang or more, mixed device plates, and low voltage dry contact toggles are quoted by our sales team. Send the following to contact@cassonhardware.com and we will price it against your schedule.
- Plate type: Metal, Invisible or Painted
- Model and gang count for each position
- Number of switching positions on each circuit
- Whether the plate combines switches with dimmers, push buttons or outlets
- Fittings finish
- Junction box depth on site
Specifications
Plate Sizes
All plates are 4.53″ (115 mm) high. Metal and Painted plates are 1.8 mm thick. The Invisible plate is a 3 mm acrylic top plate over a 1 mm primed inner plate.
| Gang | Plate Width | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Gang | 2.76″ (70 mm) | Order online |
| 2 Gang | 4.53″ (115 mm) | Order online |
| 3 Gang | 6.38″ (162 mm) | Order online |
| 4 Gang | 8.27″ (210 mm) | Order online |
| 5 Gang | 10.08″ | Made to order |
| 6 Gang | 11.89″ | Made to order |
| 7 Gang | 13.70″ | Made to order |
| 8 Gang | 15.51″ | Made to order |
Toggles, rotary dimmers, push buttons and outlets can be mixed on the same plate. Multi-gang plates are supplied to accommodate as many devices as required. Contact us with your device schedule for a quote.
Device Dimensions
- Toggle: Ø 0.79″ (20 mm). One toggle fits per gang of a standard junction box.
Materials
Fittings finish availability differs by plate. On the Metal plate the finish applies to the plate and toggle together; on Invisible and Painted it applies to the fittings only.
| Finish | Metal | Invisible | Painted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unlacquered Polished Brass | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Aged Brass | Plate only | Not offered | Not offered |
| Nickel Silver | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Brushed Stainless Steel | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Antique Bronze | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Lacquered Brushed Brass | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Matte Brass | Yes | Yes | Yes |
- Aged Brass: A plate finish only. Aged Brass mechanisms are not made, so the toggle and screws are supplied unlacquered brass and patina alongside the plate rather than matching on arrival.
- Living Finishes: Unlacquered Polished Brass and Aged Brass darken and develop a patina with handling and exposure. This is intended and not a defect, and variation between pieces is normal.
- Lacquered Finishes: Nickel Silver, Brushed Stainless Steel, Antique Bronze, Lacquered Brushed Brass and Matte Brass hold a consistent colour and will not change.
- Matte Brass: Carries a baked lacquer coating that resists fingerprints.
- Care: Wipe clean with a dry, non-abrasive microfiber cloth. Avoid chemical or alcohol-based cleaners.
Certifications & Standards
- Toggle Switches: Conform to UL 20, certified to CSA C22.2 No. 111.
Review and ensure all certifications are applicable for your local code.
Product Downloads
Product Sheets
Installation & Assembly
- Toggle Switch Installation Instructions
- General Instructions for Electricians (Switches & Dimmers)
- Junction Box Assembly Diagram (Toggle Switch)
- Invisible Plate Installation Notes
- Circuitry Visual Aid
Low Voltage & Home Automation
- Integrating Forbes & Lomax Switches with Home Automation Systems
- Momentary 2-Position Toggle Switch
- Momentary 3-Position Toggle Switch
- Latching 3-Position Toggle Switch
Plates & Finishes
Authenticity
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