Switches and sockets explained
To make finding the right fixtures easier, we've created a bite-sized guide to the terminology commonly used when talking about switches and sockets.
Which category would you like to learn about?
Get to know the key terms and product types before starting your search.
Which range would you like to learn about?
Find out about our two different designs.
Our Kew collection
Our Kew switches and sockets are fitted with our own bespoke back boxes that are deep enough to house all the electrics, so the super-slim front plates sit flush with the wall. This gives a sleek, minimalist look.
The Kew front plates are made from solid brass in our three metal finishes, as well as a primed option that’s paintable. Or there are our clear Kew plates that are made from transparent polycarbonate.
Our Kew collection
Our Kew switches and sockets are fitted with our own bespoke back boxes that are deep enough to house all the electrics, so the super-slim front plates sit flush with the wall. This gives a sleek, minimalist look.
The Kew front plates are made from solid brass in our three metal finishes, as well as a primed option that’s paintable. Or there are our clear Kew plates that are made from transparent polycarbonate.
Our Grove collection
Our Grove switches and sockets work with most standard European back boxes, making them ideal for retrofitting. They have slightly thicker front plates than Kew, which creates a bolder (but still refined) appearance on the wall.
The Grove front plates are only made from solid brass and come in our three metal finishes.
Our Grove collection
Our Grove switches and sockets work with most standard European back boxes, making them ideal for retrofitting. They have slightly thicker front plates than Kew, which creates a bolder (but still refined) appearance on the wall.
The Grove front plates are only made from solid brass and come in our three metal finishes.
Our switches
We offer two way, retractive and centre retractive, and intermediate options for our single toggles and rockers.
Our single retractive toggle is also available as a ‘smart’ switch, so you can control your lights using your smartphone, tablet or voice.
A switch, simplified
The component parts that make up the product.
The control that you use to operate a light. It could be a lever-style toggle, a pivoting rocker or a dimmer knob.
A front plate is the cover that surrounds the switch.
It can be made from plastic, steel, ceramic, or in our case, solid brass or transparent polycarbonate. It protects the wiring and electrical mechanism and gives a clean finish on the wall.
The component that contains the switch. It sits behind the front plate and connects to the mains wiring.
You’ll find this on the rear of the front plate. It holds the switch module in place and screws onto the back box.
This is the part that’s inserted into the wall to hold all the electrics and the front plate in place. Our bespoke back boxes are made from fully recycled and recyclable plastic.
Toggle
A traditional style on and off lever light switch (also known as a dolly switch).
- Made from solid brass
- Switch mechanism engineered to give a solid, satisfying click
Rocker
A contemporary on-off switch with a sloped button that rocks back and forth.
- Made from solid brass
- Switch mechanism engineered to give a solid, satisfying click
Dimmer
Typically, this is a button that pushes to turn your lights on or off and rotates to dim. It's known as a rotary dimmer.
- Made from solid brass (including the collar underneath the knob that hides all the working parts)
- Anti-flickering/buzzing
Control the same light circuit from two locations (like the top and bottom of a staircase or in rooms with multiple entrances) using two of this type of switch.
A switch type that’s used when three or more switches are required to control the same light from different locations.
Two-way switches are used at the start and end of the circuit, and one or more intermediate switches are added to the middle of the circuit.
This sort of switch springs back to the original ‘off’ position after being pressed.
You can use it for things like doorbells, in-sink food waste grinders, or to dim lights when used with an in-line dimmer module.
You can use up to twenty of these switches per circuit, but they all need to be the same switch type (all retractive).
This switch sits in a central (neutral) position and springs back to the same position after being pressed. It can be pressed up or down to make two separate connections.
You can use it for things like electronic blinds, or to dim lights when used with an in-line dimmer module.
You can use up to twenty of these switches per circuit, but they all need to be the same switch type (all centre retractive).
Typically, this is a button that pushes to turn your lights on or off and rotates to dim. It’s known as a rotary dimmer.
You can use one of our two-way dimmers on a circuit, so you can dim from one location. One other switch on the circuit needs to be a two-way toggle or rocker switch. You can then have as many intermediate toggles or rockers as you like.
We also offer a multiway dimmer switch. A multiway dimmer lets you dim the same light from multiple locations, like at the entrance to the bedroom and at the bedside, or at different points in a hallway.
Our in-line dimmer module sits in the back box with the rest of the electrics.
It can be used with both our retractive and centre retractive toggle and rocker switches to give them dimming capabilities. A short press will turn the light off and on. A press and hold will dim or brighten.
It also has a memory function, so the lights turn on at the same brightness as they were last used.
Our smart version can be used with our retractive toggle and rocker switches for remote dimming and switching via a phone, tablet, or voice command (as well as at the wall). Youcan’tuse our centre retractive toggles and rockers with this one.
Bathroom pull switch
A common and convenient option for operating a bathroom light or fan from inside the room. It’s safer than a wall switch which could conduct electricity in a damp environment.
Hotel key card switch
This one’s designed specifically for use in hotel rooms and aparthotels. The power’s turned on by inserting a key card and turned off (after a short delay) by removing the card. This safely cuts power to the room when no one’s there.
We make our Kew and Grove front plates from solid brass (rather than sheet metal wrapped around a frame) to create perfectly crisp edges.
Our Kew clear plates are the only exception. We make these from transparent polycarbonate, which is more flexible and durable than the usual acrylic.
This plate doesn’t have any cut-outs for the switches (or sockets). Instead, it’s designed for covering unused back boxes and wiring.
A vertically oriented, multi-gang front plate that offers an alternative to the industry-standard horizontal style (and will fit where horizontal ones can’t).
You'll find the installation guides for our switches and sockets on our instructions page. All Corston electrical products should be installed by a qualified electrician.
Our switches
We offer two way, retractive and centre retractive, and intermediate options for our single toggles and rockers.
Our single retractive toggle is also available as a ‘smart’ switch, so you can control your lights using your smartphone, tablet or voice.
A switch, simplified
The component parts that make up the product.
The control that you use to operate a light. It could be a lever-style toggle, a pivoting rocker or a dimmer knob.
A front plate is the cover that surrounds a switch or socket.
It can be made from plastic, steel, ceramic, or in our case, solid brass or transparent polycarbonate. It protects the wiring and electrical mechanism and gives a clean finish on the wall.
Thecomponentthatcontainsthe switch. It sits behind the front plate and connects to the mains wiring.
You’ll find this on the rear of the front plate. It holds the switch module in place and screws onto the back box.
This is the part that’s inserted into the wall to hold all the electrics and the front plate in place. Our bespoke back boxes are made from fully recycled and recyclable plastic.
Toggle
A traditional style on and off lever light switch (also known as a dolly switch).
- Made from solid brass
- Switch mechanism engineered to give a solid, satisfying click
Rocker
A contemporary on-off switch with a sloped button that rocks back and forth.
- Made from solid brass
- Switch mechanism engineered to give a solid, satisfying click
Dimmer
Typically, this is a button that pushes to turn your lights on or off and rotates to dim. It’s known as a rotary dimmer.
- Made from solid brass (including the collar underneath the knob that hides all the working parts)
- Anti-flickering/buzzing
Control the same light circuit from two locations (like the top and bottom of a staircase or in rooms with multiple entrances) using two of this type of switch.
A switch type that’s used when three or more switches are required to control the same light from different locations.
Two-way switches are used at the start and end of the circuit, and one or more intermediate switches are added to the middle of the circuit.
This sort of switch springs back to the original ‘off’ position after being pressed.
You can use it for things like doorbells, in-sink food waste grinders, or to dim lights when used with an in-line dimmer module.
You can use up to twenty of these switches per circuit, but they all need to be the same switch type (all retractive).
This switch sits in a central (neutral) position and springs back to the same position after being pressed. It can be pressed up or down to make two separate connections.
You can use it for things like electronic blinds, or to dim lights when used with an in-line dimmer module.
You can use up to twenty of these switches per circuit, but they all need to be the same switch type (all centre retractive).
Typically, this is a button that pushes to turn your lights on or off and rotates to dim. It’s known as a rotary dimmer.
You can use one of our two-way dimmers on a circuit, so you can dim from one location. One other switch on the circuit needs to be a two-way toggle or rocker switch. You can then have as many intermediate toggles or rockers as you like.
We also offer a multiway dimmer switch. A multiway dimmer lets you dim the same light from multiple locations, like at the entrance to the bedroom and at the bedside, or at different points in a hallway.
Our in-line dimmer module sits in the back box with the rest of the electrics.
It can be used with both our retractive and centre retractive toggle and rocker switches to give them dimming capabilities. A short press will turn the light off and on. A press and hold will dim or brighten.
It also has a memory function, so the lights turn on at the same brightness as they were last used.
Our smart version can be used with our retractive toggle and rocker switches for remote dimming and switching via a phone, tablet, or voice command (as well as at the wall). Youcan’tuse our centre retractive toggles and rockers with this one.
Bathroom pull switch
A common and convenient option for operating a bathroom light or fan from inside the room. It’s safer than a wall switch which could conduct electricity in a damp environment.
Hotel key card switch
This one’s designed specifically for use in hotel rooms and aparthotels. The power’s turned on by inserting a key card and turned off (after a short delay) by removing the card. This safely cuts power to the room when no one’s there.
We make our Kew and Grove front plates from solid brass (rather than sheet metal wrapped around a frame) to create perfectly crisp edges.
Our Kew clear plates are the only exception. We make these from transparent polycarbonate, which is more flexible and durable than the usual acrylic.
This plate doesn’t have any cut-outs for the switches (or sockets). Instead,it’s designed for covering unused back boxes and wiring.
A vertically oriented, multi-gang front plate that offers an alternative to the industry-standard horizontal style (and will fit where horizontal ones can’t).
You'll find the installation guides for our switches and sockets on our instructions page. All Corston electrical products should be installed by a qualified electrician.
Our sockets
Our sockets sit in the same two ranges as our switches (Kew and Grove).
We make a variety of socket types for different regions, but you’ll just see the ones relevant to your location (unless you’re on our central European site, which is where all our socket types sit together).
We also offer individual modules on our components page if you want to build a custom combination.
A socket, simplified
The component parts that make up the product.
A front plate is the cover that surrounds the socket.
It can be made from plastic, steel, ceramic, or in our case, solid brass or transparent polycarbonate. It protects the wiring and electrical mechanism and gives a clean finish on the wall.
The component that contains the socket (the plastic part you can see that’s framed by the front plate will be black or white – your choice).
The insert sits behind the front plate, connects to the mains wiring, and screws directly onto the back box.
(Our keystone modules are assembled slightly differently because we make them with as little visible plastic as possible, meaning they’re smaller. They sit in a chassis that holds the module in place and screws onto the back box.)
You’ll find this on the rear of the front plate. It holds the socket module in place and screws onto the back box.
This is the part that’s inserted into the wall to hold all the electrics and the front plate in place. Our bespoke back boxes are made from fully recycled and recyclable plastic.
USB-C 30W
You can use this dual port to fast charge up to two USB-C devices.
RJ45
Also known as an ethernet socket. Use the single or double module to plug in up to two network cables for a router or computer.
Keystone
A ‘jack’ (or connection point) that’s used for either network, telephone or audio-visual devices.
The keystone modules on our components page work with our keystone plates. They’re much smaller than our 45mm modules, and you can combine different types on one plate.
Our HDMI, RJ45, satellite and TV modules are the keystone sort.
HDMI
Use an HDMI socket to connect displays (like TVs or monitors) to HDMI source devices (like computers or games consoles) directly through the wall.
The socket is usually connected to a central ‘hub’ that manages multiple HDMI sources and distributes them to different rooms.
TV
Use a TV socket to connect your TV to the aerial using a coaxial cable.
Satellite
A satellite socket willtransmitvideo and audio signals from a satellite dish to your TV.
Keystone
A ‘jack’ (or connection point) that’s used for either network, telephone or audio-visual devices.
The keystone modules on our components page work with our keystone plates. They’re much smaller than our 45mm modules, and you can combine different types on one plate.
Our HDMI, RJ45, satellite and TV modules are the keystone sort.
Cable outlet
A cable outlet can be used to hardwire a corded device without a plug into the wall, or to connect floor or table lamps to wall switches.
You'll find the installation guides for our switches and sockets on our instructions page. All Corston electrical products should be installed by a qualified electrician.
Our sockets
Our sockets sit in the same two ranges as our switches (Kew and Grove).
We make a variety of socket types for different regions, but you’ll just see the ones relevant to your location (unless you’re on our central European site, which is where all our socket types sit together).
We also offer individual modules on our components page if you want to build a custom combination.
A socket, simplified
The component parts that make up the product.
A front plate is the cover that surrounds the socket.
It can be made from plastic, steel, ceramic, or in our case, solid brass or transparent polycarbonate. It protects the wiring and electrical mechanism and gives a clean finish on the wall.
The component that contains the socket (the plastic part you can see that’s framed by the front plate will be black or white – your choice).
The insert sits behind the front plate, connects to the mains wiring, and screws directly onto the back box.
(Our keystone modules are assembled slightly differently because we make them with as little visible plastic as possible, meaning they’re smaller. They sit in a chassis that holds the module in place and screws onto the back box.)
You’ll find this on the rear of the front plate. It holds the socket module in place and screws onto the back box.
This is the part that’s inserted into the wall to hold all the electrics and the front plate in place. Our bespoke back boxes are made from fully recycled and recyclable plastic.
USB-C 30W
You can use this dual port to fast charge up to two USB-C devices.
RJ45
Also known as an ethernet socket. Use the single or double module to plug in up to two network cables for a router or computer.
Keystone
A ‘jack’ (or connection point) that’s used for either network, telephone or audio-visual devices.
The keystone modules on our components page work with our keystone plates. They’re much smaller than our 45mm modules, and you can combine different types on one plate.
Our HDMI, RJ45, satellite and TV modules are the keystone sort.
HDMI
Use an HDMI socket to connect displays (like TVs or monitors) to HDMI source devices (like computers or games consoles) directly through the wall.
The socket is usually connected to a central ‘hub’ that manages multiple HDMI sources and distributes them to different rooms.
TV
Use a TV socket to connect your TV to the aerial using a coaxial cable.
Satellite
A satellite socket willtransmitvideo and audio signals from a satellite dish to your TV.
Keystone
A ‘jack’ (or connection point) that’s used for either network, telephone or audio-visual devices.
The keystone modules on our components page work with our keystone plates. They’re much smaller than our 45mm modules, and you can combine different types on one plate.
Our HDMI, RJ45, satellite and TV modules are the keystone sort.
Cable outlet
A cable outlet can be used to hardwire a corded device without a plug into the wall, or to connect floor or table lamps to wall switches.
You'll find the installation guides for our switches and sockets on our instructions page. All Corston electrical products should be installed by a qualified electrician.