Flat Switch: Our VIZA Big Flatty Range, Code by Code

What is a flat switch?

A flat switch is a switch whose key sits almost flush with the plate: a broad, flat rocker instead of a small raised lever. It looks cleaner on the wall, it is easy to press with a fingertip, a knuckle or an elbow, and it is easy to wipe. Most modular switches sold today are some kind of flat switch.

Our widest flat key is the VIZA Royal Big Flatty range: 1 module switches with a large flat key, made at our works in Marol, Andheri East, Mumbai, in 6A, 10A and 20A, as 1 way, 2 way, bell push and indicator versions, from ₹55 to ₹119 MRP. This page lists all eight Big Flatty codes, explains which rating suits which point, shows a 2 way staircase connection with two Big Flatty switches, and prices a board. For the taller rocker style, see our piano switch guide.

VIZA Royal Big Flatty codes and MRPs

All eight are 1 module and packed 30 per box:

The V141A 6A 1 way at ₹55 is the everyday light and fan switch, and the lowest MRP in the range.

Which rating for which point

• 6A V141A ₹55 lights, fans and 6A sockets.
• 10A V142A ₹90 2 way, V144A ₹92 with indicator: staircases, corridors, and loads you want to see are on.
• 20A V146A ₹95 1 way, V148A ₹115 with indicator, V147A ₹119 2 way: in front of a 16A socket for a washing machine, microwave, plug-in geyser or AC.

The rule is simple: the switch must be rated at least as high as the socket or load it controls. A 6A Big Flatty in front of a 16A socket is the weak point of that board. Our switch and socket ratings guide sets out every pairing.

Big Flatty or regular Royal?

The Big Flatty is the large-key version of our VIZA Royal 1M switches, and the MRPs are close:

• 6A 1 way: V141 ₹55 and V141A ₹55, the same.
• 10A 2 way: V142 ₹85, V142A ₹90.
• 10A with indicator: V144 ₹87, V144A ₹92.
• 20A 1 way: V146 ₹92, V146A ₹95.
• 20A 2 way and 20A with indicator: the same, ₹119 and ₹115.

So the larger key costs at most ₹5 more per switch at MRP, and nothing more on the 6A 1 way, the plain bell push, the 20A 2 way and the 20A indicator models; the 20A 1 way is ₹3 more and the bell push with indicator ₹2 more. Both fit the same Royal plates. Our VIZA Royal plates page shows the finishes.

A staircase light with two V142A switches

The V142A 10A 2 way Big Flatty is the switch for a light that must be worked from two places. Two of them, one at each end, are joined by two strap wires:

2 way staircase wiring with two Big Flatty switches

Drawn by us. Shown with the lamp off; flipping either switch moves its lever to the other strap and lights the lamp.

Phase goes to the common terminal of the first switch; the common of the second switch goes to the lamp; the lamp returns to neutral. Two V142A switches cost ₹180 at MRP. For a heavier load, the V147A 20A 2 way is ₹119. Our 2 way switch wiring diagram explains the connection step by step.

Indicator and bell push Big Flatty

Four of the eight Big Flatty codes are for jobs beyond plain switching:

• V144A ₹92 10A 1 way with indicator: a balcony or terrace light, a pump.
• V148A ₹115 20A 1 way with indicator: a plug-in geyser or an AC point.
• V143A ₹85 10A bell push: a big, easy push by the main door.
• V145A ₹99 bell push with indicator, so the push can be found in the dark.

The indicator glows while the switch is on, which saves leaving a geyser or a terrace light running all day. Our indicator switch guide and bell push switch guide cover both in detail.

Who a big flat key helps most

A large flat key is easier for anyone whose hands are not free or not steady:

• Elderly parents pressing with the side of a hand rather than a fingertip.
• Children who cannot reach precisely.
• In the dark a bedside or a passage switch found by touch.
• Full hands a kitchen or entrance switch pressed with an elbow.

For an even wider rocker, our VIZA Air switches use a 2 module body with one key; see our Air switch guide. Our electrical safety for elderly guide lists the other small changes that help, from foot lights to bed switches.

A living room board in Big Flatty, priced

A living room door board with two lights, a 2 way switch for the passage light and an indicator switch for the balcony: two V141A at ₹55, one V142A at ₹90 and one V144A at ₹92, on a VIZA Royal V394 4M white plate at ₹120 with a V614 4M concealed box at ₹88.

The board comes to ₹500 at MRP, parts only. The same board in regular Royal switches (V141, V141, V142, V144) is ₹490. Our switch board price guide and switch price list price the rest of the home.

Flat switch or piano switch?

Both are flat rockers; the difference is the shape of the key. A piano switch has a tall, narrow key that rocks top and bottom. A Big Flatty has a broad flat key, as its name says. Ratings and MRPs are close: the VIZA V000 6A piano switch is ₹45 and the V141A 6A Big Flatty ₹55; the 10A piano V101 is ₹56.

Choose by feel and by look: press both at a dealer’s counter before deciding. Both clip into VIZA plates, so the choice can even differ from room to room. Our piano switch guide lists that range, and our types of switches guide covers every other kind we make.

Flat switch boards, room by room

• Bedroom door V141A for each light and the fan, a V142A if the bedside also controls the main light.
• Bedside a V142A 2 way for the main light, found by touch in the dark.
• Kitchen V141A for lights and the chimney point, V146A 20A in front of each 16A socket.
• Outside the bathroom V141A for the light and exhaust, V148A 20A with indicator for a plug-in geyser.
• Entrance V144A with indicator for the porch light and V145A bell push with indicator.
• Staircase a pair of V142A, or V147A where the light load is heavy.

Our house electrical layout plan gives the points for every room of a 2BHK.

A heavy point in Big Flatty

For a washing machine, a microwave or a plug-in geyser, the Big Flatty V148A 20A switch with indicator goes beside a 16A socket on a 16A MCB. With the VIZA V263 16A socket with porcelain base at ₹160, a Royal V393 3M white plate at ₹98 and a V613 3M concealed box at ₹68, the point comes to ₹441 at MRP, parts only.

The 20A rating matters more than the key. A switch carries the same current as the socket it feeds, and a 6A or 10A switch on a 16A point runs hot. Our 16 amp socket guide covers the socket, the MCB and the wire behind such a point.

Buying Big Flatty switches by the box

Every Big Flatty code is packed 30 per box and sold in full boxes only. For a typical 2BHK, a contractor usually needs one box of V141A for lights and fans, a few V142A for 2 way points, and a handful of V146A or V148A for the heavy points, so the 2 way and 20A boxes are often shared across several flats.

A dealer stocking the range for walk-in buyers can keep the V141A and V142A on the shelf and order the indicator and bell push codes as needed. Orders through our office are delivered all over India; see our dealer and distributor page if you want to stock the range.

Keeping flat switches clean

A flat key has no gaps around a lever for dirt to collect in, which is part of its appeal in kitchens. Wipe it with a dry or barely damp cloth, never a wet one, and never spray cleaner directly onto the board, where it can run behind the key.

For greasy kitchen boards, switch off at the MCB before cleaning. Our switch board cleaning guide covers each plate finish, from white to wood and metallic.

Where we supply

Everything on this page is made at our works in Marol, Andheri East, Mumbai, and sold through dealers and distributors across Maharashtra and in many other states. See where we supply in Maharashtra and how we supply the rest of India. Orders placed through our office are delivered all over India, in full boxes only.

From our catalogue: VIZA V263 16A socket, VIZA V262 2 pin socket and VIYONA bed and surface switches.