Piano Switch: Our VIZA Range, Rating by Rating

What is a piano switch?

A piano switch is a switch with a flat, tall rocker that you press like a piano key: press the lower half and it clicks on, press the upper half and it clicks off. The name comes from the old piano switch boards of Indian homes, where a row of flat rockers sat side by side on one sheet, and most people still call any flat rocker a piano switch.

In our own catalogue the name lives on in the VIZA range. Our VIZA piano switches are 1 module modular switches with that flat rocker, made at our works in Marol, Andheri East, Mumbai, in 6A, 10A, 20A and 25A, with and without an indicator, plus matching bell pushes. They clip into VIZA plates like any modular module. This page lists every piano code with its MRP, explains which rating does which job, and prices a board. For the history of the piano board, see our evolution of switches.

VIZA piano switch codes and MRPs

The VIZA 1M piano range, white, as printed in our current catalogue:

Also in the range: V112 bell push with indicator at ₹82 and V113, a red indicator on its own, at ₹73. The 20A and 25A switches are listed as heavy duty.

Which rating does which job

• 6A V000 ₹45 lights, a fan, a 6A socket. The lowest MRP piano switch.
• 10A V101 ₹56 the general room switch: lights, fans, 6A sockets, with margin. V102 is the 2 way version for a staircase or a long room.
• 20A V121 ₹89 in front of a 16A socket: the washing machine, the microwave, a plug-in geyser, an AC point.
• 25A V124 ₹155 with indicator, for a heavier single load the electrician has rated above 20A.

Buyers sometimes ask for a “16 amp piano switch”. Our piano range goes from 10A straight to 20A, and a 20A switch is the right partner for a 16A socket because it is rated above the socket it controls; the circuit behind them stays on a 16A MCB. Our switch and socket ratings and 16A vs 20A switch guides explain the pairing.

Piano switches with indicator

Three VIZA piano switches carry a small lamp that glows when the switch is on: V111 10A at ₹85, V123 20A at ₹109 and V124 25A at ₹155. The 20A V123 is ₹20 more than the plain V121.

An indicator earns its place on any load you cannot see from the switch: the geyser, the water pump, a terrace light, an AC point. Where a separate lamp suits the board better, V113 is a red indicator module on its own at ₹73. Our indicator switch guide covers how the lamp is wired and where it helps.

Piano switches in VIZA Black

For matt black and grey boards, our VIZA Black list carries its own piano range:

• 1M, 10A: V1201 ₹45 6A 1 way, V1202 10A 2 way ₹90, V1203 bell push ₹90, V1204 10A with indicator ₹95, V1205 bell push with indicator ₹102.
• 1M, 20A: V1211 ₹97 1 way, V1212 2 way ₹127, V1213 with indicator ₹119.
• 2M, 10A: V1241 ₹110 1 way, V1242 2 way ₹135, V1243 bell push ₹120, V1244 bell push with indicator ₹130.

The 2 module piano switches have a wider rocker that is easier to find in the dark. The 1M pieces are packed 30 per box and the 2M pieces 10 per box. Our switch board colour guide helps choose between white, grey and black for each room.

A bedroom board of piano switches

A common bedroom door board: two lights, a fan point and an indicator switch for a bathroom geyser or a balcony light.

A 4M board of VIZA piano switches

Drawn by us, not to scale. Press the lower half for ON, the usual convention in Indian homes.

Priced at MRP: two V101 at ₹56, one V102 2 way at ₹81, one V111 with indicator at ₹85, a V1154 Cherry 4M plate at ₹98 and a V614 4M concealed box at ₹88: ₹464 for the board, parts only. Our switch board price guide prices whole flats the same way.

Piano switch or modular switch?

On our list, there is no difference to choose between: a VIZA piano switch is a modular switch. It clips into a modular frame and plate, and it can be swapped one module at a time.

The difference people mean is between an old piano board, with switches screwed to a sheet over a box, and a modular board. The old board is harder to repair, rarely has shutters or indicators, and often has a light switch doing a heavy job. Our modular vs normal switch guide and semi modular vs modular board guide explain what changes when you upgrade.

If you only want to repair an old conventional board, our VIYONA range still makes switches for it, from ₹22 for the 101 6A 1 way switch.

Piano switches beside our other VIZA rockers

VIZA makes several 1M rocker styles at close to the same MRPs, so the choice is mostly about the look of the key:

• Piano V101 10A 1 way ₹56: the tall flat rocker.
• Cherry V541 10A 1 way ₹56: the same rating and MRP, a different key.
• Royal V141 6A 1 way ₹55, and the Royal Big Flatty V141A ₹55 with a larger flat key.
• Slim V131 6A 1 way chrome ₹55.

All of them clip into VIZA plates, and a board can mix them, although most buyers keep one style per room. If you want the widest flat key we make, see our flat switch guide on the Big Flatty range; for a heat-proof base under the contacts, see our porcelain switch guide.

2 way piano switches for stairs and long rooms

A 2 way switch lets one light be switched from two places: the top and bottom of a staircase, both ends of a corridor, the door and the bed of a large bedroom. In the piano range that is the V102 10A 2 way at ₹81, or the V122 20A 2 way at ₹117 where the load is heavier.

Two 2 way switches are needed for each such light, joined by two strap wires. A 2 way switch can also be used as a plain 1 way switch, which is why some contractors stock only V102 for a job, but at ₹25 more per switch than the V101 that adds up across a building. Our 2 way switch wiring diagram shows the staircase connection, and our 1 way vs 2 way switch guide explains when each is needed.

When a piano switch wears out

A switch that is used dozens of times a day eventually loses its crisp click. Signs that a piano switch needs replacing:

• Soft or sticky rocker it no longer snaps cleanly between on and off.
• Flicker when touched the light blinks when the rocker is pressed lightly.
• Warm to the touch a switch should never feel warm; it means a loose terminal or worn contacts.
• Crackling sound arcing inside the switch.

Because it is modular, only that one switch is changed: the plate comes off, the old module unclips and a new one clips in. Our switch replacement guide shows the safe way, and our switch life guide explains what wears a switch out.

Plates and boxes for piano switches

Piano switches are sold as modules; the plate and the concealed box are separate. A VIZA piano module fits our VIZA plates, from the economical Cherry and Decore ranges to Slim, Royal and the glass-look Glasso.

• Decore white: 2M ₹55, 3M ₹65, 4M ₹80.
• Cherry white or black: 2M ₹65, 3M ₹83, 4M ₹98, 6M ₹140.
• Slim white: 2M ₹75, 4M ₹108, 6M ₹150.
• Concealed box: 3M ₹68, 4M ₹88, 6M ₹118.

Count the modules first, then choose a plate and box of the same size. Our plate size calculator and VIZA Cherry plates pages help.

Buying piano switches for a job

VIZA 1M piano switches are packed 30 per box and sold in full boxes only. A 2BHK typically uses one box of V101, a few V102 for 2 way points, and a handful of V121 or V123 for the heavy points.

Contractors often mix: piano switches for the switching, and VIZA sockets on the same plates, such as the V263 16A socket at ₹160 for heavy points and the V262 2 pin socket at ₹78 for chargers. See our 16 amp socket and switch price list pages for the rest of the range.

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 and VIZA V262 2 pin socket, which clip into the same VIZA plates as the piano switches.