A Buying Guide to Electrical Switches: Type, Rating, Indicator and Plate Size
Choosing a switch comes down to four checks: the wiring type (one-way or two-way), the current rating (6 A, 16 A or 32 A) against the load on that point, whether you want an indicator built in, and whether the board is modular or classic. Vinayak Electricals, based in Marol, Andheri East, makes switches in Mumbai under ISI licence CM/L-7567794 to IS 3854.
One-way or two-way
A one-way switch controls a point from a single position: one switch, one light. A two-way switch lets two switches control the same point, the usual arrangement for a staircase or a long corridor, with a switch at each end. Two-way wiring uses a different switch from one-way, so decide the type before the board is wired.
The VIYONA products listed on this page are described by rating rather than by wiring type. Confirm the terminal arrangement on the product page or in the e-catalogue before you order.
Ratings and what load each suits
The rating is the current the switch is built to carry. Match it to the point, not to the room.
| Rating | Typical use | VIYONA product |
|---|---|---|
| 6 A | Lighting, fan and other low-load points | 6 AMP. NANO SWITCH/INDICATOR; 6 AMP. DELUXE SWITCH/INDICATOR |
| 16 A | Power points for heavier appliances | 16 AMP. SWITCH / UNIVERSAL SOCKET |
| 32 A | Double-pole isolation of a high-current circuit | 32 AMP. D.P. SWITCH |
A D.P. (double-pole) switch breaks live and neutral together. In the catalogue the 32 A D.P. switch sits under VIYONA MCBs, so look for it there rather than among the switches and sockets. The 16 A product is listed as a switch / universal socket; confirm on its product page how it is fitted. If you are unsure of the load, choose the higher rating.
Indicator and bell-push variants
Two of the 6 A VIYONA units are switch/indicator combinations: the nano, in VIYONA Switches and Sockets, and the deluxe, listed under VIYONA Accessories. In general, an indicator is a small lamp that shows when the point is switched on, useful on any point you cannot see from the switch, such as a water heater in another room. Specifications for these two units are on their product pages.
A bell-push is a momentary switch: it makes contact only while pressed and is used for a doorbell. No bell-push appears among the products on this page, so check the full product range if you need one.
Modular or classic
A modular switch is a module that clips into a standard frame behind a cover plate. Switches, sockets, regulators and USB modules mount in the same frame, so one plate can carry a mix of functions. A classic (piano-type) switch is a fixed unit with its own body, fitted where a single switch is wanted on its own. The VIYONA range also lists BED / SURFACE SWITCHES; only the name is published here, so check the product page for how it fits.
Plate size from 1M to 18M
Modular plates are made in sizes from 1M to 18M across the VIZA and KEMPS series. The number is the count of module spaces on the plate. Count the modules you want on that board, then choose the plate with that many spaces.
Choosing a series
Vinayak Electricals makes three series: KEMPS, VIZA and VIYONA. Every switch listed on this page, from the 6 A nano switch/indicator to the 32 A D.P. switch, is VIYONA. MRP is public on each product page; dealer pricing is shared on enquiry. For the complete list of switch codes by type and rating, see the electrical switch catalogue.
Before you order in quantity
- Check the ISI mark and licence number on the switch. Vinayak Electricals switches carry licence CM/L-7567794 to IS 3854; the company also holds ISO 9001:2015.
- Confirm each code's terminal arrangement against the one-way or two-way positions on the wiring plan, using the e-catalogue.
- Match each rating to the load on its point, as in the table above.
- Count modules per board and order plates of the matching size, 1M to 18M, with the switches.
- For dealer pricing on the code list, contact the company with codes and quantities.
The switches are made in-house at plants in Mumbai and Ahmedabad. To stock the range, see how to become a dealer or distributor; to compare switch makers beyond Mumbai, see electrical switch manufacturers in India.
