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Forbes and Lomax sockets, fused connections and European Sockets, the compliance and the fitting
Posted by sparksdirect in light dimmers, standards and regulations, switches and sockets, technical data, website update on October 29, 2009
We continue to update the Forbes and Lomax pricelist and the items from their full offer – especially since they changed/added the new models with the metal rockers, it can be a little complex now. Also, there are some more details from their brochures which we think is quite important for people to know – see the new details about the Forbes & Lomax switches and dimmers, and now: sockets and fused connections, the European sockets, the Forbes and Lomax compliance to the existing British Standards, and The Fitting of the Forbes & Lomax devices.
More about the Forbes & Lomax Sockets and Fused Connections
In the case of the Sockets and the Fused Connections, white inserts come as standard. To request black, select the models with the suffix code with (B) (except on Antique Bronze range where black is standard). Where metal switches are required, suffix code with (PB) Brass, (S) Stainless Steel, (N) Nickel or (AB) Antique Bronze. ‘Invisible’ sockets are designed to be used on wallpapered walls and although may take a little more time and effort to install can give great results. ‘Invisible’ socket plates have to be made in a slightly thinner acrylic than the switch plates to enable them to securely take a plug, meaning that the corners of the plates can be prone to bow outwards slightly. This becomes more apparent when they are used on painted walls, so in this instance we recommend our ‘Painted’ sockets that are made from aluminium and supplied primed white, ready to take the paint finish of your choice.
More about the Forbes and Lomax Sockets (European Sockets / Miscellaneous)
It is essential to use British wall boxes when installing ‘European Sockets’. We recommend that you use a single plastic box (code SPB/EU) or a double plastic box (code DPB/EU). Italian sockets are only available with white inserts.
Forbes and Lomax – Compliance to the British Standards
Switches conforming to BS EN 60669-1:2000
The ‘Invisible’ light switch is made with a clear acrylic bevelled 3mm thick plate, fixed to the dolly (toggle) switch with a metal ring. It comes complete with a grid plate, which enables wallpaper etc. to be placed between the actual switch and the plate and a key to tighten the ring.
Sockets conforming to BS 1363 and BS546
The ‘Invisible’ socket has a 2mm acrylic plate and is designed for use with wallpaper. ‘Invisible’ socket plates have to be made in a slightly thinner acrylic than the switch plates to enable them to securely take a plug, meaning that the corners of the plates can be prone to bow outwards slightly. This becomes more apparent when they are used on painted walls. Therefore in this instance, we recommend our ‘Painted’ sockets that are made from aluminium and supplied primed white, ready to take the paint finish of your choice. These sockets come with a white or black plastic insert and a 1.5mm thick flat metal plate etch-primed in white.
The Fitting of the Forbes & Lomax devices
Our standard sockets and switches fit into British Standard 35mm deep flush wall boxes, with the exception of the fused connections, the cable outlets and the shaver sockets which require a 47mm deep back box. Wall boxes for picture light sockets, shaver sockets and European power sockets should be recessed into the wall by 6mm. Single European sockets, TV, TV/FM, TV/SAT, TV/FM/SAT, TV/QUAD, TV/COM, TV/DBL, SAT, SAT/COM SAT/TEL1, SAT/TEL2 and SAT/DBL sockets need to be fitted into back boxes with fixing lugs at the top and bottom. To obtain the best results, it is important that walls are as flat as possible and are made good to the edges of the wall box before the interior assembly is fitted. To avoid unnecessary damage, switch and socket plates should be fitted after electrical and decorative work is complete. Extreme care should be taken while handling face plates to avoid scratching. See below the Invisible Switch fitting and the European Sockets Fitting.
Note: Brass plates are unlacquered and will require cleaning for a highly polished look.
Fitting Instructions for the Invisible LightSwitch – the Invisible Plate
- Once the light switch is installed by a professional electrician, a piece of wallpaper can be cut to size using the inner plate as a template. For painted walls the primed inner plate can be painted to match.
- The acrylic plate is then placed on top and secured with the fixing ring using the plastic spanner provided.
- Our standard switches and sockets fit into British Standard 35mm deep flush metal wall boxes.
- For stud walls it is essential to sink the lip 1mm into the plaster around the box.
- The coloured plastic ‘wings’ should be fixed to the underside of the plasterboard with a strong masonry adhesive.
Fitting Instructions for the Forbes & Lomax European Sockets
- It is essential that British wallboxes are used when installing Forbes & Lomax European sockets.
- All wallboxes must be recessed by 6mm below the surface of the wall.
Order online Forbes and Lomax switches, sockets, fused connection units, dimmers, TV/data outlets, etc. Read more about the Forbes and Lomax different finishes, like: the invisible plate(with pictures), the unlacquered brass range, the antique brass range, the nickel silver range, the painted socket range, or the stainless steel range.
Forbes and Lomax with metal rockers and new details about the Forbes&Lomax switches/dimmer switches
Posted by sparksdirect in customer service, light dimmers, products pictures, switches and sockets, technical data, website update on October 28, 2009
Forbes and Lomax is a very appreciated brand of flat plate switches, sockets, dimmers, fused connections, telecom and data sockets, etc. We have introduced this range many times before, speaking about all the finishes and ranges, defining the Forbes & Lomax wiring accessories, some instructions for the electricians about switches&dimmers, data for electricians about sockets, and a short word of introduction for each of the ranges Forbes and Lomax has. Recently, Forbes and Lomax modified a little their offer – they added new codes/model numbers for the accessories with the metal rocker. Here is how it goes:
- Unless the model number has a “/B“, the trim / insert / surround is white plastic(unless the wiring accessory does not have any surround – like the dimmers, blanking plates, etc).
- In the case of the switches, the sockets, and the fused connections, unless the model number has a “M” at the end of it, right before the first “/“, it has a plastic rocker.
- If certain models do not have the “M” version, this means that there is no version of that particular wiring device that has a metal rocker – only the version with the plastic rocker is available. The same is true the other way around: if there is only the “M” version, then the plastic rocker version is not available.
Read more below about some technical details for the Forbes and Lomax Dolly/Toggle switches, the Rotary Dimmers / Push on/off switches, or the rocker switches.
More technical details about the Forbes and Lomax Switches & Dimmers
About The Forbes and Lomax Dolly / Toggle Switches
All dolly switches fit into standard 35mm deep wall boxes with the exception of the architrave which requires a special wall box. Check out the dolly switch combinations that Forbes and Lomax offers. If the combination that you require is not listed on our website, please let us know – contact us. As standard we supply two-way switches that can be used as either one-way or two-way. One-way switching is where you can control a lighting circuit from only one location. Two-way switching is where you can control a lighting circuit from two locations. Intermediate switches are used if you want to add more switching locations. A two-way switch would be located at each end of the circuit and any additional switches would be intermediate.
About the Rotary Dimmers and the Push On/Off Switches
Good quality electronic transformers can be used with 250w, 400w, 600w & 1000w resistive dimmers for low voltage lighting. The Forbes and Lomax dimmers are not suitable for use with trailing edge transformers. To ensure full compatibility and a long life for the dimmer, we recommend that you use Mode transformers. Inductive dimmers for use with wirewound transformers and dimmers for fluorescent lighting are available on request. Matching push on/off switches allow us to provide switches that look like a dimmer and offer the ability to mix dimmers and switches on the same plate whilst keeping a uniform look. We can provide up to 9 gang combinations. All the Forbes and Lomax dimmers and switches are 2 way. Intermediate or 0-10v push on/off switches are available on request.
About the Forbes & Lomax Rocker Switches
The Forbes and Lomax Rocker Switches come with a white trim around the switch insert as standard. Suffix code with (B) for black trim, except on Antique Bronze where black is standard. Double Pole, 2way & off and retractive rockers are available on request. We can also make one and two gang rocker switches with ‘Painted Plates’ on request and can provide up to 12 gang rocker switch combinations in all other finishes.
Read more about the Forbes and Lomax different finishes, like: the invisible plate(with pictures), the unlacquered brass range, the antique brass range, the nickel silver range, the painted socket range, or the stainless steel range.
How to install the Forbes and Lomax socket outlets – advice for the electricians and decorators
Posted by sparksdirect in ask Mr Sparks, light dimmers, switches and sockets, technical data on August 11, 2009
Forbes and Lomax is one of the high quality wiring accessories manufacturers – switches, sockets, dimmers, low voltage dimmers, connection units, cooker switches, TV/Satellite sockets, etc. In our previous article we wrote some general advices of how to install the switches and dimmers manufactured by Forbes and Lomax; in this article, we go on and present some guidelines of how to install/what should we take care of when we install socket outlets from Forbes & Lomax.
Installing Forbes & Lomax Socket Outlets
Instructions for Electricians and decorators: When installing Forbes and Lomax outlets (Receptacles) it is recommended that you follow the instructions below:
- Remove the receptacle from the box and unscrew the screws on the front of the wallplate.
- Remove the wallplate and place in a separate plastic bag to prevent damage.
- Take great care with all plates. They are very delicate and can easily be damaged by scratching, paint, damp plaster and other building site debris.
- Snap all the metal ‘ears’ off the receptacle yoke using pliers. For receptacles with plastic ears, such as the keystone outlets, score with a knife until the ears come away easily.
- Ensure that the Handy box is recessed by a minimum of 4mm below the surface of the wall. This is necessary to enable the wallplate to sit flush when fitted. For ease of installation we recommend a two inch deep Handy box.
- Cut 4mm deep indents in the wall surface at the top and bottom of the wall box to allow the fixing lugs to sit flush with the surface of the wall. It is most important to ensure that the indent does not encroach anywhere on the wall that the wallplate will not cover up when fitted.
- Wire the receptacle in the normal way.
- Screw the receptacle rigid into the Handy box using the screws provided. Spacers/shims may be used to bring the fixing lugs level with the surface of the wall enabling the wallplate to attach properly when screwed on.
- The “Invisible” receptacles are supplied with a thin, primed aluminum inner plate. The inner plate can be painted to match the walls or used as a template to cut out a piece of wallpaper to fit between the inner plate and the “Invisible” plate. Place the inner plate and wallpaper (if being used) over the receptacle and re-fit the “Invisible” plate.
- Do not tighten the screws too much on the ‘Invisible’ wallplates, as they may bow outwards or crack if the screws are too tight.
- Do not plaster, paint or paper straight over the wall boxes in case it is necessary to access the receptacle at a later date.
- When using the ‘Painted’ range of receptacles, the primed metal wallplate should be painted separately and then fixed to the outlet in the wall when dry. The screws can then be touched in. If a specialist glaze paint is being used it is important to undercoat the receptacles in the same colour as the walls.
- Do not fix any wallplates to damp walls.
These instructions are part of the useful information & warranty details Forbes and Lomax attaches to all the wiring accessories they manufacture and we at SparksDirect sell. To find out more about the ranges of the wiring devices manufactured by Forbes and Lomax, visit the Switches and Sockets article list and read more about he Invisible plate range (pictures), the Unlacquered Brass range, the Antique Bronze range, the Nickel Silver range, the painted socket range, or the stainless steel range. You can purchase Forbes and Lomax wiring accessories online – the best prices, next day delivery(for the ranges we have in stock), and more(see our terms and conditions).
Some instructions for the electricians & decorators, concerning the switches & dimmers, Forbes and Lomax
Posted by sparksdirect in ask Mr Sparks, customer service, light dimmers, switches and sockets on August 11, 2009
After you purchase Forbes and Lomax switches and dimmers, if you intend to install them we recommend that you follow the instructions below(Forbes & Lomax guide to Switches & Dimmers installation; this is also available for the installation of any dimmer or switch):
- Remove the light switch from the box and unscrew the fixing ring around the switch using the white plastic spanner provided.
- Remove the wallplate and place each plate in separate plastic bags to prevent damage.
- Take great care with all metal plates. They are very delicate and can easily be damaged by scratching, paint, damp plaster and other building site debris.
- Ensure that the Handy box is recessed by a minimum of 4mm below the surface of the wall. This is necessary to enable the wallplate to sit flush when fitted. For ease of installation we recommend a two inch deep Handy box.
- Install switches and dimmers in the normal way. A spacer or shim can be used to bring the yoke level with the surface of the wall. This will enable the switch to be fixed rigidly and the wallplate to attach properly.
- The “Invisible” switches and dimmers are supplied with a thin, primed aluminum inner plate. The inner plate can be painted to match the walls or used as a template to cut out a piece of wallpaper to fit between the inner plate and the “Invisible” plate. Place the inner plate and wallpaper (if being used) over the switch and re-fit the “Invisible” plate with the fixing ring.
- For metal wallplates simply refit the wallplate with the fixing ring.
- For rotary dimmers, align the ‘D’ shaped insert on the underside of the dimmer knob with the ‘D’ shape on the spindle and push the knob onto the spindle.
- Do not plaster, paint or paper straight over the wall boxes in case it is necessary to access the switch at a later date.
- To avoid unnecessary damage, wallplates should be fitted after electrical and decorative work is complete.
- Do not fix plates to damp walls.
The above instructions are general rules any electrician or decorator / professional or individual should follow in fitting wiring accessories. Find out more about the ranges of wiring accessories Forbes & Lomax offers, like the Invisible plate range (pictures), the Unlacquered Brass range, the Antique Bronze range, the Nickel Silver range, the painted socket range, or the stainless steel range. To purchase them online, visit the Switches and Sockets / Metal Plate / Flat Plate / Forbes and Lomax category.
Defining the Forbes and Lomax wiring devices, the types(dimmers, switches, sockets, etc)
Posted by sparksdirect in light dimmers, switches and sockets, technical data on August 10, 2009
Forbes and Lomax has a complete range of dimmers, switches and socket outlets are available to suit the exacting demands of architects and interior designers of both traditional and contemporary persuasion. The switches manufactured by Forbes & Lomax have pioneered the screwless, flush to the wall plate, creating a very sleek look. As well as the Invisible Lightswitch, the company also offers other finishes like: the Invisible plate range (pictures), the Unlacquered Brass range, the Antique Bronze range, the Nickel Silver range, the painted socket range, or the stainless steel range, all of which are accompanied by a full range of matching outlets. To find out more about the the Forbes and Lomax switches, sockets and dimmers, all finishes, all ranges, consult the Articles about the Switches and sockets section. Below, we would like to introduce and define some Forbes & Lomax wiring devices like: The Dimming System, the Dolly Switch, the Button Dimmer Controller, the Rocker Switch, the Rotary Dimmer, and the Sockets.
The Forbes and Lomax dimming system
The Dimming System from Forbes and Lomax is a four channel dimmer with four easily programmable scenes in addition to full manual dimming and on/off buttons. The system is easily installed and quick to program.
The programming and operation is achieved from a master panel, with slave panes and remote controls also available if control is required from additional locations. The Dimming System is available in all finishes with a choice of white or black buttons. Contact us for more information.
To purchase the dimming systems manufactured by Forbes & Lomax(available in all the finishes), do not hesitate to contact us.
The Forbes and Lomax Dolly Switches
The dolly switches / toggle switches are lever switches with a retaining ring that holds the face plate in place leaving no need for fixing screws.
They are available in all colours and configurations and can be mixed with Button Dimmer Controllers on the same plate if required.
To purchase online Dolly Switches manufactured by Forbes and Lomax, visit the Forbes & Lomax section and select the desired finish / wiring accessory.
The Forbes & Lomax Button Dimmer Controllers
The Button Dimmer Controller is a push-to-make momentary action switch that controls an In-Line Dimmer Pack. The system allows the dimming of a light circuit from more than one position.
Combinations of Button Dimmer Controllers and dolly(toggle) switches on the same plate are available. Button Dimmer Controllers can also be used to control other lighting or home automation systems that require a simple momentary contact closure switch.
To purchase online Button Dimmer Controllers manufactured by Forbes and Lomax, visit the Forbes & Lomax section and select the desired finish / wiring accessory.
The Forbes and Lomax Rocker Switches
A complete range of rocker switches is available in either black, white or metal, to match the plate finishes. These kind of switches are the more “classical” switches everyone is used with.
The Metal switches have a slim plastic trim around them in either black or white – black insert or white insert.
To purchase online Rocker Switches manufactured by Forbes and Lomax, visit the Forbes & Lomax section and select the desired finish / wiring accessory.
The Forbes and Lomax Rotary dimmers
Rotary dimmers push in to switch on and off and rotate to dim or brighten. Intelligent Dimmers are the same in appearance to the standard rotary dimmer but include a few extra features. Intelligent dimmers are a soft start so instead of switching the light up to the set intensity immediately, it will turn on the light with a slight graduation which is kinder to the bulb. Intelligent Dimmers are also programmed to detect and overload and are better at controlling ‘difficult’ loads such as when low-voltage and mains voltage lamps are mixed on the same circuit. Intelligent Dimmers are so suitable for wirewound (toroidal) transformers as well as good quality electronic transformers.
To purchase online Rotary Dimmers manufactured by Forbes and Lomax, visit the Forbes & Lomax section and select the desired finish / wiring accessory.
The Forbes & Lomax Sockets
A full range of socket outlets and fused connections are available in all finishes. Socket types include 13amp, 5amp, 2amp, TV, telecom, data, audio, shaver and floor sockets. A choice of black and white inserts is available. The 13amp sockets and the switched fused connections can be supplied with metal switches if desired.
The European sockets are also available in all finishes. As with all our sockets, they fit flush to the wall and come with white or black inserts. All the European sockets must be installed into British Standard wall boxes which must be recessed into the wall by 6mm.
To purchase online different kinds of Sockets manufactured by Forbes and Lomax, visit the Forbes & Lomax section and select the desired finish / wiring accessory.