Modular 1 way switch, 20A 240 V AC, 1 module — ISI-marked to IS 3854, with "20A" printed on the rocker; for geysers, ACs, pumps and heavy sockets.
- Rated 20A, 240 V AC — for heavy loads.
- "20A" printed on the rocker, so the heavy-load switch is easy to tell apart.
- ISI-marked, made to IS 3854, the Indian standard for household switches.
- Typically used for a geyser, AC, water pump or a 16A power socket.
- Can also switch lighter loads — a switch may be rated above its load, never below.
- One module wide — clips into the base of a modular cover plate.
- White flat rocker, matching the 10A switches of the same range.
A 1 way switch turns a load on and off from one place. This 20A version is for the heavy points of a home or shop — a geyser, split AC, water pump, oven or a 16A power socket — which draw more current than a 10A switch should carry. A 3 kW geyser, for example, draws about 13A.
It is one module wide, like the 10A switches, and clips into a modular cover plate and base on a concealed or surface box. If you want a lamp that shows when the load is on, see our 20A switch with indicator.
Which rating do I need
- 10A — lights, fans, TV and charger points.
- 20A — geysers, ACs, water pumps, ovens and 16A power sockets.
Work out the load current — watts divided by 230 gives amps, so 2 kW is about 9A — and pick a switch rated above it. The cable and MCB of the circuit must suit the load too.
Where to use it
- Geysers and instant water heaters.
- Split and window AC points.
- Water pumps, ovens, induction cooktops and other heavy appliances.
- 16A power socket points in kitchens, utility areas and workshops.
How to install
- Switch off the supply at the MCB and check that the wires are dead.
- Connect the incoming phase to one terminal and the wire to the load to the other, using the cable size your electrician has chosen for the circuit.
- Tighten the terminal screws firmly — loose terminals on heavy loads heat up.
- Clip the switch into the plate base and fit the plate.
Electrical work should be done by a licensed electrician. Heavy loads need their own circuit with a correctly sized cable and MCB.
Frequently asked questions
- What is a 20A switch used for?
- Typically for heavy loads — a geyser, AC, water pump, oven or a 16A power socket. These draw more current than a 10A switch should carry.
- Can I use a 20A switch for a light or fan?
- Yes. A switch may be rated higher than the load it controls, never lower. The 10A switch is simply the more usual choice for lights and fans.
- Does a 20A switch make my circuit a 20A circuit?
- No. The current a circuit can safely carry is set by its cable and MCB. The switch must be rated at least as high as the load, but it does not protect anything.
- Which switch rating does a geyser or AC need?
- Divide the wattage by 230 to get the running current — a 3 kW geyser draws about 13A. In practice geysers, ACs and pumps are typically given 20A switches even when the running current is lower, because they run for long periods and motors draw more when starting.
- Is it the same size as a 10A switch?
- Yes. It is one module wide, so it takes the same space on the plate as a 10A switch.
- Which plate and box does a modular switch need?
- A modular cover plate with base (frame) and a box of the same module size — a concealed GI box inside the wall, or a surface gang box on the wall. The switch clips into the base and the plate covers the board. Count one module for each 1 module switch, and usually two for each socket or fan regulator.
Buy 20A modular 1 way switches online from Electric Market, Chennai. For site, contractor or bulk quantities, contact us for a quote.