Custom Grid Switches Buying Guide

A grid switch system is a way of building a custom switch plate from separate parts rather than buying a fixed factory plate. It has three elements: a front plate that you see on the wall, a grid mounting frame that clips behind it, and a set of individual snap-in modules that each do one job. You decide how many apertures the frame has and which module goes in each one, so the finished plate matches exactly the switches, isolators and indicators that location needs. Because the parts are ordered and assembled separately, a grid keeps several controls behind one neat plate instead of spreading standard switches across the wall. In the BG range this is the Nexus Grid system, and the same approach scales from a small two- or three-module plate up to large multi-appliance arrays.

BG Nexus Grid modules each snap into one aperture of the frame, and you mix them to suit the location. The core switch modules are 20A and 20AX switches for appliance and lighting circuits, available as 1-way, 2-way (control one circuit from two positions) and intermediate (for three or more switching positions). Beyond plain switching you can add dimmer modules for lighting, fan-isolator modules to isolate an extractor or in-line fan for servicing, and indicator/neon modules that show at a glance whether a circuit is live. Any aperture you are not using yet is closed off with a blank module, which keeps the plate looking finished and lets you add a function later without changing the plate. Specify one module per function and keep them all from the BG Nexus Grid range so they fit the frame correctly.

Choose the aperture count by listing every circuit you want to control from that one position, then sizing up. BG Nexus Grid frames are available across a wide range — commonly from 1 module up to around 24 modules — so a typical kitchen might use a row of switches for the oven, hob, extractor, fridge, dishwasher and washing machine on a single plate. A practical method is to count the appliances on the wall, add one or two spare apertures for future use, and pick the next frame size that covers the total. The spare apertures are filled with blank modules now and swapped for working modules later, which is the main advantage of a grid over fixed plates. For very large kitchens or utility rooms, two or three medium grid plates side by side are often tidier and easier to wire than one oversized plate.

BG offers grid components in its Nexus Metal and screwless flat plate ranges, so you can match the grid to the rest of the room's wiring accessories. The finishes include brushed steel, matt black, polished chrome, black nickel and antique brass, covering everything from understated commercial schemes to feature kitchens. Brushed steel and polished chrome are the most common choices for modern kitchens; matt black and black nickel suit darker, contemporary interiors; and antique brass works in period or traditional settings. The important rule is to keep the front plate, the grid frame and all the modules within one BG finish family so the assembled plate looks consistent. Screwless flat plate versions hide the fixing screws for a cleaner face, while standard flat plates use visible screws and are usually the more economical option.

Unlike a ready-made switch, a grid plate is ordered as separate parts and built up, so plan the order carefully. You buy three things from the BG Nexus Grid range: the front plate in your chosen finish, the grid mounting frame sized for the number of apertures, and the individual modules that snap into it. The modules clip into the frame, the frame fits behind the plate, and the assembly is then connected and fixed into the wall box. Engraving or labelling matters on a multi-module plate: marking each module with its appliance — oven, hob, fridge, extractor — means anyone can identify and isolate the right circuit safely, which is especially valuable in kitchens and utility rooms. Fill any unused apertures with blank modules so no aperture is left open. Order all parts together in one finish to avoid mismatches when the plate is assembled on site.

Grid plates carry more wiring than a single switch, so they need a deeper back box: a box at least 35mm deep is recommended to give room for the cables and the depth of the modules behind the frame. Confirm the box depth before ordering, particularly on larger multi-module plates where several circuits are terminated in one enclosure. Installation is mains electrical work and should be carried out by a qualified electrician in accordance with BS 7671 (the IET Wiring Regulations); in many cases kitchen and similar work is notifiable under Part P of the Building Regulations, which an approved electrician can certify. The electrician will confirm cable sizes, the correct switch rating for each appliance, and whether any circuit needs a dedicated isolator. Order the plate, frame, modules and a suitably deep back box together, and leave the connection and testing to the professional fitting it.