British Standard 45A Double Pole Switch with Neon — DP Isolator for Cookers & Showers, White PC Panel
The R16327 is a double pole switch that is designed according to British standards and is rated at 45A. It is built for the highest shifts of power for fixed appliances, on both the residential and commercial side. When switched off, it will simultaneously cut power to both the live and neutral wires as required by safety regulations for certain electrical devices such as electric cookers, instant showerheads and industrial heating appliances. The R16327 has an integrated neon light to show whether the switch is live or the current has been cut off. The R16327 is manufactured by a specialist manufacturer of 45A switches and uses upgraded Φ5.5mm touchpoint silver alloy contacts to ensure long-term durability, compared to the Φ3.5mm contacts typically found on 20A switches, the R16327 is designed to handle the current required throughout its service life. In addition, the R16327 has a mechanical rating of 10,000 cycles and is rated for use under full load of 45A. The R16327 is manufactured in four colours: White, Gold, Gray and Black, so it can be used in conjunction with any other R16 series light switches or socket. The R16327 is available with two different size middle plates. The R16327 is certified to IEC 60669 and has a 12-year warranty.
We are a factory-direct 45A double pole switch manufacturer offering competitive wholesale pricing, OEM branding on any color PC panel, and a 12‑year warranty across the R16 series range.
45A vs 20A DP Switch — When You Need the Extra Current Capacity
| Feature | R16327 (45A DP) | R16324 (20A DP) |
|---|---|---|
| Current Rating | 45A — up to ~11kW at 240V | 20A — up to ~4.8kW at 240V |
| Silver Contact Size | Φ5.5mm — heavy‑duty arc management | Φ3.5mm — standard 20A rating |
| Typical Use | Electric cookers, showers, industrial heaters | Water heaters, AC units, kitchen appliances |
| Cycle Life | 10,000 at full 45A load | 10,000 at full 20A load |
A 45A cooker switch differs from a 20A DP switch due to the current capacity and internal contact design; the R16327 has Φ5.5mm silver alloy touchpoints that have an area of contact almost 2.5 times larger than that of the 20A version (Φ3.5mm). In addition, the larger contact area allows the device to manage the much greater arc energy produced during 45A make-and-break operations. For example, with an electric cooker drawing 10kW at 240V, you will require that a DP isolator rated at 45A be used as the regulatory authority requires a local point of complete disconnection; therefore, it is unsafe and a violation of UK wiring regulations to use a 20A switch on a circuit supplying a 45A electric cooker.
10,000 Cycles at Full 45A Load — Engineered for Heavy‑Current Isolation
The 45A kitchen cooker isolator switch has been tested for 10,000 cycle mechanical operation under full current load of 45 Amps rather than unloaded bench cycles. For those of you who may not know, the amount of arcing that each make and break will produce at 45 Amps will quickly wear out a standard contact size. This switch is constructed with Red Copper, Red Copper stampings, Red Copper bus bar, and improved Φ5.5 silver touch point specifically for this demanding application. The larger contact geometry, bus bars of increased size, and a stronger spring mechanism combined will aid in controlling arcing and maintaining contact pressure throughout the life of the switch. A kitchen range switch that gets used two times a day for 10,000 cycles would equal to approximately 13 years of reliable service from this switch. This white double pole switch will also come in Gold, Grey and Black to correspond with the complete R16 series of products. This switch has two middle plate options; either full plastic middle plate designed for standard installations or a combination of Steel and Plastic to provide more rigidity. Certification from IEC 60669 is included, and meets the British Standard 86×86. The manufacturer of the R16327 45A switch provides a 12 year warranty.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Series | R16 series |
| Item Code | R16327 |
| Description | 45A Double Pole Switch with Neon Indicator |
| Switch Type | Double Pole (DP) — switches both live & neutral |
| Current / Voltage | 45A / 250V~ |
| Mechanical Life | 10,000 cycles (rated under full 45A load) |
| Indicator | Neon — illuminates when circuit is live |
| Front Panel | Imported high‑transparent, high‑strength PC |
| Base | Imported high‑transparent, high‑strength PC |
| Middle Plate Options | Full plastic / Steel‑plastic combination |
| Switch Internal | Red copper bush, red copper stamping part, red copper bus bar, Φ5.5mm silver touch point |
| Standard | IEC 60669 (British Standard) |
| Warranty | 12 Years |
| Available Colors | White / Gold / Gray / Black |
| Dimensions | H 86mm × W 86mm (British Standard back box) |
| MOQ | 2,000 pcs per item |
| Packaging | 1 pc per plastic bag | 10 pcs per inner box | 100 pcs per outer carton |
Stock This 45A British Standard Double Pole Switch at Factory Pricing
White, Gold, Gray, Black PC panel. 45A DP isolator with neon for cookers, showers, and high-power appliances. Full plastic or steel-plastic middle plate. OEM logo, custom packaging, 12‑year warranty included. Contact this 45A DP switch manufacturer for a wholesale quotation.
IEC 60669 Certified • Rated at Full 45A Load • Global Shipping
Factory-Direct Supply for Wholesale & OEM Partners
Your Source for British Standard 45A DP Cooker & Shower Switches — Factory Direct
As a specialist 45A double pole switch manufacturer, we produce the R16327 on our own production lines — giving your wholesale business consistent quality and direct‑from‑factory pricing on high‑current DP isolators. Stock White for volume residential and commercial projects, Gold and Gray for premium interiors, and Black for modern commercial fit‑outs — all with the same 45A DP mechanism and neon indicator. The Φ5.5mm silver contacts handle cooker and shower circuits with full regulatory compliance. Two middle plate options serve both standard and heavy‑duty applications from one double pole switch factory. OEM branding on any color PC panel, custom packaging, and full IEC 60669 documentation included for wholesale distributors worldwide.
When to Specify a 45A Double Pole Switch: Cookers, Showers & High‑Power Appliances
A practical guide to identifying 45A DP isolator applications, comparing 45A vs 20A, and selecting colors and middle plates for heavy‑current installations.
Where Is a 45A DP Switch Required?
As per UK Wiring Regulations, the installation of a locally accessible 45A double pole isolator on circuits for the supply of the highest power domestic or commercial appliances, such as an electric cooker or a range oven that will use 11kW requires a 45A rated DP switch within reach of device, thus providing the means for operators to safely isolate appliances before carrying out maintenance. An instantaneous electric shower also requires double pole isolation for the safe maintenance of an electric shower, thus the need for a 45A rated double pole isolator. A similar requirement exists in commercial kitchens for equipment such as fryers, steamers and industrial type griddles, all require 45A of double pole isolation for the purposes of cleaning and servicing the equipment. Additionally visual indication of power supply (via neon light) of an industrial type heater and/or large water heater is also helpful before any maintenance is carried out. Furthermore, on circuits that have a circuit breaker rated at 32A, 40A or 45A, the only suitable specification for the circuit is the installation of a 45A double pole switch as neither a 20A or single pole isolator switch is compliant and/or safe for these applications.
Color Selection — White, Gold, Gray, or Black?
White PC panel: The traditional English style of finish is suited to all types of domestic kitchens or airing cupboard. The Gold Colour PC (Polycarbonate) has warm metallic hues ideal for high spec domestic or hotel. The Grey Colour PC has a neutral modern finish suited for modern apartments, commercial kitchens and office environments. The Black Colour PC provides a bold contrast to dark interior spaces, high quality commercial fittings and industrial environments. All four Colour PC’s use the same high transparent imported Polycarbonate – 45A DP mechanism with Φ5.5mm Silver contacts and 12 year guarantee from the R16327 45A switch manufacturer.
Wiring & Installation
There are four principal terminations to the R16327 45A DP switch; two of these will be for the incoming supply (live & neutral) and the other two will be for the outgoing current will be (live & neutral) and there will also be one separate termination provided for earth continuity. The neon indicator is internally wired across the load side of the switch. Because of the 45A rating you must use the correct size of supply cable i.e. 10mm² for cooker circuit and 6mm² to 10mm² for shower circuit (depends on length and fitting method of cable). Therefore, the connections must be securely torqued to ensure that they will withstand being able to carry a full 45A of current without overheating. The installation requires the use of a standard 86x86mm UK back box however the use of a deep (47mm) type would be advisable due to the greater size of the cable used with 45A circuits.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a 45A double pole switch used for?
An electric cooker or similar high voltage fixed appliance requires complete isolation of both live and neutral circuits, normally executed by a 45 A or higher double pole switch.
The British Standard switch (R16327) has a neon light, and uses upgraded Φ5.5mm silver contacts to provide visible evidence of disconnection in compliance with UK wiring regulations up to 45 A when connected via circuit protection (fuse/MCB) and within proximity of the switch location.
What is the difference between a 45A DP switch and a 20A DP switch?
To summarize the differences, the R16327 (45A) and R16325 (20A) differ in their current rating and also have a difference in internal contact design. The R16327 (45A) uses a Φ5.5mm (approximately 2.5 times the contact area of the Φ3.5mm contacts of the 20A) silver alloy design to assist with the larger arc loads caused by switching 45A. The R16327 (45A) will enable circuits up to about 11kW (240 Volts) to be controlled by a switch, whereas the 20A switch will provide control for circuits up to 4.8kW. Therefore, if your circuit breaker is rated for 32, 40 or 45A, an electric cooker, range oven or instantaneous shower should be switched by a 45A switch.
Can I buy this 45A DP switch directly from the manufacturer?
As a manufacturer, we provide wholesale replacement (OEM) of the 45A Double Pole Switch R16327 through our facility directly to wholesale distributors, electrical constructor’s and project purchasers around the world (the basis of Factory-Direct Purchases) eliminating the retail brand markup for an equivalent product from major manufacturers. Our sales staff can help you with volume pricing, OEM branding options on any color PC panel and the current lead time before the purchase of your order.
What colors is this British standard 45A DP isolator available in?
The R16 series 45A double pole switch is manufactured in four different colours of a polycarbonate panel: White colour (used in classic domestic kitchens), Gold colour (warm premium finish for high-quality interiors), Grey colour (a neutral, contemporary colour that works well in modern apartments and commercial kitchens) and Black (provides a bold contrast to dark interiors, premium commercial fit outs and industrial settings). Each of the four colours are made from the same imported high transparency and high strength polycarbonate material, feature the same 45A double pole mechanism and comprise Φ5.5mm silver contacts, and come with the same manufacturer’s warranty of 12 years.
