Buyer information, not installation instructions. Requirements depend on the adopted local code and exact product. Electrical work and site diagnosis should be performed by qualified professionals.
Screw-fixed wallplates show the fixing screws on the front. Screwless plates conceal them behind the face. Many use a separate mounting piece and clip-on cover, such as the two-piece ENERLITES decorator kit. [Source]
Check how much wall the replacement will cover
| Model | Fixing style | Outside width × height |
|---|---|---|
| BS1801 | Screw fixed, standard size | 70 × 115 mm |
| BS1802 | Screw fixed, medium size | 80 × 124 mm |
| BS1803-G | Screwless, glossy | 75 × 120 mm |
| BS1803-M | Screwless, matte | 75 × 120 mm |
These are exterior dimensions. Replacing an 80 × 124 mm BS1802 with a 75 × 120 mm BS1803 reduces coverage by 5 mm in width and 4 mm in height. That can expose the border of the old paint or wallpaper. [Source]
Measure the area that needs covering and check the condition of the wall. A larger plate is not a repair for an installation defect. BS1802 remains a one-gang plate despite its larger outer size.
Compare the complete plate and device
The opening must match the device: rectangular for a decorator face, shaped duplex openings for a traditional receptacle, or a toggle opening for a toggle switch.
Review an assembled sample from the front and side. Check the gap around the device, how evenly the cover sits, and its sheen under the room lighting. Covers and mounting pieces from different brands may not fit together.
BS1803-G is glossy and BS1803-M is matte. Keep the suffix and approved device/plate pairing in the order record.
Include the mounting kit in the price
State the faceplate, mounting piece and fixing hardware required in the pack. For spare covers, specify the exact model and finish and confirm whether that part is sold separately. Use the manufacturer’s removal instructions for service.
An order description could read “BS1803-M, one-gang decorator opening, matte white, complete mounting assembly,” followed by quantity. The wallplate guide covers other opening patterns and gang counts.
When screwless is the wrong upgrade
Screwless plates are the better finish on a new wall and the worse choice on a patched one. The plate sits flush, which is the whole point, and flush means any wobble in the drywall around the opening shows as a shadow at one edge. A screw-fixed plate with a slightly larger exterior covers the same defect without trying to hide it.
The screwless range here is BS18032, BS18033 and BS18034, with the fixing handled by a backplate rather than two visible screws. That backplate needs clearance behind it, and an old steel box with a tight plaster lip is exactly where it will not seat. Check the depth before promising the finish.
Exterior size is the second decision, and it is not uniform across the range: BS1801 is listed at 70 × 115 mm, BS1803 at 75 × 120 mm, and the medium screw-fixed plates are larger again. Take the size from the row for the model you are ordering instead of a family average — the difference is what closes a gap left by the previous plate.
Both decisions belong on a sample rather than a spec sheet. Ask for the device and the plate together, photograph the wall they will go onto, and approve the pair. A plate approved on its own is a plate that gets rejected on site.
Sources & further reading
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