FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
DESIGN RESOURCES
Interested in using Meljac on your project? Find answers and information to commonly asked questions about our products and process.
GENERAL/PURCHASING
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All Meljac products are made-to-order in France where a team of over 100 artisans across two ateliers in the Paris region design, machine, engrave, and finish our products.
Meljac North America’s back boxes are proudly manufactured in the United States, with stock in California and Connecticut.
Due to their technical system requirements, Meljac lighting controls must be purchased through the system integrator on a project. If the system integrator on a project has not worked with Meljac products before, they should begin by signing up for an account on our contact us page. After this, they will be able to access our partner portal where they can build out a quote and generate submittal drawings for the project.
Meljac North America also works directly with architects, interior and lighting designers on projects to identify and determine the overall keypad details for the project.
For homeowners interested in using Meljac keypads, we suggest having your contractor or design-team contact us directly.
Meljac outlets and reading lamps are available direct to the design trade and certified general or electrical contractors.
For homeowners interested in using Meljac outlets or reading lamps, we suggest having your contractor or design-team contact us directly.
Given the custom nature of our products, current production capacities, and project-specific details that affect how quickly an order can be produced, our lead-times vary.
Here are the current average lead-times based on product categories:
Keypads |18-20 weeks
Outlet Plates | 16-18 weeks
Reading Lamps | 16-18 weeks
Bespoke | 20-22 weeks (allow 6-8 weeks for design and coordination)
These lead-times are given as estimates and cannot be guaranteed. Product details that will increase lead-time are specialty (Tier 3) finishes; plate designs without precedent; and resin-filled or backlit engravings.
To reduce lead-times Meljac is currently investing in a new facility that is expected to be open in 2026. Until then we encourage you to clearly communicate with the Meljac North America team about order delivery expectations well before placing your order so that deadlines can be established and managed.
Please note that because of the national summer holiday in France which requires our manufacturing to shutdown for several weeks in August, any order placed after April 1 will likely not be delivered until after September 15th.
Meljac metal back boxes are available for immediate purchase from Meljac North America and generally ship within 1-2 business days.
For our custom 3D printed back boxes, please allow 7-10 business days from purchase.
We are not able to offer any expediting services, though we will always strive to accommodate specific project timelines that have taken the necessary steps to allow sufficient delivery time.
The Meljac plate size 82 x 117 mm plate fits into any standard US single-gang box or ring when ordered with visible screws. For 82 x 117 mm plates that are specified with hidden screws, you must either use the proprietary MELUS11782 box or a standard single-gang electrical box or ring whose compatibility with hidden screw plate construction has been confirmed. A list of compatible third party box and ring options can be found on page seven of our Plate Size & Back Box Guide.
All other Meljac catalog plate sizes require proprietary back boxes (UL/CSA listed) that are stocked and available for immediate purchase.
Samples are available to the trade and through Meljac dealers. For information about available sample options or to request samples, please visit our Sample Request page.
To protect the integratity of the finish, Meljac plates should only be cleaned with a dry or damp microfiber cloth. Abrasive or chemical-based cleaners should not be used.
LIGHTING / SHADE CONTROL
No. Meljac push buttons and toggles are dry-contact switches that must be used as part of a class-2 wiring circuit. Therefore, they must be used with lighting/shade control systems that can accept dry-contact inputs or low-voltage relays.
Yes. In North America Meljac low-voltage keypads use momentary push buttons and toggle switches that can control any system that offers contact-closure integration. Examples of compatible systems include Crestron, Lutron HomeWorks® QSX, Loxone and Vantage. More detailed information can be found on our our System Integration page.
Yes. However, there are strict dimming compatibility limitations that must be considered.
We offer cover plates for a push on/off rotary control that uses forward-phase/leading-edge dimming. This dimmer will not be compatible with any fixtures that require 0-10V, electronic or magnetic low-voltage dimming. Due to the complexities of dimming compatibility with LEDs, Meljac North America cannot be responsible for confirming or guaranteeing compatibility with the fixtures on your project.
Yes. When used with the compatible control systems our momentary push-buttons and toggles can be programmed to initiate dimming, trigger scenes and raise/lower shades. For more information and to see different ways that our switches can provide these functions, please visit our System Integration page.
Meljac offers nearly thirty standard catalog finishes in materials such as nickel, chrome, brass, bronze and copper, and gunmetal. You can view these on our website here or download the finish brochure.
As a default, plates with cool finishes (e.g. chrome, nickel, gunmetal) are offered with chrome mechanisms; plates with warm finishes (e.g. brass and bronze) come with doré (brass) toggles.
For an additional cost and added lead-time, select finishes allow for the mechanism to be matched to the plate.
For more information please visit the Finishes page or download our Finish Catalog.
The default standard engraving is a mechanical engraving with 3 mm Helvetica font. This has a general limit of 9 characters per line.
Clients may also specify alternate fonts, sizes, and engraving types.
Since Meljac plates are engraved prior to being finished and cannot be changed, all engravings must be confirmed at the time of purchase.
You can view more engraving details and options on our Engravings page.
OUTLETS
Our 82 x 117 mm plate and 117 x 82 mm plates can work with third-party back boxes.
Note that due to the smaller opening on third-party back boxes, select configurations may not be compatible.
You can view more information about back box compatibility and availability on our Back Box Overview page.
Meljac floor outlets require the use of Meljac back boxes that are designed for new construction installations.
Meljac single floor outlets require the MELUSFL100 box. The double floor outlet requires the MELUSFL180 box.
There is not an option to use the Meljac floor outlets with third party boxes.
No.
Meljac power receptacles are not offered with GFI/GFCI protection. To use our outlet plates in locations where GFI/GFCI protection is required you can use an inline GFCI or GFCI breaker.
Alternatively, we also offer decora cover plates that can be used with third-party GFI/GFCI components.
Yes. We offer decora-style cover plates that can work with third-party components.
READING LAMPS
Meljac reading lamps can be wired to your main electrical line and do not require the use of a control system. They arrive pre-wired with a Recom RACD04-350 4.2W 350 mA Constant Current transformer that is small enough to fit inside a standard single-gang junction box.
Yes. However, in order to have hidden screws with our reading lamp plates you will need to use a Meljac back box.
Additionally, we advise against specifying the 135-degree bend option when ordering reading lamps with hidden screws.
Meljac reading lamps are not UL-listed. However, they use UL recognized components.
Find drawings, details and options on standard Meljac products, available to download in PDF form.
KEYPADS
OUTLETS
READING LAMPS
BACK BOXES
A database of specification sheets for Meljac products
For quote requests, complete the appropriate specification sheet and upload it to the Quote/Purchase form.
NOTE: Link “Quote/Purchase” to the Contact > quote/purchase page.
KEYPADS
OUTLETS
READING LAMPS
Discover and download PDF versions of Meljac product and finish catalogs.