[ Spotlight: Wiring accessories ]
sector is estimated to be worth around £500m annually in the UK alone. David Richards of Schneider Electric believes
that this opens up new opportunities for the wiring accessories sector. He says: ‘With modern home entertainment, wiring accessories need to be both aesthetically pleasing and functionally robust. Schneider Electric recently launched its Powerline socket that allows power and data to be transmitted over a common mains power cable. This is a revolutionary approach to accessing data specifi cally where Wi-Fi and a dedicated network cable are not a viable option.’ Energy effi ciency is also encouraging end users
to make careful and considered choices, especially when it comes to lighting. ‘There is an increase in the number of people now wishing to install a full lighting solution in their home or business space, with the aim of reducing their energy bills,’ comments Kevin Norman, product marketing manager at Newey & Eyre. ‘We feel that this trend is set to continue as the cost of energy continues to rise. Therefore, if people are choosing to invest in advanced lighting technology, they will want to complete it with decorative wiring accessories in order to ensure a sleek overall fi nish.’
Fixtures and fi ttings The market is continually evolving, and key drivers at the moment are the growth in demand for modular accessories and assisted living solutions. Modular accessories are those where the mechanism is separate from the plate, which is simply clipped on. This allows the mechanisms to be fi tted at build level, and for the decision on plate colour and style to be taken at a later date during the interior design/decoration stage. Legrand’s Caroline Boden comments: ‘Our Arteor range goes one step further,
Rooms with a view
Designed by Foster + Partners, the ME by Melia Hotel in London’s Covent Garden is the fi rst UK hotel to be created by the brand, which aims to off er ‘personality-led’ hotels in the world’s leading capitals of culture. The architect has been responsible for creating the distinctive interiors and the Wandsworth Group has worked closely with both the design team and the M&E consultant BDSP to provide a variety of standard and special accessories to maintain the fl awless interior scheme. The company provided wiring accessories from its grid mounted
Series 3 range, ensuring clean lines and an elegant fi nish with screwless fi ttings. White accessories have been selected for use on the white leather padded wall in each room, with black accessories used to complement the black wall opposite. For the entrance to the bathroom area, the Wandsworth Group created bespoke chrome plates to match the chrome door surround. Andrew Howe, head of sales at the Wandsworth Group, explains: ‘In a design-led environment, failure to align the wiring accessories with the interior scheme can mean that they stand out like a sore thumb and prevent the project from having a cohesive look. For this project, the use of screwless fi ttings meant that the wiring accessories followed the clean lines of the interior without screws to draw the eye. By matching the colours of the accessories with the backdrop of the wall, the designers were able to make a design statement out of understatement.’
as all mechanisms are supplied with protective covers. This means that once installed they are fully protected during decoration and the plate is only added as a fi nal touch.’ Assisted living products and solutions have been
developed with the aim of helping people live independently in their homes for longer. Ranges have been adapted to meet this new and rapidly growing requirement, leading to the introduction of a whole host of new products including large rocker switches that ease operability, through to contrast plates, which help those with visual impairments.
Hamilton Litestat supplied a variety of switchplates to horse trainer Paul Nicholls’ new home in Somerset
With modern home entertainment, wiring accessories need to be both aesthetically pleasing and functionally robust
Opportunity knocks The resilience of the decorative wiring accessories sector provides electrical contractors with an opportunity to ‘upsell’ these products, as there are people with disposable incomes looking to add individual, quality touches to their properties. Kevin Norman, product marketing manager at
Newey & Eyre, claims: ‘Contractors should be looking to gain knowledge on all of the diff erent options that are available. By doing so, they will be able to explain the varying features and benefi ts to the end user, who can then make an informed decision.’
Looking ahead The nation’s obsession with maximising the visual and fi nancial potential of their homes shows no sign of diminishing. Design is more than just a buzzword – it’s a real and growing phenomenon that represents a welcome growth market for the electrical sector at a time when margins are under enormous pressure.
November 2012 ECA Today 49
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