[ Spotlight: Wiring accessories ]
buildings become more energy efficient if they are used in conjunction with light emitting diode (LED) technology. According to McKinsey and Co, figures suggest that global revenues from the LED lighting market will amount to almost €65billion by 2020 – close to 60 per cent of the overall lighting market. While integrating dimming with LED lighting sounds simple, it isn’t. Honeywell’s Jason Ng explains: ‘The reliability of LED dimming is a problem. Too often homeowners who buy a set of LED lamps experience issues including flickering, overheating or erratic light levels. This usually occurs because the existing dimmer has been designed for incandescent lamps, or because the dimmer is only compatible with a small number of LED lamps.’ This issue is being addressed though, with a number of manufacturers bringing LED-compatible dimmers to market, with improved results.
Home help
Although the housing market is starting to show signs of life, a desire to modify homes shows no signs of abating, thanks to a culture of ‘improve not move’. While the cost of living has certainly affected how much people can afford to spend, the decorative wiring accessories sector has remained buoyant. Ron Thomas says: ‘Fresh paint, a feature wall and
fashionable wiring accessories are far less expensive than the fees and costs involved with moving. While the mainstream styles of steel and minimalism are still popular, there are those who prefer something more individual – and there are manufacturers that can provide a novel or unique finish.’ Among the trends are accessories made from
materials such as glass, slate or ceramics. People are looking at different finishes, including transparent material, so that wallpaper or paint finishes are visible.
MK Electric’s Echo high-end controls
In the mid-to- high end wiring accessories market, the negative impact of the economic climate has been much less
Legrand’s Richard Heyward, comments: ‘Finally, people have caught on to the fact that there is a light switch at eye level by every door in the house and a white plastic square is not the most aesthetically pleasing look! Modular accessories are leading the way in this regard, as they enable a co-ordinated look across the home but can be individually colour-matched to the décor in each room.’
Faking it Casting a dark shadow over all the positive aspects of the wiring accessories sector is the fact that they are some of the most counterfeited electrical products in the world. Sophisticated production techniques mean it is often difficult at first sight to distinguish counterfeit from genuine. Manufcaturing fake products is an insidious, fast growing business and the potential profits are staggering. Figures obtained by the Co-Op from local councils and Border Force – the organisation charged with patrolling the UK’s borders – show that the value of counterfeit electrical goods seized has risen from £2.6m in 2009 to £15.7m in 2012. Counterfeit plugs, socket outlets and plate switches
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are often superficially good copies of the genuine article and carry what appear to be the correct trademarks and approvals. The only giveaway is that they are usually offered at very low prices, so it’s wise to remember the old adage ‘if it looks too good to be true, then it usually is’. If in any doubt about the authenticity of a product,
Kevin Harris, trading standards manager at Eaton, advises: ‘Call on the resources of the manufacturers of the genuine products. Eaton, for example, takes counterfeiting very seriously and will always be happy to advise whether a suspect product is genuine or not. A simple phone call can save a lot of trouble and expense at a later date, and could even save lives.’
Hamilton dimmer controls
Hamilton
Linea-Vetro CFx touch control panel
38 ECA Today December 2013
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