[ Spotlight: Wiring accessories ] It is believed that more than 90 per cent of
counterfeit electrical products originate in China. In order to address this, the Chinese State Administration for Industry and Commerce carried out a nationwide crackdown on counterfeiting and Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) infringement during the second quarter of 2013. Alongside greater enforcement and increased prosecutions, the campaign sought to improve education on the unfair competition that counterfeiting entails. The Chinese government hopes to promote better quality markets by protecting reputable companies and encouraging enterprise. Since 2001, BEAMA’s Anti-Counterfeiting Working
Group has spearheaded a global collaboration of manufacturers, associations and law enforcement agents to battle counterfeit electrical products. The group pulls together resources to take action in countries where counterfeit electrical products originate and are marketed. BEAMA has executed 300-400 raids on illicit manufacturers, and 12 million products have been seized and destroyed. Kelly Butler, marketing director at BEAMA, says:
‘The Chinese campaign is further evidence that countries all over the world are taking the dangers of counterfeiting very seriously and implementing measures to restrict the worldwide trade in these products. While counterfeit and non-compliant goods continue to pose a threat to consumers and markets, industry and consumer bodies are likely to be
Sophisticated production techniques mean it is often diffi cult at fi rst sight to distinguish counterfeit from genuine
About the author
Rob Shepherd is a freelance journalist and regular contributor to ECA Today. He has worked in the electrical contracting industry for more than 14 years.
encouraged by national initiatives such as this.’
Purchasing criteria While avoiding anything that is likely to be counterfeit is a given, contractors should also be discerning about how they select legitimate wiring accessories. It’s a well-populated market, but it’s important that the chosen product suits the application. ‘From a commercial and a reputational standpoint,
contractors should choose high quality products that have a proven track record of success,’ says Honeywell’s Jason Ng. ‘If the customer experiences problems with the wiring accessory, it will probably result in multiple call-backs for the contractor. This is a drain on time and resources and stops the business from servicing new clients or drumming up new business. It can also chronically damages a contractor’s reputation, which is one of the most powerful business development tools at their disposal.’
Look ahead The future for the wiring accessories sector looks positive and although no-one expects the dominance of monobloc products to be threatened any time soon, the mass market appeal of high end modular wiring accessories is certainly on the rise. Shifts in consumer behaviour are driving signifi cant changes in the market and electrical contractors are in a great position to benefi t from this demand.
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In the luxury residential sector, intelligent control systems have a key role to play in combining comfort and convenience with a fl exible approach to energy saving. Penthouse 127 on the 14th and 15th fl oors of Tudorvale’s iconic Bezier development in London is a case in point. Mirror-white Arteor switches and dimmers from Legrand
were specifi ed for the Fendi-themed interior and an Arteor control system was coordinated with the wiring accessories. Penthouse 127 is divided into zones with integrated
controls provided by a wall-mounted Arteor touchscreen in the hallway and two Apple iPads, with over-sized icons for a variety of pre-set scenes. The downstairs bedroom areas all feature lighting, heating and cooling, blind and AV controls, including lighting and speaker control for the bathrooms. Richard Hayward, marketing manager for Legrand’s
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wiring devices business, says: ‘All elements of the system can be modifi ed quickly and simply, thanks to the easy programming Legrand has designed for the Arteor system. Additionally, the automated functions ensure that no energy is used unnecessarily.’
Penthouse 127
40 ECA Today December 2013
Everything you need in one convenient kit!
For the first timetime ne
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