ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE COVER STORY The smarter way to wire
Modular wiring and underfloor power track have been standard solutions for power distribution in offices, healthcare and educational buildings for many years. UK manufacturer of these systems, Apex Wiring Solutions, has now developed a smarter way to integrate both into your building services
T
he AWS Modular Wiring System has become the system of choice for
the majority of M&E contractors over the last decade. The system has grown from a bespoke solution for open plan office lighting layouts, to a comprehensive suite of components providing a complete solution to wiring almost all building types, from major healthcare projects such as The Royal London Hospital, huge airport complexes including Heathrow T2A, to over 3,000 athlete apartments for the 2012 Olympics. The system now starts with fully pre-
wired, complex distribution boards, through to intelligent lighting control systems and pre-assembled power accessories, enabling a complete lighting and small power installation to be achieved without a single on-site termination. AWS plan and coordinate their solutions with client supply chain partners, from switchgear to lighting manufacturers, to ensure a seamless integration of all equipment.
DESIGN As modular wiring systems have now become a fully accepted method of wiring, many electrical consultants and contractors incorporate the modular wiring philosophy into their early designs. AWS also offer their own design and CAD facilities to their clients to ensure early adoption to allow adequate time to manufacture and supply often tens of thousands of components. However, from working closely with industry leaders, many lessons have been learnt over recent years, namely, keep it simple and standardise - which minimises the number of variants on- site and greatly simplifies the process. Key to this has been the increased adoption of Dali lighting controls which alone has reduced the number of system components by over 95%. This has meant for the first time, that modular wiring is no longer seen as a specialised system, but more an ‘off the shelf’ solution which can be engineered and built on-site. This
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game change has enabled Apex to work with global companies from Europe, the Middle East and now Australia, to provide comprehensive pre-wired solutions on some of the world’s iconic buildings. There is now an acceptance internationally, that planned correctly, modular wiring provides the best and most cost effective solution for projects large and small, vastly reducing commercial risk and hugely enhancing quality, health and safety and programming.
A SMARTER WAY It is critical to make sure that electrical manufacturers understand how their equipment fits into often complex buildings and how it integrates with other equipment. As the AWS wiring system is often seen as the ‘glue’ that connects lots of sub-systems together, the company endeavours to work closely with all parties to understand how it can contribute to improving the process. AWS works closely with all of the major switchgear manufacturers and supplies pluggable interface equipment allowing the provision of pre-wired boards. Equally AWS has developed a range of
pluggable devices to integrate electrical accessories, lighting equipment, and control systems. A good example of this would be the work AWS has done with system partner Simmtronic Controls, whereby both companies have worked on the development of a combined DALI
Above: as modular wiring systems have now become a fully accepted method of wiring, many electrical consultants and contractors
incorporate the modular wiring philosophy into their early designs
intelligent control/distribution system which has now been supplied to many office projects throughout the UK. This combined solution greatly reduces the amount of on-site cabling, and therefore the cost of installation, yet still allowing flexibility over the lifetime of the building for any changes in layout. Working closely with other pro- active manufacturing partners reduces the co-ordination issues for all clients and greatly improves the ‘modular’ experience for all.
THE FUTURE In only a single decade, Apex Wiring Solutions has grown into a global leader of pluggable wiring solutions. It is core to the company’s philosophy to listen to its customers and understand their needs, enabling AWS to innovate and change the industry for the benefit of all. AWS continues to look to the future to introduce new products and ideas to
Above: Apex Wiring Solutions (AWS) offer a comprehensive suite of components providing a complete solution to wiring almost all building types
complement its offering and to bring something new to the market. The company’s recently launched sub-
floor powertrack and floorbox range, which is the first fully pluggable product from distribution board to the desk, is a good example - taking existing good design and taking that one extra step.
Apex Wiring Solutions
www.apexwiringsolutions.co.uk T: 0191 3787900
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