FEATURE INDUSTRIAL PLUGS & SOCKETS INSTALLERS DEMAND SIMPLICITY
When it comes to wiring accessories, installers want products that are as simple and straight forward to install as possible. Marie Parry, marketing director at Scolmore Group, takes a look at this sector and how it needs to keep evolving to meet these requirements
E
xpected to be worth £1.8bn by 2018 according to AMA Research, the UK
wiring accessories market is a mature one, with the product mix remaining fairly stable in recent years. As a mature and sizeable market, the forecasts for electrical accessories predict a relatively slow and steady growth of one to three per cent per annum until 2020, in line with relatively subdued forecasts for construction as a whole, following the UK’s decision to leave the EU. Key influencing factors on the market
include legislation on energy efficiency and carbon emissions, which has seen increased use of integrated systems spreading throughout domestic and commercial markets, to provide greater control for heating, lighting and all electrical systems. The current focus is on integrated solutions and systems within the electrical accessories market. This trend will continue to feed demand in the medium term, as well as an increased use of pre-fabricated and modular wiring assemblies that make installations easier and quicker.
MODULARITY EQUALS FLEXIBILITY The whole area of wiring installations continues to evolve, with one of the key words today being modularity. It is not necessarily about new and exciting finishes, but about flexibility, functionality and incorporating multiple modules into one plate - such as media modules, USB ports and HDMI outlets - and ultimately being able to create bespoke installations to suit an individual’s requirements. The modern home is now more than
just a home; it doubles up as a cinema, concert hall, meeting venue, computer room and office. Each of these functions brings unique requirements in terms of the provision of necessary services, such as telephone or satellite sockets, as well as the myriad of different electrical and electronic products that proliferate our homes. Traditionally, products such as
telephone and TV Coaxial sockets have been supplied built into a standard size wall plate. The environment in today’s office and home, however, requires a
28 JUNE 2017 | ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
number of services to be provided to a specific work station or convenient access point. The most flexible and efficient means of doing this is the use of modules on a multiple aperture plate. By offering modular switch plates as standard, manufacturers can facilitate the quick and easy creation of virtually any switch plate design required. With such a wide range of modules available, contractors and installers have the flexibility to quickly and easily customise bespoke designs and solutions on-site, assembling up to as many as 24 different switching functions on a single plate, if required. The flexibility of modular wiring means
that there is no minimum project size and it is now easier for contractors to take on bigger projects. From single room solutions to the largest multi- million pound new-build hospitals, systems can be either retrofitted or newly installed to provide users with safe, reliable and convenient power and lighting services.
SMART HOMES As the evolution of the smart home gathers apace, the market is witnessing a continued increase in the appetite for smart technology from end users. While this advance is bringing significant business opportunities for switched on electrical contractors and installers, there is a reluctance on the part of some installers to fully embrace this new technology. It is deemed too complicated to install and they are therefore unwilling to upsell to customers. However, with the right wiring accessory products, it is now easier than ever for installers to provide an upgrade to an existing wiring installation with minimal disruption. Smart switches are helping to provide a solution to typical problem areas encountered by installers. For example, Smart switches add an additional switch to an existing light without the need for cabling. This can be done by fitting a switching module behind the light fitting you wish to activate (in the bathroom, for example) and a switch controller to a convenient place in the bedroom. The bathroom light can now be easily turned on from
the comfort of the bedroom. When switching on one of your lights
with a rotary dimmer, the problem of continuous flickering can be easily overcome using a multi-functional dimming receiver and a retractive switch. Replacing the wired rotary dimmer with the retractive switch and adding the receiver to the light fitting, will instantly stop any flickering that may occur. As well as this, two-way dimming
control from separate locations (wired) can be introduced. By using a multi- functional dimming receiver and two retractive switches, you will be able to dim from both locations, for example at the top and bottom of the stairs. Wiring accessories account for a
significant element of the overall investment in any electrical installation infrastructure and installers will be in favour of those products which, by being quick and easy to install, will not only save them time on the job, but will also save them money.
Scolmore T: 01827 63454
www.scolmore.com
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