WIRING ACCESSORIES
SPECIAL
FEATURE
BEAT THE CLOCK
For time-pressed electricians, products which prevent delays on-site arising from
product damage and loss are vital. As a result, manufacturers are increasingly
coming up with new innovations which reduce these hazards. Emma Segelov, head
of marketing at MK Electric, discusses some of the latest addi tions to the market.
A
ccording to recent
government statistics,
more Brits than
at any time since
the recession are
dreaming of shorter
working hours. Like
many professions,
electricians can feel overworked at times,
but shorter working days can be attainable
if projects are planned ahead and products
are selected carefully.
For example, no electrician wants to
waste time reinstalling products that have
been damaged on-site, or re-ordering parts
which have been misplaced during the
hustle and bustle of every day construction.
At the end of the day, the quicker an
electrician can complete the job at hand, the
sooner they can move on to the next one.
As a result, we are now starting to
see products entering the electrical
industry which are designed to avoid
these common issues. With innovations
such as two-piece product designs,
manufacturers are developing new
products which can help to avoid product
damage and loss to ensure time on-site
is as productive as possible.
At MK Electric, for example, we have
recently released our latest range of
screwless wiring devices, MK Dimensions,
with these specifi c challenges in mind.
During the design process, we spoke to
electricians to fi nd out what they need from
the wiring devices they install, and what
obstacles they face on-site.
Unsurprisingly, a standout, recurring,
theme amongst those consulted was the
risk of product loss and damage, and the
pressure that this can put on effectively
meeting project deadlines. Another frequently
raised concern was that if a frontplate is
not installed until a later stage (in order to
protect it) then the functional module may
not be compliant with British Standards, and
therefore, socket outlets for example may not
be operational as an on-site power source.
The obvious answer to reducing damage
is a design which enables a two-part
installation – allowing the functional
module to be installed in-line with the
build schedule, whilst the frontplate is
safely put aside to guard against damage
such as plaster abrasions or paint splatter.
However, this still leaves two points
of diffi culty; the fi rst being the risk of
losing the frontplate whilst it is waiting
for installation, and the second that the
functional module alone may not be
compliant, and therefore unusable.
With this in mind, MK Dimensions was
designed to make two-part installation as
simple as possible, also ensuring that the
functional module is compliant without the
frontplate being exposed to potential damage.
Unlike many other two-part product solutions,
MK Dimensions presents the two individual
components as completely separate
products, with individual part numbers.
This means that whilst the functional
module can be installed in-line with the build
schedule, the frontplate – which does not need
to be fi tted until later in the process (perhaps
“Manufacturers
are developing
new products
which can help
to avoid product
damage and
loss to ensure
time on-site is
as productive
as possible.”
until just before client handover) – can also
be delivered to site at a later stage, avoiding
loss and damage. Every functional module
is fully compliant with British Standards
and therefore can be fully operational,
allowing work to continue as usual on-site.
As a result, the frontplate fi nish can
be decided on later in the build process,
while there is no longer a need to worry
about paint splashes or knocks and
scratches that may occur whilst the site is
still under construction. The potential for
the part being mislaid whilst it is awaiting
installation is also minimised.
Time is of the essence for electricians, and
there’s nothing more frustrating than having
to re-do a job because of damage or loss. By
choosing products which take the risks out
of on-site installation, electricians can save
their own time, whilst also helping clients to
keep their building schedule on track.
MK Electric, www.mkelectric.co.uk
Could innovative
new wiring products
reduce time on-site?
November2017 | 49