Electrical Contracting News (ECN) May 2017 | Page 56

SPECIAL
FEATURE
WIRING ACCESSORIES
Unique, innovative
features and benefi ts
Commercial specifi ers think ahead.
They’ll want to go above and beyond
expectations by sourcing innovative
accessories with benefi ts that are
fi t for future regulations, as well
as current. One such benefi t that
eclipses regulations and can sway
a specifi er’s decision are additional
safety features. Health and safety
will always be a priority, so any
chance to improve on safety is huge
bonus in the eyes of many. One
example is multipin safety shutters,
that make sure the sockets’ live
and neutral pins stay closed, even
when the earth pin is engaged. This
feature is particularly attractive to
commercial specifi ers as without
engagement of all three pins of
a BS1363 plug, it prevents public
access to power supplies in busy
commercial installations.
In addition, specifi ers now seek
innovative features that meet the ever
evolving needs of the public. We live in
an age in which it’s far more usual than
unusual to own a smartphone. In its Global
Mobile Consumer Survey 2016: UK Cut,
Deloitte reported that an impressive 81 per
cent of UK adults now own a smartphone.
And this is only growing. People want to
be able to charge their phone at any given
moment, no matter their location. This
‘Due to the
scale of the
job, wiring
accessories in
commercial
builds need
to be easy to
install.’
A slick and modern
appearance has
become a necessity,
rather than a
luxury, making
sure accessories fi t
naturally into every
environment.
means wiring accessories that incorporate
USB charging outlets into fi xed installations
are more than just desirable; they’re a
requirement if you wish to satisfy public
demand. But not only are they convenient
for the public, they have another advantage.
Fixed installation USB charging outlets
reduce the risk of electrical fault that can
occur with the use of fake smartphone
chargers, helping to satisfy specifi ers’
desire to optimise safety.
Easy installation and use
Due to the scale of the job, wiring
accessories in commercial builds need to
be easy to install. For this reason, features
including upward facing inline terminals
should be high on a specifi er’s radar. The
inline terminals’ easy connection layout
improves installation because there’s no
need to rotate or twist the accessory.
Specifi ers aren’t just looking to make
things easier for installers, but the public
who’ll be using the building too. Building
regulations require that wiring accessories
contrast visually to a building’s decor so
that all power sources are easy to spot.
Meanwhile, light switches with large push
pads aligning with door handles (within
900mm-1,100mm) are always preferred for
the same reason. On sockets with multiple
power sources it’s also an advantage to
have switches that are well separated to
avoid any potential for confusion.
Commercial specifi ers are required
to satisfy large and often challenging
portfolios and needs when sourcing
their wiring accessories. They’re not on
the lookout for any one thing, the list is
endless. Availability, quality, breadth, ease
of use, aesthetics and innovative features
are key in remaining one step ahead.
They’re in search of a range that boasts of a
variety of different benefi ts and innovations;
it needs to cover all bases to be in with a
chance of consideration. To put it simply,
they’re looking for nothing less than the
whole package.