True grid

Why has no British manufacturer really got to grips with producing a grid system that has all the components needed for today's sophisticated commercial electrical installation?

Arguably, the conservative nature of the UK electrical industry has for too long, presented specifiers with an inadequate choice of integrated wiring accessories. This, to some degree, can be associated with the relative dominance of post-war expenditure on public, rather than private building, coupled with the restrictive physical dimensions inherent in locally made accessories designed to British Standards.

Adoption of the ring-main system for power distribution, with the attendant need for socket outlets and boxes to accommodate loop-in as well as cable spurs, perpetuated the constraints on UK designs. Relative isolation from international competition and the shortage of commercial enterprise helped stifle innovation and the traditional approach promoted some over-engineering and reluctance to adopt new materials and manufacturing techniques.

Parallel criticism can be levelled in many other sectors of the UK electrical industry, for example in circuit protective switchgear and electrical controlgear used in factory automation.

On mainland Europe, however, historically fluid national boundaries, easy cross-border travel, parallel development of electrical distribution systems and the adoption of radial circuits, have all contributed to a less inhibited approach towards design of totally integrated electrical systems. In keeping with this relative design freedom, has been the move away from metal enclosures and thermoset moulding materials towards thermoplastics materials. This development has had a major influence on the product designer's ability to achieve complete integration and modular interchangeability.

Meeting architectural aims
We live in a world that offers tremendous choice, therefore, it is natural for those working on commercial installations and prestige housing to demand wiring accessories with complementary aesthetics, alternative styles and a variety of colours. Individual items should clearly emanate from a co-ordinated design that, through its modularity, offers the designer a truly integrated system with sufficient flexibility to furnish the whole building. Ideally, the result would be an economically priced, user-friendly range of electrical equipment from a single source that has been technically proven.

The electrical contractor – who may also be the designer – would expect additional demands to be satisfied. The equipment must be installer-friendly; quick to fit, convenient, simple, flexible, interchangeable and of a modular design that helps constrain the overall inventory. It must also be safe to install and durable enough to take the inevitable installation phase knocks. Above all, it has to be available. So often contractors suffer margin erosion through the aimless chasing of manufacturers that cannot actually deliver the complete package offered in their catalogue, and against which, specification was initially secured.

Ideally, the range of components will largely be maintenance-free. However, with a modular range, the building services and maintenance engineer should benefit from the low inventory that the commonality of spare parts will bring. The corresponding speedy rectification of ongoing service issues and scope for carrying out future system upgrades efficiently are further bonuses of an integrated system.

Understanding user needs
Designers need to be mindful of the requirement to satisfy the user's needs long after the building has been commissioned. Were the controls safe and convenient to use? Was their operation functional and did the equipment provide scope for energy savings, with resultant running cost reductions? Finally, did the installation deliver improved comfort and enhanced leisure-pursuit opportunities?

Over the past decade, we have seen the launch of several ranges of grid-based accessory designs from traditional UK suppliers. Some are merely cosmetic updates – flat metal plates, curved profiles, bigger rockers and the like – whereas others claim state-of-the-art advancements. However, even with the latter, the improvements are marginal and still sit within established constraints. Yes, there are a few advancements in the area of communication outlet modules, but do these really do anything to challenge the status quo?

For true system integration to prevail, convention has to be thrown out of the window so that innovation can flourish. This has already taken place on the continent and systems are available today in the UK for specifiers who are prepared to break with tradition.

Products to play with
Playbus from Italian manufacturer Gewiss is a truly integrated grid system that links all facets of today's electrical installation, including lighting, audio and security.

One example is the anti-intrusion system that has six independently selectable zones. This gives the versatility for protection of flats, multi-storey residences, detached houses, offices and small commercial premises. The design of the new burglar alarm system blends in with other elements of the Playbus range.

In designing the system, care has been given to ease of installation. Wiring involves the routing of a standard telephone duplex cable, to which all of the devices are connected in parallel. The burglar alarm system also enables fast configuration: the various components are armed for operation by passing a small magnet over a sensitive area on the front of the appropriate device.

Another important feature of the system is that it is easy to extend and modify. The user can change the installation layout or add devices and change their functions without removing components in place. Conventional perimeter detection devices can easily be connected to the system as the power supply unit has an input for the connection of micro-contact devices such as dual technology sensors. The system is activated and deactivated with a radio-frequency remote control, using a rolling code to ensure that all components are constantly protected against tampering. Additionally, a telephone dialler provides remote signalling with dedicated voice messages. Of the six independently selectable zones, five are on the bus and one controlled by conventional contacts, so that the user can choose which rooms to arm and consequently deselect those not at risk.

In addition to intrusion protection, the system offers access control and user management based on coded cards equipped with microchips and Playbus reading units. The access control reader permits user-entry to reserved rooms only by authorised personnel with the appropriately coded card. One card can be programmed to enable access to several rooms, thereby obviating the need to issue several conventional keys. The actuator module has a separate, normally-open contact that can be time-controlled and linked to various types of electric lock. Programming and duplicating the slave cards is user-controlled via the reading unit by a special master card.

Where it is necessary to manage services, specific card reading units permit access only to those authorised according to three levels of programme. The actuator module has three outputs and a separate changeover contact, allowing for installation and management flexibility. Complete integration of access and service control systems can be accomplished where needed.

To protect against critical emergency situations, the Playbus range includes five different electronic detectors for natural gas, lpg, carbon monoxide, smoke and water. These operate on 230 V and have an active output for the direct control of solenoid switches for acoustic pre-alarm and alarm signals, diagnostic and visual signalling, and for temporary silencing of the alarm. This protection can be integrated with the anti-intrusion system, to which a dedicated alarm signal can be transmitted to broadcast the emergency.

Comfort in play
The Playbus system also provides ambient comfort while controlling energy-saving.

Using infrared remote control, various lighting functions may be managed from any point in a room. The Playbus thermostat/timer manages the climate conditions. A simple computer enables domestic operation, taking into account the seasons and user habits. Pre-installed programmes permit three different temperature levels – comfort, night and anti-frost. When combined with a special external sensor, the thermostat/timer permits monitoring of the local climatic conditions, even from a remote zone.

A centralised system of stereo or mono sound transmission offers an integrated range of components able to satisfy many requirements in commercial premises or homes, for example, the storing of three different channels for rapid choice of listening.

The Playbus range also includes a dual-input preamplifier to hook up two external audio sources, for example a hi-fi system, or one external audio source and the Playbus FM modular tuner. With a special intercom module, it is possible for central control to transmit messages to all installation users with priority over the transmission of music programmes.

Our destiny as a nation now more than ever seems inextricably linked to mainland Europe, and wiring systems can no longer be excluded from this process of integration. Complete, comprehensive and technically-proven electrical systems of modular design are now available in the UK. The only question is whether our specifiers will challenge convention and allow their creative juices to embrace the new innovative design opportunities readily available to them.