Ackermann by MK Electric is set to 'revolutionise', the company claims, the UK cable installation sector with the launch of its new and highly innovative range of floorboxes:
Extensive market research showed that electrical contractors and installers were had a number of concerns regarding existing floorboxes, among them load bearing ability, general robustness, CAT 6 compatibility, speed of installation and end user flexibility. It was as a result of the findings of this research that MK Electric decided to embark on a major redesign to enhance the Ackermann range. The result is five product groups that provide, says the company, 'unrivalled' ease of install, tough in-situ performance and trouble-free, long term ease of use.
Having many features designed to benefit the specifier, contractor and the facility manager, this highly revised range, called Ackermann Cablelink Plus and Onix Plus, represents a significant leap forward in managing data and power in underfloor and screeded situations, and will bring very significant improvements in ease of installation, as well as in long-term day-to-day office use.
The range comprises the following: Cablelink Plus Modular for typical raised floor applications where individual modules can be moved to provide increased plug top clearance or greater floor void space; Cablelink Plus Single Pan, which features one to four compartment floorboxes and both 95 and 70mm depth boxes; Cablelink Plus Screed that can cater for 53-110 mm screed depths; Cablelink Plus Flush for easy access to cabling, and Onix Plus for high load, high traffic areas such as retail outlets, car showrooms, or applications requiring wet wash (IP44) solutions.
Special features include a market-leading load bearing performance that meets the latest legislation - prEN50085-2-2. Indeed, the units, with their very tough nylon frames, must accept a load of 5000N without trouble, equivalent to five baby elephants standing on a floorbox. Ackermann is certain that it is currently the only company to meet this requirement. Note that Onix Plus will take the equivalent of ten baby elephants standing on it!
Another special feature is the design of the self-closing lids, in accordance with draft IEC 61534-22. These also feature improved robustness, with the inclusion of tougher cord caps. Therefore, the familiar problem of these items being regularly kicked off and damaged or lost will no longer occur.
Moreover, the square-shaped boxes and lids allow 90 degree rotations, giving contractors greater options in location, positioning and installing, and facility managers can benefit from greater flexibility during office re-designs. Deeper back boxes, adjustable module and device tray heights help achieve increased plug top space or wiring space for CAT 6 compatibility by ensuring that minimum bend radii of cables are maintained, made even easier by a specially angled cord exit arrangement.
For the contractor's point of view, installation time has been greatly reduced. This has been achieved through a number of design advancements that include quick release blades for 10-second fitting without tools, and quick fit two piece modules for the raised floor modular product. In addition, a clever ratchet levelling system allows rapid fit of frame and lid for the single pan, screed and flush systems - click, click, click and it's into position using no tools.
Quite apart from the problem of kicking off cord caps, end users often come across other common problems. The new Ackermann ranges overcome such problems. For example, staggered power plates ensure that plug top leads do not clash, so that office workers can make full use of all available outlets - a brilliantly simple arrangement - why has nobody though of this before? Perhaps they have, but if so, we haven't seen it. The module height adjustment feature means that items, such as phone chargers, that conventionally have bulky plugs that prevent lid closure, can now be used with the floor box lid closed, reducing the risk of tripping.
The new Ackermann Cablelink Plus range provides specifier, developer, contractor, building manager and end-user with many benefits. For architects, the range has smaller footprint options, lids that close properly and the square design; specifiers benefit from the robustness, high load capacity, the shallow screed/raised options, future-proofing to the latest standards, and the five-year warranty. In addition, contractors will benefit from the ease and speed of installation, simpler ordering as there are fewer parts, the toughness and the pre-configured nature of the range. Even wholesalers benefit, says Ackermann, because the many common parts mean that less stock has to be carried. Finally, facilities managers gain from the products' improved flexibility that allows offices to cope better with 'churn'.
Cablelink Plus and Onix Plus will replace existing floorbox products over the next year, and at a similar price.
