Electrical contractors look forward to more work from 'smart homes'

Smart and electronic systems technology will increasingly become a feature of homes as homeowners expect more than just a living space, they will want homes to be an office, school, shopping centre and home theatre as well as have energy-efficient control of services. Furthermore, homeowners are demanding increased convenience and security such as alarm systems, lighting and heating controls when away from home.

Customers are increasingly aware of new technological developments, such as new services, efficiency improvements and convergence between different fixed-line, mobile, broadband and wireless networks. This is resulting in increased demand and requests for information.

Commercial opportunities:

All this offers commercial opportunities for the electrical contractor. "Electrical contractors have a definite role to play in the chain between smart system equipment suppliers and end users," said Giuliano Digilio, head of technical services at the ECA. "In many cases, they are in a position to select the technology that is used, and the services that they provide to their customers."

In most homes the electrical installation is based on 25 year-old technology and as such is inadequate and limited for the requirements of smart systems technology. In future, smart homes and electronic systems will require an increased number of socket outlets a more demanding cabling infrastructure that provides access to a broad range of high-speed communication services. "This offers a potentially huge market for electrical contractors to upgrade existing electrical installations and homeowners will expect new homes to be built with smart cabling and more electrical outlets as standard", said Digilio.

But challenges too:

However, Digilio warned that as well as opportunities there may well be challenges: "Often these new smart and electronic system installations may use less cabling and coupling material. This could mean that less labour is required to carry out the physical electrical installation in the future. Furthermore, electrical contracting is often seen as being a traditional craft industry. The challenge is for the 'typical' electrical contractor not to be squeezed out by the specialist smart system installer. They should put themselves in the prime position to provide specialist advice and services to their clients.

Despite this, smart and electronic systems offer the opportunity for the electrical contracting industry to develop profitable, long-term relationships with customers. Planning and design will become an increased part of the end product, customers will require supplementary support for training. There will also be a growing need for facility maintenance and management services.

"However, none of the potential commercial opportunities will present themselves if electrical contractors have not got the necessary knowledge and skills for smart and electronic system design and installation", said Digilio.

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