Three lucky Voltimum users have been selected to trial Schneider Electric’s Easy9+ consumer units in the latest of Voltimum’s Ambassadors programme. TG Electrical Services, ESDV Power and philelectrics will put the Easy9+ units to the test on live projects.
TG Electrical Services is the electrical arm of Shropshire-based Tudor Griffiths Group. The group dates back more than 140 years and includes builders’ merchants, concrete and aggregates supplies and waste services. The electrical division was originally an in-house operation, but the company realised that the quality and attention to detail of the work produced set an impressive benchmark. Now commercial, industrial and domestic customers who require the services of a team of qualified electricians have a further opportunity to benefit from the TG brand.
“We are currently registered ultimate installers for Schneider Electric and have always used the Schneider Electric brand - even at the industrial concrete plants and sand and gravel quarries that our parent company owns,” explains TG Electrical’s Chris Lloyd. “We have a lot of faith in the products.”
TG recently placed an order for 20 of the new Easy9+ consumer units for use on a number of projects, including a six-unit barn conversion, the conversion of a public house into eight flats, a Grade II listed office refurbishment and a new-build commercial builders’ merchants development.
“I like the look and finish of the Easy9+ unit and it’s very competitive on price with the rest of the market,” says Lloyd. “When it came out, we liked the design of it and ordered one initially so we could strip it down and see if it was something we could work with. We’re happy with it and it will fit in well with the high spec, contemporary installations we are working on.”
Phil Epstein has been trading in the St Albans area as Philelectrics for over 30 years. He prides himself on the volume of his repeat business and carries out residential, commercial and industrial installations. “I always use equipment from Schneider Electric or Hager,” says Phil. “Why? In a word: reliability. I want to fit and forget.”
Phil will be putting the Easy9+ through its paces on a major domestic refit. “The consumer has opted for the latest in LED lighting and an all-electric heating system with a 40A electric boiler from Germany at its heart. He wants all the latest equipment and he’s going to get the latest consumer unit with this kit from Schneider. It’s approved to Amendment 3 of BS7671 and the contemporary design will fit with the rest of the installation.” Phil is looking forward to working with the customer to give his feedback on the Easy 9+.
Glasgow-based Colin Goodwin is an assessor of electricians for their 2394/2395 inspection and testing certification which puts him in a good position to promote electrical installation products and ideas. Although semi-retired, he trades as ESDV Power, carrying out design, construction, testing and commissioning of all types of electrical installation, as well as fault finding and repair.
Colin will be putting the Easy9+ unit to the test on a semi-detached domestic property that he is currently refurbishing. “When I started looking at the electrical installation it was in a real state and out of date,” says Goodwin. “I’m slowly rewiring it.” The project involves the relocation of the consumer unit to an open area that will allow convenient access to the RCBOs and thereby encourage the quarterly user testing of these devices.
“The Easy9+ unit looks good, which is important as the unit is going to be close to the front door. Originally, I was going to put the unit behind a panel but as the unit can be flush mounted that seemed like a good idea to me – it’s obvious that it’s there, but not too intrusive.” Colin also cites the fact that the Easy9+ has clamps for the tails as they go into the terminals as an attractive feature. “Schneider Electric has a good name and I’ve every confidence in it.”
The Easy9+ consumer unit boasts a number of innovative features, including a flexible split load option which ensures that a variety of applications can be catered for with just one consumer unit. Improved, clear label kits ensure that users can instantly understand control points throughout the home.
The unit is manufactured from a non-combustible material and is fully compliant with Amendment 3 of BS 7671. It employs a rigid metal busbar and increased cableways designed to offer cable space where it is needed most.
Voltimum will be reporting on the Easy9+ case studies as they come on stream, giving valuable feedback from installers and users on how the products have performed, ease of installation and aesthetics.
