Your flexible friend

As an industry we have to respond to this demand for flexibility and there is no doubt that with the startling pace of change in workplace design, and the speed and cost constraints that are now set by ever more demanding developers or occupants, specifiers and installers, and therefore manufacturers, cannot stand still.

The availability of pre-assembled wiring connection systems for new or refurbished buildings is becoming an attractive proposition for the electrical contractor, particularly in the office environment. But is this new generation of electrical accessory really fit for the task? Does it save money in the long term? Should it displace the tried and tested conduit systems? Ackermann is one company that is that is challenging the tried and tested formulas of old. Managing director David Harrison explains the company's development strategy: "Our challenge has been to develop a flexible connection system that would slash the cost of bringing power to any electrical appliance or lighting system within the building. We believe that we have achieved this goal with our Ackwire system." Ackermann claims Ackwire is the first UK manufactured system of its kind that can incorporate both power and lighting circuits. "Our design was based on simplicity and technical superiority; a product that could be installed without risk of mismatch – very quickly," says Harrison.

"We studied every aspect of the conventional methods of wiring, and asked ourselves the obvious question – how can this be improved? It did not take long to conclude that however much pre-site preparatory work might have been undertaken, the conventional method of conduit trunking to terminate every joint, and threading the wiring within the conduit to every switch, socket, light fitting or junction, is laborious and tricky for even the most experienced hand."

  Click and lock connections

Ackermann has designed Ackwire around three simple elements: the connector, the conductor and the splitter, all containing a simple click and lock connection to snap and lock quickly together. "We feel strongly that this simple but safe method of connection is the best way to build up a circuit from a versatile system that can service equipment, switch drops, distribution hubs, interlink cables, home run cables and practically any electrical permutation," explains Harrison.

"This simple concept presented us with the opportunity to create some genuine design innovation. We developed the only connection system that covered a full range of ratings, 16 A, 25 A and, for the first time, 32 A, so that most, if not all, final circuit connections can be covered by the system." Ackwire can be plastic or encapsulated in steel, all with lsf cable, to cover both power and lighting applications. It has up to six power poles and four control poles to provide the most versatile interconnection for practically all workplace requirements.

Another feature is the six wire "Duo" configuration, which enables both clean and standard earth circuits to be run simultaneously. Ackwire is also suitable for section 607 high integrity earth connections. It can also be used in conjunction with sophisticated lighting control – such as new generation emergency luminaire testers – or with a full building management system (bms) or, indeed, with Ackermann's own simple electronic switching system, Acknowledge, which simplifies complex switching circuits.

Ackwire has a double key code to ensure compatible connection of conductor cross sectional area and pin configuration, and lockable catches to provide joint security. With Ackwire, power and hvac applications can run in tandem. Armoured conduit is an option for power applications – where mechanical protection is required on single or three-phase circuit, where 4 mm² conductors give up to 32 A rating. It can bring power to hvac equipment located in the most confined spaces, and connect switched and fused spurs for local protection and isolation.

Labour savings

One major contractor, who has chosen Ackwire for several city projects, has seen that considerable labour saving can be made. It calculates that the saving is in order of between 30 and 70% of the labour cost depending on the size of the project. It is now in a position to quote much keener lead times and, because of the lower overhead costs, remain very competitive.

Another project was specified with Ackwire because the end user had identified that they required the maximum flexibility with building services over the life of the installation, and could see the benefits of a flexible connection system.

Yet more work has been secured on the basis of physical size. On this project, there was insufficient void height under the raised floor for a powertrack system, yet they still required the connection philosophy a track offered. Ackwire was specified as it could be simply installed in very confined spaces to connect to floor outlet boxes.

"These results did not happen by accident," says David Harrison. "We support each project with detailed discussions. When our customer was delighted that all his requirements were covered, we pre-assembled the products in kit-form, with each zone, floor, room or section clearly indicated on CAD drawings. This service is a pre-requisite feature of the product. It suits modern building practices, and gives you the opportunity to manage your time with greater confidence and certainty." David Harrison has big plans for his baby. "Our intention is that Ackwire will become an industry benchmark, satisfying the needs of modern building design and practice for simple and reliable systems that require the minimum of labour and yield maximum benefits."