Schneider Electric Ltd - Better, cheaper, faster – MODE hits all
the right targets for Clancy-Docwra
By choosing the new MODE (Multiple Occupancy
Distribution Equipment) range of products from Merlin
Gerin, a brand of Schneider Electric, as the basis for
electrical installations in blocks of flats,
multi-utility specialist Clancy Docwra is making big
savings in both time and money.
In addition, the company is finding that MODE equipment,
which is fully approved by United Utilities, Scottish
Power and many other DNOs, is technically superior to
and more readily available than the distribution
products it has used in the past for similar
applications.
Designed to offer standard distribution solutions that
are available for fast delivery at very competitive
prices, the MODE range includes just 13 types of fused
distribution board which, between them, cover
applications from 200A 2-way up to 500A 20-way. This
means that they can satisfy the requirements of almost
any residential installation.
Prior to the launch of the MODE range, Clancy Docwra
engineering manager, Jack McWinnie took part in the
end-user consultation process which helped Schneider
Electric to shape the design of its new products.
“It was very pleasing to find a company that was
genuinely interested in hearing the views of its
customers,” said Jack, “and it was even more pleasing
when I saw the prototypes for the new boards, and
realised that most of my suggestions had been adopted.”
“I’m not, of course, claiming credit for the design,” he
continued, “but I do believe that, by listening to me
and others like me, Schneider Electric has been able to
produce a distribution board which is much better than
the competitive products.”
Among the innovations which Clancy Docwra finds
particularly attractive in the new boards is ease of
cabling. MODE products feature a staggered busbar system
so that connections to the red phase outgoing circuits
are in front of those for the yellow phase which are, in
turn, in front of those for the blue phase.
This means that cables for each phase run straight,
rather than having to be bent to suit the flat
connection arrangement used by other products. In
addition, the neutral and earth bars are readily
accessible, and are firmly secured with multiple
fixings.
Another improvement which has proved useful to Clancy
Docwra is the versatile cable entry arrangements offered
by MODE products. Not only are they offered with a
choice of aluminium, steel or plywood gland plates, they
are also offered with the gland plates that are ready
drilled to the user’s specification. Suitable glands can
also be supplied along with the boards.
Safety has also been given careful attention, with the
boards offering IPXXB protection even with the doors
open, and the provision of a separately shrouded section
for incoming connections.
“Some of these may seem like relatively minor
enhancements,” said Jack, “but they make a very big
difference on site. The boards are fast and easy to wire
and the pre-drilled gland plates eliminate all of the
hassle of having to cut large holes with portable tools.
This added convenience makes our installation teams very
happy – while the time saved makes us and our clients
very happy!”
Not all of the benefits offered by MODE products are
technical. Deliveries are, for example, much shorter
than those typically offered for competitive products.
In fact, at the time when Clancy Docwra made its first
MODE purchases, the delivery was just one third of that
being quoted elsewhere.
“By limiting the range to standard configurations,
Schneider Electric are also able to offer exceptionally
competitive pricing,” said Jack. “Although the MODE
range jumps from 6 way boards to 10 way, the 10 way MODE
product is actually less expensive than even a 7-way
board from the nearest competitor.”
Schneider Electric has also scored with Clancy Docwra by
matching MODE products to market requirements. In
Scotland, for example, many flats require a six-way
distribution board which also makes provision for one
“landlord’s supply” to power lighting and other
equipment in common areas of the property. Although this
configuration might be considered unusual, it is
available as a standard item in the MODE range.
The last word goes to Jack. “We very happy with every
aspect of the MODE products,” he said. “They’re well
engineered, well built, readily available, and very
attractively priced. When NASA launched its “better,
faster, cheaper” initiative, some wit commented that you
could choose any two from three. That may have been true
for NASA, but with the MODE range, Schneider Electric
has managed to score a bullseye with all three targets!”
Email:
jennie.smith@gb.schneider.com
Arundel Jones Associates Ltd
Hill Farm, Linton Hill, Maidstone, Kent ME17 4AL
Tel : 01622 745333
news@buildingdesign.co.uk
Registered in England and Wales No. 07334149
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