CHOICE OR EFFICIENCY: SOLVING THE DILEMMA NIGLON’S NEW SURGE DEVICE
27th March 2023
Selecting the right circuit protection solution isn’t always easy – and the product choice available can prompt many questions.
How many ways are in a board? Does that include the incomer? Is that the same as the number of modules? Is a split board needed? What ampage should the incomer be? Is an RCBO loaded board better than an RCD or MCB? Single phase or three phase? What about surge protection?
It’s hardly a surprise that our technical department receives more queries about circuit protection than almost any other type of product in their 4,500-strong range. Surge arrestors in particular are a source of many incoming enquiries.
The rules:
New guidance was provided on when and where surge protection should be fitted when the 18th edition wiring regulations were issued. This was further refined and (arguably) simplified by the 2nd amendments introduced last year. Many installers are opting to fit surge protection, although there will be some who do not deem it to be necessary under the guidelines, and other installations where the owner of the property is happy to confirm in writing they don’t want protection fitted.
The Niglon team is seeing, many contractors using surge protection as standard – with a significant rise in demand for consumer units fitted with surge, although those without are of course still available to give choice and flexibility.
The conundrum:
Wholesalers stocking both types of unit is seemingly customer-friendly as it gives installers the chance to choose which they’d prefer when making purchases. But this does mean double stocking a range of popular board types (straight, high integrity, split load) and sizes (from 4W up to 19W). This can be costly, reduce stock turnover, and take up a lot of space. Not ideal.
Nobody wants an unhappy installer walking away from the trade counter without the board they wanted under their arm…So, what’s the solution?
The answer:
In a bid to keep both installers and wholesalers happy, Niglon got thinking about how they could develop a solution and we’ve done exactly that: a new domestic surge protection device (NSA2-240) suitable for the most popular applications (Type 1 and 2). This means wholesalers can offer a range of boards with the easy addition of surge protection if and where required, and contractors can easily carry the device in their van to be used when needed.
But what about the faff of wiring surge devices up? Time is money after all!
The development team were keen to offer a product that can be installed efficiently and effectively – the new device comes with 6mm2 tail leads, easy-to-follow instructions as well as the live being located at the bottom, so connections can be made to the main switch with a piece of busbar.
Rated with an Imax of 40kA meaning (providing the main board fuse is 125A or under) no MCB is required, saving more time, and expense and providing an extra way in the board.
Our Director Oliver Hinley said: “We are really pleased to be able to offer this new device to the market, we believe it offers significant advantages to wholesalers – minimising the need for double-stocking – without disadvantaging contractors who want to have a choice of boards to purchase. We have focused on the features of the device to ensure it’s quick and simple to install, because we know from our long experience in the industry that this is essential for contractors.”
Check out the video on our Instagram for more information https://www.instagram.com/p/CrQBZ4oJRKp/