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Chuck Ross
Productivity is a key ingredient in any electrical contractor’s profitability, and automating routine tasks is one obvious way contractors can boost production along with their bottom lines. Recognizing this fact, wiring-device manufacturers have developed a new batch of pre-wired products that can make installation faster while maintaining safe connections.
A number of companies now are marketing their own pre-wired switches, outlets and other wiring devices. While the individual connecting mechanisms may vary, all feature the same general design and are similarly installed. The devices come shipped with pre-stripped connectors that tie easily into building wiring at rough in, and which can be pushed back into the box safely until trim-out. At that point, the snap attachment on the connectors’ opposite end can be attached quickly and securely to the matched device.
In addition to speeding installation, these products also make replacement easier, if it becomes necessary. Contractors or maintenance staff simply remove the device cover, unscrew the device from its electrical box and un-snap it from the connecting wire.
Pass & Seymour offers its version of these highly efficient devices under the “PlugTail” name, while Cooper Wiring produces the ArrowLink brand and Hubbell Wiring Device-Kellems manufactures SNAPConnect products. These manufacturers all offer their modular products in grades to meet specific project requirements, including commercial, industrial and hospital settings.
One possible downside to these designs is that the connections are all proprietary to the individual manufacturers. This means a facility can’t later switch to another maker’s products without re-wiring the entire device. However, the installation and maintenance cost reductions these time savers offer over traditionally wired alternatives could make such concerns unimportant to either the client or the contractor.
Photo courtesy of Legrand/Pass & Seymour
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