An extensive update to the Legrand Excel Life range of wiring devices has led to some impressive developments. Paul Skelton reports.

Some readers of Electrical Connection may remember when, back in 2012, HPM Legrand undertook an extensive review of its popular-yet-ageing HPM Excel range of wiring devices. At that time, the move to update the range – which debuted in the late 1980s – was seen as the modernisation of a contractor-favourite. And it seemingly paid off – the company breathed life into a market that many take for granted.

Well, the company is at it again. But this time the process isn’t simply about keeping up with a rapidly progressing sector; instead, it is about forging the path forward through the introduction of new safety features and finding ways for contractors to capitalise on speedy installation.

In fact, so central to the design process were contractors that the company undertook an extensive consultation program with electricians from all around the country.

The result? A complete range of wiring devices designed by contractors for contractors.

“The new Excel Life single and double powerpoints have been meticulously engineered in consultation with electrical contractors,” HPM Legrand managing director and CEO Tony Berland says.

“The changes include having the smallest footprint on the market, innovations in screws, mounting holes, cable terminals and insulation barriers as well as in-built child safety shutters and a contemporary, slimline design.”

A further benefit of the Excel Life range is that there are three plate styles to choose from depending on the installation environment. The Dedicated Plate Series delivers a slimline contemporary look popular in residential applications, the Common Plate Series ideal for commercial environments, where a common coverplate can be used across the entire range, and the Secure Plate Series is vandal resistant for applications that require a little more protection, such as public areas.

“The idea behind this redesign was to create a superior range of wiring devices. We really wanted to develop a product that was superior in terms of design and aesthetics for the end user, as well as functional and easy to install for contractors,” HPM Legrand marketing manager Juan Moreno-Alamo says.

“We spent a lot of time with Australian contractors, in every State, talking to them about how they did their jobs to find out exactly what they were looking for in wiring accessories.

“We had a number of one-on-one meetings with contractors on jobsites and undertook a complete review of the product – looking at the way it works and the way it is installed. It really was very detailed and complete research.”

Juan explains that after the initial round of contractor meetings, Legrand’s R&D team disappeared into the lab for two to three months, developing a product based around those insights.

The company then returned to the jobsites, in real conditions, to see how the updated prototypes performed. After receiving further feedback from contractors, the company would once again refine its product. It would continue this pattern until it had a product it calls “as close to perfection as possible”.

So, what do electrical contractors want exactly?

“Our research showed that out of all the key expectations of electrical contractors, the value/price proposition came first,” Juan says.

“This industry is facing an affordability issue brought on by rising competition and cost increases, so electrical contractors are looking for a range that is smart in terms of the price position. As such, this was one of the main criteria we wanted to address in developing this range. And I believe we have achieved the right balance.

“The second ‘need’ was very much ease of installation. Contractors want to be efficient in the way they work.

“This is followed by quality. A problem we are aiming to remove from the industry is ‘call backs’. There’s nothing worse for an electrical contractor than to have to return to a jobsite to fix something.

“Another important key point is to have a complete range that can fit any type of job – residential or commercial.

“Finally, contractors expect to have a range that looks good and has the latest safety features – qualities that can be presented by contractors as sales benefits to end users.”

Juan explains that the new Excel Life range meets all these requirements and now offers a complete offering for everyday residential, commercial and medical applications.

As part of the range update, Legrand has introduced10 key features to its Excel Life single and double powerpoints.

Firstly, to make installation faster and easier the double powerpoint has a small footprint of only 66mm wide and the single is just 38mm. Couple this with the fact that the double can fit into 2 x 40mm holes from a hole saw and the single into 1 x 40mm hole, this makes a big difference in hard to install areas and surfaces such as cabinetry.

The oversized mounting screw holes allow extra room for adjustment, levelling and alignment of multiple devices. This increased flexibility is a great time saver for contractors, overcoming the frequent issue of brackets not aligning.

The terminal screws are captive which guarantees they’re always engaged in the thread. This is critical as often screws fall out, get lost or worse fall inside the product, rendering it useless. These screws are also heavy duty, made from exceptionally hard carburised steel. This prevents damage from drills and provides excellent grip.

Furthermore the terminal screws sit on a 15º ergonomic angle. This makes for an easier and more comfortable fit-off, particularly when contractors are installing a large number of powerpoints. This also helps prevent damage to the edge of the powerpoint when using battery drills.

Raised insulation barriers around the cable entry provide extra protection against copper exposure and arcing. A great safety feature ensuring contractors won’t have to return to installations due to short circuits. The cable terminals are also funnel shaped which help guide up to 4 x 2.5mm² cables into each terminal with ease – a great time saver.

Inbuilt child safety shutters are a standard inclusion in every Excel Life powerpoint, protecting against accidental contact with live components and providing added peace of mind for contractors and their customers.

And finally Excel Life powerpoints feature a 10.2mm-deep design that can fit seamlessly into neutral interiors.

“Further, Excel Life is compatible with the Legrand Arteor dual modules, which enables 200+ advanced functions including skirting lights with sensors, miniature emergency lights and more to be offered to customers as value-adds,” Tony says.

The new range is available now through electrical wholesalers around the country.