Wiring accessories may be among the most familiar products on an electrical installation, but that does not mean the category stands still. Dogan Dogan, Product Manager – Wiring Accessories at BG, examines the next generation of wiring accessories.

As contractors look for ways to complete work more quickly and efficiently, manufacturers are increasingly examining how established products can be redesigned around the practical realities of life on site.

The latest trends are being shaped by common demands – greater flexibility, simpler installation, easier maintenance and the ability to adapt products to changing customer requirements. For electricians, innovation is increasingly valuable when it removes complexity rather than adding it.

Modularity is playing an important role in this evolution. Rather than relying solely on fixed, pre-configured accessories, modular systems allow installers to build the combination required for a particular application. Individual modules can also be replaced or changed as requirements evolve, helping installations remain adaptable. And, for wholesalers, a common modular platform can simplify product selection and reduce the need to hold every possible finished combination in stock.

It’s these trends that are behind the launch of BG GridLite, a new screwless, clip-in modular switching system that represents the first stage of a wider development across the BG wiring accessories portfolio.

Making installation easier

At the heart of GridLite is a simple principle – reducing unnecessary complication for the installer. Traditional modular systems can involve separate fixing components and the challenge of assembling multiple parts before an installation is complete. GridLite takes a different approach with a screwless clip-in system and a unique yoke-free construction.

Modules simply push into place, eliminating the need for fiddly fixing screws. The yoke-free design also means modules can be fitted either way up. Modules can be wired before the faceplate is fitted helping to streamline installation.

Engineered for modern lighting applications, GridLite’s single-width modules are rated at 20A, while standard switch modules fit 16mm back boxes, helping installers minimise rework where existing back boxes can be retained.

GridLite has been developed by listening to what installers want from a modular switching system and they wanted a solution that is quicker to install, easier to adapt and flexible enough to suit a wide range of applications.

Flexibility built in

One of the defining benefits of modular systems is the ability to create bespoke configurations. Customers increasingly expect wiring accessories to provide more than basic switching, with requirements varying according to the building, room and application.

GridLite offers standard, intermediate and retractive switches, key switches, touch dimmers, blank modules and USB-C charging modules. This enables installers to configure accessories for a project rather than working around a limited number of fixed combinations. The compact single-module touch dimmer occupies the same footprint as a standard switch, while up to three modules can be installed on a single square plate.

With GridLite, each module can be removed and replaced independently without removing adjacent modules or replacing the complete device. This makes maintenance and future alterations simpler.

One platform, multiple finishes

While functionality and ease of installation remain central to product development, aesthetics continue to be important across domestic, commercial and specification projects.

GridLite has been designed to integrate across BG’s established wiring accessory ranges, including White Moulded, Nexus Metal, Flatplate Screwless, Evolve, Metal Clad and Part M.

Using a common modular platform across multiple accessory finishes allows installers to configure a consistent system while giving customers freedom over the final appearance.

For wholesalers, the approach can also simplify conversations at the trade counter, with a common platform offering greater consistency across functions and finishes.

The start of a wider change

The GridLite launch is not intended to be an isolated product development. It represents the first stage of a wider move towards a fully modular, yoke-free screwless switching system across the BG Wiring Accessories portfolio.

The new modular approach will also begin to be introduced across BG’s existing plated switch ranges. The transition will take place as a running change, with existing switches gradually moving to the updated modular design as new versions filter into the market over the following months.

As updated products become available, GridLite and the subsequent developments to BG’s plated switches will together establish a broader common approach to modular switching.

Innovation with a practical purpose

For the electrical industry, product innovation does not always need to mean radical change. In wiring accessories, small improvements can have a meaningful impact on the time and effort required to complete a project.

Screwless clip-in modules, independent replacement and a yoke-free construction are all examples of design decisions intended to make life easier on site. The move towards a broader modular platform also recognises the importance of flexibility as customer requirements and buildings change.

The development of GridLite therefore reflects a wider trend in wiring accessories – moving towards products that are simpler to install, easier to adapt and capable of providing more choice from a common platform.

As the system is progressively rolled out across BG’s portfolio, the focus remains on practical innovation – delivering products designed around the needs of installers while providing wholesalers with a flexible and increasingly consistent switching solution. The best innovation is often the innovation that solves a problem without making the product more complicated.

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ESP has expanded its Espire domestic fire detection range with the launch of the new Espire Fire Alarm Input Module, delivering a practical and reliable solution for seamless third-party system integration across a wide range of applications including HMOs and social housing.

Designed to operate as part of the Espire alarm system using ESP’s RF-Link wire-free technology, the new input module is powered by a sealed, non-replaceable 10-year lithium battery, providing long-term reliability while significantly simplifying installation.

The wire-free design removes the need for mains wiring to the device, making it suitable for projects where cable installation is difficult, disruptive or cost prohibitive. This allows contractors and installers to complete installations quickly and efficiently, particularly in retrofit environments.

The Espire Fire Alarm Input Module enables compatible third-party devices, including fire suppression systems such as sprinklers, to trigger connected Espire alarm sounders and deliver a clear audible warning throughout the property. This enhanced level of integration provides greater flexibility for specifiers and installers working across a wide range of domestic settings.

Ideally suited for HMOs, social housing schemes and standard residential properties, the module offers a compact footprint that fits within a standard 1-gang back box, supplied as standard, enabling discreet installation.

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Mike Collins, Managing Director of Ovia, explains how the brand is redefining modular amenity lighting.

Amenity lighting has become increasingly focused on flexibility, durability and ease of maintenance – and Ovia’s Beelo Bollard has steadily established itself as a system that delivers all three. With its modular construction, interchangeable heads and practical accessory options, Beelo offers contractors a versatile solution for a wide range of exterior environments. The range is readily accessible through the electrical wholesale market, ensuring components and accessories can be sourced as projects develop.

A modular system built for real‑world use

Flexibility sits at the heart of the Beelo concept. Users can choose between flat, domed, cone or louvered bollard heads, available in black or anthracite grey finishes. Each head is supplied separately from the standard post, allowing installers to customise the appearance and performance without replacing the entire unit.

Every head is pre-wired with a Unicrimp Q‑Nect IP68 connector and supplied with 150mm of cable and four 3-port lever connectors, ensuring a waterproof, time‑saving connection. It’s a practical solution to common exterior‑lighting frustrations such as fiddly wiring and moisture ingress.

Emergency versions are also available, featuring a built‑in test button that activates the emergency function when pressed and held – a simple, integrated way for facilities teams to verify operation across large sites.

Accessories that solve everyday challenges

Beelo’s accessory ecosystem is designed to tackle real‑world issues that installers and site managers face. The impact‑absorbing base is a standout option for car parks and high‑traffic areas. Its built‑in spring mechanism allows 360° impact absorption and a tilt of up to 30°, before returning the bollard to its upright position. This dramatically reduces damage and replacement costs where accidental knocks are common.

Another useful addition is the 180° shield guard, which can be retrofitted easily around the diffuser. It provides effective control of unwanted light spillage – particularly valuable near office windows, residential properties or areas with strict light‑pollution considerations.

Performance that meets modern standards

Beelo’s technical specification ensures it can be deployed confidently across a wide range of outdoor settings:

• IP65 and IK08 rated
• 360° beam angle
• Maximum lumen output of 3600Lm
• Efficacy up to 144Lm/W
• CCT switchability: 3000K/4000K/6000K
• Power switchability: 14W/19W/24W
• Five‑year warranty

This combination of switchable colour temperature and wattage means a single product can serve multiple lighting requirements – warm residential pathways, neutral commercial walkways or crisp high‑visibility zones – without the need to specify multiple SKUs.

Designed for evolving sites

What makes Beelo particularly relevant today is its adaptability. As sites change, Beelo can change with them. Heads can be swapped, accessories added, performance tuned and emergency capability integrated where needed. With the range available through the wholesale channel, contractors can access replacement parts and accessories with minimal delay.

In an industry where flexibility is becoming as important as performance, Beelo’s modular approach positions it as a smart, future‑proof choice for amenity lighting.

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Knightsbridge has added Helix – a modular non-corrosive lighting range engineered to deliver flexibility, durability and installation efficiency across demanding commercial and industrial environments – to its extensive commercial lighting portfolio.

An upgrade from the trusted Torlan range and designed for both indoor and outdoor applications, Helix combines robust construction with modular functionality, offering designers, specifiers and installers and specifiers a versatile lighting platform that can be adapted to suit a wide variety of projects. The range includes three product tiers – Helix One, Helix Shift and Helix Max – each tailored to different application requirements while sharing a common focus on performance, reliability and ease of installation.

Manufactured from anti-corrosive polycarbonate and fitted with stainless steel clips as standard, every Helix fitting is rated IP66 and IK10, providing protection against water ingress, dust and impact in challenging environments. Each fitting also incorporates rear, side and end conduit entries, detachable terminal blocks, large bracket fixing points and compatibility with BESA box mounting to simplify installation on site.

At the entry level, Helix One delivers a cost effective modular solution with fixed wattage outputs and a 4000K colour temperature. emergency and microwave sensor modules, enabling greater flexibility without the need for additional product stockholding.

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Bunker has launched new additions to its Van Storage collection designed to keep the trade’s tools organised and protected from thieves.

Designed for maximum security, these latest lines all feature a discreet built-in holder for an AirTag or similar Bluetooth tracker and proudly hold the police-backed Secured by Design status and a silver rating by Sold Secure.

Designed to give your customers peace of mind, the new additions to the range all proudly hold police-backed Secured by Design status and a silver rating by Sold Secure.

The T2 Outback is a large box designed to securely store larger tools and equipment. It’s ideal for the van and can equally be used as a site box.

The T3 Tipper is ideal for tipper trucks or for use as a site box. It’s especially suited for landscaping jobs and storing large equipment such as chain saws and strimmers.

The S2 Slim Slider sits perfectly at the side of a van’s sliding door or rear double doors, making tools and equipment easily accessible from its smooth sliding drawer. Featuring a high-security, low profile design and ball-bearing drawer slides which allow the full extension of the drawer, it’s ideal for storing power tools and equipment.

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Solar installations are an increasingly common part of an electrician’s workload and working with MC4 and MC4 Evo 2 connectors requires the right tools.

The new KNIPEX Tool Case for Photovoltaics brings together a purpose-selected set of professional tools in a single, well-organised case, giving electricians everything they need to work confidently and correctly on solar connectors.

At the heart of the kit is the crimp system pliers which has been specially modified for plug-type connectors used in PV installations and handles cables up to 10mm². The crimping pressure is precisely calibrated at the factory, removing any guesswork and ensuring consistent, reliable crimps every time.

The case also includes cable shears capable of cutting copper cables up to 15mm in diameter, and the precision insulation stripper. The stripper comes with adapted blades specifically designed for the larger stripping capacities needed in PV work, covering 4.0, 6.0 and 10.0mm² cable cross-sections. Having the right stripping tool for the job avoids nicking conductor strands which is a common cause of problems when dealing with higher current applications.

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Klipboard has announced the launch of its all-new AI-driven, cloud-based stock and order platform, ERP Go, developed to support small and medium sized businesses that buy, stock and sell products.

Suitable for distribution businesses of different sizes, from individual operators and single-site businesses through to multi-branch organisations, ERP Go supports growing businesses as their day-to-day operations become more demanding.

Across many stock-driven businesses, growth and changing operational demands often expose the limits of spreadsheets, manual processes or ageing systems. Information becomes harder to track, processes become harder to manage, and maintaining accuracy requires increasing effort from staff. Many of these organisations operate with lean teams where the owner or founder manages purchasing, sales and fulfilment directly.

Klipboard’s latest platform has been designed to address these practical challenges, bringing stock, pricing, purchasing and quoting workflows into one connected cloud environment.

ERP Go focuses on the activities businesses manage every day – managing stock availability, coordinating purchasing, sales, fulfilment and invoicing, and keeping orders moving efficiently.

By connecting these workflows within a single system, businesses can reduce duplication, improve clarity and minimize the operational friction that arises when information is spread across multiple tools.

ERP Go also integrates with widely used accounting platforms such as Xero, QuickBooks, Sage and Exact, allowing businesses to retain their existing finance systems while improving operational control.

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Umer Farooq, Technical Product Manager at Live Electrical Distribution UK, looks at how the SRN consumer unit range simplifies installation

Speed, consistency and reliability remain central priorities for electrical contractors working across residential and light commercial projects. As installation schedules become tighter and productivity becomes increasingly important, distribution equipment that simplifies the wiring process can deliver significant practical benefits on site.

Installation efficiency

Live Electrical’s SRN range of metal consumer units has been developed with installation efficiency as a core design objective. Rather than focusing purely on enclosure construction, the range adopts a system approach that combines a streamlined internal architecture with simplified circuit connection methods. The result is a consumer unit designed to reduce installation time while maintaining the performance and compliance expected of modern distribution equipment.

Suitable for both surface-mounted and recessed (flush-mounted) applications, the SRN range is intended for use across a wide variety of domestic and light commercial installations throughout the UK.

Practical enclosure design

The SRN enclosure is manufactured from robust non-combustible steel, providing the mechanical strength of IK05 and compliant with BS EN 61439-3 standard. Multiple cable knockouts are positioned around the enclosure, including the rear panel, allowing cables to enter the board from different directions depending on site layout and routing requirements.

This flexibility is particularly useful when working within confined installation spaces, enabling installers to organise cable entry in a way that minimises congestion within the enclosure.

Each board is supplied complete with a DIN rail, neutral and earth terminal bar, ensuring the installer has the necessary internal components ready for immediate assembly. The internal space has been configured to provide clear access for wiring, helping maintain an organised layout that supports straightforward inspection and testing once installation is complete.

While these features contribute to installation practicality, the most significant advantages of the SRN range lie within its protective device configuration and busbar architecture.

Single-Module 1P+N BD devices

A defining feature of the SRN consumer unit is its use of single module 1P+N bidirectional protective devices. The CN range MCBs disconnect both the live and neutral conductors simultaneously, with overcurrent protection provided in the live pole and coordinated switching of the neutral pole. The RNC RCBOs also switch both conductors and are designed without separate neutral fly leads.

In many conventional consumer units, RCBOs are supplied with flexible neutral fly leads that must be routed individually to the neutral terminal bar. As the number of circuits increases, these additional conductors can create congestion within the enclosure, increasing installation time and making inspection, fault-finding and maintenance more difficult.

Within the SRN system, both the live and neutral conductors of each outgoing circuit are terminated directly at the relevant CN MCB or RNC RCBO. The devices receive their incoming live and neutral connections through the integrated busbar, removing the need for individual neutral fly-lead connections on the RCBOs.

This arrangement reduces internal wiring, creates a cleaner and more organised layout, and provides clearer access to circuit terminations. Installers benefit from a faster and more consistent wiring process, while the reduced number of separate connections helps minimise the potential for installation errors.

Integrated live and neutral busbar system

Complementing the compatible MCB and RCBO design is the SRN range’s integrated 100A copper busbar system. Unlike conventional arrangements in which live and neutral distribution rely on separate components or additional wiring, the DPN busbar incorporates both conductors within a single compact assembly.

The busbar provides live and neutral connections between the main switch and compatible outgoing protective devices through a unified distribution structure. By combining both conductors within one assembly, the system reduces the number of separate internal components and connections required within the consumer unit.

For installers, this creates a more streamlined assembly process. Compatible MCBs and RCBOs can be mounted directly onto the busbar without separate neutral fly leads or additional neutral connections to the terminal bar, allowing the board to be populated and wired more quickly and consistently.

Modular busbar scalability

Another practical advantage of the SRN system is its modular busbar architecture. The 100A busbar assembly comprises interconnecting sections that can be joined by sliding them together.

This modular approach allows the busbar configuration to be matched to different consumer unit sizes and circuit requirements without cutting the busbar or carrying out complex modifications. The same system can therefore be used across smaller domestic boards and larger multi-circuit configurations.

The design also supports simpler product selection and stock management, as compatible modular sections can be used across a range of SRN consumer unit sizes.

Installer-focused design

By addressing practical installation challenges – including wiring congestion, repetitive circuit connections and internal component organisation, the SRN range demonstrates how considered product engineering can improve efficiency on site.

The elimination of neutral fly leads, combined with the integrated live and neutral busbar system and its modular architecture, enables installers to assemble and wire consumer units more quickly while maintaining a clean, organised and accessible internal layout.

For contractors seeking distribution equipment that supports efficient installation without compromising safety, reliability or compliance, the SRN consumer unit range offers a practical solution designed around the demands of modern electrical work.

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Draper Tools gives us some insight into the must-have tools for electricians and highlights the importance of choosing high quality products.

For electrical wholesalers, the hand tool aisle is one of the most vital areas of the business and an essential way to build loyalty and trust. For the electricians who walk through your doors, the right pliers, screwdrivers and cutters are safety-critical kit that they’ll trust their hands to, day in, day out, often while live testing. This means getting the hand tool offering right isn’t just good merchandising, it’s central to how your business is judged by the trade.

Investing in quality hand tools

Electricians work in an environment where a poorly insulated tool isn’t just inconvenient, it’s dangerous. That means wholesalers who can talk confidently about VDE certification and insulation standards can build long-term trust with customers. For managers and counter staff, that starts with understanding what ‘quality’ actually means on the technical spec sheet, not just the price tag.

What to look for

When assessing which hand tool ranges deserve shelf space, a few factors are worth considering:

VDE certification and voltage rating. Any insulated hand tool sold into the electrical trade should be independently VDE tested, and it’s worth knowing to what level. Draper’s XP1000 range, for example, is tested to 10,000V and suitable for use on AC circuits up to 1,000V and DC circuits up to 1,500V, with full compliance to EN60900 standards – the benchmark for insulated hand tools. These numbers matter to your customers, and staff who can explain them at the counter add real value over a purely price-led sale.

Insulation wear indicators. One of the more overlooked but genuinely useful innovations in recent VDE tool development is dual-layer insulation that visibly signals damage. On the XP1000 screwdriver range, a dual-layer “insulation warning” blade sheath shows a contrasting colour the moment the outer layer is nicked or worn through – an immediate, unmissable cue that a tool needs replacing before it becomes a safety risk. It’s a simple feature, but it’s the kind of detail that could make a big difference.

Tethered options for work at height. With more electricians working on scaffolding, MEWPs and rooftop installations, tethered hand tools have moved from a niche accessory to an expectation. Tethered pliers with a lanyard attachment point reduce the risk of dropped tools, which are a serious hazard on any site with people working below, while giving the electrician one less thing to worry about. It’s worth stocking tethered variants alongside standard tools rather than treating them as an afterthought.

Comfort and durability. TPE bi-material handles, anti-slip grips and induction-hardened jaws all affect how a tool performs across a working lifetime, not just out of the box. Electricians use these tools for hours at a time, so comfort isn’t a nice-to-have, it directly impacts fatigue and precision on the job.

Materials and manufacture: Quality manufacturing processes and materials matter too – and can be a strong talking point in the sales process when it comes to hand tools. For example, hand tools like Draper’s XP1000 VDE Pliers are forged from premium German steel.

The lifetime warranty question

A lifetime warranty says more about a brand’s confidence in its own manufacturing than any marketing line can. For wholesalers, stocking ranges with this level of backing gives staff an easy, honest answer when a customer asks, “will this actually last?”. It’s an added reassurance you can give your customers to help them feel confident in their purchase.

It’s also worth considering how a range came to exist. Development involving genuine trade feedback tends to produce tools that solve the problems electricians actually have. When you’re deciding which manufacturers to back with shelf space and promotional support, that development process is a good indication of how well a brand will keep improving the range over time, and how seriously it takes trade feedback once tools are in the field.

Thinking about the next generation

The trade is changing, and wholesalers need to be thinking about who will be coming through the door in five years’ time. Research commissioned by Draper Tools found that among young people considering a move into a trade, electrical work was named as one of the top choices (level with landscaping and behind only painting and decorating). That’s a meaningful pipeline of new electricians who will need to kit themselves out from scratch, often on a limited apprentice budget.

This is where ranges like DXPulse, Draper’s 12V cordless power tool range, come in. Designed to be light, compact and affordably priced without sacrificing performance, it’s ideal for apprentices and early-career tradespeople who need capable tools without a huge upfront outlay. Stocking quality, apprentice-friendly ranges alongside premium lines means you can serve a customer through their entire career, from apprenticeship to seasoned professional, building loyalty along the way.

Beyond the tools: storage and security

A well-stocked hand tool range doesn’t operate in isolation. Increasingly, tool theft and van organisation are front of mind for tradespeople, and wholesalers who can offer a joined-up solution stand out.

Research from Bunker, Draper’s storage brand, found that many tradespeople see tool theft as a daily worry, with over a third calling it their single biggest concern at work. While messy, disorganised vans were also shown to cost the average tradesperson close to an hour a week hunting for tools. That’s a clear commercial case for offering secure, well-designed storage alongside the tools themselves. Bunker’s Van Storage range, with its discreet inbuilt holder for a Bluetooth tracker, is a great option – and you don’t need an abundance of space to sell it. With drop shipping, the Bunker collection can be delivered directly to your customer.

Tool bags and boxes can be another strong seller for wholesalers with a quality selection on offer. Bunker’s new collaboration with Velocity Pro Gear, a three-piece collection of rugged, weatherproof workbags, is a great example of the kind of complementary range worth a look.

The bottom line

For electrical wholesalers, hand tools are far from a low-consideration category. They’re where safety, trust and brand loyalty can be built. Prioritising VDE-certified, feature-rich ranges with genuine warranty backing, and pairing them with smart storage solutions and options for newer entrants to the trade, is a straightforward way to build a hand tool offer that serves electricians at every stage of their career and keeps them coming back to your counter.

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Siemens has introduced the SENTRON Electronic Circuit Protection Device (ECPD) to the UK market, offering a new approach to protecting low-voltage electrical systems with response times up to 1,000 times faster than conventional electromechanical circuit protection.

Designed for use in electrical distribution boards and control cabinets, the semiconductor-based device can reduce the energy released during a short circuit by up to 99.5%, helping to minimise equipment damage, reduce downtime and improve system resilience.

Combining circuit protection, switching, measurement and communication functions within a single unit, the SENTRON ECPD also enables remote diagnostics and switching, making it particularly well suited to remote or difficult-to-access installations. Siemens says the integrated design can reduce the space required within electrical panels by up to 80%, depending on the application.

The device forms part of the wider communication-enabled SENTRON portfolio and can be configured using the SENTRON Powerconfig app, while integration with SENTRON Powercenter gateways allows performance data and diagnostics to be monitored locally or in the cloud.

Jacob Wells, Product Manager at Siemens UK & Ireland, said: “As UK sites become more electrified and more connected, circuit protection needs to become smarter too. SENTRON ECPD gives installers, panel builders and operators a future-ready way to protect circuits, monitor performance and support uptime.”

Suitable for commercial, industrial and infrastructure applications, the SENTRON ECPD has been developed to help improve safety, simplify panel design and enhance the reliability of modern electrical installations.

For more information, visit: https://www.siemens.com

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