Michael Crowther, Sales & Marketing Director at Hylec-APL, celebrates 10 years of Debox, the versatile junction box family designed to save electrical installers time and money.

Whether in domestic or commercial settings, junction boxes remain an essential component in any electrical circuit. Functioning as a central hub for wiring connections between fittings or devices and the mains power supply, these vital enclosures provide protection, isolation and easy access for maintenance or inspection. By offering mechanical strength and durable electrical continuity, they also help wiring installations comply with regulations.

However, not all junction boxes are created equal – and installers must take care to use them in a way that ensures consistently safe, reliable and compliant electrical installations. That’s exactly why Hylec-APL introduced its innovative Debox junction box a decade ago. Debox re-imagined the junction box, simplifying installation through virtually tool-free operation and saving time by including everything needed to reliably and safely connect cables.

A decade of Debox

10 years on from its introduction at LuxLive 2014, the Debox series of cable junction boxes now extends to five models to address different application use cases – and millions of units have been sold worldwide since its launch. The entire range has been designed to make installers’ lives easier and save installation time by including everything they need – from integrated terminal blocks with rapid connections and cable clamps to tool-free closure and maintenance-free operation.

Meanwhile, installers are having to deal with increasing numbers of electrical or electronic devices and fixtures – from LED up- and down-lighting to all kinds of smart home and building automation functionality. This often drives up the time, complexity and ultimately cost of installations, as well as the risk of quality and compliance issues.

So, for busy electrical installers looking to quickly and methodically wire up multiple devices or fittings on-site, Debox’s integrated design simplifies and guides them through the process, saving time and money without compromising quality – and crucially, ensuring consistently safe, reliable and compliant installations.

Debox S: the original Debox

Re-imagined and designed to speed up every installation, the original Debox S is a cost-effective, innovative all-in-one cable junction box. Complete with 4-pole 24A UL/VDE-approved terminal block as standard, Debox S conforms to EN60598-1 (GWT 650°C). Pre-fitted with external fixing lugs for fast, easy mounting, Debox S comes complete with everything needed – including in-built cable clamps and locking clip – for rapid, simple and virtually tool-free installation.

Debox SL: the 100% tool-free Debox

Debox SL introduced the first ever completely tool-free in-line electrical junction box. Now featuring a new easier-to-use, double-lever screwless terminal block, Debox SL offers maintenance-free connections. Its safe, fast and reliable 100% tool-free assembly is supplied complete with 4-pole 16A connector block, capable of accommodating 2, 3 or 4 conductors in round or flat profile cable for lighting circuits or power.

Debox SL2: the 5-pole Debox

Debox SL2 is the smallest junction box available with five poles. Each individual 32A screwless lever connector can take up to three conductors and the box features unique push-fit cable clamps. Debox SL2 saves valuable time and makes installation easier for smaller and larger internal wiring jobs, as everything needed is supplied with the box, with no need to use a screwdriver to securely join wires or mount the box itself.

Debox SM⁴⁰: the miniature Debox

Debox SM⁴⁰ is the first 4-pole in-line junction box that fits through a 40mm aperture, yet still retains generous cable management space, making Debox SM⁴⁰ ideal for use in LED lighting applications. As with all Debox junction boxes, Debox SM⁴⁰ comes ready for use, supplied with everything needed, including the terminal block, making connection simpler and easier. The miniature Debox SM⁴⁰ is only half the volume of Debox S or SL, making it the most compact 4-pole junction box available.

Debox 11: the outdoor Debox

Debox 11 is a highly versatile surface-mounted junction box for external weatherproof applications. It comes with 10 soft membrane covered cable entries, providing quick puncture-entry and self-sealing rated to IP66. Eight entries are threaded M20, ideal for cable glands, with no need for an internal locknut, offering even higher protection rating to IP67. Five 3-pole screwless connectors are supplied and the housing is made of flame retardant, impact-resistant polypropylene.

Simpler by design

Ergonomic design and convenience for electrical installers are at the heart of the entire Debox range. The design of all models aims to simplify and speed up installation, without compromising quality. All components required are supplied, with no loose screws or parts that can be easily dropped or lost – and the versatile Debox junction box family’s registered design features offer faster, more efficient and therefore cheaper installation through its simple and virtually tool-free use.

For more information, click here

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Michael Crowther, Product Development Director at Hylec-APL, explains more about why four way junction boxes can help you ensure safe, reliable and compliant electrical installations.

Electrical installers, whether working within domestic or commercial settings, are having to deal with increasing numbers of electrical and electronic devices or fixtures – from LED up- and downlighting to all kinds of smart home and building automation functionality. This often increases the time, complexity and cost of installations, as well as the risk of quality and compliance issues.

One of the essentials

Junction boxes are an essential piece of kit for electrical installers, functioning as intersections of wiring between fittings or devices and the mains power supply, helping protect and isolate electrical connections. By providing mechanical strength, enclosure and durable electrical continuity, they help wiring installations comply with regulations.

However, not all junction boxes are created equal – and installers must take care they are used in a way that ensures consistently safe, reliable and compliant electrical installations.

Hylec-APL’s in-line junction box series, Debox, which includes four and five pole models up to 32 Amps, plus the new IP66/67-rated Debox 11 for exterior projects, has been designed to make installers’ lives easier and save installation time by including everything they need – from integrated terminal blocks with rapid connections and cable clamps to tool-less closure and maintenance-free operation.

So, what should electrical installers and contractors look out for when purchasing junction boxes?

1. Is the junction box supplied with a UL/VDE-approved terminal block?

Not all junction boxes come supplied with a terminal block. In fact, contractors often make up kits – sets of boxes, screws, cable ties and terminal blocks – for installers. But there’s always a risk that the installer ends up short of a kit component – and then simply resorts to using whatever connector they have to hand in their toolbox, which then may not be fully compliant. With Debox, integrated UL/VDE-compliant terminal blocks are included.

2. Have the cable clamps been screwed tightly enough? 

Across multiple installations, can you be certain that every cable clamp has been secured sufficiently to anchor the cables? To eliminate this concern, Debox SL features quick and easy-to-use push-fit cable clamps, compliant with the EN60670-22 Pull Test.

3. Has the lid been secured correctly?

Junction boxes help conceal and protect electrical connections, as well as protecting users from potentially hazardous wiring. It is therefore vital to ensure that the lid of the junction box is safely secured. If not, the box and its wiring might be accessible, even without tools. Some junction boxes require a cable tie to secure the lid, but this relies on the installer having these to hand – and using them consistently. Debox features an integrated locking clip, for tool-less closure – as well as a spare clip, in case you need to re-visit the connection.

4. Have any of the screws been misplaced during installation? 

At the top of a ladder or in poorly lit locations, fiddly parts such as screws can easily be dropped and lost. If they are, will the installer have an exact replacement screw – or will they substitute something else from their toolbox, or even simply skip that one? Debox features an all-integrated design, with no loose components, such as screws or cable ties, that can be accidentally dropped or lost.

So, for busy electrical installers, looking to quickly and methodically wire up multiple devices or fittings on-site, Debox’s integrated design simplifies and guides them through the process, saving time and money – and crucially, ensuring consistently safe, reliable and compliant installations.

For more informaton, click here

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Traditional dome top cable glands are ideal for creating simple and secure entry points for bulkheads and enclosures. However, when access to the interior of the enclosure is restricted or space is tight, installation time can be greatly increased and it may even be necessary to adopt specialist tooling – or, if the panel is large, two installers may be required to assemble the glands into position.

Here, Michael Crowther, Product Development Director at Hylec-APL, outlines the advantages of its Kwik-Fix cable glands for electrical installers in these scenarios.

Control cabinets, plant switchgear and building services, including heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, all require access for cabling. Electrical installers or building services engineers will usually be tasked with commissioning, installing and securing such access – ideally as quickly and cost effectively as possible. But there are plenty of situations where access to the inside of such enclosures is restricted, and space is often at a premium – making traditional solutions awkward to install – while the harsh environment they are usually situated in demands that such access must be weatherproof and not allow ingress of water, dust or dirt.

While traditional cable glands are ideal solutions for many electrical installations, each application has its own unique considerations – particularly where space is tight, or access is difficult. Rapid assembly cable glands offer a potential alternative to traditional dome top glands, which use a rear mounting lock nut to secure the cable gland in such scenarios. But plant and mechanical engineers often don’t put much faith in rapid assembly cable glands – and their reluctance is hardly surprising, as rapid assembly products typically require a special tool for assembly, are often unwieldy to install and form an unreliable seal.

Hylec-APL’s Kwik Fix cable glands represent a real advancement of rapid assembly cable gland design – and don’t require a special assembly tool either.

Kwik-Fix cable glands

Designed for use in applications where access to the interior of a bulkhead or enclosure is restricted, the patented Kwik Fix cable gland is installed from just one side of a panel, without any special tools, doesn’t require a rear mounted locknut and can still achieve IP68 sealing of a cable transit. The Kwik Fix can also reduce installation time, which will increase productivity and profitability, and is especially suitable for use with large switch cabinets, as well as cooling and heating systems.

The Kwik Fix cable gland is installed by placing the mounting foot of the gland through the entry hole. The mounting foot is designed with a lip that can be pulled tight against the inner wall; an external hexagonal locking nut is then turned anti-clockwise to hold the gland in place and form an IP68 seal. Once locked in place you can install the corresponding cable in the traditional manner, tightening the top dome nut in a clockwise direction.

This means that the gland can be easily mounted and dismounted from one side, making installation and maintenance far simpler. In addition, the gland takes up less internal space, leaving more space for internal wiring within the enclosure. The gland can be fitted onto entries where the wall thickness is between 1mm and 4mm and the waterproof solutions can operate safely in temperatures between -20°C and 100°C. It carries UL and VDE approval, boasts integrated strain relief and is available in all standard hole sizes, M16, M20, M25 and M32 (suitable for cable sizes from 5–17mm), in RAL 7001 (Silver Grey), RAL 7035 (Light Grey) and RAL 9005 (Jet Black).

Kwik Fix cable glands also offer advantages when connecting electric vehicle (EV) charging point enclosures. Where the incoming cable comes from behind the enclosure, through a wall, the Kwik-Fix gland can be fixed on the inside of the enclosure without the installer having to get behind the enclosure wall to tighten up a lock nut. This method can quickly and easily provide an IP68-rated connection to an EV charging point.

Summary

Previously, when faced with restricted interior or rear access, installers have been forced to use products that do not guarantee the seal. Also, they often required spanners or special tools. Kwik Fix cable glands are easily installed and removed from one side only, making installation and maintenance much simpler and reducing costs. Moreover, these glands take up less space, meaning a smaller enclosure could be used or leaving more room for wiring.

Figure 1. How the Kwik-Fix cable gland works

Kwik-Fix cable glands are the answer in a tight spot!
For a free sample of the Kwik-fix cable gland, email hylecuser@hylec-apl.com with “Free Kwik-Fix sample” as the subject and don’t forget to type the address you want the sample sent to.

For more information, click here or call 01933 234400.

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Hylec-APL has launched a revamped model of its popular Debox SL junction box featuring redesigned terminal blocks.

Debox SL was the first-ever completely tool-less in-line electrical junction box and has sold millions of units since its original launch seven years ago.   

 The new Debox SL models have green twin-lever actuators on the 4-pole 16 Amp terminal block which are labelled N (neutral) E (earth) 1 and 2. The actuators are easier to see against the white interior of the Debox SL, facilitating placement of wires, and they are also easier to actuate, requiring only a quick, fingertip push to open and close to secure the wires quickly. The terminal blocks are UL/VDE compliant as in previous models and can accommodate two, three or four conductors in round or flat profile cable between 0.5mm and 2.5mm diameter. Wiring up for LED lighting, ring main projects or power applications is fast and convenient: wires are simply pushed into the terminal block, the green levers actuated and the cables clamped securely with the push-fit cable clamps at each side. The cable clamps comply fully with the EN60670-22 Pull Test. The Debox SL can then be locked closed with the included locking clip and secured to external structures if required with the pop-out mounting ears in the lid. There is also a spare locking clip included, enabling the Debox SL to be re-closed should it be opened at some subsequent date. 

Ergonomic design and convenience for the electrical professional are at the heart of the design of the Debox range: all components are supplied with Debox SL and there are no loose components that can be dropped or lost. 

Manufactured in flame-retardant UL 94 V0 polypropylene and conformant to EN60598-1 (Glow wire test 650°C), Debox SL is 100% maintenance free. The new Debox SL models are available from mid-February through all quality wholesalers.  

Find out more here

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After a tough time during the early part of the COVID-19 pandemic (as lockdown hit the commercial sector hard), HVAC contractors in the UK are currently experiencing strong demand. And according to market research data provider, Research & Markets, post-lockdown, the sector expects sustained healthy growth to continue over the next few years. Here, Michael Crowther, Product Development Director at Hylec-APL, outlines some of the key industry trends driving air cooling and ventilation in the UK.

As the pandemic took hold and the world went into lockdown in spring 2020, hotels, offices and conference, entertainment and sports venues shut down, as did many factories and retail premises – resulting in disruption for many electrical contractors working on HVAC projects. But as the world and the economy opened back up, demand for HVAC products and services has bounced back robustly – something we expect to see continue in the wake of several industry trends.

Broadly speaking, we see three key drivers impacting the HVAC market for electrical installers and contractors – with increases in smart technology also influencing all three areas.

Indoor air quality

The introduction or extension of low emission zones in London and growing numbers of other UK cities is intended to help reduce air pollution, which Public Health England (PHE) estimates is responsible for around 30,000 premature deaths every year (plus other negative health effects). After a coroner ruled in 2020 that air pollution had directly contributed to the 2013 death of a British schoolgirl, a bill to enshrine access to clean air as a human right (‘Ella’s law’) has been proposed.

At the same time, the pandemic highlighted the vital role of good ventilation in infection control and improving indoor air quality (IAQ). Alongside passive ventilation methods, mechanical ventilation can be a valuable tool in building design to both ensure adequate ventilation and help regulate temperature.

Climate change

In the wake of record high heatwaves last summer, a report from the UK’s independent environmental watchdog, the Climate Change Committee (CCC) has insisted that ventilation must be considered as part of a holistic design approach to reduce overheating risks. While the CCC continues to advocate for passive cooling and ventilation, to avoid waste heat and carbon emissions being generated to directly lower temperatures in buildings, it has also recognised that such measures may not be sufficient to limit temperatures for all areas of the country or during prolonged high temperatures – urging authorities to rethink how mechanical systems are used to address overheating in homes, offices and public buildings.

This is particularly true in densely populated ‘urban heat islands’, where tall city buildings, roads and other infrastructure absorb sunlight and re-emit as heat over time – exacerbated by increased use of HVAC equipment expelling hot air, for instance by growing numbers of data centres.

CCC’s Net Zero Review warns that the UK must brace for an increase in mechanical cooling demand, observing that energy decarbonisation efforts and rising energy costs must be balanced against the reality of rising temperatures. Industry bodies concur that ventilation will be critical to avoiding overheating during summer heatwaves, with a recent BSRIA (Building Services Research & Information Association) study noting that the UK domestic AC market is ripe for growth.

Newer HVAC technologies offer higher efficiency – and when combined with smart technologies for monitoring, control and building automation, can help minimise energy usage and wasted heat. Meanwhile, the IOR (Institute of Refrigeration) has called for more collaborative planning of heating and cooling systems to maintain a much needed focus on emissions and energy reduction. IOR President Graeme Fox says the cooling sector, with its expertise of circular heat recovery, can play a major role in delivering on net zero strategies.

Regulation  

The 2022 Building Safety Act, alongside a new Building Safety Regulator, will introduce greater oversight of both the safety and performance of buildings – with gateway checks during design and build phases, as well as stricter scrutiny of HVAC contractor and firms’ professional credentials. But legal standards around factors impacting health and wellness in buildings, such as IAQ and thermal comfort, contributing to overall indoor environmental quality (IEQ), are also being considered in both workplace and domestic legislation.

Summary

Effective air cooling and ventilation play an important role in the health, wellness and ultimately productivity of workers – and are arguably even more vital for safety and comfort in domestic settings, particularly in urban settings.

For electrical wholesalers serving and supporting the HVAC industry, Hylec offers a comprehensive range of components and products for OEMs and contractors – from enclosures, switches, isolators and controls to cable glands, weatherproof connectors and venting elements – to aid their system design, build and installation.

To find out more, click here

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Hylec-APL has launched a push-together range of PCB housing modules called DIME. The DIME range of modules is an open front system that provides DIN rail support for PCBs between 20mm and 177.5mm in length, with longer lengths possible by adding additional base mounting elements.

The DIME system suits all DIN rails and is particularly useful for panel builders who need to fit PCBs inside metal cabinets.

DIME modules suit 72mm width PCBs and are easy to assemble thanks to their ingenious push-fit mechanism. There are several modules in the DIME range: BE base sections, which are available in three widths: 11.35mm, 22.5mm and 45mm; SEF end sections with feet (DIN clips), available in two widths: 11.25 and 22.5mm; SE end sections without feet, also available in two widths: 11.25 and 22.5mm; FS foot elements, to be clipped to SE and BE Sections. The SEF end sections with feet cut assembly time and reduce the number of stock lines that need to be carried. These sections only suit a top hat style DIN rail, but the FS foot elements fit both G and top hat rails.

The number of parts required to mount a PCB onto the DIN rail depends on the length of the PCB and there is a useful table on Hylec’s website detailing this. Hylec’s push fit extrusion offers a convenient solution in interlocking modules to create custom sizes, as opposed to buying long lengths of extrusion and cutting to length, saving the difficulties in shipping and additional cutting process in one product.

The DIME modules are a robust, patented design manufactured from flame-retardant polyamide 6.6 UL94-V0 and are available now through all good electrical wholesalers and distributors.

To find out more, click here

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