LEGO for electrical contracters

Text: Lieke van Zuilekom I Images: Isolecra

Isolectra likes to make it easy for electrical contracters. “For more than 70 years, we have been developing and selling innovative technical products that make life easier and more convenient”, emphasises CEO Werner Hulst and Marketing Manager Casper Bontenbal. “We have been a household name in the Dutch installation market since our establishment. At our core, we are a technical commercial organisation that makes absolutely no concessions when it comes to technical and process quality. For 10 years, we have been deliberately focusing on making the installation market smarter and more sustainable, a field where we see some great opportunities. Especially in the area of pluggable electrical installation.”

“As market leader in the field of pluggable electrical installation, we facilitate traditional and prefabricated construction activities. Both in commercial and residential development and in international horticulture”, says Bontenbal. “On request, all our products are delivered fully assembled, kitted and labelled. This allows them to be installed directly and without error, like a kind of Lego for electrical contracters. In addition, we customise the design, packaging and delivery methods to fit the project.” 

Smarter installation  

“Our 40 or so employees help chain partners in the construction industry to make smarter installation suitable”, emphasises Hulst. “Sharing knowledge is essential in this context. That is why we provide regular training and developed our free online academy. Our consultants provide support for complex engineering issues. We also actively participate in standards committees and drive innovation in this area. As a knowledge enterprise, we continuously develop smart and pioneering solutions and applications, to be further developed into standard products by the various manufacturers. Wieland is a good example. Together, we have developed a great cooperative relationship and interaction over the years.” 

100% pluggable electrical

“Pluggable electrical installation originated almost 40 years ago in (cable) lighting for non-residential building projects”, says Hulst. “Philips provided its fixtures with device connectors from that time on. This allowed for easily connecting both fluorescent fixtures and corridor lighting using Wieland GST18® connectors. Over the years, in cooperation with electrical contracters, we have increasingly expanded the applications to 230 Volt distribution systems, for example, including wall sockets, switches and sensors. In 2008, we also introduced ‘100% pluggable electrical installation’, so buildings become pluggable from the distributor to the final connections, switches and lighting points. This concept has proved to be a great success. Countless hospitals, office buildings, hotels and other buildings have now been designed with 100% pluggable electrical installation.”

Fast and flawless installation, with fewer people 

The essence of Isolectra pluggable electrical installation is that fitters now carry out installation significantly faster. And it also means that less qualified electrical contracters can be used to connect complex installations without errors. Trends that were still hot in 2021, according to Hulst. “Not only in non-residential building, but also in residential development, which faces huge demand for construction over the next decade. We have developed specific pluggable electrical installation solutions for this sector, based on building techniques, needs and challenges, so that smarter installation is also possible here.” Bontenbal: “It is striking that in this sector, too, prefabrication methods are increasingly selected. This involves complete houses or building sections being prepared in the plant with the best working conditions and in a controlled climate, to be assembled on site. Our pluggable electrical installationtechnologies are a perfect match for prefab.” 

Dry and wet fitting

Residential development uses both dry and wet construction methods, Bontenbal emphasises. “It goes without saying that the selection of pluggable electrical installation materials must be adjusted accordingly. For fitting in dry areas, our proven IP40 Wieland GST18® system is the best solution. This system is flexible, readily available, fast and efficient. However, if pluggable electrical components are assembled under very wet conditions, an IP40 installation system is not suitable. We developed the IP66/68/69K RST20® system especially for these situations, guaranteeing optimal waterproofing and high-quality installation in all building conditions.” 

RST20® is so robust and reliable that it is even certified to be poured directly into precast concrete walls and floors without pipes, says Bontenbal. “To take installation to the highest level, our consultants and account managers offer maximum support. electrical contracters can rely on our extensive electrical engineering knowledge as well as a wide range of structural solutions to connect installations in walls and floors in a smart and efficient way. Furthermore, we are currently investigating the possibilities of making pluggable electrical installation suitable for tunnel formwork building. For this purpose, and together with our sister company TKF, we have already developed a special concrete cable that can be cast in concrete.”