Hubbell and Lutron Collaborate on New Products
Posted On November 11, 2013
0
0 Interesting tidbit came across my desk late last week. A collaboration between Hubbell Wiring Devices and Lutron.
The headline was “Hubbell Wiring Device-Kellems and Lutron Electronics Collaborate to Address New Building Code Requirements”. The article was in Hispanic Business (click here).
Some excerpts:
- “Development of new products that will enable the electrical industry to better comply with new building code requirements for controlling electrical outlets and their associated plug loads.
- Hubbell will embed Lutron’s Clear Connect™ radio frequency (RF) communication technology directly into Hubbell’s Load:Logic™ plug load control products. This announcement expands the interoperability of Clear Connect-enabled devices, provides the industry with a much-needed, code-compliant solution, and allows installers to easily control electrical outlets in new and existing facilities without learning new systems or performing extensive commissioning.”
The rationale for the relationship:
- “The use of automated controls for lighting and HVAC has dramatically increased efficiencies of these systems in modern facilities. In contrast, miscellaneous plug loads connected to electrical receptacles have been left uncontrolled and can now approach 50% of a high performance building’s energy footprint. To address this, ASHRAE 90.1-2010,
California Energy Commission , and LEED v4 require that 50% of power outlets must be controlled in most areas of a building.”
So, a couple of observations:
- Lutron is licensing their technology to expand the technologies reach, which is critical given that interoperability is necessary to gain technology adoption and a widespread platform. Which then begs the question of whom else will Lutron develop collaborative relationships with, hence building an ecosystem for their Clear Connect offering?
- It will be interesting to see how the joint marketing of product, or the mention of “Clear Connect” in future Hubbell packaging will be handled?
- Of perhaps greater interest, from a distributor viewpoint, may be the rationale … is this an opportunity for distributors or will the opportunity escape to the building controls industry? What other companies do distributors need to “partner” with to provide a complete offering (and are distributors calling on the right customers tho buy / install these offerings or is getting to the end-user and influencer the key?
Trending Now
Creating Demand from Engineers, Real-Time
May 17, 2024
Mike Marks on AI, Driven by DCKAP
May 17, 2024