1. What SW (Structured Wiring) products will Eaton be highlighting at CES?

Eaton will be highlighting several products at CES.  For our intercom product line we will be showing our new patio keypads along with two new front door station cover plates.  We will also be showing off our CAT5 audio solution (A-BUS) both in single source and multi-source styles.   

 

2. What makes the new CAT5 intercom so unique?

The Eaton design is unique in that it only requires one CAT5 cable per keypad and door station.  Other CAT5 intercom systems require the installer to run two CAT5 cables per master keypad.  With our system only requiring one CAT5 per master keypad an installer can easily make upgrades to an office or home by simply changing the keypad.  Another unique feature to the system is the ability to have more than one Master Keypad on the system.  With an Eaton intercom an installer can place eight Master Keypads on the system at one time.  The installer also has the choice of not including a Master Keypad if it is not needed.  The Eaton Master keypad also gives the user full control such as direct room to room page, monitoring, and on off functions at each room location connected to the system.

 

3. What makes Eaton's A-BUS audio unique? 

One of the unique features to Eaton’s CAT5 or A-BUS audio system is the placement of the amplifier.  Traditional systems all use large amplifier/receivers to power the home or office audio system.  This can be costly, and most of the sound is lost over the speaker wire, before it reaches the room speakers.  The Eaton system places the amplifier in the volume control, located in the room or zone.  This insures quality sound in each room.   Another unique feature is the ability to draw its audio source from simple devices, such as DVD players, SATV receivers, computers, MP3 players, and gaming devices. Anything with a line level audio output can become a source for this type of system.  Another unique feature is our local override device that can be placed in every room.  The local override device allows local room access of the same type of devices or players.  So, while the rest of the home or office is listening to one device, a room with a local override can be listening to another device.  When that local device turns off, the room reverts back to the music being listened to throughout the home.   

 

4. As more consumer electronics become networkable can SW help? 

More and more devices in the future will become networkable (TV’s, Blu-Ray players, touch screens, MP3 players, etc.).  This means the traditional wiring methods will not allow the flexibility needed for these new devices.  Traditional systems are wired in series which does not allow for easy changes or upgrades.  A structured wiring system is wired in a star or home run topology.  This type of wiring allows the user more flexibility as lifestyle changes occur.  For example, a CAT5 cable can be used for both telephone or networking.  By having the CAT5 wired directly from the wall plate back to a distribution panel the CAT5 cable can be used for video, telephone, or networking just with a simple connection change at the distribution panel.  With a traditional system new wires would need to be pulled to accommodate any of these technologies.  A well designed structured wiring system will help future proof a home for new technologies.

 

5. Is new construction where most SW is being installed or is there still demand in the refit market?

Traditionally the new construction market has been the driving force for structured wiring.  However as the residential market has slowed down the renovation market has picked up.  The renovation market has been helping to drive our CAT5 audio and intercom products.  The addition of home theater rooms has also helped add to the demand for structured wiring. 

 

6. Where do you see the SW market growing the most in 2009?

Recently we have found growth in the high-rise condo / MDU markets.  Builders of these types of projects are offering the same type of options you would find in a traditional built home, such as Internet, satellite / Cable TV, and phone.   By adding structured wiring panels to each condo, builders have found it much easier to make simple service changes, without having to make expensive changes when an owner wants to add new technology, or when a condo has sold and a new owner moves in. 

 

7. Does the current economic downturn change the direction of this growth or does it put it on pause?

The downturn has forced us to look in other directions.  We are still having success in the custom home market however we have been looking into other markets for sales while things are slow in the production home market.  The renovation and MDU markets are some that we have seen recent success in.  We have also had success in the light commercial markets such as small office buildings and specialty markets such as tanning salons as well as doctor’s offices.  

 

8. We know SW is a good fit for residential applications but can it also be used in light commercial projects?

Yes, it’s amazing to see how the medical office has changed over the years.  Today’s doctor’s office is loaded with networking devices from the X-Ray machine to the portable touch pad for patient notes.  Somewhere all of the network cables need to be brought together and what better place than the structured wiring enclosure.

 

9. What differentiates the Eaton SW product from your competitors?

The real differentiating factor is our patching system.  We have taking the commercial patch panel topology and turned it sideways to fit in a enclosure that flush mounts in a standard stud bay.  We have designed wiring channels to help keep the panel looking clean even if the panel is loaded with cable.  Most of all every module we manufacture has a labeling area on it to make it easy to identify the cabling throughout the project.