Eubiq Power Track Launched in UK with ASTA Diamond Mark

Eubiq Pte Limited worked with ASTA BEAB on the certification of their innovative Eubiq power track system and 3-pin plug adaptor, gaining the ASTA Diamond Mark.


The plug adapters for power track

Eubiq is a power distribution system suitable for residential, commercial and industrial applications. It is designed to be architecturally versatile, attractive to look at and safe. As such it is becoming highly sought after by building specifiers and electrical contractors around the world, because it meets their requirements to provide safe installations and provides an attractive design solution. Eubiq's power track system can take multiple adaptors, inserted at any point along its length. This enables the user to connect to the system at the most convenient point. The power is activated by a simple twist of the adaptor and a red LED indicates that the power is on.

Tackling challenges at the design phase

A particular challenge when designing the system was addressing the variety of different risks that the system would be subject to in both domestic and commercial environments. When used in the home, a typical risk was the possibility of inquisitive children poking fingers into the track. In an office environment there was the chance of foreign objects like pens and rulers getting into the channel too. So Eubiq designed the Ground Sentry Shutter (GSS) a patent feature found in all power tracks. This feature effectively grounds all conductive objects that comes in contact with it. The specially designed Eubiq Adaptors are engaged with a twist and overcome the GSS before they make contact with the "live" parts whereby power is tapped. This offers an enhanced level of safety not found in standard electrical socket systems. Even with this innovative measure, Eubiq still had to make sure their system was suitable for the UK market.

The Certification Challenge

Due to a recent shift in emphasis between two different IEC Standards, power tracks are no longer required to undergo short-circuit testing. However in the UK, short circuit testing has long been a requirement for such equipment in the wiring regulations. Eubiq wanted to launch their product into the UK, so they approached ASTA BEAB to develop a test programme for it that went beyond the current requirements for power tracks and included short-circuit testing. This would also make the product more acceptable to the other forty plus countries that use the British 3-pin system - further boosting Eubiq's opportunities for export.

Fittingly, ASTA BEAB have long been renowned for specialist experience in short circuit testing and as such they currently hold the Secretariat of the Short Circuit Testing Liaison Agreement (STL), so it was a challenge that was easily met!

The power track and adapter were tested at PSB Laboratory in Singapore, a test facility certified to provide test work for the ASTA Diamond Mark. The track conforms to IEC 61534-1 and the plug adapter conforms to BS 5733 and the relevant clauses of BS 1363. The track comes in either surface mounted or recessed formats, both of which are certified by ASTA BEAB.

ASTA BEAB have been certifying electrical products for over half a century and their famous ASTA Diamond Mark can be found on electrical transmission and distribution products in most countries on brand leading products. For Eubiq, ASTA BEAB was therefore the obvious choice when it came to getting their product certified. As a trusted expert, recognised across the globe, ASTA BEAB are also involved in the electrotechnical committees that shape the Standards and regulations across many regions. As a result of this work with Eubiq, ASTA BEAB and the British Electrotechnical & Allied Manufacturers Association (BEAMA) were also able to develop a technical document that will be submitted to the committee charged with reviewing the power track standard - in the hope that the standards can then better encompass emerging technology like Eubiq, and to ensure that future systems are even more comprehensively tested, for the safety of all.