Switches and GPOs don’t have to be so bland

Not long after I first arrived here in Australia, I met an architect who told me that he didn’t want light switches to be visible in homes. When I asked him why, he simply said: “Because they’re ugly.” I suspect such an attitude is not uncommon amongst many architects, and even some home owners, given the universal use of basic white switch plates and GPOs in this country.

In Australia, switch plates and GPOs are quite plain. Unlike Europe and other parts of the world, people here just ask for a function - like light switch or dimmer - not a switch ‘style’. In most other countries, it is very common to have extensive ranges of switch styles and finishes to choose from.

While some people may have the perception that this situation will never change in Australia, I believe that the market here is poised for significant change, focusing particularly on finish, quality and design.

A growing focus on good design is central to this change. I have observed that Australians have an enthusiastic attitude to design in everything from cars to fashion; and it is especially evident in interior design. The high number of architecture and interior design magazines attest to this growing interest. Australians nurture their home surroundings, perhaps more so than any other nation.

That attitude leads me to conclude that the time is right for Australians to go beyond bland switch plates and GPOs. People will no longer consider them just as switches but as furnishing accessories that can be stylised, or even as art pieces.

The requirements of electrical systems in houses are also becoming more complex as homeowners seek to deploy more technology in their homes - for greater comfort, control, convenience and energy efficiency. Increasingly complex requirements have led to the integration of more technologies and applications into that tiny piece of ‘real estate’ on the wall - the switch. This convergence is not dissimilar to the way telephony has gone, with devices like iPhones that fundamentally communicate but now have hundreds of other diverse ‘apps’ on them.

A recent European study shows that just 5% of people are happy to spend $20,000 or more for a home automation system. Legrand’s latest product range - Arteor - meets the demand of 80% of the market, which is looking for a system costing around $1000 to $5000. Arteor has been designed to meet the needs of the majority of people, who have been looking for convergence, seamless technology and simplicity in a home automation system.

When you chart functionality versus cost of what is available in the Australian electrical market, there are many products in the ‘low-cost/low-functionality’ quadrant and some ‘high-cost/high-functionality’ systems (many of which provide features that will never be used), but nothing in the middle. We have targeted this sector to provide stylish products with mid-range functionality at mid-range costs. And in the overall scheme of home building costs, $1000-5000 for mid-range automation isn’t a significant percentage of the $200,000-500,000 building cost. We believe this will become a significant sector, driven largely by both designer and consumer demand.

While the Australian market is poised for this change, electrical contractors need to be ready to service it. We have noticed that many are not aware of the choices available. Younger electricians seem to have picked up on the convergence of technologies and the expanding range of switch styles, and are more interested in learning about them. We have high hopes for this next generation of electricians who are design-conscious and accepting of new ideas. They are also more environmentally conscious, so energy saving systems resonate well with them.

* Giuseppe Parola is Managing Director of HPM Legrand, a position he has held since 2007, when Legrand acquired HPM. He joined HPM Legrand from Bticino, the Italian subsidiary of the Legrand Group, where, since 1993, he held various roles in manufacturing and industrial optimisation.