Rueil-Malmaison (France) March 9, 2004 - The DuoLine range, developed and industrialized by Schneider Electric teams in Grenoble, is manufactured at the Alès plant in France. It represents a major growth opportunity for Schneider Electric in the French residential electrical distribution market, which is worth an estimated €370 million. DuoLine’s launch coincides with the application of NF C 15-100, a new French standard issued in June 2003 for low voltage electrical installations. Designed to enhance the protection of people and their belongings in residential environments, the standard is expected to increase demand for electrical switchboards by 7.5% in 2004.
DuoLine is an innovative, comprehensive range of protection, control/monitoring and signaling devices. Circuit breakers and earth leakage switches form the core of the line, along with lightning arrestors, which are now mandatory in certain situations. DuoLine also includes all the products needed for control and monitoring in homes, such as remote switches, programmers, timers, heating management systems, load shedders and thermostats. With its white components and rounded shapes, DuoLine was specially designed for use in homes. The range fits perfectly with the new Opale residential and distribution enclosures for single-family homes and apartment buildings.
DuoLine revolutionizes the construction of switchboards, both in the newbuilding and renovation markets, thanks to its innovative connection system, design, and integration of control/monitoring and protection functions. Devised to reduce installation time, Duoline offers two quick and practical connection systems to suit contractors’ expectations and practices: traditional comb busbar or plug-in. The second leverages a completely new technology that reduces deployment time by up to 30% by eliminating the need to tighten terminals upstream and downstream from the device and its control unit. Switchgear is simply plugged into a fully insulated splitter plate, so no screwdrivers are required.
Because it is so easy to use and saves time, plug-in technology is destined to become the market benchmark in the next three years. In addition to DuoLine, Schneider Electric also announces the market introduction of two highly innovative ultra terminal ranges under the Alombard brand name: Alfix blue flush boxes with a unique fixing connection system and Alréa surface mounting devices with screwless connection.
About Schneider Electric
Giving the best of the New Electric World To everyone, everywhere, at any time Schneider Electric is the world’s power and control specialist. Through its world-class brands, Merlin Gerin, Square D and Telemecanique, Schneider Electric anticipates and satisfies its customers’ requirements in the residential, buildings, industry and energy and infrastructure markets.
With 74,814 employees, Schneider Electric generated sales of euros 8.7 billion in 2003 through 13,000 sales outlets in 130 countries.Visit Schneider Electric at www.us.SquareD.com , www.us.telemecanique.com or www.us.schneider-electric.com .
