With over 55,000 flex7 lighting distribution boxes installed every year there’s got to be a reason they’re such a popular choice. Flex7 have been taking a look at what makes their product the market leader.
High Quality Engineering
Externally, its tough anodised aluminium body makes our lighting distribution box one of the most robust on the market. Internally, our unique patented contact system makes it the most electrically robust on the market. As you’d expect from a quality product, all its moulded components are in accordance with UL 94 V-0, which makes it one of the safest on the market.
User-friendly design
The user-friendly design features a spacious wiring compartment which can be accessed by removing a single captive screw. In-line terminals are clearly labelled, and can accept 3 x 2.5mm², 2 x 4mm² or 1 x 6mm² conductors. Multiple cable entry points offer flexibility when installing. 2 steel snap-fit mounting clips make securing the lighting distribution box quick and easy, and ensure compliancy with IET wiring regulation 521.10.202.
Multiple free of charge fixing options:
Every flex7 lighting distribution box is supplied with 2 x steel mounting clips, 2 x M5 machine screws with lock nuts for mounting to trunking, cable tray etc. A supporting end bracket and fixing screw are also supplied for mounting the lighting distribution box’s wiring compartment onto a standard conduit/BESA box.
Designed and manufactured in the UK
Flex7 Lighting distribution boxes are not only designed in the UK, but their component parts are manufactured here and assembled into the finished product here too. This means that you’ll never be left waiting for our products to be shipped in from abroad.
7-pole – one size fits all
Our lighting distribution box was the first and original 7-pole box on the market. This means the same product can be used whether the control you’re looking for is a traditionally hard-wired 230V, 1-way wall switch or you need to deliver power and DALI from a centralised headend lighting control system. If necessary, flex7 lighting distribution boxes can even be used with other manufacturers’ control devices.
Modular flexibility
Each type of lighting distribution box is available with 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 or 12 outlets. On the end of each box there is a spare outlet. This outlet can simply be used as a bonus outlet to plug-in a luminaire. Alternatively, if the unexpected happens and you suddenly need more outlets, then this socket outlet really comes into its own. Simply plug-in a Flex7 Expansion Box to instantly add up to 12 extra outlets.
Alternatively, plug in a flex7 Tap-Off Box and split luminaires on the same supply into two or more independently controlled groups.
If you want to put some distance between boxes rather than plugging them directly into one another, use one of flex7’s many prewired Expansion or Tap-Off leads
Boxes have a total rating of 16A so there’s plenty of scope for reducing your on-site terminations to an absolute minimum and in turn speeding up the installation.
Standards and testing: BS 5733 and UL 94 V-O
At the very core of its design our Lighting Distribution Box fulfils the requirements of BS 5733. It’s a longstanding, onerous British Standard written to ensure devices are able to withstand the day to day rigours they’re subjected to. Connection/disconnection under load is just one of the many mandatory tests. Not all connector systems in the world of commercial lighting are in compliance with BS 5733. Some of the standards used specifically require the manufacturer’s literature to clearly state the finished product is “intended for connection and disconnection without load, only”.
The material we use to make the moulded components in our lighting distribution box centres on safety; they’re free of halogens and in accordance with UL 94 V-0. The absence of halogens, just as with Low Smoke Halogen Free cables, means toxic gases are not produced in the event of a fire. For a material to be compliant to UL 94 V-0 it must, when tested in line with the UL 94 vertical flame test, self-extinguish within 10 seconds of the heat source being removed and not produce flaming droplets that could set secondary fires.
In conclusion
Reflecting on its many, many features and benefits, a better question might be; why would any installer choose not to use flex7 Lighting Distribution Boxes? It’s a genuine question, and we would love to hear from you if you have a reason why – email [email protected]