Empowering smarter home electrification.

Enables homeowners to add high-demand appliances without costly service upgrades.

The launch of ReliaHome™ Flex, a new modular energy management system which empowers homeowners and builders to add electric appliances without costly service upgrades has been announced by ABB. Designed to work with any brand of load center, ReliaHome Flex installs in minutes and scales easily for retrofits or new construction. Managed through the intuitive ReliaHome app, it delivers real-time insights and customizable automations, giving homeowners confidence and control over their energy use.

With electricity accounting for 44 percent of U.S. residential energy use – and set to rise by up to 22 percent by 20502 – demand for flexible energy management solutions is growing. For many households, adding even a single high-demand appliance can require a service upgrade costing anywhere from $3,000–$5,000 for a panel upgrade, to $5,000–$8,000 or more if the utility must upgrade transformers or trench service lines. ReliaHome Flex addresses this need by allowing homeowners the ability to add EV chargers, water heaters, HVAC systems, or induction cooktops without costly service upgrades.

ReliaHome Flex is built around two core components: the Hub and the Controller. The Hub acts as the central intelligence of the system, connecting to the home’s router via Ethernet for simple commissioning and managing wireless communication with all Controllers and the ReliaHome app. Each Controller manages single-pole or dual-pole loads up to 60 A, using information from the Hub to intelligently balance demand and prevent overloads.

The Hub and Controllers communicate through a built-in secure mesh network, ensuring reliable, seamless coordination between modules – fully independent of the home’s WiFi. This means the system continues functioning even if the WiFi signal is weak or the home temporarily loses internet connectivity.

Controllers can be installed in as little as 10 minutes and can be placed anywhere along the branch circuit without accessing the main panel, allowing for greater flexibility when managing loads that are not colocated or near the main panel. Through the ReliaHome app, homeowners gain real-time and historical energy insights, along with proactive notifications when appliances are turned on or off for load management.

“ABB is committed to shaping the future of electrification across North America,” said Adam Mease, Business Line Leader, Energy Distribution NEMA at ABB. “With ReliaHome Flex, we’re removing one of the biggest barriers to electrification: costly and time-consuming service upgrades. By providing a simple, modular solution that works in both existing homes and new construction, ABB is making smarter, electric-ready homes accessible to more people.”

Building on the award-winning ReliaHome™ Smart Panel introduced in early 2025, ReliaHome Flex expands ABB’s residential portfolio with a universally compatible, modular solution that supports both retrofit and new construction applications.

In retrofit applications, paired controllers enable homeowners to add new appliances without upgrading their load center or utility service. In new construction, builders can optimize service sizing, reduce costs, and work within utility constraints while ensuring homes are energy-ready.

Owners of EVs and battery systems will also benefit from the integration capabilities of ReliaHome Flex, which will allow them to better control their EV charging output and optimize the runtime of their battery backup.

From circuit protection to surge protection – and now energy management – the ABB ReliaHome portfolio delivers trusted, future-ready solutions for today’s connected homes.

ReliaHome Flex is available to order now in North America.

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@ABBNorthAmerica @ABBgroupnews @abb_automation #Electric #North_America

Compact, reliable and versatile circuit protection.

The Easy9 Compact Multirow Consumer Unit has been launched by Schneider Electric. The next generation consumer unit complements the existing premium Easy9+ range in order to meet the needs of every household and electrician. It incorporates flexibility, simple installation and ample cable space to easily connect multiple devices and provide peace of mind when it comes to regulatory compliance.

Nico Van Der Merwe, VP of Home and Distribution at Schneider Electric, said “The Easy9 Compact Multirow Consumer Units bring unmatched flexibility, safety and reliability to every homeowner in the UK. They have peace of mind knowing that this unit fits the needs of their home now, but also has capacity to meet evolving energy consumption demands in the future.

“For electricians, this next generation consumer unit offers clear benefits. It is easy to install, adaptable for different configurations, has ample cable space and multiple cable entries. It provides them with an easy choice when looking for a reliable and flexible solution in the market,”

The new Easy9 Compact Multirow Consumer Units is the easy choice for a compact, reliable and versatile circuit protection solution. The fully compliant BS 7671 unit offers flexibility in device configurations, is suitable for AFDD installations, and has additional module capacity for larger installations too. It provides electricians with the ability to tailor the fit to the specifications of any new build or retrofit project, while also leaving capacity to meet the energy consumption demands of the homes of the future.

It maintains the range’s simplistic and smart design. A low-profile cover allows homeowners and electricians to situate the solution wherever necessary, without having to compromise on functionality and scalability due to lack of space. The curved profile lid, white finish and minimalistic markings ensure the unit blends into its environment seamlessly and meets any aesthetic needs.

@SchneiderElec #Electrical 

Tough trigger switch!

A new miniature trigger switch for heavy duty control applications including industrial and domestic power tools has been introduced by Omron Electronic Components Europe. Its innovative design delivers exceptional dust, shock and vibration resistance within a very small overall size.

Commenting, Andries de Bruin, Senior European Product Marketing Manager at Omron said, “Omron is leading the way with a control switch that meets the needs of the new generation of brushless DC power tools enabling small overall size, protection against demanding environments and a high power output while withstanding vibration. The C3AW is one of the smallest solutions on the market offering this level of environmental protection.” He continued, “Omron manufactures this new switch using a fully automatic assembly process, guaranteeing the highest quality of production.”

Ideal for all types of brushless DC applications including industrial equipment as well as cordless DC power and gardening tools, the new Omron C3AW is a highly durable and compact solution. Rated at 10mA, 42VDC, the C3AW achieves dust resistance to IEC IP6x through with a sealed rubber cover over the moving parts and an ultrasonic welded connection between the cover cases. It can withstand shocks of up to 3000 m/s2 and vibration of up to 200 m/s2 experiencing no more than 100µs of chattering at the maximum rated shock level.

With an overall size of just 25mm wide by 13.5mm deep by 28.5mm high, the C3AW is rated for at least 300,000 operations. It can be used at temperatures between -20 and +65ºC.

@OmronEurope #PAuto 

Ensuring quality of domestic appliances.

Manufacturers of large household appliances such as washing machines, refrigerators and freezers have to constantly monitor the energy efficiency of their products during production. These days, the focus is on energy consumption as well as pollution of the main supply by current and voltage harmonics. Exact measurements avoid rejected goods and thus lower production costs.

Staying marketable

To ensure that products stay marketable, measurements need to be carried out in a straightforward and cost-effective manner in the development phase, during production and in final test. The APLUS from Camille Bauer Metrawatt AG is a complete device that fulfils these requirements. The APLUS is designed to perform measurements on three phases even with different loads on the conductors. So this efficient device can be used to test three products simultaneously. This immediately reduces by two-thirds the space needed in the test stations and the cost of purchasing measurement devices.

Efficient accurate and durable
The APLUS is suitable for measuring power consumption, ranging from more than 500 W when the household appliance is in operating mode, down to a target consumption of less than 1 W in standby mode. The measurement data provide a clear indication of whether the product is in compliance with the energy consumption requirements. Faulty devices can thus be detected while they are still in the production phase. The APLUS has a significant price advantage compared to DIN IEC 62301-compliant measurement instruments, while still delivering 0.1% accuracy in voltage and current measurements and 0.2% accuracy in power measurements.

The efficiency of the measurement device (besides its three-phase measurement capability) can be further enhanced by means of individual parameter settings. Measurement data can be captured in a straightforward manner during the various production phases.

Companion software
The CB Manager software from Camille Bauer Metrawatt AG can be used to parameterize several devices locally in a straightforward manner. CB Manager can be used to easily create visualizations, simulations as well as utility functions.

Multifunctional - worldwide
Daniel Wehrli, Regional Sales Director for Camille Bauer Metrawatt AG, is familiar with every detail of the APLUS measurement device and the application possibilities it offers. "With its automatic scaling function, the APLUS guarantees outstanding accuracy for both large and small measurement ranges. The measurement times can be set individually and our customers can test their products according to their specifications. The configuration of the APLUS is quick and easy to manage so the device is equally suitable in the development phase, quality control and final test."

Feixang Luo, Manager for Quality Assurance at BSH Hausgeräte has deployed the APLUS in their China factory: “The "Messenger" satisfies all our requirements, for example when testing our refrigerators and freezers. In comparison to the devices generally used, it is much more cost-effective and nevertheless very accurate, has stable operation and it also makes a good visual impression.“

• Camille Bauer Metrawatt products are marketed in Ireland through Irish Power and Process Ltd.

 #CamilleBauer #PAuto #TandM #IPP

Room climate transmitter!

The EE800 room transmitter from E+E Elektronik combines CO2, temperature (T) and relative humidity (RH) measurement in a single device. It is ideal for use in demand-controlled ventilation and indoor climate control. In addition to the standard housing colour “signal white”, the EE800 is now also available in "anthracite grey" and "white aluminum", which are the most common colours of light switches and power sockets.

Besides modern design and new housing colours, the EE800 impresses by its technical features. The dual wavelength NDIR CO2 measuring principle with auto-calibration is highly insensitive to contamination, compensates for ageing effects and leads to outstanding long-term stability. Additionally, the multi-point CO2 and temperature factory adjustment ensures excellent CO2 measurement accuracy across the entire temperature working range.

Out of the RH and T measured values, EE800 calculates the dew point temperature. The versions with Modbus RTU or BACnet MS/TP interface calculate also further physical quantities, such as absolute humidity, mixing ratio or specific enthalpy. The digital interfaces allow for easy integration into a modern bus system for building automation.

The EE800 versions with analogue outputs (current or voltage) also feature an optional passive temperature output.

An optional USB configuration adapter facilitates easy setup and adjustment of the device.

•  E+E Elektronik Products are marketed in Ireland by Instrument Technology.

#EEElektronik #PAuto #ITL

360 PIR detector

Carlo Gavazzi has added a new PIR with a full 360 degrees of cover to its smart-house range of building automation products. Just like other smart-house products the new device is powered by the smart-house 2 wire bus and is very easy to configure and commission.

Major features of BSQ-PIR360 detector:
* Powered via network connection
* 90mm-diameter ceiling mount
* IP20 ingress protection
* Operating temperature: -5°C to +50°C
* Meets EU EMC directive 89/336/EEC
* Meets EU low-voltage directive 73/237/EEC

The BSQ-PIR360 ceiling mounted detector has a 360 degree detection angle for room occupancy sensing ensuring reliable detection every time. Four sensitivity settings, chosen by setting DIP switches, allow the detection range to be set between 2.5 metres and 4 metres with a foot print of 7 metres and 12 metre respectively.  This flexibility enables use in many commercial and residential applications for the control of lighting, heating, air conditioning and extractor fans.

The smart-house home automation range enables the control of heating, lighting and appliances to be managed automatically to increase energy efficiency, reduce utility costs, and enhance comfort and convenience. A variety of sensors and actuators such as dimmer switches and relays are available in a number of styles, and all are connected using just two wires running throughout the property and back to the central controller. This low-voltage control wiring is inherently safe, easy to install, and allows new features to be added in the future. Outdoor equipment such as garden lighting can also be connected, for centralised control of entire premises.

Carlo Gavazzi supports its extensive smart-house range with resources including installation guidance, and training courses providing hands on experience for electrical installers.