Wiring Devices Supplier Dubai: Top 10 Brands

Dubai – Easy market to buy wiring devices and hard market to select correct wiring device(s) for use on any project. All International brands have wide representation in Dubai; delivery of products can occur within one week of order placement; and qualification to pass DEWA inspection is obtained by all suppliers based upon the DEWA Material List listing of items approved. Most individuals/companies choose wiring devices before reading the DEWA approved material list which specifies which products that are acceptable to be installed within the Emirate.

Here are Ten (10) top wiring device suppliers in Dubai to consider using for any related project: Legrand, Schneider Electric, ABB, Siemens, MK Electric, Crabtree, Hager, Gewiss, Igoto and regional distributors like Dutco Tennant. Price range of a single 13 amp switched socket is AED 25 to 120 depending on brand and finish. Price range of a double switched socket is AED 40 to 200. The first two considerations (before price) should be DEWA approved product status and whether or not supplier can produce an ESMA Test Report or equivalent for the wiring device model being supplied.

Following sections describe what supplier should offer for wiring devices in Dubai, criteria used to create the short list of ten brands, price of wiring devices in UAE; certification of wiring devices through DEWA and final consideration for determining supplier of wiring devices based upon type of project.

DEWA Approval: Product Family, Not Brand

The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has an approved materials list for all installations that are connected to DEWA’s network. If DEWA does not have the wiring device on its approved materials list, then DEWA will not approve that product through DEWA’s inspection. Approved material is based on the style of the device (Family) rather than brand name. As a result, it is possible for a supplier to hold approval for a family of sockets but not hold approval for the family of switches that matches those sockets.

Compliance with ESMA

Product safety for the Emirate of Dubai and throughout the Emirates is governed by The Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology (ESMA). This authority also oversees the product safety and electrical accessory compliance for the Emirate of Dubai. Therefore, all electrical accessories sold in the UAE must have Certificate of Conformity (CoC) and UAE Quality Mark where applicable.

BS 1363 Configuration

The UAE has adopted the British Standard 1363 13A Socket System. This means that the characteristics of the 13A Sockets installed in the UAE are that they are made up of three rectangular pins, include fuses within the plugs, have shutters on the socket, and are switched. Therefore, electrical accessories manufactured for the Schuko or NEMA markets cannot be installed within the UAE’s system. In addition to this, if a supplier offers a universal socket, this means that the supplier is offering a product that does not meet the shuttering requirement in most specifications.

Stock and Credit

Since Dubai is the center of the re-export market, buyers expect to have product availability for sale or service within days (rather than weeks). A supplier who does not have stock locally can still compete on the basis of price for a scheduled project but cannot compete on price for a maintenance order.

The above combinations create a unique market for Dubai compared to Europe. The technical requirement is British, the regulatory requirement is Emirati, and the commercial expectation from buyers is a same week delivery of items purchased or ordered for service.

Selection of the Top 10

The top ten candidates were chosen based on four specific criteria and not solely by revenue. To be considered an approved supplier with DEWA, all manufacturers must have at least one wiring device family that is DEWA approved, possess an established presence or be an authorised distributor in the United Arab Emirates, have a complete product range of switches, sockets and plates with the same look and feel/design family and also provide a test report for each exact model, not just for a comparable model.

The above describes brands that may be sold throughout the region, but they do not have DEWA Approval for the installation of their products in connection to a DEWA project, as well as brands sold in unbranded shipping containers that are brought to market from Jebel Ali and sold at prices roughly 50% less than that of DEWA approved products. However, they do include at least one ‘Factory-direct’ supplier, as having a factory direct supplier could be a more realistic option for project volume than working with branded manufacturers. The ten suppliers have been identified.

The table below outlines the suppliers, the base country for each supplier, their strength in terms of the UAE market, and their price positioning.

Legrand are a safe bet when it comes to specification-led commercial work as its plate families include both high-end designer ranges as well as lower-end volume products that fit within the same aperture (e.g., the entire system of plate and accessories can be used across multiple locations such as a hotel and back-of-house areas).

Schneider Electric competes for the same customer base as Legrand by providing a deeper level of stock on hand and maintaining a large panel builder network. This is advantageous especially for projects that require the wiring devices to match up with the distribution boards made by the same manufacturer. Schneider Electric also removes the interface argument for customers who have already selected Schneider switchgear for their project.

ABB and Siemens are only considered when the rest of the installation has already been selected within their portfolio. Neither ABB nor Siemens provides the consultant with the comprehensive documentation associated with wiring devices and both manufacturers’ products provide assurance that a robust documentation package will be present throughout the approval process.

There are two companies that provide British Standard products; both MK Electric and Crabtree products are often used within the hospitality and residential sectors. Clients in these areas expect to see a British Standard product and are willing to pay for what they perceive as better quality. MK Electric products tend towards the upper-end of the product line, while Crabtree products tend towards being priced as a contractor’s price. These two companies are often compared with each other on the same project tender.

Hager is the best choice if the project is using Hager distribution boards.

Gewiss is the best choice for all industrial and weatherproof applications. Gewiss should not be looked to for applications in hotel corridors.

Igoto is the factory-direct product that we represent. Igoto product categories include switched sockets, plates, USB power outlets and modular systems that are in accordance with British Standard 1363. Igoto products are produced in factories; therefore, Igoto products have factory pricing rather than distributor pricing.

The regional distributors of Igoto products are not manufacturers of Igoto products. The importance of the regional distributors is greater than what is shown in the list. Regional distributors (Dutco Tennant and other established distributors) have a supply of local stock of Igoto products, allow credit, and are knowledgeable concerning which approval applies to any given Igoto product. The knowledge that these regional distributors hold is most valuable to fast-moving job sites and is worth paying a margin to obtain against construction delays.

Other markets utilizing Igoto will also have other market distributors that operate on the stock versus project basis, similar to that of regional distributors in the U.S. and Canada. In addition, while the standard will differ between markets, the separation of stock and project will generally be the same regardless of where the product is located.

Pricing in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Market

Here are some examples of product prices in the UAE:

As shown in the table above, the price difference between a factory price and a branded price within the UAE is between 2.5 and 4 times greater than the price difference between those same products in Europe. This is due to the longer chain of distribution (Factory – Exporter – Importer – Distributor) and the fact that all of these steps carry a cost, and that total cost is what the end-user sees.

The materials that will affect the price of the two products most, rather than the brand, are: a) the finish (for example, a brushed metal or black plate costs 40-80% more than a white plate in the same family) and b) the function (example: a USB Module adds AED 30-60; at the factory level). The retail cost of these USB Modules is much higher.

Certification: DEWA; ESMA; Test Report

Three documents are needed to demonstrate that an installation meets compliance with DEWA. Each document is required by a different organization:

1. DEWA Approved Materials List: The Inspection Authority checks against this listing, which is product specific. If a supplier states that they are “DEWA compliant” and does not specify the product type then they have not addressed your inquiry.
2. The ESMA certificate of conformity is the country’s primary market entry document and identifies which standard(s) the product was tested to; typically BS 1363 for sockets and BS EN 60669 for switches.
3. The testing report itself will be referenced in the certificate and identify exactly which model was tested and which company manufactured it. A report demonstrating compliance on another model from a different manufacturer is not acceptable (this is what causes the majority of problems for first-time importers).

The fourth area that is inspected is the physical inspection of the items; this is performed by the inspector during their visit. It includes the following items: there is a facility for opening the shutters only when the earth pin of a plug is inserted, the switch is rated to match the outlet to which it is connected, terminal capacity to accommodate 2.5 and 4 mm² conductors and the mounting centre dimensions conform to the local box. All of these items will be physically checked by the inspector and cannot be replaced by any certificate.

Project Type and the Product Family That Fits

The Below Key identifies the different types of projects that accommodate specific project types according to various specifications:

Locate the room to be photographed and the room to be Pressure Cleaned, and identify Two Different Product Families, NOT ONE! Projects using Designer Range throughout will pay for Finishes for products that will NEVER be visible. Projects using the Volume Plate Range in the Lobby will give the impression that the Lobby is merely a Service Corridor. The Complete Overview of the Various Switching and Socket Brand Names available for Purchase in Dubai will provide the most reliable method of determining if there is a Name on a Specification Sheet that is Available Locally.

Wholesale, Retail & Project Supply

In Dubai, three channels sell Wiring Devices and these channels will accommodate different user types.

• Project Supply = quotations from a Bill of Quantities with Submittals, Samples and Deliveries that are Timed to the Construction Program. Pricing will be negotiated and all Paperwork will be Substantial. Suppliers will be either Distributors or the Local Offices of the National Brand (NOT the FACTORIES).
• Wholesale orders refer to bulk (container or pallet-sized) orders made by large contractors/distributors, with the price based upon volume purchased and the lead time determined by production. This method allows factory direct suppliers to compete because the buyer is purchasing a product rather than purchasing an item that they need immediately.
• Retail sales occur via counter or direct sales in retail stores located within Deira or Al Quoz, at a rate determined by both the amount of stock (available inventory on hand), creditworthiness of the customer and the fact that the customer requires one unit of a certain product urgently. Retail sales are the most expensive channel for one unit of product due to the fact that this is the only method available for maintenance calls.

The best practical approach for determining a project commencement date is to purchase volume line items through wholesale (volume purchase orders) or project supply lines (items necessary to support project completion) and maintain a local purchasing account for any ancillary item(s) required. An example of this would be if the site (project) required plates but ran out of the specific type of plate that they were using at the end of a week, they do not want to have to wait for the shipment of a new container filled with the product.

When it comes to lead times and logistics to the Gulf Region, a shipment via a container from a port located in China to Jebel Ali would take approximately 18-25 days at sea, in addition to approximately one week time for customs clearance and delivery to the customer. Therefore, if a factory orders today, it would arrive approximately four to five weeks from today. A European brand would ship in approximately two to three weeks and would have inventory available in country, thus, they can afford to charge a higher premium (cost) for the speed at which they ship their products.

There are two overriding concepts that will determine whether the shipment will proceed smoothly or have issues. The origin Certificate and Compliance Documents are necessary because without them, the shipment may remain with Customs while the customer obtains the required documentation. Packaging is also a critical factor; if the shipment is not packaged properly, it can be compromised due to the high heat and humidity of the Gulf region. A supplier who uses shrink-wrapped pallets will not have to deal with claims resulting from damage to cardboard, as these pallets offer greater protection.

For a project that has a specific handover date, the orders should be set against the schedule outlined within the Construction Programme and not based on when funding has received approval. The delay is associated with the loss of the production slot; Supply for Infrastructure Projects in this region illustrates this concept, where staged delivery schedules are built around a Construction Programme and not just a single shipment.

How Igoto Fits Into This

We manufacture sockets, plates and switches to the BS 1363 standard which includes; switched sockets in the 13 A configuration, single and double plates and USB sockets as well as weatherproof configurations used in Gulf Projects. Our sales go to distributors, developers and contractors, meaning our discussions revolve around the standards, ‘family’ of plates and batch numbers; we don’t sell our products as retail packaged items.

Two key contributions that we make on Dubai projects are: (1) we provide Test Certificates with the shipment/batch; this allows the recipient to complete their Submittal documentation based on the information provided with the shipment rather than having to chase down Test Certificates, (2) we regard our Plates with their Modules and/or Switches as ‘Standard’ and not ‘Specials’; this enables us to offer realistic delivery times of between 4 to 5 weeks. It is important to note that we cannot provide any product certification for a particular market where a product cannot be certified, which often includes universal sockets failing to meet the shutter requirement.

What we are not is a local distributor approved by DEWA. A maintenance order placed upon a Thursday cannot be fulfilled as well as one placed with a distributor in Al Quoz; however, both will meet the DEWA deadline of Friday for a new distribution. A project request for 40,000 devices requires additional conversation, and the various ranges of switches and sockets are organized according to the plate systems and module sizes specified with such projects.

The choice for a distributor to stock a complete range of plate families, or carry only their stock volume lines, will always be the same choice made by a distributor in any market, and is based on the manufacturer’s supply to the distributor’s customer, and not vice versa. The key point for a discussion in Dubai is, if a plate family is not held as a standard item, it will become a 6-week special order when a project changes finish.

FAQ

What brands of wiring devices are approved for use with DEWA projects?

DEWA maintains an approved materials list that is based upon a product family approval and not on a particular manufacturer. For example, brands such as Legrand, Schneider Electric, ABB, Siemens, MK Electric, Crabtree, Hager, and Gewiss have product family approvals, and therefore, a supplier can name the product family approved through DEWA. Make sure you verify that you have received a company’s approval for a specific supply of goods as opposed to receiving an approval for a company’s product(s) as a whole or as a brand in general.

What price should I expect to pay for a 13A Socket in Dubai?

At the actual factory level, single switched sockets retail for AED 12 to AED 25; however, when purchasing through a brand supplier located in the U.A.E., the same product retails for between AED 35 to AED 90. Double switched sockets retail at AED 20 to AED 40 at the factory level, while at branded suppliers they cost AED 55 to AED 160. Prices are affected by manufacturers’ names, finishes and whether the products are locally approved. The price of brushed metal plates is typically 40% to 80% higher than a standard white plate.

Can I purchase direct from manufacturers & import wiring devices into the UAE?

Yes; however, in order for your shipment to be cleared through customs you will need to provide a Certificate of Conformity, a test report that identifies your products’ exact model number(s), and a Certificate of Origin. Without these documents your shipment will be stuck in customs while the correct paperwork is generated. Only products that have received DEWA’s approval may be installed in any installation that is connected to the DEWA network and the approval process for DEWA is conducted by the local supplier, not the overseas factory.

What is the distinction between ESMA and DEWA approvals?

ESMA is the national standard authority (UAE), while DEWA is the local authority that provides electric services. For a product to be sold in the Emirates, it must have received ESMA’s Certificate of Conformity. The DEWA approved materials list determines what types of products may be used in any installations connected to DEWA’s electrical network. A product that has received an ESMA Certificate, yet is not on DEWA’s approved list, cannot legally be installed.

References

• Legrand — Wiring Devices and Modular Plate Systems
• Schneider Electric — Switches, Sockets and Distribution
• MK Electric — BS 1363 Wiring Devices
• Hager Distribution Boards & Wiring Accessories
• UL Solutions Wiring Device Certification & Testing

Conclusion

A wiring devices supplier located in the U.A.E. must meet British technical standards, comply with UAE regulations and deliver purchased items to customers within one week of receiving payment. The supplier’s brand candidates include a huge list of names, with the most significant difference between the top, middle and bottom of the list being mostly documentation & stock availability vs. product quality.

The first step to take before deciding on the product pricing is to determine the product approvals followed by the plate families and lastly the pricing. If the product does not appear on the DEWA list or approved for the project site finish requirements, the product cannot be legally installed in the project site, and the finish(es) that are required for the project will be replaced at the site. There are two significant decisions to make on the first and second step; however, the final 10% of the product’s pricing should be given less importance than the first two steps.