Electrical Hardware

Electrical Hardware includes an extensive range of electrical hardware products, components and accessories that are used for the distribution, supply and usage of electricity. It includes everything from electrical cable, wire and meters to lighting fixtures, bulbs and fans.

Electrical Hardware Products
Some of the important electrical hardware products types are listed below:
Electrical Cable, Electrical Socket, Electrical Wire, Electric Cord, Switch Gears, Earthing Accessories, Cable & Wire Fittings, Electrical Plug, Adapters, Busbars, Electric Meters, Lighting Fixtures, Electrical Box, Light Bulbs, Electric Fans

Electrical Hardware Products Applications
Electrical hardware products have found uses in a variety of industrial applications, including -

• Electric power distribution and supply
• Vehicle systems
• Production and manufacturing
• Communication systems
• Large scale transportation and equipment
• Industrial machinery and equipment

Electrical Hardware Industry
The electrical industry provides an important service crucial to modern life. It provides the people with the most prevailing form of energy known to mankind - electricity. An integral component of the economy of a country, electrical industry supports the economic - growth and productivity; promotes business development and expansion; and generate vast employment opportunities for people across the world.

The electric industry helps customers in the industrial, manufacturing and construction sectors succeed by providing complete electrical energy solutions. A fast growing industry, it operates in the hybrid model of competition and regulation and contributes hugely to the progress and prosperity of a nation. The industry include establishments primarily engaged in the manufacturing, supply trade and retaining of electric hardware products.

Electrical Industry Trends
Some of the recent trends witnessed in electrical hardware industry are -

Increasing construction activity driving the demand for electrical hardware products - According to recent market studies, construction sector will steadily grow in coming time and this trend is expected to continue through 2011. In United States only, the office construction market is expected to grow between 6 % and 7 % annually up to 2011 and it will reach $75.1 billion by then.

These growth forecasts for the construction sector could prove to be profitable for electrical industry worldwide. According to industry experts, this growth in construction market will be one of the major growth driver for the electrical hardware industry in coming future.

Increased Employment - In recent times, employment in the electrical hardware industry has gone up globally, while the wages have decreased slightly.

Rising Zinc & Copper Prices - A Challenge to Electrical Fittings Market - The increasing prices of copper and zinc in recent times are posing new challenges for the industry. Because of this, cast of electrical products using copper and zinc have increased significantly.

Some manufacturers are considering steel as an alternative to zinc die cast. However, there are a lot of unique fittings, which have zinc in them and the steel offering isn't as comprehensive as the die cast.

Electrical Industry Associations
Electrical industry associations work for the welfare of electrical hardware industry manufacturers and suppliers. They work as a common platform to bring together the manufacturers, suppliers, contractors, wholesellers, retailers, corporates, worldwide to exchange views and offer specialist services in the specialised areas. They provide and update their members with latest technology, innovations, educational materials.

Some of the top electrical hardware councils are:

• The Association of Meter Operators
  The Association of Meter Operators is the trade association representing it members. The Association aims to provides a forum to exchange information and discuss technical, operational or regulatory matters relevant to the members...
• The Solar Electric Power Association
  The Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) is a nonprofit membership organization, since 1992 as the Utility Photo voltaic Group. SEPA has more than 375 utility, electric service provider, manufacturer, installer, government, and research members...
• ELCINA Electronic Industries Association
  ELCINA Electronic Industries Association of India established in 1967 and since then ELCINA has been well known as an interactive forum for electronics and IT manufacturers...
• National Electrical Contractors Association
  National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) is a dynamic national organization serving the management interests of the entire technical contracting industry...