Profs silver

Fuse – The Smart Consumer Unit

DCA Design International, Warwick, UK
www.dca-design.com

About Fuse

Fuse is a fresh approach to the design of a product that has remained largely unchanged since its inception. Consumer units, or fuse boxes, are the focal points for electricity installed in a building. They serve to distribute power and interrupt the supply if an electrical fault is detected. Fuse has been carefully designed for both the electrician and the homeowner, irrespective of electrical knowledge. The smart display and accompanying app provide a new level of consciousness in active monitoring of energy consumption, and enable improved identification and simpler rectification of system faults. The use of standard internal components ensures that the installation and configuration of Fuse is in line with industry standards.

Statement of the Jury

A fuse could be considered a maligned object, something not usually considered a design object, but this idea both elevates its aesthetic value and empowers consumers to make changes in their life, which is the way the world is moving. The combination of hardware and software comes together very well here, to create one user experience. The concept is well thought through, from the easy installation of the unit, to the low energy E-ink display, to the app showing consumers how much energy they consume. The jury also praised the lighting failure state feature, which enables consumers to find the fuse box in the dark when there is a power failure.

Designer

James May

Since 2012 Sector Manager – Commercial & Industrial Products, DCA Design International, Warwick, UK
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1996 - 2000 M.Eng. Mechanical Engineering, University of Birmingham, UK
1998 - 2000 Sponsored Engineering Intern, Taylor Hobson Limited, Leicester, UK
2000 - 2004 Mechanical Applications Engineer, Taylor Hobson Limited, Leicester, UK
2004 - 2012 Senior Mechanical Engineer, DCA Design International, Warwick, UK

Giles Sparrow

Since 2008 Lead Electronics Engineer, DCA Design International, UK
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1984 - 1988 B.Sc. Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Brunel University, London, UK
1988 - 1992 Avionics Engineer, Dunlop Aerospace, Coventry, UK
1992 - 1996 Electronics Engineer, EMS (Greenham) Ltd, Oxford, UK
1996 - 2000 Senior Electronics Engineer, Plus Design Ltd, Oxford, UK
2000 - 2008 Senior Systems Engineer, Touchstone Ltd, Oxford, UK

Dan Salisbury

Since 2013 Industrial Designer, DCA Design International, UK
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2008 - 2012 BA Industrial Design & Technology, Loughborough University, UK
2010 - 2011 Industrial Designer, Diageo, Bishop’s Stortford, UK
Since 2012 Industrial Designer, DCA Design International, UK

device = mobile