Cooperation with MK will bring EnOcean’s award-winning, energy harvesting technology to the UK’s building automation sector

MK Electric, part of the Honeywell Automation & Control Solution Business and global supplier of electrical products, has entered into an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) agreement with EnOcean GmbH, a pioneer in energy harvesting technology for intelligent green buildings. MK is currently integrating EnOcean’s self-powered wireless sensors into its wiring devices product portfolio to address the wireless, energy-saving switching needs of its UK customers.

Commenting on the agreement, Phil Daniell, marketing director of MK Electric, said, "Compared to other wireless communication solutions, EnOcean’s unique combination of energy harvesting and wireless technology is embedded in standardised modules, which are very simple to integrate into various switch designs. Not only do we benefit from the high level of functionality but the technology also enables a faster time to market and reduced design risks. This, combined with the technology’s existing success in Europe, made the cooperation an attractive proposition for MK."

The technical innovation of EnOcean’s transmitter and receiver modules is that they are battery-less, wireless and maintenance-free. Energy harvested from the surrounding environment, such as linear motion, pressure, light, temperature change, rotation and vibration, is used to generate a signal of astonishing range. From just 50 µWs a standard EnOcean wireless module can easily transmit sensor information at 125 kbit/s over a distance of up to 30 meters within buildings and 300 metres in a free field. The entire process is started, executed and completed in approximately 3 milliseconds (ms). Multiple telegram transmissions guarantee the highest transmission reliability at the lowest possible reaction times.

"Over 70 integration partners across the world are already delivering EnOcean interoperable products and now we have a major UK player on board to design and manufacture new products for building applications," said Andreas Schneider, EnOcean’s executive VP sales & marketing. "MK’s global brand and well-established reputation in the building sector make the company the ideal integration partner to build upon the growing awareness of self-powered wireless solutions and add value to the UK market."

The first MK "enabled by EnOcean" products will be launched in June 2008.

About MK Electric

MK Electric, a Honeywell Business, is the UK’s leading manufacturer of circuit protection, wiring devices and cable management. MK offer a host of integrated product solutions: from flexible wiring systems products ideal for rapid construction techniques through to innovative lighting management systems designed to deliver high levels of control and energy efficiency in commercial environments. The company’s emphasis on local/domestic manufacture, product recyclability and a high recycled content in raw materials, combines with its commitment to energy efficient and environmentally aware manufacturing processes; to deliver quality, engineered, sustainable electrical solutions for the vast majority of domestic, commercial and industrial applications. Founded in 1919, MK Electric has set the standard within the industry for many years, and has an going commitment to develop sustainable products which are not only the safest in their class, but also provide an energy conscious solution for its customers.

About EnOcean

EnOcean GmbH, established in 2001 and headquartered in Oberhaching near Munich, develops innovative, self-powered wireless sensor technology. The company manufactures and markets service-free and flexible wireless sensor solutions for use in buildings and industrial installations. The products are based on a combination of miniaturised power converters and reliable wireless transmission. About 500,000 of the company's wireless components are already in use. EnOcean GmbH employs more than 35 people in Germany and the USA, and cooperates with well-known manufacturers of system solutions for building and industrial installations engineering worldwide. EnOcean has won numerous awards, most recently the "Batimat Innovation Award in Bronze" at Batimat 2007, as well as the "Best innovation in green product and services" award of the Working Buildings Week Innovation Awards 2007, the "Building Product Innovation Award" at the 100% Design London Awards 2007, the "BuildingGreen’s 2007 Top-10 Green Building Products" and the title "Technology Pioneer 2006" of the World Economic Forum.