What it Takes to Develop the World’s Safest Smart Panel

At Basis, safety is not just a buzzword; it's the cornerstone of our innovation. Basis’ flagship smart panel is a testament to this steadfast commitment. The Basis smart panel is more than just an electrical smart panel; it's a quantum leap in safety and functionality that sets new industry standards.

A Foundation Built on Safety

Electrical panels are highly regulated because they play a crucial role in ensuring the safe distribution of electricity in homes and buildings, preventing electrical fires, shocks, and other hazards. Basis CEO Alex “Cappy” Cappy emphasises, “Our products are in highly controlled categories, as are all electrical systems. We go through extensive compliance testing to well-established standards.”

The Basis smart panel adheres to over ten stringent international safety standards, including meticulous IEC and local variants for Australia and New Zealand. But we are not in the business of ticking boxes. We aim to exceed these standards, ensuring the Basis smart panel surpasses safety expectations.

Our in-house, IANZ-accredited test lab is at the heart of our product development. This state-of-the-art facility has revolutionised our approach to testing and ensures our products meet the highest global standards. Certified by International Accreditation New Zealand, our lab issues globally recognised test reports and undergoes demanding audits to maintain independence and reliability. This commitment to excellence instils market confidence in the safety and quality of our products. The key advantages of having an in-house lab are:

• Accelerated product development: Traditional testing processes can be time-consuming. Our in-house lab allows us to rapidly iterate on product designs, ensuring that the Basis smart panel is always at the cutting edge of technology. Cappy explains, "We have to think on a longer-term time horizon, but we’re also very agile in how we test and learn and can apply that to how we design our product."
• Uncompromising safety: Every component and assembly of the Basis smart panel undergoes rigorous testing to ensure it meets or exceeds the highest safety standards. Our IEC compliance means you can trust that the Basis smart panel is safe for your home. Cappy adds, "Testing occurs at multiple levels. Each component or assembly goes through design and full systems testing."
• Global Recognition: Adhering to IEC standards, the gold standard in electrotechnology, underscores our commitment to global safety. By meeting these stringent international benchmarks, we've positioned the Basis smart panel as a world-class product trusted to deliver the highest safety standards.

Rigorous Testing Ensures Product Safety

The development of safe and reliable electrical products is a complex endeavour that demands meticulous attention to detail. At Basis, this commitment to safety is evident in our rigorous testing process.

“Innovating and evolving our unique design solution while maintaining a pathway for compliance is our biggest challenge,” says Brendon Hale, CTO. To address this, Basis has implemented a multi-stage testing protocol that begins with the production of sample products by our contract manufacturers. Ben Jar, Quality Manager, explains, “Our samples undergo a series of stringent compliance tests to ensure they meet the highest safety standards.” This process often involves multiple testing sequences. “Some sequences start with preconditioning tests to simulate real-world conditions, such as exposure to high humidity and temperature,” says Ben.

Basis’ testing goes to extreme lengths. We conduct endurance and ageing tests that can span over 28 days. Our products are subjected to temperatures ranging from -5°C to 40°C, and withstand intense electrical stresses, including thousands of amps and voltage surges.

Ben highlights overcurrent testing to illustrate the depth of Basis’ testing. “This involves subjecting our products to various overcurrent conditions, from ambient to extreme temperatures, to assess their performance,” he states.

The scale of testing is substantial. One primary standard alone requires 14 test sequences, each with multiple clauses and individual tests. To ensure comprehensive evaluation, three sets of samples are tested for each sequence, significantly amplifying the overall testing workload. Each compliance run involves tracking over 200 samples, demanding meticulous attention to detail from our team to ensure complete data traceability.

“By subjecting our products to such rigorous testing, we prioritise consumer safety and build trust in the Basis brand,” emphasises Ben. This dedication to quality and safety is fundamental to Basis’ commitment to delivering reliable electrical products.

Safety Redefined

At Basis, safety is the bedrock upon which we build our innovative electrical solutions. Our flagship smart panel embodies this commitment, setting new industry standards for safety and functionality. Through rigorous testing, adherence to global standards, and a dedicated in-house lab, we've redefined what it means to deliver a safe and reliable electrical smart panel. We believe that every home deserves the peace of mind that comes with knowing your electrical system is protected by the highest standards of safety and performance.