PDL Consumer Blog - PDL by Schneider Electric

Quake rebuild to ultimate smart home

A trip to choose light switches for their modern, energy efficient new build turned into a plan for a full smart home for Christchurch couple Paul Williams and Alex Hazard, after a visit to PDL Vision Studio showed them what home automation could add to the project. See how the couple controls everything from lights through to sprinklers, from their smartphones or tablets. Smart and simple.

Inside a designer's home

Auckland interior designer Donna Jones of The Design Option chose PDL Iconic range for her Kohimarama home. She likes PDL's changeable faceplates, dimmers and USB chargers for added ambience and functionality.

Electrical cost clarified

We asked a Kiwi electrician for some advice on the cost of electrical services when building or renovating.

Scandi styling with Iconic Essence

Clayton and Toni created a beautiful family home, channelling a clean, minimalist Scandinavian influence with the Iconic Essence switchgear in Arctic White from PDL. The range also come with handy extras like USB charging, dimmers and Bluetooth functionality that add convenience to their everyday life.

Simple, modern and smart living

As more Kiwis choose to build new homes, they aspire to live in homes that are not only comfortable, but homes that make life easier and more enjoyable too. Find out how PDL's electrical and smart home automation solutions helped a Queenstown home achieve just that.

Electrical planning

Whether you are building a new home or renovating one, an electrical plan will help you consider all electrical needs are thoroughly as well as prepare for an adequate budget to cater for that. What are three questions you should ask?

Alex & Corban's new home

Alex and Corban Walls’ new home is a showcase of trademark sophisticated styling and clever design that makes the most of the beautiful bush setting and sea views.

What the process of a switchboard upgrade is like

Dominique and her husband recently went through a switchboard upgrade in her home. She wrote about the experience to help other homeowners who are considering a switchboard upgrade, to better understand the process.

A safer home with AFDD

How did Arc Fault Detection RCBO, the new solution for home electricity security from PDL by Schneider Electric help make a home safer quickly and easily.

A truly intuitive home

C-Bus smart home with an efficiency edge - the magic of impressive floor-to-ceiling windows and expansive views, discreetly hidden behind the walls, and more.

Setting the gold standard in contemporary home design

A modern black cedar home with sweeping views across rural Pukekohe makes a striking statement on its hilltop location, and a beautiful interior using stylish Iconic switchgear from PDL.

Switch up your Style

Your intrinsic sense of style is evident as soon as someone walks into your home. If it's expertly styled, all elements of a design will come together to give your home an inviting and comfortable feel.

Design an accessible home

Designing with accessibility in mind has become a standard in today’s building and renovating practice. When it comes to electrical solutions, it’s worth considering simple products that can help make the surroundings more accessible and safer.

New York State of Mind

Find out how PDL Iconic range delivers style and efficiency to interior spaces and the switches of PDL Iconic Styl have a sleek feel that add to the overall experience of the beautiful fittings.

9 Safety Tips for Renovation Projects

Doing your research and having a well-thought-out electrical plan for your renovation will help you save and prepare an adequate budget upfront, as well as ensure all safety measures are thoroughly considered.

Wolfkamp's Villa Reno

Builder Peter Wolfkamp is best known for dispensing DIY wisdom on popular tv show The Block NZ – but when it came to his own renovation he was only too happy to take some advice on how best to protect his new investment, and those living in it, from electrical fires.

Design Award Winner Carmen He Joins Pacific Design Lab

Schneider Electric is proud to announce award winning designer Carmen He as the newest Industrial Designer in the Pacific Design lab based in Adelaide, Australia.

Stylish container transformation in Marlborough

A Marlborough vineyard shipping container venue needed switches to complement its modern industrial look – an ideal job for Saturn Horizon. Corban Walls, director, engineer (& winner of The Block NZ), created the Pavilion using a container. He says the brushed black metal finish of Saturn Horizon is the perfect complement to the raw black steel of the container & its interior elements of wood, glass & ceramic.

Creative home meets automated submarine

The sky’s the limit when it comes to home automation for Christchurch couple Wayne and Aimee. They installed C-Bus by Schneider Electric a decade ago and after starting small they have expanded their install and now use it to control nearly everything around the house, as well as their incredible submarine-themed theatre, and classic car showroom and workshop.

Ben and Quinn’s Iconic Christchurch home

The transformation of a tired 1940s bungalow into a modern family home by former The Block NZ contestants Ben and Quinn Alexandre got the perfect finishing touch with the award-winning future-ready PDL Iconic switch range. The couple chose the switchgear after visiting PDL’s Vision Studio in Christchurch and falling in love with its sleek design, changeable faceplates and additional home automation features.

St Heliers home refresh

When Jim Gleeson of Refresh Renovations started work on the electrical renovation of the St Heliers house, he found it had old switches that were yellowed and damaged and in three different styles, which detracted from the overall presentation of the property. He suggested that the owners update the switch gear to a single style for a more streamlined look and to complement the light, bright interior.

Updating customers' homes?

Stay up to speed as the smart home industry continues to evolve. We want to help you seize opportunities and enhance customers lives.

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Inspired? Here's what's next...

As with anything in your renovation, the earlier you start and the more you plan to your needs and budget the better! Explore important product and electrical considerations below.

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