Thirty years smarter, a timeline of change

The need for electronic components is growing exponentially and it’s estimated that, by 2020, there will be more than 30 billion IoT devices in use around the world. It is clear that the demand for electrical components from consumers and businesses is constantly growing.

In response to this, REO UK has released a new infographic to spread information about how this evolution effects the industry.

“As REO UK celebrates its 30th anniversary, it seems timely to reflect on the evolving landscape of the electrical industry,” said Steve Hughes, Managing Director of REO UK. “The last 30 years have seen significant developments including the IoT, surgical robots, EVs, self-driving cars and more.

“Many technological devices, which we rely upon so much today, didn’t exist 30 years ago. With the rise of the IoT, for instance, who could have anticipated a system of interrelated computing devices, mechanical and digital machines, which can transfer data over a network without human input?”

The new infographic from REO UK is designed to spread information about how these changes affect the ways electricity is generated and used. As more businesses rely on a constant power supply - for instance, with the rise of renewable energy infrastructure and smart manufacturing - it’s of prime importance that power to these devices is stable and reliable.

“Power quality is pivotal to the efficiency of equipment. So is understanding the problems, like disruptive noise and interfering harmonics from power supplies, which cause electrical issues, affect sensitive devices or even cause failures,” added Hughes. “This is especially vital for critical applications, like in the medical sector.”

“REO UK is also looking to the future. Changing consumer behaviours mean that manufacturers will turn to automation to optimise processes and retain a competitive edge. Increased levels of automation throw up new questions of power quality, a key consideration for the efficiency of equipment across numerous sectors.”

To further celebrate 30 years in business REO UK has released an eBook in the autumn! The book, titled 'R30: The past, present and future of power', looks at the technological advancements that have shaped industry over the past 30 years and explore what the future has in store for design and electrical engineers.

To discover more about recent changes in the electrical industry, you can view the infographic below. Click here for your copy of the R30: The past, present and future of power.