Simplewire

Simplewire, founded in 2018 in Denmark, was created to address the inefficiencies of traditional cable labeling. With deep roots in Danish industry, Simplewire’s mission is to revolutionize cable identification through innovative technology, making the process more efficient for electricians and other professionals. They focus on delivering high-quality products, prioritizing customer satisfaction, and ensuring accessibility for support when needed.

The project involved the design and development of a handheld scanner for electrical outlets that identifies which cable corresponds to a specific circuit breaker or distribution box. This solution was targeted at large facilities such as warehouses, offices, and industrial buildings, where the process of locating the right circuit breaker for an outlet can be both time-consuming and costly. Grinn was responsible for developing the system, including both the scanner and the signal-emitting device located in the distribution box.

The solution consists of two primary components: Signal Emitter - a device installed in the distribution box that sends an identifiable signal along the cable connected to each outlet. Handheld Scanner – a portable tool used by the operator to scan outlets, detecting the signals transmitted through the cables and identifying which outlet belongs to which circuit breaker. The system is intended to eliminate the manual process of labeling outlets and cables, which often becomes outdated or inaccurate over time, especially after modifications to electrical systems.

Before reaching out to Grinn, the client had developed their own prototype of the device. The main challenge faced by the client with this prototype was the susceptibility of the scanner to electromagnetic noise of surrounding electronic devices and lower than desired sensitivity of the scanner. Grinn had to design a system that would offer improved sensitivity and better performance in noise-polluted environments , while still keeping the system compliant with PLC (Power Line Communication) standards. Additionally, there was a lack of existing solutions and knowledge in the market to base the development on. The project was innovative, with limited prior research or commercially available systems for reference, so Grinn had to adopt a trial-and-error approach, testing various concepts to refine the system.

Despite the challenges, Grinn successfully developed an innovative cable identification system. The system’s signal emitter and scanner work together to reliably identify cables without introducing interference or being affected by external electrical noise. Grinn was responsible for the software development, hardware design, and EMC testing to ensure the device's reliability in real-world environments. The project is ongoing, with Grinn working on further improvements and developing version 2.0 of the device to enhance its performance and user experience. This solution now provides a faster and more reliable way to identify cables, significantly reducing the time and costs associated with downtime, especially in high-stakes industrial environments where every hour of downtime can cost thousands of euros.