August 2019
Cable, Cable Management & Labelling
BRENCHAM With basket tray sales on the rise, Tamlex FastConnect explains why it can offer the perfect solution for cable containment
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DONCASTER CABLES Britishowned wiring manufacturer, Doncaster Cables, has provided durable and reliable cables since 1984
An ECN Supplement
UNITRUNK Cable management specialist, Unitrunk, is providing training to electrical and instrumentation design apprentices at Sellafield
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GreenBrook Conduit Feature Advert.qxp_Layout 1 12/07/2019 14:12 Page 1
The diverse & comprehensive brand...
...of electrical installation & cable management accessories
•Junction Boxes •Connection Boxes •Malleable Conduit Accessories •PVC Conduit Accessories •Boxes and Enclosures •Cable Glands / Kits •Cable Saddles •Cable Clips / Ties •PVC Sleeving •Fixings, Accessories & Consumables•18th Edition Products
( +44 (0) 1279 772 772 Untitled-11 2
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INTRODUCTION
AN INTRODUCTION
W
elcome to ECN’s third supplement of 2019, which we’ve devoted entirely to cables, cable management and labelling. In the following series of articles, some of the industry’s most revered cable and cable management solutions providers address, in their own words, the latest trends and challenges impacting the sector, and provide expert guidance on how to approach cabling in the safest, most efficient way possible. In addition to exploring the issues impacting on the cabling landscape, many of the organisations featured in this supplement provide extensive insight into their own ranges of solutions, many of which have the potential to change the way you do business. With the 18th Edition of the Wiring Regulations in force – along with the additional updates and amendments that have recently been published – it’s imperative to ensure that any cabling works meet the safety standards laid out by the latest rules. Expert articles in the following pages will help you to achieve exactly that. Our fourth and final supplement of the year, appearing in our November issue, will be dedicated to all things lighting. If you wish to be involved, please contact Kelly Byne via the contact details below.
The editor and publishers do not necessarily agree with the views expressed by contributors nor do they accept responsibility for any errors in the transmission of the subject matter in this publication. In all matters the editor’s decision is final. Editorial contributions to ECN are welcomed, and the editor reserves the right to alter or abridge text prior to the publication. Published monthly by All Things Media Ltd., Suite 14, 6-8 Revenge Road, Lordswood, Kent ME5 8UD. Tel: 01634 673163 Fax: 01634 673173 Overseas Subscription Rates: Europe £60.00; Rest of World £70.00 Copyright © 2018. All rights reserved. Printed by Pensord, Tram Road, Pontilanfraith, Blackwood, NP12 2YA
CONTENTS… Lillistone, Technical and Quality 4 Giles Manager of GreenBrook Electrical, looks at what the 18th Edition Regulations mean for electrical contractors as it relates to cable management requirements. building safety of paramount 5 With importance, and the latest wiring regulations issuing stricter guidance on cabling installations, Centaur believes its Q Clip is a simple yet sophisticated solution. Darlow, Commercial Director of Pemsa 6 lan UK, describes the key features needed in a successful cable management solution, and explains the benefits offered by the Rejiband Rapide system.
The simple task of drawing cable off a 10 drum can cause electrical contractors all manner of headaches. Thus, it’s worth shopping around for a good spooling solution to make drawing cable easier while saving you time and money, writes Malcolm Duncan, Managing Director at Super Rod. Paul Nolan from cable management 12 specialist, Unitrunk, discusses the training the company provides to electrical and instrumentation and design apprentices at Sellafield. Clive Merrell of Tamlex FastConnect 13 looks at the benefits of basket tray sales and explains why they can offer the perfect solution for cable containment.
Cables, the largest British 8 Doncaster owned general wiring manufacturer in the
cable may well all look the same, 14 Electrical but does all of the electrical cable currently
UK, has been producing cables since 1984. ECN looks at how its impressive range of cables offers quality, endurance and assurance for all electrical contractors.
available in the UK market perform the same? Andrew Pegrum, Technical Manager of Deta Electrical Company Ltd, takes a closer look at the issue.
EDITOR SIMON ROWLEY E: simon@allthingsmedialtd.com
BUSINESS SUPPORT ADMINISTRATOR CAROL GYLBY T: 01634 673163 E: carol@allthingsmedialtd.com
GROUP ADVERTISEMENT MANAGER KELLY BYNE T: 01634 673163 E: kelly@allthingsmedialtd.com
MANAGING DIRECTOR DAVID KITCHENER T: 01634 673163 E: david@allthingsmedialtd.com
STUDIO MANAGER BEN BRISTOW T: 01634 673163 E: ben@allthingsmedialtd.com
ACCOUNTS T: 01634 673163 E: susan@allthingsmedialtd.com
DESIGNER JON APPLETON E: jon@allthingsmedialtd.com
Cable, Cable Management & Labelling
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GREENBROOK ELECTRICAL
SAFE AND SECURE WIRING INSTALLATIONS Giles Lillistone, Technical and Quality Manager of GreenBrook Electrical, looks at what the 18th Edition Regulations mean for electrical contractors as it relates to cable management requirements.
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he 18th Edition of the Wiring Regulations (BS7671) came into effect from January 1, 2019, and manufacturers, wholesalers and installers need to be fully aware of the changes. There are many new amendments in these regulations (GreenBrook has reported previously about the requirements for using more RCDs in our PowerBreaker articles), but this particular article is in relation to cable management and how cables are supported in an installation. The 18th Edition of the Wiring Regulations, published by the IET, include updates designed to reduce the risk of death posed by suspended electrical cables in the event of a fire. Their exact wording “Wiring systems shall be supported such that they will not be liable to premature collapse in the event of a fire” (clause 521.10.202). This new requirement expands the old regulations, which only applied to the support of cables in escape routes. The new requirement has been extended to include the support of cables in all areas, not just those in escape routes. Something people do not often realise is that this requirement also applies to temporary cables. The aim is to improve installation safety using the sufficient placement of metal clips to support hanging cables. There have been multiple historical incidents where the cable clips have become damaged by fire, and the cables have then dropped – and firefighters have then become entangled in them.
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“There have been multiple historical incidents where cable clips have become damaged by fire, and the cables have then dropped – and firefighters have then become entangled in them.” The 18th Edition aims to avoid any further incidents of this nature, and with Grenfell still a major discussion point, this is especially true within high-rise building developments, where fires could have devastating potential. The regulation states that plastic fixings cannot be used as the sole use of supporting cables. However, the IET states: “Suitably spaced steel or copper clips, saddles or ties are examples that will meet the requirements of this regulation.” This means that plastic fixings can be supplemented with metal ones – but that electrical contractors cannot rely exclusively on plastic clips, saddles or ties. It is useful to know that plastic fixings are not totally banned and can be widely used throughout the installation, as they are a more cost-effective way to manage cables. However, plastic cabling fixings can no longer be used as the sole means of securing cables in place, and metal alternatives must be used.
But what about existing cable installations – does the 18th Edition now need to apply to those too? The simple answer is no. Existing installations that have been installed in accordance with earlier editions of the regulations do not need to be replaced. The regulations apply to the design, erection and verification of electrical installations, as well as additions and alterations to existing electrical cable installations. This means any changes to an installation will now have to comply, but this change is not retrospective; and any installations fitted before January 1 this year may still be compliant. Norslo supplies a selection of both metal and plastic fittings for all your installation requirements. GreenBrook Electrical, greenbrook.co.uk
Cable, Cable Management & Labelling
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CENTAUR MANUFACTURING
IN SUPPORT OF CABLES With building safety of paramount importance, and the latest wiring regulations issuing stricter guidance on cabling installations, Centaur believes its Q Clip is a simple yet sophisticated solution.
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ollowing tragic deaths of firefighters that became entangled in fallen cables, the Wiring Regulations have progressively implemented changes to improve safety. Not only recognising the access for firefighters, but also the egress of occupants, amendment three of the 17th Edition of BS7671 required that cabling be adequately supported in the event of fire in all escape routes. This effectively precluded all combustible clips, ties, conduits and trunking systems used as a sole means of support. As firefighters operate all over a building, and occupants may have to gain access to an escape route, it was perhaps no surprise to see this widened further to include cabling in all areas in the recently published 18th Edition. Section 521.10.202
could not be more explicit: “Wiring systems shall be supported such that they will not be liable to premature collapse in the event of a fire.” Note four goes on to state: “Suitably spaced steel or copper clips, saddles or ties are examples that will meet the requirements of this regulation.” Many suppliers have naturally seen this as an opportunity to develop many ‘must have’ products, creating whole ranges of sizes and, of course, costs to meet compliance. As a British manufacturer of cable management products, Centaur sees matters perhaps more simply. In two sizes only, 80 and 222mm, the Q Clip is made in high grade stainless steel with a slot-and-fold-back design, ensuring a positive mechanical support which
Centaur’s Q Clip provides sturdy mechanical support
resists opening up should the cables sag and pull under the stress of fire conditions. The sizes permit a range of cables to be contained and allow others to be added very easily if required. These products are principally designed to fit inside the company’s uPVC profiles of mini, maxi and multi-compartment trunking, but naturally could be used as standalone clips. Following Grenfell and the Hackitt report, there will be a greater onus on accountability and suitability regarding the supply of all building materials. Centaur has therefore gained third party test approval to BS 8434-2 for this range of products, whereby they are proven to support cables for 120 minutes at 930°C. Centaur Manufacturing, centaurmfg.com
FIRE RESISTANT Q-CLIPS & SADDLE BARS THIRD PARTY TESTING & CERTIFICATION Third party tested by the industry recognised Warrington Fire Laboratory. Proven to offer support to cables in the event of fire. Fire rated and compliant to BS8434-2 at 930° for 120 minutes.
SADDLE BARS
Q-CLIPS
18th Edition wiring regulations section 521.10.202 compliant
18th 930°C EDITION COMPLIANT 2h
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01527 528049
• 80 mm for mini trunking & 222 mm for maxi & dado trunking • Manufactured from stainless steel
sales@centaurmfg.com
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Installation Materials Division ...the name behind the brands
Cable, Cable Management & Labelling
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PEMSA UK
RAPID AND SECURE CABLE MANAGEMENT Alan Darlow, Commercial Director of Pemsa UK, describes the key features needed in a successful cable management solution, and explains the benefits offered by the Rejiband Rapide system.
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hese days, the requirements of the market – with respect to the electrical installation and the management of the cables – demand solutions which provide cost savings whilst maintaining quality and efficiency. Installers need to have solutions that allow them to improve their day-to-day working with the products, whilst achieving an easy and ‘rapid’ management of the cables in order to meet the characteristics of the installations or the buildings. To achieve this goal, cable management solutions must have the following key features:
• Rapid and easy coupling systems that don’t require tools. This is one of the most desired features. The installer requires a ‘rapid’ and easy system for handling, and also for coupling the sections of the cable trays. From this premise, the wire mesh or basket tray system must offer an integrated coupling system without the use of tools which, in turn, then reduces the time of installation and the cost of materials. •A n enhanced and reinforced coupling system. The coupling system needs to provide not only a fast connection, but also an enhanced and strong joint, thus guaranteeing the safe working loads according to the cable capacity of the basket tray. • A wide range of Rapide accessories. Extending the rapid and easy coupling system further, the installer also requires a wide and complete range of accessories that also make the managing of cables easier. Therefore, various components for coupling straight lengths and bends, tees etc., supports and brackets and other items to fix and secure the cables, are necessary in order to offer a full and complete rapid system. •R educed labour and handling costs. The rapid and easy coupling of straight sections and accessories allows for a reduction in the handling costs, giving significant savings of at least 30-40%. The first thing an installer possibly thinks about is reducing the cost of materials by trying to get cheaper prices for the product. However, you should also consider the savings that can be achieved by using a rapide system, and the reduction in installation time too.
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eeting the relevant European and •M international standards. The market, apart from requiring competitive and faster solutions, also demands compliance to all of the relevant European and international standards and any local regulations. It is also necessary to subject the product solutions to a third-party certification entity to gain the approvals or certifications to meet the required standard, IEC 61537, or its local application, BS EN 61537, the IEC CB scheme certificate. • Product features based on quality for improving the security of the installation. It is also essential to provide good quality features to guarantee the safety of the installation. A rounded safety edge protects the cables and the handling of the installer, whilst rod diameter or electrowelded rod structure can guarantee a good load capacity. •E lectrical safety and a guaranteed earth continuity. To complete the safety of the installation, it is mandatory to ensure an excellent electrical continuity between the different sections. Meeting the requirements of the standards IEC 61537, or other regulations with higher values like UL, based on NEMA or NEC, provides the best conditions for making the correct bonding for electrical safety. • I nstalling in indoor or harsh environments. It´s very important to have available a wide range of finishes and coatings in order to ensure an excellent behaviour in all environments or locations, whether it be an indoor installation in a ceiling, or in a harsh environment (such as the chemical industry) with a high concentration of aggressive substances. •A pplications for projects. Finally, the product demanded must be suitable for various types of project applications, such as commercial buildings, tunnels, industrial installations, data centres, the food industry, and renewable energy.
Rejiband Rapide offers a quick coupling system that doesn’t require any fixings and connects in only two seconds
Rejiband Rapide wire mesh tray from Pemsa
Rejiband Rapide Rejiband Rapide offers a quick coupling system that doesn’t require any fixings and connects in only two seconds. It is a fast and easy connection that makes the product installation easier for installers and technicians. There is a wide range of accessories available for this product range that offer good solutions to manage the cables and connect devices or equipment to the installation, such as lighting, junction boxes, security cameras etc. For improving the security of the installation, Rejiband Rapide wire mesh tray has been designed with a rounded safety edge that avoids any damage to the cables and safety for the technicians whilst they manage and install the cables. Another important technical aspect is the performance of Rejiband in humid environments. The organic mineral Black C8 coating has an extra resistance against corrosion. The performance of this coating is much better than that of hot dip galvanised, achieving more than 1,200 hours in a salt spray chamber test. The smooth black finish is much more aesthetically appealing than hot dip galvanised, with no sharp edges or spikes and no irregularities or areas with reduced thickness. Fire resistance is a very important consideration, and Pemsa has tested its cable tray systems in accordance with the DIN 4102-12 standard. The test qualified the preservation of functionality of its installations by withstanding 90 minutes at 1,000°C, thus obtaining the E90 certification. Safe electrical continuity is guaranteed in the cable tray systems, thanks to testing according to the requirements of the international product standard BS-EN 61537. Pemsa UK, pemsa.co.uk
Cable, Cable Management & Labelling
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DONCASTER CABLES
BRITISH CABLES WITH A DIFFERENCE Doncaster Cables, the largest British owned general wiring manufacturer in the UK, has been producing cables since 1984. ECN looks at how its impressive range of cables offers quality, endurance and assurance for all electrical contractors.
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lectrical cables are an important aspect of any building’s infrastructure. With vast quantities of cable being installed within buildings around the UK on a daily basis, contractors, wholesalers and specifiers should be asking: Do I know where that cable was manufactured? Do I trust that manufacturer? And will the cable perform as expected throughout its lifetime, or is it going to pose a risk to safety in the future? Travelling back to the 1970s, when the cable industry was in its prime, there were approximately 30 UK cable manufacturers, most of these with multiple factories based in the UK. Approximately 5% of cable installed within the UK was imported, with the remaining cable being manufactured in the UK by an industry employing over 45,000 people. Fast forward to the present day, and the industry has shrunk to a handful of true cable manufacturers and employs only 2,000 people. Today, it is estimated that approximately 80% of cable installed in the UK is imported from overseas. With limited regulations, and even less policing, the door has been left open for faulty cables to be brought into the UK marketplace. Current industry estimates show that one in five cables in the UK market are either faulty, counterfeit or substandard. A concerning figure when the cable installed within our buildings is responsible for the correct functioning of that building, the safety of the people inside and the general public.
Approximately 80% of cable installed in the UK is imported from overseas, findings show
“With public safety being higher on the list of priorities than ever before, the need to place trust in your cable supplier is more prominent than ever before.”
With one in five cables in the UK either faulty, counterfeit or substandard, an authentic cable from Doncaster Cables can prove to be the optimum solution
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Numerous examples have been identified within the marketplace which have given genuine cause for concern, and pose a credible risk to safety and life. These range from general wiring and flexible cords with high conductor resistance; defective steel wire armoured cables with undersize armour wires; arctic grade flexible cords that crack and expose live conductors; and flexible cords which fail to comply with the relevant British Standard for flex testing which, when flexed over their lifetime, are prone to exposing live conductors and creating potentially life threatening situations within homes and the workplace. Taking everything into consideration, and with public safety being higher on the list of priorities than ever before, the need to place trust in your cable supplier is now more prominent than ever. Doncaster Cables explains how it approaches this problem in the marketplace, and gives its customers complete reassurance that the cables they are supplied with are of the highest quality, fully compliant and tested above and beyond the minimum requirements of the relevant British, International and European Standards. Doncaster Cables is offering a solution to the marketplace. More than ever, people are wanting to be reassured in their purchases, know they are buying a quality product, and know where the things they are buying are manufactured. This is increasingly difficult with cables, as a brand name on a cable does not
necessarily show where the cable was manufactured; with more companies having cables marked with their name, rather than the name of the actual manufacturer. People should ask, ‘Do you know where that cable is manufactured?’ With Doncaster’s cables this is simple. If it is marked ‘Doncaster Cables’, then it is manufactured in Doncaster, UK. After building its reputation on trust, reliability, quality and service, Doncaster Cables is now looking to extend its offering into other products, such as its new EV-Ultra Cable range. A range of cables that provide a unique solution and allows EV installers to carry less cables and reduce installation time. Doncaster Cables EV-Ultra addresses the task of having to install multiple cables to certain EV charging units. Some charging units require both power and data cables, which provide power to the charger and monitor the energy being used throughout the premises, or provide data from the charger. Doncaster Cables EV-Ultra combines the power and data cables into one cable. In reducing the number of cables that need to be run into the building, this enables EV installers to achieve neater installations at a quicker speed, reducing the need to cable tie/clip multiple cables together. For more information about Doncaster Cables’ range of quality products, or its new EV-Ultra cable, please contact the company at 01302 821700, or sales@doncastercables.com Doncaster Cables, doncastercables.com
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EV Ultra The smart EV charging installation solution Power and data connectivity combined in one cable
Hard wired data connectivity is a superior and secure alternative to using WiFi. Just one cable for a faster, neater and easier installation process. Available in both PVC Tuff-Sheath and SWA variants.
EV Ultra
SWA
EV Ultra
Tuff-Sheath
EV Ultra
Cat5 SWA
EV Ultra Cat5 Tuff-Sheath
t: 01302 821700 e: sales@doncastercables.com doncastercables.com
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SUPER ROD
A REVOLUTION IN REELING The simple task of drawing cable off a drum can cause electrical contractors all manner of headaches. Thus, it’s worth shopping around for a good spooling solution to make drawing cable easier while saving you time and money, writes Malcolm Duncan, Managing Director at Super Rod.
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amaged drums, reels getting snagged on corners and other obstructions on the floor, and twisted cables are just some of the common problems that electrical contractors experience daily when trying to install lengths of cable from a reel. Time is wasted going backwards and forwards to untangle the reel or untwist the cable, and money is wasted replacing damaged drums as the cardboard finally gives up and the cable comes spiralling off. There must be an easier way. Thankfully, we think there is. Finding innovative solutions to everyday frustrations is what Super Rod does best, and this year we have launched two new spooling solutions to help make electrical contractors’ lives a little easier.
QuikReel for rewires and more The first is the QuikReel, which is ideal for rewires and other jobs where contractors need to move through rooms and spaces with a single reel. It was the bright idea of electrician Patrick Lenaghan from Dundalk, County Louth in Ireland. He has been a qualified electrician for 25 years and runs his own business, specialising in wiring for domestic, agricultural and commercial buildings.
The Cable Jack Plus has a lightweight design, and can be easily assembled on site
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Lenaghan’s inspiration for the QuikReel came after the chance discovery of an old blue and white enamel dish in the loft space of a farmhouse he was rewiring. The bottom of the dish was curved, so when it was placed on the floor, it spun easily on itself like a spinning top. As the dish was roughly the same size as the reel of cable Patrick was using, he placed it on the dish and – to his amazement – the dish simply spun around in the same place as he drew out the cable, which came off smooth and straight. The QuikReel replicates the dish’s spinning top action, allowing users to simply place their cable drum in the dispenser and draw cable off the reel as it spins on its axis. Designed to fit most popular reel sizes, the drum is loaded into the compact dispenser using a twist compression gland nut, and it can be done quickly and without hassle. The QuikReel is an incredibly simple solution, but it really works, and can reduce a lot of the frustrations associated with rewire jobs.
The new Cable Jack Plus Our second new cable dispensing solution is the Cable Jack Plus. Our original Cable Jack is a compact spooling solution, which is popular among domestic installers as it compacts down to fit in one 45cm long packaging tube. From talking to our customers, the feedback we were getting was that they wanted a similar spooling solution which would be easy to transport and store, but they wanted it to be capable of taking bigger reels and multiple drums. So our designers came up with the Cable Jack Plus. It has a lightweight design, which can be easily assembled on site, and comes with three poles to suit a variety of reel configurations. The Cable Jack Plus can hold up to 70kg drums of most standard cable sizes, making it a flexible solution for both domestic and commercial jobs. As well as enabling installers to draw off cable easily, the Cable Jack Plus has lots of additional functionalities – for example, it has
The QuikReel replicates the dish’s spinning top action, allowing users to simply place their cable drum in the dispenser and draw cable off the reel as it spins on its axis
The new QuikReel is ideal for rewires and other jobs where contractors need to move through rooms and spaces with a single reel
v-shaped notches, so it can be used as a portable pipe vice or works bench for general cutting or drilling jobs. The Cable Jack Plus is fully portable and has easy to grip handles on either side, so it can be moved without being dismantled. And once you’ve finished for the day, the Cable Jack Plus folds away flat, for convenient van storage and transportation. Working smarter is not always about buying expensive technology with all the bells and whistles (although we sell that too). Often, it’s just investing in simple products that ease life’s little niggles and help you get your work done in less time and with less frustration. That’s the kind of products we ‘reel-y’ like. Super Rod, super-rod.co.uk
Cable, Cable Management & Labelling
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Inspect
Protect
Dispense
ECN Advert Aug Untitled-11 2 Edition 2019.indd 1
15/07/2019 15:28 09:33 23/07/2019
UNITRUNK
UNITRUNK TRAINING POWERS FUTURE SKILLS AT SELLAFIELD Paul Nolan from cable management specialist, Unitrunk, discusses the training the company provides to electrical and instrumentation and design apprentices at Sellafield.
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uclear power generation ceased at Sellafield in 2003, and the site’s Windscale reactor is currently being decommissioned; a process which involves considerable construction activity to dismantle the plant and create nuclear storage facilities. It is anticipated that this will be followed by the construction of new nuclear generation capability in a rolling project that has seen Sellafield become one of the largest construction sites in Europe, with a huge requirement for skilled labour over the next two decades. Sellafield takes on 30-35 new electrical and instrumentation apprentices each year, supporting them through a four-year level three apprenticeship, and new talent at the site must be trained in the use of materials that have been approved for use in the nuclear industry.
delivering both CPDs and on-site cutting and bending training, Rexel helped to put the wheels in motion for the Unitrunk team to develop a tailored course for Sellafield apprentices.
Classroom training
The Unitrunk Training Academy at the Sellafield site in Cumbria
Supply chain engagement Unitrunk was approached to deliver both classroom and practical training to Sellafield apprentices in the second year of their apprenticeship, providing an insight into different cable management systems and finishes, along with practical installation skills needed to install Unitrunk’s EasyConnect cable basket RIS (Rapid Installation System) range, which has been approved for use in nuclear projects. The Unitrunk training came about when head of apprentice training at Sellafield, Steve Bewsher, asked wholesaler, Rexel Group, to recommend an existing approved supplier that could offer on-site training. As Unitrunk is not only an approved supplier for Sellafield, but also has existing partnerships with further education colleges and an established track record of
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One of the Sellafield trainees being trained on how to use Unitrunk’s solutions
The training begins with a classroom presentation based on Unitrunk’s CPD presentation about correct specification of cable management materials. This session includes both electrical and instrumentation apprentices and design apprentices, who will be responsible for designing the cable management infrastructure into future projects. The session discusses the scale of corrosion risk for cable management, advising the apprentices on environmental factors, encouraging them to run through a checklist of considerations – such as whether the cable management is required indoors, whether the atmosphere will be clean or polluted, and what the impact of Sellafield’s coastal location will be on product selection. The presentation goes on to explain the differences in finish available for cable management products, and outlines the processes involved in manufacturing ‘pre-galvanised’ and ‘hot dipped galvanised’ products and the varying levels of corrosion resistance they provide, reiterating the need for informed product choices to avoid over or underspecification. The classroom training also provides an opportunity to discuss the various types of cable management, including cable ladder, cable tray, cable basket and trunking, highlighting common applications for each generic system type. This provides an opportunity to discuss scenarios where cable basket can be used instead of cable tray to reduce installation times and load bearing requirements, while still offering a robust installation.
Finally, students are introduced to Unitrunk’s Rapid Installation Systems (RIS) philosophy and the EasyConnect system, prior to hands-on training.
Hands-on The final part of the classroom session provides the perfect segue to hands-on cutting and bending training. Involving electrical and instrumentation apprentices only, this element of the training combines demonstrations of forming common tees, bends and joins with practical experience of handling the product. Apprentices learn about bend radii, using the right depth and width of tray for the cabling requirements, use of dividers to separate power and data cabling, and common installation requirements, such as connecting cable basket to channel or utilising cable basket as risers. By the end of the two-hour session, the apprentices are confident at cutting, shaping, bending and connecting the EasyConnect cable basket and competent in handling the product safely. It’s important that they have the skills to benefit from the rapid installation design of the product and that they learn safe cutting and bending techniques, as this will help Sellafield to leverage the full value of reduced installation times and labour costs. Following the two-hour practical session, the apprentices are able to practice the skills they have learned under the supervision of Sellafield’s inhouse team.
Addressing the skills gap Active engagement between supply chain partners is vital to addressing the skills gap, and Unitrunk’s work with Sellafield’s apprentices demonstrates the success and future potential of this approach. For company or product information, contact Martin Gregg, Commercial Manager, Unitrunk on 02892 625 883 or by emailing martin.gregg@unitrunk.co.uk. Unitrunk, unitrunk.co.uk
Cable, Cable Management & Labelling
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TAMLEX
NO NEED TO ‘MESH’ ABOUT Clive Merrell of Tamlex FastConnect looks at the benefits of basket tray sales and explains why they can offer the perfect solution for cable containment.
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Basket is available from 60mm widths to 600mm, with a standard depth of 60mm. Many basket trays available are zinc coated and some, for the even harsher environments, galvanised. FastConnect is a new product that takes advantage of the latest plating technology and utilises a new galvanic coating, compliant to BS EN ISO:9227:2017 that is iridescent, fluoride-free and superior to electrozinc and dichromatic electrozinc, as commonly used. The new coating has lower levels of discharge of metal in the wastewater, and thus is also better environmentally. The unique patented FastConnect coupling system is simplicity in its use. Just a simple push down to clip together the lengths of basket tray is all that is needed. No tools are required or awkward angles needed to join lengths together. All lengths supplied include a FastConnect coupler at one end. If, however, you need to cut the
hilst there are undoubtedly many jobs and applications where traditional perforated steel cable tray is the more suitable product to use, basket tray sales are on the rise. Data centres, retail outlets and warehousing are all using wire mesh for its speed of installation and on-site flexibility. The ability to create bends and shapes actually on site can be a massive time saver – especially if the method of joining sections is the unique coupler of the FastConnect system, as available by Tamlex Steel Cable Management. Of course, an increasing range of bends, tees and risers for the profiles are readily available from Tamlex to provide solutions for the general configurations encountered, thus minimising any necessary improvisation on site.
basket length down to a smaller length, then simply unclip the coupler that comes supplied with the tray and reattach to the cut basket end, then clip together as normal. Additional couplers can be purchased to ensure that all the basket can be utilised, which reduces waste, helps the environment, and gives the installer full value for money. The FastConnect coupler makes it the most versatile system on the market, and by spanning the whole width of the tray, provides a complete and very strong joint. As a general rule of thumb, the more hostile the environment, the more likely to use conventional perforated tray – but for general cable containment, consideration is increasingly given to wire mesh for all the right reasons; ease of installation, which equates to substantial time saving; fitness for purpose; and, ultimately, value for money. Tamlex, tamlex.co.uk
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Safer
THE PATENTED FASTCONNECT RANGE ALLOWS FOR SECTIONS OF BASKET TRAY TO BE SIMPLY JOINED TOGETHER WITHOUT TOOLS. The FastConnect basket tray system is quick and easy to assemble with no tools required thanks to its patented removable coupler which adds strength and rigidity. The range has been designed to help reduce installation time on-site and therefore save you money. 01952 586689
AS EASY AS 1-2-3 sales@tamlex.co.uk
www.tamlex.co.uk
Installation Materials Division ...the name behind the brands
Cable, Cable Management & Labelling
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DETA ELECTRICAL
COMPLIANCY CONCERNS Electrical cable may well all look the same, but does all of the electrical cable currently available in the UK market perform the same? Andrew Pegrum, Technical Manager, Deta Electrical Company Ltd, takes a closer look at the issue.
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ccording to the latest government fire statistics collated by the Home Office, there are over 29,000 accidental fires per year in England alone, of which over 5,241 (c. 18%) can be attributed to wiring or cabling. 2,693 (51%) of these were down to faulty electrical supplies and 1,728 (33%) due to faulty appliances and leads. Not only fires, but sub-standard cabling can result in short circuits and blackouts, posing hassle for homeowners, or, in more extreme circumstances, a reduction in a cable’s insulating properties can lead to circuit malfunction and possible electrocution.
PR compliancy As a result, the focus on fire safety with electrical installations and cabling has never been greater, especially given that nearly a fifth of all accidental electrical fires in England are caused by wiring and cabling issues. It is now one year since the introduction of the new European Construction Product Regulation (CPR) that, in respect to cables, was introduced to address the fire risks associated with power cables used for installation into building and construction works. CPR further extends to the performance of data and communication cables under fire conditions.
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“The focus on fire safety with electrical installations and cabling has never been greater.”
With CPR comes certain responsibilities for manufacturers to include: appropriate testing and classification of cable, making available a Declaration of Performance and ensuring cable carries the appropriate CE-Mark.
cable products to go with the source that enables a price point to be achieved. But how do specifiers, installers and buyers know they are getting the cable they are expecting and that it will meet the specific requirements they have?
Sharing responsibility
Checklist: what to look out for
Responsibility for conforming to the updated CPR regulations (effective July 1 2017) extends beyond manufacturers to distributors, specifiers and installers, all of whom have a role to play in ensuring fully CPR-compliant cable to an appropriate class of performance is supplied and installed. Whilst the specification of a cable system can and should set out the exact performance requirements, the safety of the installation relies on the cable being fit for purpose and aligned with the performance set out in the system’s specification. Cable standards not only specify the dimensions and materials of a cable, they also require that a range of specific tests are undertaken to prove the construction and performance. Given the competitive nature of market pricing, it is all too easy when sourcing
•C able marking – check the cable is marked correctly • CE marking – check the CE mark is in place • Cable reel labelling – check the cable reel has a Declaration of Performance label • Traceability – check the product labelling or documentation has the manufacturer’s details, year of manufacture and reaction to fire classification. Partnering with a reputable, high quality brand like Deta Electrical gives contractors, wholesalers, specifiers and installers the security of knowing products are fully compliant, rigorously tested and suitable for the intended application. Deta Electrical, detaelectrical.co.uk
Cable, Cable Management & Labelling
26/07/2019 14:34
Co-Axial
Bell Wire
Alarm
Telephone
Speaker
Data
Cable for your everyday needs CPR compliant Broad range of cables Extensive stock holding Unrivalled service and support
t: 01582 544 544
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26/07/2019 10:15
KEEP ON TRUNKING WITH THE UK’s LARGEST CABLE MANAGEMENT DISTRIBUTION NETWORK
With over 10 strategic UK and Ireland locations and a network of wholesalers stretching across the country, Unitrunk is never too far away. Our herd is always out in force, to make sure our customers get what they need when they need it. Visit unitrunk.co.uk to find your nearest branch.
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