ECN March 2019 by All Things Media

VOLUME 39 NO. 03 • MARCH 2019

SPECIAL FEATURE: CABLE, CABLE MANAGEMENT & LABELLING

ELECTRICALCONTRACTINGNEWS.COM

38 COMPETITION Win tickets for the ultimate adrenaline rush, courtesy of Niglion

SPECIAL FEATURE: UPS & POWER DISTRIBUTION

A SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY FOR PEMSA Cable management specialist, Pemsa, is celebrating 50 years of manufacturing.

This year, Pemsa, the market leading manufacturer of cable trays, is celebrating 50 years of experience, knowledge and success within the cable management systems marketplace. Founded in 1969, the company responded to a real need to organise and, above all, facilitate the future maintenance of electrical installations by designing, manufacturing and supplying quality solutions for the installers. The company has been active in the UK for more than 16 years, applying the company’s 50 years of experience in studying, analysing and then offering adapted solutions to suit its customers and the UK market.

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CONTENTS VOLUME 39 NO. 03 • MARCH 2019

CONTENTS… Regulars 4 Editorial

20 Key Issue

Homes get smarter, but homeowners remain a worry.

Michael Kenyon considers the impact of the 18th Edition amendments and the consequences for electrical contractors.

7 Industry News

23 Project Focus

Electrical safety guidance for social housing, jail time for a rogue trader, concerns about apprenticeship barriers, new charity initiatives, and more.

Scolmore explains how it was a case of ‘back to basics’ with its wiring accessories for a unique twin build project.

12 Cover Story

24 In The Know

As an approved supplier to London Underground, cable tray specialist, Pemsa, talks about the quality of products that are required for the UK Rail Industry and in particular the new High Speed 2 railway project.

Jeff Richardson introduces the AOne GU10 lamps that are set to make an impact on the residential market.

Details on how Drayton has supplied a bespoke heating solution for Mitchells & Butlers pubs and restaurants across the UK.

Smart solutions for a farmhouse, LED lighting at a new warehouse, and an infrared solution for a historic judo club.

38 Competition

18 Training

A chance to win tickets for the ultimate adrenaline rush.

Details of Drayton’s training tour, new apprentices for I.C. Electrical, and more.

28 Show Preview Ahead of EI Live! opening its doors at the end of April, we take a sneak peak at what the show has to offer.

30 Company Profile Simon Rowley toured Lutron’s Experience Centre in London to learn about the company’s range of smart solutions.

26 Project Focus

15 Contract News

Features

34 Safety by choice, not by chance When it comes to designing emergency lighting, the temptation to save cash could have dangerous implications. Peter Adams explains.

36 Lighting for the greater good

61 Company Showcase Sponsored content from around the sector.

Economic and energy-saving benefits can offer a compelling case for an upgrade project. Debbie-Sue Farrell looks at the opportunities for electrical contractors.

SPECIAL FEATURES: Cable, Cable Management & Labelling

UPS & Power Distribution

Software & Apps

Electrical provides 39 GreenBrook an overview of the different types

Leo Craig tackles the most 52 common misconceptions

industries are going through 57 Many a technological revolution, and

of conduits, along with details of the considerations that need to be factored in when using.

Martin Gregg discusses the challenges facing electrical contractors and assesses how the cable management supply chain can be of assistance.

the demand for power increases, 47 As so too does the need for reliable power generation, transmission, and distribution using medium voltage cables. Graham Turner explains.

J on Chamberlain discusses the benefits of selecting PVC-U cable management systems manufactured from recycled materials.

electrical contractors have about uninterruptible power supplies.

none more so than the electrical contracting sector. Software designer, simPRO, offers guidance.

Dr. Alex Mardapittas explores 54 the importance of battery energy storage technology and its role in providing energy resilience through full, site-wide UPS capabilities.

March 2019 | 3

Contents.indd 3

04/03/2019 10:31

NEXT TIME…

EDITORIAL

Exterior Lighting

Smart homes continue to get smarter, but some homeowners still place themselves at electrical risk

HOMES GET SMARTER, YET HOMEOWNERS REMAIN A WORRY

elcome to the March issue of ECN. Some rather concerning figures reaching us this month suggest that, despite ongoing measures to heighten their protection, homeowners still require a great degree of education to ensure their safety. According to new research, over half of Brits (55%) do not unplug electric appliances that are not designed to be left on, while a similar number do not know how to test their smoke alarm for functionality. Even more worryingly, 44% of Brits admitted that they don’t carry out annual safety checks on the electrical appliances in the home. Of those, four in 10 don’t know how to check them, over a third are not aware of which appliances need checking, and almost a quarter ‘can’t be bothered’ to organise the check. The study was put together by The Consumer Protection Alliance, and the alarming figures are definitely cause for concern. The organisation is now set to launch a national consumer safety campaign, warning homeowners and landlords about the dangers lurking in the home. Let’s hope that the number of serious injuries caused

Published monthly by All Things Media Ltd., Suite 14, 6-8 Revenge Road, Lordswood, Kent ME5 8UD. Tel: 01634 673163 Fax: 01634 673173

be electrical faults – which is a surprisingly high 350,000 per year in the UK – is significantly lowered as a result of the campaign. In last month’s issue, I spoke at length regarding the evolution of smart buildings, and as you’ll likely have noticed, this month’s issue comes with a special supplement devoted entirely to this rapidlyevolving sector. This guide features the industry’s leading providers of smart solutions, each of which has unique capabilities and compelling innovations that are well worth discovering. These technologies look set to shape the future of commercial and residential premises for the months and years ahead, so familiarise yourself with these companies and take a glimpse into what the future might hold. The next of our quarterly supplements will be included alongside our June issue, and this time, the focus will be on wiring accessories. If you wish to be involved, please contact Kelly Byne via the contact details at the bottom of the page. Finally, with EI Live! now just weeks away, we continue our look ahead to the show with a sneak preview on page 28. With a new focus on smart products from the world of electrical contracting, the two-day show will be well worth the visit. It’s free to attend, and you can register today at eiliveshow.com. Enjoy the issue!

Fire, Safety & Security

Wholesalers & Distributors

Simon Rowley, Editor

EI Live! Preview

April Issue Advertising deadline: March 20 Editorial deadline: March 15

EDITOR: SIMON ROWLEY T: 01634 673163 E: simon@allthingsmedialtd.com

EDITORIAL COORDINATOR: JORDAN O’BRIEN T: 01634 673163 E: jordan@allthingsmedialtd.com

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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. Overseas Subscription Rates: Europe £60.00; Rest of World £70.00 Copyright © 2019, All rights reserved Printed by Pensord, Tram Road, Pontilanfraith, Blackwood, NP12 2YA

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INDUSTRY NEWS CO2 CONTROL TO BOOST PRODUCTIVITY Building technology manufacturer, Priva, is highlighting its ability to provide a variety of solutions enabling the effective management and monitoring of primary building systems, including airconditioning and ventilation, as a major new study asserts the importance of lower CO2 levels to the provision of comfortable and healthinducing workplaces. The new report, led by Oxford Brookes University and LCMB Building Performance, contends that CO2 levels in offices are “silently damaging UK productivity.” Monitoring levels and testing workers continually over a two-year period, the study showed that personnel are able to work up to 60% faster in environments with lower CO2 concentrations. In addition, increased intake of CO2 can lead to poor decision-making, slower reaction times and greater tiredness.

With the rising number of days lost each year to ill-health in the UK already giving cause for concern, this report highlights the need for building owners and facilities managers to review the impact that primary building systems can have on employee wellbeing. Alongside lighting, heating and noise control, effective air monitoring and management technology should be a priority for any new-build or retrofit project, Priva says. Priva’s product family offers powerful control and monitoring of key building systems. Its Touchpoint One technology – which allows users to adjust room conditions including heating and cooling via a user-friendly user interface – constitutes the latest generation of powerful and aesthetically-pleasing operating units. The unit clearly highlights the status of

CO2 levels with the help of clear graphical ‘traffic light’ icons.

Priva, priva.com/uk

EIC TACKLES MENTAL HEALTH WITH PENSIONER SUPPORT The Electrical Industries Charity (EIC) launched its Pensioner Support Programme (PSP) to provide a safety net to those who are in need of extra support during their retirement, and is encouraging everyone within the industry to show their support. Retirement is often seen as a happy phase in life, but this is not always the case for those who are faced with a number of difficulties, such as struggling to pay household bills or unexpected expenses – problems that can lead to mental health issues. Recent YouGov research revealed that nearly half of adults (7.7million) aged 55+ said that they had experienced depression and around the same number (7.3 million) have suffered from anxiety. Through PSP, the EIC is able to provide those in retirement with a way to connect with their fellow retired colleagues. It also offers support services, including financial grants and assistance, support for carers, disability and building rectification grants, telephone counselling, legal advice, complex case management and will-writing assistance to allow for a more social and happier life. The Electrical Industries Charity, electricalcharity.org

NEW DUBAI FACILITY FOR SCOLMORE Following six years of successful trading in the Middle East, Scolmore Group has opened a new head office and warehouse facility in Dubai. Officially opened in January, the development is designed to strengthen its position as a supplier of UK-made wiring accessories and lighting products, and allows the company to significantly expand its business across the growing Middle East market. The new office of Scolmore International Electrical Trading (Scolmore Dubai) is located in the heart of Dubai in the Business Bay area. The new company will also employ a number of sales managers, as well as office and admin support staff. The warehouse facility of Scolmore Dubai is located about 10 miles outside of Dubai in the Free Zone area. From this prime location, Scolmore Dubai will be able to stock and distribute its comprehensive range of products more quickly to its customers, which include major distributors, construction clients, hotels and smaller end users. Tim Piggott, Sales Director, Middle East, comments, “We expect to significantly increase our business in the Middle East over the next two or three years, and this new dedicated warehouse facility will allow us to dramatically cut down on the time it takes to get products out to our customers. With the ability to hold and distribute high stock levels, we will be in a position to fulfil the requirements of a growing customer base.” Scolmore, scolmore.com

ROGUE TRADER JAILED AFTER INVESTIGATION A man has been jailed for carrying out dangerous work while posing as a registered electrician. John Draco of Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, pleaded guilty to fraud and consumer protection-related offences after falsely claiming to be a qualified electrician. He advertised his services on Yell.com as accredited by ELECSA and Trustmark – despite not having either accreditation. He also claimed to be NICEIC registered. He was jailed for 13 months following a trial at Durham Crown Court in January. The court heard how Draco had offered to complete a full rewire of a property for £3,000, but had left it in a highly dangerous state. When his work was challenged by the homeowner, he abandoned the job and kept the full sum. The homeowner got in touch with Hartlepool Trading Standards, who took on the case with help from ELECSA. Such was the poor standard of the installation, an investigation by an electrical engineer ordered it not to be used as it posed a serious risk of fire and electrocution. Work to rectify the problems left by Draco ran into thousands of pounds. Draco, who traded under the name J and A Electrical Solutions, ended up paying the victim back £3,820. Ian Harrison, Hartlepool Borough Council’s trading standards and licensing manager, said, “This successful prosecution sends out a strong message that the courts will not tolerate rogue traders conning people out of their hard-earned cash.” Kevan Parker, Interim Managing Director of Certsure, which operates the ELECSA and NICEIC brands, added, “We take a dim view of those who pretend to be registered electricians when they are not. We will work with the appropriate authorities to protect those contractors who are legitimately registered with us and have the quality of their work assessed on a regular basis. Anyone thinking about using our logo fraudulently will be caught and dealt with appropriately by the courts.” ELECSA, elecsa.co.uk, NICEIC, niceic.com

TRUSTMARK JOINS FIGHT AGAINST CRIMINALS TrustMark, the governmentendorsed quality scheme for tradespeople, has joined the ‘Friends Against Scams’ campaign to protect and prevent vulnerable people falling victim to scams. The National Trading Standards (NTS) Scams team welcomed TrustMark’s CEO, Simon Ayers, as a ‘Scambassador’ to help them to protect everyone from scams and the damage they cause. Together with the organisation, he will encourage all TrustMark employees, scheme operators and registered firms to become ‘friends’ and empower them and their wider communities to take a stand against scams. Simon Ayers, CEO of TrustMark, said, “Scams often target the most vulnerable people in society, but the reality is that anyone can become a victim of scams and it can have both a financial, as well as emotional impact on victims. We are really proud to join in with the work of the NTS Scams Team to highlight the scale of the problem and prevent people from being victims of scams. By pledging our support, together we can drive this initiative forward to achieving a scam-free community.” TrustMark, trustmark.org.uk Friends Against Scams, friendsagainstscams.org.uk

March 2019 | 7

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INDUSTRY NEWS KNIGHTSBRIDGE TACKLES HOMELESSNESS WITH CHARITY DRIVE Lighting products and wiring accessories company, Knightsbridge, is donating £13,000 to Crisis, the national charity for homeless people. Inspired by the national ‘Crisis at Christmas’ campaign, Knightsbridge pledged to donate a portion of its December sales to the charity. Customers were informed that orders placed with the company during December would qualify for a donation of varying amounts to Crisis, in an effort to end homelessness in the UK. This donation represents the equivalent cost of: •2 40 sessions of counselling with a mental health professional •5 00 days of CV writing and interview skills workshops, to help a homeless person improve their employability •5 20 hours of new home training for five homeless people, helping them develop skills to manage their tenancy and maintain their new home • 2 ,600 sessions with a Crisis advisor at Christmas to introduce guests to Crisis’ services

Knightsbridge CEO, Catherine Connolly, said, “We are all delighted with the result of this campaign. It reflects the work we have been doing in the organisation to support the homeless

and those in need in our local community through our #Feed500 campaign for the Dunstable Food Bank. A massive thank you to all our customers who supported this initiative and our staff who created the

campaign. We aim to continue our support throughout 2019.” To find out more about Crisis, or make a donation, visit www.crisis.org.uk. Knightsbridge, mlaccessories.co.uk

ELECTRICAL SAFETY GUIDANCE FOR SOCIAL HOUSING

CALL FOR EVIDENCE SEEKS TO REGULATE SCOTTISH ELECTRICIANS The announcement by the Scottish Government of a ‘Call for Evidence’ to gather data on the extent of substandard electrical installations in Scotland and the risks posed to the general public has been welcomed by SELECT. The Call for Evidence is an ideal opportunity to detail examples of poor or unsafe work, which will reinforce the case for making it an offence for someone to call themselves an electrician without holding appropriate qualifications. Jamie Hepburn, the Scottish minister for business, fair work and skills, asked people to participate by means of an online survey (which closed on February 15). Alan Wilson, acting managing director of SELECT, said, “It’s good to see the Scottish Government take this first step towards regulation, and it’s a great opportunity to help make the public safer. By introducing Protection of Title for electricians, we would remove a large number of unqualified and often dangerous practitioners from the industry.” The Call for Evidence is open to the general public, the electrical workforce, those affected by any such defective or unsafe electrical installations, those completing retrospective work, emergency services, insurance companies, local authorities, trade association and certification bodies and others. The investigation will focus on a specific two-year period, between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2018 and will concentrate on issues of defective or unsafe work within a domestic setting.

Pioneering guidance on how social housing providers should take care of the electrical installations they manage was recently launched with a reception at the Houses of Parliament. The Electrical Safety Roundtable (ESR) brought together over 25 social housing providers and stakeholders to develop the Code of Practice for the Management of Electrotechnical Care in Social Housing, in response to complaints that there was no agreement in the sector on how to determine the electrical safety of stock and assets. The code of practice aims to provide this by setting out how often the electrical installation in a domestic tenanted property should be inspected, who should carry out these inspections, and how social housing providers should arrange to gain access to properties. Ryan Dempsey, Chair of the ESR’s Social Housing Sub-Group, said, “I spent many years working in social housing, and found it very difficult to justify some of the decisions I was making to others because there was no standard to refer to. This code of practice will provide that justification. What makes this document particularly special is that it has been developed by experts in the management of domestic tenanted properties. Their first-hand experience has allowed us to directly address the most common concerns in the sector, which we have done in a way that will be easily understandable even for those without specialist electrical knowledge.” ECN was in attendance for the official launch event, which took place in the historic Churchill Room at the House of Commons on January 23. A short summary document outlining key recommendations, at a glance, can be found on ESR’s website. ESR, electricalsafetyroundtable.co.uk

SELECT, select.org.uk

8 | March 2019

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INDUSTRY NEWS ECA BACKS PRS SAFETY PLANS Following the Government’s response last week to a public consultation on electrical safety in the private rented sector (PRS), electrotechnical trade body ECA has responded to the main conclusions. Steve Martin, ECA Director of Technical, commented, “ECA has long argued for regular electrical checks to take place in privately rented homes. It is vital that tenants feel safe wherever they live, and that landlords are provided with a cost-effective and practical way forward, which these proposals deliver. “An important test will lie in the enforcement regime, and it is vital that those with oversight, such as councils, have the tools they need to ensure that landlords follow the law. It is now key that the Government puts these plans into law at the nearest opportunity.” Some of the main conclusions set out in Government’s response include: introducing

legislation to make five-yearly electrical safety checks mandatory; producing new guidance for landlords that demonstrates the levels of qualification and competence required to carry out electrical inspections; and a commitment to ensuring the regulations are properly enforced and that there are real penalties for failing to comply. Andrew Eldred, ECA Director of Employment and Skills, added, “The Government’s response represents a pragmatic, practicable approach that will ensure that businesses with a properly qualified and skilled workforce who follow good industry practice can deliver this vital work. “ECA backs Government plans to provide new guidance to landlords that will put qualifications at the heart of proving the competency of those carrying out the work.”

The government’s response comes after an initial consultation was held from February to April 2018, to which ECA responded. In July 2018, Government announced that regulations would be

introduced requiring private landlords to carry out electrical safety checks every five years. ECA, eca.co.uk

NEW GUIDE FOR SMART HOME PRODUCTS Electrical wholesaler CEF has published a new guide to smart home technology that aims to simplify smart home product selection for professional installers and buyers. Get Smart, Get Connected is a comprehensive, priced product directory and microsite featuring the latest products and innovations as well as insight, installation advice and guidance to help electricians take advantage of the smart home revolution. It’s estimated that £10.8 billion will be spent on smart home devices in the UK this year alone, with an increasing number of those products now requiring professional installation. The smart home market thus presents a huge opportunity for electrical contractors, but understanding the range of products available isn’t always easy. CEF’s guide outlines the possibilities of what can be automated in a home as well as the individual devices that make it all happen, enabling electricians to grasp the smart home opportunity and access the commercial potential of this lucrative market. The new product directory is available from CEF stores nationwide, and digitally via cef.co.uk/getsmart. CEF, cef.co.uk

MAYOR CUTS RIBBON FOR ELECTRICAL WHOLESALER BEW Electrical Distributors, a family-owned business founded in 1983, has opened a new branch in Shrewsbury. The opening event, hosted in January by the BEW management team, attracted many local electricians and was deemed a huge success, receiving a great deal of attention in the local area. In-store stands and demonstration vans from suppliers Scolmore Group, Hager, Armeg Tools and Robus Lighting were of particular interest to the contractors in attendance. The opening was also attended by the local mayor, Cllr Peter Nutting, who cut the ribbon to officially open BEW’s 21st branch in the UK. He commented, “As the previous owner of a sports shop in Shrewsbury, I understand the difficulties faced by small businesses; so when I was invited to open a new local branch for BEW, I was delighted to offer my support.” BEW, bew-elec.co.uk

JTL CONCERNED ABOUT APPRENTICESHIP BARRIERS Training provider JTL says that it is struggling to gain access to schools and their pupils, and as a result, young people may not be fully informed about their apprenticeship options upon leaving full-time education. Research by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) shows that despite the introduction of the Baker Clause – which was created to force schools to open their doors to further education providers – compliance has been very poor. One year on from the introduction of the clause, findings reveal that just two in five schools (37.6%) published a provider access statement. Despite this, the Department for Education (DfE) is yet to take formal action to enforce compliance. According to the findings, most technical education providers think that the Baker Clause has failed to deliver on its aims. Over 70% say that it is difficult to access schools in their area, and less than a third say that the situation has improved in the last year. Poor compliance is due to the lack of incentive for schools to retain their pupils and little enforcement of the Baker Clause. JTL’s Chief Executive, Jon Graham (pictured), explained, “Like many others, we were sceptical that the Baker Clause would have an immediate impact on allowing us and other providers to gain access to schools and their pupils to highlight their options. This appears to be the case, and combined with recent figures showing that there were only 195,200 apprenticeship starts across the board between April and November 2017 (a 40% drop compared with the corresponding period in 2016), it would seem that there is a requirement for serious action from Government to rectify this.”

MOVERS & SHAKERS… P&R Morson has appointed Peter Lewis as its new managing director. He has worked at board level and as a CEO and MD in major UK MEP contractors including NG Bailey, SES and Lorne Stewart. Lewis will now take on responsibility for general business management, new business and strategic direction. Paul Morris, owner and former MD, will remain heavily involved. ESP has expanded its customer service team with the appointment of Debbie Collins, Alex Caldecott and Jamie Leaver, who all assume the role of customer service advisors. They join customer service manager Greg Allen to form the department. Cable management specialist, Unitrunk, has appointed Keith Quinlan as commercial lead for the company’s Harlow depot, which provides a product supply, sales and technical support hub for the South East. Quinlan is well-known in the region, and brings more than 20 years’ experience in the electrical sector to the role. WEEE compliance scheme, Recolight, has appointed Glenn Christie from Tungsram Lighting to the Recolight Board. A product line leader for lamps and drivers at Tungsram, Christie brings 15 years of experience working in the electrical and electronics manufacturing sector.

JTL Training, jtltraining.com

10 | March 2019

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COVER STORY

HIGH-SPEED RAILWAY PROJECT REMAINS ON TRACK As an approved supplier to London Underground, cable tray specialist, Pemsa, talks about the quality of products that are required for the UK rail industry and in particular, the new High Speed 2 railway project. This article explains more about how the project is unfolding.

Rejiband Rapide is a quick coupling system that doesn’t require any fixings and connects in only two seconds

igh Speed Two is the new railway system that will be the backbone of Britain’s transport network, and a great amount of investment and development is going into improving the connections for many cities around Great Britain. However, this does not only affect the new high-speed railway network. London Underground (Transport for London) has defined an ambitious plan to build new infrastructures and modernise other existing buildings, stations and networks. Recently, under the HS2 programme, there has been information released regarding new projects, such as the Euston Transport Interchange in Central London that will connect eight of Britain’s 10 largest cities. These plans and programmes are applying the best in worldwide design and construction techniques in order to achieve new standards in infrastructure delivery, resilient operations and passenger experience. The projects will also demand product solutions with a high quality and technical features to accomplish the maximum safety standards required. Cable management systems and cable trays play a very important role in energy routing and distribution, and they become a key factor in the high security required. Rejiband wire mesh tray and Megaband ladder ranges are approved and included inside the constraints and technical specifications of London Underground and Transport for London thanks to the highly specialised requirements of quality and safety that these products offer. The LUL approval is supported under the following technical and safety features of the cable trays: •F ire resistance. In case of fire, the safety of the infrastructures and the public can only be guaranteed if all the necessary safety installations remain operational. Cable tray systems that provide preservation of functionality and maintain their supporting task in the event of fire thereby contribute to the continuing operation of an installation.

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.

• Corrosion resistance. The product solutions need to offer a useful lifetime period without a reduction of the technical features in humid conditions like tunnels, external areas, environments with pollution etc. • Electrical continuity. Guaranteeing safe electrical continuity whilst avoiding electrical contact and protecting the security of the installer and members of the public. • High load capacity. Able to support and manage the various types of electrical power cables demanded by these types of railway infrastructures.

Megaband Ladder

Pemsa has various product ranges that meet these requirements:

Rejiband Rapide wire mesh trays This is 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 when they manage and install the cables. Another important technical aspect is the performance of Rejiband in humid environments. The organic mineral Black

Megaband Ladder is manufactured using a highly technical system of robotic welding, which ensures the best performance required for railway infrastructures

The Ladder product solution from Pemsa meets all of the previously mentioned requirements, as it is also tested to the same requirements of the standard BS-EN 61537. One of the tests is dedicated to establishing the safe working loads. Wire mesh tray and cable ladder are tested with a safety coefficient of 170%. These values are guaranteed by an external certification company and the IEC committee by way of the IECEE-CB certificate. Megaband Ladder is manufactured using a highly technical system of robotic welding, which ensures the best performance required for railway infrastructures and industrial applications when loading heavy cables. Corrosion resistance is another important benefit of Megaband Ladder. The hot dip galvanised finish, with an 85 micron coating and the stainless steel material, is designed to offer the very best options within any aggressive or humid environments, tunnels, power stations, outdoor applications etc. Alan Darlow, Commercial Director Pemsa UK pemsa.co.uk

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Introducing MAGDUO Two-Wire Fire Systems, allows Detectors and Sounders on the same circuit email: info@espuk.com

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visit: www.espuk.com

call: 01527 515150

04/02/2019 15:10

04/02/2019 14:54:30

CONTRACT NEWS SMART SOLUTIONS FOR 300-YEAR OLD FARMHOUSE Legrand has installed a wide variety of its innovations in Pedley Farm, a historic farmhouse in rural Bedfordshire. The inside of the farmhouse was completely stripped back before a new layout optimised for home automation was designed and built. The property can be accessed via a keyless Bticino touch pad, while the Bticino Classe 300X touchscreen video internal unit with integrated Wi-Fi connectivity provides an intelligent door entry system. This can be controlled via the screen or the dedicated Legrand door entry app. Moving inside the property, 12 4.3” Equinox keypads and two Equinox 73 LCD touch screens from Legrand’s Vantage home automation range are installed throughout the house, each powered by a single RJ45 (PoE) connection. The active matrix colour LCD keypads are able to control a host of different functions via different user interface widgets, ranging from lighting and climate control, through to multi-room home audio and video systems.

As well as the interactive keypads located throughout the property, all widgets on the touch screen can be accessed on the family’s smart devices via the Equinox app. This provides the exact same level of control as the wallmounted keypad, but from remote locations both in the home, and when away from the property. The farmhouse’s lighting control system is complemented by a range of wiring accessories from Legrand’s Arteor range to match the sleek aesthetic finish

Nuaire, nuaire.co.uk

Legrand, legrand.co.uk

A CGI of what Galliard Homes’ new residential development at Merrick Road in London will look like

NUAIRE VENTILATION FOR ART NOUVEAU BUILDING Nuaire XBC heat recovery units and a range of fans have been installed at Mackintosh at the Willow Tea Rooms in Glasgow as part of an extensive restoration to return the Art Nouveau building to its former glory. Originally opened in 1903, the historic building is arguably one of the finest complete Art Nouveau schemes in the world. The tea rooms are a key visitor attraction in Glasgow, and the facility also features a unique space for art, architecture and design with an extensive programme of exhibitions and events. Building services engineering, low carbon and sustainability consultancy, Rybka, provided the mechanical and electrical services for this particular project. The main objectives were to provide a solution that met the current regulation requirements, provided occupancy comfort and did not appear intrusive to the exposed services spaces, such as the education and learning suites, within the building. Rybka then selected Nuaire’s XBC heat recovery units for the project, and the supply and extract systems now deliver filtered fresh air into the building whilst extracting stale, stagnant air from the interior. Each unit has a heat recovery element that is capable of transferring heat that would otherwise be lost into the incoming air flow. The XBC’s slim profile enabled Rybka to achieve the exposed services approach throughout each floor by ensuring that the correct performance and control measures could be achieved. As each room features multi-purpose spaces, such as education rooms and exhibition spaces, each ventilation unit was required to be energy efficient and controlled to suit the varied room uses and operational times. Noise levels were also key to meeting the required conditions for each room. Nuaire bolt-on attenuators provided reassurance that the break out noises from the unit and ventilation system would not affect the required levels in each zone. In addition to the XBC units, a large number of Nuaire fans were installed, including Squif extract fans for the kitchen; AVT extract fans serving plant rooms, toilet blocks, powder room and service areas; OPUS local extract fans serving WC areas; and Ecosmart boxer supply fans serving the kitchen.

of the Vantage Equinox touch screens located throughout the property. The entire lighting control system – 70 circuits in total – feeds into a central lighting board installed in the farmhouse’s loft space. The Vantage InFusion DIN II controller offers increased processing speed, RAM and flash memory to deliver delay free control to large systems. It also gives scope to add further lighting circuits if required.

LONDON REGENERATION PROJECT FOR J S WRIGHT Mechanical and electrical services provider, J S Wright, has secured a £3m contract to help convert a former Honda dealership site in west London into a high-quality residential neighbourhood. The company will fit out all 191 apartments at the development in Merrick Road, Southall for Galliard Homes and Network Homes. The new 14-storey building comprises 133 highcalibre properties ranging from studios to three-bed apartments and landscaped with rooftop and courtyard gardens. The building also includes 58 shared-ownership apartments. J S Wright will equip each apartment with low pressure hot water heating, with individual radiators fed via a heat interface unit from a combined heat and power system in a central plantroom. The company will also install a boosted cold-water tank room and distribution network to enable all the apartments to receive instant domestic hot and cold-water services. In addition, it will equip the scheme with a mechanical ventilation heat recovery system that will use the outgoing air from each apartment to heat incoming fresh air. J S Wright will also supply and install sanitaryware, an internal rainwater system and above ground drainage, along with building management system controls. The installation of life safety systems – including domestic sprinklers, smoke and environmental ventilation and dry risers – will also form part of the brief. Work was scheduled to begin on site in February, with completion scheduled for June 2020. J S Wright, jswright.co.uk

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CONTRACT NEWS CHELSEA BOUTIQUE FOCUSES ON ALL THINGS NATURAL European children’s clothing brand, Il Gufo, has opened a London boutique in Brompton Road, Chelsea and has incorporated lighting from Reggiani’s Yori Evo range throughout the store. The décor has been designed to reflect the brand’s guiding principles and values based on all things natural and sustainable. It features high-quality craftsmanship and furnishings that have a Nordic inspiration, with a predominance of hornbeam and oak wood. Unusually, some of the fittings, such as the large tree created especially for the brand’s Milan and Paris boutiques, are entirely handmade. The aim was to lighten the volumes and make the spaces more welcoming. The London store, in particular, called for lighting that would enhance the clothing collections on display with high quality light (SDCM <2 and CRI>90), while at the same time slotting discreetly into the minimalist, Nordic-inspired look of the whole boutique. This is why projectors and track from Reggiani’s Yori Evo Ghostrack family were selected. Given their elegant but minimalist lines and invisible driver (patented technology), they can blend in with both the feel and the architecture of the space in question. The ideal solution was found in the 60mm form of the Yori Evo with 17W LED, supplied in a combination of both narrow, 12°, and medium, 20° beam angles and fitted with precision optics, thereby ensuring the desired illuminance and optimal light distribution accuracy throughout. Reggiani, reggiani.net

ECOLIGHTING CHOSEN FOR NEW-BUILD WAREHOUSE

A ONE-STOP SOLUTION FOR STIRLING COUNCIL Stirling Council has been working with Scolmore Group to source products that offer a costeffective and efficient solution to meeting its safety requirements. The council is now in the process of installing a range of products from across Scolmore’s portfolio in all 7,000 of the social housing properties that the council has under its remit. The rolling programme to upgrade the properties will see two of the click smart conversion packs installed in each property where required. This will allow speedy and damage-free installation of smoke detectors to the new LD2 standard within dwellings. The packs provide a retrofit smart solution to allow independent control of the lighting circuit, whilst still supplying a smoke detector with constant power. It eliminates the need for time-consuming and costly channelling and potential lifting of floorboards for access and then the necessary effort to restore everything back to normal. As well as adding a smoke detector, the conversion pack can be used to provide a solution where emergency lighting is required. It facilitates the ability for a permanent live supply to power an emergency light whilst retaining control of an existing light fitting. A key switch can also be incorporated to allow for emergency light periodic testing. As part of the upgrade, the emergency and microwave sensor versions of Scolmore’s inceptor EVO bulkhead are being fitted throughout the properties in the communal areas. This has allowed the council to opt for one fitting to solve a number of installation requirements. Scolmore products were also selected for the replacement of switches and sockets in each of the homes. The mode range of ergonomic electrical accessories was chosen by Stirling Council for its extremely competitive price, sleek appearance and flexibility. Scolmore Group, scolmore.com

EcolightingUK has been specified for the LED lighting at a new-build, 85,000 square foot PFSweb warehouse in Southampton for Conexus. Conexus, which was acquired by global commerce service provider PFSweb in 2016, is a consultant and system integrator for omni-channel commerce solutions. For the new warehouse, it chose Ecolighting due to its cost-effective prices and because of the efficacy of its fittings. The specification was to provide the warehouse with full illumination, as well as full bus bar installation to provide power to luminaires. All of the luminaires supplied have both daylight harvesting capability and occupancy control. Lisa Cooley, General Manager at PFSweb, commented, “The new system is energy saving and works well with the control system we currently have in place, and we like that the lights time out when an area is not in use. We are very pleased with the results.” The mainly open area warehouse was assessed by Ecolighting, and 67 240W 120 degree beam angle and eight 180W 40 degree beam angle Pegasus LEDs and 32 Altos emergency lighting luminaires were chosen as the best solution. Ecolighting’s compact Pegasus luminaire is a top specification LED High Bay luminaire and one of the company’s most popular light fittings. Encased in a robust, yet lightweight aluminium body, Pegasus uses an Osram driver and Osram LEDs giving 166 lumens per watt and up to 80% energy saving in installations. The sealed dustproof construction prevents access from insects and makes for easy cleaning. The Altos emergency luminaire from Ecolighting is part of the company’s flagship LED high bay lighting solutions designed for use in mezzanines, warehouses, in manufacturing, freezers/chillers and areas with high ceilings. Ecolighting, ecolightinguk.com

INFRARED SOLUTION FOR WOLVERHAMPTON JUDO CLUB Infrared heating expert Tansun has recently overhauled Wolverhampton Judo Club’s ineffective heating system and installed a number of its infrared heaters as part of an upgrade to the premises. The club, formed in 1966, required a heating solution that provided instant heat that was both effective and efficient. To match the needs of the busy facility, Tansun’s Apollo 2kW and 15kW, Eclipse 1.5kW and Sorrento Ceramic infrared heaters in black were chosen for the installation. The heaters were installed around the site, including the judo mat and parent seating areas, the changing rooms and the club toilets. The instant heat, powerful heat output and controllability of each of the infrared heaters allows them to be turned up and down when required – including heating only half of the judo floor when necessary – and it will also generate energy savings. Kevin O’Reilly, Senior Coach at Wolverhampton Judo Club, commented, “The new heaters are a massive improvement on the inefficient system we had in place. We had four heaters over the mat area that didn’t work very well and fan heaters in the toilets which produced a lot of condensation. However, in the month we have had the Tansun heaters, we have seen a very noticeable difference.” Tansun’s Apollo A1A infrared heater is the smallest of the Apollo range and was installed in the club’s judo area. It comes with high power options, long-lasting aluminium reflectors, a focused energy beam and a high intensity heat. The Eclipse zero light ceramic infrared heater was used in the club’s changing rooms as they are specially designed to not give off any glare and are fitted with far-infrared technology. The Eclipse range uses advanced ceramic heating technology which gives the heaters 35% more energy efficiency than lower-spec near-infrared products. The Sorrento Ceramic infrared heater’s versatility makes it ideal for the club’s toilets as it features a long-lasting infrared lamp and a polished parabolic reflector that enhances the heat distribution. Tansun, tansun.com

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THE FASTEST CONNECTION Introducing the new range of Fast-Fit Flow connectors, now with push-ďŹ t cable clamps

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04/02/2019 15:09

04/02/2019 14:49:54

TRAINING DRAYTON ANNOUNCES WISER TRAINING TOUR Drayton has announced new dates for its 2019 Wiser training tour. The roadshow will be stopping at different locations throughout the UK each month, giving installers the chance to familiarise themselves with the Wiser heating system and its smart features. At the tailor-made training sessions, installers will get the opportunity to learn more about the Wiser heating system from Drayton experts, including installation best practice, how to build the system, troubleshooting, and the benefits Wiser can offer customers. The practical sessions are designed to allow installers to ask questions, share their opinions and get hands-on with the Wiser system. Upon completion, installers are awarded the Wiser Approved Installer status, allowing them to benefit from having their company details listed on the

‘find an installer’ function on the consumer website, and will also walk away with over £200 worth of products. Drayton, which is celebrating its 70th anniversary, launched the Wiser system in 2017, adding a smart, multizoning solution to its range of products. A buildable system, Wiser can create up to 16 different heating zones, using up to 32 devices, which can be individually scheduled for maximum control. The system also benefits from smart

NEW TRAINING CENTRE FOR TRADE SKILLS 4U As part of a new drive to target aspiring electricians in the Midlands, electrical training provider Trade Skills 4U is to open a new training facility in Coventry. Scheduled to open in April, the location will act as a base from which Trade Skills 4U can deliver its renowned training courses. As specialists in electrical training, Trade Skills 4U offers one of the largest ranges of electrician courses in the UK for new entrants, existing electricians and companies from their main centres based in Gatwick, Warrington, London and a recently opened facility in Leeds. Customers can choose from a wide range of courses, including 18th Edition, domestic installer packages, City & Guilds diplomas, inspection and testing, EV charging points, and many more. In order to satisfy the high demand for the new 18th Edition of the electrical regulations, the company introduced four new pop-up centres based in Newcastle, Cardiff, Hatfield and Coventry last July. Carl Bennett, Exec Chairman of Trade Skills 4U, said, “With the ongoing success of the business, we have made the decision to open our fourth fullyfledged training centre in Coventry. The new facility will be situated close to major road links and will open up opportunities for aspiring electricians from the West and East Midlands.” He continued, “Our students will receive first-class training delivered by skilled tutors who have experience both on the tools and in teaching. The new facility will offer a fresh and bright learning environment that is built to the very highest of specifications, equipped with the latest technology in keeping with Trade Skills 4U’s usual high standards.” On an annual basis, more people pass City & Guilds electrical courses with Trade Skills 4U than with any other UK provider. It is also the first electrical training company to be accepted into the IOT’s centre of excellence. Trade Skills 4U, tradeskills4u.co.uk

modes, geofencing technology, voice control, and includes innovative features such as the new heat report. Upcoming dates and locations include: Manchester (March 5), Fareham (March 12), Coventry (March 19), Cardiff (April 2), Telford (April 9), Nottingham (May 1), Leeds (May 14), and Glenrothes (May 22). Further dates are scheduled for June, with each session costing £80. Drayton Controls, draytoncontrols.co.uk/wisertour

APPRENTICES TAKE CENTRE STAGE AT I.C. ELECTRICAL Electrical contracting and engineering business, I.C. Electrical, is celebrating its latest cohort of apprentices. The company, based in the West Midlands, takes on apprentices from the local area as a cornerstone of its current business. Since the business started in 2000, I.C. Electrical has trained and nurtured the careers of over 50 budding young electricians, and the number continues to rise. As part of the latest intake, five individuals have joined the ranks and have begun to forge their careers. The apprentices include Michael Shipton and Henry Wright, who have been working in the business, honing their skills in the areas of electrical installations and maintenance. With an emphasis on developing skills in the local area, I.C. Electrical has formed a partnership with training provider JTL, which has overseen the individuals’ development for a number of years. The company focuses primarily Apprentice Michael Shipton, on designing, building and installing one of I.C. Electrical’s current apprentices control panels, high and low voltage electrical systems, communication and automation systems and small power and lighting installations. Over the years, numerous I.C. Electrical trainees have extended their education to Higher National Certificate-level and beyond, won ‘Apprentice of the Year’ at their local college, and even been awarded with the prestigious accolade of ‘UK Apprentice of the Year.’ In 2019, I.C. Electrical will launch its own ‘ICE Apprentice of the Year Programme.’ This will see one individual who has gone above and beyond the requirements of their role win the opportunity to visit the company’s parent organisation, VEO Group, at its control panel manufacturing facility in Finland. I.C. Electrical, icelectrical.co.uk JTL Training, jtltraining.com

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21/02/2019 11:08

KEY ISSUE

PLAYING IT SAFE Michael Kenyon, electrical specialist at health and safety expert, Bureau Veritas, considers the impact of the 18th Edition of the Wiring Regulations amendments and the consequences for electrical contractors. What are the biggest changes the 18th Edition brings? One of the most significant changes is the recommendation that all designers should consider specifying arc fault detection devices (AFDDs) to mitigate the risk of fire in final circuits from arc fault currents. As AFDDs have never really been used in the industry, it may be challenging for installers as, in their most common current form, AFDDs will take up extra ways in distribution boards that might already be at capacity. As such, the regulation puts the onus on manufacturers to not only ensure there is greater availability of AFDDs postimplementation, when there will no doubt be a spike in demand for such products, but also to innovate and design more compact, affordable devices, some of which are starting to emerge in the marketplace. Another recommendation is that surge protection devices should also be included in all new installations to improve protection for sensitive electronic equipment and priceless artefacts, which will be of particular importance in data centres, commercial, and public sector settings, including hospitals and care homes. Meanwhile, where previously it was stated that a wiring system located on escape routes had to be secured using metal ties to ensure it did not collapse prematurely in the event of a fire, this mandatory requirement now applies to the whole installation in a building.

“The regulation puts the onus on manufacturers to innovate and design more compact, affordable devices.”

What have been the main challenges around implementation? As mentioned, the inclusion of AFDDs may present installation challenges for electricians and contractors, but these devices are also more expensive, and this will need to be factored in when designing new installations. Overall, while these new standards are a welcome step in the right direction in reducing the risk of fire, there are rising concerns that it is becoming increasingly difficult to keep up with the rapid change of electrical legislation in recent years. For example, although the 17th Edition was released more than a decade ago, it was subsequently updated in 2011, 2013 and 2015 – with each amendment bringing with it the extra cost of purchasing new revised books and resources. There’s already talk of the next amendment to the 18th Edition, so the overriding challenge will be maintaining the ongoing need to adapt and upskilling this requires. Does the 18th Edition present new opportunities? The huge growth area is the installation of electrical vehicle charging points, with the 18th Edition setting out the most robust guidelines to date. A raft of companies, including supermarket Lidl, are investing significant sums to build a network of charging points across the UK and Ireland. This includes hotels, office car parks, retailers, business centres and universities, which are all set to be upgraded with

charging points to accommodate the one million low-polluting vehicles expected to hit the roads by 2020. It’s a great time for contractors to enter this business area, and a notable recommendation in the edition is that all electrical vehicle charging points must now be protected using a 30mA RCD and suitable over-current protective device. How will the 18th Edition impact the industry long-term? Following the Grenfell disaster, fire safety rightly dominated the news agenda, and the 18th Edition will certainly raise standards across the board when it comes to reducing the risk of fire and electric shocks presented by poor electrical installations. Compliance is an ongoing process and, over the last decade, we’ve seen a major shift towards a greater emphasis on the use of residual current devices (RCDs) to not only prevent people from getting fatal electric shocks, but also to prevent fires. As implementation kicks in, we expect this ‘safety first’ approach to protecting employees, homeowners, students and residents to intensify in the coming years. For instance, although many elements such as the inclusion of AFDDs are currently just a recommendation, the direction of travel is clear, and these will most likely become mandatory in successive amendments. Bureau Veritas, bureauveritas.co.uk

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CMY

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PROJECT FOCUS

SCOLMORE STARS IN GRAND DESIGNS Scolmore explains how it was a case of ‘back to basics’ with its wiring accessories for a unique twin build project.

n a first for the Channel 4 programme Grand Designs, a recent project saw not one, but two builds taking place on the same site, with the episode focusing on identical twins and aspiring architects creating their own homes from scratch. When it came to selecting the wiring accessories that would work with their chosen industrial style, they decided that Scolmore’s metal clad accessories collection was the best choice. The twins, Jon and Nik Daughtry, live next door to each other in Sheffield and decided to build two identical modernindustrial homes next to each other. Their ambition to build was instilled in them from an early age by their parents, who had self-built two houses while the boys were growing up. With a childhood surrounded by construction, this paved the way for them to design their own homes. The opportunity for the twin build came about in 2015, when Nik obtained a plot that both he and his brother found particularly desirable. After over a year in planning, ground was eventually broken in March 2017, and this was followed by an 18-month build programme. The build itself wasn’t without its challenges, which included having to structurally navigate the workings/foundations of the former 200-year-old mill. The finished houses are stripped back and simple in approach, with honest materials – concrete blockwork, exposed steel frames, plywood and glazing. With large open spaces to maximise the light, the houses are styled sensitively with midcentury references and Danish minimalism.

The design is intended to lead visitors through the houses and through to idyllic views of the pond. With industrial nods to the site’s former use as a haulage yard after the mill’s demise, the buildings are stark and contemporary in their black cloaking. Inside, copper pipes deliver the water whilst galvanised conduit supplies the electrics throughout. Scolmore’s metal clad electrical accessories were a clean, versatile solution that complemented the design aesthetic and approach.

Scolmore’s involvement It was a direct approach from the brothers to Scolmore with their product request that led to the company supplying the switches and sockets required to fit out all the rooms in these ambitious homes, which would each house up to six people. Scolmore products were the recommendation of the twins’ father, David, who was responsible for the electrical installation for both houses. An electrician all his life, David has worked with a broad range of Scolmore electrical accessories and admitted it is the only brand that he has ever used. Jon Daughtry explained, “When we first looked at the Scolmore ranges, we were considering the Deco Plus range, as we loved the quality feel and look of the products with the very contemporary smooth curves. However, the more we got into the interior design for the houses, we realised that the metal clad range offered a much more complementary solution and in-keeping with the look we were going for. He continued, “It is remarkably broad in its application and the ideal choice for the houses, which are unashamedly simple in some respects, yet daring in others. Block walls, exposed copper pipes and Scolmore’s surface-mounted metal switches and sockets provided the backdrop to elegant and calming Scandinavian and mid-century inspired interiors.” Between the needs of each of the properties, vast quantities of metal clad accessories were required – a total of nearly 200 items (not including the required corresponding back boxes). The product list included 100 13A 2-gan DP switched sockets, 24 10AX 1-gang 2-way switch plates, numerous sockets with 2.1A USB

A view of the completed twin build project from across the tranquil pond

outlet, dimmer switches, media plates, telephone outlets, and twin satellite and co-axial modules. The fact that the products and trunking were all surface-mounted was a significant contribution that helped save time and disruption during the fix process. The twin build project ended up considerably over budget and took much longer than originally anticipated, but the end result is two strikingly appealing homes that the brothers are very happy with. Scolmore, scolmore.com

Scolmore’s metal clad electrical accessories were a clean, versatile solution that complemented the design aesthetic and approach

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IN THE KNOW

SPONSORED BY

MAKING A STATEMENT Sometimes simple is the smartest way to go for dramatic effects in home lighting. Jeff Richardson, Aurora’s Director of Trade, introduces the AOne GU10 lamps that are set to make an impressive impact on the residential market.

he new Zigbee controlled AOne Smart GU10 lamps are a simple and convenient way to smarten home lighting spaces. Wake up and wind down with adjustable lighting levels and create customisable RGB party scenes.

Cool to warm in three steps Benefit from cool, neutral and warm white to reflect the mood with the colour temperature options between 2200-5000K. Simply replace existing non-smart lamps with the GU10, pair with the Zigbee hub, and control the lamp from the AOne app on mobile devices or with the wall controllers. Due to the compact size of the Tuneable White GU10, these lamps retrofit into all standard fire-rated cans.

Create millions of colours “The new RGBW GU10 lamp delivers a splash or more of colour to both indoor and outdoor spaces.”

The new RGBW GU10 lamp delivers a splash or more of colour to both indoor and outdoor spaces. Make a feature by highlighting the outdoor party area and utilise the tuneable white with colour temperature of 27006500K to accent features in the garden.

Scheduling factor AOne PIR Sensor can be set to react to movement in the room. There is thus no need to search for the switch on the wall, making the home smart and intuitive for the homeowner. The two variations of the GU10 lamp make for an impressive statement as either a retrofit or new installation.

Smart Inside technology allows for lux level, light scheduling and 5-100% dimming options. Schedule lights to be on while homeowners are away to provide peace of mind, create a low level lighting scene to wake up to in the mornings and wind down with a movie by dimming the lights from the comfort of the couch via the AOne app. These lamps can be controlled individually, or as part of a group, and the

Aurora Lighting, auroralighting.com

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auroralighting.com In the Know – Aurora.indd 24

27/02/2019 09:26

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PROJECT FOCUS

LAST ORDERS FOR INEFFECTIVE CONTROL When restaurant and pub operator, Mitchells & Butlers, required more efficient heating controls for 600 of its sites in the UK, it turned to Drayton for a bespoke solution. Here’s a look at how the project unfolded.

eating controls specialist, Drayton, has provided Mitchells & Butlers with a bespoke wireless heating control solution for 600 of its sites across the country, resulting in a significant reduction in energy usage and running costs. Mitchells & Butlers is one of the largest operators of restaurants, pubs and bars in the UK, with more than 1,600 locations across the country. With many of the Mitchells & Butlers premises being built over 100 years ago, it was becoming apparent that the signal utilised on standard wireless heating controls wasn’t strong enough to penetrate through the large thick walls and metal work that feature in these traditional premises. This resulted in heating inefficiencies and costly energy bills, as well as unregulated temperatures. With this in mind, Mitchells & Butlers contacted Drayton to seek advice on a heating solution that was reliable, could work in this environment, and would offer more control.

A need for greater control Simon Cocks, Energy Projects Manager at Mitchells & Butlers, says, “We pride ourselves on being a warm and welcoming business, and it’s important that our customers feel comfortable in any of our locations – so having control over our heating system to achieve the optimum temperature for our guests is a must.” He continues, “With each location having numerous different areas, we felt that maintaining a constant temperature of 20°C to 21°C during the day would be ideal to keep our guests satisfied, as well as regulating the temperature overnight to protect the fabric of the building. Although we needed to maintain these temperatures, it was also important for us to minimise our energy consumption in order to keep costs down. Taking all of this into account, we wanted to move away from our traditional wired system and invest in a bespoke wireless solution that offered automation and consistency.

Speaking on the relationship with Drayton, Cocks comments, “We looked at various suppliers and even tried a few of them out, but we felt Drayton was the best fit for us; not only due to its extensive range of solutions, but also because the manufacturer could provide a tailor-made system to meet our exact requirements.

Passing the trials with flying colours “Drayton worked closely with us to determine our heating needs and recommended a custom-created package that comprised of a Drayton Instat 868 programmable thermostat, an Instat 868a6 connection strip and an Instat 868-rep. When we tested this bespoke solution, we found it to have a strong, dependable wireless signal strength due to the boost that the repeater offered, meaning the communication between the thermostat and the boiler in the plant room was unaffected by the thick walls and metal fixings of the premises. “We trialled the new heating system in one of our locations in Sheffield for a three-month period and saw amazing results very quickly. In this short time, we achieved a 25% reduction in energy usage and running costs. In addition, the system was so simple to install, and the location could continue to operate effectively with little downtime or redecoration needed. Such was the success of the trial, Drayton’s

Drayton provided a custom-created package that included its Instat 868 programmable thermostat

bespoke heating solution has now been rolled out across 600 Mitchells & Butlers locations around the UK.” Keith Wilson, Business Development Manager at Drayton, adds, “The Mitchells & Butlers project is a great example of how we can combine various solutions from our extensive product ranges to form the ideal heating solution that offers efficient heating and cost-saving benefits. “In this case, we programmed the units before they left the factory, so they were ready to work to Mitchells & Butlers requirements once installed. This meant the system looked after itself, needing little to no interaction from management, and allowed each location to simply reap the benefits of efficient and controlled heating.” Drayton, draytoncontrols.co.uk

Mitchells & Butlers’ many brands include All Bar One, Harvester, Miller & Carter, O’Neill’s, Toby Carvery, and more

Drayton’s Instat 868a6 connection strip was also included in the package, and the heating solution is now rolled out across 600 of Mitchells & Butlers’ venues in the UK

26 | March 2019

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SHOW PREVIEW

EI LIVE!

EI LIVE! – NOW JUST TWO MONTHS AWAY Kicking off at the end of next month, this year’s EI Live! exhibition is now rapidly approaching. In the latest of our sneak peek previews, we look at what the show has to offer, and what ECN readers can expect.

ow in its ninth year, EI Live! – the smart building trade show hosted by our sister publication, Essential Install – will this year be taking place at the brand new Farnborough Exhibition Centre in Hampshire. Officially opening its doors on April 30, and concluding the following day on May 1, this year’s show will appeal to both system integrators and electrical contractors alike. This is due to a new focus on smart products from the world of electrical contracting. With the concept of the smart home very much on the rise, and technology and innovations being released to keep pace, it seemed the perfect time for EI Live! to expand into this area, and ECN readers will undoubtedly find the event of great interest. Last month, we announced that ECA has joined the event as an official partner, underlining the event’s relevance to the world of electrical contracting. Our previous issue looked at some of the many innovations that Hamilton Litestat will be showcasing, and this month, we turn our attention to KNX UK, one of the event’s association partners.

Promoting the KNX standard KNX is an international building control standard that seeks to put the intelligence into intelligent buildings. It enables the integration and programming of a range of products, from numerous manufacturers, using a single software tool. KNX products are all tested for compliance, ensuring they operate seamlessly together on a single, simple network. The KNX standard has been adopted by many international manufacturers, who together, provide a vast array of KNXcertified products. Choosing from this pool of interoperable technology, integrators and contractors can build entire control solutions by bringing together a variety of off-the-shelf components which are truly interoperable. These products have all been thoroughly tested and certified to be KNX compliant and all operate seamlessly together, programmed by the integrator using one common software tool. Because they all “speak the same language”, they can operate together across the same network, resulting in much less cabling and higher functionality. The UK KNX Association was formed by a partnership of UK KNX manufacturers, integrators, wholesalers and training establishments, along with other interested parties, to promote the KNX standard within the UK. KNX UK is governed by an elected board whose experience reflects KNX activities in the UK. In addition to the aforementioned benefits, KNX is advantageous because

One of the many highlights of the organisation’s involvement at the show will be a presentation by Iain Gordon, the President of KNX UK, who will be heading the speaker line-up in the EI Live! technical theatre. As the first generation of smart buildings reach an age, Gordon will be talking about what makes a system future-proof.

it is a future-proof technology, and offers flexibility and personalisation, a safe and secure system, timesaving and easy installation, an integrated and future proof solution, and an international community.

EI Live! 2019 takes place at the Farnborough Exhibition Centre in Hampshire from April 30 to May 1. For more information, and to register your place, visit eiliveshow.com A full-length show preview will appear in next month’s issue of ECN.

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COMPANY PROFILE

LUTRON

TOTAL LIGHT MANAGEMENT ECN Editor, Simon Rowley, recently toured Lutron’s Experience Centre in London to discover, first-hand, exactly how the company’s smart solutions work, and why the company is so focused on educating its customers and engineers.

ince opening its doors in May 2017, the Lutron Experience Centre in London – the only Lutron centre based outside of North America – has continued to evolve, and today serves a variety of different functions.

A hub of innovation and education First and foremost, the London base is an ideal way for Lutron to showcase and demonstrate its impressive range of smart control solutions. Serving as Lutron’s European home for the design and specification community and their customers, the space showcases a full range of commercial and residential solutions, including total light management with daylight integration, advanced LED compatibility and control, and scalable, expandable retrofit options for single rooms through entire buildings. It also features a guestroom showcasing integration for comfort, style, and energy efficiency, and a model home equipped with a variety of innovative Lutron products that incorporate the latest in smarthome technology. The company regularly undertakes tours, where visitors can witness first-hand the kind of innovations on offer, and the specific ways in which they can be configured. The facility is also used as an education centre, providing training and collaboration for up to 60 people, and the company regularly invites its customers in to discuss their bespoke design and enterprise needs.

The company’s vision for 2019 and beyond During my visit, I sat down with Tony Biggs, OEM Sales Manager at Lutron Electronics, who offered some intriguing insight on the company’s philosophies and vision. “LED has been a revolution in the last ten years, and has changed the world as we know it”, he begins. “A few years ago, it was all about saving energy, but today, it’s also about creating the right environment – especially in working locations.” He also explained that, while the US has laws that enforce office landlords to provide certain levels of efficacy (and

funding schemes in place to assist with this), there are no such measures currently in place in the UK. So the challenge is to persuade office owners to adopt to Lutron’s smart control solutions by conveying their many advantages: which include heightened control, positive well-being attributes, and potential costsavings too. Lutron offers bespoke solutions for its customers and is very specification-driven – meaning it can come up with a product for every unique need. Speaking on the company’s commitment to quality, Biggs continued, “The products are all fully tested before they reach the customer, and everything we offer is tested. We also invest 10% of our turnover back into research and development, as we need to be consistently ahead of the game. We’re very focused on customer service, and would much rather fix a problem than argue about it. Taking care of our customers is our main priority and our number one mantra.” As previously mentioned, Lutron places a strong emphasis on training, and even has a certification scheme. Engineers who have taken part in Lutron’s training days are deemed to be ‘Lutron-certified’ and are considered capable of installing and implementing its range of technologies. Biggs states, “Some of our installations require a Lutron-certified engineer, and we’re finding that there’s a new drive for electrical contracting engineers not only to fit the technology, but to help design the specific solution and provide a custom install precisely required by each individual project.”

Vive and RA2 Select – technology for the ultimate control

By visiting Lutron’s Experience Centre, visitors can find out exactly how the company’s smart solutions work, and see for themselves just how intuitive and flexible they are

A bedroom and dining room area, located in Lutron’s showroom at its Experience Centre in London

On display at the Innovation Centre were two of Lutron’s most recent control systems, both of which were released in 2018: Vive, a wireless lighting control system; and RA2 Select, a whole-home lighting and shading control system. Vive is offered as a simple, scalable solution for new and existing commercial buildings, and can be installed up to 70% more quickly than wired systems – offering minimal disruption to building occupants. Its aim is to bring energy savings and comfort, and is reportedly easy to design, simple to install and extremely flexible; easily adapting to the changing needs of a building over time. It is ideal for all sizes of commercial office spaces, primary and secondary schools, colleges and universities with options that specifically suit the unique needs of each different space type, with scalable solutions that offer the right level of control to meet each tenant’s specific needs. Its development was triggered by the needs of European installers and commercial end-users, who need to install products quickly and efficiently due to tight time requirements – which, if not met, can lead to a loss of revenue. In addition, EPC regulations now demand that a landlord’s premises meet minimum energy standards, meaning

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LUTRON that retrofitted offices must be remodelled in the most efficient way possible. To help meet regulations, Vive offers a limited impact on buildings through the use of wireless technology. Vive represents a flexible lighting control solution that can transform any building into a more versatile and productive environment. Scalable components allow owners to start small with one room, and progress to full floors, full buildings, and even to a multi-building campus, all managed seamlessly as a single system. RA2 Select, meanwhile, is a lighting and shading control system designed to meet the needs of residential properties.

The wireless lighting and blind control system seeks to give homeowners comfort, convenience and control with the ability to personalise lighting scenarios via a dedicated app. It also integrates with other smart home technologies, including Amazon Alexa, the Google Assistant, and more. The new system is configured by default and then personalised by the homeowner. Recommended lighting and shading scenes are automatically created as each device is added to the system, improving speed of installation and ease of use. It essentially puts control in the hands of the end-user, allowing them to manage and personalise their system in any way.

COMPANY PROFILE

Vive, released last year, is a wireless lighting control system for new and existing commercial buildings

The wireless system makes it ideal for retrofit applications and can save costs in new construction, as the only wiring required for RA2 Select is the in-line dimmers and switches. The main repeater is simply plugged in to a wall socket for power and connected to the home network for integration. Auxiliary repeaters can be added to extend the range of the system for large homes. All wall switches, dimmers and sensors are wireless and do not require any intrusive work. This means decorating can be finished before the wireless switches are fitted. For any existing switches, the wired switch is removed, existing cables terminated in the backbox and the Pico faceplate is installed in its place.

By implementing RA2 Select, homeowners can benefit from a complete lighting and shading control system

Lutron, lutron.com

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FEATURE

Regular testing of emergency lighting systems is still not routinely undertaken, despite there being lives at stake and the risk of prosecution

EMERGENCY LIGHTING

SAFETY BY CHOICE, NOT BY CHANCE When it comes to designing emergency lighting, there are many factors to consider – and the temptation to save cash could have dangerous implications. Peter Adams, Mackwell’s Central Service & Training Manager, explains.

n addition to being fit for purpose, an emergency lighting system must also meet stringent safety and compliance standards. Meeting these standards can impact financially, both in terms of the design and specification, through to the installation and ongoing maintenance of the system. Often portrayed as a necessary but unattractive part of the lighting scheme, emergency lighting is not only critical, but also a legal requirement within commercial premises. Thus, it must be afforded the same importance and diligence of other such systems. Shortcuts and corner cutting, such as the specification of sub-standard components and ineffective maintenance schedules brought about by budgetary constraints, can all result in non-compliances and potential prosecutions.

British Standards With the extensive revision of BS 5266 - 1: Code of practice for the emergency lighting of premises, the way designers approach emergency lighting has fundamentally changed. Despite more defined responsibilities and added detail on emergency lighting and standby lighting requirements, the area is now more complex with greater scope for confusion between parties responsible for the design, installation, testing/commissioning and ongoing performance. As with most aspects of health and safety, there are many standards in place to ensure that such systems can perform the tasks demanded of them. It is therefore imperative that the constituent components of the emergency lighting system are selected, designed and installed to the specific criteria within these standards, ensuring compliance and performance of both the components and the system as a whole.

The Code of practice, BS 5266 :1999 – 2016, is an essential point of reference. Its accompanying standard; BS 5266 Part 7 - EN 1838: 2013, defines the minimum lux levels and photometric requirements when designing the emergency lighting scheme. Also, in place is the standard; BS EN 605982-22: 2014, for luminaires used in emergency lighting and ensures that they achieve the performance required whilst remaining electrically and mechanically safe. In addition, the European Application Standard with improved testing regimes, EN 50172: 2004, is a vital supporting part of the BS 5266 series. The design objective for any emergency lighting system is established by BS 5266 Section 5.2.1 which says that, when the supply to the normal lighting fails, emergency lighting is required to: indicate clearly the escape routes; provide illumination along such routes to allow safe movement through the exits; and ensure that fire alarm and firefighting equipment can be readily located.

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EMERGENCY LIGHTING

Compliance

Testing

In order for the emergency lighting system to remain compliant throughout its lifetime, structured and effective maintenance is essential. The system requires testing in line with the requirements specified in BS EN 50172, together with any remedial action which is identified by these tests. Routine visual inspection of the system is also fundamental to check for any changes to décor, colour schemes, fabric and structure, together with any reparations which may impact the designed scheme. Unlike a fire alarm system, which is generally subjected to a simple, periodic audible test for functionality, the maintenance of an emergency lighting system is more time-consuming if being undertaken manually without the aid of an automatic test facility. The annual full discharge test of up to three hours duration may need to be staggered across different storeys and areas within the building, and this may be perceived as a costly and labour-intensive overhead. But the effect of emergency lighting is seldom seen until required, and it is during these times, where the safe and immediate evacuation of the building is paramount, that its true value is appreciated.

Statistical evidence indicates that regular testing and maintenance of emergency lighting systems is not routinely carried out by many organisations as it is laborious and time-consuming, and therefore expensive. However, the fines for non-compliance are moreso and eventually puts lives at risk. Testing should be carried out at regular intervals by a qualified person, and must be carried out in line with the schedules outlined in BS EN 50172 as below: • Daily – visual check that all charge indicators are lit on and check lamps on all maintained luminaires are working. • Monthly - a monthly functional test is designed to simulate a failure of normal lighting for sufficient time to allow all emergency luminaires to be checked for correct operation and signs of damage or deterioration and the results recorded in a log book. • Annually – a test simulating the failure of the normal lighting supply for the full emergency duration (typically three hours) to ensure that the emergency luminaires can function for the full duration whilst maintaining their declared emergency output or ballast lumen factor figures. During this test, the batteries will be discharged, and the luminaires will not be fully operational until they have had time to recharge. Therefore, this test is normally carried out whilst the building is unoccupied and at periods of low risk.

Luminaires The cumulative operating costs of emergency lighting can be considerable, and the choice of fitting should be considered in terms of its installation cost, long-term energy consumption and maintenance or replacement costs. LEDs consume about 25% of the power of traditional lamps and offer excellent lumen maintenance, as the light output remains constant throughout its design life. The greatest cost benefit, however, relates to lamp replacement. LED lamps typically have a 50,000h rated life, which is 10 times that of a typical fluorescent tube. Using LED emergency luminaires will greatly reduce the maintenance costs of an emergency lighting system, and they have a longer expected life and lower running costs than standard luminaires.

Batteries Batteries also have an impact on the cost of luminaires intended for emergency lighting, with nickelcadmium (NiCd) batteries the preferred choice for self-contained luminaires (despite the fact that they utilise a toxic metal). However, nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries offer a viable alternative with significant benefits over the nickel-cadmium battery. For instance, it offers an energy density two to three times that of the NiCd battery, meaning it can be a third of the size of the NiCd equivalent. Combined with a LED light source and appropriate charger, this can result in a very compact package. Another significant benefit is its rapid-charge capability, which means it can be given a boost charge followed by a trickle charge; resulting in long term energy savings and reducing ongoing costs.

Maintenance Traditionally, industry practice has been to replace the whole emergency fitting if it fails the annual test, as it was believed that this was more economical than isolating the circuit to replace the faulty component, usually the battery. This often results in emergency fittings being replaced every three to four years, but by choosing a fitting that allows for easy removal for repair and upgrade and an accessible battery drawer, the life span of the unit can be considerably increased, reducing long-term maintenance and replacement costs. Keeping emergency lighting luminaires clean is vital to lighting efficiency. Over time, dirt, grease and the build-up of insects inside the light fitting can reduce the light levels and can reduce the illumination by up to 30%, potentially falling below minimum lighting levels. This could mean a test failure and result in a non-compliance.

Monitoring solutions There are systems available which will make the testing process easier and less expensive. The upfront costs are similar to installing a standard emergency lighting system, but the payback is long-term maintenance and testing cost savings. • Self-test emergency luminaires provide simple standalone automatic testing and the result of the test is indicated through a bi-colour LED on the luminaire. Monthly checks will still need to be carried out and the test results recorded and entered into the log book. However, the benefit of this type of system is that the person recording the information is not required to be qualified as they will not be testing the system manually.

The latest monitoring systems can make the testing process easier and less expensive in the long-run

FEATURE

•A utomatic test systems connect the emergency luminaires to a remotecontrol panel that collects the results centrally. These systems provide 24/7 monitoring, self-testing and reporting, including remote access to the status of every fitting, automatic record keeping and fault notification. These systems use a low voltage communication signal via an interface such as DALI and can be easily retrofitted.

Specification Compromising on the specification of a fitting at installation can lead to long term maintenance issues, impacting on health and safety. It is a requirement that luminaires chosen for self-contained emergency lighting include a local indicator which is visible in normal operation. These indicators are a valuable aid to maintenance in the first instance, as they provide an immediate indication of the health of the emergency luminaire and that the battery is being charged. If the indicator is green, the luminaire is healthy. They do not, however, negate the requirement for regular safety checks. Since the introduction of the Fire Regulation Reform Order in 2005, the legal imperative for installing emergency lighting systems is the same as for the fire-alarm systems. Failure to comply with the correct installation of emergency lighting and to maintain the system could cost a business dearly. As a world leader in the design and manufacture of reliable, innovative electrical components, Mackwell’s emergency lighting products offer some of the best in quality and performance on the market today. The company offers an extensive breadth of products, such as high-performance luminaires, superdiscrete integrated emergency products and architectural exit signs. Emergency lighting is a legal obligation that should never be compromised – safety by choice, not by chance. Mackwell, mackwell.com

March 2019 | 35

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FEATURE

LIGHTING

LIGHTING FOR THE GREATER GOOD Economic and energy-saving benefits can offer a compelling case for an upgrade project, and their contribution to workplace wellbeing is playing an increasingly critical role. Tamlite Lighting’s Head of Wellbeing, Debbie-Sue Farrell, explains why this presents an opportunity for electrical contractors.

or technical service companies and the electrical supply chain, the contemporary case for the implementation of major new building systems – such as those responsible for lighting, heating and air-conditioning – has been well-established for some time now. Overwhelmingly, it has focused on the very marked benefits that next-generation systems can bring in terms of reducing energy expenditure and lowering carbon footprints. And with customers now frequently able to benefit from relatively short return on investment (RoI) periods, as well as saving greatly in the long term from minimal maintenance and replacement costs, this case has proven to be compelling for companies of all shapes and sizes. But while these elements are still very much part of the mix for both upgrades and new-build schemes, there is another factor that is both forming part of the core argument and facilitating further upselling, as proposed schemes become more extensive and ambitious. That factor is employee wellness.

A desire to increase wellbeing in office environments could create some exciting opportunities for electrical contractors in the coming years

Lost productivity, but fresh opportunities For private companies (and, perhaps especially, public sector organisations), there is an urgent need to take action. In

A recent study revealed that 17% of respondents felt their working environment was reducing their personal wellbeing, but this doesn’t have to be the case

the UK, 26.8 million working days were lost due to work-related ill-health in 2017/18. Furthermore, a 2018 British Council for Offices report revealed that less than half of respondents felt their workplace was having a positive impact on their health, with 17% indicating that their working environment could actually be diminishing their personal wellbeing. However, employers are now more aware of the wellness issue than ever before, and there is definitely improved awareness of the issue generally. The link between enhanced wellbeing and certain key building systems means that the latter now constitutes a prominent target of new investments. For installers, contractors and consultants, that is likely to translate to some very lucrative opportunities. When thinking about wellness and the value it can bring to a project, highlighting the potential benefit to all employees over the long-term – derived from consistent, high quality illumination in terms of concentration levels and productivity – is much more likely to expand a proposed scheme to focus lighting requirements by departments and activity types. By this logic, a one-phase project can easily become a multi-phase scheme that eventually covers all areas of a facility.

Lighting’s leading role It helps that the wellness case for lighting – and in particular the latest LED-based systems – can now be fairly swiftly conveyed. The ability of LED lighting to deliver a more appealing and consistent standard of illumination is nothing new,

but the last few years have witnessed a dramatic growth in the number of tunable systems that make it possible to closely match circadian rhythms – in other words, the 24-hour cycle that synchronises bodily functions in humans and animals. Here, electrical contractors may wish to allude to recent comments by the WELL Building Institute, whose WELL v2 standard continues to rise in profile globally – to the extent that it is now widely regarded as the international benchmark for green construction. Highlighting the importance of circadian lighting, the Institute observes on its website that “the explosion of tunable LED lighting systems on the market in the last five years has made it easier than ever” to achieve these requirements. With WELL Building Institute certification increasingly being seen as hugely beneficial kudos, for major companies in particular, it certainly won’t do any harm to improve your understanding of the basic principles of circadian lighting design. The Institute’s website contains a wealth of information in this regard, including its own ‘must haves’ for effective deployment, such as the requirement for electric lights to provide maintained illuminance on the vertical plane facing forward of 150 Equivalent Melanopic Lux or greater.

The wellness revolution From a societal point of view, the idea of nurturing wellness in the workplace is not particularly new. Employees who are comfortable, warm – but not too warm – and are sufficiently illuminated are bound to be more productive. But what is new is that the technologies to help bring about these improvements are no longer the preserve of larger companies, with SMEs able to benefit from increasingly costeffective packages. If anything, the current unpredictable economic outlook means that wellness, and its implications for productivity, is sure to receive even more attention in the future. System suppliers, contractors and consultants who both understand this, and who are able to integrate it effectively into their proposals and programmes of work, will be well-positioned to benefit from the new phase of projects that is sure to follow. Tamlite, tamlite.co.uk/wellbeing

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connect with us

A great match, with brilliant results. Case study: Wolverhampton Wanderers FC CP completes refurbishment hat-trick with Wolverhampton Wanderers FC

Following Wolves’ promotion back to the English Premier League, to suit their newly-found status as one of UK’s top football clubs, the main boardroom, chairman’s suite and manager’s lounge were all given a refurbishment. CP’s controls were chosen to not only save energy, but also help boost corporate hospitality and entertainment through intelligent scene-setting. CP’s ﬂagship RAPID fully addressable control system was installed, alongside their Vitesse Modular system to control the lighting.

“On this particular project, we chose CP’s products as we know they are easy to install, and our engineers ﬁnd the technology very user friendly.”

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19/02/2019 20/02/2019 15:05 10:23

COMPETITION

WIN TICKETS FOR THE ULTIMATE ADRENALINE RUSH Courtesy of A chance to win three tickets (worth over £450) for the ultimate adrenaline rush with Niglon’s Ultima screwless wiring accessories.

hether your idea of the ultimate day out is driving a racing car, taking a helicopter flight, or getting up close and personal with meerkats, Niglon is offering you and two colleagues or friends the chance to choose your own adventure worth over £450 to celebrate the launch of the company’s new Ultima brochure, which showcases the high-end features and variety available from this flagship range of screwless, decorative wiring accessories. A high quality wiring accessories range with stainless steel faceplates, Ultima is available in luxurious polished or brushed chrome effect finishes and offers a comprehensive range of options

including switches and dimmers, sockets, sockets with USB outlets, satellite sockets, media outlets, shaver sockets, 20A and 40A double pole switches, cooker control units, fused connection points, Euro plates and blanking plates. An ideal choice to complement the interior design of any stylish home, hotel or commercial environment, the range offers a choice of black, white or grey inserts for the ultimate in attention to detail.

Offering crisp, clean design along with ease of installation and simple part numbering, Ultima’s modular switches enable reconfiguration on site with no need for a grid system. Niglon has thought of everything with the Ultima range; from metal to metal

rockers and flush LED indicators to edgeto-edge gaskets that prevent tarnishing on-site, and even smart USB socket outlets that automatically switch to standby when a device is fully charged. niglon.co.uk

January competition The winner of the AICO 3000 Series Fire & Co. Alarms, courtesy of AICO, is Barry Cator from Thetford, Norfolk.

If you’d like to celebrate Niglon’s Ultima range by winning your ultimate leisure experience, all you have to do to be in with a chance is answer the following questions. 1. The Ultima range is available in a choice of brushed or polished…? a) Chrome finish b) Beige finish c) Brass finish

2. The Ultima range features…? a) Heavy metal rockers b) Metal to metal screws c) Metal to metal rockers

3. T he Ultima range of USB sockets automatically switch to standby when…? a) The device is fully charged b) The device is switched on c) The device is switched off

Closing date All entries must be returned by March 31, 2019. The editor’s decision is final. For the full terms and conditions, please visit electricalcontractingnews.com/ competition-terms. The name of the winner will be published in the May issue of ECN. *Prize not exchangeable.

To enter, please complete the form below and fax to 01634 673173, or post to: ECN Competition, All Things Media Ltd, Suite 14, 6-8 Revenge Road, Lordswood, Kent, ME5 8UD. Alternatively, you can email your answers and contact details to: carol@allthingsmedialtd.com.

The answers to March’s competition are:

Contact Preferences YES, I would like to receive the ECN newsletter YES, I would like to subscribe to ECN magazine

1.............................................................................

YES, I would like to share my data with Niglon

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2. . .........................................................................

Signature......................................................................

................................................................................ Postcode................................................. Tel................................................................ Mobile ................................................................

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25/02/2019 10:33

SPECIAL FEATURE

CABLE, CABLE MANAGEMENT & LABELLING supported by GreenBrook Conduit Feature Front Cover ECN.qxp_Layout 1 15/02/2019 10:22 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

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SPECIAL FEATURE

CABLE, CABLE MANAGEMENT & LABELLING

THE CONDUIT CONUNDRUM GreenBrook Electrical, a designer and distributor of electrical accessories – including PVC and galvanised conduit fittings – provides a full overview of the different types of conduits currently available, along with details of the considerations that need to be factored in when using.

Dictionary definition of conduit: a tube or trough for protecting electric wiring The IET wiring regulations define conduit as a part of a closed wiring system for cables in an electrical installation allowing them to be drawn in and/or replaced but not installed laterally. So what can we tell you about conduit? It is typically required where wiring is exposed or where wiring might be subject to damage. A conduit system can be made of metal or plastic and may be rigid or flexible. Conduit is installed with compatible fittings such as couplings, T-joints, elbows, connectors and electrical boxes, usually made of the same or similar material. The wiring regulations, and specifically section 521.6, state that conduit must be installed in accordance with the relative British Standard. The standard we are talking about is the BS EN 61386 series, which specifies requirements and tests for conduit systems, including conduits and conduit fittings, for the protection and management of insulated conductors and/or cables in electrical installations. It is also

applicable in communication systems and applies to metallic, non-metallic and composite conduit systems, including threaded and non-threaded entries which terminate the system. Here are some of the different types of conduit available on the market:

Flexible conduit PVC conduit is flexible corrugated plasticised tubing with a rigid PVC reinforced spiral and a smooth inner bore for easy wire pulling. It is moistureresistant, crush-resistant and flameretardant. It is easy to bend and installs with lockable connectors or glued plastic fittings. It is commonly used inside walls and must not be installed in exposed locations. Flexible conduit can be installed inside a concrete block and covered with concrete.

PVC conduit PVC conduit, or rigid polyvinyl chloride (as it is correctly named), is plastic piping usually installed with plastic fittings that are glued into place. It can be bent after being heated, and because the conduit tubing and fittings are glued together, the conduit assemblies can be watertight. Therefore, PVC conduit is corrosion resistant and can be used for many different applications. It can be buried or encased in concrete and is impervious to most chemical substances. There are limitations to using PVC conduit that the design engineer and installer must consider. Although PVC conduit can be used in exposed applications, it is restricted to areas that will not be subject to physical damage or extremely cold climates as there is the possibility that it will become brittle and crack.

Galvanised rigid metal conduit

GreenBrook Electrical offers a wide variety of conduit parts and accessories, and has the ideal solution for every requirement

Rigid metal conduit is made of steel tubing that is protected by either hotdipped galvanisation or black enamel. This conduit comes in a number of classes which specify environmental protection, damage protection and structural support for electrical cables, and other equipment that is specified by BS EN 61386 and the conduit manufacturers.

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SPECIAL FEATURE Some examples of what the different classes mean are as follows: •C lass 5 conduit and fittings have the highest strength and mechanical properties; it is very heavy grade and has the highest impact tests. •C lass 4 is heavy grade conduit with good resistance against corrosion. •C lass 2 conduit offers only medium resistance to corrosion and low impact strengths. Metal conduit is typically used indoors and outdoors with the higher classes providing the outdoor protection from damage and also providing the structural support for electrical cables and other equipment. The IET Wiring Regulations give guidance on when to use buried conduit and how deep it should be buried, but typically these should be buried to a depth of at least 0.5 metres, depending on the usage of the ground. For arable or cultivated ground, this depth raises to one metre. If the conduit cannot be buried at a reasonable depth, it must be protected e.g. by encasing in concrete. It should also be noted that all buried conduit should have warning tape placed on top so that it is suitably identified if it is excavated in the future. With all the above options to consider, it is essential for the designer/installer to determine the particular set of circumstances the conduit will be exposed to, and check the conduit used will meet these requirements to give a BS 7671 compliant installation.

“It is essential for the designer/ installer to determine the particular set of circumstances the conduit will be exposed to, and check the conduit used will meet these requirements to give a BS 7671 compliant installation.”

What do we get asked about conduit installations? Something we are asked a lot is, ‘Are there any set rules for the maximum number of bends or overall shape for a given length of electrical conduit?’ It is good practice to ensure that cables are not drawn around more than two right angle bends, but what do the regulations say about this? There used to be specific requirements in the UK, but the regulations now just use statements such as “ensure cables do not suffer damage,” “bend should be less than the minimum bend radius of the installed cable,” and “any bend should not be 2.5 times the outside diameter of the conduit.” In order to follow to the letter of the guidelines, you can ensure that the cables can be drawn through without damage by using larger conduit or slower bends. An important consideration is that most guidance for conduit is based on individual single insulated wires of reasonably rigid construction. Modern conduit systems may contain shielded or multicore cables, which often need more forgiving tube sizes, especially for bends. The natural twist of a multicore cable is so thick it virtually guarantees it will cause problems trying to bend in a conduit system. To the opposite end, when using thinner cables, one must be mindful of the maximum pulling force allowed. The regulations say that conduit systems should be securely erected before cables are drawn in, to avoid damaging the cables or stressing the terminations. We suggest using a suitable lubricant to avoid sheath to tube wall friction. People traditionally use tallow (which we would recommend), but we have heard of many different things being used in the past – including washingup liquid! GreenBrook Electrical, greenbrook.co.uk

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F 01279 422 007 E Sales@greenbrook.co.uk W www.greenbrook.co.uk 18/02/2019 16:33 13:39 26/02/2019

CABLE, CABLE MANAGEMENT & LABELLING

SPECIAL FEATURE

CABLES AND THE NEED FOR A SMARTER SUPPLY CHAIN Martin Gregg, Commercial Manager at Unitrunk, discusses the challenges facing electrical contractors and assesses how the cable management supply chain can be of assistance.

n many parts of the UK, the construction sector has never been busier, which means that there’s plenty of work out there in electrical contracting too. Indeed, the latest ONS (Office for National Statistics) figures published in January indicate that the total value of construction output was £14 billion for November 2018; the highest it’s ever been since monthly records began in 2010. Against this backdrop, however, many electrical contractors are still finding the market tough, and we’re continuing to see casualties of the widespread culture of low margins and late payments, despite full order books and healthy project pipelines. It’s a challenging commercial landscape that’s affecting all construction trades, not just electrical contracting, and the supply chain must help customers GBE Advert Strip for Conduit supp.qxp_Layout 1 15/02/2019 10:35 Page 1

wherever possible. At Unitrunk, that drive to understand the latest trends and develop strategies to help contractors overcome the challenges they face is core to our service-driven approach, and there are a number of areas where we have developed our resources to support the contractor community.

It’s about time Time has always been money for electrical contractors, but the time pressures contractors are under throughout the project lifecycle are greater than ever before. It’s a pressure that’s felt across the construction delivery chain. Often, a project is expected to start on-site very soon after receiving the green light, which means contractors need to pull bids together more quickly and make a team available within tight deadlines.

At Unitrunk, we know the time pressure contractors are under to price a job, which is why we ensure that our national depot network is available to help with a prompt response to costing up projects; and we work closely with distributors to ensure the whole costing and supply infrastructure is rapid and joined up. Indeed, we have recently appointed commercial leads to each of our depots, whose role it is to provide an interface between the contractor and the wholesaler to ensure we can help to support the costing and design development process with both technical and commercial expertise. Our new commercial leads are already working with contractors to help them ‘sense check’ the spec, look for areas where they can reduce costs and/or installation times, and ensure that they will have the product they need to do a great job on site and on time.

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SPECIAL FEATURE

CABLE, CABLE MANAGEMENT & LABELLING incurring waste from over specification or delays from under specification. Our new commercial leads are proving critical to our ability to support contractors in this way, working with them to iron out any areas of concern and find the most time and cost-effective solutions for each specific project.

The need for agility

Increasingly, electrical contractors are having to work around other trades, which can make scheduling of works extremely difficult

Cable systems with rapid installation We also understand the time pressures that contractors face on site. Unitrunk has been at the forefront of helping contractors reduce installation times for several years, thanks to the development of our RIS (Rapid Installation Systems) philosophy and the RIS systems in our range: EasyConnect cable basket, UniKlip cable tray and Speedway cable ladder. By offering easier, tool-free installation, our RIS cable management systems have been proven to reduce installation times by as much as 50%, while providing a robust cable management solution that’s much more user-friendly, particularly in tighter voids or awkward spaces. While cable management is only one element of the total time spent on an electrical installation, it is completed early in the programme and often involves networks made up of kilometres of steelwork, so any time saved here helps with scheduling the rest of the job and managing time and resources on site.

electricians from elsewhere in Europe and still struggling to attract and train enough home-grown skills to plug the gap. Indeed, one of the areas that has come to Unitrunk’s attention is the lack of cable management training within college courses, which means that the young electricians training now are often starting their careers without a fundamental grounding in cable management installations. This is something we’re addressing by working with colleges to run sessions for their student electricians. We also offer on-site training to contractors to help their teams make the most of the RIS benefits of our cable management systems and troubleshoot on any challenging areas of the installation.

Digitisation and design

Not only do electrical contractors need to complete projects more quickly than ever before, in line with increasingly demanding and tight programmes, but they also often have to work around other trades and an evolving programme that makes scheduling of works extremely difficult, often with limited space for storage on confined city centre sites. Supply chain partners need to provide an agile response to these challenges by offering the flexibility needed to have the right product in the right place at the right time. As a UK manufacturer, Unitrunk provides reliability of supply anywhere in the country, with next day delivery to the location of choice or same day collection from any of our depots or our two production sites. Our advanced manufacturing sites can alter production schedules in real time to ensure stock levels can always accommodate any order, and we can even produce bespoke orders on very short lead times. Cable management is still often viewed as a commodity item and, with time and cost pressures to juggle on a daily basis, it’s hard for contractors to take a step back and look for solutions that could help them manage some of the challenges they face. At Unitrunk, we believe that innovation in the way we design and manufacture our products and the way we’ve structured our service-led business model provides real solutions for contractors and those that have saved time and money on their cable management installations agree. Unitrunk, unitrunk.co.uk

Labour costs are increasing and the availability of skills is an increasingly difficult issue, Tim Brown claims

While, in theory, building information modelling (BIM) and digitisation should have revolutionised the design of electrical installations and made both installation clashes and specification errors a thing of the past, the reality is that this is not happening as fast as the industry envisaged. Often, contractors are still receiving specifications and drawings with mistakes and omissions and they must Reducing the amount of time spent on then find the time and resources to develop an installation is not just about keeping the cable management design to ensure within the programme – it’s also about it’s deliverable on site. Again, this is an area managing labour costs and optimising the where Unitrunk is investing in time and skills available on site. With the market resources to help contractors by advising so active, labour costs have increased and them on the specification and ensuring that the availability of skills is an increasingly they order the right cable management difficult issue, with the sector no longer to meet the needs of the project, without able to rely on importing experienced GBE Advert Strip for Conduit supp.qxp_Layout 1 15/02/2019 10:35 Page 1

Optimising the team

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ROB MUGGRIDGE

Logistics (also a keen cyclist)

A WINDOW INTO CABLE MANAGEMENT

Rob, Marshall-Tufflex’s resident cyclist, is deeply passionate about the environment. For over 20 years we have been producing top-quality cable management solutions using recycled PVC-U from windows – preventing the equivalent of 300 double-decker buses worth of plastic going into landfill every year. That’s why Rob is proud to say that our PVC-U products are Reassuringly Recycled.

JOIN US IN OUR VISION AND FIND OUT MORE AT MARSHALL-TUFFLEX.COM

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SPECIAL FEATURE

Continuity of power is critical in today’s cities, and MV cables are crucial to our infrastructure, argues Graham Turner

MV CABLES AND THE NEED FOR THIRD-PARTY APPROVAL As the demand for power increases in the UK for domestic, industrial and commercial uses, so too does the need for reliable power generation, transmission, and distribution using Medium Voltage cables. Graham Turner of AEI Cables explains.

he demands for power have never been greater, with the explosion of development in towns and cities across the UK and the growth of industrial development and technology reliant on consistent supplies. GBE Advert Strip for Conduit supp.qxp_Layout 1 15/02/2019 10:35 Page 1

Medium Voltage (MV) cables coming onto the market should be independently approved and certified as compliant, as the pressure mounts on the installation of quality products in modern building developments. As the incidence of non-approved cables continues, the supply chain should be particularly careful around their application into high-risk environments including

hospitals, industrial sites and sub-stations serving infrastructure sites. MV cables are crucial to our infrastructure. Electricity leaves the generating site and is routed via a step-up transformer to take it up to the National Grid distribution voltages of 400Kv, 275Kv and 132Kv. Once in the local area, the supply goes through step-down transformers that

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SPECIAL FEATURE

CABLE, CABLE MANAGEMENT & LABELLING

reduce the voltage to 415V with domestic supplies tapped off at 230V. To facilitate moving electricity around the National Grid, there are almost 4,500 miles of overhead lines, almost 1,000 miles of underground cables and 342 Grid substations. Once stepped down, power is then distributed on local networks at a lower voltage, commonly 66Kv,33Kv and 11Kv. In all, there are 14 licensed District Network Operators (DNOs). Very often, the supply of power to consumers of large volumes of electricity is routed via sub-stations to feed large sites such as industrial installations, hospitals and educational institutions. To provide power to the sub-stations – very often located on the premises of the establishment that they supply – Medium Voltage (MV) cables are used.

The importance of MV cables MV cables were only developed as the level of voltages increased and the need arose for a greater classification range. The size of the market has developed to the point where the global MV cables market was valued at $39.31 billion (£30.2bn) in 2016, and is projected to grow at a rate of more than 6% until 2022. The technical design and specification of the cables themselves is of paramount importance within the power distribution network. The AEI Cables range of MV cables meet all requirements of BS6622, BS7835 because some labels and stamps have and IEC60502-2; and, are all approved been used fraudulently. and certified by third-party approval Cables which are unmarked but not organisation, BASEC, for ranges up to 33kV. checked can become untraceable, so it There are a number of technical “Faults in is important at the point of receipt for considerations to be taken into account, underground contractors to check every time. Also keep including the size of the installation, the records of purchase and delivery to ensure position of the installation in relation to the cables that what is being installed is what was network, and the presence of primary and are very specified originally. secondary sub-stations. expensive It is well worth the small amount Prior to installation, a detailed route of time it takes to make these checks, survey should also be carried out to plan to repair, especially as these cables are buried and where cables will be jointed, also to identify especially relied on to provide continuous power any possible obstructions which may supply. In a number of instances, cables require special civil engineering works – cables are even being laid under the sea to avoid such as directional drilling. installed lengthy and costly delays in seeking Underlying the critical nature of under permissions from landowners. supplies to these types of services, Some cables are provided with an the incidence of non-approved cables roads and armoured layer to help protect them continues, so the application of MV pavements.” against damage whether installed below cables into these important and sensitive or above ground, generally for industrial environments becomes critical. applications. Armouring also protects a There have been many instances in the cable during storage, transport to site recent past of non-approved cables coming and installation. onto the market, but in these environments Metallic armouring is always earthed it is even more crucial to get it right first at one or more points in the circuit and time, thereby reducing the risk and the cost may therefore contribute as a protective of anything going wrong. conductor to carry earth fault current. Look for the British Standard, European Modern polymeric-insulated LV and MV or international standard number, the cables designed for UK utility use are usually manufacturer’s mark and third-party not armoured but have a concentric layer of approval markings. Even if there are copper wires under the outer sheath. markings, it is worth checking them, GBE Advert Strip for Conduit supp.qxp_Layout 1 15/02/2019 10:35 Page 1

Faults in underground cables are very expensive to repair, especially cables installed under roads and pavements. Repairing a fault will probably involve cutting out a length of cable either side of the fault and installing a new length together with joints to connect to the existing cable. MV cables are subjected to extensive testing of material components and electrical tests, including AC voltage and partial discharge. AEI Cables supplies products to construction, industrial, fire protection, defence, mining and rail industries worldwide; meeting the requirements for MV cables to BS 6622 and BS7835 and the highest relevant industry standards including ISO 9001 ISO 14001 and ISO 18001 for ranges up to 500kV. These products are approved by leading independent approvals organisations nationally and internationally including: BASEC, LPCB and Lloyds. Third-party approval verifies that they can pass rigorous testing in the conditions in which they will operate. The demand continues for MV cables of quality, which can consistently supply power to meet the growing challenge in whatever form it is presented.

Power is routed through the Grid

AEI Cables, aeicables.co.uk

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SPECIAL FEATURE

CABLE, CABLE MANAGEMENT & LABELLING

STARTING A RECYCLING REVOLUTION Reducing the amount of waste that goes into landfill is an important issue, especially in the construction sector. Jon Chamberlain at Marshall-Tufflex discusses the benefits of selecting PVC-U cable management systems manufactured from recycled materials.

n the UK, approximately 120 million tonnes of waste are produced by construction, demolition and excavation each year – accounting for nearly 60% of all UK waste. An estimated 25 million tonnes of this waste are sent to landfill. While changes have been made, along with an increasing pressure to eliminate waste, more still needs to be done. The recycling and reuse of materials is an important part of optimising the use of resources and reducing the amount of material that ends up in landfill. However, a lack of awareness about the options available, as well as some commonly held misconceptions, have limited the adoption of more sustainable alternatives. Although the fabric of the building and improving energy efficiency is often the focus in the design of sustainable buildings, there are opportunities to make a difference to the overall environmental impact across the building.

estimated that this figure could be tripled if all manufacturers increased the proportion of recycled material in their systems to 50%. As with all parts of a building, there are several factors that will influence the choice of products, including price and quality. Durability is a particular consideration for cable management systems, especially in high traffic areas. However, there is a common misunderstanding that the use of recycled PVC-U results in a lower quality product. In reality, the quality of the raw material itself is more important than if it comes from recycled sources, as there are many low-quality products manufactured from virgin PVC-U. The recycled postindustrial waste PVC-U used for cable management systems most commonly originates from window frames – a grade of plastic designed to withstand the elements. Once processed and reused, the material still holds the same characteristics.

A graphic depicting the lifecycle of a PVC-U window

Factors to consider

When specifying cable management, contractors should look carefully at the options to ensure they are selecting a high-quality product that complies with all relevant legislations. Despite budgetary The selection of cable management constraints, choosing the lowest cost option systems, for example, provides the chance is not always the best approach. Poor quality to choose products manufactured using a cable management systems will often high percentage of recycled PVC-U. Indeed, need to be replaced much sooner, and in Marshall-Tufflex uses an average of 80% addition to the added cost for the building recycled material in its PVC-U products, Marshall-Tufflex’s white mini owner, it also has an environmental cost with some extruded white trunking profiles trunking profile by increasing the use of materials and the manufactured from 100% recycled content. is manufactured energy required to manufacture. While these products have been using 100% recycled Leading manufacturers will have strict manufactured using recycled PVC-U material quality control processes in place to monitor for more than 20 years, the increasing the quality of the raw recycled material. It pressure to lower the environmental impact should also comply with the Registration, of buildings has meant that only now are Evaluation, Authorisation and restriction of people beginning to sit up and take note of Chemicals (REACH) standards which concern the contribution they can make. Marshallthe production and use of chemicals and Tufflex is saving weight that is equivalent to their impact on both the environment and 300 double-decker buses worth of PVC-U human health. Furthermore, the ISO 14001 waste going to landfill each year, and it is GBE Advert Strip for Conduit supp.qxp_Layout 1 15/02/2019 10:35 Page 1

Choosing the right cable management solution

Environmental Management Accreditation demonstrates that manufacturers have taken steps to reduce their impact on the environment throughout their business. Contractors also have an important role to play in promoting the use of recycled materials and influencing the decision to take steps to lower the environmental impact of a building. Selecting cable management products made from recycled content will reduce the demand for virgin PVC-U and prevent material ending up in landfill. Finally, for contractors, there is a reputational benefit of championing the use of environmentally responsible products, and it also enables businesses to demonstrate their environmental credentials. Increasing the reuse of materials and creating a circular economy is critical if the UK construction industry is to significantly reduce the levels of waste it produces each year. Electrical contractors have a role to play in promoting the use of more sustainable products to clients and helping to drive the demand for recycled products. Marshall-Tufflex is leading a campaign for all installations to include a minimum of 50% recycled PVC-U within cable management systems by 2028. Marshall-Tufflex, marshall-tufflex.com

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SPECIAL FEATURE

UPS & POWER DISTRIBUTION

UPS - SEPARATING FACTS FROM FICTION Uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) are an essential part of many electrical installations, but to some in the industry, they remain something of an underappreciated mystery. Leo Craig, General Manager of Riello UPS, tackles the most common misconceptions electrical contractors have about them. MYTH 1: UPSs are so complicated that it’s too difficult to choose the right one for my customers. At face value, there’s some merit to this argument. UPS are complex electrical equipment with lots of parts and components. And yes, there are so many different manufacturers and models to choose from that – at first glance – it can appear quite daunting. In reality though, selecting the right UPS boils down to two fundamental questions. Firstly, what’s the size of the load you wish to protect? And secondly, what runtime does your customer need – how long must the battery last for in the event of power failure? Obviously, there are other factors to take into account, such as whether a load is critical or non-critical. Using a call centre

as an example, they’d always need their servers, computers, and telephone systems to be online. But other loads, such as printers or desk fans, aren’t as essential. Other points to consider include the installation environment. For instance, will the UPS need to be rack-mounted, or can it be freestanding? What about the system configuration (ie. is there a need for redundancy or providing capacity for future expansion)? But just as customers rely on the vast knowledge and experience of an electrical contractor, you – as electrical contractors – can take similar advantage of the expertise on offer from your UPS supplier. Once those initial load and runtime requirements are established, it’s a pretty straightforward task to tackle all the other issues and narrow down the choice.

Riello’s full product range is complemented by the company’s extensive maintenance plans and speedy response when faults arise

MYTH 2: Uninterruptible power supplies are big, bulky, and inefficient. This might well have been the case 10 or 20 years ago, but it’s definitely not true with modern UPS systems. Technology is constantly improving, meaning that the same power today is delivered using less electricity in a much reduced footprint. Many UPS are now transformerless, which delivers operational efficiency of up to 97%. This is around 5% more efficient than older, transformer based systems, resulting in significant reductions in power consumption. A more recent development is the evolution of modular systems, such as Riello’s award-winning Multi Power (MPW). These UPS are made up of several smaller power modules paralleled together to provide the required capacity and

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UPS & POWER DISTRIBUTION redundancy. These compact and powerpacked systems minimise the risk of wasteful oversizing at initial installation, while also offering customers the scalability to ‘pay as they grow’ by adding in extra modules when required. Modular UPS are significantly smaller and lighter than old style tower units, and also generate far less heat so need much less energy intensive air conditioning. They’re a modern solution offering ongoing economic and environmental benefits. MYTH 3: An uninterruptible power supply doesn’t need any maintenance. Such a mindset doesn’t apply to other essential electrical infrastructure, such as computers or machinery, so it doesn’t make sense to think once you’ve installed a UPS, “that’s it, I can just switch it on and leave it be.” An uninterruptible power supply is an intricate device in its own right. Parts such as fans or capacitors need replacing over time, and batteries have a natural lifespan too, while any electrical component can also unexpectedly fail. How you look after your equipment has a natural knock-on effect as to how well it performs, which is why you can’t afford to overlook the benefits of a robust preventive UPS maintenance regime. Prevention is far better than the cure. Regular UPS maintenance means your customers are less likely to experience a critical failure in the first place, while it ensures systems operate at peak efficiency, cutting their waste and energy costs. Preventive maintenance has even been proven to increase the lifespan of some components by 25-50%. And if the worst does ever happen, an ongoing maintenance contract offers guaranteed assurances that your UPS will be repaired as soon as possible; which is far greater peace of mind than the ‘best endeavours’ provided by standard warranties.

SPECIAL FEATURE

MYTH 4: All UPS maintenance contracts are the same. Sadly, this isn’t the case. Some are better than others, while some aren’t even worth the paper they’re written on as they’re packed with caveats, get-out clauses, and confusing terms and conditions. That’s why it’s essential you do your due diligence before signing on the dotted line. Ask any prospective provider to clarify several key questions, starting with the big one – how quickly will I get support if I experience a UPS failure? Most suppliers offer 24/7 coverage and a choice of emergency response times from 12 working hours down to four clock (actual) hours. But what does a ‘response’ mean? An automated message acknowledging the problem? A brief phonecall with tech support? Or an engineer on-site fixing the fault? Even if you get a fast response, in reality it might be days before your UPS is fully repaired. That’s why Riello UPS has gone a step further than anyone else with our Diamond maintenance plan. Not only do we commit to a four clock hour response, we guarantee a fix inside a further eight hours. Another crucial query relates to who will be servicing and repairing your UPS. Your customers need to know they’re in safe hands, so are the engineers fully trained and certified? This is particularly important if you opt for a third-party maintenance provider, rather than a manufacturer. Do they know the ins and outs of your particular model? For added peace of mind, all Riello UPS engineers – whether in-house or from authorised service partners – must successfully complete a challenging certified engineer training programme.

“Ask any prospective provider to clarify several key questions, starting with the big one – how quickly will I get support if I experience a UPS failure?”

MYTH 5: UPSs are only required during a power cut, and most of the time they just sit idle gathering dust. It’s far too simplistic to suggest a UPS only protects against massive blackouts. All but the smallest models now feature technology that cleans up dirty power by smoothing sags, dips, power surges, or harmonics. But yes, the primary purpose is as an emergency backup in the case of mains failures, which are thankfully rare affairs. Traditionally, this meant a UPS could be seen as a purely reactive and underutilised asset. But modern, smart grid-ready UPS equipped with premium batteries for energy storage can turn your system into a 24/7 ‘virtual power plant’ that feeds surplus electricity back into the network, helping the National Grid balance supply with demand. As well as the obvious benefits for wider society, utilising a UPS in this way helps lower electricity bills and reduce network charges at the same time as improving overall system resilience. Talk about a winwin situation.

The primary purpose of a UPS is to have an emergency backup in the case of mains failures

MYTH 6: Lithium-ion batteries used in many UPS aren’t safe. I dare say you can all remember the headlines about Samsung Galaxy Note 7s suddenly bursting into flames. However, lithium-ion cells employ a wide range of chemistries and physical structures, and the batteries used in applications such as a UPS system use much more robust chemistry and packaging than the ultra-lightweight cells found in smartphones, tablets, and other handheld electronic devices. Riello UPS, riello-ups.co.uk

Parts such as capacitors can fail over time, so a preventive UPS maintenance regime can be of huge assistance

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SPECIAL FEATURE

UPS & POWER DISTRIBUTION

BETTER THINGS IN STORE Dr. Alex Mardapittas, CEO of smart energy solutions provider, Powerstar, explores the importance of battery energy storage technology and its vital role in providing energy resilience through full, site-wide UPS capabilities.

hroughout the UK, concerns persist around the stability of the National Grid and its ability to cope with the expected growth of electricity demand – with fears of a potential ‘energy gap,’ where demand for electricity could outstrip supply in the coming decade. As the UK aims to avoid such a scenario, there has been an increasing transition away from traditional, unsustainable fossil fuel powered sources, such as peaking plants, towards alternatives in the shape of renewable generators.

With businesses keen to mitigate any potential issues with a discontinuous power supply, maximise renewable assets, and ultimately protect from potentially costly power issues such as blackouts, brownouts and voltage dips or spikes, it has become increasingly important that future-proof smart energy measures are in place to protect the security of supply. For businesses with critical processes and operations such as manufacturing sites, data centres and healthcare facilities, this is especially prevalent. To combat these supply issues, the specification and installation of leading-

edge energy storage solutions has grown in popularity, with this surge continuing as businesses aim to provide a more stable balance between the supply and demand of electricity. In fact, such is its increasing popularity, over 9,000MWh of battery energy storage could be deployed in Britain by the end of 2022 as the sector enjoys a trend towards ‘explosive growth.’ Like any modern technological innovation, not all battery energy storage solutions are created equally; and careful consideration must be given to not only how each system functions and the resilience it provides, but also the potential for return on investment.

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UPS & POWER DISTRIBUTION

The benefits of energy storage for resilience The advanced full uninterruptible power supply (UPS) capabilities of energy storage solutions, such as Powerstar Virtue, deliver fundamental improvements to the energy resilience of organisations. Through a combination of energy storage and integrated UPS capabilities, electrical contractors can ensure a reliable and secure environment by eliminating operational risk and strengthening energy security through the full and in some cases seamless UPS capabilities of such solutions. In the instance that a supply issue occurs, the site-wide UPS capabilities of pioneering energy storage solutions enables the system to automatically and quickly support the load across the entire site, rather than specific systems such as IT, until connection to the grid can be re-established. In some cases, a seamless response of less than one millisecond can be provided to sites. This, in turn, maintains a constant security of supply and prevents any loss of power, which could potentially cause major disruptions to critical operations. Therefore, it also protects organisations from the associated costs of interruptions in supply. Whilst the rapid response capabilities of next-generation energy storage solutions with integrated UPS capabilities often mean failures go unnoticed until post-event data is analysed, by integrating remote monitoring capabilities into systems,

“Through a combination of energy storage and integrated UPS capabilities, electrical contractors can ensure a reliable and secure environment by eliminating operational risk and strengthening energy security.”

automated email alerts can be set up to notify users when dips in supply occur. What’s more, the advanced software can be utilised to continuously monitor the grid, driving greater efficiencies than traditional UPS systems, which continuously use more energy-intensive hardware to monitor the grid for an event – and therefore further support the decarbonisation goals of businesses that deploy them. Energy storage can also be integrated with other systems already in place, be that renewable assets or Combined Heat and Power (CHP) solutions, allowing existing onsite generation assets to be maximised and utilised more effectively. For the businesses that use them, this offers an exceptional opportunity, as they can benefit from multiple energy efficiency measures simultaneously and make improvements in energy efficiency. By switching to stored energy when required, for example, businesses can minimise their reliance on the grid, minimise wasted energy during periods of over-generation, improve the reliability of on-site renewable generation, and ultimately maximise revenues and save energy. Through the traditional benefits of energy storage, such as reducing consumption during peak tariff periods through the usage of stored energy, businesses are likely to see a notable reduction in energy bills. However, through the integration of energy storage and other energy assets, such as voltage optimisation and smart transformers, further reductions in energy consumption and CO2 emissions can be achieved.

SPECIAL FEATURE

This means that smart battery energy storage solutions not only offer resilience, but can also provide revenue opportunities and further returns on investment, ensuring they pay for themselves – providing ‘resilience with payback.’

A smarter energy strategy For today’s organisations, implementing and maintaining a smart energy strategy is of vital importance. As government bodies push for greater levels of decarbonisation and a reduction in the reliance on traditional fuel sources, site-wide UPS through energy storage systems has emerged as an effective solution, allowing users to support ambitious sustainability goals and combat the continuous rise of non-commodity costs as part of their energy bills. Implementing a complete, fit-for-purpose energy strategy, however, requires careful consideration of the site, its requirements, and current energy use from the outset. As a result of this, and the complex nature of the benefits of smart energy solutions, specifying the perfect solution can seem like a daunting task for even the most experienced electrical contractor. Partnering with an experienced energy solutions expert can help electrical professionals and the organisations they work with to formulate the most effective end-to-end solution for their business. Powerstar, powerstar.com

18TH EDITION

SOLUTIONS 01563 533 554 sales@cpelectric.co.uk

UPS&PD – Powerstar.indd 55

www.cpelectric.co.uk

22/02/2019 11:56

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SPECIAL FEATURE

ARE YOU PART OF THE TECHNOLOGICAL REVOLUTION? Many industries are currently going through a technological revolution and none more so than the electrical contracting sector. Software designer, simPRO, offers guidance.

xternal pressures such as a skilled labour shortage, pricing pressures on services, travel and resources, compliance cost increases and customer demand for value mean businesses are constantly looking for ways to do more for less. As a consequence, many businesses are now turning to technology to help them streamline and automate their operations to enable them to scale up their workforce without adding more resources.

One integrated system The days of running multiple systems to handle essential business tasks like scheduling, invoicing and service management are fast becoming a thing of the past. Instead, field-based engineers are accessing everything they need from the palm of their hand, freeing them up to focus on the activities that really count – solving customer problems, building strong relationships and increasing their productivity.

Admin and paperwork are often the most tedious part of a field engineers’ worklife. A time-consuming task takes the focus away from service delivery and is therefore frequently deprioritised. A connected field team that is powered by cloud technology has access to all essential job-related information, and can complete all admin requirements while still on a customer site; leading to improved service delivery and more meaningful insights for operations teams. And it’s not just the field staff that can benefit from this technology. Through improved communication and collaboration with field engineers, the operations team can be in a much-improved position to forecast demand, prioritise resources, and have access to the latest service histories – all of which can ultimately transform the customer experience. Often, these types of office and field tasks are spread out over a multitude of systems that are not integrated, therefore requiring double handling of data and other inefficient work practices. A cloud-based platform like simPRO brings the crucial aspects of the business together in one place.

Security “A paperbased system can lead to blockages and delays in your workflows, making even basic tasks complicated and inefficient.”

Security continues to be a key consideration for many organisations moving from an onpremise software solution to a cloud-based application. But data hosted in the cloud is significantly more secure than data stored in on-premise solutions – either in the office or on shared virtual servers. Cloud application providers take data security seriously. In fact, we have invested heavily to ensure that our customers benefit from the same infrastructure and security protocols as large banks, utilities and mining companies.

Cost The costs associated with implementing a cloud-based solution can also be a key concern for businesses considering the transition from on-premise applications. But IT operating costs are often shown to reduce, and thus have a positive impact on the bottom line. Migrating to the cloud can be very cost-effective. The cost alone of licencing is frequently less than the traditional onpremise models. Cloud applications are

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SPECIAL FEATURE

SOFTWARE & APPS

typically sold on a ‘per user, per month’ subscription basis, and therefore provide customers with a high level of control over IT spend. User licences can usually be easily transferred when employees leave or change job roles. The application provider manages the infrastructure, so trade contractors can reallocate the resources typically used to manage on-premise infrastructure. The costs associated with the infrastructure are included in the subscription. Therefore, there are no hidden costs associated with security, infrastructure, servers or other resources. This is a particularly attractive benefit for small-to-medium organisations, who can instead focus on core, revenuegenerating activities. The growth of the field service market is seemingly never-ending, and in a booming market, a paper-based system can lead to blockages and delays in your workflows, making even basic administrative tasks complicated and inefficient. It will also give staff access to accurate, up-to-date information so they can make informed decisions throughout the day and improve the bottom line on every job.

What’s next? For those businesses already seeing the benefit of the cloud and integrated systems, the next technological revolution is bringing with it a whole new suite of automation, machine learning, artificial intelligence and analytics.

S&A – Simpro.indd 58

The Internet of Things (IoT), which is connecting devices and assets through the internet, is growing in popularity and is fast becoming more accessible to field service and trade contracting businesses. Smart connected products and IoT technology is transforming field service operations, and we’ll see more adoption of this over the next 12 months. IoT helps meet the requirement to deliver more for less for customers, particularly for those installing and maintaining high-value assets. The predictive model not only reduces the cost of reactive maintenance, but it addresses any issues before they become critical. For the customer, they won’t ever need to worry about needing to deal with a broken asset ever again. We already have a number of customers running trials of our IoT technology. Not only are they winning new contracts off the back of it, but it’s helping to increase the lifetime value of their existing customers. One trial, in particular, is with Swissport, which owns and operates over 39 award-winning airport lounge facilities globally. Thermacell, a specialist facilities management provider, has been using simPRO’s IoT solution to deliver cutting-edge facilities management services to the Swissport ‘Aspire’ lounge in Luton Airport. By using simPRO’s low-cost plug and play sensor networks that are fully integrated into simPROs software platform, Thermacell is able to monitor lounge conditions

and the performance of individual assets in near real-time, while automatically triggering alerts in response to any anomalies that appear in systems. This intuitive, digital brain that simPRO IoT provides means that Thermacell can identify and diagnose a variety of issues prior to complete failure without the need for time-consuming, chargeable site visits that are often constrained by airport security measures.

Keeping up with the changes

A shot of the simPRO Enterprise dashboard

Technology continues to change at a rapid pace. The technology we use today is very different from what we used five years ago, so businesses will always have the challenge of ensuring that the systems and technology they use are still current. Many businesses believe that an off-theshelf solution won’t fit the unique needs of the business. But think again – overtly customised solutions can lead to restrictions with software updates and integrations with other systems in the future, not to mention a great deal of ongoing expense and time that should be spent on running the business. Cloud-based software providers frequently release new updates (that are included in the licence fee) to help businesses stay ahead of tech trends. By ensuring the systems you use now are fit-for-purpose, you’ll be able to keep up with future technological developments. simPRO, simpro.co.uk

21/02/2019 14:52

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March 2019 | 59

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COMPANY SHOWCASE

BUYERS’ GUIDE WIRING ACCESSORIES

CENTIEL TO DEMONSTRATE LI-ION BATTERY SOLUTION Leading UPS manufacturer, Centiel UK, will demonstrate its new li-ion battery solution for the first time at Data Centre World, on booth D1035. Centiel will also show its fourth-generation, three-phase, true modular UPS system, CumulusPower; plus the extensions to its range of stand-alone UPS PremiumTower, ideally suited to applications where minimising total cost of ownership is a significant factor. Mike Elms, Managing Director of Centiel UK, says, “Li-ion has been a ‘hot topic’ for some time now. The UPS industry is now taking notice and starting to see how data centres can take advantage of its many benefits. “Centiel’s CumulusPower works with both VRLA and li-ion, so we will demonstrate both battery types within one frame at DCW,” Elms explains. “Although this configuration wouldn’t mix in real-life, using half li-ion and half VRLA cells will show one of the main advantages of li-ion technology: that it offers three or four times greater power for the same space.”

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