ECN December 2021

uickwire

The revolutionary new junction box for lighting www.quickwire.co.uk

VOLUME 41 NO. 12 • DECEMBER 2021

SPECIAL FEATURE: SMART BUILDINGS

36

ELECTRICALCONTRACTINGNEWS.COM

SPECIAL FEATURE: TEST EQUIPMENT

43

SPECIAL FEATURE: UPS & POWER DISTRIBUTION

52

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FCP – Screwfix.indd 1

26/11/2021 13:41

BEING A SPARKY IS ALL ABOUT THE NUMBERS To do work that’s safe, reliable and compliant, you need a bit of a head for figures. Here are a couple for you: the new Generation II Lever Wire Connector handles both 32 AMP and 4mm. You can do more, more quickly, in even the most awkward of spaces. It all adds up.

idealind.com

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CONTENTS

CONTENTS… Regulars

VOLUME 41 NO. 12 • DECEMBER 2021

SPECIAL FEATURES: What a Year challenging yet successful 29 Ayear: Marshall-Tufflex

6 Editorial

a course to a 30 Steering bright future

Season’s Greetings from all at ECN!

8 Industry News ECA warns lack of EV strategy could leave UK divided; Van theft on the rise and set to increase 62% by 2030; AICO colleagues selected for key positions at FIA; and more

14 Cover Story

32 Time to reflect

Smart Buildings

Get the star treatment with Screwfix today!

the latest in 36 Offering smart home and building

16 Contract News

control solutions

Green energy future looks bright; Electrical services company completes revamp at UK’s oldest hotel; Bridlington seafront rejuvenated with bespoke lighting solution; and more

20 Training Access training UK reveals an increase in women opting for a trade career; and JTL launches free bite-size course on smart lighting

boosts smart 38 Pandemic home market facilities optimised 40 Educational for student wellbeing, performance and sustainability or wireless: 42 Wired which is better for a

22 Key Issue

networked building?

The risks associated with poor quality cables

24 Project Focus Thorn lights the way to more ‘dynamic, appealing and aspirational’ high street

26 Competition Win £250 worth of John Lewis vouchers, courtesy of Timeguard

Test Equipment 400 C and 600 C 44 GTC professional thermal camera: Precise. Reliable. Efficient

34 Interview Carly Wills talks to Tracy Hewett, Education and Training Consultant at the EDA, about the role of the organisation and how it supports the industry through education and training

57 Company Showcase Sponsored content from across the sector

24

Why handheld testers will help 46 security installers overcome their biggest challenges

48 Safe isolation saves lives times deliver 50 Testing results for Ovia

UPS & Power Distribution electricians should 52 Why offer backup power as a critical solution study: Wellcome 54 Case Genome Campus the critical role 56 Outlining of generators

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December 2021 | 3

25/11/2021 15:53

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Flexible and scalable, Vive is engineered on a proven wireless platform, designed to elevate both new and existing buildings.

4 More time 4 More money 4 More success With intelligent controls and simple set-up, easily adapt the energy-saving system to meet evolving workplace demands, increasing customer satisfaction across your commercial projects and keeping your business running at high-speed.

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4 Fewer wire pulls 4 Fewer mis-wires 4 Fewer workers

result, and measure the results in customer satisfaction. Millions of Vive systems have been installed in offices, workspaces, and business parks around the world. Make your commercial project next.

We are all in this together. Whether you are looking to expand your opportunities, quickly finish current jobs, or create more value on each project, Lutron is here to help.

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NO PROBLEM

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EDITORIAL

NEXT TIME…

Circuit Protection & Switchgear

Emergency Lighting

SEASONS GREETINGS FROM ALL AT ECN!

H

ello and welcome to the December issue of ECN. It hardly seems real that we are at the end of the year already! It has been another year full of ups and downs, but it does feel like we are ending the year on a more positive note than the last. The situation we find ourselves in with COVID-19 is a better one than this time last year, COP26 concluded with every party agreeing the Glasgow Climate Pact, and business has picked up this year for many – with face-to-face meeting and events back on, along with lots of exciting new product launches. Let’s hope this continues long into 2022.

In this issue we bring you the latest from the Smart Buildings, Test Equipment, and UPS & Power Distribution sectors, along with our special What a Year feature, which focuses on company success in 2021. I also speak to the EDA’s Education and Training Consultant, Tracey Hewett, about how the organisation supports the industry through education and training.

This month’s Competition - brought to you by Timeguard – gives one lucky reader the chance to win £250 worth of John Lewis vouchers, so please remember to enter.

Wishing you all the best for the festive period – see you next year!

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

Carly Wills, Editor

Electric Vehicle Charging

January Issue Editorial deadline: December 17 Advertising deadline: December 20

EDITOR: CARLY WILLS T: 01634 673163 E: carly@allthingsmedialtd.com

STUDIO: MARK WELLER T: 01634 673163 E: mark@allthingsmedialtd.com

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT: BEATRICE LEE T: 01634 673163 E: beatrice@allthingsmedialtd.com

MANAGING DIRECTOR: DAVID KITCHENER T: 01634 673163 E: david@allthingsmedialtd.com

GROUP ADVERTISEMENT MANAGER: KELLY BYNE T: 01634 673163 E: kelly@allthingsmedialtd.com

ACCOUNTS T: 01634 673163 E: susan@allthingsmedialtd.com

ECN charity of choice

The editors 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 © 2021, All rights reserved.

Printed by Micropress, Reydon Business Park Fountain Way, Reydon, Southwold, IP18 6SZ.

Editorial.indd 6

electricalcontractingnews.com

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25/11/2021 15:36

Easy9 Compact Flexible circuit protection The easy choice for a compact, reliable and fully tailored solution.

Easily select the specific configuration for your installation, in compliance with BS 7671.

No need for re-working and no left-over devices.

Features: • • • •

Compact size for renovation and retrofits RCBO or split load configuration Incomer position on left or right Removable DIN rail and more...

se.com/uk/easy9

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25/11/2021 12:25

INDUSTRY NEWS ECA WARNS LACK OF EV STRATEGY COULD LEAVE UK DIVIDED The ECA has welcomed the government’s announcement at CBI’s annual conference that all new homes in England will be installed with electric vehicle charge points (EVCPs).

Speaking at the conference, Boris Johnson announced that all new homes and non-residential buildings will be required to have EVCPs installed, adding 145,000 new charging points a year between now and 2030 to the network of 250,000 already installed in homes and workplaces so far.

ECA Director of CSR Paul Reeve says: “This is a welcome announcement, but the bigger challenge across the UK is public access charging. With most EVCP plans centred around London and the south east, there is still a real danger of charging blackspots in many parts of the country. “‘Levelling-up’ should also mean closing the urban-rural gap when it comes to EV charging infrastructure and installation skills.”

ECA, eca.co.uk

LIGHTING INDUSTRY STARTS PROGRESS TOWARDS A CIRCULAR ECONOMY

AVERAGE UK TRADESPERSON LOSES OVER £1,300 A YEAR DUE TO BAD WEATHER UK tradespeople lose over £1,300 a year due to bad weather, new research has revealed, with the average person having to miss a week’s worth of work every 12 months.

With winter approaching, the study, conducted by IronmongeryDirect, surveyed tradespeople about the impact of bad weather on their work and finances. It found that, on average, tradespeople lose 7.2 days a year because of factors like rain, snow and wind. With the typical UK day rate standing at £184, this means that workers are missing out on £1,325 every 12 months.

However, with almost two in five (38%) people losing over a week and one in 10 (10%) missing over a fortnight, this figure will be far higher for some.

Many tradespeople don’t get paid for days they don’t work, which explains why almost a third (29%) say they can’t afford to pause jobs for bad weather.

Sadly, this means many people put their health and safety at risk.

Almost one in 10 (9%) tradespeople say they have felt ill after working in bad weather; one in 12 (8%) have felt unsafe and one in 16 (6%) have been injured.

The trades which lose the most money each year because of bad weather are:

The series of Recolight Circular Economy webinars has been attended by over 1,000 individuals over the last two years, with attendees from right across the industry.

Participants have shown a great deal of enthusiasm and many practical issues and suggestions have been raised.

Commenting on the outcome of the webinars, Nigel Harvey, CEO of Recolight says: “It has been really encouraging to see the discussions move beyond ‘what needs to be done’ and towards ‘what is actually happening’. There is clearly still a lot to do – but it is starting to happen. That gives me hope that we will increasingly play our part in tackling the climate crisis.”

Simon Fisher of F Mark adds: “It’s clear that there are many challenges to overcome to achieve a truly circular lighting industry.

However, there has never been a better time to embrace circularity in terms of client awareness of the environment and the need to make significant changes.”

With over 40 experts from across the lighting industry joining the webinar panels, many recurring themes were discussed: • R esource depletion will begin to drive up the cost of raw materials, leading to more use of recycled materials.

• Recycling is not always the best solution!

• Several companies, including Recolight, have introduced new services to facilitate the reuse and repair of fittings. Remanufacturers have indicated they will provide warranties and certification of reused product.

• Maintenance and manufacturing companies have an emerging opportunity to offer to remanufacture or reconditioning services.

• Specifiers have a crucial role to play in educating end users about the importance of using products which embody circular economy principles.

Recolight, recolight.co.uk

1) Plumber – £1,723 (7 days) 2) Electrician – £1,570 (7 days) 3) Builder – £1,548 (7 days) 4) Painter decorator – £1,335 (9 days) 5) Landscaper – £1,213 (10 days) 6) Building surveyor – £1,120 (6 days) 7) Carpenter – £990 (7 days) 8) Bricklayer – £969 (6 days) 9) Plasterer – £765 (5 days) 10) Joiner – £680 (3 days) IronmongeryDirect, ironmongerydirect.co.uk

8 | December 2021

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25/11/2021 16:25

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SUPPLIES, SERVICE & SOLUTIONS Untitled-2 2

23/11/2021 10:02

INDUSTRY NEWS ECS OFFERS GREATER RECOGNITION FOR PROFESSIONALS AND PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS The Electrotechnical Certification Scheme (ECS) has announced recognition for a greater number of professional organisations, offering greater flexibility to individuals applying for ECS cards.

Professionally Qualified Persons (PQP) cards are for those working in specialised electrotechnical disciplines, and the card recognises the holder’s status through their registration with the professional institute.

Professional bodies and memberships are well recognised in the industry for the support and development of their members, and often involve a membership assessment process relevant to the occupation or specialism they cover. Whilst professional membership can already be recorded in the CPD section of an ECS card holder’s account, and some memberships like the Institute of Engineering Technology (IET) have long been recognised on ECS cards for electricians, more people can now apply for the PQP card for a number of electrotechnical related organisations.

The list of recognised organisations has recently been expanded to more than 20 professional bodies, including the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), Institute of Fire Safety Management and the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE).

Electrotechnical Certification Scheme, ecscard.org.uk

VAN THEFT ON THE RISE AND IS SET TO INCREASE 62% BY 2030 Comparethemarket has predicted future levels of van theft could double to over 20,000 in the next decade after research found an 81% increase from 2015 to 2019. The research also highlights the makes and models of vehicles that are most at risk and the most frequently stolen contents from a break-in.

During 2015, 12 vans were being stolen each day across the country, rising to 35 vans during 2021.

Comparethemarket predicts that the level of theft could reach as high as 56 thefts per day by 2030, equating to over 20,000 stolen vans annually.

The lowest levels of theft have been reported in the North of England, followed by West Midlands, South West of England and Wales. Unsurprisingly, Greater London has the highest rate, and could see over three thousand van thefts during 2030 alone.

During 2019, the vans most at risk were Mercedes Sprinter models – this remains the same in 2021, as predictions show the Mercedes Sprinter 313 CDI will be the most stolen van model, increasing by 44 annual thefts in just two years.

Nearly 67% of break-ins include having tools stolen, and research shows that only 1% are ever recovered due to their high resale value, leaving a devastating impact on tradespeople and their ability to do their job.

Comparethemarket, comparethemarket.com

THE KEY TO THE PERFECT TURKEY IS CHECKING YOUR ELECTRICS AHEAD OF CHRISTMAS With the nation reuniting with loved ones this Christmas, checking your household electrics could be fundamental to preventing any festive melt downs.

Hexo Electrical Testing commissioned a poll to gauge consumer attitudes on keeping home electrics healthy and safe.

When asked what the most important task was for getting the house ready at Christmas, 19% of the nation state that they get their electrics checked to prevent anything from going wrong with the oven when cooking for family and friends, and 27% of individuals check their fire alarms and carbon dioxide levels.

When it comes to roasting the perfect turkey, 30% of participants who check their oven electrics ahead of Christmas are aged 18-34, whilst a mere 10% are aged 55+. According to the research report, participants from London (36%) are the most concerned about checking their electrics at Christmas, in comparison to 0% from Northern Ireland.

But it is not just the Christmas roast that needs to be monitored – with the announcement of 20,000 electrical fires damaging homes in 2021, almost 40% of mums state they have learnt how to check for faulty electrics this year, with 19% who have already booked in their electrical testing ahead of Christmas.

LEADING ELECTROTECHNICAL BUSINESSES WIN TOP INDUSTRY AWARDS Sixteen electrotechnical and engineering services organisations and individuals were recognised at the 2020/21 ECA Industry Awards, held on Friday 22 October at the London Hilton Bankside Hotel.

After an almost two-year hiatus, the 2020/21 Awards highlighted some of the key achievements by leading talent in the sector, providing a great opportunity for contractors and others across the electrotechnical and engineering services industry to showcase their exceptional work.

Guests on the night were treated to a range of entertainment, including live music, table magic and more. Thousands of pounds were raised for the Electrical Industries Charity during a prize draw. TV and radio personalities Steph McGovern and Alan Dedicoat (the voice of the National Lottery) hosted the proceedings and presented awards to the winning ECA organisations and individuals.

In all, 16 performing businesses and individuals from across the industry scooped honours at the awards, which were supported by headline sponsors Electrium and LEDVANCE. These included awards for Contractor of the Year, Best Fire and Security Project, and the Excellence in Training and Development Award.

Long-time industry advocate and major player in the fight for fairer payment practices in the construction industry, Rudi Klein deservedly won the Major Contribution to the Industry Award.

“Many congratulations to this year’s deserving winners, and also to the highly commended nominees who all submitted impressive entries,” says ECA Director of Member Services, Helen Atkinson. “We would like to encourage ECA Members who are working on impressive and innovative projects this year and next, or who are delivering new health and safety or training and development initiatives, to enter the next awards, which will be held in June 2023.”

Hexo Electrical Testing, hexoelectricaltesting.co.uk

ECA, eca.co.uk

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25/11/2021 09:51

Our new RCDs comply to the latest BS7288 safety standard!

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25/11/2021 09:55

INDUSTRY NEWS GET YOUR HANDS ON A NEW PS5 OR SONOS MOVE WITH MK ELECTRIC Want to offer quality and safe wiring device installations to all customers, even when working to a prudent budget? Had your eye on a PlayStation5 or Sonos Move Smart Speaker? MK Electric could have the answer to both.

The company’s broad new MK Base range of white moulded switches and sockets has been designed to deliver the quality and reliability expected from the brand – all with a price tag that works when budgets are tighter. It’s also easy to install and, along with MK’s renowned Logic Plus range, it offers the widest antimicrobial testing on the market. And, if that wasn’t enough, MK is also giving electrical installers, contractors and

specifiers the chance to get their hands on a much-coveted PS5’s or a Sonos Move Smart Speaker, in its latest prize draw.

To be in the running for one of the five PS5 or five Sonos Move Smart Speakers, simply head over to hwll.co/MKBaseWatchtoWin, watch the MK Base video, see how the range could help meet your client or project needs, and correctly answer three questions.

The competition is open from 15 November to 12 December 2021 and installers correctly answering all three questions during that time will be entered into the prize draw and the winners picked at random.

MK Electric, hwll.co

ABLOY WINS £2.5M CONTRACT WITH UK POWER NETWORKS Abloy UK has been awarded a five-year contract with UK Power Networks valued at £2.5m to upgrade the current mechanical locking systems to a combined electromechanical and mechanical locking solution, for its high and low voltage distribution networks.

UK Power Networks owns and maintains the electricity distribution network across South East England, the East of England and London.

Products specified include a mix of Abloy PROTEC2 CLIQ electromechanical and PROTEC2 mechanical padlocks and cylinders, which will be controlled and administered using the new CIPE Manager operating systems.

It is estimated that Abloy will supply around 9,500 padlocks per annum, together with programmable PROTEC2 CLIQ Bluetooth Low Energy keys, enabling UK Power Network’s system to be expanded conveniently in the future.

CLIQ offers high security and flexibility that supports the complex workflow of organisations in the energy sector by enabling audit trails to be generated for individual cylinders, padlocks, keys and system users.

If a key is lost or stolen this no longer creates a major security risk, because each individual key can be deactivated if required and have access rights changed or removed using the CLIQ web manager software, providing a truly dynamic secure system.

MOVERS & SHAKERS… Ovia Ireland has welcomed Jay White to the team as Area Sales Manager, covering the Northern Ireland, Donegal, Cavan, Monaghan and Sligo regions.

He comes to the role with seven years’ sales experience working with two of the industry’s leading electrical wholesalers, where he was responsible for building relationships with electrical contractors to sell in products from across all electrical accessories and lighting products.

The CMD leadership team has been strengthened by the promotion of former internal sales manager, Jamie Cox, to the new role of head of operations. His new role includes warehouse management and regulatory compliance. Former design engineer, Jonny North, has been promoted to the new role of design manager at CMD, with responsibility for driving new product development and ensuring both customer feedback and commercial considerations are embedded in the product development journey.

The battery powered CLIQ keys are programmable, so a temporary contractor can be issued with a key that permits entry to specific sites for a limited time period. After the authorisation period ends, the key cannot open the lock.

Abloy UK, abloy.co.uk

AICO COLLEAGUES SELECTED FOR KEY POSITIONS AT FIA Esteemed colleagues of Aico have been selected for key positions at the Fire Industry Association (FIA), following the 2021 FIA Annual General Meeting. Voted for by FIA members, the appointments will provide a fantastic opportunity to further support the fire industry.

The FIA is a not-for-profit membership organisation and is the largest fire protection trade association in the UK. The FIA aims to promote, improve and perfect fire protection methods, devices, services and apparatus. As Aico strives to promote best practice and improve fire safety legislation across the UK, these positions will be pivotal in achieving their vision.

National Account Manager for Aico, Paul Cartwright, has been elected to the FIA FIRESA Council, which provides vital communication between the Fire and Rescue Services and their suppliers, as well as liaising directly with the government and other external bodies.

12 | December 2021

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ESP has welcomed Peter Hampson on board as the new Area Sales Manager covering Scotland. Peter has a wealth of experience and expertise garnered during his career spanning some 23 years and spent with some of the industry’s leading security products manufacturers.

JCC has announced the promotion of Dan Golding to the role of Sales Director. Dan began his career in the electrical industry over 25 years ago. He held senior sales roles in wholesale and manufacturing before starting his career at JCC in November 2014 as Key Account Manager.

He took the role of National Sales Manager in 2018, establishing himself as a leader, embodying the company’s values, whilst providing dedicated support to its loyal customers.

National Technical Manager for Aico, Andy Speake, who previously held a position on the FIA Fire Detection and Alarm Council, has been re-elected for the role and has also been elected to the FIA Board.

Aico, aico.co.uk

electricalcontractingnews.com

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25/11/2021 09:51

Become An EVIE Approved Installer!

EVIE approved installers will receive:

A feature on the EVIE website www.eviecharge.co.uk An optional EVIE site visit Opportunity to offer customers annual maintenance contracts

“In one word, brilliant!

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For all sales enquiries please contact:

sales@eviecharge.co.uk 01322 282 700

To become an EVIE approved installer email:

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COVER STORY

GET THE STAR TREATMENT WITH SCREWFIX TODAY! Imagine a world where you can buy all the hand tools, power tools, workwear and many other products that you require as an electrician, alongside all of the essential products to complete your jobs. Now add low prices, 730+ stores open early until late and Click & Collect in as little as one minute. Electricfix provides you all this and more.

Visit your local Screwfix store and sign up to an Electricfix account to get: • Bespoke quote service • Exclusive deals • Free tea and coffee • Dedicated trade counter and team Trusted by the trade for over 40 years, Screwfix has been operating ‘Electricfix’ – its separate proposition for electrical professionals - with one clear mission: to help tradespeople get their jobs done quickly, affordably and right first time.

To provide further convenience and certainty, Screwfix has added more trade trusted brands, extended its product ranges and enhanced its service levels.

Screwfix’s dedicated trade counters for electrical customers allows you to have a chat over a cuppa alongside a dedicated team to support with the industry leading products you’ll need now and later. Open early until late seven days a week.

Screwfix offers industry leading credit facilities with its no annual fee Trade Credit Account, which supports tradespeople with their cash flow. This includes up to 60 days interest free credit and the ability to use it in over 1,000 locations across the UK including Screwfix, B&Q and Tradepoint!

SF-Trade-Ad-DPS-APP-Electricfix-AW.indd 1

06/10/2021 19:05

Screwfix’s dedicated trade counters for electrical customers allows you to have a cuppa alongside a dedicated team SF-Trade-Ad-DPS-Tea-Coffee-Electricfix-AW.indd 1

14 | December 2021

FCP – Screwfix.indd 14

In stock and available in more than 730 trade counters, electricians can buy single phase and 3-phase circuit protection in populated and unpopulated configurations, including options with SPDs and AFDDs available for 18th Edition compliance.

Leading the way for innovation in switches and sockets with USB chargers and Wi-Fi extenders, cable management from top brand Schneider, and test and detection equipment from brands such as Kewtech, Megger and Fluke are all available too.

Alongside the expansive range of electrical products, customers can purchase from a comprehensive range of power tools and hand tools from leading brands including DeWalt, Milwaukee and Makita.

So, what are you waiting for? Get the star treatment and visit your local Screwfix store NOW!

Screwfix’s mission is to help tradespeople get their jobs done quickly, affordably and right first time

Screwfix, screwfix.com

06/10/2021 18:47

electricalcontractingnews.com

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26/11/2021 17:01

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26/11/2021 09:25 10:57 26/11/2021

CONTRACT NEWS BRIDLINGTON SEAFRONT REJUVENATED WITH BESPOKE LIGHTING SOLUTION On the East coast of Yorkshire, Bridlington is a popular seaside destination. Lacking any major redevelopment for almost three decades, the seafront’s public spaces were in need of regeneration. So in 2019, East Riding of Yorkshire Council embarked on an ambitious £4m project to transform an area between Garrison Square and Regent Gardens, reinvigorating the space with an exciting new, colourful look.

Crucial to the revitalisation plan was the installation of new lighting elements within the communal areas. Sutton Vane Associates was appointed by engineering consultant Sweco to design a lighting scheme that added vibrancy to the site whilst also providing a practical benefit after dark.

Outdoor lighting specialist, DW Windsor, was also commissioned to develop a custom lighting solution to fulfil the new design.

DW Windsor worked with Sutton Vane Associates to create several completely bespoke, illuminated totems that formed the centrepiece of the new lighting scheme. The totems are lit from top to bottom and incorporate colour-changing functionality, which can be set for different purposes, such as celebrating holidays and calendar events.

In addition, DW Windsor’s inground linear lighting solution, Vaio, was specifided to further enhance the walkways along the seafront. Given the coastal location, the lighting needed to withstand highly variable weather conditions. Vaio is a fully encapsulated IP67 LED system, ensuring its robustness even in these extremities.

Discussing the project, Guy Bolton, Special Projects Co-Ordinator at DW Windsor, says: “Seaside locations are always a joy to work on, whilst bringing some unique challenges.

Thanks to our extensive portfolio, we were able to offer robust lighting that can withstand the elements and vehicle traffic.”

DW Windsor, dwwindsor.com

ELECTRICAL SERVICES COMPANY COMPLETES REVAMP AT UK’S OLDEST HOTEL

FIRE-CRYER GRADUATES AT SWANSEA UNIVERSITY

A north west-headquartered electrical services company has completed a full electrical revamp on what is thought to be Europe’s oldest coaching inn.

The age and significance of The Olde Bell in Hurley, Berkshire, meant work was subject to stringent regulations covering which parts could be altered or even simply used for fittings.

Ash Integrated Services spent six months painstakingly working on the Grade II-listed building, parts of which date back to 1135, completely renewing its mains electricity provision, including new lighting and power throughout.

The company also fitted a new fire alarm system, plus data and audio-visual connectivity in all bedrooms.

Antony Grace, director at Ash Integrated Services, says: “Between COVID-19 and the heritage restrictions, we had a team of just two on-site, which meant each part of the work required a very tight turnaround.

“The placement of each element of the wiring, the choice of lighting, and even the fittings holding components in place had to be carefully considered.

By sensitively fitting the right modern electrical equipment with precision, particularly the state-of-the-art fire alarm system, we have helped protect the Olde Bell for many years to come.”

Ash Integrated Services, ashintegratedservices.co.uk

NITTAN EVOLUTION FIRE DETECTION SYSTEM PROTECTS NI SHOPPING CENTRE A Nittan Evolution fire detection system has been installed into the Bloomfield Shopping Centre in Bangor by Nittan Elite Partner Solutions for Systems, based in Northern Ireland.

Built in 1992, the Bloomfield Shopping Centre features a covered mall with 45 retailers, eight retail park units and three stand-alone restaurants.

A new fire detection system was required at the site and, following detailed proposals by Solutions for Systems, a Nittan Evolution system was installed.

The new fire detection systems feature eight Nittan Evolution 1 fire alarm control panels installed in a network at strategic locations throughout the site, enabling site personnel to quickly and effectively access and assess any alerts on the fire alarm system without needing to return to the control room or to have dedicated staff located at a single panel in a control room.

The new BS5839 Part 1 compliant Nittan Evolution system installed at Bloomfield Shopping Centre is now in operation and meeting the needs of its customer. It provides the level of protection required at a competitive price, from the cost of the equipment through to the installation and ongoing maintenance. Whilst the cause-and-effect requirements of the centre and retail park are relatively complex and detailed, it was easy to configure with the Nittan system and a substantial part of the work to do so was performed off site which reduced on site disruption and installation costs. In addition, the system is open protocol which ensures the Nittan system can readily interface with the existing centre BMS and also the systems in individual shop/retail units.

Vimpex Fire-Cryer Voice Enhanced Sounders have been installed on link bridges between buildings at Swansea University, to increase the protection of staff and students should there be a fire alarm, by delivering clear messages and ensure a fast, efficient evacuation.

Swansea University has eight colleges spread across its two campuses which are located on the coastline of Swansea Bay. Following a fire risk assessment carried out by the University that identified the sound of the fire alarm not reaching all parts of the campus, it was decided to install voice enhanced sounders on link bridges between University buildings to ensure staff and students would evacuate as quickly and effectively as possible, should there be a fire emergency.

Vimpex Fire-Cryer Voice Sounders were specified because they offer a simple, fully synchronised and cost-effective voice evacuation solution. Whether retro-fitted into an existing installation or as part of a new system design, they can be fully integrated into the fire alarm system and work on a conventional two-wire bell circuit. They can be fully synchronised and have a low current consumption allowing simple replacement of existing sounders and bells.

Fire-Cryer Voice Sounders can be programmed to produce bespoke messages and tones specifically designed for each location, and is claimed to be the only voice sounder system available with a range of discrete ceiling mounted voice sounders through to high output IP66 voice sounders.

Vimpex, vimpex.co.uk

Nittan, nittan.co.uk

16 | December 2021

Contract News.indd 16

electricalcontractingnews.com

@ElecConNews

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22/11/2021 14:24

CONTRACT NEWS GREEN ENERGY FUTURE LOOKS BRIGHT An electrical services firm has been awarded top marks by a north west college after carrying out work to improve the sustainability of its campuses.

Atherton-based Ash Integrated Services has brought the solar PV panels at Harpurhey and Wythenshawe campuses back to full power, generating capacity for The Manchester College.

The company has also installed electric vehicle charge points at the Wythenshawe and Openshaw sites.

The work on the solar panels means the college will save significant money over the coming years on its electricity bill, with the new charge points helping to accommodate those who wish to drive without using fossil fuels.

Antony Grace, director at Ash Integrated Services, says: “We’re very pleased to see The Manchester College back to full power after replacing components on their solar PV panels.

“Microgeneration schemes like this are part of the country’s journey to sustainability by supplying net zero carbon electricity where they’re needed. However, without regular maintenance, they can become little more than expensive roof tiles.

“These panels will also be able to help power staff and school vehicles, thanks to the electric charge points we have also installed at Wythenshawe and Openshaw.”

Ash Integrated Services, ashintegratedservices.co.uk

APCOA DELIVERS FIRST NHS MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK WITH INTEGRATED ENERGY CENTRE APCOA Parking has announced the opening of a new 729-space multi-storey car park (MSCP) at Northwick Park Hospital which includes an integrated energy centre – the first combined solution of this kind. APCOA managed the complex design and build of the new facility and will operate the car park on behalf of the Trust as part of a new 20-year agreement.

The five-storey MSCP, which replaces a low-density surface car park in the grounds of the hospital, has been designed with a Vertical Circulation Module steel frame and was built in less than a year.

The car park incorporates Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology which can support the future use of APCOA’s comprehensive multisite, self-service online permit management system. To improve environmental sustainability, 30 EV charging points are available, with the capacity to increase in future as required.

An 800m² energy centre, architecturally engineered into the footprint of the multi-storey car park, provides capacity for London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust to generate income and achieve environmental improvements. Once the energy centre is fully commissioned over the next 12 months, the Trust will reduce its current energy spend by £1.9m a year.

The combination of a state-of-the-art CHP system, enhanced by innovative combined air and water sourced heat pumps along with a battery storage system, will also create a smart grid, producing a saving of 2,500 tonnes of carbon every year.

J S WRIGHT LANDS £9M-PLUS RESIDENTIAL INFRASTRUCTURE DEAL

APCOA Parking, apcoa.co.uk

Birmingham-based building services specialist J S Wright has secured a contract valued at more than £9m to install the engineering infrastructure systems for the third and largest phase of one of London’s biggest regeneration projects.

The mechanical and electrical package will serve 620 apartments at Hallsville Quarter, a new £600m town centre scheme which is being developed by Bouygues UK for Canning Town in the east London borough of Newham.

The mix of private rented, shared ownership, affordable and extra care units are part of ambitious plans to create a thriving community and establish a legacy for Canning Town.

J S Wright will provide a heating distribution network to circulate low temperature hot water from an energy centre to the apartments, along with the pipework systems from plantrooms to distribute mains and boosted cold water. The mechanical works will also include installing above ground drainage in landlord areas and internal rainwater harvesting systems.

In addition, J S Wright will install variable refrigerant flow heating and cooling services and domestic services for the extra care units.

The electrical works will involve fitting a low voltage power distribution network, fire detection, suppression and containment systems, landlord lighting and power services, and external lighting.

Work on site has already started on the project which is scheduled for completion in late 2023.

J S Wright, jswright.co.uk

@ElecConNews

Contract News.indd 17

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December 2021 | 17

22/11/2021 14:25

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22/11/2021 16:13:17 23/11/2021 10:00

TRAINING

ACCESS TRAINING UK REVEALS AN INCREASE IN WOMEN OPTING FOR A TRADE CAREER Access Training UK has revealed a 27% uplift in the number of women registering for its trade courses year-on-year, as the construction industry continues to play a vital role in the UK’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is no secret that the pandemic has left many unemployed following multiple lockdowns. The UK’s unemployment rate has fallen but remains at 4.6% and it has been reported that women represent 57% of the workforce sectors that have been forced into shutdown during the pandemic, such as retail and leisure. Therefore, it comes as no surprise to see this demographic opting for a career change.

At Access Training UK, 27% more women registered for courses from 1 August 2020 - 20 July 2021, when compared with the previous year. The most popular course proved to be plumbing with 41% opting for this course, followed by 25% choosing electrical courses, 20% of women joining professional gas courses and 14% of women enrolling in construction courses.

One profession which has remained stable and in fact, increased revenue over the last year, is construction and trade. Since the first lockdown in May 2020, tradespeople

were able to continue working, in line with social distancing guidelines. This, along with booming activity has led many to consider opting for a career in trade, and it is therefore no surprise to see a high proportion of women join the sector.

The home improvement boom over the last year has led to soaring levels of demand for the trade industry, with many DIY stores recording record sales, and builders experiencing the highest number of enquiries for 10 years at the beginning of 2021. The success of this industry can in part be attributed to homeowners, who having spent increased time at home, have opted to refresh their home’s design, or in some cases, make drastic changes to increase space, for example extensions and loft conversions.

Access Training UK has three centres in the South East; Cardiff, Hertfordshire and Kent, however, its three-stage training programme which enables online learning from

anywhere has seen interest from across the country. Of the women who enrolled for courses between 1 August 2020 - 20 July 2021, there was a 40% increase in the East of England, compared to the previous year, followed by a 38% increase in the South East.

Jamie Jefferies, CEO of Access Training UK, comments: “It is extremely positive to see more and more women opting for trade careers, from plumbing through to electricians, gas engineers and construction.

The rising demand in the trade sector over the last year has opened up a need for more qualified tradespeople and we are proud to offer a flexible, convenient and industry recognised training programme to support those looking to change careers or take their first step into the workplace.”

Access Training UK, accesstraininguk.co.uk

JTL LAUNCHES FREE BITE-SIZE COURSE ON SMART LIGHTING JTL is continuing to support the professional development of electricians with the launch of its latest, free bite-size digital course, ‘An Introduction to Smart Lighting’.

Part of JTL’s Power Up series – an initiative designed to further support the building services engineering sector by offering free advice and educational resources – the course is intended to help both apprentices and qualified electricians identify the best methods for the practical installation of smart lighting systems.

As part of this course, learners will gain an understanding of the different components of smart lighting systems, how they work and how they can be controlled via the use of a smart meter or tablet.

This course also explores the standards and definitions required for safe installation of smart lighting systems, as well as how learners can apply the open system protocols of KNX during practical installations. Designed to take a minimum of 30 minutes to complete, the course has been produced to facilitate the learner’s journey towards Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and improve workplace competency.

Liam Sammon, Director of Learning and Innovation at JTL, says: “We’re delighted to

20 | December 2021

Training.indd 20

be able to add to our Power Up series with this latest, bite-size course on smart lighting.

As a leading electrical training provider, JTL is committed to providing electricians with a comprehensive set of resources and believes that this course will equip learners with the skills needed for their continuing professional development, as well as to help maintain workplace competency.

“In its emphasis on installation and the components of smart lighting systems, this course makes for an excellent supplement to some of JTL’s other Power Up courses, such as our ‘Inspection and Testing’ and ‘Smarter Homes’ modules. Our latest course, along with the others in JTL’s Power Up series, can be accessed via mobile, tablet or desktop, meaning that participants can complete the course wherever and at whatever pace or time suits them.”

The `Introduction to Smart Lighting’ bite-size digital course is now available on JTL’s new online learning portal.

JTL, jtltraining.com

electricalcontractingnews.com

@ElecConNews

/electricalcontractingnews

@ecn_magazine

22/11/2021 14:25

Academy

Sustainability strategy: Did you know that only 1 in 10 organisations have all the green skills needed to achieve their goals?

*

Our Net Zero Academy online courses provide the ideal solution to help upskill employees in topics that are needed to help meet a sustainable green agenda.

Our range of courses are designed to meet the challenges faced by engineers in all sectors, with both the technical and professional skills that they need to help deliver a sustainability strategy in their organisation and help lower their environmental impact.

The IET Academy provides Net Zero courses in the following disciplines: SMART HOMES

SMART GRIDS

RENEWABLE ENERGY

EV CHARGING

Find more at: theiet.org/greenskills-courses *Statistics taken from the ‘IET skills for net zero and a green recovery 2020 survey’. See the theiet.org/greenskills-survey for details.

The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) is registered as a Charity in England and Wales (No. 211014) and Scotland (No. SC038698).

The Institution of Engineering and Technology, Michael Faraday House, Six Hills Way, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2AY, United Kingdom.

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25/11/2021 11:27 15:24 26/08/2021

KEY ISSUE

THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH POOR QUALITY CABLES Matthew Nudd, area manager at ERF Electrical, discusses the various checks and procedures that those working in the electrical industry should carry out before cables are installed. He also outlines the importance of sourcing quality cable products and the potentially devastating risks non-compliant cables pose.

W

ith dodgy appliances and wiring being the second most common cause of harmful faults and fires, it is crucial that those working in the electrical industry take all the precautions necessary when sourcing and installing cables. While manufacturers are the ones who produce the cables, electricians, wholesalers and contractors still have a responsibility to understand and recognise the standards cables should adhere to.

Although many people working in the electrical trade are often not involved in the original sourcing of products, it is crucial they are familiar with the safety standards and protocols related to the materials they buy and work with. Carrying out thorough checks on manufacturers and their products is therefore a must. Not only does this mean they’ll be in a better position to advise customers on the most suitable products for their needs, but they’ll also ensure the goods they are selling are fit for purpose and most importantly, safe.

This is particularly crucial when it comes to sourcing cables, as faulty appliances and wiring are known to be the second most common cause of dangerous faults and fires.

Thankfully, there are a few straightforward checks which can be carried out to ensure cables are safe and of good quality.

The first is ensuring the cable complies with the relevant British standard. As is well known by those working in the industry, British Standard (BS) cables are electrical cables which have been manufactured in accordance with specified requirements.

This will mean the cable has been built and designed to mitigate common issues which may arise as a result of poor design.

On top of ensuring the cable meets the relevant British Standard, those involved in the sourcing of materials should make sure they are ordering from a reputable manufacturer. Although there will be times when orders need to be placed with new suppliers, a thorough background check on who the manufacturer is and what their reputation within the industry is like should be carried out. The easiest way to do this is to find out whether the cable has been approved by a third party such as the British Approvals Service for Cables (BASEC) or the Loss Prevention Certification Board (LPCB). This will

22 | December 2021

Key Issue – ERF.indd 22

mean the cable has undergone stringent testing and is compliant with the highest standards, including safety.

Manufacturers who are certified by these bodies have their products regularly tested to ensure they conform to safety standards all year round. The LPCB has been working with the industry for more than 100 years to help ensure fire and security products perform effectively. In order to ascertain LPCB certification, products have to meet stringent criteria – providing wholesalers, contractors and electricians with the confidence they are safe and will perform as required. All products that are certified by the LPCB are listed on RedBookLive.

Cables that are approved by BASEC will have the mark ‘BASEC’ printed on the outer sheath of the cable, making it easy to identify the ones which have undergone this thorough testing.

There are also some additional certifications people should look out for, including the Construction Product Regulation (CPR) rating – a mandatory requirement applying to all cable products in Europe – and the UKCA marking (replacing the CE marking), which should be included within the packaging labelling and DoP documentation.

Having explored some of the key checks those working in the electrical industry should carry out, it is important to also highlight the potential consequences of people not exercising this due diligence.

One of the most extreme and dangerous consequences of poor quality cabling is the increased risk of fire. Hotspots caused by damaged or small cables can lead to fires breaking out, resulting in damage to appliances and machinery – increasing the

electricalcontractingnews.com

cost implications of any incidents. In more severe circumstances, poor quality cabling can also lead to fires spreading more quickly, with higher quantities of smoke, gas or heat being released, increasing the potential threat of the blaze.

While it is important to note that cables which comply with the strictest safety protocols cannot – by themselves – prevent a fire from breaking out, they can go a long way to reducing the risk and potential threat of a fire. Because of this, there can be little doubt of the importance of checking the quality and accreditations of cables. While the cost for a better quality cable is likely to be higher, it could be suggested those in the industry have a moral and ethical duty of care to ensure that the customer understands the risks involved of not using high-quality products as recommended.

Another consequence of using poor quality cables is that, due to the material they are made from, they are much harder to strip. Not only is spending additional time stripping the outer sheath of a wire a major inconvenience, it also adds extra hours onto a task – ultimately increasing the cost of the job.

As there are many parties involved in the designing, manufacturing, distribution and installation of cables, everyone in the industry has an important role to play in ensuring all cables are safe and fit for purpose. By carrying out detailed and thorough checks, people can not only establish greater trust from their customers but also improve the service they can offer to them. Failure to carry out these critical safety checks could have serious consequences.

There are a few straightforward checks which can be carried out to ensure cables are safe

ERF Electrical, erfelectrical.co.uk

@ElecConNews

/electricalcontractingnews

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22/11/2021 14:26

Competition Time Place an order* with CMW from the 1st – 23rd December 2021 and you will be entered into our competition to win a selection of prizes:

1st Prize

2nd Prize

Bosch 18V impact cordless drill

3rd Prize

Stanley FatMax 10-piece screwdriver set

Stanley wire stripping pliers

We have a wide range of data, fibre cable and cable management solutions available for next day delivery

Black trunking

VELCRO® Brand

Flexible conduit & accessories

Cat 5e and Cat 6

Floor & basket matting

Fibre & FTTx

*Orders must be over £50 excluding VAT

Cable Management Warehouse Ltd Units 5/6 Arkwright Road Industrial Estate, Bedford, MK42 0LQ

Tel: 01234 848030

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Unit 4 Royston Centre, Lynchford Road, GU12 5PQ

Tel: 01252 917300

22/11/2021 09:51

PROJECT FOCUS

THORN LIGHTS THE WAY TO MORE ‘DYNAMIC, APPEALING AND ASPIRATIONAL’ HIGH STREET Thorn has supplied the lighting for North Ayrshire Council’s £2.8m project to upgrade Irvine High Street, part of an area-wide regeneration initiative named Irvine Vision.

T

he team at Thorn Lighting worked with Land Use Consultants (LUC) and mechanical and electrical engineer Hawthorne Boyle to design a comprehensive upgrade for the main streetscape through Irvine Town Centre. This included the High Street, Bank Street and several Closes that link them to the rest of the town centre.

Key objectives for the project were to create a pedestrian-friendly environment by improving circulation, introducing traffic calming measures, widening footways, reducing street clutter, and upgrading the

The scheme celebrates Irvine’s heritage and references its connection to the sea and river

24 | December 2021

Project Focus – Thorn.indd 24

Duncan McLean, Director of Landscape Architecture at LUC comments, “The refurbishment of the town centre lighting is a fundamental component to Irvine’s regeneration. It contributes to the creation of a vibrant and safer environment at all times of the day, 365 days a year. The Thorn Dyana LED lantern has proved to be a robust and elegant solution for Irvine Town Centre.”

Abrar Suleman, Electrical Services Engineer at Hawthorne Boyle, says, “Thorn has helped the Hawthorne Boyle and LUC team deliver a hugely impressive, visually stunning lighting scheme that reflects the new Irvine Streetscape - upgraded for today and future aspirations. Irvine Town Centre is now an attraction in its own right, and we frequently see local people stopping to admire the Thorn columns and light fittings that line and illuminate the central streets.”

The new lighting scheme is a complete success and has improved colour rendering, highlighting the new paving and street layout, giving a more modern feel to the area. Councillor Alex Gallagher comments, “Growing our economy, increasing employment, and regenerating towns are priorities for North Ayrshire Council.

The project confirms our commitment to delivering the Irvine Vision initiative based on building a more dynamic, appealing, and aspirational town centre.”

lighting to facilitate safer access through the town centre, while protecting the environment and reducing operating costs.

The scheme celebrates Irvine’s heritage and references its connection to the sea and river. The main streets seek to create a cohesive public realm, linking the recent developments at Bridgegate and the Town House. In the Closes, the detailed design relates to each close’s history, revitalising them as connections into the town centre.

Thorn faced challenges in balancing the luminaires that would achieve the correct lux levels and uniformity whilst giving the area a unique look and contemporary feel that would integrate with North Ayrshire Council’s required CMS system. These challenges were overcome by utilising a mix of column and wall mounted solutions with Thorn’s in-house Satys brackets on walls to complement the column units and mounting Dyana LED lanterns on bespoke columns.

Thorn’s Dyana LED lanterns meet all of today’s demands for eco-friendly road lighting and are virtually maintenance-free, with a 12-year service life. With distinctive product design, outstanding optics, and great versatility, this saucer-shaped luminaire (only 110mm in thickness), is available in 3,000 and 5,000 lumen packages with a colour temperature of 4200K (neutral white). The high power LEDs are boosted by a patented lens and aluminium reflection system for uniform and glare-free illumination.

electricalcontractingnews.com

@ElecConNews

Thorn Lighting, thornlighting.co.uk

/electricalcontractingnews

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25/11/2021 14:30

New Gas Powered Heat Gun - CHG900 Fully portable, flameless heat, wherever and whenever you need it. www.HellermannTyton.co.uk

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Untitled-4Advert 2 24.11.21.indd 1 CHG900

24/11/2021 11:55 24/11/2021 09:41:48

COMPETITION

KICK START 2022 WITH TIMEGUARD Timeguard believes in giving you freedom of choice. So, just like you can decide on the best combination of outdoor lighting for your customers with the modular LEDPro range, you can now choose how best to kick start your New Year, as Timeguard has £250 worth of John Lewis vouchers for this month’s winners. Shop online or in store.

J

ust when you thought Timeguard’s LEDPro floodlight range couldn’t get any better…

Now there’s a new option of offering your customers the LEDPROCAM, an integrated Wi-Fi camera with audio to fit on to any of the LEDPro range of LED floodlights and provide your customers with the complete confidence that they’ll know what’s going on outside their building. It really couldn’t be easier.

The new PIR camera system provides a view of what is happening outdoors as well as two-way audio for direct communication with visitors and has a warning siren option. The camera is integrated with the PIR switch, as part of the modular NightEye LEDPro range so it can be installed from scratch with any of the Timeguard LEDPro floodlights (from 10W up to 100W) or retrofitted to an existing LEDPro floodlight, or replacing an existing PIR, photocell or RF switching module.

The new LEDPro Camera unit communicates over Wi-Fi, so there’s no extra wiring and it really couldn’t be easier.

October Competition The winner of the October competition – a £250 multi-store voucher, courtesy of Unicrimp – was Andre Ingram.

Closing date

For your chance to win £250 worth of John Lewis vouchers, simply answer the following questions correctly.

1. The new LEDPro Camera offers: a) Camera recording b) Two-way audio c) Both

2. The security camera requires:

3. The LEDPROCAM can be:

a) Batteries b) Independent connection c) No extra wiring at all – it operates over WiFi

a) Fitted to any of the LEDPro floodlight range from 10W to 100W. b) Retrofitted to upgrade an LEDPro PIR, photocell or RF switch c) Both

All entries must be returned by 31 December. The editor’s decision is final. For the full terms and conditions, visit electricalcontractingnews.com/ competition-terms.

The name of the winner will be published in February 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: carly@allthingsmedialtd.com.

The answers to December’s competition are:

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

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

Y ES, I would like to share my data with Timeguard

Personal Details Name.......................................................................................................................................

Company Name......................................................................................................................

Address...................................................................................................................................

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

................................................................................ Postcode.................................................

Tel................................................................ Mobile ................................................................

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To register to receive your copy of ECN each month, visit electricalcontractingnews.com/subscribe Competition.indd 26

22/11/2021 14:26

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26/11/2021 09:27

WHAT A YEAR

A CHALLENGING YET SUCCESSFUL YEAR: MARSHALL-TUFFLEX The industry has seen many challenges over the past year. The long-term effects of the global pandemic are continuing to be felt, from stock issues to labour shortages and overcoming these has not been an easy feat for many. Here Jon Chamberlain, Commercial Director from British based cable management manufacturer, Marshall-Tufflex, reflects on how the company has navigated some of the challenges, as well as its accomplishments from the past year.

L

ike many in the industry, 2021 forced us to face many hurdles head on. We had to adapt, reassess and reposition ourselves so that the business could continue through what has been a tumultuous year. Despite all that was thrown at us, we have worked hard to come out the other side a stronger company, with new roles and processes in place and a positive outlook for 2022.

One of the biggest challenges of 2021 was strain on the supply chain. Companies up and down the country, spanning all industries, have felt the impact of disrupted and delayed access to materials and we were not immune to this. During 2021 we were impacted by a lack of virgin PVC-U material, as well as limited supplies of packaging and other materials, yet were able to overcome this, thanks to several factors.

Firstly, the fantastic relationships we have with our suppliers. This meant we were predominantly able to maintain a continual supply of our aluminium, steel and other non-PVC-U ranges with little disruption. We prioritised orders for our UK market and, of course, we occasionally needed to extend lead times with agreement from customers, but generally customers planned ahead to allow for longer deliveries.

The situation was also minimised thanks to the success of our in-house recycling capabilities. By enhancing our production processes internally, we were well positioned to keep a regular supply of PVC-U cable management products going out to customers.

Central to this, was the use of compounder machines to produce recycled PVC-U material that is used for manufacturing our trunking and

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What a Year – Marshall Tufflex.indd 29

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conduit systems. We have been using recycled material in the manufacturing of our products for over 25 years and the compounder has enabled us to continue to innovate and develop new ways to produce superior products.

The compounder is fed by a mixture of post-consumer and post-industrial waste material (typically from plastic windows) and the PVC-U is granulated and processed through the machine to remove any impurities. As windows are designed to resist the outdoor elements, a more durable final product is achieved.

Impressively our cable management products were manufactured using 74% recycled material in 2020, preventing thousands of tonnes of PVC-U windows from ending up in landfill.

This is all part of our ongoing commitment to recycling and reducing the amount of waste the construction industry generates each year. We want to encourage the sector, in particular, manufacturers in the cable management industry, to adopt more sustainable practices. By 2028 it is our vision that all PVC-U cable management products are manufactured using a minimum of 50% recycled material.

Achievements Despite the challenges that we faced, we were still able to achieve a huge amount as a business during 2021, with positive changes that have enabled us to increase our efficiency and improve our processes.

We experienced increased demand for our products and, to meet this growth, we have created and recruited for several new roles across the organisation. Most recently, the team was bolstered with two new quality personnel who are specifically dedicated to providing the continued focus on maintaining and developing our processes to meet the high quality standards that we are known for.

Further still, as part of our ongoing dedication to product development and innovation, we have been able to launch a number of new products throughout the year. This included several updates to our underfloor to desk range with a collection of new power and data modules, raised floor boxes and desktop modules.

@ecn_magazine electricalcontractingnews.com

By 2028 it is our vision that all PVC-U cable management products are manufactured using 50% recycled material

Our cable management products were manufactured using 74% recycled material in 2020

The future During 2021, there have been some tough times for individuals and businesses alike. At Marshall-Tufflex we can look back on how we faced and overcame each challenge with pride and use this to propel us into 2022. In fact, we are looking forward to entering the year in an even stronger position than pre-pandemic.

Our ongoing success would not be possible without the backing and commitment of our people – internally and externally. We would like to thank our customers for their continued loyalty and support, and special thanks must also go to our colleagues for their hard work and dedication throughout. We are immensely proud of how far we have come as a team.

As a company we have a very positive outlook for the next year and we are excited to be celebrating our 80th birthday in 2022, a huge milestone for the company. To commemorate this, we are aiming to achieve an average of 80% recycled content within our PVC-U manufacturing in 2022.

Marshall-Tufflex, marshall-tufflex.com

December 2021 | 29

22/11/2021 14:27

WHAT A YEAR

STEERING A COURSE TO A BRIGHT FUTURE It has been another hugely challenging year for everyone, both on a professional and personal level, as the ramifications of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continue to be felt. Supply chain challenges, staffing issues and shortages of materials have all put a strain on companies trying to meet their customers’ needs, and the electrical industry is just one of the many sectors affected.

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cross the Scolmore Group of companies – Click Scolmore, Ovia, ESP and Unicrimp – we are very fortunate to always have the ability to hold vast stock levels, which means that we have been able to continue to fulfil orders for our customers. It is testimony to the highly experienced and exceptionally dedicated teams we have working in all divisions that 2021 has actually turned out to be one of our busiest and successful so far in terms of major new product launches.

Whilst continuing to deliver the excellent service that our customers have come to expect, we have invested in a number of significant product development programmes to bring new and enhanced ranges to market.

A connected home

Elucian is an extensive range of metal consumer units

In January of this year, we launched the Click Smart+ comprehensive range of smart home products designed to simplify and streamline connected home products – lighting controls, smart sockets, security cameras and sensors.

The range utilises Zigbee technology, one of the most widely adopted smart home communication protocols.

Click Smart+ comprises the Smart Gateway Hub – the control centre of all Zigbee connected devices – one and two-gang smart sockets, plug-in smart socket, switching and dimming receivers, camera, PIR sensor, window and door sensor, plus a temperature and humidity sensor. The bespoke Click Smart+ app gives householders ultimate control of the smart devices, which can also be operated through voice control with a smart speaker.

The complete package Half way through the year saw Scolmore complete its offer in the wiring accessories category with the launch of a comprehensive Consumer Unit and Circuit Protection range – ‘Elucian by Click’.

The launch followed months of extensive research and consultation with contractors to come up with a range of products that best suits their requirements and is compliant with the latest regulations. It means that wholesalers and installers now have access to a one-stop shop for everything wiring accessories related from one of the industry’s most trusted and reliable brands, and Scolmore has made a significant investment to ensure that stock levels of the new products are high to meet the continued demand.

Designed with the installer in mind, Elucian is an extensive range of metal consumer units that covers a broad range of installations and offers a number of features and benefits that enhance the products’ convenience, flexibility and safety properties.

Smart security

It is just two years since Ovia was launched as an independent lighting organisation and, despite the difficult trading conditions, the company has kept on track with its ambitious plans and continues to exceed expectations with investment in new products, the addition of new team members, and the launch of issue three of the Ovia catalogue.

What a Year – Scolmore.indd 30

Ongoing support

In October, Scolmore Group company and market-leading supplier of electronic security products, ESP, announced the launch of a comprehensive new smart security range. Marketed under the brand name Fort, the complete range of smart security products, which includes intruder alarms, video doorbell, video security light, sensors and a selection of 1080p cameras, will all operate under a single app – the ‘Click Smart+’ app – which is completely subscription-free, with no additional fees incurred. By bringing the operation of the new Fort range under the well-established, tried and tested Click Smart+ app from Scolmore, users will have control of a raft of connected home and security products all from one secure, easy-to-access platform.

Bumper lighting offer

30 | December 2021

At over 400 pages, the new catalogue boasts an additional 100 pages on the previous edition and will bring to designers, contractors and specifiers a comprehensive product guide covering the entire range on offer. It includes a raft of brand new additions as well as some improved products, and they are being brought to market on the back of continual engagement with contractors to ensure that the products and solutions they seek are developed and available through the wholesaler.

The Fort range was launched in October

electricalcontractingnews.com

Across the Scolmore Group of companies there is a wealth of resources that contractors and wholesalers can access.

Each group company website hosts a vast range of products, including range catalogues as well as technical specification brochures. Product videos that make it easy to understand the workings of individual products can be accessed on YouTube, and there are case studies demonstrating how products from the group have been specified and installed to provide solutions for specific projects.

In the midst of the long-term disruption that the pandemic has caused, we anticipated that our customers would need greater support than ever as they navigated the difficult journey of meeting the needs of contractors and installers.

With this in mind, we invested in a number of areas of our business so that resources were there to meet our customers’ heightened requirements. This included expanding our customer service and technical departments and providing easy access to a growing range of training resources and marketing materials. We even delivered pizza and the odd fridge full of chocolate to help keep morale high.

Ovia has launched issue three of its catalogue

Scolmore, scolmore.com

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25/11/2021 10:34

THE RIGHT FIT FOR ANY JOB with Scolmore Group’s comprehensive range of solutions

Untitled-1 2 Group ad.indd 1 ECN Scolmore

09:57 25/11/2021 09:11

WHAT A YEAR

TIME TO REFLECT Mike Andrews, Chief Executive of NAPIT Group, reflects on the challenges and highlights of 2021 and looks ahead to the opportunities that 2022 has to offer.

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his time last year I was looking ahead to 2021 and predicting a promising outlook for the repair, maintenance and improvement (RMI) sector, despite the prospect of further lockdowns and disruption as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 situation.

Whilst COVID-19 undoubtably remains a concern, the demand in the RMI sector seen over the past year, despite the increasing cost in building materials, tells a very promising and positive story for the industry. It aligns with our growth in membership, which has risen from 10,000 to 16,000 over the last 18 months as we have focussed on providing a consistently excellent offering for our members.

2021 has been a year of growth and development for NAPIT. Not only in our membership but also in the products and services that we provide to our members and to the wider industry. Since the acquisition of FastTest Certification Software from Trimble in November 2020, NAPIT FastTest has been developed to offer clients much wider on-site and desktop usability through the management portal, re-designed Mobile Application, Cloud-sync functionality, and access to a wider range of certificates. In just 12 months, NAPIT FastTest is currently being used by over 1000 businesses to generate a wide variety of certificates and reports in the industrial, commercial and domestic sectors.

The launch of our new online member preference centre, allowing members to choose how they wish to be communicated with and our Digital ID Card App, enabling our electrical members to access their membership ID card on-the-go via their smartphones, are two further examples of digital development work completed within 2021.

As well as digital advancements, 2021 has seen a step change in the wider industry focus on competence. The introduction of the September 2021 Electrotechnical Assessment Specification further tightened the entry criteria for businesses wishing to become registered with an Electrical Competent Person Scheme; the Minimum Technical Competence requirements for all Competent Person Schemes are under review by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities; and the Interim Industry Competence Committee was formed by the new Building Safety Regulator in anticipation of the Building Safety Bill gaining Royal Assent. We welcome this focus and stand by our position that individuals working alone should under-go regular on-site, technical assessments of their competence. We continue to provide our support and expertise in these

32 | December 2021

What a Year – Napit.indd 32

committees and reviews, and retain our focus on enhancing safety, compliance and competence throughout the sector.

With net zero being high on the political agenda this year, it was great to have our commitment to supporting installers in their bid to reduce carbon emissions through our certification solutions and training courses acknowledged by the Construction Leadership Council. Becoming a Construct Zero Business Partner allows us to support our members who wish to become Construct Zero Business Champions and collaborate with organisations throughout the sector to share ideas, values and strategies, as well as providing an opportunity to celebrate achievements in the drive to reach net zero emissions. With the focus on the installation of heat pumps and electric vehicle charge points clearly set out in the Government’s Heat and Buildings Strategy and Net Zero

Strategy, we expect to see a sharp rise in demand for training and certification in these areas into 2022 and beyond.

It’s been great this year to be able to host physical events and see our members face to face. Our NAPIT EXPOs and presence at ELEX have been warmly received by customers and have given our team a boost. Looking ahead to 2022, we are gearing up to provide guidance to the electrical industry on the forthcoming Amendment 2 to the BS 7671 Wiring Regulations, due for publication in March 2022. This will be the focus of our NAPIT EXPO events in the New Year as we strive to deliver expert technical content and continue to support the ongoing learning of our members.

As I look ahead to 2022, I do so largely with excitement. The previous two years have proved challenging, yet the construction sector remains strong. With the move to net zero carbon emissions at the forefront of government policy, there is no doubt there will be an array of opportunities for additional growth, development and advancement within the sector. NAPIT is committed to supporting the construction industry. We will remain focused on delivering what our customers need and on making it easy for them to do business with us.

NAPIT FastTest has been developed to offer clients much wider on-site and desktop usability

NAPIT, napit.org.uk

Visitors to NAPIT EXPO all receive a free goodie bag with products from supporting partners

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25/11/2021 09:52

Supporting the Inspection & Testing Industry As market leaders in the inspect and test industry, NAPIT offer a wealth of supportive tools to assist with carrying out works effectively and to the latest standards.

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24/11/2021 11:53 24/11/2021 10:40:50 AM

INTERVIEW

APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING — HIGH QUALITY TRAINING AT ALL LEVELS Carly Wills talks to Tracy Hewett, Education and Training Consultant at the Electrical Distributors’ Association (EDA), about the role of the organisation and how it supports the industry through education and training.

CW: Tell us about yourself and how you got into the sector TH: I have worked in education and training for the last 35 years in just about every role possible. I am a qualified teacher and started my career in the 16+ sector, progressing through to more senior roles up to Head of Service with a local authority.

I needed a change, so I left the local authority and joined an awarding body where I was responsible for the development of End Point Assessments (EPA) for some of the new apprenticeship standards – one of which was Trade Supplier Level 2. The creation of the Trade Supplier Apprenticeship Level 2 was led by the EDA and its wholesaler members and is the gold standard for training in the B2B merchant sector. When you’re next at a wholesalers’ trade counter you could well be served by someone who started their career as a Trade Supplier apprentice.

It was through my work on Trade Supplier that I met the EDA’s CEO, Margaret Fitzsimons, and she approached me to join the Association, which I did in November 2020.

One of the biggest challenges is getting the message across to employers that apprenticeships aren’t only for people at the start of their career. Apprenticeship training is a really good and cost-effective way to access high quality training at all levels.

Electrotechnical is a bit of a hidden sector so attracting new talent is not always easy, but it is certainly a sector that invests in the professional development of its people, which is a strong message.

wholesaler members across the UK, between them running over 1,800 branches.

The EDA also has (currently) 99 Affiliated Members: these are the manufacturers and suppliers of products and services to the sector. You can search for all our members and affiliates at eda.org.uk CW: Tell us about your current role - what are you responsible for and what does the normal working day consist of?

CW: How has COVID-19 affected the industry? Do you think things will be finally able to get back to ‘normal’ soon?

TH: I love speaking to our wholesaler members and manufacturer affiliates about how to support their teams through education and training. As the EDA’s training and apprenticeship lead, I have oversight of the EDA’s Product Knowledge Training Modules, a suite of 12 City and Guilds Accredited training courses, and the EDA’s Apprenticeship Service.

I also support our membership by identifying training opportunities to help them develop their people. This work has resulted in the launch of our online Training Course Directory on the EDA website – it’s a hub of courses that the EDA has researched or commissioned on behalf of members.

CW: For those who may not know, can you give us an overview of the work that the EDA does?

CW: What are the best things about your role? What are the most challenging?

TH: Founded in 1914, the EDA is the trade body representing UK’s electrical wholesale distributors who join the Association as Members. At the moment we have 250

TH: Fortunately, I am a very sociable person and I love talking to new people and finding out about their businesses, the sector, and how the EDA can help.

TH: Understandably, training was very quiet but now it has really picked up.

Wholesalers and manufacturers are telling us how challenging it is to find new people for their teams. There are certainly plenty of career openings in the electrical supply chain at the moment!

CW: Aside from COVID-19, what have been the biggest changes across the industry in recent times? What will be the biggest changes in the future?

TH: For me it’s about the green agenda, the circular economy, and the new types of products that wholesalers are stocking and will stock in the future. They will need training on these products so they can support the contractor to get the right products for the job.

CW: What’s next for you and for the Electrical Distributors’ Association?

TH: We are working to turn the EDA Product Knowledge Modules, which are currently printed training text books, into an online learning option. Some people prefer a book they can pick up, make notes in and keep for reference once the study is over, but others prefer an online option.

CW: What are your interests away from work?

TH: I’m a very keen swimmer, it is my quiet down-time, and walking our dogs Henry and Meg – they keep me fit.

Swimming keeps me sane and the dogs keep me fit!

Tracy Hewett at the EDA’s Regional Business Forum held in Bristol in August 2021, with Steve Parry, Commercial Director at Termination Technology Ltd. Termination Technology is one of the EDA’s Affiliated Manufacturers

34 | December 2021

Interview – EDA.indd 34

electricalcontractingnews.com

@ElecConNews

EDA, eda.org.uk

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@ecn_magazine

25/11/2021 15:10

Become an approved Sonos Become an approved Sonos Installed Solutions partner Installed Solutions partner Sonos is one of The World’s Leading Sound experience brands. We invented multiroom wireless made it sound amazing, and changed people Sonos is one of Theaudio, World’s Leading Sound experience brands. the We way invented listen at home.

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by Home an approved From Portable speakers, Cinemainstaller. and Architectural systems, these all benefit when installed by an approved installer.

Sonos Approved Installers win CEDIA Awards. Apply to become an approved Sonos byInstallers emailing win Installed-Solutions-UK@sonos.com Sonos Installer Approved CEDIA Awards. Apply to become an approved or visit www.sonos.com/dealer/dealer-onboarding Sonos Installer by emailing Installed-Solutions-UK@sonos.com or visit www.sonos.com/dealer/dealer-onboarding Untitled-6 2 OY21012_Sonos_IS_Adv_245x340_V2_DEF.indd 1

21/10/2021 15:47 6/22/21 9:27 AM

SPECIAL FEATURE

SMART BUILDINGS

OFFERING THE LATEST IN SMART HOME AND BUILDING CONTROL SOLUTIONS My KNX Store is the UK’s leading KNX wholesaler and training academy. Working with the industry’s leading manufacturers, including ABB, Gira, Jung, Theben and Zennio, the company ensures that you can offer your clients the very latest in smart home and building control solutions via a robust, scalable and adaptable platform. The company’s technical and sales teams are available to support all your system requirements, from initial training all the way through to project completion.

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What is KNX?

re you looking to add building control solutions to your projects or expand the options you currently offer?

See how My KNX Store can help you.

you can take confidence knowing that you are providing your clients with a stable control system that will stand the test of time and adapt to suit both current and future requirements.

KNX also offers various installation methods, including wired, RF and IP, which allows you to offer KNX control solutions across both new build and retrofit markets.

A combined wired and wireless installation can be particularly beneficial within buildings where wiring options are limited, or when an additional room, zone or extension needs to be added to an existing system at a later date.

One of the key benefits for your clients is that all building functions can be controlled via one platform, which greatly enhances the usability of the system.

Rather than three remotes, four apps and a mixture of differently styled switches to control different functional elements, KNX brings everything together under one app and one multi-functional keypad/ touchscreen design.

KNX is a global building control platform providing holistic control of all building functions, including lighting, blinds, HVAC, scenes, door entry and so much more under one user-friendly system.

Rather than a single brand, KNX is an open protocol supported by over 500 certified manufacturers, all of which are interoperable within one system. This not only offers an unparalleled level of flexibility, product choice and personalisation, but also caters for all project sizes, budgets and design preferences.

How can KNX help your control projects?

KNX is a global building control platform

36 | December 2021

Smart Buildings – MyKNX Store.indd 36

With a history of over 30 years and continual product/system development, KNX has the flexibility to be easily deployed across residential, commercial, assisted living and industrial settings. With strict product development certification policies,

electricalcontractingnews.com

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25/11/2021 09:59

SMART BUILDINGS

SPECIAL FEATURE

Support

KNX is an open protocol supported by over 500 certified manfacturers

All KNX devices are programmed via one central software, ETS

@ElecConNews

KNX installation

KNX training

A KNX system can be comprised of various installation methods, with the most common being wired. For a wired system, all KNX devices are connected via a KNX bus cable. Wiring structure options are extremely flexible, including daisy chain, line, tree and star wiring, which not only drastically reduces the amount of cable required, but also wiring times.

For back-end actuators, both din-rail and puck devices are available, which can be housed centrally within a panel or locally to their associated control point.

Front-end devices include multi-functional keypads and thermostats, touchscreens and apps which can be personalised to the budget and design preferences of each client.

All KNX devices are programmed via one central software, ETS. This makes the system extremely stable and with on/off-site programming options reduces commissioning times at the initial project deployment stage and for design upgrades.

My KNX Store offers a range of training courses at its in-house training academy, which caters for both those new to the building control industry and experienced KNX certified integrators who are looking to expand their knowledge. Each course targets the commonly specified control requirements within the UK market with online, North East and London venues available.

KNX Taster – this online based course is free to attend and provides an overview of the KNX protocol and its benefits across the home automation, building control and BMS sectors.

KNX Partner Certification – this is the ideal course for those wishing to offer KNX control solutions. Based on the KNX programming software, ETS, it is comprised of theoretical/practical workshops and breaks down how to design, install, program and troubleshoot a KNX system. This course focuses on switching, dimming, blind and scene control elements and concludes with two certification exams.

KNX HVAC & Energy Monitoring – in partnership with Zennio, this course details the applications of scalable HVAC control and energy monitoring elements via KNX. Modules include an overview of HVAC systems, thermostatic control and thermostats, control solutions (for UFH and radiators, valves and boilers, fan coils, AC interfacing and zoning) and energy management and reporting.

KNX Advanced Certification – this course provides a detailed breakdown of more complex KNX elements from heating and cooling and advanced lighting control (including Dali) to IP connections and weather station integration. Modules are presented via both theoretical and practical workshops, concluding with two certification exams.

Smart Buildings – MyKNX Store.indd 37

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My KNX Store offers a rainge of training courses at its in-house training academy

In addition to trade and credit terms, My KNX Store offers a range of support services to ensure its trade customers can offer the most cost-effective and tailored solutions to their clients. Included within the company’s Project Support offering is System Support, Board Building, Lighting Design and the Blind Affiliate Scheme to help reduce your project timelines and maximise system functionality.

System Support – the System Support service offers tailored support for more advanced levels of product configuration and project commissioning. Via pre-booked slots, a member of the technical team will work with you directly either remotely or on site.

Board Building – working to your specification, the Board Building Service oversees all aspects, providing each board ready for immediate installation. A full specification review is also included to minimise board space and ensure the most cost-effective functionality is achieved.

Lighting Design – My KNX Store takes the time to understand the design and functional requirements of each project to provide a tailored solution. One of the key benefits of this service is that it allows a seamless integration of lighting design and control elements.

Blind Affiliate Scheme – the company offers a full blind service, from design consultation to survey and installation, meaning you can now earn revenue without having to sell, measure or install. You earn a sales commission per project and your client receives a 10% product discount.

My KNX Store, myknxstore.co.uk

December 2021 | 37

25/11/2021 09:59

SPECIAL FEATURE

SMART BUILDINGS

PANDEMIC BOOSTS SMART HOME MARKET Neil Baldwin, managing director of electronic security specialist, ESP, looks at what is driving growth in the smart home market sector and how the launch of the company’s new Fort Smart Security Range, is perfectly timed to provide installers with the means to easily tap into this lucrative revenue stream.

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There is ample opportunity for installers to tap into this burgeoning sector

38 | December 2021

Smart Buildings – Scolmore.indd 38

he most recent report from Mintel UK – The Connected Home Market Report 2021 – provides the most comprehensive and up-to-date information and analysis of the UK connected home market, including the behaviours, preferences and habits of the consumer.

According to the report, the overall smart home market has been boosted by the lifestyle changes from COVID-19, with ownership of all connected home products increasing between March 2020 and March 2021. Older Millennials are expected to be key to the market’s long-term success as they are the most likely (66%) to say that spending time at home during COVID-19 has made them more likely to buy smart home devices. With a section of them intending to work from home in the long-term, this should help the overall connected home market.

As the pandemic recedes, we are having to adapt to a new normal and it is highly likely that we will spend more time in our homes than we did before the pandemic, as a result of working from home more than we did pre-COVID. The perennial key drivers for smart home adoption – such as convenience, security and energy saving – will continue to exert their influence.

The Fort Smart Security range has been designed to bring simple, smart solutions together

There are six different kits in the range, with the basic kit containing one each of the following – a smart hub, PIR, door/window contact and remote control.

Other kits offer an additional number of PIRs, door/window contacts and remote controls, and there are two kits which include Pet PIRs. All devices supplied within the kits are pre-registered, to assist with a straightforward install.

Scolmore’s comprehensive range of Click Smart+ products is designed to simplify and streamline connected home products – lighting controls, smart sockets, security cameras and sensors. The range utilises Zigbee technology – one of the most widely adopted smart home communication protocols. Click Smart+ comprises the Smart Gateway Hub – the control centre of all Zigbee connected devices – one and two-gang smart sockets, plug-in smart socket, switching and dimming receivers, camera, PIR sensor, window and door sensor, plus a temperature and humidity sensor.

ESP believes a key element to the early success of the new security range is its subscription-free app. Unlike some systems on the market which will provide a free basic system, but charge for additional devices and functions, users of the Fort smart security system, powered by Click Smart+, will have full access to all devices and functions with no subscription fee or hidden costs to pay. The app provides an easy-to-use platform to remotely arm and disarm the system, whilst producing real time events such as activations and low battery indication status. In addition, the app supports a range of Click Smart+ home automation products which enables a range of sockets and switches to be activated in certain system scenarios.

Commenting on the launch, ESP managing director, Neil Baldwin, says: “We have seen the market for home security solutions grow enormously in recent years, fuelled by the rapid development in new technology, as well as a demand from end users for solutions to keep their families and properties secure.

“We believe our Fort smart security range will challenge some of the operators in the marketplace. The fact that users can access and control all Fort smart security devices, as well as the Click Smart+ smart home devices, all under one easy to use and subscription-free app will make it an attractive proposition for installers and end users. For the wholesaler, it adds another potential revenue stream, in the form of a comprehensive new security range from a supplier with a long-standing reputation within the security products sector.”

Fort – the comprehensive smart security range As the rise in demand for smart home products continues, there is ample opportunity for installers to tap into this burgeoning sector. Already enjoying a reputation as a market-leading supplier of electronic security products through the electrical wholesale channel, ESP decided to tackle this opportunity head on and has been working behind the scenes for some time to develop a comprehensive smart security range. The aim was to provide installers with a comprehensive range of products that covers all aspects of smart home security, is simple to install and operate, and offers them an ideal opportunity to make the most of the huge rise in demand for smart home products that shows no sign of abating.

Marketed under the brand name Fort, the complete range of smart security products, which includes intruder alarms, video doorbell, video security light, sensors and a selection of 1080p cameras, will all operate under a single app – the Click Smart+ app – which will be completely subscription-free, with no additional fees incurred. By bringing the operation of the new Fort range under the well-established, tried and tested Click Smart+ app from Scolmore, users will have control of a raft of connected home and security products all from one secure, easy-to-access platform.

The Fort Smart Security range has been designed to bring simple, smart solutions together for a safer and more comfortable home. At the heart of the range is the smart intruder alarm, which will support up to 32 RF devices and provide remote monitoring and alert notifications directly to the Click Smart+ app. The smart alarm is available in handy kits or can be purchased as separate devices for a tailor-made system.

electricalcontractingnews.com

@ElecConNews

ESP, espuk.com

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@ecn_magazine

22/11/2021 14:28

MEMBERSHIP MEANS COMMUNITY Your CEDIA membership puts you in the centre of a thriving community of home technology integrators — a network of thousands dedicated to helping you build connections, stay competitive, and tap into new opportunities for growth.

Find out about all the benefits that come with being a CEDIA member – or renew to stay connected to those resources at cedia.net/membership.

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25/11/2021 12:34

SPECIAL FEATURE

SMART BUILDINGS

EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES OPTIMISED FOR STUDENT WELLBEING, PERFORMANCE AND SUSTAINABILITY The concept of smart buildings is being driven by a need for buildings to reduce carbon, reduce costs, and improve an occupant’s environment, therefore allowing them to be more productive, prioritising their health and wellbeing. amBX has written a whitepaper on smart buildings, and how we can expect to see more of them in the future. One of the key features is smart lighting control and monitoring – in particular circadian lighting/human-centric lighting.

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esearch published

by Vodafone shows that currently, in the UK and EU, buildings are responsible for 36% of overall carbon emissions. There is much that can be done to improve this. Many believe it starts with schools; upgrading and retrofitting, involving students, and educating them about environmentally friendly solutions and how they can have a positive impact now and in the future. Added to the fact that school buildings are rapidly ageing and becoming increasingly inefficient, leading to unnecessary carbon emissions and high utility bills.

The Let’s Go Zero campaign states that 60% of the energy used by schools is wasted out-of-hours, and schools in England alone spend £600m per year on energy – the second-largest budget item after staff salaries. By installing Smart Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems that coordinate through the exchange of data to optimise each function’s efficiency also helps to create smarter buildings. Motion sensors also prevent wasteful cooling, heating and lighting of empty or low utilised spaces. In addition, predictive maintenance through smart technology can eliminate the wasteful replacement and breakdown of a building’s assets.

Smart IoT sensors that monitor electricity, gas and water can help facility

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Smart Buildings – amBX.indd 40

managers identify areas where wastage occurs, and simple changes can be made, which amount to big savings. Combining these sensors with AI and machine learning presents an opportunity for the building to begin to make these changes and decisions by itself, autonomously saving energy and water.

Therefore, if schools are adopting new smart HVAC systems, it makes sense to also investigate the lighting of the schools.

If there is a need to be smarter to reduce costs and emissions, then surely lighting that also benefits students’ health should be considered. In schools, the results of recent research into the effects of applying circadian lighting capabilities and principles show a marked difference in how this type of lighting can deliver compared to conventional lighting set-ups.

Understanding the impact of light on human behaviour has advanced rapidly. It is now possible to use circadian lighting principles easily and cost-effectively. In human beings’ evolution, we have been exposed to artificial light for an extremely short amount of time. However, many of us now spend most of our day under artificial light and, until very recently, this lighting has failed to reproduce the light experience for which we are ‘programmed’.

As well as using lighting to help synchronise the human circadian cycle, it has been found that levels of illuminance are key to cognitive performance. A 2011 study in the Netherlands found that increasing illuminance levels in schools

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at certain times of day and changing the colour temperature of the lights indicated a positive influence on pupils’ concentration.

Researchers found students were more alert and scored higher on their tests when they were in a classroom with 6500K lighting.

A further study conducted by Kazan State University in 2015 demonstrated the influence of different lighting types on visual performance. For example, there was a 20% improvement in the performance of the tasks speed during tests where the colour temperature was 5800K in comparison to fluorescent lighting. The number of errors also reduced hugely.

SmartCore technology from amBX helps to improve occupant health and wellbeing as it follows the circadian rhythm, maintaining natural body clocks, by ensuring we receive the right amount, quality, colour, and intensity of light at the right times of the day. The education sector is one of many currently adopting and embracing smart technology to achieve this and create an environment that allows students to thrive.

Bagheri and Hagighi Movahed predict the global adoption rate of IoE (Internet of Everything) in education will rise from less than 5% in 2013 to 32% by 2022. Critical decisions about the carbon footprint of the built environment must be made if we are to achieve government net zero carbon targets, and smart technology has a huge role to play in this. amBX, ambx.com

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22/11/2021 14:29

The European Market Leader in Home Life Safety

THE CONNECTED HOME LIFE SAFETY SOLUTION

CREATING SMARTER, SAFER HOMES.

Aico with HomeLINK offer a network of alarms and sensors to improve the health and safety of homes throughout the UK. Fire and Carbon Monoxide (CO) Our 3000 Series offers full circle Fire and CO protection, wirelessly connecting to the SmartLINK Gateway via Radio Frequency for remote whole-system data monitoring.

HomeLINK Environmental Sensors Monitor temperature, humidity and Carbon Dioxide to gain insights into indoor environmental conditions to create better maintained, healthier, energy efficient homes.

SmartLINK Gateway and App The SmartLINK App enables quick and easy installation of alarms and sensors with SmartLINK technology, while the Gateway is the central hub for data, extracting information from connected devices.

The HomeLINK Dashboard Data is extracted from all connected alarms and sensors with actionable insights presented on the dashboard, segmented by high, medium and low risk.

Find out more at: www.aico.co.uk/ smart-home

The Resident App With the HomeLINK Resident App, residents are provided with a healthy home rating, handy advice on how to improve the quality of their home, and Fire and CO alarm testing reminders.

www.aico.co.uk | 01691 664100 | enquiries@aico.co.uk

Untitled-7 Home_244 2 Connected x 340.indd 1

25/11/2021 15:54 25/11/2021 15:47:36

SPECIAL FEATURE

SMART BUILDINGS

WIRED OR WIRELESS: WHICH IS BETTER SUITED FOR A NETWORKED BUILDING? Graham Martin, Chairman and CEO of EnOcean Alliance, and Marketa Sidlikova look at a new study by the Technical University of Applied Sciences Rosenheim which compares the common standards of KNX and EnOcean in different scenarios and the results applied to intelligent commercial spaces.

I

ntelligent working environments with needs-based regulation of temperature, air quality and lighting can have a positive effect on the comfort and wellbeing of employees, increasing their motivation and productivity. What large companies do in their smart spaces is now becoming increasingly easier to do on a small scale. The leverage here is the use of existing smart building functionalities. The hardware alone, however, does not make a building intelligent. It depends on the type of networking: wired or wireless?

Employees who feel good work better, are healthier and more productive. Larger companies in particular have understood this important connection. They rely on intelligent office space – so-called smart spaces – and sensor-based infrastructure management.

These collect sensor-generated building condition data and use it for adjustments or analysis. This allows important factors influencing employee productivity and office hygiene – temperature, air quality, lighting conditions and cleanliness – to be monitored and controlled according to the number of people in the building and the ambient conditions.

Smart spaces form an interface between people and their work environment. They complement the physical workspace with a virtual component – with positive effects on the wellbeing and productivity of the employees.

What is increasingly being implemented on a large scale can also be implemented on a small scale. For the first steps towards intelligent buildings, SMEs can use smart building functionalities that are easy to install or retrofit and thus upgrade commercial spaces, offices or practices.

Different standards

The differentiation of the smart building variants is based on previous internal university research results. The basic equipment includes typical entry-level functions for comfort, safety and energy saving. In addition to the basics, further lighting, heating and security functions are included in the full equipment versions.

The cost calculation for the individual equipment options is based on a standardised calculation aid for electrical and information technology trades (status 2020) as well as the current publicly available product catalogues from representative providers such as Hager (for KNX) and Eltako (for EnOcean).

Digital networking is the prerequisite for intelligent buildings as it is what enables the individual products to communicate smoothly. This can be done in two different ways, with or without wireless technology.

In addition to proprietary solutions from individual manufacturers, there are also open standards for both variants: KNX (wired) and EnOcean (wireless) are each representative in their segment.

KNX (Konnex) is a widely used wired bus system for building automation. As a further development of the EIB (European Installation Bus), KNX is an open, manufacturer-independent standard that is supported by a large number of manufacturers. As a standardised standard, KNX leaves a lot of scope for design and is considered to be particularly secure.

EnOcean was defined in March 2012 by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) as a global wireless standard (ISO/IEC 14543-3-10) for decentralised building automation. In the meantime, more than a million buildings have such radio networks. The EnOcean ecosystem of self-powered wireless sensor solutions currently consists of 5,000 product variants based on 1,500 basic products. The products can be combined with one another using standardised interoperable sensor profiles.

What is increasingly being implemented on a large scale can also be implemented on a small scale

Smart costs A comparison of the conventional installation with the smart equipment reveals an unsurprising picture: smart costs initially more. According to the study, the surcharge for the electrical installation is between 64% in the one-room area with basic equipment based on EnOcean and 385% in the medium area based on KNX. When comparing the smart building variants ‘wired’ (KNX) or ‘wireless’ (EnOcean), wireless is significantly lower in costs. With comparable functionality, the difference is 20-30%. This applies to all buildings and equipment variants in the study. This is due to the higher expense of cabling and the cost of the wired devices and their installation.

In contrast, maintenance-free wireless sensors require neither mains power nor batteries. Thanks to energy harvesting technology, they collect their energy from the environment (kinetic energy, light or temperature differences). Wireless sensors can be simply placed wherever they are needed. This saves time and money during installation and operation and at the same time enables quick and easy retrofitting in existing buildings.

Wired or wireless in the intelligent building?

The study by Julia Winkler and Prof. Dr. Michael Kroedel compares intelligent areas of different sizes based on KNX or EnOcean technology in two equipment variants with regard to costs, sustainability, health and wellbeing. In both cases, a conventional building without intelligent networking serves as a reference guide.

In detail the study evaluates:

Conclusion

• A one-room area with 42.3m2 and a total of 33 or 42 products (basic or full equipment) • A medium area with 83.5m2 and a total of 70 or 89 products • A large area of ​​215.2m2 and a total of 162 or 186 products

The intelligently networked area initially costs more. But these investments are well worthwhile in the medium and long term for SMEs in terms of increased comfort and wellbeing, as well as lower energy costs. The installation costs of the wireless smart spaces are up to one third less than the equivalent wired version. They also score points in terms of flexibility and environmental protection.

The equipment in conventional buildings is based on the international standard DIN 18015-RAL-RG678 for the installation of electrical systems in (residential) buildings (three-star comfort equipment).

42 | December 2021

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EnOcean Alliance, enocean-alliance.org

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25/11/2021 16:16

SPECIAL FEATURE

TEST EQUIPMENT supported by

MEASURE SURFACE TERMPERATURES EVEN MORE PRECISELY With the GTC 600 C Professional Thermal Camera and Bosch Thermal App

Precise. Reliable. Efficient.

It’s in your hands. Bosch Professional.

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December 2021 | 43

25/11/2021 10:05

SPECIAL FEATURE

TEST EQUIPMENT

GTC 400 C AND 600 C PROFESSIONAL THERMAL CAMERA: PRECISE. RELIABLE. EFFICIENT Efficient and timesaving: Bosch is expanding the temperature measurement segment with a precise and versatile thermal camera, the GTC 600 C Professional Thermal Camera.

The new thermal camera offers more features and is even more precise than the already well established GTC 400 C Professional Thermal Camera. Making the invisible, visible.

A

thermal image speaks more than a thousand words. The Bosch Professional Thermal Cameras offer a variety of great functions which won’t only impress colleagues and clients, but help you work more efficiently and faster. Accomplished work can easily be presented, or the need for maintenance in the first place can be highlighted.

Through clear and thorough thermal images, situations can be evaluated on site, saving time and effort. The GTC 400 C and 600 C create an easy to understand solution, showing a thermal bridge and the temperature distributions which the naked eye would be unable to see.

STAY CONNECTED WITH THE BOSCH THERMAL APP Precise. Reliable. Efficient.

GTC 400 C Professional Thermal Camera

hottest and coldest points. The cross hair shown on the display indicates absolute temperature of the centre pixel, along with an emissivity figure and a constant adapting temperature scale showing the minimum and maximum temperature of the measurement area. This feature enhances the quality of work, enabling clear conclusions to be drawn. The visual camera can store up to 500 images on the tool – this is beneficial when comparing the visual and real image side by side, simplifying communication to clients. All images can be automatically saved and transferred to other devices through the Smart Connectivity function.

Alongside the 3.5” colour display, the 160 x 120 infrared sensor resolution allows detection of temperature variances

Detecting temperatures ranging from -10°C to +400°C, the device has four convenient measurement functions: automatic for automated temperature ranges; manual mode allowing temperature limits for different scenarios; cold detector showing only cold spots in an intuitive grayscale display for easy readability; and heat detector, simply showing the hottest areas on screen. Each individual function allows you to better target the relevant area and ultimately produce a more efficient thermal detection.

The 3.5” display is intuitive and presents the temperature differences in the camera’s field of view, displaying the

Make the invisible visible

▶ Compatible with Professional Infrared

Scanner GIS 1000 C, Professional Thermal Cameras GTC 400 C and GTC 600 C ▶ All important measurement data and images to hand ▶ Offer customers direct insights and precise documentation It’s in your hands. Bosch Professional.

44 | December 2021

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TEST EQUIPMENT within seconds. Each of the 19,200 pixels corresponds exactly to one measuring point, providing detailed distribution of temperature within a measured area. Thanks to the GTC’s high thermal sensitivity, auto scale and fixed scale options, the smallest temperature differences can be displayed, improving results for the user. Simply set the temperature scale to your preferred range, resulting in only temperatures within a desired range shown.

The IP53 dust and splash protection gives you guaranteed extra safety when using the tool, and the confidence to take it to the job site. It is operated by an interchangeable battery from the Bosch Professional 12V System or, alternatively, by four AA batteries using the Bosch AA1 battery adaptor. Dual power enables the tool to be in use for the duration of the task at hand, giving you even more flexibility.

GTC 600 C Professional Thermal Camera

The GTC 400 C Professional Thermal Camera

The GTC 600 C Professional can be used wherever temperature differences need to be detected quickly and reliably. The measuring range is between -20 and +600 degrees Celsius. It supports the maintenance of machines and equipment.

No matter which application area is concerned, the GTC 600 C Professional is very robust and can even withstand being dropped on concrete from a height of up to two metres. It is also dust and splash-proof with protection class of IP 54. The camera stores thermal images with a resolution of 256 x 192 pixels – each of the 49,152 pixels corresponds exactly to one measuring point. The result is a detailed and precise thermal image shown on a 3.5” display.

The new thermal camera offers even more applications and possibilities than the previous GTC 400 C Professional – especially outdoors and even beyond the use of the construction environment. The tool identifies weak spots such as defective

SPECIAL FEATURE

radiators and underfloor heating systems, as well as thermal bridges just as reliably as overheating of structural components, for example, in switch cabinets.

New functions Quick recording of the current situation, clarifying the requirements for preparing an offer, checking, and documenting work results – the new functions in the GTC 600 C Professional make it easier to perform these tasks. Professionals can now add a voice note up to 30 seconds long to recorded images. To date, this function was only available with tools in a much higher product class. The voice note is easily and conveniently recorded via the integrated microphone and saved in the gallery together with the real and thermal image.

This avoids assignment errors, making documentation even easier. The thermal image and voice note can be called up at any time directly on the tool.

The operation of the tool is intuitive.

In addition to the picture-in-picture function, other functions can be displayed and adjusted at the push of a button, such as the colour scale. It can be fixed, for example, in lock mode to visualise measurements of different rooms in the same way and thus compare them better.

The GTC 600 C Professional also features an extended list of emissivity values – more than 30 different materials are stored. If, for example, tiles have been selected as material, the device considers the emissivity of this surface, i.e., its heat radiation, during the infrared measurement. The surface temperature is therefore determined more precisely. In addition, professionals can save the five most important materials individually and have fast access to them. This function distinguishes the GTC 600 C Professional from its competitor models.

Fast data exchange

The app can connect with the GTC 600 C and GTC 400 C, with the GIS 1000 C integration following at the end of 2021.

Within the different features, the Thermal App allows for customisation of thermal images. Within the edit mode, images can be customised for specific purposes. Mark, circle, or comment to make things clearer for the craftspeople and their clients.

All projects and client information are visible at a glance. For each project, individual notes, to-dos and thermal images can be added. The whole project can be shared or single thermal images as PDF or JPEG. The GTC 400 C and 600 C Professional thermal camera are available right now. All Professional Bosch power tools, including the GTC, have a one-year warranty – this can be extended to a total of three years if the tool is registered on the Bosch Professional website within the first month of purchase.

The GTC 600 C Professional Thermal Camera

Bosch, bosch-professional.com

GTC 400 C vs 600 c

Both the GTC 400 C and the GTC 600 C Professional are equipped with a Wi-Fi module, which the tool uses to establish its own Wi-Fi hotspot. Connected smartphones or tablets can be used to import the thermal images, including the measured data, via the Bosch Thermal App. This makes it possible to process information immediately and pass it on to clients, colleagues, or other trades.

Alternatively, all data can be transferred to a PC via USB-C cable and processed there by means of the free GTC Transfer Software.

The Bosch Thermal App is used to help craftspeople increase their productivity, as the fast transfer, organisation, and customisation of thermal images saves time and, as a consequence, money due to efficiency designed operation processes.

Features

GTC 400 C

GTC 600 C

Measuring range

-10 °C to +400 °C

-20 °C to +600 °C

IP rating

IP 53

IP54** (**except for the lithium-ion battery pack)

Data transfer

MicroUSB, Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi, USB-C

Size of IR sensor

160x120 px

256x192 px

Number of measuring points

19,200

49,152

Measuring accuracy of IR

± 3.0 °C

± 2.0 °C

Frame buffer (number of images)

500

600

AS ROBUST AS THEY ARE PRECISE

▶ Protected against splashing water

Precise. Reliable. Efficient.

▶ ABS housing with shock-absorbing

and dust

▶ Innovative product design and sturdy

construction to survive falls (up to 2m) rubber casing

It’s in your hands. Bosch Professional.

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December 2021 | 45

25/11/2021 10:06

SPECIAL FEATURE

TEST EQUIPMENT

WHY HANDHELD TESTERS WILL HELP SECURITY INSTALLERS OVERCOME THEIR BIGGEST CHALLENGES A new generation of handheld tools can help security installers overcome key industry challenges and benefit from significant time and cost savings, says TREND Networks.

“D

espite the fact that the security market is changing, we see many businesses configuring, installing and troubleshooting IP security cameras using laptops, even though it’s time consuming and ineffective,” says Tim Widdershoven, Marketing Director for TREND Networks. “Many are simply unaware of the productivity benefits possible by tackling their most common challenges on the job with a new approach to test equipment.”

Emerging technologies

SecuriTEST IP features advanced reporting to enable installers to document performance on site in detail

Network integration

SecuriTEST IP can also be used for a range of network troubleshooting and advanced testing requirements

Arguably the biggest trend affecting the security industry in recent years has been the switch to digital IP cameras from analogue technologies. Installers are faced with having to fit unfamiliar, fast evolving equipment and obtain new knowledge to keep up with customer demand. With numerous types of CCTV camera, plus many different configurations and connection methods, installation and troubleshooting can be time intensive and complicated.

The handheld SecuriTEST IP CCTV tester supports installers through this transition, with features to help save time and boost productivity such as QuickIP, which enables novice technicians to connect and configure IP cameras quickly and easily. Even on complex installations, users may only need to use one tester, helping remove the need for in-depth and time-consuming training.

Where security installations are using Power over Ethernet (PoE), technicians also need to be able to verify that the camera has enough power to function.

The compact PoE Pro tester from TREND Networks eliminates guesswork when installing, maintaining, and troubleshooting networks where PoE is deployed. Installers can easily verify Pass/Fail, even without a full understanding of the various industry testing standards, device power outputs, and cable lengths that are required for a device to operate successfully.

STAY CONNECTED WITH THE BOSCH THERMAL APP Precise. Reliable. Efficient.

With a handheld SecuriTEST IP tester, the whole installation can be completed, tested, and documented, removing the time-consuming need to return to site later.

It is small, lightweight and does not require external power adapters and injectors, has 10-hour battery life and is operable with one hand, supporting productivity even for installers working on lifts and ladders.

“Analogue CCTV was installed with its own infrastructure, a series of hardware and cables for controlling the cameras,” explains Tim. “However, IP security cameras are usually installed to an existing network, already in place supporting computers, phones, or IoT (Internet of Things) devices.

Installers now need to understand the completely new area of how network integration works in order to conduct installation correctly or troubleshoot issues.”

First, it’s important to verify that the network has the bandwidth to support the cameras and prevent poor image quality, for instance. The SignalTEK 10G tester can be used to determine maximum bandwidth up to 10Gb/s and identify areas with bottlenecks. Post installation, it can also be used to troubleshoot Ethernet connectivity issues faster using diagnostic tools such as the 72-hour event log which helps diagnose intermittent connectivity issues faster.

During commissioning and maintenance, SecuriTEST IP can also be used for a range of network troubleshooting and advanced testing requirements, including cable tracing, length, wiremap, and quality testing, removing the need for installers to carry multiple instruments.

Residential security boom As demand for home security cameras and devices such as video doorbells has increased, the cost has become ever more affordable, even for those looking for more advanced solutions. The global smart home security camera market size was valued at $3.71bn in 2019 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.7% to 2027.

However, residential customers do not necessarily have the same understanding of how these systems work as a commercial user, making it even more important to be able to clearly document the installation has been done correctly to prove performance and prevent unpaid callbacks.

SecuriTEST IP features advanced reporting to enable installers to document performance on site in detail, rather than filling in Excel documents to create reports. When an issue arises, the proof of performance reports can demonstrate both camera images and network configuration, making return visits to site billable, especially in the case that the customer has changed the network parameters.

“With SecuriTEST IP, users can depend on a simple, handheld tool that can replace an Ethernet cable tester, laptop, PoE injector, PoE tester, and reporting tool. Plus, it connects first time without the need to change complex settings and deliver reliable test results,” says Tim. “And supported by a suite of our other complementary test solutions, security installers can save huge amounts of time on every job and keep their customers happy.”

Changing use of cameras Cameras are increasingly being used for a wider range of purposes, not just for observing crime, such as number plate recognition, access control, and fire monitoring. Camera installations have also been used to aid compliance with COVID-19 policies, observing that social distancing is being adhered to, for instance.

“For outdoor cameras, installation can be especially complex where installers don’t have the correct tools to test a fixed camera,” says Tim. “Time is spent travelling up and down a ladder to check the angle on a laptop. In the case of a new network installation or where building construction is in progress, set up can only be completed at a later date, returning to site when the IT infrastructure and computer room are in place and performance can be checked.”

TREND Networks, trend-networks.com

Make the invisible visible

▶ Compatible with Professional Infrared

Scanner GIS 1000 C, Professional Thermal Cameras GTC 400 C and GTC 600 C ▶ All important measurement data and images to hand ▶ Offer customers direct insights and precise documentation It’s in your hands. Bosch Professional.

46 | December 2021

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22/11/2021 14:32

NEW! GTC 600 C PROFESSIONAL THERMAL CAMERA Precise. Reliable. Efficient It’s in your hands. Bosch Professional.

High Resolution

Integrated Features

Infrared sensor with 44,800 measuring pixels for clearer and more detailed thermal images on a 3.5" display

Wide measuring range from -20 °C to +600 °C. More pre-set emissivity values, improved gallery and improved colour palettes

Voice Note Allowing voice annotations and more advanced documentation of measurements

Robust Design ,3

To withstand tough conditions, the tool features a 2 metre drop resistance and a IP rating of 54

Thermal App Easy documentation and download of thermal images and measurements with the Bosch Thermal App

Untitled-5 2 GTC 600 C - ECN full page advert - 244x340mm with 3mm bleed.indd 1 50676 Bosch

https://www.bosch-professional.com/gb/en/

23/11/2021 12:33 15:05 22/11/2021

SPECIAL FEATURE

TEST EQUIPMENT

SAFE ISOLATION SAVES LIVES Our daily routine has changed considerably during the past 18 months and humanity has adapted swiftly to protect themselves and others around them. The few extra minutes to apply your face mask when required and the regular application of hand sanitiser really does ‘save lives’, helping the fight against COVID-19, writes David Sweetman, Marketing and Business Development Director for the Di-LOG Group and Louise Adamson, Workplace Safety Speaker, NEBOSH Ambassador and Health and Safety Charity Trustee.

M

any people in the industry, including the authors of this article, have spent years campaigning to help make our working environment a safer place and, as a manufacturer of electrical test equipment, David feels that the company has a responsibility to the industry to keep critical safety equipment affordable and easily accessible.

Over the past 18 months, Di-LOG has invested tens of thousands of pounds in the product development and marketing of safe isolation test equipment, and the company’s message has remained clear throughout – safely isolating all electrical circuits saves lives.

When preparing this article, David contacted Louise Adamson, an associate of his, who he has had the pleasure of meeting on several occasions. Louise’s heartfelt story (Michael’s Story) has sadly reinforced just why taking a few extra minutes to implement a safe isolation procedure is critical for the safety of yourself and others around you.

Di-LOG has invested tens of thousands of pounds in the product development and marketing of safe isolation test equipment

Michael’s Story

Taking a few extra minutes to implement a safe isolation procedure is critical for the safety of yourself and others around you

“My brother died at a time when safe isolation had been taught to apprentices for the 20 years previous,” says Louise.

“We’re now 16 years further on, and it breaks our hearts a little more each time we hear about an incident caused because safe isolation is not being put into practice.

“Employers should provide the right tools and equipment so their workforce can do their job safely.

If you’re not being provided with voltage testers, proving units and LOTO kits, STOP THE JOB. Because there’s nothing more important than you going home to your loved ones at the end of your shift.

My wee brother didn’t get home to his fiancée. He didn’t get to become an uncle to my two wee boys. He didn’t get to become a dad to children of his own.

He died at the age of 26 in an entirely preventable incident. Safe isolation saves lives and stops such heartbreak.”

taken from a HSE training brochure: ‘In GB, roughly two in every 50 electrical accidents at work result in a fatality, compared with one in 500 from other causes. As well as electric shock, other electrically-related injuries arise from burns, arcing and fires.

Many of the injuries can take a long while to heal and often result in life-changing conditions.’

The team at Di-LOG is working closely with its national distribution network of electrical wholesalers and online test equipment specialists to make its complete safety range of products easily accessible and affordable to all levels within the electrical and mechanical industry.

The company’s national sales and technical teams are on hand to assist you with any questions that arise with the implementation of safe isolation equipment across your business, as Di-LOG continues to make the industry a much safer place to work.

HSE statistics Although it is difficult to know how many of the following statistics were caused by inadequate safe isolation, in the five years between 2015 and 2020, there were 21 fatalities reported to the HSE under RIDDOR which were caused by contact with electricity.

There was at least one fatality that David is aware of in the year 20/21 and he says that he is not in a position to comment on the year so far for 21/22.

You are more likely to die if you’re involved in an electrical incident than you are in other types of work-related incident. This is

AS ROBUST AS THEY ARE PRECISE

▶ Protected against splashing water

Precise. Reliable. Efficient.

▶ ABS housing with shock-absorbing

Di-LOG, dilog.co.uk

and dust

▶ Innovative product design and sturdy

construction to survive falls (up to 2m) rubber casing

It’s in your hands. Bosch Professional.

48 | December 2021

Test Equipment – Di-Log.indd 48

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25/11/2021 10:00

AWARD WINNING

SAFE ISOLATION CombiVolt™ Voltage Indicator Proving Unit Kits & Proving Unit DLPK6780 Offer Price

Fully conformant to

V

£117.75

BS 61243-3:2014

12 - 690V

Audible continuity buzzer

+ VAT

List price £157.00+VAT

Fully operational even when batteries are depleted

GS38

DLPK6780 CombiVolt™ 1 690V Proving Unit Kit

Shrouded Probes

Kits include CombiVolt™, PU690 and carry pouch

L1

L3

DLPK6790 Offer Price

L2

£133.50

Phase Rotation

+ VAT

RCD Non-Trip

List price £178.00+VAT

DLPK6790 CombiVolt™ 2 Digital 690V Proving Unit Kit

L-PE

Single Pole Detection

EN

61010-1

CAT IV 600V

PU690 Offer Price

£71.25 + VAT

EN

61010-1

PU690 690V Voltage Indicator Proving Unit

List price £94.99+VAT

V

690V

EN

61010-1

CAT II 750V

CAT IV 600V

Z

High

Low

Impedance

Proves operation on voltage indicators to 690V AC Low impedance for proving voltage on multimeters Low battery indication

Di-LOG Test Equipment Unit 28, Wheel Forge Way, Trafford Park, Manchester, M17 1EH | Email: sales@dilog.co.uk | dilog.co.uk | PHONE

Untitled-5 2

0161 877 0322

29/11/2021 11:28

SPECIAL FEATURE

TEST EQUIPMENT

TESTING TIMES DELIVER RESULTS FOR OVIA As it strives to stay ahead of the game in the highly competitive lighting sector, Ovia welcomes the recent endorsement from the Lighting Industry Association, Europe’s largest trade association for lighting equipment professionals.

O

via made a significant investment in new testing equipment and a cutting-edge photometry luminaire testing scheme in 2020, to bring the company’s light testing facility in-house. The company purchased its own Goniophotometer device and signed up to the revolutionary Gonio photometry luminaire testing scheme, which was created by the LIA, together with its partner Acal BFi, to enable lighting manufacturers to offer efficient third party certified luminaire performance testing.

As well as radically speeding up the testing process for Ovia’s lighting products, the ground-breaking scheme also offers reassurance when it comes to validating photometric measurements such as Lumens per Watt and related performance claims. The scheme is built around the class leading Viso systems LabSpion goniometer. Its cutting-edge technology eliminates the need for a traditional goniometer and/or integrating sphere and allows manufacturers to perform these tests quickly and accurately on their own premises, without the need for a large dedicated dark room. It gives participants the ability to scan light sources and luminaires quickly and simply, and create quality, easy to understand light measurement data. Full photometric scans can take from as little as two minutes and, once ready, the data is sent securely via a dedicated cloud server to the LIA Laboratory for validation. The LIA Laboratory will then be able to issue third

The LIA LAB Certification is a tremendous achievement

Ovia purchased its own Goniophotometer in 2020

STAY CONNECTED WITH THE BOSCH THERMAL APP Precise. Reliable. Efficient.

both the product development and final evaluation process literally in our hands.

This means a much faster turnaround in getting products tested and out into the marketplace and this has proved a vital asset as we continue to expand and develop the Ovia lighting range.

“As well as providing upfront validation of the performance of new products being developed, it will also be vital in our ongoing surveillance to ensure that further batches of products being brought in are guaranteed to be of the same consistency in performance and quality.”

party reports without the need for product samples to be transported around the country or the world.

Now, in recognition of Ovia’s laboratory facility, the LIA Laboratory has recently welcomed the company to the LIA Gonio Photometry Scheme as a registered Photometric Laboratory. This certification means that Ovia meets the requirements of the LIA Technical Scheme Document ‘TSD-003 LIA Laboratory Registered Photometric Laboratories’ and thus is a LIA Laboratory Registered Photometric Laboratory for Far-Field Gonio Measurements.

Ovia becomes one of an elite group of just seven organisations to have been granted this recognition for its luminaire testing facilities.

Mike Collins, Ovia Sales Director, comments: “The LIA LAB Certification is a tremendous achievement for us coming so soon after we set up the facility and it offers further endorsement and reassurance to our customers that our products meet the very highest standards.

“A significant amount of time and expense is invested in the critical testing element of new product development.

What the LIA Gonio Photometry Scheme does is give us total control and puts

Ovia, oviauk.com

Make the invisible visible

▶ Compatible with Professional Infrared

Scanner GIS 1000 C, Professional Thermal Cameras GTC 400 C and GTC 600 C ▶ All important measurement data and images to hand ▶ Offer customers direct insights and precise documentation It’s in your hands. Bosch Professional.

50 | December 2021

Test Equipment – Ovia.indd 50

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25/11/2021 10:00

Does your EVSE kit help you test, or does it just test?

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23/08/2021 09:46

SPECIAL FEATURE

UPS & POWER DISTRIBUTION

WHY ELECTRICIANS SHOULD OFFER BACKUP POWER AS A CRITICAL SOLUTION Electricity supply reliability has become of increasing concern to business owners, says Stewart Gregory, VP Power Products at Schneider Electric UK&I.

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udden blackouts caused by floods, heat waves or severe storms can shut down critical equipment, impacting smart home applications and even bringing the point-of-sale (POS) system at businesses to a close. Additionally, frequent brownouts, caused by aging or overwhelmed power grids, have affected many people. These power disruptions threaten the digital connections many small businesses have come to depend on.

Electricians can play an important role in dealing with this power uncertainty by proactively offering them uninterruptible power supply (UPS) – a practical solution that can keep businesses up and running, even when the power goes down.

UPSs not only provide backup power protection but also surge protection, by incorporating a battery that can supply energy to electronics and appliances during an outage or brownout. When not in use, the battery is constantly recharged, so it will be ready to go when called upon.

Furthermore, it will kick in instantly as soon as power is disrupted – even during a minor flicker – so data is protected and connected equipment doesn’t suffer any damage that power fluctuations can cause.

Rise of power outages

UPSs not only provide backup power protection but also surge protection

Examples of outages from severe weather – and human error – cutting power to large populations are easy to find. In August 2020, the California independent system operator overseeing the state’s electricity grid imposed rolling blackouts as heat-related demand came close to surpassing supply. Hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses were affected.

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And only a month earlier, more than 700 million people in India were left in the dark as three of the country’s five grid systems failed, due to demand surpassing capacity.

As in California, extreme heat drove utility customers to turn up their air conditioners, taking down utility supplies in 20 of the country’s 28 states.

And less catastrophic failures also occur regularly, caused by increasingly severe storms or aging electrical infrastructure.

While such outages may be brief or affect smaller populations, their impacts can still be significant. For homeowners, it can mean damage to sensitive – and costly – electronics. Without the protection a UPS offers, computers, smart TVs, gaming consoles, and other devices can be exposed to power fluctuations that can shorten their lifespans considerably. And sudden power surges can cause irreparable damage to the equipment, with an unexpected, expensive replacement as the only solution.

Devices can be exposed to power fluctuations that can shorten their lifespans

A crucial recommendation UPSs provide reliable power to the equipment that ensures business continuity. On top of this, working and learning from home has required the kind of reliable, uninterrupted power that can be provided by UPSs. When it comes to the selection and installation of UPS, customers will look to electricians for help. And so, you mustn’t underestimate the important role you play in empowering customers to minimise their power-related disruptions.

Recommending UPS solutions will also increase revenue and build your own business’s reputation. The offer of UPSs presents a great opportunity for electricians to expand their business portfolio, with reliable backup power solutions that will allow their customers to remain connected and productive.

Need of unique protection for small businesses Downtime for small businesses can translate to unhappy customers and lost revenue, which is why UPS protection is critical for them. Many owners are concerned, and with good reason. In a recent survey of more than 500 small- and medium-size business executives, 37% reported having lost business due to computer-related downtime. Many different applications can be impacted by a power outage or disruption.

Point-of-sale (POS) systems, for example, are critical components for many companies, helping to manage sales, track inventory, and even aid workforce management. Some businesses simply cannot operate if an outage or other power disturbance takes the POS system offline. Similarly, safety and security also are bottom-line considerations for any business operation. Alarm and notification systems, along with security cameras and related telecom and Wi-Fi equipment, must remain operational during outage situations.

Finally, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning equipment (HVAC) poses a risk to operations should it go offline during an outage. Customers and employees might choose to leave if conditions become too uncomfortable. And for some businesses, such as restaurants, bakeries, and veterinary offices, an HVAC failure could be especially damaging.

electricalcontractingnews.com

You mustn’t underestimate the important role you play in empowering customers

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Schneider Electric, se.com

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22/11/2021 14:34

IP65 Enclosed Switch Disconnectors up to 1250 Amp IP65 Enclosed Switch Fuses up to 800 Amp IP65 Enclosed Change Over Switches up to 1250 Amp IP65 Enclosed Automatic Transfer Switches IP65 GRP, Polycarbonate or Mild Steel Enclosures 3, 4, 6 & 8 Pole Switches Defeatable door interlocked handles Ex-stock for next day delivery

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16/02/2017 14:45 22/11/2021 14:21

SPECIAL FEATURE

UPS & POWER DISTRIBUTION

CASE STUDY: WELLCOME GENOME CAMPUS The Wellcome Genome Campus turned to SolarEdge for its UPS and solar PV system solutions.

S

ited on The Wellcome Genome Campus, The Wellcome Sanger Institute in Cambridge is at the heart of a global hub of genomic research, education and engagement. It carries out scientific studies to understand the biology of humans and pathogens, leading partnerships across the globe to support ground-breaking research and transformative healthcare innovations. In addition to a research site, the campus delivers educational and collaborative programmes and conferences, bringing together scientists from across the globe, with on-site accommodation set within a tranquil environment.

On a site of such significance, protecting critical equipment, servers and security systems is a given, and reliability, flexibility and the ongoing cost of maintenance are key when choosing an uninterrupted power supply (UPS) solution. In addition, increasing numbers of organisations appreciate that keeping energy expenses in check goes hand-in-hand with reducing their carbon footprint. The Wellcome Genome Campus addressed both of these challenges.

UPS solution The relationship between The Campus and SolarEdge Critical Power (previously Gamatronic) began with the installation of the first UPS system over 10 years ago.

Currently, the site includes over 30 UPS systems ranging in capacity up to 800kW (made up of four 200kVA modular UPSs utilising 25kW power modules).

The flexible, modular approach was key in the choice of SolarEdge Critical

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Power as it allows the UPS systems to be upgraded as power demands grow and allows the customer the flexibility to select and distribute the 25kW modules where they are required.

In addition to critical UPS product delivery, the SolarEdge team provides annual, preventative maintenance services to the site’s UPS systems. As a result, significant improvements in mean time before failure (MTBF) and mean time to repair (MTTR) have been made. Furthermore, due to the success of the UPS solutions, a replacement programme to swap out non-SolarEdge systems with SolarEdge Critical Power modular UPS equipment is now in place.

Solar PV system Some years ago, two non-SolarEdge, rooftop solar PV systems were installed to generate long-term savings with green, renewable energy. However, the inverters had developed faults and stopped generating.

With no ability to remotely monitor the systems and receive valuable, real-time data directly from the inverters, the failures resulted in valuable lost production.

When it came to overhauling the two PV systems, the site engineers turned once again to SolarEdge.

The selection of a SolarEdge PV solution gave the client the opportunity to optimise the system and take advantage of secure and comprehensive system monitoring. Repairing and upgrading the 260-panel solar PV system involved replacing the inverter and installing 30 Power Optimisers on an accommodation building, and replacing two inverters on a research building and installing a further 100 Power Optimisers. The installations were completed, with inverters generating green AC power in under seven days.

electricalcontractingnews.com

The bottom line Today, the SolarEdge Critical Power solution at The Wellcome Genome Campus comprises two parts: a series of fully maintained UPS systems, and two solar PV systems, delivering energy savings alongside continuity and peace of mind.

The modular UPS systems provide continuous power support to a number of Campus research facilities and their site security systems, which will continue to grow in step with the developing power needs of the site.

The upgrade to DC-optimised PV systems now maximises the power output from the solar panels, to reduce energy bills even further by allowing the panels to work at their optimum points.

Remote, module level monitoring enables the customer to stay informed about system performance 24/7, so faults can be detected immediately. In the future, it will also mean fewer site visits, increased system uptime, and lower operational and maintenance costs. The customer also benefits from a system that includes both SafeDC and arc-fault detection and interruption to protect staff and visitors to the site.

“The fact that SolarEdge has been providing us with advanced and reliable UPS solutions for years made the decision to choose SolarEdge for the PV system an easy one. By upgrading the solar PV system we’ve increased the energy yield, and now that we are able to monitor the system on a regular basis, we can see exactly what’s going on,” says a Wellcome Institute spokesperson.

“On a site of such significance, protecting critical equipment, servers and security systems is a given”

SolarEdge, solaredge.com

@ElecConNews

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22/11/2021 14:35

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22/11/2021 13:40 22/11/2021 14:22

SPECIAL FEATURE

UPS & POWER DISTRIBUTION

OUTLINING THE CRITICAL ROLE OF GENERATORS As energy prices soar, businesses and homeowners are realising the need for a more secure, stable and consistent power supply, says Secure Power. Unpredictable power outages can severely impact the core operations of any business. When a power failure plunges a business into darkness, the losses are more significant than just revenue. The lack of backup power can wipe out stock, damage equipment and even put lives at risk.

P

ower outages also severely impact homeowners. With more of us working from home, many employees cannot afford the cost of lost time, data or damaged electronic equipment due to power fluctuations or failures.

The crisis in the UK’s energy sector has brought the need for industrial and residential generators to the fore.

Gas shortages have impacted the carbon dioxide industry and prices have skyrocketed by 250% in 2021. Then, there are disruptions to energy supplies with many suppliers going bust.

According to some reports, a short power cut in August 2019 cost the economy over £15m. The outage left commuters stranded, thousands of homes without electricity, and impacted critical hospital services. The University of Cambridge commented that part of the reason was an increased reliance on renewable energy sources, which are predicted to result in a more volatile power supply in the future.

More and more businesses are safeguarding their electrical infrastructure with the introduction of more resilient backup power solutions such as UPS (uninterruptible power supply) systems and generators.

Generator solutions Installing sufficient generator connection points and having a generator provision safeguards electrical power to critical applications when the mains supply fails.

When combined with UPS system, a backup generator ensures that the power stays on for an extended period of time. This means no interruptions in the electrical load, giving business owners and facility managers peace of mind.

Every business has its own specific needs when it comes to a backup power supply. The need for cost-effective, reliable and flexible backup generator solutions has never been greater. It is also vital to ensure that any backup power solution meets supply capacity to keep electrical equipment on during a power outage. Also, small-scale residential generators can maintain the power supply to a home.

Secure Power works with key industries including data centres, healthcare facilities, financial institutions, manufacturing sites and event grounds that all rely on round-the-clock power for critical equipment.

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Generator maintenance helps keep fuel lines clean, increases efficiency and replaces parts before they break or fail

• Safeguard stock, lives and customer data A standby generator and UPS system guarantee that critical applications are always on. In healthcare settings, emergency power keeps life support systems working 24/7. A business with perishable stock will never lose inventory due to an unpredictable power outage.

In addition, sensitive data is safeguarded from corruption if data storage systems unexpectedly shut down.

• Protect reputation An integrated power system incorporating battery storage, a generator, switchgear technology and UPS protects a company’s reputation.

A business that is always open despite outages instils trust in its customers and clients. Also, a hospital’s reputation will never be tainted by issues caused by insufficient power due to a mains failure.

• Backup generators help save money and protect revenue A backup generator is a cost-saving investment that ensures critical systems don’t fail in an outage. Because power disruptions don’t impact business operations, the building and essential applications work as usual. Therefore, there is no need to send staff home, pay compensation to customers or face expensive repair bills.

Why generator connection points are essential A generator connection point restores power to critical electrical equipment during an outage. A UPS provides temporary power while the generator powers up to support critical load. When the generator provides full power, the UPS will continue to condition power quality to prevent spikes and surges.

Investing in a robust backup generator solution can mean energy savings in the future. As businesses become more reliant on 24/7 operations, the cost of any power outage can be huge. In addition, the increase of energy tariffs means that companies will have lower revenues. This could mean a drop in services to offset losses or lower output to reduce costs.

Here are five compelling reasons to look for bespoke generator solutions to protect a business’s core operation:

The importance of preventative maintenance Proper maintenance is crucial to ensure the peak performance of generator connection points. Generator maintenance helps keep fuel lines clean, increases efficiency and replaces parts before they break or fail. An annual inspection will also test the UPS and generator’s capacity to replace the power supply if mains fail.

Power outages will likely increase in frequency as we deal with climate change and switch to renewables. The time to invest in secure backup power is now.

Business owners can protect their core operations during a power outage.

Trends show that the price of raw materials will continue to increase.

This means that the costs of designing, purchasing and installing integrated power solutions will rise in the future. In addition, investing in preventative maintenance extends a generator’s lifespan, ensuring that backup power is always available.

• Ability to switch power systems Energy is typically one of the biggest outgoings. Having a backup power system in place opens opportunities to reduce energy bills. For example, it could be advantageous to switch to a backup solution during peak times. Or, if gas prices spike as they did in 2021, using a diesel generator could be a temporary cost-effective solution.

• Eliminate downtime The most significant benefit of having sufficient generation connection points is to prevent disruptions to business core operations. Medical facilities, emergency services, food production and manufacturing plants can’t afford a power blackout. If the mains supply fails, the transfer switch immediately brings backup power online.

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Secure Power, securepower.com

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25/11/2021 10:01

SPECIAL FEATURE

COMPANY SHOWCASE supported by

Workstation Powered by CMD 63A Betatrak System On Desk Power

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Standard Earth, Clean Earth (C/E) low noise or Auxiliary Earth Betatrak Powertrack

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25/11/2021 10:02

COMPANY SHOWCASE

SPONSORED STORIES FROM THE INDUSTRY

OVERCOMING THE POWER DISTRIBUTION CHALLENGES OF SHALLOW FLOOR VOIDS Paul Allen from power distribution specialist, CMD, discusses the challenges of electrical distribution network installations in shallow floor voids and listed buildings.

O

CMD Power Hubs are available in 4-way and 6-way units

ver the past 30 years, the amount of tech used in commercial buildings on a day-to-day basis has increased dramatically, which means more sockets are required across the floor plate, with sufficient capacity for resilience and future-proofing. In new builds, floor voids are usually designed with sufficient capacity for the level of services required.

In existing buildings, constructed before technology became such an integral part of the way we live and work, capacity in the floor void can be more challenging.

It’s an issue that electrical specifiers and contractors face repeatedly when planning the electrical infrastructure for commercial buildings. A busbar powertrack system is most commonly the solution of choice, because it offers speed and ease of use with plug and play installation and plenty of flexibility for reconfiguration, additional tap-offs on the network and parallel UPS distribution. At 47mm, the CMD Betatrak powertrack system is suitable for most floor voids, but additional clearance is required to access tap-offs for maintenance or reconfiguration.

While this does not present any challenges for most new build properties, for older buildings with more restricted floor voids or inconsistent void clearance, there is often insufficient space for a functional powertrack system. Often, specifiers assume that this leaves them with a choice of two onerous options: either to raise the floor and increase the void, or to opt for a hard-wired electrical network. Both of these choices would add time to the programme and raising the floor could compromise headroom and heritage features.

That’s why there is an increasing appetite for a third option for refurbishment and heritage electrical distribution installations – power hub systems.

www.cmd-ltd.com

58 | December 2021

Company Showcase.indd 58

CMD’s Betatrak power distribution system

CMD Power Hubs are available in 4-way and 6-way units, which can be wired in a series circuit in the required configuration.

Tap-offs are made to the side of the power hub unit, using BS EN 61535 compliant connectors in a metal housing to ensure a secure and safe tap-off connection. A choice of tap-off units allows electrical supply to be routed to the required locations, regardless of how densely populated the floorplate will be, while minimising the number of hub units required, thereby keeping costs and installation time down, reducing maintenance and optimising space in the void.

Additional hub units or tap-offs to existing units can be retrofitted to the installation at any time, providing the flexibility needed in contemporary commercial buildings for changing occupier requirements, change of occupier or chance of use. No additional space is required for plugging in or unplugging tap-offs and multiple power hubs can be configured together on a single circuit.

Adaptable, compact and compliant Designed to offer comparable plug and play ease and speed of installation, along with the flexibility and future-proofing benefits of powertrack, power hub systems are an ideal alternative where space is limited.

The CMD 32A Power Hub has been specifically designed for buildings where a conventional powertrack system cannot be installed due to lack of void depth or obstacles in the void. It is also ideal for use in buildings where the slab is uneven, which would result in lengths of powertrack lying a different heights or angles, preventing consistent connections. With a height of just 38mm and tap-offs to the side of each unit rather than above, the CMD Power Hub is suitable for use in shallow and undulating floor voids and offers ease of installation, ease of maintenance, future flexibility and compliance.

Power hub systems combine compact hub units with flexible metal conduits or ‘umbilicals’, which connect the hubs together to create the electrical distribution network.

The metal flexible conduits provide cables with mechanical protection, allowing compliance with Wiring Regulation 543.7 ‘Earthing requirements for the installation of equipment having high protective conductor currents’.

They also protect cables from dirt ingress and rodents, ensuring a similar level of resilience to powertrack systems and ensuring that the electrical distribution system offers a low maintenance, fit and forget solution.

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Creative thinking Finding the right solution to match the needs of the building and the client, while working within a tight programme are challenges that contractors must constantly overcome.

A power hub system provides an ideal solution, with rapid, cost-effective plug and play installation for a wide variety of projects.

For example, for a recent installation at a film and TV production company, the CMD power hub was found to offer the most compact unit to meet the needs of a shallow floor void and 900 units were installed to provide the flexible distribution network in an environment where needs will continue to change. In another example of how power hubs can overcome architectural challenges, CMD’s power hub system has recently been installed in the ceiling void to service the void-free concrete floor of the level above. Once again, the compact units and potential for reconfiguration were key benefits of using a power hub system.

A power hub is not always the most appropriate specification, but, where powertrack is not suitable, a power hub is often the best alternative.

CMD, cmd-ltd.com

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25/11/2021 10:02

SPONSORED STORIES FROM THE INDUSTRY

COMPANY SHOWCASE

CETUS DOWNLIGHT RANGE – NOW AVAILABLE IN THREE DIFFERENT SIZES Thorn Lighting has introduced the new Cetus range, which provides increased flexibility and performance. Alongside the Lumen Colour Select (LCS) feature, there’s also a greater focus on sustainability.

With the Lumen Colour Select (LCS) feature, colour temperatures and lumen outputs can be chosen after the luminaire has been installed. This means that with Cetus, the use of a space can be defined last-minute, or even changed over time. This is done simply and quickly by using a screwdriver to rotate an inner plate which features embossed preset values. When doing this, there are two lumen outputs to choose from (800lm and 1500lm for the small variant, or 2000lm and 3400lm for the medium and large versions) and three colour temperatures (3000K, 3500K and 4000K).

Available in three different recess sizes (small, medium or large), the Cetus downlight range is extremely flexible. Fitting or covering all ceiling cut-outs from 95mm to 230mm, project needs can be met while, at the same time, remaining aesthetically consistent across a project. Tolerances of ceiling cut outs of 30-40mm can be covered without the need for retro-fit rings. A recessed depth of just 100mm also means that Cetus is well-suited to installation in ceilings with shallow voids. The design of the Cetus is minimal, but its performance is not – with outputs of up to 3400lm.

This new range has a focus on sustainability – with efficacy up to 140lm/W and a lifetime of L80 50,000 hours. In addition, Cetus is aligned with the Single Lighting Regulation (SLR) which now requires that lighting products comply with ecodesign requirements.

Ulrich Juergenschellert, Product Manager Downlights, says: “The new Cetus range is low in complexity and high in flexibility. From the Lumen Colour Select feature which enables temperatures and lumen outputs to be chosen post-installation, to the plug and play driver and three size options – we’ve created this product for simplicity.”

Thorn Lighting, thornlighting.co.uk

THE NEW SNICKERS WORKWEAR BODY-MAPPING PILE JACKET

MINIMUM SIZE – MAXIMUM FLEXIBILITY Wieland Electric has introduced the RST Micro, a compact waterproof connector with a diameter of less than 15mm that meets the highest design and flexibility criteria. The plug is in high demand anywhere technology is getting smaller and smaller, necessitating smaller and smaller electrical connections The two to three pole connector with a diameter of less than 15mm is designed specifically for connecting voltage or current sources to LED modules. Network applications are also no difficulty due to the rated values. Four mechanically separated and colour-coded connectors allow the safe separation of various applications.

Particularly small and unobtrusive, simple to work without any disruptive locking geometries, strain-resistant, and sealed to IP66, 68 and 69, the RST Micro is a connector that is unique on the market due to its compact design and functionality.

The latest addition to the modular RST system are the new distribution blocks for the RST Micro and, as with the bigger members of the RST product family, the RST Micro connector enables very simple, quick, and safe installation.

Wieland Electric, wieland.co.uk

The Snickers Workwear climate control system includes functional base layers, insulating mid layers and weather-protective outer layers.

These technically advanced working clothes allow craftsmen and craftswomen to adjust to changing weather conditions on site so they’re always working effectively – with maximum comfort and protection.

Take the new FlexiWork Inverted Pile jacket for example. This warm and versatile pile jacket can be used both as a jacket in cooler conditions or a mid-layer when the weather is more inclement. Made of laminated polyester fabric with a furry pile lining for optimal warmth and comfort, its ergonomics also feature shaped shoulders for a great fit and optimum freedom of movement.

Hi-tech, advanced fabric technology like this is integral to all Snickers Workwear’s Base-, Mid- and Top-Layer garments for both men and women that always combine well with the Snickers Workwear hallmarks of best-in-class durability, comfort, ergonomics and fit.

Snickers Workwear, snickersworkwear.co.uk

www.cmd-ltd.com @ElecConNews

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25/11/2021 10:03

COMPANY SHOWCASE

SPONSORED STORIES FROM THE INDUSTRY

OVIA BOOSTS ITS FLOODLIGHTING RANGE Ovia has just launched its biggest, most comprehensive catalogue since the company was established two years ago. At over 400 pages, the new Issue 3 catalogue boasts an additional 100 pages on the previous edition and features a raft of brand new products.

The new Inceptor Ace range of adjustable, LED asymmetric floodlights provides high quality indoor and outdoor lighting solutions. Asymmetric floodlights are superior in concentrating light where it is needed by using reflectors to direct light in front of the fixture where illuminance is required. With symmetric floodlights, on the other hand, the light is distributed evenly in all directions.

All Ovia Inceptor Ace floodlights are IP65 rated and come with a five-year warranty. They are available in a black finish, in 50W, 100W, 150W, 200W and 300W versions, with 4000K cool white LEDs. They are supplied with a 2m pre-wired cable flex for quick and easy installation, and a fully adjustable aluminium mounting bracket, which allows full control of the projection angle.

Ovia, oviauk.com

OB1 – THE NO 1 SEALANT AND ADHESIVE NOW AVAILABLE FROM UNICRIMP Leading cable accessories supplier and Scolmore Group company, Unicrimp, is now the exclusive distributor of the original, multi-surface sealant and adhesive brand, OB1, through the UK electrical wholesale channel.

OB1 is a market-leading, high-spec hybrid construction sealant and adhesive with a tried and tested formulation and has been used by the trade for over 15 years.

What makes OB1 stand out is its versatility, flexibility and its 24-hour full curing time.

Available in a range of colours, this one product can bond and seal an extensive range of materials including aluminium, wood, metal, steel, concrete and glass. OB1 also works in damp conditions and even under water.

Unicrimp, unicrimp.com

ANSELL LIGHTING STREETS AHEAD WITH MAGNA LED

VENT-AXIA WELCOMES HEAT & BUILDINGS STRATEGY Vent-Axia has welcomed the Government’s ‘Heat & Buildings Strategy’ that was published ahead of COP 26. The company is delighted the document identifies the importance of air quality and ventilation in the Government’s vision for a greener future. The strategy brings together the Government’s work on energy efficiency and clean heat, laying the foundations for net zero buildings in the UK by 2050.

However, it also includes air quality within its five core principles to guide action in the 2020s and longer-term transformation to net zero. Containing its own sub-section entitled ‘Improving Air Quality’ the document recognises the vital importance of reducing the build-up of harmful levels of air pollution within homes. This can occur if ventilation is not considered when improving the air tightness of a home to improve its thermal efficiency.

“We welcome the Government’s Heat and Buildings Strategy since at Vent-Axia we are committed to public health by improving indoor air quality through ventilation while at the same time making sustainability attainable for our customers”, says Lena Hebestreit, Marketing Manager at Vent-Axia.

Vent-Axia, vent-axia.com

Robust, reliable and high performing, Ansell Lighting’s Magna LED Street Light is the ultimate streetlight, providing powerful illumination in open outdoor spaces.

Ideal for both street and area lighting and in spaces such as pedestrian zones or car parks, the Magna LED Street Light incorporates advanced lens technology for optimum performance and control, delivering an evenly distributed, cool white light alongside an extremely low ‘G3’ level of glare.

Available in 30w, 50w and 70w outputs, the pole and spigot mountable street light is highly durable, achieving IP66 and IK09 ratings thanks to its UV stabilised polycarbonate cover and robust die-cast aluminium housing.

Low maintenance, the Magna LED Street Light has an LED lifespan of L80 B10 54,000 hours and comes with a five-year warranty for added peace of mind. It has also been designed with toolless gear tray removal to make it easy to maintain, has built-in surge protection and an anti-tamper isolation facility.

Ansell Lighting, anselluk.com

www.cmd-ltd.com

60 | December 2021

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25/11/2021 10:04

SPONSORED STORIES FROM THE INDUSTRY

COMPANY SHOWCASE

CENTIEL NAMED AS COMPANY OF THE YEAR Leading UPS manufacturer Centiel has been named as ‘company of the year’

by Building & Facilities News magazine in its industry sector.

Nicola Tromans, assistant editor, Building & Facilities News explains: “Over the year, we look at many different organisations and select just three outstanding candidates as our ‘companies of the year’. Centiel has been selected in the energy and power sector because of the company’s business philosophy, coupled with a truly innovative range of UPS solutions and Centiel UK’s approach to work in close partnership with clients as ‘trusted advisors’.

Mike Elms, managing director, Centiel UK confirms: “I am delighted to be the recipient of this award, particularly in recognising our trusted advisor approach to customers. We are not just selling a ‘box’, what we do is protect people’s, and businesses’, critical power infrastructure. That’s a large responsibility and needs to be right. And we are incredibly fortunate to be part of a research and development team who have been responsible for introducing many of the innovations that revolutionised UPS design. I think of it as our DNA! “Our true modular UPS, CumulusPower, known for its 99.9999999% availability, plus our range of standalone UPS solutions have been developed by world leaders in critical power protection design. Our team are able to offer the most optimal solutions for customers and their individual specific requirements. In simple terms, we do what is best for the customer.

“Our UPS systems now protect the critical power to many leading institutions, including data centres, medical facilities and corporate organisations across the globe. We provide peace of mind to our client base that their power is always fully protected. We are proud to have been selected for this award as it recognises Centiel’s continued contribution to the critical power industry.”

Centiel, centiel.co.uk

SCOLMORE GETS SERIOUS IN THE SMART HOME MARKET Scolmore’s comprehensive range of Click Smart+ products has been created to simplify and streamline connected home products – lighting controls, smart sockets, security cameras and sensors.

It utilises Zigbee technology.

Zigbee certified devices require the Click Smart+ Hub and communicate with each other using a mesh network which creates multiple pathways for the connection of multiple smart home devices without compromising signal and communication range. A key benefit of Zigbee and the new Click Smart+ range is that there is no requirement for a signal repeater, as all the hard-wired devices have repeaters built in.

Installation is simple and flexible, with no additional cables or wall cutting required.

The bespoke Click Smart+ app gives householders ultimate control of the smart devices.

The range comprises the Smart Gateway Hub – the control centre of all Zigbee connected devices, one-gang and two-gang smart sockets, a plug-in smart socket, switching and dimming receivers, camera, PIR sensor, window, and door sensor, plus a temperature and humidity sensor.

Scolmore, click-smart.com

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INTRODUCING THE NEW HEATING RANGE FROM ELECTRICALDIRECT ElectricalDirect has added a number of new heating solutions to its range in preparation for the winter season.

As part of its growing line up, the supplier has introduced an entirely new range of underfloor heating components from market leading brand, Heat Mat. The new stock spans everything from the Heat Mat NG Touch touchscreen thermostat through to the Heat Mat Electric Underfloor heating mat to complete any underfloor heating project.

Several new electric radiators are also now available, including the Rointe D Series electric radiator with Wi-Fi. Featuring smart technology, end users can adjust their radiators from anywhere, with the Rointe Connect LITE app.

The portable Jet Heat industrial electric fan heaters are designed to provide comfortable heat in storage rooms, construction sites, workshops, warehouses and more. These 3kW and 9kW heaters are ideal for smaller poorly ventilated areas as the fans do not consume oxygen and are completely odourless.

ElectricalDirect, ElectricalDirect.co.uk

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COMPANY SHOWCASE

SPONSORED STORIES FROM THE INDUSTRY

AIRMASTER GETS SMART WITH NEW PANEL HEATERS The Airmaster Space Heating range is taking a major step forward for winter 2020/21 with the launch of both remote control and smart Wi-Fi enabled ranges.

New 1500kw and 1800kw aluminium heaters, finished in white, operate by remote control with LCD displays.

Free standing or wall mounted, these panel heaters have 24 hour and weekly timers, two heat settings and come with a one-year guarantee.

But really taking Airmaster into the 21st Century are three new smart Wi-Fi enabled panel heaters. Free standing, there are three options in the range – 1.5kw and 2kw white powder coated steel products, plus the top of the range 2kw heater in impact resistant black glass on a steel body. Digitally controlled via the TUYA app, all smart heaters have two heat settings, adjustable thermostats, overheat protection and 24 hour/weekly timers, as well as being backed with a two-year guarantee.

FORT – THE COMPLETE SMART SECURITY RANGE FROM ESP Leading security solutions supplier, ESP, is enjoying early success with its recently launched smart security range.

Marketed under the brand name Fort, the complete range of smart security products includes intruder alarms, video doorbell, video security light, sensors and a selection of 1080p cameras.

They all operate under a single app – the ‘Click Smart+’ app – which is completely subscription-free, with no additional fees incurred. By bringing the operation of the Fort range under the well-established, tried and tested Click Smart+ app from Scolmore, users have control of a raft of connected home and security products all from one secure, easy to access platform.

At the heart of the Fort smart security range is the smart intruder alarm, which will support up to 32 RF devices and provide remote monitoring and alert notifications directly to the Click Smart+ app. The smart alarm is available in handy kits or can be purchased as separate devices for a tailor-made system.

ESP, espuk.com

CED Electrical, cedelectrical.co.uk

NEW MONSOON ENERGYSAVER INTELLISENSE I7 IS THE INTELLIGENT CHOICE

MEGAMAN LAUNCHES ITS LATEST HIGH BAY OFFERING – GEO 2 Global lighting manufacturer, Megaman, has expanded its impressive product portfolio with the launch of GEO 2, a new and innovative integrated LED high bay lighting system. The system, which can be controlled remotely for ultimate ease of use, provides a durable and energy efficient lighting solution, ideal for all indoor commercial high ceiling areas.

The latest adaptable fixture from Megaman, the new GEO 2 has been designed with a passive cooling structure and lightweight graphene housing. This ensures it cannot overheat from continual use and increases the product’s energy efficiency.

This also impacts on the working life of the product. In fact, GEO 2 has an impressive L70B50 50,000hr usage at Ta40ºC. Longevity is further ensured by its strength and high vandal resistance, with a rating of IK08, plus it is IP65 rated for dust and water resistance.

The cost-effective GEO 2 has a high luminous efficacy of 165lm/W, allowing for significant energy savings in comparison with traditional high bays. Flicker free, the product maintains a consistent output. GEO 2 is also available with a motion sensor remote control.

Megaman, megamanuk.com

www.cmd-ltd.com

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National Ventilation has launched its Monsoon Energysaver IntelliSense i7 fan. A clever multi-function fan, the seven in one IntelliSense i7 bathroom fan is the intelligent choice for wholesalers, electricians and households alike.

With a choice of intermittent or continuous running, this ultra-quiet, ultra-modern, smart bathroom fan runs extremely quietly at low speed at just 17dB(A). The ingenious fan also offers an intelligent humidity sensor, a useful overrun timer and presence sensor, an airing function to avoid stuffy odours in the bathroom, while offering a high performance of up to 110m3/hr.

Versatile enough to ventilate bathrooms, toilets and utility areas, the IntelliSense i7 boasts six core ventilation modes including: three continuous ventilation modes; three intermittent modes; plus, one heat mover mode that allows the fan to transfer surplus heat to an adjacent room. Suitable for installation in wet areas (IP44) such as WCs and bathrooms, the fan offers further installation flexibility since it is suitable for both wall or ceiling mounting.

National Ventilation, nationalventilation.co.uk

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COMPANY SHOWCASE

IDEAL INDUSTRIES EXTENDS RANGE OF WIRE CONNECTOR KITS IDEAL Industries’ range of popular wire connector kits has been extended to include the new Gen II lever wire connectors which are ideal for a quick, simple and safe wire termination installation, with a high level of power consumption up to 32A providing a versatile solution suitable for joining solid, stranded or flexible conductors.

Available in two-, three- and five-port models, they offer a faster, easier and more cost-effective alternative to terminal blocks; cables can be secure in place in seconds, with no need for a screwdriver or crimping, just a simple strip, push, connect action. All models can be used with solid or rigid stranded cables of between 0.2mm2 and 4.0mm2 and flexible cable from 0.14mm2 to 4.00mm2. Each connector features a built-in wire strip guide to enable installers to check the correct stripping length and, for solid and stranded cables, once the wire has been stripped, it can simply be pushed in with no need to lift the lever. For flexible wires, the lever is lifted before inserting the conductor and clamping it into place. The levers have been designed to open in the opposite direction to the insertion port, locking the cables into position to prevent any accidental loosening or pull-out, ensuring a safe and secure connection throughout the lifecycle of the installation.

The Gen II lever wire connector kits contain a selection of Gen II lever connectors, push in connectors and Spliceline connectors and come in two sizes of either 80 connectors or 240 connectors.

Additionally, a new kit has been designed including the popular Data T-Cutter and Twin & Earth cable stripper, plus 20 each of the SpliceLine, two and three port push in and Gen II lever connectors.

IDEAL Industries, idealind.com

PRYSMIAN LAUNCHES INNOVATIVE FLEXIBOX RANGE OF ENCLOSURES

MARSHALL-TUFLLEX LAUNCH A NEW RANGE OF MODERN DESKTOP MODULES Marshall-Tufflex has expanded its Underfloor to Desk collection with a new range of stylish desktop modules, providing professionals with even more choice for modern office applications.

Providing simple, flexible access to power, data and USB charging right at the desk surface, the new desktop modules are ideal for the increasing demand for flexible workspaces, whether they be commercial or domestic office applications. Designed with convenience in mind, the sockets are angled at 45° to accommodate large plugs and transformers and include a master switch with a neon power-on indicator. The ergonomic desktop modules are easy to install with a flat base, so they effortlessly mount to desks and can be attached using desk clamps or adhesive pads, both of which are supplied with the module.

The desktop modules are equipped with fast charging USB type C sockets. For greater flexibility, the 6C cut-out’s allow the end user to populate the unit with their choice of data or multimedia outlets.

Marshall-Tufflex, marshall-tufflex.com

Prysmian Group has launched the innovative Flexibox range of compact and flexible enclosures for internal and external Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH) and Fibre-to-the-Antenna (FTTA) applications.

For FTTH applications, Flexibox is available for the termination of fibre in various combinations including: splice only, pre-terminated fibre, and splice and patch versions.

Each configuration is designed to enable the unit’s fast deployment through easy customer installation and connection.

In the case of a multiple dwelling unit, Flexibox is suitable for use as a basement box. It can accept an external cable for splicing to the individual drop cables, which can be done as a point-to-point solution or through the use of splitters.

For FTTA applications, Flexibox is available in a variety of configurations including fibre only, power, and hybrid fibre/power to enable the termination of hybrid cables faster and more cost effectively.

The fibre/power hybrid box has been designed to enable the termination of Prysmian’s FTTA hybrid fibre and 48V DC power cables to ensure the efficient delivery of power and fibre to remote radio heads.

Prysmian, prysmiangroup.com

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Workstation Powered by CMD 63A Betatrak System

Betatrak is CMD Ltd’s underfloor powertrack solution and has been designed and manufactured in accordance with BS EN 61534-22 Powertrack systems. The 63A Betatrak system caters for Standard Earth, Clean Earth (C/E) low noise, Auxiliary Earth, Dual Circuit or 3-Phase applications. Betatrak comes in lengths of 1.2m, 1.8m, 2.4m or 3.6m with tap-off positions provided at 300mm as standard and supplied with integral fixing brackets and sliding dust covers.

On Desk Power

Under Desk Power

Cable Grommet

Tap-off

• • • • •

A comprehensive range of solutions independently certified to BS EN 61534-22.

Each length of Betatrak is fitted with fast-fit connection and fixing brackets.

Feed units are supplied with a stop-end cap.

Sockets are colour and key coded to avoid installation errors and to ensure a secure tap-off connection.

Tap-off outlets are protected by integral sliding dust covers.

Standard Earth Betatrak

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