SPECIAL FEATURE
CIRCUIT PROTECTION & SWITCHGEAR
BRIGHT SPARKS GO ABOVE AND BEYOND REGULATORY STANDARDS A long-established supplier is urging caution when it comes to a surprising change to regulations for electrical installers.
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Niglon has introduced over 30 new product additions to its already expansive range
iglon has been serving the industry for many decades, and the team has been keeping a keen eye on the changes to the 18th Edition Wiring Regulations. Draft proposals were circulated last year, but the publication of the final amendments has revealed a few surprising last-minute changes, including when it comes to the use of Surge Protection Devices (SPDs). Under the new rules, there are three scenarios where surge arrestors must be fitted: where overvoltage could result in serious injury or loss of human life, failure of a safety service, or significant financial or data loss. But the regulations also state that the owner of the property where the circuit is being installed can opt not to have protective devices included (and accept any risk associated) in ‘all other cases’. Yet Paul Dawson, Commercial Director at Niglon, says he believes most overvoltage issues have the potential to result in injury or worse. “Whether it’s a commercial or domestic property being fitted out, most of these buildings will have people using them for at least a proportion of time – even storage facilities or data centres, for example, need to be checked by a person regularly. That means the risk to life is always there, should the surge occur when the building is in use.
“Given the very minimal time and financial costs associated with fitting surge protection devices as part of an install, we’d strongly urge contractors to include them as a matter of course (and we know this is already the case in certain areas of the UK which are more prone to lightning strikes).” Another change to expectations is the extent of circumstances when Arc Fault Detection Devices (AFDDs) must be used – they are now required on circuits with socket outlets in care homes, purpose-built student accommodation, residential buildings more than 18m or six storeys high, and Houses of Multiple Occupation (otherwise known as HMOs). This means they won’t be required for the majority of domestic installations – although, of course, contractors can choose to fit them if they wish. A Type RCDs are now mandatory for almost all applications (again, an expected change – Niglon halted production of all AC Types a while ago). In theory, AC Types could be used in cases where a fixed equipment load contains no DC components – such as electric heating appliances or filament lighting with no electronic components. But in reality, it’s safe to say A Types are the preferred option in almost all installations going forward. Paul adds: “Adhering to the wiring regulations is the very least expected of electrical contractors – to ensure the very highest standards when it comes to safety, and subsequently enjoy the type of positive reputation which goes hand-in-hand with this, we’d always recommend going above and beyond the basic regulations.” Over the past three months, Niglon has introduced over 30 new product additions to its already expansive range, with a number of these specifically designed to enhance both safety and ease of use for electrical installers. One such product is Niglon’s Switched Line and Neutral RCBO. MCB in size, it provides installers with more wiring capacity within a consumer unit, and it is Double Pole (DP) rather than Single Pole (SP) which means it offers additional safety benefits.
Adhering to the wiring regulations is the very least expected of electrical contractors
Unlike typical RCBO circuits which require the time-consuming disconnection and subsequent reconnection of cables to undertake insulation tests, Niglon’s new DP RCBO isolates both live and neutral currents at the click of a switch – bringing greater time savings and improved protection. Paul says: “Not only are we committed to continually enhancing our product ranges to provide customers with more choice and to fully align with all regulatory changes, but we’re also dedicated to ensuring that our products meet the highest standards of safety at all times. “This is why every single batch of the new RCBOs that comes out of our manufacturing facility are comprehensively tested by an independent third-party test house. Yes of course, each and every of one of our products is fully tested and certified as safe before it launches onto the market – that’s an absolute given. But we don’t rely on this fact. “We have no guaranteed way of knowing that a product that isn’t tested won’t fail, so we don’t take the risk. We test, test, and test again. And, with these latest rules relating to the use of surge protection devices set to come into force, offering the industry complete transparency and peace of mind is now more important than ever.” Niglon, niglon.co.uk
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32 | May 2022
Circuit Protection & Switchgear – Niglon.indd 32
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26/04/2022 16:41
