SPECIAL FEATURE
TOOLS & WORKWEAR
INSTALLING AN ELECTRIC FUTURE How the big charging infrastructure question is placing a spotlight on the electrical trade, according to Brinley Buckley-Roberts, Product Marketing Executive at C.K Tools
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The success of the EV relies solely on the ability of the UK government
he rise of the electric vehicle (EV) is well and truly upon us, and we are currently witnessing a proliferation of more affordable vehicles hitting the market; it feels very much like 2022 is going to be game-changer for the automotive sector – but also the electrical trade. The reason for the latter comment is that the success of the EV relies solely on the ability of the UK Government and its technology partners in establishing a robust, accessible, commercial, domestic and geographically abundant charging infrastructure. However, there are still many questions to be answered here, given the nature of the UK’s residential set-up. On top of the aforementioned points, the ability of any charging network to deliver quick and efficient charges will be paramount in encouraging consumer adoption of EVs, particularly given the ease with which car refuelling has developed after 100 years of petrochemical fuels.
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“The ability of any charging network to deliver quick and efficient charges will be paramount in encouraging consumer adoption of EV”
Additionally, the likes of the software industry are also helping to increase the pace of change; there’s now software that uses telematics (vehicle trip) data to tell fleet owners which vehicles could be switched to EV, the best vehicles on the market for them and where they should place their own chargers, so the demand is only going to increase. All this means the electrical sector will be under one of the biggest spotlights it has ever experienced – designers, specifiers and installers will all have roles to play. On the installer front, the electrical sector has got on the front foot in partnership with education and training partners across the country, with qualifications now available for practicing electricians interested in understanding how to install the equipment and systems available in public, private and commercial locations – which can be achieved for less than a new tool storage bag and with just 20 hours of tuition. There’s even 22-day courses for applicants with no electrical experience, which clearly shows the way the EV sector is going. There’s a long road ahead for the UK’s charging infrastructure; the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has suggested that the UK needs to increase its 25,000 charging stations ten-fold by 2030 to meet demand. This means there is set to be no shortage of demand for installers, with great opportunity to either switch career focus (whether you’re an existing electrician or not) or supplement the existing workload. But what do installers need to do their job? What tools and accessories? How does it differ from a standard electrician’s or electrical contractor’s kit? The Institution of Engineering and Technology has launched its own code of practice to provide a clear directive on the considerations and mandatories for every type of EV charger equipment installation, in line with the very latest amendment to BS 7671. While a tight code of practice (as you would expect), there is no specific requirement for new tools or accessories that aren’t readily available to the every-day
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electrician, more a requirement of specific tools and accessories to use. As C.K Tools does with most of its product research and development, the company spent some time with its panel of electricians and installers to develop tools and kits specific for this job, to ensure clarity, comfort, control and efficiency on every job. As a result, C.K Tools has assembled two high quality EV specific kits for both existing and newly qualified installers – an EV Hand Tool Kit and EV Power Tools Accessories (PTA) Kit. Combined, they provide an easy one-stop-shop for any installer. The C.K EV Hand Tool Kit (T5984) is a collection of premium hand tools that provide everything needed to get the job done efficiently and professionally. It includes a state-of-the-art C.K Magma Technician’s Wheeled Case packed full of 25 premium hand tools designed to complete the stages of: inspection and quotation; routing the cable from MCB to charger; mounting the charge point; fitting the cable to the charger point; terminating to MCB; fitting an earthing rod; and re-assembling the charge point. The C.K PTA Kit (T5985) – which can be purchased separately – provides a great range of power tool accessories including quality drill bits, driver bits and hole saws to help complete the installation of EV chargers with the minimum of fuss. The new C.K EV specific Kits offer everything needed to complete the steps involved to complete an installation efficiently and professionally. As the landscape changes over the next decade and the way of powering our vehicles becomes more connected than ever before, the impact on the skill, capabilities, qualifications and accompanying tool kits of the EV charge equipment installer may also change. As a business that has been at the forefront of hand tool manufacturing for more than 100 years, C.K Tools says it will continue to ensure its support as the electrical sector navigates one of the biggest demands and opportunities in history on its workforce. C.K Tools, ck-tools.com
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29/04/2022 11:34
