6 BPMA News
POLES APART
FITTING THE CORRECT RCD
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Michael Mitten, Chief Executive of BPMA member, Houghton International, is taking on a challenge unlike any other.
arly in December 2019, Michael begins a trek across the final degree of latitude, crossing 60 nautical miles (111km) in freezing temperatures and extreme conditions to reach the South Pole. He will be taking on this momentous challenge in memory of his mum, Christine, who sadly passed away in 2016 following a long battle with multiple sclerosis (MS), and to raise awareness of the condition which affects over 10,000 people in the UK alone. Michael had his first experience of the polar wilderness in 2009 when he challenged himself to trek to the North Pole in memory of his dad, Ron Mitten, who he lost to cancer in 2007. Ten years on, Michael felt it only fitting to get both feet under the table, in Polar trekking terms, and embark on a second trek, but this time to the South Pole to support the MS Society. Further information, progress updates and details of how you can support Michael can be found on the challenge’s dedicated website. polesapart2019.com
Traditional AC type RCDs are not suitable for an increasing number of modern DC devices, as the BPMA explains.
ost houses and commercial establishments in the UK have AC rated residual current devices (RCD’s) fitted as standard. These are used to detect and respond to AC sinusoidal wave only. They offer no DC fault protection. In the 18th Edition, BS 7671:2018 – requirements for electrical installations – IET wiring regulation 531.3.3 covers general application areas and futureproofs the regulation recognising the need to verify the selection of an RCD based on the residual current and characteristics of the appliance or loads being connected to the installation. As new electrically powered devices and appliances, including replacement highefficiency pumps and circulators, are introduced to the market, the correct RCD protection must be identified and fitted so that DC protection is in place where required. Property owners and installers need to be made aware of these requirements and take action to ensure the safety of the installation. Various appliances can produce residual currents that are not compatible with AC residual current devices. Consequently, the 18th Edition has been updated to be aligned with existing electrical safety standards adopted in other countries. In Germany and several other western European countries, AC rated RCD’s are no longer allowed due to their restricted protection scope. Therefore, and given that every installation is unique, the BPMA suggests that responsibility for selecting the correct RCD, squarely rests with the qualified installer or electrician. They should always follow the appliance manufacturers instructions on which type of RCD to use; the information for which can normally be found in the installation operating manual (IOM), or in downloadable form on their website. There are many types of RCD’s available, displaying a range of applicable symbols such as AC, A, F, B and B+, which readily allows for the correct one to be selected and installed.
BPMA ACHIEVES RECORD MEMBERSHIP LEVELS Securing the largest membership in the BPMAs history has been just one of several highlights from the last three months.
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any of the BPMA’s 88 members gathered in Crewe for the association’s AGM on 14 November. Updates on the year’s achievements which included the highest membership levels in the association’s history were shared along with details of legislation developments from Europe and around the world, and updates on Brexit via its membership of EURIS. Delegates also enjoyed a presentation from Terry Boniface of BEIS (the department for Business Energy & Industrial Strategy) who gave an update on policy and took questions from the floor. Contributing to the association’s record membership levels were three recent new members. Altecnic manufactures and supplies an extensive range of plumbing and heating components as well as heat interface units. It serves the needs of trade merchants, original equipment manufacturers, plumbing and heating engineers and specifiers across the UK and Ireland. Packaged Pump Systems (PPS) has also recognised the range of benefits available to BPMA members. PPS is a manufacturer
Quarter 4 2019
of pump stations and is an installation/service specialist for the domestic basement market and the light commercial building services/facilities management sector. PDAS (Pump Design and Services Ltd) which is based in Camberley, offers design solutions, cost analysis, installation and ongoing maintenance/servicing to the waste and surface water pump station market. The BPMA is looking forward to their contribution to the association and having the opportunity to support them in their work. The association was also delighted to have its ongoing commitment to providing independent pump training recognised by the judges at this year’s AEMT Awards. The BPMA was voted runner up in the hotly contested Skills and Training category, and it offered its congratulations to Rotomec on their deserved win. Finally, with the dark evenings taking hold and temperatures plummeting, BPMA is looking ahead to spring which brings with it the BPMA Golf day, being held at Belton Woods on 21 May 2020. Full details are available via the BPMA website (bpma.org.uk) and team, and individual entries for what is always an enjoyable industry event are welcomed. www.bpma.org.uk
