TO EE FR DE RA ET TH
PROFESSIONAL
ELECTRICIAN THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE FOR THE ELECTRICAL TRADE
& INSTALLER
FEBRUARY 2020
LIGHTING FOCUS WHY OVIA IS HELPING INSTALLERS TO SEE THE LIGHT
TECHNICAL & TRAINING WHAT DOES THE FIRST AMENDMENT MEAN FOR EV INSTALLATIONS?
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: NEWS & VIEWS ● CAUGHT ON CAMERA ● NEW PRODUCTS ● GIVEAWAYS AND MORE…
Total Average Net Distribution: 71,632 Certification period 1 January 2018 - 31 December 2018
February 2020 Volume 36 No.2
Regulars 5
VIEWPOINT
11
NEWS
37
21 LETTERS 22 ELEX 28 THE CODEBREAKERS 38 MADE 2 MEASURE 50 MK ELECTRIC INSIGHTS NEW 70 PRODUCTS IN PRACTICE 88 CAPTAIN C-TEC
Technical & Training 31 Automatic disconnection of supply 35 EV charging: what does the new amendment mean?
36 How to install an EV charging DC wallbox
41 Temporary electrical installations
EV charging is on the agenda this year, but do you have the right test equipment?
on construction and demolition sites
58
45 What to be aware of when designing an MVHR system
89
49 Why 2020 is all about commitment for the electrical industry CTEC kits out its latest customer OVIA aims to light the way for installers
We meet Trades Coach, Alison Warner
Products & Business Solutions
Digital Digest
55 Three lighting scenarios – one
89 We catch up with the Trades Coach
simple solution
93 Profiling the newest App and website developments
58 Why OVIA aims to light the way for installers this year
94 The latest videos to land on the
61 What is thermal imaging and why is it useful for electricians?
small screen
97 An extra helping of Caught on Camera from PE’s social channels
64 How one business has benefited from embracing smart technology
Competitions & Giveaways 67 Are you in the market for a new set of wheels for 2020?
70
73 Rounding-up the latest new products and additions to the electrical market
25 WIN A whole host of great goodies are up for grabs this month
46 WIN A MightyRod Pro Cable Rod Super Set could be yours
PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN February 2020 3
@proelectrician
professionalelectrician
Digital Manager RUTH WILLIAMS email: rwilliams@hamerville.co.uk Digital Assistant REBECCA MCGEOCH Advertisement Manager ANTHONY SCOTT email: ascott@hamerville.co.uk Assistant Advertisement Manager IAN TURNER Design ADEEL QADRI Production Assistant KERRI SMITH Group Production Manager CAROL PADGETT Distribution Manager KARL CLARK Managing Editor TERRY SMITH Publisher BRYAN SHANNON Printed by: WALSTEAD PETERBOROUGH Published by: HAMERVILLE MEDIA GROUP Regal House, Regal Way, Watford, Herts, WD24 4YF Tel: 01923 237799 Fax: 01923 246901 Email: pe@hamerville.co.uk PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN is the business journal for the electrical contracting industry. It is available to the trade at leading electrical wholesalers throughout the UK. © 2020
Subscriptions to PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN are available at the following rates: UNITED KINGDOM 1 year (11 issues) — £30 post paid EUROPE and OVERSEAS 1 year (11 issues) — £50 post paid AIRMAIL 1 year (11 issues) — £65 post paid
Image References (Adobe Stock): Pg 6 More info © Momius Pg 49 Electric vehicles © Koya979 Pg 82 EV charging © Sergil Chernov Pg 89 Hitting targets © VegeFoxx
Professional Electrician, Regal House, Regal Way, Watford, Herts, WD24 4YF
Editor’s Viewpoint
Meet the team Editor RICHARD BOWLER email: pe@hamerville.co.uk
pe@hamerville.co.uk
It’s cool to be kind to your customers t was Maya Angelou who first said: “I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel”, and so true are those words. Though it doesn't take much effort to be nice, it should never be underestimated the effect that a bit of kindness can have on someone’s day. This quality is clearly something that the British public holds in high regard, if the results of a recent survey from www.myjobquote.co.uk are anything to go by. According to the results, electricians are ranked as the friendliest tradespeople amongst homeowners. The survey of 1,482 Brits revealed that electricians (75%) are top of the tree, followed by gardeners/garden designers (71%), plumbers (68%), heating/ventilation/AC (HVAC) engineers (64%), window glaziers (60%), painters and decorators (57%), floorers (53%), plasterers (49%), bathroom specialists (44%), roofers (40%), carpenters (36%), builders (32%), kitchen specialists (29%) and, finally, tilers (23%). Additionally, those surveyed were asked to identify the actions taken by tradespeople they appreciate the most, which revealed some interesting results. It found that the things customers most appreciate are:
I
● Not being annoyed and happily providing updates/progress when asked (84%), ● Providing a valid reason and apology for not turning up at all when arranged/agreed (79%), ● Cleaning up any mess before leaving (72%), ● Not getting upset/rude when providing feedback on their workmanship (70%), ● Apologising for being late (66%),
● Asking permission before using bathroom (61%), ● Following-up on a missed phone call (53%), ● Asking permission before making/receiving a phone call (45%), ● Not asking for too many hot/cold drinks and snacks (37%), ● Basic greetings (e.g. saying 'hello' when arriving and 'bye' when leaving etc.) (31%) You would have thought that many of the items on this list would fall into the category of ‘common courtesy’ but clearly these are traits that are missing from some of the professionals that walk into a customer’s home on a daily basis. Thankfully electricians are made of the right stuff and, having worked in this particular sector for just over three years now, I've found every single sparkie I’ve met to be knowledgeable, articulate and, most importantly, friendly. Its gratifying to see this trait now acknowledged by the general public and further cements the electrical industry’s place as the top dog of the trade world. Some say it’s a skill, while others point to the fact that friendliness is simply part of someone’s character that can't be taught. Regardless, the paying public clearly hold an enormous amount of stock in friendliness and kindness when deciding where to spend their hard earnerd money and others would be wise to look in the direction of the electrical industry if they’re after some pointers on how to improve customer relations. After all, it costs a business or individual nothing to show a bit of kindness and compassion. Have a good month and enjoy the issue,
Richard B owler PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN February 2020 5
RDR.LINK
WWW. RDR.LINK: how to use pe’s ENQUIRY SERVICE Never ones to rest on our laurels, we've updated our reader enquiry service to help you to get to the product, business or technical information you require, quickly and efficiently.
Introduced on the PROFESSIONAL back of long-term ELECTRICIAN & INSTALLER public demand, and ensuring that there's no need to panic if you've misplaced a recent SPECIAL REPORT issue, you can now TECHNICAL & TRAINING access a digital copy of your favourite magazine directly from our website. All you need to do is click on the 'Magazine' tab on our website, and you can view the past month's issue in digital format, complete with clickable links to take you to further information about products and articles you're interested in. Don't forget to also sign up for our FREE weekly e-newsletter while you're there, delivering the latest stories from www.professional-electrician.com directly to your inbox every week. E AD E TR TH
6 February 2020 PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN
LOST YOUR BACK ISSUE OF PE? FEAR NOT! TO
How to use rdr.link On certain pages you may read: “To download a technical data sheet for this product, visit: www.rdr.link/EM001” (or similar). Simply enter www.rdr.link/ with the unique 5 digit code into a browser and it will take you directly to the mentioned resource – in this case the product data sheet. Alternatively, you can log directly on to www.rdr.link and type in any of the codes from the magazine into the main search box. You’ll then be directed to the supporting content or resource that you’re looking for. There's a tremendous array of online supporting aids out there for electricians, so our aim is to help to point you in the direction of the best ones without making you do the thinking yourselves. To that end we hope the new system will prove popular. But don’t just take our word for it; give it a try for yourself this month!
EE FR
What is rdr.link? With a wide array of online resources supporting the latest solutions – from videos to technical guides, PDFs to podcasts – it can be a challenge to locate what you need, quickly and efficiently. To ensure you don’t miss out on those valuable resources, we’ve introduced rdr.link – a new, rapid service to transport you immediately to the online resources mentioned in our stories. Replacing our traditional paper ‘Readerlink’ enquiry card, all readers have to do is type the call-to-action codes located on each page into their web browser and they’ll be taken directly to useful online content – whether that be supporting videos, further product information, white papers, technical downloads and more. It’s a simple, direct route to the relevant information online, as an alternative to searching around and trying to find out more via a search engine.
THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE FOR
THE ELECTRICAL TRADE
JANUARY 2020
WHY THE E5 GROUP AIMS TO LEAD THE WAY
IN 2020
LED LIGHTING: HOW TO FIX FLICKER AND GLOW
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: NEWS & VIEWS
● CAUGHT ON CAMERA ● GIVEAWAYS
● NEW PRODUCTS AND MORE…
news @proelectrician
For the latest electrical news visit www.professional-electrician.com
professionalelectrician
pe@hamerville.co.uk
Professional Electrician, Regal House, Regal Way, Watford, Herts, WD24 4YF
Entries now open for leading industry awards The ECA Industry Awards 2020 are now open to entries. The prestigious awards recognise top-performing ECA Member businesses and individuals from across the electrotechnical and engineering services industry. Award winners will be announced during the ECA’s 2020 Industry Awards Dinner, held once again at the Hilton Bankside Hotel in London and supported by headline sponsors Ledvance and Electrium. The full list of award categories for 2020 are: ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Large Contractor of the Year – over £30M Turnover Contractor of the Year – £15M to £30M Turnover Contractor of the Year – £5M to £15M Turnover Contractor of the Year – £1M to £5M Turnover Contractor of the Year – under £1M Turnover Excellence in Training & Development – over £15M Turnover Excellence in Training & Development – £5M to £15M Turnover Best Health & Safety Initiative Best Fire & Security Project Best Client/Partnership Best Corporate Social Responsibility
ECA Director of Member Services, Helen Atkinson, commented: “These awards are an ideal opportunity for ECA Member businesses to showcase their achievements to key clients and other stakeholders, while enjoying a night of celebration and networking with their peers and key supply chain representatives. Apart from the huge sense of pride felt by both business leaders and their staff
teams, winners and runners up have gone on to receive significant ongoing publicity for their businesses.” The all-important closing date for entries for the 2020 awards is 5pm on 13th March. FOR MORE DETAILS ON HOW TO ENTER THE AWARDS, VISIT: WWW.ECAAWARDS.CO.UK OR EMAIL: AWARDS@ECA.CO.UK
Charlie’s top dog in Christmas card competition Apprentice Izaak Bridgeman received an early Christmas present at the end of last year after winning a special Steve Willis training competition. The training specialist decided to try something different for its Christmas cards in 2019 and ran a design competition for its apprentices to enter. There were lots of entries, and after much deliberation the winning entry was awarded to Izaak, a third-year electrical apprentice. Izaak is training at Steve Willis Training’s Portchester training centre, and his winning entry featured his gorgeous dog Charlie – a two year old rescue dog from Cyprus. For his troubles, Izaak won a £100 Amazon voucher, and there was also a £25 voucher for runner-up Gary Bieske whose design was featured online over the festive period. Gary is also an electrical apprentice at Portchester. Managing Director Steve Willis presented Izaak with his voucher.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON APPRENTICESHIPS AT STEVE WILLIS TRAINING, VISIT: WWW.STEVEWILLIS.COM
PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN February 2020 11
news
For the latest electrical news visit www.professional-electrician.com
Midlands contractor welcomes new apprentices I.C. Electrical, a Burton upon Trent-based electrical contractor, has welcomed its latest group of budding young apprentices. The five young engineers will be joining I.C. Electrical’s strong team, working on a range of projects across the UK and abroad. Alongside their on-the-job training, the apprentices will be studying for their qualifications at Loughborough College, but also additional training both on and off site. New joiners to the business include Ryan Sumpter, Georgina Pope, Jessica Robinson, Harry Rapley and Harry Tivey. In their first months, they will be gaining hands-on experience, learning about all aspects of a process installation, as well as further understanding the role and responsibilities as part of their initial four-year journey to become a fully qualified electrician. Shaun Marriott, Engineering Director at I.C. Electrical, said: “Our apprentices are some of the most important team members at I.C. Electrical, after all, they’re the next generation. We’re lucky to have such an enthusiastic and hard-working group join us and I’m sure they will all go far, learning from their studies and on-the-job experience.
“Forging links with local colleges, schools and training institutions is extremely important for us, not only in supporting the local economy, but also strengthening our employment pipeline for the coming years.”
@proelectrician
professionalelectrician
pe@hamerville.co.uk
Professional Electrician, Regal House, Regal Way, Watford, Herts, WD24 4YF
Swansea company is light years ahead Swansea facilities management company DRS FM Services has formed a partnership with international lighting company Philips Lighting to supply and fit its unique flexible, energy saving lighting systems to commercial and office buildings. Engineers from DRS have been trained as Interact Pro installers, enabling them to bring connected lighting to South Wales and beyond. With connected lighting, LED lights with integrated sensors are connected to application software, opening up a whole new world of opportunities. DRS is delivering this in collaboration with EFT Consult, a Swansea-based company that specialises in cutting edge and innovative technologies in relation to the design and consultancy of the built environment. EFT designs the lighting set-up, while DRS fits it. Mark Phillips, MD at DRS FM Services, said: “We’re very excited to bring this superb intelligent lighting to the region. Our staff have now been trained to fit Interact Pro lighting, and we’re pleased to also offer the design expertise of EFT Consult as part of the package. We now have a demonstration building in Fforestfach, Swansea that is fitted with Interact Pro lighting, so
potential customers can come and see what a remarkable difference it can make.” DOWNLOAD THE INTERACT PRO BROCHURE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EM001
news
For the latest electrical news visit www.professional-electrician.com
Dickies kits out BoB project volunteers A 15 year-old boy with cystic fibrosis whose condition has left him housebound has a brand new space in which to be home schooled and meet with friends, thanks to Band of Builders. A team of 22 tradespeople from around the country dedicated their time and skills to extend Kyle Sisson‘s home in Hereford with a dedicated room where he can socialise and do his schoolwork – broadening his living space and improving his quality of life. A national charity run by and for tradespeople, Band of Builders is a community that helps members of the construction industry at times of need through hands-on projects, advice and support. Kyle’s father is a steel erector. “The first day they started it was pouring down with rain, but they still carried on working,” said Kyle’s mum, Debbie. “All the builders have got their own worries, yet they still came and they’re just like one big family.” Dickies Workwear provided clothing to those working on-site, as Marketing Director, James Whitaker, explains: “Band of Builders relies on the support of skilled tradespeople to help people like Kyle and his family and we’re proud to help tell the
story of an important project like this.” To help raise awareness of the important work that Band of Builders does, Dickies has created a video about the special project. WATCH THE VIDEO AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EM002
@proelectrician
professionalelectrician
pe@hamerville.co.uk
Professional Electrician, Regal House, Regal Way, Watford, Herts, WD24 4YF
Make a ‘Bright’ business decision this month Electrical contractors are being encouraged to take advantage of a free business planning event this month. Even the most experienced electrical engineers can struggle to understand how to take a business from simply ticking over to seeing huge results and growth. Finding time to focus on improving profitability and cashflow isn’t always easy, especially when many businesses are saddled with inefficient processes and systems, and little clear understanding of how to get the most from their marketing. Help is on hand, however, from business coaching service Bright Business Advice, which boasts over 20 years’ experience in helping businesses to grow through a proven approach. With support and expert speakers from key industry sponsors, contractors attending the Business Accelerator Summit will learn all the tools, techniques, and processes to free up time, increase revenue and drive profitable business growth – faster. Bright Business Advice owner Emerson Patton has helped over 200 businesses accelerate their growth using this approach, with high praise from former clients. “It’s resulted in a complete transformation of our business,” said Paul Gedney of RJ Wilson.
“We’ve restructured, restaffed, rebranded and refinanced. For every area we’ve found better, more efficient, more effective ways to work, and are now perfectly positioned to continue our growth.” The event takes place in Bedfordshire on Friday February 7th. SECURE YOUR FREE PLACE ON THE BUSINESS ACCELERATOR SUMMIT AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EM003
news @proelectrician
For the latest electrical news visit www.professional-electrician.com
professionalelectrician
pe@hamerville.co.uk
Professional Electrician, Regal House, Regal Way, Watford, Herts, WD24 4YF
Trade Skills 4U pushes electric car to its limits Electrical training provider Trade Skills 4U recently challenged popular YouTuber and electrician Thomas Nagy to drive an electric vehicle from its Gatwick training centre to the newly opened Coventry centre on a single charge. The car chosen for the challenge was the 2019 i3 which BMW claim has a range of 153 miles in optimal conditions, or 140 miles in real world conditions. This particular model was chosen as the distance between the two state-of-the-art training facilities is 137 miles, leaving just a 2% margin for error. Starting the journey on the M23, Thomas began with an extremely optimistic 198 mile range. However, stop start traffic meant this dropped significantly in the first few miles. Average speed limits on the M25 began to claw back some range, with steady 50mph driving ideal for electric vehicles. By the time he reached Junction 17 on the M25, 93 miles from his destination, the range sat at 100 miles and it was becoming ever more likely that the car would make the journey on a single charge. With 33 miles to go, the car still had 40 miles of range and making it to the finish line was never in doubt from this point onwards. At lunchtime, the car turned in to the Trade Skills 4U centre on Westwood Business Park in Coventry with 10 miles left in the battery. Trade Skills 4U ran the challenge to highlight that Electric Vehicles are now a viable option for most people’s lifestyle. “I’m happy that we were able to demonstrate that electric vehicles make a lot of sense for the average commuter,” said Trade Skills 4U’s Marketing Manager, Carl Davenport. “Our EV
Charging Point Installer course has gained a huge amount of attention this year and we expect demand for these courses to grow substantially in 2020. Thanks to the Government’s ‘Road to Zero’ strategy, electric vehicle sales are increasing exponentially, and the UK is seeing a huge demand for qualified electricians to install charging points at owners’ homes.” EV Charging Point Installer courses are now live to book at Trade Skills 4U’s newly opened Coventry centre, as well as the existing Gatwick, Warrington and Leeds training centres. WATCH THE ELECTRIC CAR’S JOURNEY AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EM004
JTL launches #lovemyJTLtoolkit competition JTL is giving one electrical and one MES learner the opportunity to win a fantastic prize worth over £1,000 by entering its #lovemyJTLtoolkit competition. Once JTL apprentices have completed their first three months of training, they’re eligible to claim their free toolkits. Once redeemed, JTL is encouraging the apprentices to make a 30 second video explaining why they love their new tool kit and why they deserve to win the competition. To enter, they simply need to share their video on either Twitter, Instagram or Facebook using the hashtag #lovemyJTLtoolkit and tag JTL. The prize for each winner includes an adrenalin-filled day at the Bear Grylls Adventure Centre (Birmingham) for two people as part of the ‘Big 5 Package’, which includes a dive with black tip sharks and over 50 other species in a tropical tank, as well as an indoor sky dive. The two winners will also receive overnight accommodation with FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE breakfast for two, £500 worth of test equipment or power tools (for #LOVEMYJTLTOOLKIT COMPETITION, VISIT: the electrical winner) and £500 worth of tools (for the MES winner), WWW.JTLTRAINING.COM/LOVEMYJTLTOOLKIT plus an Amazon Fire Tablet for each winner.
16 February 2020 PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN
@proelectrician
professionalelectrician
pe@hamerville.co.uk
Professional Electrician, Regal House, Regal Way, Watford, Herts, WD24 4YF
Letters PE readers share their thoughts on the big industry-related issues.
A moral dilemma Dear PE Before Christmas I undertook an EICR at a commercial laundrette in Hertfordshire and have taken over 100 photos of dangerous electrics, along with a mezzanine floor that’s being held up by a building acro. I then had the moral question of what to do in this particular scenario. It was so dangerous (and not just the electrics) that realistically I should’ve turned the electric off, issued a danger notice and said “you need to make this safe now!” However, had I done that it would have shut this small business down and put everyone employed there out of work just before
Christmas. There’s also the small matter that I couldn’t do the required electrical work until mid-January. I decided that the best action was to walk the client through the site, point out all the dangers to them and issue a danger notice. The client is now fully aware of the danger and we’re looking to fix it ASAP. My question is, what would others do in this scenario and what is the correct protocol to follow? Should we just be able to shut off the electricity to a premises if we feel it is dangerous enough? Yours sincerely, Name and address supplied
PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN February 2020 21
ELEX2020 PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN
Sponsored by
The Electricians’ Exhibition
ELEX 2020 – MISS IT, MISS OUT! With five regional shows remaining this year, take a look at what ELEX visitors have in store for 2020.
NEXT SHOW: EVENT CITY, MANCHESTER ● DATES: MARCH 12/13 ● REGISTER FOR YOUR FREE TICKET AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EM005 22 February 2020 PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN
S Y A W ] A E V I G [
GIVEAWAYS
BAHCO
10 X ERGONOMIC VDE SCREWDRIVER SETS TO BE WON When it comes to safety it’s vital that electricians’ tools meet strict international standards. All Bahco insulated screwdrivers and plier sets meet IEC 60900, but for added reassurance many are VDE certified. To gain VDE approval tools must pass rigorous testing of quality, safety and ergonomic features. Each BE-9882S screwdriver set includes five high performance screwdrivers in different sizes, with slotted or Pozidriv tips, all insulated for safe use up to 1,000V. They’re ergonomic, so they'll protect your hands from the risk of muscle strain or injury as well as being comfortable to use. A three component handle provides excellent grip and has a flat, anti-roll face. Manufactured with high performance alloy steel, with insulation moulded directly on to the blade, they have colour coded symbols on each handle to make the tip you need easy to find. Each set includes the following contents: slotted 3 x 100mm, 4 x 100mm, 5.5 x 125mm, Pozi PZ1 x 80mm, PZ2 x 100mm.
10 to win
3 HULTAFORS TOOLS
to win
3 X HAMMER SETS TO BE WON Whatever type of hammering jobs you have to do, the Hultafors Tools range of hammers delivers all the power and precision you’ll need. This set of three hammers from Hultafors includes a bricklayer's hammer, a carpenter's hammer and a T-Block hammer. They’re tools that can handle the toughest work, delivering the best possible levels of precision, performance and safety. They’re all ergonomically designed for ease of use and come with a special grip technology -perfectly crafted for your needs.
ENTER THE FREE DRAW AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EM006
ENTER THE FREE DRAW AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EM007
IDEAL INDUSTRIES EMEA 4 X CONTRACTOR LOCKOUT/TAGOUT KITS TO BE WON Many accidents (and even deaths) are caused by the unexpected energisation of circuits, machinery or other electrical equipment. Implementing appropriate lockout/tagout procedures can prevent these types of accidents from occurring. IDEAL’s Lockout/Tagout kits help to achieve compliance with The Electricity at Work Regulations and related HSE Guidance Notes on safe working practices. There’s a total of four different kits in the range – from a low-cost Personal Lockout/Tagout kit containing just two devices, a padlock and ‘Do Not Operate Tag’, through to a Domestic kit and 2 x Contractor kits containing a broad range of devices that allow installers to provide safe isolation by locking off virtually all breakers on the market today. The 44-985UK Contractor kit, of which two are available, is primarily aimed at contractors working on industrial, commercial and domestic installations. The kit is supplied in a handy zipped pouch to help keep it close to hand and easily accessible. ENTER THE FREE DRAW AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EM008
4
to win
PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN February 2020 25
THE
CODEBREAKERS Darren Timbrell: Found this cheeky bit of work recently. The panel said ‘not in use’, but it was still live with 240V, no grommet, no containment for single cables, not double insulated cable and the supply was ropey too. The whole place needed ripping apart.
This, sadly, is a common sight in many commercial premises. To start with the IP rating on the top surface of the controls enclosure is not at least IPXXD or IP4X, so there is a likelihood of access to live parts which would give a C1 code. Cables with only basic insulation are not taken into an enclosure, or contained in an adequate conduit, trunking or duct. There appears to be no cpc, which means the source of the supply and equipment being fed would need to be investigated, to ascertain the full risk to life from this circuit. In any case it would constitute a C2. The cables are not supported adequately to ensure there is no strain on terminations. Where the cables seem to emerge from between plastic mini trunking and a wall, there is a risk of mechanical damage to the conductors. Given the cable colours of the conductors, it’s very likely that this supply and apparent modification has been in place and operating for a number of years. It shows just how vital the correct upkeep, maintenance and periodic inspection of electrical systems is, to ensure these poor methods are found and made safe.
The Observations, Regulation infringements and Codes applicable to this observation would be. Top of enclosure has opening exceeding IP4X/IPXXD, access to live parts
416.2.2
C1
Unsheathed cables not contained in conduit trunking or ducting
521.10.1
C2
Basic insulation not taken inside an appropriate enclosure
526.8
FI C2
Absence of a cpc
411.3.1.1
FI C2
Cables not adequately supported, risk of strain on terminations
522.8.5
C2
Cables not protected against mechanical damage
522.8.1
C2
GET THE BOOK AND CRACK THOSE CODES! Updated for BS 7671:2018, NAPIT’s EICR Codebreakers publication is purpose-written to aid contractors, inspectors and clients, and now includes updates to align with the 18th Edition of the wiring regulations. A 2018 Professional Electrician & Installer ‘Top Product’ award winner, the book is the perfect technical aid for electrical professionals and their customers.
28 February 2020 PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN
Need help with cracking those all-important EICR codes? Every month the technical team at NAPIT will be studying your latest ‘Caught on Camera’ photos and offering advice on the next steps, should you find a similar installation. If you want the team at NAPIT to help crack your codes then send your pictures through to us at: pe@hamerville.co.uk
Terry Day: The quickest way to get to heaven? I found this whilst working at a church in Brighton and it was live. There were no shelves available so they were using then next best thing!
This is an appalling find; the socket-outlet has been deliberately removed and pulled forward to facilitate dual-use as a storage hook for a metal paint roller. The sheer lack of care and understanding is staggering. There is a very high risk of electric shock from contact with the metal section of the roller head, coupled with a distinct risk from plugging in and removing items of equipment from the socket-outlet itself. A combination of weight from the paint roller and the lack of support fixing for the socket outlet will also increase the strain on the terminals, which could become loose and be a potential fire risk or increase the shock risk still further if the terminals release the conductors located in them. To add insult to injury the cable supplying the socket-outlet is not adequately supported/contained and may well contribute to the strain on the terminals, exacerbated by the paint roller hanging from the socket-outlet faceplate.
The Observations, Regulation infringements and Codes applicable to this observation would be. Access to live parts
416.2.1, 416.2.3
C1
Inappropriate use of equipment, not installed in conjunction with the manufacturer’s instructions. Liable to cause serious electric shock, access to live parts
416.2.1, 134.1.1
C1
Cables not adequately supported, risk of strain on terminations
522.8.5
C2
The 18th Edition Codebreakers publication is priced at £17.99* (members) or £19.99* (non-members). Hard copies and digital issues are available. * prices exclude VAT, postage and packaging
VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EM009
Technical & training
TAKING YOU STEP BY STEP THROUGH PROCEDURES AND REQUIREMENTS FOR ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS
Automatic disconnection of supply
T
his article discusses the protective measure Automatic disconnection of supply (ADS), typically used in most electrical installations as a means of providing protection from electric shock. Also included is an overview how ADS may be verified in an installation. Introduction
Regulation 411.1 of BS 7671 states that ADS is a protective measure which consists of provisions for basic and fault protection as described below: Basic protection
Basic protection is necessary in preventing contact with live parts and is usually verified during an inspection. The risk of contact with live parts may occur as a result of damage to cable insulation or enclosures or because of missing barriers.
•
barriers or enclosures should provide a degree of ingress protection against solid objects of at least IP2X or IPXXB, Regulation 416.2.1,
•
the horizontal top surface of a barrier or enclosure which is readily accessible must provide a degree of protection against solid objects of at least IPX4 or IPXXD, Regulation 416.2.2.
or location must be satisfied. For example, in a room containing a bath and/or shower, the particular requirements of Section 701 supplement the requirements of Part 1 – 6 of BS 7671. Fault protection
IP2X denotes that the enclosure is protected against access to hazardous parts when tested with a British Standard test finger having a diameter of 12 mm and length of 80 mm. Such a test confirms that any object 12.5 mm or greater in diameter is not liable to insertion. IPXXB describes a level of protection whereby a standard test finger 80mm long and 12 mm in diameter can enter an enclosure, but there will be adequate clearance from live parts.
For the protective measure of ADS, fault protection should be provided in accordance with Regulation Group 411.3, in which the requirements for protective earthing, protective equipotential bonding and automatic disconnection of supply under fault conditions should be satisfied. For protection against electric shock, the magnitude of the fault current needs to be sufficient to cause automatic disconnection of the protective device for the circuit within the maximum permitted time specified in BS 7671. Verification of fault protection
IP4X denotes that at no point on the surface of an enclosure must the insertion of a wire or object greater than 1 mm in diameter be possible.
In order to verify compliance with BS 7671, knowledge of the earth fault loop impedance is required for each circuit that relies on ADS as the protective measure against electric shock, Regulation 643.7.3 refers.
It is a requirement of Regulation 411.2 that all electrical equipment should comply with at least one of the provisions for basic protection described in Section 416 and where appropriate 417.
IPXXD indicates that where the insertion of a wire or object 100 mm long and 1 mm in diameter is possible, adequate clearance from live parts is provided.
Where it is safe to do so, earth fault loop impedance testing should be carried out at any relevant point within the installation, including:
The basic requirements for protection against the ingress of solid objects are that:
For areas where there is an increase in risk of electric shock, any particular requirements pertinent to that installation
For example, it is not uncommon to find a metal-clad consumer units with all the ‘knock-outs’ removed or the absence of a suitable barrier for an unused spare way, as shown in Fig 1.
•
The origin.
•
The furthest point of every distribution circuit.
•
The furthest point of every final circuit.
Cover plate
Front lid having no means of being securely fixed in the closed position
Missing blanking plate
Fig 1
Carrying out a test at the origin of the installation determines the integrity of the external earth fault loop impedance Ze which forms part of the earth fault loop path for every circuit within the installation, as shown in Fig 2. Carrying out an earth fault loop impedance test will confirm that the intended means of earthing is present and its measured
Unclosed holes creating a risk of contact with internal live parts
PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN February 2020 31
Technical & training Earth fault loop impedance testing remains the most common method used to verify circuit disconnection under earth fault conditions. Ω
Earth loop impedance of distribution and final circuits
Pfc
201000 kAV 500 V 2000 A 250 V
200 A
OFF
TEST
Ω Ω 2000
20 Ω
200 Ω
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The test should be carried out at the furthest point of each distribution and final circuit to confirm that the value of line-earth loop impedance Zs is suitably low to achieve ADS for the circuit within the relevant maximum time specified in Regulation Group 411.3.2.
Loop
Earthing conductor
30 mA RCD
L
N
Circuit wiring omitted for clarity
Fig 2
Earth fault loop impedance path
value of impedance is appropriate for the type of supply. However, before undertaking such a test, the installation should be isolated from the supply1 and the earthing conductor should be disconnected from the main earthing terminal or otherwise separated from all other bonding and circuit protective conductors likely to form parallel Earth paths. NOTE, before the installation is reenergised the earthing conductor must be reconnected. The maximum external earth loop impedance values measured or otherwise determined in accordance with Regulation 313.1, may differ from the values published by the Distribution Network Operator (DNO) for each type of supply, for example: •
0.8 Ω for TN-S,
•
0.35 Ω for TN-C-S.
Where the measured values of Ze significantly exceeds those stated, the person ordering the work must inform the relevant DNO.
1
Tables 41.2, 41.3 and 41.4 of BS 7671 give maximum permitted values of Zs for different types and ratings of overcurrent protective device in addition to maximum permitted disconnection times. Where the protective device is a non-time delayed RCD the maximum values of Zs can be found from Table 41.5. The values in Table 41.5 are intended for a TT system however, these may also be applied to a TN system. Verification of test results
Before comparing measured values of Zs with the maximum permitted values given in BS 7671, the measured values obtained should be adjusted to allow for an increase in conductor temperature, which is the difference between the temperature of conductors during the test and under fault conditions. The requirements for disconnection are satisfied when the measured value does not exceed 0.8 times the relevant tabulated value as described in Appendix 3 of BS 7671. To conform to Regulation 14 of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, unnecessary work carried out on or near live conductors should be avoided where ever possible.
continuity testing to the external earth fault loop impedance Ze test result. In addition, it is recognised that where an RCD is installed Regulation 643.7.1 permits ADS to be verified by confirming the effectiveness of the RCD using suitable test equipment. This method of verification excludes the need to obtain further values of Zs. However, the related circuit should also incorporate an overcurrent protective device, Regulation 411.4.5 refers. Summary
Automatic disconnection of supply (ADS), is typically used in most electrical installations as a means of providing protection from electric shock and is made up of two parts; basic protection and fault protection. Basic protection is a preventive measure against coming into contact with live parts. Fault protection requires the protective devices to operate within a specified time under fault conditions. Carrying out an earth fault loop impedance test is the most common method used for verifying circuit disconnection, although this may increase the risk of unnecessarily coming into contact with live parts. Where an RCD is provided upstream to the protective device, verification of ADS maybe achieved by confirming the effectiveness of the RCD.
The NICEIC and ELECSA publication; Inspection, Testing and Certification (18th Edition) provides practical guidance on inspection and testing.
As an alternative to taking a direct measurement and to minimise the risk of contact with live parts a calculated value of Zs may be acquired for a circuit by adding the (R2 + R1) test results obtained during
Guidance on an appropriate safe isolation procedure is outlined in the Electrical Safety First publication Best Practice Guide 2
•
For other guidance and publications please see the NICEIC and ELECSA website. For information about the NICEIC and ELECSA Approved Contractor or Domestic Installers schemes, visit www.niceic.com, www.elecsa.com or call 0333 015 6626
www.niceic.com | www.elecsa.com
32 February 2020 PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN
TECHNICAL & TRAINING
EV CHARGING: WHAT DOES THE AMENDMENT MEAN?
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ECA’s Energy and Emerging Technologies Solutions Advisor, Luke Osborne, looks at what to expect in the upcoming Amendment to BS 7671:2018. mendment 1 is solely focused on section 722: electrical vehicle charging installations. It is a response to changes in technologies that are now available which enable the increased roll-out of safe and practical electric vehicle charge points (EVCPs). Aside from several minor alterations, the main change to 722 is in 722.411.4.1. This lists the exemptions for when a PME earthing facility may be used as the means of earthing the protective conductor contact of a charging point, if located outdoors or when it might reasonably be expected to be used to charge a vehicle located outdoors.
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What does the Amendment say? Option (iv) has been added to the section, and it states that: (iv) Protection against electric shock in a single-phase installation is provided by a device, or means of functionality included within the charging
equipment, which electrically disconnects the vehicle from the charging point within five seconds in the event of the utilisation voltage at the charging point, between the line and neutral conductors, being greater than 253V rms or less than 216V rms. For the purposes of this requirement, “electrically disconnects” means that the line, neutral and protective conductors are disconnected in accordance with Regulation 543.3.3.101(ii). The device or means of functionality shall provide isolation and be selected in accordance with Table 537.4. Fundamentally, this exemption regarding earthing is a major change, as it allows for simplified connections of EVCPs and in many cases removes the need for the onerous installation of earth electrodes. Although these enable a suitably low resistance and provide a functional earthing system,
as required in 722.411.4.1(ii) or when used in 722.411.4.1(iii) as an earth reference, they could disrupt hidden underground services. Minor changes also include rephrasing of the calculations in Annex A722, which is intended to make them more universally understood. Information regarding RCDs has been removed from 722.531.2 and is now in 722.531.3, along with additional references to type F RCDs, which can be used in combination with a residual direct current detecting device (RDC-DD) – which, as the name suggests, works specifically with regards to DC. Overall, ECA welcomes this amendment as it will help to increase deployment of safe EVCPs in this fast-growing area, potentially increasing installer business and, crucially, increasing public confidence in the EV revolution. GET MORE ECA 18TH EDITION PRACTICAL GUIDES AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EM010
PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN February 2020 35
TECHNICAL & TRAINING
EV INSTALLATION GUIDE: ABB TERRA DC WALLBOX reparing the site The first job in any project is planning and preparation of the site. That starts with a site visit to confirm the location and available capacity of the distribution board and to plan the cable route to the EV charging place. It is also necessary to apply for a permit or to inform the local Distribution Network Operator of the plans. This requirement was initiated by the Energy Networks Association in February 2019 to help utilities plan and meet demand. DC wallboxes rely on data communication to manage payments and for remote monitoring, so an internet connection is also essential. The Terra DC Wallbox has its own wireless 2/3G modem that comes with a SIM card pre-loaded by ABB. For sites with no wireless signal, such as underground
P
car parks, a standard wired connection will be needed. Mounting requirements It is important to identify a suitable location for mounting the wallbox. The Terra DC Wallbox requires a minimum space of 900 x 1,200mm, including space for clearance around the unit, as well as ventilation and cooling air flows. For outdoor sites, provision should be made to prevent snow or other blockages
36 February 2020 PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN
building up over the vents on the top and bottom of the unit. The charge cables of the Terra DC Wallbox reach from 3.5 to 7 metres long, so it is important for the owner of the site to plan the arrangement of parking bays carefully. If you’re not careful, you might end up with cables that don’t reach charging points – and frustrated drivers. To avoid this, ABB’s installation manual includes detailed diagrams with suggested alignment for parking bays. Choosing the right unit When you’re ready to order the wallbox, it’s worth remembering that most customers will want outputs for both CCS and CHAdeMO vehicles. However, some car dealerships may want either one or the other of these. For customers in the UK, the Terra DC Wallbox European
should be chosen. It contains contact blocks for connection to a three-phase and neutral supply. Another important point when ordering the hardware is that the contractor should allow for external RCDs. The Terra DC Wallbox provides fast charging at 24 kW and is designed for drivers to undertake a decent top-up within 1-3 hours and get back on the road – perfect for a commercial site.
Installation Installation can take place when the wall preparation is complete, all necessary permits have been secured and a grid connection is available. As with any project, the contractor should follow the wiring regulations and safety guidelines. ABB’s installation manual includes detailed guidance on how to check the condition of the unit upon delivery, as well as how to unpack and prepare the unit for mounting, connection and configuration. Commissioning and operation The final phase of an installation project is commissioning, which must be performed by a certified service engineer. The engineer will need to register the wallbox
with the ABB helpdesk – this process takes anywhere between half an hour and an hour. This can be done remotely, but a number of conditions must be met first, including the availability of power and internet access, the presence of a local technician for assistance and to switch on the power, and CCS and/or CHAdeMO vehicles for testing. Once registered, the engineer can view the unit on the system, set the upstream fuse size, enter a contact name for the owner of the unit and perform a test charge. The engineer will also need the name and location co-ordinates for the site, as they will add the charger to ABB’s monitoring system. This ensures that ABB can provide support by diagnosing issues, recommending maintenance and providing support from its remote centre throughout the life of the unit. DOWNLOAD THE ABB DC WALLBOX PRODUCT LEAFLET AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EM011
TEST EQUIPMENT? GET ONE STEP AHEAD 2019 PE Top Product award winner, the Metrel A1532 EVSE Adapter offers basic functional EVSE tests by simulating a vehicle connected to the charge point as well as access to the complete charger system to allow the electrical tests to be performed. The Metrel multi-function testers, MI3152XC and MI3125BT, with their fast, repeatable, non-trip loop tests, and their easy-to-read dot matrix screens make the ideal combination for any engineer testing EVSE points. Additional benefits of the Metrel test system is that there is an autosequence for testing charge points so each stage of the test and the results can be recorded and stored on the tester for later certification against the charger serial number, which can be instantly read using an optional bar code reader; ideal for a busy engineer undertaking EICRs for fleets of chargers.
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DOWNLOAD THE METREL TEST EQUIPMENT FOR CHARGING POINTS BROCHURE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EM012
PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN February 2020 37
Working on your own? Need some technical advice? Don’t know where to turn? Ask Megger. What it doesn’t know about installing and testing electrical systems isn’t worth knowing. Every question will be answered by the Megger Technical Team, and the best will be published in Professional Electrician. So, take advantage of the ‘every question answered’ guarantee today. email your questions to: meggermeasures@hamerville.co.uk
You asked: I’VE RECENTLY STARTED DOING SOME INDUSTRIAL TESTING WORK. I CAN MANAGE PRETTY WELL WITH MY EXISTING TEST KIT, BUT MOTORS ARE A BIT OF A PROBLEM AS I HAVE TO USE SEVERAL DIFFERENT INSTRUMENTS TO TEST THEM PROPERLY. IS THERE AN EASIER WAY?
We say: You’ll be pleased to know that there’s now a very convenient solution to this common problem: the new Megger MTR105 all-in-one tester for low-voltage motors. It’s a compact but very robust hand-held instrument that performs insulation resistance, PI and DAR tests at up to 1,000V. The test voltages are stabilised, temperature compensation is automatic and there’s a guard terminal to minimise the effects of surface leakage. The MTR105 also does four-wire low resistance testing, as well as offering capacitance, inductance and temperature measurement, plus phase rotation and diode checking features. In short, it can handle every routine test you need when you’re working with motors – and you’ll find it’s also useful for a wide range of other jobs. It’s even got an internal memory that stores up to 256 test results, so you won’t have to fiddle about with paper and pen while you’re working on-site, and a CAT III 600V safety rating. If you’re working on industrial systems regularly, you’ll find an MTR105 saves you a lot of time and trouble! WATCH THE MTR105 PROMOTIONAL VIDEO AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EM013
38 February 2020 PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN
TECHNICAL & TRAINING
TEMPORARY ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS ON CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION SITES very year, the use of electricity on construction sites results in accidents from electric shock and burns which can be serious or even fatal. This article will consider the various regulations and requirements applicable to temporary electrical installations in construction and demolition sites.
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The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HSAWA) The HSAWA places a duty on every employer to ensure so far as is reasonably practical, the safety and welfare at work of all employees. The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (as amended) These regulations place a requirement on every employer to assess every work activity in order to identify any hazard that employees or any other person might
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NAPIT’s Don Holmes offers clarification and advice for contractors.
encounter as a result of the work being carried out. HSE document INDG 163 gives advice on these regulations.
BS 7671:2018 Section 704 of BS 7671 contains requirements for construction and demolition site installations.
The Provision and Use of work Equipment Regulations 1998 (as amended) All electrically-operated power tools are covered by these regulations. HSE Approved Code of Practice L22, Safe use of work equipment, contains advice which has legal status.
The Construction (Design and Management) Regulation 2015 (CDM) The CDM regulations apply to all building and construction work and include new build, demolition, refurbishment, extensions, repairs and maintenance. HSE publication L153 contains guidance on the CDM Regulations.
The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 (EAWR) The EAWR apply to all situations involving electricity at any place of work. They place legal obligations on both employers and employees. Guidance can be found in Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, Guidance on Regulations (HSR25).
Electrical contractors starting work on a site Site requirements must have a site-specific induction informing persons of the particular risks associated with the site and the arrangements made to control those risks. The detail provided will be determined by the risks involved.
Requirements for Electrical Installations
Construction site facilities and equipment
PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN February 2020 41
TECHNICAL & TRAINING
Fig 1
Fig 2
Fig 3
requiring an electrical supply On a typical construction site for the construction of blocks of flats, the facilities and equipment requiring a temporary electrical supply include:
supply cables to be terminated in a safe, secure and robust way. BS 7671 states that a PME facility shall not be used for a means of earthing unless all extraneous-conductive-parts are reliably connected to the main earthing terminal. Since most electricity suppliers will not guarantee the integrity of the supply Earth, they will usually provide construction sites with a TT supply, which requires an RCD to protect the overall installation. Regulation 704.411.3.2.1 of BS 7671 states that an RCD with a rated residual operating current not exceeding 500 mA must be used.
Fig 4
Three-phase 400 Volts ● Tower crane. (Fig 1) ● Batching plant. (Fig 2) ● Hoists. (Fig 3) Single-phase 230 Volts ● Offices. ● Welfare facilities. ● Personnel security gate. (Fig 4) ● Exterior floodlighting. (Fig 5) Reduced Low Voltage (RLV) 110 V ● Socket-outlets and site lighting. 50 V ● Portable hand lamps. 25 V ● Portable hand lamps for use in confined or damp situations. Where an RCD protects a tower crane supply, it will need to have appropriate trip current and time-delay settings to avoid unwanted tripping and to achieve selectivity (discrimination) between RCDs. Temporary Electrical Supply Temporary supplies for construction sites often present challenges when the power requirements are estimated. Provision needs be made for temporary
Generators As an alternative to a temporary electrical supply from an electricity supplier, or to supplement the supply, portable generator(s) may be used (Fig 6). The manufacturer’s instructions must be followed. Electrical site distribution equipment All units for the distribution of electricity are to comply with BS 4363 Specification for distribution assemblies for RLV supplies on construction and building sites. Socket-outlets to BS EN 60309-2 are designed to prevent plugs designed for one voltage being connected to socket-outlets of another voltage. This is achieved by different positions of the keyway in the plug and socket-outlet. Plugs, socket-outlets and cable couplers are colour- coded to identify the rated voltage (Table 1). A typical range of site distribution equipment is illustrated in Fig 7.
42 February 2020 PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN
Fig 5
● Supply incoming unit (SIU) ● Mains distribution unit (MDU) ● Transformer unit (TU) a TU 1 unit for single-phase 230 /110 V. TU 3 for three-phase 415 / 110 V. ● Outlet unit (OU) for 110 V 16 A or 32 A socket-outlets. ● Extension outlet units (EOU) for 110 V 16 A socket-outlets.
Fig 6
Cables Cables should be installed in ducts below ground level, typically 0.5 metres. A record of the location should be recorded using maps or plans showing route and depth. Alternatively, a suitably protected overhead cable can be run at a suitable height. All distribution cables which carry 400 V or 230 V on a construction site must have a metal sheath or armour which is effectively earthed. Lighting In order that work can continue effectively and safely in periods of insufficient natural light, suitable internal and external artificial lighting must be installed. The Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act allows Local Authorities to undertake action when external light
emitted from premises is prejudicial to health or is a nuisance. Testing and inspection Table 3 of IET Guidance Note 3 Inspection and Testing, recommends that construction site installations should be inspected and tested every three months. Portable tools used by contractors must be tested and proof of testing retained before they will be allowed on-site. IET
Fig 7: Typical Range of Distribution Equipment
Code of Practice for In-service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment, Table 7.1 provides guidance for formal inspections to be carried out and recorded at monthly intervals and combined inspection and testing every three months. Conclusion Construction sites are one of the more challenging environments to the safe use of electricity, as work is carried out in all weathers. Damp and wet conditions and sites which are constantly changing as work progresses can increase the risk of electric shock. Consequently, diligence and observation of relevant requirements are all the more necessary.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON NAPIT SCHEME REGISTRATION, VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EM014
PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN February 2020 43
TECHNICAL & TRAINING Semi rigid ductwork is ideal for smaller developments
There is now a growing demand for whole house ventilation systems with Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR). Christian Rehn, National Design & Project Manager at National Ventilation, answers some key questions around designing a system. customer wants me to install an MVHR system where do I start? When installing a whole house ventilation system good design is vital. This ensures the system provides the correct levels of ventilation and will physically work within the structure. When it comes to designing the system, you need to be familiar with the range of technologies available such as MVHR, as well as specialist knowledge of the equipment or software programmes to correctly calculate the pressure in the system over a given length of ducting. This can be quite daunting if you’re unfamiliar with ventilation system design. Luckily, there are design services available, such as the free service National Ventilation offers, which can help electricians by designing the ventilation system for their project. The free design services include a full design, kit list and recommended duct routes – whilst ensuring Building Regulations compliance.
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ASK THE EXPERT:
DESIGNING AN MVHR SYSTEM How do I choose the correct whole house ventilation unit for the project? We recommend mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) as the best solution for new builds as it is a controlled way of ventilating a whole property, and it saves energy by recovering heat that would otherwise have been lost. You can control humidity, CO2 and indoor air quality. MVHR systems need to be properly designed to ensure you buy a correctly sized unit. If an MVHR unit is oversized it won’t provide efficient ventilation for the home. If it is undersized there won’t be adequate levels of ventilation, which will lead to poor indoor air quality and problems with condensation and mould. The ventilation designer will use architect drawings and property
details to enter this data into an airflow calculator. This ensures that the ventilation specified can meet the airflow demands of each room. Once the total airflow figure is calculated an MVHR unit can be specified to meet these requirements. What type of ducting should I use with MVHR? Larger projects generally use traditional rigid ductwork which requires experience and time to install correctly with a number of connections needed. For smaller developments we recommend semi-rigid radial ductwork which is a cost-effective and simple alternative. Simple installation means fewer mistakes with even a novice able to install it to a high standard, resulting in an airtight installation and
PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN February 2020 45
TECHNICAL & TRAINING
PRIZE DRAW
Ducting can be run through webbed eco joists
MVHR can often be located in a loft, however, if a project has vaulted ceilings another location is required improved system performance. Semi-rigid radial ducting is both low profile and flexible meaning it is perfect for installing in places where space is restricted. Semi-rigid ducting is available in 50m rolls which can then be cut to the appropriate length, meaning far fewer connections, easy routing and supporting of the duct, when compared with traditional rigid ductwork. With a plethora of plenums and accessories available, this system can overcome over 99% of issues that may occur on-site. Radial ducting can also be used in Passivhaus projects.
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What controls should I use with an MVHR unit? Traditionally MVHR is boosted on bathroom lighting but not every bathroom visit is a shower or a bath and so systems can boost unnecessarily. As an alternative, an in-duct humidistat can be fitted in the ducting, meaning the boost only triggers when humidity rises, avoiding nuisance running. It’s also quicker and more cost-effective to install, as electricians only need to wire the humidistat back to the fan. Meanwhile, the latest MVHR units, such as the Monsoon Energysaver IntelliSystem Heat Recovery Unit, feature wireless commissionable controls via an App, encouraging best practice and high performance through simplified commissioning, saving installers time on-site. My customer is worried MVHR may be noisy – is this true? As long as the MVHR system has been designed, installed and commissioned correctly it won’t be noisy. Using the relevant acoustic test data, manufacturers are able to model the operating conditions of the MVHR unit and understand the acoustic properties. When on trickle, therefore, the MVHR is so quiet that it should not be heard.
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46 February 2020 PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN
hen it comes to innovation, the C.K MightyRods cable routing products are unrivalled and, with the added benefit of 100% splinterproof rods, thanks to their unique SplinterShield coating, they provide maximum safety. Working with professional tradesmen has enabled C.K to develop advanced cable routing options for safe and efficient working conditions. This includes the C.K MightyRod PRO Cable Rod Super Set (T5422) – the ultimate cable rod kit, offering the most advanced collection of MightyRods and accessories. The set includes: 12m of 100% splinter-proof rods for longer cable runs; four rod flexibilities for overhead, under floor, tight angled and obstructed runs; 10 x time-saving accessories for pulling, pushing, hooking and illuminating; glow in the dark phosphorescent GLO rod for guiding a run of rods in low light conditions; super flexible, low friction Spira-FLEX rod for tight angled access points; and super tough ‘MIGHTY FIX’ zinc plated connectors, with tensile strength in excess of 275kg.
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Technical & training
John O’Neill, Director of Technical for NICEIC & ELECSA, gives us his take on the bigger picture for the years ahead and offers his predictions for training patterns in 2020.
“COMMITMENT-PHOBES, WATCH OUT in 2020!” he last decade was not a great one for reputation of the construction industry in many ways. We witnessed the tragedy of Grenfell and felt the criticism of the Hackitt review of building regulations. Whilst we can’t change the past, we can change what we all do in the future. Now more than ever, as we face increasing demands on our skills and time, the electrotechnical industry must come together to promote what we do. We must become a positive force, supporting each other and making our profession more attractive to younger generations and customers alike.
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Changing policy and expectations The new Government has already begun to outline changes to policy and consumer expectations and demands are starting to alter too. All of this will drive challenge and opportunity. The ability to demonstrate competence is set to become increasingly important in a post Grenfell world – but what needs to sit alongside it is a willingness to stay committed to our industry. As proud tradespeople, we know that competence is fundamental to ensure that we operate
safely and effectively, but beyond that we also need to commit to: l discuss, debate and treat each other with respect l accept when things haven’t gone right and make changes to improve l keep our skills, knowledge and experience up-to-date I’ll be working with colleagues across the industry to ensure that we keep to these pledges and hope that 2020 will provide opportunities to show this in action. EV will be the training option of choice According to Neil Vincent, our Head of Training, these commitments, especially the focus on skills and knowledge, are already beginning to take shape. He predicts that many electricians will make electric vehicle courses their training option of choice this year. He says: “We’ve seen a huge rise in contractor interest in training regarding electric vehicles. Over 1,000 contractors came through our doors to complete the 96 EV courses that we held last year.” With the TESLA Model 3 becoming the third bestselling vehicle in the UK, the second-hand market for this type of vehicle is growing steadily. Volkswagen
has also announced that it expects to produce a million electric vehicles by 2023. As such, Neil believes that consumers are starting to show their willingness to commit to electric vehicles. “Our training provides the basis to develop knowledge and skills in this area. It is supported by a range of leading manufacturers in this sector and provides a sound understanding of the requirements surrounding installation and OLEV funding”, he explains. “It covers the requirements of BS 7671 with regards to Section 722 on electrical vehicle charging points, discussing installation in both residential and commercial settings. It allows participants to understand how to install these points in compliance with BS 7671, the Electrical Safety Quality and Continuity Regulations and the new IET Code of Practice, and will be updated as/when the first amendment lands. “With 67 courses scheduled for the first quarter of this year – across 20 locations – there are plenty of options to choose from.” GET DATES, AVAILABILITY AND BOOKING DETAILS FOR THE NICEIC EV TRAINING COURSE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EM017
PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN February 2020 49
NSIGHTS OPTIMAL AND EFFICIENT CHARGING With the majority (84%) of British employees using their smartphones for as many as 120 hours per year during the working day1, it is important for electricians to be aware of the most efficient mobile device charging options available. Emma Segelov, EMEA Marketing Operations Manager discusses. According to Ofcom, 78% of UK adults now own a smartphone, compared to just 17% in 20082. Widespread smartphone usage is also driving uptake of other mobile devices, such as smartwatches. Six in 10 owners use wrist-worn technology every day, and many report improvements in their physical health as a result. This category is also predicted to grow in the next year3. Despite improvements in battery life, mobile devices need to be charged regularly and many people now demand access to power on the go. USB integrated socket outlets are a prime solution, as they offer convenient access to power and, unlike conventional switchsockets, do not require the use of an adapter to charge different devices. However, the crucial point to remember is not all USB integrated sockets are created equal. Products can vary greatly in terms of quality, so there are certain key features that contractors should look out for. The first thing to consider is if the socket has Dynamic Device Recognition (DDR). This detects nuances in charging configurations from a range of manufacturers and reacts accordingly, to ensures that each device recognises the USB socket outlet as it would its own charger, and therefore draws current to the level for which it is designed for optimal and efficient charging.
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Any USB integrated socket should also be electrically protected against an overload in the case of a short circuit, preventing damage to both the socket itself and any danger to the user. Don’t forget to look for a unit which has a three-pin “child resistant” shutter system on the conventional switchsocket outlet too, as this feature is designed to inhibit access to the electricity supply unless all three pins are in position, to prevent electrocution. Finally, products which are engineered to fit into a standard 25mm back box are perfect for retrofit opportunities, to avoid having to channel walls. For electrical contractors, offering USB charging options is an opportunity to upsell, demonstrates a
real understanding of a client’s current and future needs, and offers a great value-added service to stand out from competitors, driving loyalty from customers who have had a positive user experience. Sources 1 https://workplaceinsight.net/over-three-quartersof-uk-employees-use-their-smartphones-in-the-wo rkplace/ 2
https://www.ofcom.org.uk/aboutofcom/latest/features-and-news/decade-of-digitaldependency
3 https://store.mintel.com/uk-wearable-technologymarket-report
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About it! Luceco L uc ce ec co lights lig the Daily Mail il Gr Group ro oup Br Break reak e Ou Out ut Kit Kitchens tc chens and T Tech e ech B Bar! ar! a ARTNERSHIP WITH POWERBASE VICES LIMITED HA L LUCECO UCECO IN P PARTNERSHIP POWERBASE BUILDING SER SERVICES HAS S RECENTL LY S DAIL LY MAIL GROUP WITH CUTTING EDGE LED LIGHTING RECENTLY SUPPLIED THE DAILY OCA AT TED A T THEIR L F OR THEIR BREAK OUT KIT CHENS AND TECH BAR L FOR KITCHENS LOCATED AT LONDON ONDON HEADQU ARTERS. HEADQUARTERS. Luc Luceco’s eco’s C Contour ontour LED luminair luminaire e was was artistically artistically installed installed in amongst provide amongst timber beams to to provide sympathetic energy saving gy sa ving lighting sympathetic ener enhanced architectural ed the ar chitectural which enhanc interior erior design ffeatures eatures of the int acilities, the body of the of the ffacilities, luminaire displayed Matt Black. tt Black e displa yed in Ma luminair Contour from Luceco om Luc eco is a linear C ontour fr luminaire providing luminair e pr oviding individual or continuous illumination ontinuous runs of illumina tion c many commercial or man yc ommercial suitable ffor environments. The he LED lighting en vironments. T consists connectable ssystem ystem c onsists of c onnectable offered modules off ered in 600 mm, 1200 mm, 1500 mm and 1800 thatt can be surf surface mm lengths tha ace mounted, mount ed, suspended or rrecessed. ecessed. Seamlesss runs of ener energy saving Seamles gy sa ving cost effective c ost eff ective LED ED lighting can be created interconnecting power cr eated with int erconnecting po w connectors. and module c onnectors.
The more The Tech Te e ech Bar required required a mor modernistic approach Contour modernis tic appr oach with C ontour providing architectural providing an ar chitectural element to area to the design of the ar ea with the luminaire displayed body of the luminair e displa yed in Graphite Grey. Manufactured Gr aphite Gr ey. Manuf actured as a premium extrusion pr emium aluminium e xtrusion with high opall hi h quality li polycarbonate l b diffuser, micro prism or asymmetric
optic distribution distribution options, Contour Contour has a full range range of illuminated illuminated interconnecting interconnecting modules as well well as an integrated driver integrated driv er with quick electrical connectors connectors ffor or ease of installation. Interconnecting installation. Int erconnecting modules include corner connectors, corner c onnectors, T junction and j ti d cross pieces. i To create an enhanced lit environment with the use of the area in mind, each installation required a different colour temperature output. The Tech Bar required a cool clean light at 4000K and the more relaxing space in the Break Out Kitchens, a warmer white at 3000K.
Contour Contour has a 5-year 5-year extended extended warranty warranty available available and offers offers over over 100,000 100,000 hours operational operational lif life, e, with no maintenance maintenance over over the lifetime lifetime of the luminaire, luminaire, an important factor factor when considering considering applications applications such as commercial commercial environments environments where where 24 24 hours a da day y oper operation ation may ma y be rrequired. equired. Other options direct indirect ect lighting include dir ect and indir distribution well DALI ALI and dis tribution as w ell as D emergency Self-Test variants. ariants. emer gency SelfTes e tv Luceco’s downlighters Luc eco’s Element do wnlighters were Pod seating w ere used in the P od sea ting areas. fire ar eas. Element is a fir e rrated ated luminaire luminair e suitable ffor or rresidential esidential commercial industry sectors, and c ommercial indus try sect ors, applications in particular ffor or applica tions with ceiling voids. Offered small c eiling v oids. Off ered in 8W att 800Llm, Element has an efficient a heatt sink design ffor hea or optimum performance increased perf ormance and incr eased spring into ceiling height ffor or fitting int oc eiling thicknesses thicknes ses of up tto o 40mm. Variants V ariants include sstandard tandard output warm or dimmable in either 3000K w arm white efficacy whit e or 4000K, all with an efficac y 100Llm/cW. 100Llm/ /cW c .
Installation is made easy with a Plug and Play connector, specifically specific cally designed with a te driv driver rremote emo e ve er with a wire-in wirre-in e connector firstt and second second or o firs c onnector ffor installations, tallations, fix electrical ins possible by sssible b y a loop in / made pos loop out clip and fit tterminal. erminal. available Element is a vailable with a selection interchangeable bezels of int erchangeable be zels including flatt and be bevelled matt gloss fla velled in ma tt and glos s white, chrome, whit e, polished chr ome, brushed nickel. ssteel, teel, black and black nick el. Other luminaires luminair es in the Element ffamily amily
include a 7W regressed downlight and adjustable 8W downlight version, all benefitting from Plug Play connectors and Pla yc onnectors ffor or ease of installation. ins tallation. Luc eco is a manuf acturer and Luceco manufacturer dis tributor of high quality and distributor inno vative LED lighting pr oducts, innovative products, wiring ac cessories and portable accessories po wer pr oducts ffor or a global power products cus tomer base customer base..
F FOR OR MORE INF INFORMATION ORMATION C CONTACT ONT TACT S SALES A ALES ON: 01952 sales@luceco.com 100 email: sales@luc ttel: el: e 0 1952 238 10 eco.com www.luceco.com www..luceco.com PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN February 2020 53
PRODUCTS & BUSINESS SOLUTIONS
THREE SCENARIOS: ONE SIMPLE SOLUTION n an almost daily basis, we hear from contractors who encounter problems with LED dimming and, more often than not, the problems they face all derive from the same set of problems: a) LED inrush current b) Compatibility c) Labelled wattage d) A mixture of all three. To demonstrate, we’ll now talk you through three scenarios that electricians all faced in the same week. In each scenario our technical team could have helped avoid the problem altogether by being brought in by the contractor at the beginning, rather than the end.
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SCENARIO #1: THE RESTAURANT With 56 lamps on one single circuit, a restaurant due to open the very next day, and a grid dimmer that wasn’t working as expected, this scenario left one electrician in a very tight spot. With a wattage range of 5-250W/VA, Zano’s ZGRIDLED+ is a grid dimmer that can deal with much more than most.
However, with 56 lamps on one single circuit it wasn’t hard to figure out what was causing problems with this dimmer. Take 56 LED lamps, all listed as 4.4W on the box – and you might be fooled into thinking that the total load is just under 250W/VA. But, unless you’ve calculated the true load of the circuit – how much power each lamp actually consumes and factor in inrush current (that spike in current being drawn by the LED power supply) – you’ll be left with a much larger load than a 250W/VA dimmer can cope with. SOLUTION: Unfortunately, with the restaurant due to open the next day there wasn’t much Zano could do at this stage of the project. The ZBARLED1000 would have been the ideal product for this sort of load, but it was too late into the project at this point to install one of the remote dimming packs.
Zano’s technical team recounts three recent queries it faced and why each could have been resolved by using the right dimming products. ZANO TAKE AWAY: 56 lamps on one single circuit is a long shot, and to make matters worse, an LED’s inrush current is often not
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included in the wattage on the label. In Zano’s testing lab we’ve seen lamps regularly quadruple their labelled wattage, with one 5W/VA downlight reaching 20W/VA. Not every lamp has such a significant inrush current: some LEDs spike only slightly above their labelled wattage, with many lamps from reputable LED manufacturers keeping inrush to a minimum. When calculating the wattage of your installation, leave a generous inrush allowance or have your lamps tested independently before fitting on-site to ensure complete compatibility with the chosen dimmer. SCENARIO #2: CHANDELIER With a bespoke chandelier correctly installed and connected to Zano’s multi-point ZSMARTLED through 3-core and earth wiring – two electricians were left in a state of confusion as to why, when turned on, the chandelier (and the dimmer) completely shut down. ZSMARTLED is designed as a dimmer for LED, and it didn’t take the tech-team long to uncover that the problem here was with the lamps. Tungsten lamps were being used and they completely shut down having been paired with a dimmer designed for LED.
SOLUTION: When using a Zano Controls digital dimmer, all you need to do is pair the dimmer with good quality, dimmable, LED lamps. In this case the tungsten lamps were swapped out and replaced with good quality, dimmable LEDs. ZANO TAKE AWAY: Check that the correct light fittings have been supplied/bought prior to installation and do your calculations before costing up the project. When using a Zano LED digital dimmer, make sure you purchase good quality, dimmable lamps from reputable LED brands. SCENARIO #3: THE OFFICE The final electrician had installed eight 600 x 600 LED panels in an office environment and paired them with Zano’s ZBARLED remote dimming pack. Despite this being the right dimming solution – ZBARLED can cope with the huge inrush current generated by the LED drivers attached to LED panels – the LED drivers installed in this instance were causing the ZBARLED to shut down completely. Now, the ZBARLED can cope with up to 100A of inrush, but any more than that and extra ZBARLEDs need to be added to the circuit. The technical team investigated the problem and, unsurprisingly, found that the LED drivers on these panels were extremely aggressive. Also, in this instance, they were generating more than 100A of inrush, despite on-the-box advertising suggesting that the light output of these panels was 40W LED. SOLUTION: A simple but costly fix (if not previously factored in). In this case the electrician had to add an additional
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ZBARLED to the circuit – it solved the problem in no time, but the additional ZBARLED remote dimming pack hadn’t been quoted for at the beginning of the project. ZANO TAKE AWAY: Drivers for LED panels are notoriously difficult to dim, not because they can’t be dimmed but because there’s a huge disparity between the wattage listed on the LED panels box and the power it consumes at start-up, with many manufacturers listing lower amperage for the same wattage drivers.
ZBARLED is a remote dimming pack that can cope with even the most challenging of LED drivers, providing you’ve made sure the installation is calculated correctly, and tested before quoting for the project. Adding an additional ZBARLED remote dimming pack to the circuit is a simple solution to cope with more than 1000W/VA LED – as long as it’s planned for. From project planning to lamp testing and everything in between, Zano solves LED dimming problems. DOWNLOAD THE ZANO CONTROLS MINI CATALOGUE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EM018
PRODUCTS & BUSINESS SOLUTIONS
MAKING LIGHT WORK OF IT
Promising electrical contractors a broad range of highquality, competitively-priced lighting products that offer ease and speed of installation, we find out why the future looks bright for OVIA. uring 2019, leading electrical solutions provider, Scolmore Group, made a significant investment in its successful OVIA brand of lighting to create a dedicated, independent lighting company – OVIA. The aim was to bring to the professional electrical contract market a vastly extended range of high quality products that are competitively priced and available through the reliable wholesale channel. The OVIA product offering now covers a much wider range of sectors alongside the mainly residential one previously serviced. These include commercial, industrial, utility, amenity, emergency lighting and floodlighting.
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Building on success OVIA is not another new LED lighting company – the name is a familiar one in the industry. It was first introduced by Scolmore in 2011 as the umbrella brand for the company’s growing lighting collection. Having enjoyed considerable success with it during the last eight years, Scolmore recognised the huge market potential that the transformation of the lighting sector has brought in recent years, with the emphasis on energy efficiency and connected systems. The new OVIA lighting range has been developed with this in mind and includes a full range of lighting control solutions that will optimise energy saving credentials. A lot of work has gone on over many months to ensure that the OVIA lighting range meets all the requirements of today’s contractors. Their needs –
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identified through constant engagement with them – have been instrumental in getting the right product mix together. Contractors will also have the reassurance of ongoing support from OVIA by way of constant price checking, providing technical support through the dedicated customer service team, plus access to free training to ensure they’re totally up-to-speed with the latest products and technologies. Lighting experts at the helm Heading up the business is industry expert, Mike Collins, supported by a highly experienced sales team who are tasked with taking the new OVIA offering out to customers across the UK. Mike comments: “Our aim is to provide contractors with a broad range of lighting products that are quick and easy to install
This can all be handled through the local ASMs who are all qualified to carry out site surveys. With all the relevant information and measurements acquired and a site survey completed, a suitable lighting scheme will then be designed, and the proposal and quotation supplied.
and will save them time and money on any given project. We believe that we have a winning formula with this new OVIA range. We already have a reputation for quality and reliability and we believe we’re hitting the market at the right time to fill a gap for a broad spectrum of entry level lighting products that are highly competitively priced and offer a range of unique features and benefits. “We’ve got some fantastic products in the collection and had a great opportunity to get some feedback from the industry when we took them to ELEX in Sandown in November. The most common reaction was that contractors felt they were being listened to and we were bringing out products that cater directly for them.”
The OVIA team will continue to engage with contractors throughout 2020 via attendance at some of the industry’s leading events including ELEX and NICEIC Live, as well as through its dedicated YouTube channel SGTV. This is where valuable insight and feedback is gained to help shape the product development programme and will ensure that wholesalers have access to those products that their customers want. Lighting design service As part of a commitment to deliver a first class service, a dedicated OVIA lighting design service is available, allowing customers to access free lighting design schemes for their commercial projects.
Product spotlight Some 400 individual products made up the first phase launch in November. The premium products within the OVIA lighting range come under the Inceptor brand. Inceptor is already a well-established and highly-regarded brand among contractors – think Nano, Omni, Pico and EVO. Now a raft of innovative new products have been added to the Inceptor range, with special features and benefits that set particular products apart, such as the ability to use the Flow connector for speed and ease of installation, as well as the offer of additional warranties. Complementing the lighting products offer is a range of sensors to control devices – microwave and PIR control options. The benefits are numerous: they can add convenience, help save costs, improve safety and reduce environmental impact. This extensive collection means that contractors now have access to a huge increase in lighting products and solutions that provides them with opportunities to take on bigger, more complex projects that can help boost their earnings.
OVIA PRODUCTS: THREE OF THE BEST 1. INCEPTOR SLATE OVIA is the first company to introduce a commercial LED panel with pre-wired Fast Fit Flow Connector as standard. 2. INCEPTOR IONA The only commercial downlight on the market that has an integrated Flow Connector. 3. INCEPTOR APTO An unusual, adaptable commercial downlight that can be retrofitted into a range of cut-out sizes. DOWNLOAD THE LATEST OVIA LIGHTING CATALOGUE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EM019
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PRODUCTS & BUSINESS SOLUTIONS
THE HEAT IS ON Following the launch of its GTC 400 C thermal imager, the experts at Bosch tell us more about how this technology can help electricians in their everyday work. hat is a thermal image? A thermal image shows the distribution of temperatures within a measured area, with every pixel containing information about one temperature. Just like a visual image, a thermal image is the sum of many temperature pixels put together.
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2m, so with a bigger distance, the measured results can be less precise, i.e. due to high humidity, which can influence the result.
radiators, or using the cold detector to assess the efficiency of the insulation. Thermal images help identify faults faster and showcase the electrician’s competence and efficiency. At what distance are measurements most precise? The closer the distance to the measured object, the more precise the measurement is. The recommended detection depth is
How can you make temperature differences visible best in a thermal image? The Bosch GTC 400 C thermal imaging camera displays temperature differences for you. The more the temperatures
What and where does a thermal imaging device measure? A thermal imager measures the surface temperature of objects and displays it as a thermal image. Temperature differences and heat distribution can then be made visible very easily by setting different colour scenarios to show contrast. Why is a thermal imaging device useful for an electrician? Thermal images can help trade professionals to pinpoint and highlight issues that otherwise would have been hidden to the naked eye. Applications include checking the effectiveness of fuse boards and for defected or overheated areas, Inspecting underfloor heating and
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deviate from one another, the clearer you can see these deviations in your thermal image. Again, setting different colour scenarios helps to identify the issue by highlighting the contrast. The tool also has a manual temperature range function whereby the user can set the desired temperature range to best target their area of interest. With a min/max temperature range of -10˚C to +400˚C, the GTC 400 C has a use for every electrician’s need. Do you have to consider anything when measuring different surfaces? In order to receive the best possible result, you need to adjust the emissivity in the settings, which varies among different materials. For the most frequently used materials, the GTC 400 C contains a shortlist, along with a corresponding emissivity. Nevertheless, user-defined values can be entered as well. A useful list of common materials can be found in the operating instructions of the tool. What does thermal resolution 160x120 mean? The thermal resolution follows the same principle as a normal camera, i.e. the GTC 400 C has 160 pixels horizontally and 120 vertically in the camera. In total, that is 19200 pixels, where every single one contains a temperature. These measured pixels are combined into a thermal image and then shown in the display to give a more detailed image for the user. What makes the Bosch GTC 400 C so easy to use? 1. The large 3.5” colour display clearly shows measurements to the operator
and the big buttons ensure the user can handle the keypad easily and intuitively. 2. It offers an optimised field of view of infrared sensor to interior applications. Users can capture a bigger scenario from closer distances (especially in narrow areas and small rooms e.g. with furniture inside). This is useful to check larger areas, such as radiators whole windows or underfloor heating in a room. 3. IP53 dust and splash protection on the GTC 400 C provides a feeling of security and safety, especially for on-site users. This is shown through the lens protection cover for camera protection. The tool is extremely user-friendly, sensing when the lens protection cover is still on and giving the user a nice animation on the display to help them to open the cover. 4. The GTC’s dual power source provides flexibility whilst on the job, being powered by either the Bosch Professional 10.8/12V Li-Ion battery packs or by 4 x AA batteries using the AA1 battery adaptor. Being able to professionally document images is also a key consideration for any tradesman. How does the GTC 400 C help this process? a) The unit features internal memory for more than 500 pictures. b) A visual camera is integrated to save the real image together with the thermal image. It also helps with customer explanations as thermal and visual images can be shown side-by-side once transferred to a laptop. c) The integrated WiFi Hotspot enables fast and easy picture transfer from the GTC 400 C to the Measuring Master
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App. Measuring Master allows thermal images to be commented on and markers can be set to highlight findings inside the image. Thermal images can then be sent to customers, colleagues or office staff within seconds. d) A microUSB enables easy data transfer to a computer and the GTC transfer software helps to create reports easily. Thermal images can be edited inside the software to highlight findings in more detail and create a report instantly. What is included with the GTC 400 C? The GTC 400 C is supplied in a Bosch Professional L-Boxx for easy storage and stacking. Additional accessories included within the L-Boxx include: 1 x 10.8/12V Bosch Professional battery pack, 1 x GAL 1230 CV battery charger, micro USB cable, hand strap, operating manual and calibration certificate. All Bosch tools come with a one year warranty, which can be extended to three years if the user simply registers their tool on the Bosch Professional website.
APPLICATION EXAMPLE: UNDERFLOOR HEATING If you want to make the heating cables of a floor heating system visible, you turn the system off, let the floor cool down and start the floor heating system at its highest level again. You're then able to see the heating cables very clearly.
WATCH THE SUPPORTING BOSCH GTC 400 C VIDEO AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EM020
PRODUCTS & BUSINESS SOLUTIONS
SMART AS YOU MEAN TO GO ON We talk to Lightwave PRO installer, Stephen Boarder of S. Boarder Electrical, to find out why his company has benefitted from some ‘smart’ decisions. ell us about your history of working with smart electrical products. How has your business evolved? Smart technology is something I’ve always been interested in, especially since starting my apprenticeship back in 2002 at the age of 16. I’ve been in the game for 17 years now and I can see it’s the future, being able to control everything from your phone while having it automated for you. I’ve seen smart systems move forward through the years, working on them in businesses, offices, colleges etc. and now it’s becoming a lot more affordable for homes as well.
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Why would you recommend other electricians get involved in smart lighting? It’s a bit of a no brainer really – everybody we speak to is interested in having smart home features in some way, shape or form in their house. There’s such a massive market for it now, especially nowadays given that there are so many big brands involved. With the right training, electricians can offer a lot more to their customers.
How did you get involved in the Lightwave PRO scheme? By absolute fluke! I had heard about Lightwave before and seen a few of the Connect Series products around, however it was a friend of mine – Mathew Hawkridge from Infinity Lighting – who recommended that I check out Lightwave’s newer Smart Series devices when I required some smart home solutions on a job. I rang Lightwave and, luck would have it, the company was about to launch its professional installer offering. I ended up taking a trip down to Lightwave’s head office and was the first person to receive the PRO training. There are certified NICEIC staff members at Lightwave who helped perfect the Lightwave PRO training course through a few workshops and trial sessions with other qualified electricians like myself.
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What has been the main advantage for your business since becoming a Lightwave PRO? After completing the training and learning about the Lightwave system, it just gives me so much more to offer my clients; to go into someone’s house, office, or industrial space and give them so many more ways to control anything electrical. Even simple things like having a socket that you’ll know is going to turn your hair straighteners off when you leave the house, or lights that turn on and off in different rooms around
your house when you’re not home. Those are the types of benefits that people are willing to buy into, they just need to be offered these options as a possibility. Have you got a favourite Lightwave installation project? I’ve got Lightwave stuff all around my own house, but apart from that I’ve actually got two pretty interesting recent jobs I used Lightwave for. The first was the job I’ve mentioned previously where I initially heard about Lightwave PRO. The customer had built quite a large luxury house on a plot of land and wanted smart switches and sockets throughout the entire house. Using the Lightwave system, I was able to automate the entire property, from flood lights coming on when the customer arrived home to door sensors that trigger different scenes around the house before and after dusk. The second interesting Lightwave installation was for a commercial client who found my contact details through the installer map on Lightwave’s website. They had big industrial sized pumps that used a massive amount of electricity. I set up a system where the pumps were connected to Lightwave relays that could be controlled by a smart dimmer or by the Lightwave App. The clients ended up saving a lot of electricity and hundreds of pounds per month with the added control, mainly being able to switch the pumps off with a custom schedule when they weren’t being used. What do you think the future holds for this industry? Well the future is here already. Everything out there now is all geared up for smart technology – TVs, mobile phones, voice speakers, doorbells. Apart from my own personal interest in smart technology, my business offers smarter installations to stay ahead of the game, and I feel that I’m at the beginning of the curve really. It’s only a matter of time before smart home becomes the centre of the electrical installation market. The most important thing now is for the workforce to catch up and for tradespeople to make sure they’re trained and capable to offer the right solutions to their customers.
LEARN MORE ABOUT BECOMING A LIGHTWAVE PRO INSTALLER AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EM021
PRODUCTS & BUSINESS SOLUTIONS
TIME WAITS FOR NO VAN In the market for some new wheels in 2020? We round-up the latest models and future technologies that will help to keep your business rolling this year.
UPDATED VAUXHALL COMBO Hands up all those that remember the Vauxhall Astra Max? Like us you’re clearly older than you look because, amazingly, it was way back in 1986 that the model was launched into the popular Bedford van family. After evolving into the Combo in the nineties, and various upgrades and facelifts through the noughties, the popular van is still going strong with the fifth generation unveiled late last year. Today, of course, Vauxhall is no longer going it alone, becoming part of the massive PSA Group brand in 2017, and the latest model benefits from a switch to the PSA running gear, which innovatively combines a passenger car modular front chassis to an upgraded commercial vehicle rear chassis. A distinctive new squarer shape provides a small van with big ideas, such as the possibility to get up to one tonne of cargo in the back, loading volume of 4.4m3, loading length of 3,400mm and a cab which is one of the most spacious and storage friendly in its class. And, thanks to a van first, a sensor-based load indicator offers a preliminary warning if the weight
exceeds above 80% of the permitted load followed by an orange exclamation signal for anything unlawful, so that the driver can rest assured that they are always operating within the designated boundaries for this type of vehicle. In fact, the new Vauxhall Combo has a number of features which reflect the attention the PSA design boffins have given to the everyday requirements of potential customers. As well as a low floor for easy access, and wide rear doors to load two Euro pallets, tradespeople, in particular, will appreciate the Flexcargo option, a clever package which features a bench seat easily adaptable to a variety of usages. The passenger seat folds down for extended cargo length up to 3.4m, or folds up to enable safe cargo storage of 500 litres within the cabin. The system features an electric, rather than floor mounted, park brake, ensuring a wider and more comfortable middle third seat, which can again be folded down to reveal a mobile office table. A sturdy bulkhead, with or without a window, separates the load area from the cab
whilst another potentially useful option is a built-in roof flap. The Combo will be available in two lengths and one roof height, and there’s also a five seater crew van. A choice of three trims are offered, the basic Edition plus Sportive and LE NAV, which bumps up the kit for smaller business users, although there are plenty of different options, including an additional sliding door, to meet most requirements. As you would expect, safety has been prioritised and a special pack will provide lane assist, traffic sign recognition, a tiredness alert and automatic emergency braking with forward collision alert. According to the manufacturers, fuel economy has been improved by around 16% with the new models offering up to 67.3mpg and segment leading emissions from 109g/km. All important infotainment is provided by Apple CarPlay and Android Auto via an 8” colour touchscreen, with rear view and passenger side door mirror cameras aiding blind spot detection. DOWNLOAD THE BROCHURE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EM058
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MAN TGE It may be small, but the new MAN TGE really comes into its own for construction professionals. With its variety of versions and its individualised body solutions, it can be perfectly tailored to your requirements. The van’s potential is only surpassed by its functionality. From perfect load compartment dimensions to numerous storage compartments in the cockpit – almost everything has its place. A total of 18 driver assistance and safety systems are available on the range that comes in panel van, combi van, chassis cab and crew cab variants.
FORD TRANSIT CUSTOM PLUG-IN HYBRID Combining zero-emission driving capability and no range anxiety, the Ford Transit Custom Plug-In Hybrid van can be charged with mains electricity for a pure electric driving range of up to 35 miles – contributing to reduced local emissions and allowing the vehicle to enter the growing number of ultra-low-emission vehicle zones being introduced across Europe. Featuring a technologically advanced hybrid architecture, the Transit Custom Plug-In Hybrid offers a generous net payload of 1,130kg and unchanged load volume of 6.0m3 are facilitated by careful packaging of the compact battery pack beneath the floor. Giving confidence to businesses, the battery pack is covered by a standard eight-year/100,000-mile warranty.
DOWNLOAD THE BROCHURE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EM023
MITSUBISHI L200 SERIES 6 The new Mitsubishi L200 Series 6 has been engineered to be the most capable pick-up the firm has produced, introducing what it calls ‘car-like’ levels of driving refinement. The pick-up remains tough and dependable with an increased payload of 1,080kg and gross train weight of 6,155kg, plus an upgraded 4WD system to further enhance the off-road ability. Under the bonnet, a new Euro 6d compliant 2,268cc turbo diesel engine and a new six-speed automatic transmission help deliver lower emissions and improved fuel efficiency.
GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EM022
DOWNLOAD THE BROCHURE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EM024
NISSAN NV300 & NV400 Alongside lower emissions, van users can enjoy improvements to comfort and safety with the upgraded Nissan NV300 and NV400. A broad range of engine specifications and body types allows drivers to choose the right vehicle to suit their needs, whilst a host of smart technologies, including Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, offer enhanced entertainment and connectivity. Safety updates see a range of Nissan Intelligent Mobility features installed. DOWNLOAD THE BROCHURE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EM025
PEUGEOT E-EXPERT All new models launched by Groupe PSA will now come with either all-electric or plug-in hybrid powertrains, with the aim for the entire LCV range to be electrified by 2025. The Peugeot e-EXPERT will feature two levels of range – 124 miles with a 50 kWh battery, and 186 miles from the larger 75 kWh – allowing customers to select a vehicle which suits their daily driving needs. The internal combustion engine Peugeot Expert has already seen more than 170,000 units sold globally since its launch, and its electric sibling now joins the Electric e-Boxer in the range. GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EM026
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RENAULT HYDROGEN MODELS Renault’s hydrogen technology vehicles are equipped with a range extender fuel cell, providing electric and thermal power of 10 kW, increasing the range of Master Z.E. Hydrogen and Renault KANGOO Z.E. Hydrogen to over 350km. MASTER Z.E. is equipped with two hydrogen tanks located under the body, with no compromises on the load volume from 10.8m3 to 20m3 with a reasonable additional weight of 200kg. GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EM027
Products IN PRACTICE
C-TEC’s ZFP gets Gates into gear C-TEC’s revolutionary touchscreen-controlled ZFP addressable fire panels are protecting Gates Power Transmission in Dumfries. A subsidiary of the giant US Corporation, the company manufactures power transmission belts for the automotive and industrial markets. Supplied and commissioned by leading fire specialist company, CMD Electrical Engineers, and installed by Gates’ own engineering team, a network of eight ZFP one and two loop addressable fire panels connected to over 300 devices – including 90 of C-TEC’s new EN54-23 certified visual alarm devices – were used to upgrade the old fire alarm system. To accommodate the plant’s 24/7 operation, a phased installation was required to ensure at least 90% of the old fire system remained active during the changeover. As the existing system was a mixture of old conventional and addressable panels in multiple buildings, the first step was to install, network and commission the new ZFPs to allow for the phased changeover of each area. The engineers then began the laborious task of working through the old fire system. CMD’s Craig Dolier said: “Gates’ engineers created loops between two radial circuits on the conventional systems and tested the wiring ready for connection. We then upgraded each addressable system to ZFP, working through the radial circuits to make loops and configuring and commissioning the new devices. The facility also had two zone 1 areas which needed to be integrated into the new system. “The new system is a massive improvement on the old multiple one as, if a device previously activated, the area had to be physically visited to find out which one it was. With the new one, however, the identity and location of the triggered device is clearly visible on any one of the eight ZFPs.” A phased evacuation is in operation to minimise false alarms. The first alarm is a pulsing warning signal which will be investigated and silenced if it proves to be a false alarm. If a true fire is discovered, however, a key-switch is turned to trigger the full-scale evacuation of the site. GET MORE PRODUCT DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EM028
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sponsored by www.electricalcharity.org
Thorn puts light where it’s needed for Selco Thorn Lighting has supplied the luminaires for Selco Builders Warehouse as the company embarks on a branch refurbishment and expansion programme. Boasting 66 stores across England and Wales, with branches open for a combined total of more than 5,400 hours a week – or more than a quarter of a million hours a year – the decision was taken last year to fit Selco’s entire branch network with the most high-tech LED lighting. More than half have already completed the change – and those which haven’t will be making the switch in the coming months to complete the ambitious LED lighting refit programme. Thorn supplied luminaires throughout each of the new build and refurbished developments to provide a well-lit, uniform environment that will help to increase sales whilst also providing an energy efficient lighting solution. Selco teamed up with Thorn to bring a responsive sensor-controlled lighting system to each individual branch using HiPak Pro, Aquaforce, Julie and Omega fittings, with sensors operating in tandem with each individual LED luminaire. This enables them to react to the contribution of natural daylight delivered via the transparent roof light panels in-store, thus producing the necessary light levels required,
rather than constantly being at a higher fixed illumination output. By utilising daylight harvesting technology, the efficiency of the lighting system has increased between 10 and 15%. Environmentally, the impact of Selco moving to LED is astonishing, resulting in a saving of almost 69 tonnes of carbon in just one store every year. Scaled over all 66 branches, that represents the equivalent of almost 200,000 trees – or 89 football pitches full of trees. Howard Luft, Chief Executive of Selco Builders Warehouse, said: “The LED lighting upgrade programme has significant benefits for customers and colleagues alike. Builders’ merchants are generally poorly illuminated spaces but the new LED lighting within the branch network has produced a much brighter environment, creating an improved working and shopping experience. “When we look at the savings, both financially and in terms of reducing energy, the results have been as dramatic as they have been impressive”. VIEW THE LATEST THORN LIGHTING CATALOGUE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EM029
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Products round up
CED ELECTRICAL GROUP Axiom Industrial Control Gear The Axiom brand from the CED Electrical Group includes a comprehensive range of industrial control gear, starting with two ranges of rotary isolators that both feature a padlock facility. The first comes in light/dark grey polycarbonate enclosures, is 4 pole, IP65 rated and available from 25 up to 125A. The second is also 4 pole but presented in IP54 heavy duty die cast aluminium enclosures and rated from 32 to 63A. Switch disconnectors and switch fuses follow, both ranging from 20A up to 160A. Supplied in dark grey steel enclosures these control units are 415V, IP41 rated and designed with lockable chrome handles. Complying with BS EN 60947 and CE marked, all Axiom Industrial ranges are built to strict quality standards. GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EM030
AICO Product Selector Issue 10 Aico has launched Issue 10 of its highly popular Product Selector. The new version features the same ring bound format as the previous edition, for ease of use, and all the key features that customers value, with the added enhancement of tabs to help customers find what they’re looking for with greater ease. As you would expect, Aico’s extensive product range and ever-growing list of sophisticated, ground-breaking features are covered in the new Product Guide, along with an easy reference product list, including descriptions. Features and technology include next generation Radio Frequency Wireless Interconnection (SmartLINK), real-time facts, real-time action (AudioLINK) and Aico’s dust compensation mechanism. An explanation of sensor types helps customers to decide which alarm type to use where. Standards and Legislation are addressed, varying from coverage and levels of protection to BS 5839-6:2019 through to the Scottish legislation update. The Product Guide also lists Aico’s Regional Specification Managers, who are available to offer guidance and support. ORDER THE PRODUCT SELECTOR AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EM031
PROTEUS INDUSTRIAL MC Moulded Case Panelboard Brochure Proteus Switchgear Industrial Division have launched a new version of its MC Moulded Case Panelboard Brochure which now includes an even bigger range of factory fitted options such as surge protection, metering, earth leakage protection and the latest combination boards, the MCX and the CBX range. The Proteus MC range of MCCB panelboards and accessories offer the ultimate flexibility and the largest variety in standard configurations for a panel board, manufactured in strict accordance with BS EN 61439 Part 1 & 2. As standard, you order your MCCB Panelboard with the included incomer, choose your outgoing devices, add your extras like surge protection, metering, extension boxes and earth leakage protection, then Proteus will build everything and fully test it so it’s all ready to install. This process allows the company to ensure the highest level of quality, ease of installation and all at an affordable price. The latest versions of Proteus’ combination boards remove the need for installing a Panelboard and a separate distribution board, which saves time, space and money. The CBX combination boards allow you to combine MCBs up to 63A and large frame MCBs up to 125A, all within one board. The MCX combination boards then allow you to combine MCBs up to 63A and MCCBs up to 160A. DOWNLOAD THE LATEST BROCHURE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EM032
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Products round up
See the downlights with xcite New from xcite comes a range of lighting products designed for the trade market, providing a selection of high-quality luminaires that hold value at their core. The latest additions include three downlight fixtures: the UNI DOWNLIGHT, DOWNLIGHT BL and new FRD MINI. These fittings expand the xcite offering to provide more options and flexibility for contractors looking for residential and commercial products. 1. UNI DOWNLIGHT Featuring an adjustable bracket, and designed to fit any ceiling cut-out between 65mm and 205mm, this product makes it easier for the retro-fit of downlights in such environments. In addition, it is supplied with a choice of three colour temperatures (3000K, 4000K and 6000K), and three power outputs (10W, 13W and 16W), all adjustable via a switch accessible upon installation. This versatility is what makes the UNI DOWNLIGHT truly universal.
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2. DOWNLIGHT BL The latest backlit downlight from xcite, this unit provides a cost-effective alternative to edge-lit LED downlight fittings. With an IP54 rated construction the fitting is ideal for bathrooms, wet rooms and showers. 3. NEW FRD MINI This is a more compact, lightweight and easy to maintain fire rated (30, 60 and 90 minute certification) downlight than its predecessor. The IP65 rated FRD MINI can be customised with a range of bezel colours, allowing increased options for customers. In addition to the increased commercial offering, xcite has launched an updated weatherproof luminaire. The IP65 rated NON-CORROSIVE range has been re-designed with installers in mind, utilising simple brackets that are secured to the mounting surface separately, allowing the product to then be snapped in place. GET MORE PRODUCT DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EM033
Products round up
Discover greater efficiency, connectivity, and safety Built on more than 100 years of experience in medium-voltage protection relays, the new Easergy P3 from Schneider Electric has been designed to meet the latest end-user needs, including overcurrent and arc flash protection, latest connectivity, and maximum safety. With Easergy P3 you can enjoy significant savings in operational time, and simplify your work with greater efficiency at every stage – from ordering to installation, configuration, and operation. So, what’s different about Easergy P3? The product now includes feeder, motor, and transformer protection functions in the same device, making life simpler. Schneider’s protection relay also simplifies communication choice, with nine protocols embedded, for serial or Ethernet links, including IEC 61850 ed.1 and ed.2 and many more. In terms of benefits, users will experience better connectivity through simple remote operation and nine communication protocols in a single box design, including PRP and IEC 61850. Greater reliability is also on offer, thanks to Schneider’s proven quality and experience, based on more than 100 years of protection relay expertise and over 2 million protection relays installed worldwide. There’s enhanced safety and protection for MV applications, with safer operation from embedded arc protection, while users can save precious time with simplified configuration, testing, installation, and maintenance. DOWNLOAD THE EASERGY P3 BROCHURE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EM034
Products round up
Comfort and safety for the work site Snickers has announced the launch of some great new PPE to help keep you comfortable and safe during your working day. FlexiWork Insulated Jackets and Trousers Offering superb insulation and full weather protection for optimal comfort, the street-smart, stylish looks and GORE-TEX and 37.5®
fabric technology make these jackets and trousers a must for winter on-site or for outdoor leisure activities. You’ll stay warm and dry in this layered clothing that’s robust, waterproof and windproof too! The design and fabric combinations will keep your body in the optimum comfort zone as the weather conditions change on-site. The garments have got all the features and functionality that you’d expect in Snickers Workwear Jackets and Trousers. They’re great looking items that will keep you feeling comfy wherever you are and whatever you’re doing at work in cold weather. Work Gloves There’s one thing that trade professionals can’t do without if they want to get their jobs done properly – healthy hands! So take good care of your most important tools and choose a pair that’s right for your work to ensure the ultimate in dexterity, durability, comfort and protection. With advanced designs, features and material combinations, there’s something to suit most trades – from bricklayers and roofers, electricians, plumbers and painters to mechanics, facilities and transportation professionals. Added to which the unique ‘curved’ designs ensure strong, secure grips while sophisticated patterns, vents and ribs combined with durable materials that provide cut protection, knuckle protection, ventilation, water and wind protection, even features so you can use your mobile phone. What’s more, for specialist use where health and safety standards are key requirements, all Snickers work gloves are EN certified for performance and protection. DOWNLOAD THE SNICKERS WORKWEAR CATALOGUE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EM035
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Products round up
PRYSMIAN GROUP Draka UC-Connect Structured Cabling Solution Guides Prysmian Group has released three new interactive product guides online for its Draka UC-Connect structured cabling system in the UK. These provide an overview and quick reference facility to its best-selling Category 6A, Category 6 and Category 5e solutions, combining data cables and connectivity into end-to-end permanent link and channel configurations. The three guides cover the Draka UC500 Cat.6A/Class EA shielded, UC400 Cat.6/Class E unshielded and UC300 Cat.5e/Class D unshielded solutions. Each guide has been designed as a double page spread, divided into three sections: floor distributors, installation cables and wall outlets/consolidation points. Each product features the part number, part name, concise description and image. Installation cables also have the construction, diameter and available box/reel sizes listed. Colour coding and easy to understand icons are used throughout the guides to highlight important information, such as CPR classification, remote powering (PoE) compliance and third-party certification. DOWNLOAD COPIES OF THE DRAKA UC-CONNECT PRODUCT GUIDES AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EM036
SCOLMORE Metal Clad Range 50mm Back Box The latest Scolmore product launch – a new 50mm back box for the metal clad range – has been added as the direct result of the numerous enquiries received through the company’s technical support line. The traditional back box that comes supplied has a 40mm depth: the new box will provide an extra 10mm and is compatible with Scolmore’s existing metal clad products – Minigrid 12- and 18-gang, plus the GridPro 6-, 8-, 9- and 12-gang products. The new boxes are available with or without knockouts, to provide the installer with further options and they’re electrophoretically coated to provide a durable and long lasting finish. GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EM037
IDEAL INDUSTRIES EMEA Contractor Lockout/ Tagout Kit Many accidents (and even deaths) are caused by the unexpected energisation of circuits, machinery or other electrical equipment. Implementing appropriate lockout/ tagout procedures can prevent these types of accidents occurring. The 44-985UK Contractor Kit is primarily aimed at contractors working on industrial, commercial and domestic installations and helps to achieve compliance with The Electricity at Work Regulations and related HSE Guidance Notes on safe working practices. DOWNLOAD A SAFE ISOLATION FACT FLYER AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EM038
TANSUN Bespoke Design Service When creating a new look for a commercial environment, choosing the correct heater model and colour can be difficult. Tansun's design service allows its infrared heaters to be powder-coated to any RAL colour and has the option of including a brand identity or logo. Colour themes can match any indoor or outdoor venue, enhancing a corporate/brand identity and providing an advantage over the competition. This simple feature can be important for the specification sector to help blend in with particular environments and colour schemes. Every environment is different and with one of the largest ranges of commercial, domestic and industrial infrared heaters in the world, Tansun offers a bespoke heating design service. Its dedicated research and development team collaborate with its sales team to fully understand and satisfy the client’s heating needs. The design service is free to use and can help specifiers gain the best out of any given space.
GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EM039
Products round up
RED ARROW Redesigned Non-corrosive Luminaires Corrosion is a challenging pain point for all contractors, but Red Arrow Electrical Distribution is directly tackling the problem with its redesigned line of non-corrosive lighting products – Weatherguard and Fortress. The products’ ABS body and polycarbonate diffusers are made to withstand abuse and hostile environments, including dusty or wet/humid rooms, places of potential chemical attacks and anywhere that gases degrade effectiveness. Tested to IP65, Weatherguard and Fortress are dust
tight and water jet proof, permitting easy cleaning and reducing the need for frequent cleaning and maintenance, saving more money for the end user. Both luminaires are designed to retrofit into existing legacy installations and come in a wide choice of sizes and lumen output, allowing usage in diverse applications. GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EM040
LITHE AUDIO Updated All-in-one Ceiling Speakers Lithe Audio has updated its innovative range of ceiling speakers to provide an improved all-in-one Bluetooth ceiling speaker solution for music streaming. The new speakers now include aptX Low Latency, Bluetooth 5.0 and an enhanced exterior design on front and back. The introduction of aptX Low Latency audio means that when the Lithe Audio speakers are linked to something being watched on a screen, they deliver sound in-sync with the picture. The aptX Low Latency audio reduces delay and improves end-to-end speed of the audio transmission, resulting in high quality synchronised sound. The introduction of Bluetooth 5.0 gives the speakers increased range – from 10m to an impressive 30m connection. These innovative speakers are a fully integrated all-in-one solution which are installed simply by connecting power from the lighting circuit. DOWNLOAD THE BROCHURE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EM041
FLUKE Motors & Drives Troubleshooter As part of its aim to educate and support technicians in best practice for maintenance and troubleshooting across a wide range of industrial processes, Fluke has developed a wealth of background information relating to preventive maintenance and troubleshooting motors and drives. Ten illustrated pages provide information about the basics of motors and drives and the sort of Fluke tools that are ideal for taking measurements, such as thermal imagers, motor drive and power quality analysers, and vibration testers and shaft alignment tools. Seven detailed checklists and guides provide information on best practice approach to preventive maintenance to keep a plant up and running and to minimise downtime. The Troubleshooting motors and drives page also includes two short videos, one a case study showing the application of a Fluke 438-II Power Quality and Motor Analyser to regularly monitor motors and thus minimise downtime, and the other showing how intuitive Fluke MDA-510 and MDA-550 Motor Drive Analysers are to use, even if on an irregular basis. VISIT THE TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EM042
VORTICE Passivhaus Accredited Heat Recovery Unit Vortice has launched a version of its popular Vort Avel heat recovery unit which is thermal efficient and accredited under the German Passivhaus standard. The Vort Avel 450 D is suitable for vertical wall installation, has a high efficiency counter cross flow heat exchanger and automatically activated anti-freeze protection. The front panel gives direct access to the main internal components and allows for easy change of filters. The Vort Avel 450 D has four operational speeds and a 100% mechanical by-pass. Its design allows for virtually maintenance-free operation. GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EM043
Products round up
Megger tester with EV capabilities is a major + Dependable loop impedance testing, with unique ‘confidence meter’ functionality, combined with rapid testing of electrical vehicle charge points (with an optional adaptor) are two of the many benefits that will be enjoyed by users of the new MFT1741+ multifunction installation tester (MFT) from Megger. Like all Megger MFTs, the MFT1741+ has been designed with safety and ease of use in mind. It has CAT IV 300V safety rating and user-friendly features like simple colour-coded test selection and ambidextrous operation. This new model, however, also has class-leading non-trip loop impedance testing that enables users to get reliable results quickly, even in electrically noisy environments, and allows non-trip testing on circuits protected by sensitive 10mA RCDs. With the aid of an optional adaptor, users of the MFT1741+ can also fully and conveniently test
electrical vehicle charge points. When they select Auto EV mode, the instrument automatically runs through the EV charge point RCD test sequence, including the 6mA DC test. Megger’s Peter Wade explains: “Customers said they needed easier loop testing and provision for testing EV charge points, along with other features like facilities for testing three-phase systems and for measuring earth electrode impedance. We’ve provided all this new functionality, while retaining the features that have made our range of MFTs so popular.” In addition to the new features, the MFT1741+ still provides everything needed for testing electrical installations in line with the requirements of the latest wiring regulations. Users don’t need to record test results manually, as the MFT1741+ has a large internal memory, which can be accessed via a convenient cable-free Bluetooth connection.
DOWNLOAD A MEGGER MFT1741+ PRODUCT TECH DATA SHEET AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EM044
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Boost your van security The Kasp Security Van Lock & Hasp provides protection against common forms of attack on vans, its shackle-less lock enclosed within the walls of the hasp, offering virtually no points of effective attack. Renowned for being locks you can trust, the Kasp Security Van Lock & Hasp offers some great features and benefits, providing a strong and effective solution for keeping valuable tool kits out of the reaches of unwelcome hands. For example, the Kasp Van Padlock features a chrome plated hardened steel body for extra strength and protection from corrosion. The padlock’s shrouded steel shackle offers maximum protection against hacksaw and cropping attacks. Other important features include a 6 pin cylinder for extra protection DOWNLOAD THE PRODUCT CATALOGUE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EM045
against picking, plus a corrosion resistant mechanism for reliability in potentially harsh environments. The Hasp has a zinc plated heavy duty steel construction, to offer extra strength and safeguard against corrosion. The Van Lock & Hasp is supplied complete with fixing bolts for security and convenience. An integral storage bracket offers secure storage of the lock when open. Two keys are also supplied with each lock. Easy to fit and quick to install, the Kasp Security Van Lock & Hasp is a must for tradespeople looking to protect their livelihoods by installing a strong solution to prevent precious tool thefts from vans.
Products round up
How do you make a bedroom ‘smart’? This may sound like a silly question, but imagine your downlights or a bedside table light coming on first thing in the morning at 20% when your alarm goes off, then, five minutes later, after allowing you to doze, it increases intensity to 60%. If you then hop into the ensuite shower, the bedroom and shower lighting could be scheduled to maximum (100%) intensity, allowing you to feel bright eyed and bushy-tailed as you head to the already fully lit kitchen to make your first brew of the day. The bedroom is an important room in the home, it's where we begin and end each day. Using Aurora’s AOne smart home system you can deliver additional comfort and ease to your customer’s daily routine by giving them the control to schedule and manage their lighting. The AOne App even allows for different personalised schedules on weekdays, allowing them more time in bed on a weekend. Have a client who’s looking to smarten their home? Why not propose the AOne? It’s very easy for contractors to sell to their customers and Aurora will provide all the help required. When
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starting to look at specifying smart products into a home it can be an overwhelming and daunting task. So why not offer it room-by-room and allow clients to see the benefits as you go? With Aurora’s AOne, not only can lighting be scheduled and scenes set, there is also a full range of control products that can be paired to the smart lights to offer additional control. The AOne PIR Sensor and Door/Window Sensors can be installed in the bedroom and configured to trigger lighting to come on at a reduced brightness. Perhaps your client would like smart control but not the expense of having to rewire, so why not look at using the wireless and battery-free AOne Kinetic Controller that allows you to configure a number of different scenes? The Smart Double Socket could also be installed in a child’s bedroom to control their games console, meaning the outlet can be locked at any time to ensure they’re not playing games when they shouldn’t be. The benefits are endless. DOWNLOAD THE 2020 AURORA SMART LIGHTING SOLUTIONS CATALOGUE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EM046
Products round up
CONSORT CLAUDGEN Electric Heating Brochure Consort Claudgen has launched its latest Heat brochure which includes a host of new heating controls and heaters in the product range. The 48-page brochure features motion-activated and waterproof run-back time controllers, new heater models in the electronic 7-day timer range and advanced wireless controllers which are now compatible with Consort’s RX and SL heaters. As well as several other new products, it showcases heaters with safety monitoring features. All of these are detailed in the brochure along with the established panel and fan heaters, convectors, LST heaters, air curtains, downflows and towel rails. DOWNLOAD A COPY AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EM047
ESSENTRA COMPONENTS How To Size Conduit Guide Calculating conduit fill is an essential part of any large-scale electrical installation. With that in mind, Essentra Components now offers a free guide to assist installers. The new guide explains that conduit fill, also known as raceway fill, is the amount of a conduit’s cross-sectional area occupied, or filled, by a cable or multiple cables. The fill is based on the cable outside diameter (O.D.) and the conduit inside diameter (I.D.). Determining cable conduit fill is said to be critical in order to comply with the requirements of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Failing to do this correctly, it is stated, can lead to expensive and time-consuming rewiring at the very least, and at most, an electrical installation that’s dangerous. Other important factors to consider for safety and best practice include conduit material choice, conduit size, calculating a cross section and more, all covered in the guide. DOWNLOAD THE FREE GUIDE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EM048
REDBACKS CUSHIONING Pocket Kneepad
TEST INSTRUMENT SOLUTIONS MFT-ECO Tester
The Redbacks Pocket Kneepad, specifically designed to fit work trousers, features a flexible leaf-spring held within a thermoplastic honeycomb matrix which, unlike foam or gel, ensures a high compression rate and 100% recovery to its original shape. This combination and the inherent ‘memory’ aspect gives unique controlled weight distribution; the deceleration of pressure protects both the knees and body from potentially damaging impact forces and gives long lasting, anti-fatigue support; traditional foam or gel solutions create point-pressure which focus the force or energy to a point which is then transmitted back into the knee joint and beyond. Easy to slide in and curved to fit comfortably around the knee, the water-resistant pads which conform to CE EN14404 Type 2 Level 1 help to protect against possible injury from sharp objects, wick away sweat and provide thermal protection from warm or cold surfaces; they are machine washable at 30°C and 100% recyclable.
Launching this month is the new MFT-ECO Multifunctional Installation Tester from TIS, which features an accurate and reliable 2 (patent pending) and 3 wire loop test. The unit allows automatic testing of the three insulations tests from one connection, while an Auto Start mode is selectable for quick and easy testing. Fast automatic RCD testing is achievable and users will benefit from the large LCD screen which can display LPE/LN loop testing with PFC/PSC results on a single test. Right or left hand use is facilitated thanks to the dual test button, and the unit comes with a neck strap and safety harness. Users further benefit from a built-in fuse characteristic table, along with an ‘OK’ and ‘Fail’ display.
WATCH A TRADESMAN’S REVIEW AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EM049
GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EM050
Did you know... C-TEC’s new HAK/1 Hush-ActiV Grade C domestic fire alarm kit is now available? Designed to lift the level of fire protection in flats, apartments and other residential dwellings, the kit includes everything you need to create a typical LD2 fire alarm system to BS 5839-6 (2019). Key features include an attractive Central Controller with accessible HUSH and TEST buttons, comprehensive monitoring of open circuit, short circuit, battery and power supply faults and only one rechargeable 72 hour standby battery for the entire system. Manufactured by C-TEC in the UK, the fact the Controller's HUSH and TEST buttons can be operated whilst standing at floor level also helps facilitate full compliance with the Equality Act.
HAK/1 Hush ActiV BS5839-6 Grade C Domestic Fire Alarm Kits
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1 x Hush-ActiV Controller
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GET MORE DETAILS ABOUT C-TEC’S PRODUCTS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EM051
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DIGITAL DIGEST
ONLINE EXCLUSIVE: MEET THE TRADES COACH In the latest installment of PE Online’s ‘Leading Ladies’ column we met with Trades Coach, Alison Warner, to get her advice on how to transition from an accomplished tradesperson into a successful business owner. What is your background in business? I set up Evolve and Grow ten years ago and, at the time, I was working with my network which mainly consisted of large organisations in retail and hospitality. In 2010 I joined an organisation called Business Networking International and four years later I landed my first trade business: an air conditioning company. Demonstrating the power of referral business, they passed my details on to an electrical company and also a painting and decorating firm, and that's where it started. Why did you decide to apply your business knowledge to the trade sector? I would say that the trades found me. I realised that in this sector, it’s arguably
easier to grow the business because these aren’t luxury items. If your boiler breaks down or your house needs rewiring you have to get it done – it’s essential. With a lot of other businesses you’re competing for a much smaller market. I’m very structured and process orientated so working with these individuals suits the way I worked. They need these attributes in order to scale. They have left school, learnt their trade, are very successful and employ people – but then that job turns into something very different – it becomes about successfully running a business as opposed to being a good electrician or plumber.
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DIGITAL DIGEST
Tell us about your book Build and Grow: How to go from Tradesperson to Managing Director in the Construction and Trade Industries. I’ve always wanted to write a book. At the time, my challenge wasn’t too dissimilar to that of my clients – I was at capacity. I was getting more business and struggling to fit it in. I realised I could train other coaches to do what I was doing but that required me getting out of my own head and implementing a system to train others – this is how I created the BUILD system.
WIN A COPY OF ALISON'S BOOK! To celebrate the new year in style, Alison is offering one lucky PE reader the chance to win a copy of her book: Build and Grow: How to go from Tradesperson to Managing Director in the Construction and Trade Industries. ENTER THE FREE PRIZE DRAW AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EM052
For some people, reading a book isn’t enough and they’ll want to talk it through. Often, people want a sounding board. It can be quite lonely being self-employed or running a business on your own. Often what will happen is that the business owner will go home and offload to their partners, which then causes problems in their home life. Some customers have said to me: “its like therapy – it provides an outlet”. What is a common mistake that most businesses make? Generally, marketing wasn’t the issue for the businesses I’ve worked with. It was more down to the fact they didn’t have the right people in place, didn’t have visibility or an understanding of their numbers, or simply didn’t have the right system in place. So it tends to fall down to finance and systems, or people, or both. Situations will occur, for example, where a tradesperson is called out and undertakes a quotation, but it’s a long time until the customer receives that quote – in this instance, they’re not making the most of the business that’s coming their way because they’re in a state of overwhelm. Another problem is people try to sit in too many seats. In any business, you’ll have four key aspects: sales and marketing, operations, people, and the infrastructure. Usually, when businesses start out we know they’ll run at around £85,000 turnover, but it then becomes very hard to grow it beyond that if you’re trying to sit in all of those areas. You’re going to have to let go of something so you can focus on what you love doing. It normally comes down to money – clients tell themselves they can’t afford the resources. They can’t afford it, not because of a lack of sales, but because they don’t have a fluent system. I see a bottleneck, lots of quotes sitting on a desk that aren’t being sent out to customers or booked in. Additionally, I see a lot of money being owed because nobody is chasing it and there is no process in place if a customer doesn’t pay.
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Many businesses optimise social media to enhance business opportunities but can struggle to switch off from it through the fear of losing business. Do you have any advice on this? One solution to this issue would be to outsource it. You can do it cost-effectively and then you have someone looking after that side who is an expert in that field. Additionally, it means you don’t have to learn it yourself and instead focus on areas of your strength to bring in more money. You’ve got the flexibility with hiring somebody freelance without creating the headache of having to add them to the payroll and taking on that extra overhead. What’s your key piece of advice for small business owners in the electrical sector? Know yourself first and where your strengths lie. If you want to grow your business, build your team around that. As you grow, get other people who are in flow doing things that you hate and they excel at – grow your team that way. Alongside that, it is crucial to know your numbers. I’m talking about something called ‘common sizing'’ This is when you express costs as a percentage of sales so the numbers become become meaningful. It tells you if you’re charging enough and also if the team are productive enough. For example, materials as a percentage of sales is very telling. Usually, (although it may vary slightly depending on the trade) the ballpark figures should be: 35-40% materials, labour 25-30%, overheads 10-15%. If the material costs are higher than this it may be that the business owner isn’t charging enough, there is wastage in the business or there could be theft. If you want to grow your business in 2020 its all about knowing your numbers, recognising your strengths and having a process in place to recruit and manage the business.
VISIT THE EVOLVE & GROW BUSINESS COACHING SITE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EM053
92 February 2020 PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN
DIGITAL DIGEST
Gira UK introduces BIM download service The new BIM download service from Gira is an intelligent 3D model-based process that enables premium specifiers like interior designers, architects and
property developers the insight and tools to efficiently plan, design, construct, and manage intelligent buildings. Offering the ability to download data
directly from its website, luxury specifiers are now able to equip buildings with the latest technology with no trouble as Gira provides even more information on its range of intelligent build solutions to the masses, available in ten languages at the push of a button. Making it easier than ever before to gather information for project estimates and client presentations, Gira has created an online overview of building technology so that trade professionals can stay up-to-date with the latest new products and company developments. Choose from a wealth of information like new products and updates, tenders, price information, operating instructions, brochures and advertising materials - it’s like having your own personal Gira specialist on hand! VISIT THE SITE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EM054
VIDEO WATCH
Zircon How To Use The L550c MultiScanner The L550c OneStep multifunction stud finder and wall scanner quickly and easily locates the centre, edges, and direction of wood and metal studs and joists behind walls, floors, and ceilings up to 1.5” deep to help you find studs. Its easy-to-read backlit display screen indicates the centre and edges of studs. The patented SpotLite Pointer shines an arrow-shaped beam of light on the wall to identify the target location and the WireWarning detection feature indicates the presence of live AC voltage. A low battery indicator lets you know when you need to replace your battery for optimum performance. A four-mode switch makes it easy to change functions between regular Stud Scan mode for normal walls, DeepScan mode for thicker walls, Metal Scan mode to detect both ferrous and non-ferrous metal, and AC Scan mode to find and trace live, unshielded electrical wiring. WATCH THE VIDEO AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EM055
WORTH A LOOK! Di-LOG
Blauberg UK
Toolbox Talk: Earth Leakage
Ventilation Ducting & Fittings Explained
A key requirement of the 18th Edition regulations, Earth Leakage is a hot topic for electricians, as Di-LOG’s Dave Sweetman explains in this latest video from the Toolbox Talk series.
Rob’s Workshop takes a look at ducting and fittings and explains how they fit together to create a ventilation system. Rectangular duct work and circular duct work are examined and explained.
WATCH AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EM056
WATCH AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EM057
Keep up-to-date with the latest technical and product-related videos from around the industry by subscribing to PE’s dedicated YouTube channel at: www.youtube.com/user/ProElectricianMag/videos
94 February 2020 PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN
ELEX2020
THE TRADESHOW FOR PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIANS PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN
Sponsored by
The Electricians’ Exhibition
Leading brands, live demos, tech talks, show specials – all under one roof!
NEXT SHOWS EventCity, Manchester: Wespoint Arena, Exeter:
Thursday 12th & Friday 13th March 2020 Thursday 23rd & Friday 24th April 2020
Featuring:
Register for free at www.elexshow.info
CAUGHT ON
C A M E R A Chris Craven (via Facebook): There was 223V running through the conduit in this garden at an old people’s home. Lucky it was me who got a belt off it rather than the tenants!
SOCIAL SNAPS!
Robert Olver (via Facebook): I found this in my own house! Pretty good use of recycling??
PB Electrical Services (via Instagram): This was found on a kitchen refurb. The ring main is buried behind plaster and two layers of tiles, with spurs of 6mm + 2.5mm feeding various sockets.
Neil Archer (via Twitter): I was called out to nuisance tripping on an outside supply and, after a little investigation, I found an extension lead buried in mud with a recycling box over it to ‘protect it from the rain’!
WMG Electrical (via Twitter): The customer complained that after a board change all RCBOs were tripping. The last sparky said they were “too sensitive”, so he put the oven, one half of a ring circuit, a radial and also the lights on one 20A MCB!
Lee (via Twitter): New range of kitchen accessories – white with tobacco inserts!
PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN February 2020 97
ADVERTISER INDEX ALL LED Ltd........................................................................ Page 20
Lightwave ............................................................................ Page 87
Aurora Ltd ........................................................................... Page 83
Luceco plc................................................................... Pages 52,53
BG Electrical Ltd................................................................ Page 30
Lux General Lighting Ltd.................................................. Page 81
Blauberg UK Ltd .......................................................... Pages 14,15
MAN Truck & Bus UK Ltd................................................. Page 17
Bott Ltd ................................................................................ Page 54
Metrel UK Ltd ..................................................................... Page 24
Bromleighs.......................................................................... Page 95
Mitsubishi Motors.............................................................. Page 23
Carl Kammerling International Ltd ................................ Page 43
National Ventilation Ltd................................................... Page 92
CED....................................................................................... Page 80
NICEIC & ELECSA ............................................................. Page 85
Chint Europe (UK) Ltd....................................................... Page 77
Niglon Ltd...................................................................... Pages 12,13
Consort Equipment Products Ltd.................................. Page 93
Ovia Lighting ....................................................................... Page 10
CP Electronics Ltd.............................................................. Page 91
PASS (Portable Appliance Safety Services) Ltd........ Page 92
C-TEC Ltd ............................................................................ Page 78
Prefect Controls Ltd ......................................................... Page 95
Cudis Ltd ............................................................................. Page 79
Premier Training Academy Ltd...................................... Page 57
DANLERS Ltd ..................................................................... Page 95
Proteus Switchgear .......................................................... Page 48
Di-LOG Test Equipment................................................... Page 33
Safety Technology International Ltd............................. Page 91
Draper Tools Ltd ............................................................... Page 69
Schneider Electric ..................................................... Pages 26,27
Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) ................... Page 63
Scolmore International Ltd ............................................. Page 69
Electrorad UK Ltd................................................................. Page 7
Seaward Electronic Ltd ................................................... Page 60
ELEX ..................................................................................... Page 96
Selectric ............................................................................... Page 77
Elite Security Products Ltd ............................................. Page 85
Shayla Electrical Ltd ......................................................... Page 66
Emelux Lighting Equipment ........................................... Page 65
Super Rod Ltd .................................................................... Page 39
flex7 Ltd ......................................................... Outside Back Cover
Tamlite Lighting ................................................................. Page 44
Forum Lighting Solutions Ltd...................... Inside Front Cover
Tansun Ltd .......................................................................... Page 95
Google Nest ................................................................. Pages 18,19
Test Instrument Solutions Ltd......................................... Page 51
Hager Ltd............................................................................. Page 72
Trade Skills 4U ................................................................... Page 91
Hamilton Litestat................................................................ Page 75
Transpower Engineering Ltd ......................................... Page 92
Hultafors Group UK Ltd...................................................... Page 4
Tysoft Software Ltd .......................................................... Page 93
IDEAL Industries Networks Ltd...................................... Page 47
Vauxhall Motors Ltd ...................................................... Pages 8,9
LED Group .......................................................................... Page 40
Wise Controls..................................................................... Page 95
Legrand Electric Ltd.......................................................... Page 34
WISKA UK Ltd .................................................................... Page 95
Lewden Palazzoli Group ................................................. Page 86
Zircon Corporation............................................................ Page 72
WANT TO KNOW MORE? TO HELP YOU FIND OUT MORE ABOUT ANYTHING YOU’VE SEEN IN THIS ISSUE, WE’VE INTRODUCED A NEW DIGITAL INFORMATION SERVICE. RDR.LINK IS DESIGNED TO GET YOU FASTER ACCESS STRAIGHT TO THE EXACT ONLINE PLATFORM THAT HAS THE SPECIFIC INFORMATION YOU WANT. FROM VIDEOS TO TECHNICAL GUIDES, PDF’S TO PODCASTS – RDR.LINK WILL TAKE YOU STRAIGHT THERE.
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