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TO EE FR DE RA ET TH
PROFESSIONAL
ELECTRICIAN THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE FOR THE ELECTRICAL TRADE
& INSTALLER NOVEMBER 2020
NINJA STYLE
WE PROFILE ONE OF THE TRADE’S UNSUNG HEROES THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC
WHAT’S DRIVING DIGITAL? THE POWER OF DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION IN THE ELECTRICAL INDUSTRY
RATED & REVIEWED
OUR TEAM OF PRODUCT TESTERS TRY OUT THE LATEST EQUIPMENT FROM SUPER ROD, SNICKERS WORKWEAR AND WERNER LADDERS
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: CAUGHT ON CAMERA ● NEW PRODUCTS ● TECHNICAL INSIGHTS ● CODEBREAKERS AND MORE…
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Total Average Net Distribution: 71,632 Certification period 1 January 2018 - 31 December 2018
November 2020 Volume 36 No.10
Regulars 5 7 22 45 46 66 81
Meeting the man behind the SparkyNinja training and learning materials
VIEWPOINT NEWS THE CODEBREAKERS MADE 2 MEASURE MK ELECTRIC INSIGHTS CAPTAIN C-TEC CAUGHT ON CAMERA
News & Views 7
Amendment 2 to the 18th Edition has arrived: what are the proposed changes in the DPC?
15 Why the power of positivity can take you a long way
Special Report 19 We profile one of the electrical industry's unsung heroes School’s in for knowledge sharing
19 37 Exploring the benefits of knowledge sharing with the further education sector
We review the Snickers ProtecWork range
41 We look at the latest training courses and remote learning opportunities
65
Products & Business Solutions
37 Technical & Training 25 Automated lighting and smart buildings: what are the challenges that electricians face? 29 An overview of the Amendment to the 18th Edition Wiring Regulations related to EV charging 33 Should electricians consider carrying out an insulation test between live conductors to earth for circuits that don't incorporate a circuit protective conductor (CPC)?
49 The crucial role that electrical understanding plays in creating an energy efficient system 53 What are the individual advantages of mobile and facial recognition, and which one is likely to come out on top?
Competitions & Giveaways 21 WIN Get your hands on an ERA Protect Starter Kit – worth over £400! 58 WIN A C.K Magma Technician's PRO Wheeled Case could be yours!
57 Gary Fisher has a head for heights as he reviews the Werner 717 series step ladder 61 Norman Bradshaw tries out the Super Rod Ferret Wi-Fi tool 65 Steve Hewish slips into the Snickers ProtecWork range of garments 69 Rounding-up the latest products, tools and equipment to help you in your work
21
Win an ERA Protect Starter Kit
PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN November 2020 3
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@proelectrician
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Meet the team Editor RICHARD BOWLER email: pe@hamerville.co.uk Editorial Assistant PATRICK SWAN email: pswan@hamerville.co.uk Digital Manager REBECCA MCGEOCH email: rmcgeoch@hamerville.co.uk Advertisement Manager ANTHONY SCOTT email: ascott@hamerville.co.uk Assistant Advertisement Manager IAN TURNER Design GEMMA WATSON 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. Please contact us for rates. Image References (Adobe Stock): Pg 7 Your say © Auremar Pg 8 Contractor © Suriyo Pg 15 Thumbs up © Alex Pg 16 Positivity © 3D Generator Pg 19 Ninja © Kai Pg 25 Automated light © Zhu Difeng Pg 33 Paperwork © Chinnabanchon
pe@hamerville.co.uk
Professional Electrician, Regal House, Regal Way, Watford, Herts, WD24 4YF
Editor’s Viewpoint
Will homeowners be keen to go green? There’s little doubt that the world is under increasing pressure to go 'green', whether that be the cars we drive, the products we use or the way we dispose of everyday items. Reading through a monthly issue of this esteemed publication, you'll regularly see contributions from suppliers and professionals who champion the energy-efficient benefits of the latest technologies available to domestic and commercial users, such as smart thermostats and automated lighting. Although the adoption of such technologies is still some way from being widespread, the 'green' revolution is set to receive a major shot in the arm over the next few months thanks to the recently announced Green Homes Grant Voucher Scheme (GHGVS), a £2bn fund that the government has invested to boost home energy-saving improvements. Applicable to home owners and residential landlords, the vouchers will cover two-thirds of the cost of eligible improvements (broken down into 'primary' and 'secondary' categories), up to a maximum contribution of £5,000. Importantly, the voucher must be redeemed and improvements completed by 31st March 2021, so the clock is ticking already. In terms of the affect on electrical professionals, the news should only be viewed as a positive step as you'll likely be in high demand – especially if you've diversified your business offering in recent times. It could also give the construction sector a much needed kickstart leading into the new year, with the opportunity for correctly trained personnel to undertake some of the improvements and engage with a potential pool of new customers. Simon Ayers, CEO of TrustMark, has welcomed the opportunity to support the delivery of quality work and ensure that consumers receive the high standard of work
they should expect. He said: “As we undertake this journey, the construction and energy industries will play a vital role in the delivery of low carbon homes, providing healthier and more comfortable living conditions. “The Green Homes Grant is an important step in creating new jobs, protecting the existing and delivering low carbon housing.” Simon continued: “As an industry, we need to collaborate to support the initiative, ensure businesses are supported and consumers can rely on the tradespeople that carry out work in and around their homes, making them fit for the future. “All work carried out under the scheme must be completed by a TrustMark Registered Business, who will need to have demonstrated high technical standards, quality assurances and a commitment to customer service. “The vouchers will help prime the market and allow eligible property owners to make energy efficiency improvements.” Much like the government's car scrappage scheme of a few years ago, which encouraged car owners to trade in an older model for a discount on a more energy-efficient vehicle, the window of opportunity for subsidised property ugrades is a relatively short one. It's up to electrical businesses to further educate their customer base and to present themselves as a professional and competent option for any electrical-related works that may need undertaking as part of these upgrades. The opportunity, as it stands, may well be a short-term one, but the longer-term benefits to electrical businesses and their customers could well be seen for many years to come. Have a good month and get in touch with us at pe@hamerville.co.uk if you want to get anything off your chest,
Richard B owler PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN November 2020 5
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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
Have your say on Amendment 2 Major changes to the 18th Edition are now open for public comment. The IET and BSI, who co-publish BS 7671, have now issued the Draft for Public Comment (DPC) for Amendment 2, giving the electrical industry the opportunity to read through the proposed changes and provide feedback ahead of publication. BS 7671:2018+A2:2022, expected to publish in spring 2022, will be the first, full, consolidated Amendment to the 18th Edition IET Wiring Regulations, which published in 2018. It will also include Amendment 1:2020, which published as a standalone PDF in February. The changes, led by IET and BSI, have been proposed following ongoing discussions at committee level. They include: ● The mandating of AFDDs on circuits
less than 32A ● Removal of the risk assessment
● ● ● ● ● ●
method for omitting additional RCD protection on socket outlets Less paperwork for EICs New cut-off date for complying with the 18th Edition New energy efficiency and prosumer requirements New SPD requirements New foundation earthing requirements New protected area requirements
An overview of all of the changes proposed is included in the ‘Introduction to Amendment 2’ at the beginning of the DPC document. Frank Bertie, Chief Technical Officer, (JPEL/64 member and deputy chair of Sub Committee A) at NAPIT said: “This Amendment is the result of years of work by the JPEL/64 committee. “It’s important that our electrical members keep up-to-date with the ever-changing technologies and ways of working to ensure they're working to the safest standards. “I urge NAPIT members, likewise the rest of the industry, to read and comment where they feel appropriate on the DPC.” ECA Technical Manager, Gary Parker said: “With the ever-increasing pace of technological developments, it’s vital that the Regulations keep up-to-speed with new industry technology and methodologies. “However, this must be balanced with a practical engineering approach. The proposed changes could impact all ECA members. Therefore it's vital that members submit comments to BSI if they feel these changes could be overly onerous, lacking clarity or simply require refining.” John O’Neill, NICEIC & ELECSA’s Director of Technical Excellence, added: “Providing the first glimpse of the proposed changes, this document is vitally important in shaping how our industry operates.
“While its important to remember that the proposed changes have been brought forward to improve safety and provide alignment with both International and European standards, we must ensure implementation is both practical and achievable for contractors. “As such, we'll be working with NICEIC and ELECSA members to explore the document in greater detail.” The DPC will remain open for comment until December 11th. ACCESS THE AMD2 DPC AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EU001
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news
For the latest electrical news visit www.professional-electrician.com
Industry remains optimistic despite downturn A new engineering services sector survey shows that two thirds of businesses (67%) expected their turnover to increase or remain the same in Q3 of 2020, compared with Q2. Almost two thirds (60%) of businesses reported less turnover in Q2 compared to Q1 – the sharpest drop since the quarterly Building Engineering Business survey began in 2016. However, this fall in Q2 turnover was not as large as businesses had predicted earlier in the year, during the previous iteration of the survey. Back in April, almost three-quarters of respondents (74%) had predicted a fall in turnover during Q2. Commenting on the survey, ECA CEO, Steve Bratt said: “The sharp downturn in turnover over Q2 was keenly felt across industry. The picture that is now emerging is one of a resilient sector that braced for impact in the spring and is so far weathering the storm whilst remaining cautiously optimistic about the future. “ECA is committed to supporting contractors through this period and working collaboratively with the Construction Leadership Council to deliver on the recovery plan.”
SELECT Managing Director, Alan Wilson added: “Less encouraging is the ongoing issue of late and withheld payments, which continue to be a problem for so many contractors. In the current climate, the industry relies on cashflow more than ever, yet small firms in particular are still waiting too long to get paid.” The use of agency workers and subcontractors continues to fall, in line with a downward trend observed throughout late 2019 and 2020. Payment issues also continue to be a challenge for businesses. Despite public sector rules mandating payment within 30 days, less than one-third of direct contracts (32%) and just 27% of indirect contracts were paid during this timeframe. VIST THE ECA'S BUSINESS RECOVERY SUPPORT PAGE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EU002
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@proelectrician
professionalelectrician
pe@hamerville.co.uk
Professional Electrician, Regal House, Regal Way, Watford, Herts, WD24 4YF
Study highlights the best locations for electricians to live and work A new study by NimbleFins has unearthed the best regions in the UK for electricians to live and work. Yorkshire and the Humber came out on top with the highest job density, while an electrician's pay stretches the furthest in Scotland, with high wages and a relatively low cost of living. Workers in Yorkshire and the Humber earn an average of ÂŁ33,475 per year. While this is only the 7th highest payout of the 10 regions in the study, workers in these regions enjoy a relatively low cost of living. Scotland ranked as the second-best region for electrical workers in Great Britain. Electrical workers earn an average annual pay of ÂŁ36,823, second only to London. The West Midlands is the third-best region, providing a solid concentration of jobs and good pay. In 2019 there were 27,000 electrical and electric trades jobs in the West Midlands, contributing to a jobs density ratio of 9.2, the second-highest in Britain. The NimbleFins' study assessed three key factors to determine the best places in Great Britain for electricians to pursue their careers: average salaries, job availability and the cost of living.
READ THE REPORT AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EU003
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news
For the latest electrical news visit www.professional-electrician.com
Commissioning support service launched by ESP ESP has announced the launch of a new commissioning service, which is designed to ensure that all installed ESP systems operate correctly and are fully compliant with the latest BS5839-1 regulations. This latest development means that contractors can now take advantage of a full fire systems package from ESP, which gives them access to a free design service, a vast choice of products (including the latest two-wire systems), the new commissioning service, plus technical support from a team of qualified and experienced operators. There is much more to commissioning a fire protection system than simply turning it on and setting detector addresses. It involves going through a comprehensive step-by-step checklist to ensure full compliance with the correct British Standard and carrying out a range of tests to ensure reliable and trouble-free operation. The new commissioning service will ensure that a qualified engineer will confirm that the system has reached the relevant
British Standard, and they will issue a certificate on completion of the project prior to system handover. Dedicated ESP commissioning engineers are located throughout the UK to provide access to this new service to a wide-reaching audience. GET MORE DETAILS ABOUT THE SERVICE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EU004
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@proelectrician
professionalelectrician
pe@hamerville.co.uk
Professional Electrician, Regal House, Regal Way, Watford, Herts, WD24 4YF
Ealing Council and FireAngel announce IoT partnership FireAngel has agreed a partnership with Ealing Council to deliver one of the largest IoT roll outs of its kind currently available in the UK. The ground-breaking contract will see the supply of FireAngel’s Spec Connected product, which will cost-effectively provide Ealing Council with a remote monitoring solution that ensures maximum levels of fire and CO detection for its tenants. Ealing Council will oversee the supply and installation of over 122,000 smoke, heat and CO alarms across an initial 14,000 of 17,000 properties located throughout West London, whilst also benefitting from FireAngel’s patented Predict technology, which will highlight trends and high-risk patterns of behaviour to prompt earlier intervention before an actual fire event. The new agreement will revolutionise the way in which Ealing Council monitors and manages its entire housing stock, eliminating the requirement for gaining physical access to a property, as all of the required device data is transmitted wirelessly in real time via a secure cloud network.
Paul Cook, Interim Health & Safety Manager at Ealing Council, said: “I was really impressed with the investment FireAngel continues to make with regard its connected technology. This is an area that will continue to evolve and improve and we're confident that by partnering with FireAngel we will be providing our tenants with the highest standards in fire protection.” GET MORE DETAILS ABOUT FIREANGEL'S CONNECTED SOLUTIONS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EU005
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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
David's day as industry stalwart celebrates double milestone David Barlow, Chair of the Electrical Standards and Governance Group which oversees the Electrical Apprenticeships in England, has celebrated his 70th birthday and 54 years in the electrical industry. David's passion for the sector, and training the next generation of electricians, is still as strong as when he embarked on his own electrical apprenticeship in 1966. Born in Chester, David was educated at Chester Grammar School and the University of Liverpool and holds an MBA, MSc and MA. In 1966 he began his electrical apprenticeship at West Cheshire College on the Craft B course. Having achieved his electrician certificate, he moved to the technician courses T3, T4, T5 and completed his Full Technological Certificate in 1973 with distinction. During 1972 and 1973 he taught IEE regulations and electrical principles at evening class. He later taught the same subjects at South Kent College of Technology. David returned to the family business in 1980 which he and his brother John have built from five staff to 500.
After working on measures to improve training in the North West, in 2010 David was invited to join Summit Skills, the Government standards setting organisation for the Building Services Industry that works to develop and maintain standards, qualifications and apprenticeships for the whole of the UK. David continues to promote the advantages of apprentice and graduate opportunities in the North West and continues to judge the Cheshire and Warrington Apprentice of the Year for the High Sheriff Awards. He also presents the award for Apprentice Company of the Year at the Cheshire Business Awards. David is currently assisting Barlows (UK) at the company’s new High Wycombe branch
12 November 2020
PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN
David believes that “if you’re taking on 16-year-olds they’re going to need more support. You must really care about the young people you bring in, and be interested in them. Get to know them personally, build a bond and retain that bond all the way through.” He has won over 20 major accolades, including National Awards, and he has been received at Buckingham Palace and 10 Downing Street, championing skills opportunities for young people. He's also a three times winner of the National Apprenticeship Awards and has received the High Sheriff of Cheshire Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Economy of Cheshire and the Business Community, presented to him by the Lord-Lieutenant of Cheshire in 2017. He also won the Cheshire Business Person of the Year in 2015 to compliment his Cheshire Business Leaders Award in 2013. In 2015 he was awarded an Honorary Degree at the University of Chester for his commitment to Training and Skills across Cheshire and Warrington. David has been awarded an MBE for his contribution to apprenticeships and his efforts to encourage other businesses to give young people a chance. Keith Marshall OBE, Technical Advisor to the DEG, commented: “I don’t know how many young people David has helped along their journey but there are many, many youngsters who are living better lives thanks to his hard work and commitment.” David is the founder of Clifford College which has nearly 150 apprentices to be trained in electrical engineering and health and safety across several employers. The college is one of the largest in the country for these subjects, which are carried out in six skill centres. “David has made an outstanding contribution to building and developing skilled technical apprentices for the electrical services industry, which has enabled substantial numbers of young people to build successful careers in this evermore complex and socially essential area,” added Professor Phil Harris, University of Chester.
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READER COMMENT
PE reader and industry professional, Dale Fisher MIET, takes the time to reflect on some of the lessons he's learned over the pandemic and why taking a positive approach to your personal and professional relationships will help you to reap the rewards on offer.
THE POWER OF POSITIVITY
“F
or there to be change, first we must be the change we wish to see". Although I'm not sure of the origin of this particular quote, it's one that I like to remind myself (and others) about when talk of change in the electrical industry arises. Many people don't like change, while there are some that will simply refuse to acknowledge it altogether, but one thing remains constant: it is inevitable. This year's pandemic, and the ensuing lockdown, has given all of us the opportunity to consider changes that we'd like to make in our personal and professional lives.
“THERE ARE FIVE KEY WORDS THAT I LIKE TO LIVE BY: INSPIRE, INFLUENCE, INFORM, EDUCATE, SUPPORT.”
Personally, I've had the chance to think about myself, and also the lessons I've learned about the electrical industry, so I'd like to share these with readers. One thing I know for sure is that a positive approach, especially when commenting or reacting to fellow professionals on social media platforms, is so much more powerful than simply shooting someone down or posting negative comments. Personally, I'll always champion the individuals and companies that I believe in and those that promote the same ethics of honesty and integrity as I do. So often people will comment to me that they wish they had my boldness when it comes to praising someone on LinkedIn or commenting on how inspiring a company or magazine is, but I think that its important to praise the good that people and businesses do. And, even though recent times haven't necessarily been plain sailing for myself, I still want to praise and lift others whenever I have the opportunity to do so.
3
LESSONS I'VE LEARNED ABOUT THE ELECTRICAL INDUSTRy
1
Although there are some areas which require improvement (most industry professionals will know what these are), there are a lot of individuals and businesses that want to see the industry prosper and have even gone as far as setting up groups to champion changes and improvements. This has given me a lot of confidence in the future direction of the electrical industry as a whole.
2
Even though I'm no longer on the tools, I'm still in contact and regularly engage in conversations regarding the electrical industry. I find the sector to be a fascinating one and have watched with interest as technology continues to evolve at such a rapid pace. We will all have to embrace these technologies and new concepts if we want to be successful and prosperous in the future.
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READER COMMENT
3
The more people that want to see the industry growing and improving the better. Let's stop with the silly finger pointing and the 'blame game’ approach and instead use that energy to work together to improve the industry that employs us all. There is an amazing amount of knowledge out there, and I find it incredible that we're still having conversations about improving things from years ago.
5
THINGS I'VE LEARNED ABOUT MYSELF
1
I have a burning desire where I just want the best for individuals and businesses, even if they can't see the good that they offer to society themselves. Some people may think that they're boring or that their business is too low on the scale, when actually they have an awful lot to offer. I like to tell them this, even if I don't personally know the individual or the business in question.
2
My network of contacts is extremely important to me. I've worked hard to build up rapport and relationships within the industry, and I will continue to carry this mentality throughout my career.
16 November 2020
3 4
I am a procrastinator, but this will not hinder me in my quest to be the very best that I can be.
Self-study and self-development are massively important to me and I've really taken the opportunity to read more books and magazines, watch webinars and listen to podcasts. There's so much information out there, you just have to put in the effort to find and embrace it.
5
My current role as a Senior Electrical Engineer is greatly enhanced by my knowledge and experience of being on the tools. While I don't currently have a degree or Masters, the experience that I gained whilst working on the tools is far more valuable, in my opinion, and helps me to make informed design decisions. Make the change I'm passionate about engineering and technology and also a firm believer that if we want to see a positive change in our personal and working lives, we have to take responsibility and make that change happen ourselves. I'll always be open to having a conversation with anyone who'd like to talk, especially those who feel that they don't have much to offer society. In almost all cases, you certainly do!
PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN
WHY IS POSITIVE THINKING IMPORTANT? According to health experts, the act of thinking positively can help with stress management and can even improve your health. Indeed, some studies show that personality traits such as optimism and pessimism can affect many areas of your health and wellbeing. The positive thinking that usually comes with optimism is a key part of effective stress management. Research is also beginning to reveal that positive thinking is about much more than just being happy or displaying an upbeat attitude. Positive thoughts can actually create value in your life and help you to build skills that last much longer than a smile.
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SPECIAL REPORT
NINJA'S A STAR
I
t doesn't take a brain surgeon to understand that the COVID-19 pandemic has affected every corner of the electrical industry – from the very largest corporations down to the smallest of electrical contractors. Although we're all likely to be living with some level of uncertainty for the immediate future at least, it's often during the toughest of times that the real heroes emerge in any industry. The electrical sector is no exception to this rule. Working during a global pandemic to ensure customers, businesses and vital infrastructure remain operational and safe is a commendable act in itself. And yet further still there are many examples of individuals doing right by one another and committing themselves to helping people they may never have met before, all in the name of the greater good.
Although there are many professionals who go above and beyond the call of duty for our electrical industry, some neither court nor receive the recognition they deserve. In this article, we find out more about one of our industry's 'unsung heroes'.
The impact on training and learning One of the most significant impacts that the pandemic has had on the electrical industry is the disruption to those who may be learning the trade, or are on the path to becoming qualified electricians. This is especially true of apprentices. As we reported in last month's article about the launch of the Apprentice 121 initiative, getting apprentices and trainees back into learning and on to work sites is a pressing priority, especially if they're to gain the job-site experience required of their apprenticeship pathway. But what about the theory side of things and the training associated with this? Again, with many apprentices currently looking for an employer to take a chance on them, there's the real danger that many would have simply slipped through the net or been lost to other
industries over the past few months. Fortunately, we have some truly dedicated professionals in our electrical industry who have been working tirelessly to provide training and support for those who really need it. One such individual is David Watts. Better known by his stage name – SparkyNinja – David's reputation as a trusted and highly competent professional may well be due in equal measures to the hours of content he produces for the SparkyNinja YouTube channel, alongside his work with the e5 Group, of which he is one of the founding members. That said, before either SparkyNinja or the e5 Group even existed, there was simply David Watts, so it's important to understand the individual and the journey that has taken him to this point.
PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN November 2020 19
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SPECIAL REPORT
From testing to training In the very beginning, David took – in his own words – the 'standard' route (or at least what was once considered the standard route) to becoming an electrical professional – an electrical apprenticeship with the family firm, coupled with a passion and interest in all things electrical. After completing the 2391 inspection and testing qualification David, much like the majority of newly qualified electricians, soon found his preferred niche. “I liked the testing work so much that I left the contracting side after several years and went to work with a local authority, working on the void properties,” he recalls. After setting up an electrical contracting business with his father, Phil, David’s focus shifted towards the training sector. “My Dad had already been doing part time training for a couple of years by this time, and I was asked to pop in and cover for the workshop technician one evening. “It ended up being quite a nice hourly rate for just a few hours' work and, on reflection, that evening probably had the biggest impact on my career.” He continues: “I found the experience both unnerving and exciting at the same time. I'd always been the kind of person to keep quiet, not volunteer and to shy away in the background, keeping my head down and plodding on with the work. “But having these guys at the college all looking in my direction for instruction
20 November 2020
at a higher level. I believe that some of this was due to the fact I was approaching the task from a different angle. “I've always felt that teaching any kind of student, no matter the industry type, how to simply pass exams and tests will result in a disinterested student overall and perhaps a less enthusiastic and competent professional.” Moving to a private training company, David’s experience of the “wonder that is domestic electrical installer training” and the Competent Person Scheme (CPS) model was certainly formative. And while he acknowledges that much has been done to tighten and improve these schemes in recent times, at that particular juncture there was much left to be desired. Not only did David now have a passion and aptitude for teaching and training, he also had a burning desire to improve standards in the industry. And it's from this point that the SparkyNinja project emerged.
and guidance on something that I knew how to do just made me want to better myself. It also made me think about how I could offer them more.” After the session had finished, it some became apparent that David wasn't the only one who had enjoyed the experienced. He says: “I found that many of the students were responding very well to having a teacher with the desire to push them intellectually and engage with them
PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN
Ninja style Perhaps the best – and simplest – way of defining David’s goals for SparkyNinja can be found in the very pseudonym he uses. “I call it the SparkyNinja ‘project’ because that is exactly what it is,” he says. “The end goal is to return electricians to where they were when I entered this sector – the wizards of the construction industry, who are well paid and respected due to their levels of competency.” It's almost a decade now since the SparkyNinja YouTube channel emerged, and since then David has dedicated countless hours to producing videos and content that can provide valuable CPD and understanding to industry learners. The emergence of different social media and online platforms has also meant that SparkyNinja's reach is even greater. “It's all been done with the aim of creating a community of electricians and members of the electrotechnical industry that will support one another and help to raise standards. The work we've been doing with SparkyNinja – especially in conjunction with the e5 group initiative – has been important and formative for many young and budding electricians. That said, it has never been more important than it is right now.”
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PRIZE DRAW
WIN AN ERA ALARM SYSTEM
Stepping up to the plate It's scary to think that it was almost eight months ago that the seriousness of the COVID-19 pandemic was starting to become apparent, and while many in the industry were considering the best ways to take their electrical businesses and careers forward, David realised that this was his time to utilise the platform he had steadily built since 2012. He explains: “When COVID-19 hit and the lockdown was announced, all of my existing work was cancelled. I then looked for some CPD to undertake as/when I had the opportunity to do so, but personally found it to be lacking. It was at this point that I decided I had a duty to provide something for electricians, especially with the number of individuals that were now following the SparkyNinja group.” To say David has stepped things up a notch over the last few months would be an understatement, having delivered (at the time of writing) 45 free webinars to over 5,500 individuals – all in his own time, and all in the name of advancing the knowledge and support available to electricians. “The engagement from those partaking in the webinars was truly brilliant,” says David. “Listeners were engaging so much that the webinars frequently ran well over 90 minutes in length, when the original intention was around 45 minutes per session. “The amount of knowledge out there in our industry is amazing and if we can find the right places to network together and respect each other we will all learn and improve as a result. If we can then bring new entrants, apprentices, and existing learners into this environment of respect, the future for electricians is going to be very bright.” Although he's certainly not alone on this front, David is a fantastic example of the way that individuals within the electrical industry are prepared to give their time and knowledge for the greater good. The pandemic, rather than weakening such resolve, seems to have actually strengthened it, with the electrotechnical industry once again proving that it has the spirit to grow stronger, no matter what is thrown at it. So, when we look back on 2020 in future years to come lets hope it will also be remembered for the contribution that the likes of David have made to ensuring new entrants to the electrical industry, in particular, have avoided being left behind.
An ERA Protect Starter Kit – worth over £400 – could be yours!
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o celebrate the launch of ERA Protect, the next generation in wireless smart home security systems, ERA is offering PE readers the chance to win one of its ERA Protect Starter Kits, including hub, room sensor, door sensor and two remotes, plus a siren and outdoor camera. Bringing alarm and camera excellence to the fore, ERA Protect offers the ultimate in security confidence – even when there’s a broadband outage, the built-in 4G roaming SIM allows crucial data to be sent to the secure ERA Cloud, all controlled by one intuitive App. A robust, security-driven system that can be tailored to fit individual needs, the ERA Protect range boasts: Alarm system – easily programmed via the App and features alerts sent via push, phone call or SMS to pre-programmed alert numbers for added peace of mind. Outdoor camera – with on-demand recording when in live view for instant recording. Floodlight camera – offering discrete security, it looks like a standard floodlight but also incorporates a camera. Thanks to extensive research and development by the ERA team, the company is the first organisation to attain the BSI IoT (British Standards Institute Internet of Things) Kitemark, which has been developed by BSI to help customers confidently and easily identify devices they can trust to be safe, secure and functional.
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CODEBREAKERS KARL MOORBEY: A RECENT FIND! NOTICE HOW THE TWO RCDS AREN'T ACTUALLY CONNECTED AND HOW THE INTERNAL CABLES HAVE BEEN MODIFIED TO KEEP THE POWER ON VIA THE MCBS. LUCKILY, I PRACTICED SAFE ISOLATION AFTER TURNING THE RCDS OFF AND COULDN'T WORK OUT WHY THE SOCKETS WERE STILL LIVE. THE WHOLE HOUSE HAS OLD CABLING WHICH IS READY TO POP, SO JUST BYPASS THE RCDS INSTEAD. SIMPLE! The lack of regard for not only the occupants of the property, but any returning maintenance inspector or electrician, is totally unacceptable. Bypassing both of the RCDs on a dual RCD to mask the deficient wiring is very dangerous, especially if the occupant is under the impression they have RCD protected circuits. With so many circuits and situations now requiring RCD protection, there are literally dozens of probable Regulation infringements, observations, and Codes. By looking at the Earth bar in the CU, we can only see the Main Earth Conductor (MEC) and the circuit CPCs. This can mean that either the main protective bonding isn't required (incoming plastic services), they're connected via an external marshalling bar, or they aren't present. If they aren't present, and there is no supplementary bonding in the bathroom, the observations and codings are immediately going to be looking at C2 or FI, for this special location alone. If any of the socket-outlets are, or could be supplying an appliance outside, and don't have RCD protection, as an industry we have taken this to attract a Code C2. In truth, from the picture we can't know if either of these is true of this installation, but we can pass comment on the information we're given. The inspector has also indicated that the wiring has deteriorated, which means the insulation resistance (IR) is likely to have broken down on some circuits, causing the RCD to trip, which is probably the reason for the bypass of the RCDs. This will also attract an adverse Code if the values obtained fall below those in Table 64 of BS 7671, and after
GET THE BOOK AND CRACK THOSE CODES!
investigation, prove the wiring is sufficiently deteriorated, to require replacement. The bottom line is, although the RCDs are present but deliberately bypassed, the installation will only attract adverse Codes from a lack of adequate protection in a room containing a bath or shower (Section 701), or socket-outlets supplying equipment outside, or excessively low IR readings on the installation wiring. In bypassing the RCDs in this way, the resultant danger from inappropriately marked isolators can now also jeopardise the safety of anyone carrying out maintenance or the occupier isolating via an RCD, thinking the power is off. We should always practice safe isolation before we work on any electrical installation, so Karl has done the right thing and checked before doing any work. Also, the Neutral bar is not configured for a dual side set-up, as it now has a non-manufacturer constructed connection between the two bars, effectively connecting the two neutrals from each of the split side together. This is also likely to cause unwanted tripping from one side of the board to the other (see Regulation 531.3.2). Even though isolation in accordance with Regulation 462.1.201 exists here, if the occupants go to isolate one side of the board in an emergency, thinking they have isolated for safety, and the power is still on, this has the potential for serious injury and must be coded accordingly.
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.
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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
FREDERICK HAGAN: I FOUND THIS HEAT DAMAGE WHEN CARRYING OUT AN EICR. WHAT WOULD YOU CODE THIS? This is just the sort of thing that can be uncovered with the correct sampling of an installation. An inspector should always use their judgement to decide how much of an electrical installation to check or sample. The most experienced inspectors always look for the items that have historically caused issues, e.g. fixed loads, high current loads, and supplies to appliances that are in high use, etc. In this case, we can see that at least one Line conductor is showing signs of thermal damage. A second Line conductor, slightly obscured by the accessory in this photo, also looks to be damaged/degraded, as the sheath appears bared off way too much; this could be thermal damage but it is unclear from the photo. BS 7671 requires that an electrical installation is periodically inspected to confirm, among other things, the installation provides protection against damage to the property by fire or heat, and that it isn't deteriorated to the extent that it could impair the safety of its users. As thermal damage is present here, we can only ever give a C2/FI Code. If left, there could well be an escalation from the cause of the damage, which could result in a serious outcome. The cause of the thermal damage may also need to be investigated – it may be a loose connection, or it could be that the load is higher than the circuit or accessory can safely handle. Only rectifying the cable damage may not cure the issue, and the thermal damage could re-occur. If there are similar loads in the installation, it may be that these will need to be checked for thermal damage, which may not be a part of the agreed inspection and testing and may need further investigation. I’ve split the observations into two distinct outcomes and possible codes, however, they could easily be combined and given an FI as an overarching code. Either way, an unsatisfactory outcome on the EICR is a given outcome here.
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
ORDER YOUR COPY OF NAPIT CODEBREAKERS BY VISITING: WWW.RDR.LINK/EU009
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AUTOMATED LIGHTING & SMART BUILDINGS
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f there were ever a silver lining to the coronavirus crisis, it's the renewed drive from all areas of industry and government to recover from the pandemic as a greener, more energy-efficient society. Add to that the recent advances in green technology and climate change legislation, such as the Net Zero Carbon 2050 target, and energy efficiency becomes a no-brainer for clients looking to build greener, cleaner and smarter assets.
Smart lighting – gimmick or saviour? Lighting in buildings is a major source of global carbon emissions, not to mention the embodied carbon costs associated with the manufacturing of lighting products. Efficiency is a broad term on its own, but in the context of lighting it boils down to keeping the energy expenditure of a building at the lowest possible level without sacrificing user comfort and operational requirements. There's an almost overwhelming number of possible approaches to smart lighting installations for both wired and wireless networks – DMX 512, KNX, Zigbee, Bluetooth, to name a few. For simple yet functional automated lighting controls, DALI takes the prize.
Get to know DALI DALI – Digital Addressable Lighting Interface – is an interface protocol for digital communication between electronic lighting equipment (electronic ballasts, etc.). It's not a product but an open-source protocol: a common set of rules and commands that each device in a network must follow. DALI is supported by most global lighting control system and component manufacturers. A network can be installed using simple 5-core LV cabling with no segregation required, and a relatively straightforward commissioning regime makes it one of the most cost-effective solutions out there. Each component of an open source DALI network is assigned an ‘address’ which a central computer uses to communicate its pre-programmed instructions. For example, a set of lights can be programmed to come on once the first person enters the office in the morning, switch off when no-one is present in a room or on a floor, brighten or dim throughout the day or cause the actuation of solar blinds in response to the amount of natural light coming from outside. The possibilities are (almost) limitless, so long as the maximum number of nodes
Shahid Khan, ECA Technical Manager, looks at some of the challenges electricians need to overcome if they're to take advantage of the increasing appetite for automated lighting and smart solutions. (unique addresses) is limited to 64 in a single network and are based on the programming sequence of sensors and actuators which respond to the set points input into the system at the commissioning stage. The added comfort, energy savings and cost savings provided by DALI systems helps them pay for themselves relatively quickly, particularly in larger offices and communal dwellings like university halls of residence, hospitals or care homes. Smarter buildings, smarter FM Smart lighting systems can make life easier for facilities managers as emergency lighting can be tested without human interaction, so long as the lights have been programmed correctly. Parameters can be set up to automatically test the fittings monthly, six-monthly and annually, as per the requirements of BS EN 5266, and generate electronic reports. These reports can then be held locally on servers, emailed to
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specific individuals or held in a cloud-based system to provide a robust record of maintenance. As each ballast has a unique address, fault-finding also becomes an easier process. Fault reports can be automatically generated and narrowed down to easily identify a faulty component. A data-informed decision can then be made to dispatch an engineer to fix the problem. New challenges As with any new system, there are risks and challenges that contractors and installers should recognise. Automatic lighting controls can present a steep learning curve for FMs new to smart systems. DALI is a great first step, owing to its simplicity and ease of installation. Initial programming can also be laborious when first installing a system. As with any open source protocol, there's a risk of cyber-attacks. However, this can be mitigated by using closed networks and having robust security measures in place. Engineers should have a strong knowledge of basic programming and security systems before making smart lighting installations a part of their arsenal. Connecting to HVAC DALI is specific only to lighting controls, however for combined control of lighting and HVAC (which uses a different open source protocol called BACnet), different protocols can be made to work in concert using a ‘gateway’. A gateway will translate one protocol, in this case DALI, into one that BACnet can utilise and which can be controlled using one building management system, via one user interface. The compromise here is that the speed of data transmission is slowed – though it's still largely adequate for building services applications. Although somewhat removed from the world of the electrician, it'll become increasingly important for contractors and installers to be aware of HVAC automation systems as demand for these, as well as total building automation and control systems, continues to rise.
IS AUTOMATED CONTROL OF STUDENT ROOMS THE 'PREFECT' SOLUTION? Automation not only makes our life easier, but in the context of student accommodation it can make a huge difference to the overall energy budget. For energy and accommodation managers a building full of people that have control over their room temperature, but are not responsible for the electricity bill, must be irksome to say the least. PIR sensors are used for this very purpose. They are, however, often set to activate when the occupant returns, rather than focussing on saving energy. Irus is an automated energy management system that uses PIRs designed specifically for student accommodation. A node in each room silently monitors temperature, humidity, light, and decibels. Managers access data on the web-based portal and set maximum temperature and time profiles for 'Boost', 'Setback' and 'Frost' modes in individual rooms. Irus is then left to get on with saving energy. The PIR sensor on the room node can be set to presence or absence detection. 'Presence' detects an occupant entering the room and activates a programme to bring the room to a comfortable temperature. This is very convenient for the person in the room – but not so great for those paying the energy bill! Switching the PIR to 'absence' detection makes a lot more sense. This way, on entering the room the student needs to press the button to activate the Boost mode, which will run for a pre-determined time period before reverting to the Setback mode. Should they leave their room shortly after pressing the button though, the control unit’s PIR will notice the room is empty and cut short the Boost programme, thus not heating an empty room. If we conservatively estimate that 30 minutes of unnecessary heating is avoided in this scenario, and then multiply that for a 1,000-bedroom facility, the numbers become eye watering – equating to almost 21 days of heating that could have been prevented! Consider that in terms of annual use and it becomes clear how automating a heating system with Irus can make savings of as much as 40%.
GET MORE TECHNICAL SUPPORT FROM THE ECA BY VISITING: WWW.RDR.LINK/EU010
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GET MORE DETAILS ABOUT THE PREFECT IRUS RANGE OF CONTROLS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EU011
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CHARGING AHEAD
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ince the announcement of Amendment 1 to BS 7671 which was published in February of this year, BS 7671:2018 Amendment 1:2020, is available and free-to-view on the IET website as a stand-alone update to Section 722 for Electric Vehicle (EV) charging installations. This included a change to the introduction of Regulations where ALL EV changing points designed and installed after 31st July must comply with Amendment 1 requirements. Therefore these changes are now in force. The decision to release this Amendment follows advances in technology enabling a more practical solution for EV charging installations. One of the main changes is with regards to Protective Multiple Earthing (PME) systems. Contractors already familiar with EV charging installations will be aware of the restrictions on the use of PME earthing facilities used outside for the protective conductor contact of a charging point.
NAPIT Technical Events Manager, Paul Chaffers, gives an overview of the Amendment to the IET 18th Edition Wiring Regulations (BS 7671:2018) related to EV charging, released earlier this year. Regulation 722.411.4.1 introduces two new indents – (iv) and (v) – which provides alternative solutions for charging installations using PME earthing systems. The existing installation options (i), (ii) and (iii) have been slightly modified and are still available for use. However, many contractors found these conditions hard to meet, as summarised here. Summary of existing installation methods (i), (ii) and (iii) (i) The first option concerns charging points forming part of a three-phase installation also supplying non-vehicle charging loads. The maximum voltage between the MET and Earth in the event of an open-circuit fault in the Protective and Neutral Conductor – combined (PEN) conductor of the low voltage network supplying the installation does not
exceed 70 V rms. This option relies on the system being balanced, which in theory would be hard to achieve. (ii) The second option requires the installation MET to be connected to an auxiliary earth electrode. The resistance of the earth electrode to Earth shall be such that the maximum voltage between the main earthing terminal of the installation and Earth in the event of an open-circuit fault in the PEN conductor of the low voltage network supplying the installation does not exceed 70 V rms. The conditions for this option are very hard to meet, due to the low resistance needed to achieve the 70 V rms touch voltage threshold. (iii) The third option concerns the use of a device which disconnects the charging point from the live conductors of the supply and from protective Earth (in accordance with Regulation 543.3.3.101(ii)) within five seconds in the event of the voltage between the circuit protective conductor and Earth exceeding 70 V rms. The device need not operate if the voltage exceeds 70 V rms for less than
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four seconds. The device shall provide isolation, with closing or resetting of the device possible only if the voltage between the circuit protective conductor and Earth does not exceed 70 V rms. This method requires a suitable reference to Earth due to the fact that during a PEN failure in the supply network, the neutral of a TN-C-S (PME) supply is no longer considered to be reliably connected to Earth, and therefore measurement of voltage will need to be between the circuit protective conductor and a suitable measurement earth electrode. Annex A722 provides further guidance, and one notable requirement is for the positioning of any measurement electrodes to be located at a sufficient distance from other earth electrodes, and/or other buried exposed-conductive-parts, and/or extraneous conductive-parts connected to the PME earthing terminal to reduce transfer of earth potential rise on the PME system during a PEN failure. To avoid having to meet the onerous conditions listed above, most contractors opted for using a TT earthing arrangement, as illustrated in Fig 1. However, Amendment 1 suggests caution with this approach in a new note (Note 6), which states that creating a TT earthing system for charging equipment, or the whole installation, as an alternative to using a PME earthing facility, may not be an appropriate solution due to the inability to provide sufficient separation from buried metalwork connected to the supply PEN conductor.
electrically disconnects the vehicle from the live conductors of the supply and from protective Earth, in accordance with Regulation 543.3.3.101(ii) within ďŹ ve seconds. Characteristics of losing the PEN conductor in a single-phase installation include hazardous touch voltages being present on exposed-conductive-parts, as well as uctuating voltage. Therefore, the device must monitor the utilisation voltage at the charging point between the line and neutral conductors, and shall provide isolation should the voltage parameters of 253 V rms or less than 207 V rms be reached. (v) Indent (v) permits the use of an alternative device to those in (iii) or (iv) for protection against electric shock. It must not result in a lesser degree of safety than using (iii) or (iv). The device (or means of functionality) shall operate by electrically disconnecting the vehicle from the live conductors of the supply and from protective earth in accordance with Regulation 543.3.3.101(ii). It shall provide isolation and be selected in accordance with Table 537.4. This option allows manufacturers to design and construct charging equipment with no restrictions on the design, providing the fundamental requirements for isolation can be achieved under (loss of PEN) fault conditions.
New installation methods (iv) and (v), providing alternative solutions (iv) This new option concerns single-phase installations only, where protection against electric shock is provided by a device which
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Included with the requirements of indent (iii), (iv) and (v) is a statement that equivalent means of functionality could be included within the charging equipment. However, BS 7671 does not deal with the safety requirements for the construction of electrical equipment and therefore further information is provided in a new note (Note 5) accompanying Regulation 722.411.4.1. Isolation requirements Regulation 543.3.3.101 permits inserting a switching device in the protective conductor under certain conditions. Indent (ii) of Regulation 543.3.3.101 requires multipole, linked switching in which the protective conductor circuit is not interrupted before the live conductors, and is re-established not later than when the live conductors are reconnected. The device used for isolation in conditions (iii), (iv) and (v) must be selected in accordance with Table 537.4 of BS 7671, which provides guidance on the selection of protective, isolation and switching devices. A further requirement is that where a device is provided for the purposes of (iii), (iv) and (v) the protective conductors and exposed-conductive-parts downstream of the protective device shall have no connection to: (a) any protective conductors or exposed-conductive-parts of any circuit
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not protected by the same protective device, or; (b) any extraneous-conductive-parts. New RCD references The requirements introduced with the release of the 18th Edition placed more importance on the correct selection of RCD type. Regulation 531.3.3 describes RCDs in respect of their behaviour when exposed to DC components and frequencies. Section 722 previously required that unless using the protective measure of electrical separation, each charging point shall be protected by its own 30 mA RCD of at least Type A and, for certain conditions, Type B RCDs were required. Amendment 1 introduces further RCD terminology, the Type F RCD and the introduction of RDC-DD. The requirements are as follows: Except where provided by the EV charging equipment, protection against DC fault currents shall be provided by: (i) an RCD Type B, or; (ii) an RCD Type A or Type F in conjunction with a residual direct current detecting device (RDC-DD) complying with BS IEC 62955, as appropriate to the nature of the residual and superimposed currents and recommendation of the manufacturer of the charging equipment. Table 1 provides RCD information with operating restrictions and marking symbols. Maximum demand and diversity Previously 722.311 required a dedicated circuit for the connection of electric vehicles with no allowances for diversity, meaning that unless the installation had enough spare capacity for the rated current of the charging point, the installation could not go ahead. Amendment 1 removes this requirement and introduces 722.311.201, which permits load curtailment, including load reduction or disconnection. It states that this can be applied either automatically or manually and may be taken into account when determining maximum demand of the installation or part thereof. Conclusion NAPIT welcomes the new updated Section 722 as this will make installing charging points quicker and easier, helping to reduce the cost of installations for both installers and customers. The new requirements for assessing maximum demand with the use of load curtailment will help remove further installation barriers. Potential hazards associated with driving earth electrodes into the ground will now be reduced and there will be no concerns regarding simultaneous contact of two different earthing systems. By selecting EV charging equipment where the manufacturer has a declaration of conformity stating that their equipment meets the requirements of Regulation 722.411.4.1 (iii), (iv) or (v), no further consideration is needed regarding the use of a PME earthing facility. It is recommended that the declaration of conformity is retained with the design records for future scrutiny. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON NAPIT SCHEME REGISTRATION, VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EU012
EV SPECIALIST LAUCHES TRAINING PROGRAMME CTEK, a leading global brand in battery management solutions, has launched its SKILLBASE E-mobility training programme.
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he comprehensive and flexible training programme has been developed to educate CTEK’s EV partners on CTEK EV charging products and associated services. A dedicated SKILLBASE E-mobility training team is set to deliver sales and technical training sessions, as well as advanced Certified Installer courses to CTEK partners. Delivered by qualified and experienced trainers, the programme combines classroom-based presentations and practical demos to ensure a complete understanding of how CTEK products and solutions can meet customer needs. The SKILLBASE E-mobility launch also marks the introduction of the SKILLBASE E-mobility Certified Installer scheme, launched to ensure that CTEK is working with the very best electrical installers. This full-day session, which takes place at a dedicated training centre, is free to attend and blends a perfect mix of technical knowledge and hands-on practical training about installation, testing and fault-finding. Once training is complete, delegates will then undertake both practical and online assessments. GET MORE DETAILS ABOUT THE CTEK SKILLBASE TRAINING PROGRAMME AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EU013
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CIRCUITS WITHOUT A CPC:
IS IT BEST TO HAVE AN EXTRA TEST?
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Guest columnist Chris Ruddock ponders whether electricians should consider carrying out an insulation test between live conductors to earth for circuits that don't incorporate a circuit protective conductor (CPC).
any of you reading this will have encountered a situation where you've come across an installation, such as a lighting circuit, that's been wired in twin PVC cables without an integral CPC included within the circuit. Indeed, it's more than likely that you've performed a maintenance task on such a circuit by replacing a defective accessory or carried out an EICR on a property that has these circuits in use. Now, an installation that includes circuits without a CPC wouldn't normally cause much concern, provided that the accessories, equipment or fittings are suitably insulated to the requirements of Class II. In fact, within guidance materials such as NAPIT Codebreakers and Electrical Safety First's Best Practice Guide 4 it's suggested that a 'C3 Improvement Recommended' code should be attributed and would not render an ‘Unsatisfactory’ EICR outcome.
The installation method used for the wiring has no bearing on this outcome. All is fine it seems, thanks to the insulated wiring accessories and fittings which eliminate the risk of parts becoming live under fault conditions to that circuit. However, what about a situation whereby a circuit that doesn't incorporate a CPC comes into contact with extraneous metallic parts, exposed conductive parts of another circuit or the building fabric in general due to damage to that circuit wiring along its route?
“A KEY CHANGE WAS INTRODUCED IN THE 17TH EDITION WIRING REGULATIONS WHICH SAW A RE-WORDING IN THE WAY IN WHICH INSULATION TESTING WAS CARRIED OUT. ”
A key change was introduced within the 17th Edition Wiring Regulations which saw a re-wording in the way in which insulation testing was carried out. It now requires that insulation tests between live conductors to earth are carried out with the CPC of that circuit connected to the earthing arrangement where previously it allowed the circuit under test to be carried out between conductors with the relevant CPC disconnected. This updated measure ensured that the circuit under test wasn't mutually short circuited to earth by another means that otherwise would've been missed by disconnection of the CPC during the test procedure. Given the fact that the circuit doesn’t incorporate a CPC and the wording of the updated method specifically mentions that the CPC should be connected to the earthing arrangements, should a test be carried out on this type of circuit and should a result be obtained to be included in an EICR?
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dwelling. However, this only A recent conversation I had FIG 1 FIG 2 attracts a 'C3 Improvement with Ryan Dempsey from The Recommended' in the guidance Compliance Workbook indicated materials and only applies to that 98% of the certificates that domestic installations. had been processed had 'N/A' It's clear that, depending on recorded in the corresponding which type of guidance material insulation resistance box. you follow, it is possible that I recently came across an these particular types of circuits insulation fault on a lighting could be deemed ‘safe for circuit that originally was wired continued use’ without any in twin PVC cable and had been insulation tests being carried out rewired in part with the to earthing system to ensure exception of a switch drop that that the integrity of the wiring couldn't be accessed to be system is intact and doesn't replaced due to a fitted present any risk. wardrobe in the room above. So, this poses the question of Fault finding investigations Note: a CPC was provided by a switch located adjacent to the rear of the switch. whether we should be were carried out to the circuit The red is attached to the nail. considering this test as a which specifically concentrated minimum, with the result also recorded. on metallic fittings, metallic wiring The 17th Edition also saw some Although some positive changes have accessories and wiring which changes with regard to 30mA RCD taken place in the Wiring Regulations in incorporated a CPC without much success protection of concealed cables within the order to improve safety of the installation, in locating the issue. fabric of the building at less than 50mm, there are many installations that still have As I moved around the installation and and included the requirement of 30mA started to split the circuit into smaller parts RCD protection to cables concealed within no RCD protection whatsoever. Similarly, older installations exist where a 16th I noticed that the fault cleared as soon as I a partition that is constructed with metallic Edition compliant consumer unit has been disconnected the original switch drop wired parts, regardless of depth. installed without RCD protection to in twin PVC cable. Further investigations At the time, however, this could be lighting circuits without a CPC. had found that the concealed cable had negated by the use of a risk assessment if been damaged in the wall and was the installation was deemed under the shorting to earth via the building fabric supervision of skilled or instructed Open to debate and subsequently other parallel paths. persons. These requirements were since There's always been the debate that an updated in the Amendment 3 (2015) installation compliant with an earlier update which saw the removal of the Edition doesn’t necessarily make the Food for thought 'skilled and instructed persons' element. installation unsafe and that the I'd previously overlooked this cable as the When you check the previously requirements should necessarily apply cause due to the conductor not mentioned guides, there's currently a retrospectively, given the note provided incorporating a CPC, but it has since got disparity between Codebreakers, which by the Health & Safety Executive. me thinking that had that been the case suggests a concealed cable not RCD Regardless of whether you're carrying for the entire circuit it's very likely that a protected would warrant a 'C2 Potentially out an EICR or a maintenance repair to an test wouldn’t have been undertaken or Dangerous' code and Best Practice Guide existing circuit, it should be noted on the recorded, and yet this same fault could still 4 which suggests a 'C3 Improvement report or minor works certification that an exist and not necessarily be discovered. Recommended', so it really does depend improvement is recommended with a view The images provided (Figs 1 & 2) on which guidance materials you may be to replace the cables. demonstrate continuity through the using at the time. I understand this isn't always possible lighting circuit CPC and back through the Notice how I refer to them as 'guidance due to client budgets, listed building building fabric. The damaged cable is the materials' as electricians should always constraints or disturbance of asbestos etc. twin PVC to the light switch which is use them in such a way, in line with your but going beyond the requirements and shorting to the building fabric. carrying out an insulation test between A lot of properties still have circuits that own engineering skills, judgements and relevant site-specific risk assessments. live conductors and the earthing don't include a CPC, albeit some A more recent requirement introduced arrangements demonstrates that you took additional regulations have since been with the 18th Edition Wiring Regulations all reasonable steps to ensure the introduced to improve the safety of such involved the RCD protection rated at installation is as safe it can be at the time installations which may not have been 30mA of lighting circuits within a domestic of the testing. applied retrospectively.
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TECHNICAL & TRAINING
“KNOWLEDGE SHARING BRINGS MANY BENEFITS” Mike Cullom, Area Manager, UK North from Ideal Industries, discusses the benefits of knowledge sharing with the further education sector.
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ith further education (FE) colleges now delivering electrical training in classroom and workshop settings once again, a new generation of electricians and apprentices are taking their first steps towards a rewarding career. But it’s often not an easy journey; either for the electrical students who need to gain a real taste of what the profession will require of them in the workplace, or for the FE providers who face limited budgets and often find it hard to engage with employers. Meanwhile, electrical contractors and suppliers have a lot to gain from working with colleges and their students. For a long time, the electrical sector has been calling for trainees who are ‘site ready’ and highlighting the need to align education to the needs of employers. Working with further education providers offers an opportunity to communicate the skills required on-site and feed into curriculum development, based on a practical approach to both traditional and emerging tools and techniques. As a global specialist in electrical tools and accessories, Ideal Industries has explored what we can do to feed into this reciprocal knowledge sharing approach.
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One of the training providers we've partnered with is Warrington & Vale Royal College in Cheshire, creating a partnership that offers benefits for our expertise and new product development, while offering the college useful resources. Organic relationship Warrington & Vale Royal College offers a wide range of courses for school leavers, apprentices and adults, including training and re-training as electricians. Dave Love is the Curriculum & Apprenticeship Manager for Electrical Installation and, having worked on-site as an electrician himself, he was keen to work with electrical supply chain companies. “When Ideal Industries first approached us there was no specific plan,” Dave explained, “they're based locally to us and wanted to see how we could work together. We gave them a tour and talked through how we can help each other, and the relationship has snowballed from there.” One of the challenges facing the further education sector is lack of funding, which sometimes means that students don’t have access to innovative new tools and equipment, making it harder for colleges to train them in the variety of installation methods they might be expected to use on-site. As Dave explained: “It’s in the nature of training that things will get broken – that’s how we learn. But on limited college budgets it can mean that older, cheaper products are used, rather than broadening training to newer innovations. “In the electrical sector, where there are regular developments both in products and regulation, working with manufacturers is an important way of keeping up-to-date and giving our students the skills they will need on-site.” Products in practice Ideal Industries has assisted the college by providing In-Sure Push-In and Lever Wire Connectors for use by students, enabling them to learn a faster and easier method for terminations, alongside the use of terminal strips. “It’s important that we continue to teach students how to use termination strip,” said Dave, “but having Ideal’s
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In-Sure Connectors means that they have experience of newer techniques they may need on-site. “It means that they’re not just confident in using wire connectors but also confident about trying alternatives and using different tools and techniques, which makes them much more adaptable and workplace-ready.” The college also has Ideal Industries' Safe Isolation kits to support safety training for testing, locking out and tagging isolations. As Dave commented: “Safety is another important aspect of our students’ training. Our aim is to ensure that they’re familiar with the equipment they will need to use to stay safe on-site so that safety becomes second nature.” Reciprocal benefits The benefits of the knowledge sharing partnership are just as clear for the supply chain. Ideal Industries’ products have been developed to help make electrical installations faster, more cost-effective and consistent, so we see working with the next generation of electricians as an important way of driving best practice in the sector.
PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN
The company also gains significantly from the relationship. Engagement with the students feeds into Ideal Industries’ product development process and gives the business access to all the technical know-how and latest industry learning and standards from the college’s teaching team. Moving forward, both Ideal Industries and the college want to build on these foundations. Talks to the students from the Ideal team are planned for this academic year, along with work placement opportunities. As Dave concludes: “The value is not just in the electrical products and expertise that Ideal can offer, but also in the company’s commercial experience and workplace environment. “Many of our students will be self-employed or work with small companies, so our partnership with Ideal Industries will help them understand about business as well as providing materials, knowledge and adaptability for their role on-site.” GET MORE DETAILS ABOUT IDEAL INDUSTRIES' PRODUCT RANGE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EU014
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TRAINING ROUND UP
DO YOU STILL NEED TO SIT THE 18th EDITION ASSESSMENT?
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ertsure, in association with JTL, has confirmed that it is now licenced to deliver City & Guilds' all-new 18th Edition remote assessment, meaning you can now undertake the BS 7671:2018 qualification exam from the comfort of your own home or office. Neil Vincent, NICEIC & ELECSA’s Head of Training, commented: "Becoming approved by C&G to offer this option is fantastic and testament to our commitment to upholding standards and driving technical excellence. "Adding to our expanding range of virtual training tools, which includes our Virtual Classroom products and our blended learning options, this latest addition offers customers more choice. Having had the remote exam in our portfolio for a few months now, I'm encouraged by the feedback from delegates who are relishing the convenience of being able to sit the assessment remotely."
Sam Egerton, Sales Manager at City & Guilds, added: "We recognise society is changing and that many people now want and need to update skills remotely. "Whatever the reason, we're committed to meeting the needs of our customers while rigorously maintaining standards. Working closely alongside recognised organisations such as Certsure and JTL, who are able to uphold our strict assessment protocols, we're confident both contractors and industry will welcome this introduction." PE was given the opportunity to catch up with one delegate – Liam Turvey of
Compass Electrical Solutions based in Torbay – who talked about his experience: “I undertook both the NICEIC 18th Edition Virtual Classroom course, and the remote exam, as it was convenient and meant I didn’t have the cost of travel or being away from the business. “Overall, the experience was very smooth, the set-up was easy and the instructions were clear. I was still a little nervous sitting the exam, however being at home made me feel more comfortable and relaxed. “Another plus was that once I'd finished, I received an instant pass mark which really put my mind at ease. I'd recommend this option to anyone needing to complete their 18th Edition qualification.” GET MORE DETAILS ABOUT BOOKING CERTSURE'S 18TH EDITION REMOTE ASSESSMENT AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EU015
THE ARENA IS OPEN AICO TRAININGGETS FIA APPROVAL
A
rena Training Centre has announced that its new Sheffield Meadowhall AM2 Centre is now open for trading following a rigorous but successful sign-off process. Peter Monfort, Director at Arena Training Centre, said: “We’re thrilled with the news and I’d like to pass on my congratulations to Neal and Stuart (pictured) who have worked so hard to build an amazing facility.” Phone bookings at Arena Training Centre are now being taken on: 0114 256 2007
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT ARENA TRAINING CENTRE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EU016
A
ico has had its award-winning Expert Installer core module CPD certified by the Fire Industry Association (FIA). Expert Installer is designed to provide electrical contractors with all the information they require to select, site, install and maintain Aico alarms to the highest quality. It also ensures that attendees are up-to-date with the latest legislation and requirements. Aico’s National Technical Manager, Andy Speake, commented: “Aico is proud to be a member of the FIA and excited to display the FIA-CPD Certification on our Expert Installer Core Module. The FIA is at the forefront of fire protection in the UK and offers its own range of industry recognised courses and qualifications. To have our own training scheme approved by the FIA is a great accolade.” GET MORE DETAILS ABOUT AICO'S EXPERT INSTALLER TRAINING AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EU017
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RIBA APPROVED CPD FOR SMART PROJECTS
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ira has announced the launch of a brand new RIBA Approved CPD to develop new skills, knowledge and expertise when specifying smart projects. ‘Specifying your Smart Project’ forms part of the award-winning continuous professional development programme from RIBA. This CPD is aimed at architects and specifiers looking to gain a greater insight in smart home specification and intelligent build solutions within the commercial, residential and hospitality sector. Learning activities include:
● Why specifying smart is beneficial,
outlining the features and benefits of an inclusive smart home environment, ● An overview of the latest smart home statistics for effective forward-planning, ● A summary of smart home technologies
and solutions now in the market,
● Understanding the different levels of
specifying smart, ● How the latest smart home statistics
can provide effective forward-planning, ● Sustainable project specification:
BREEAM, the world's leading sustainability assessment method for master-planning projects, infrastructure and buildings, ● How specifying smart can help you to gain BREEAM credits. Mark Booth, Managing Director at Gira UK, said: "We want to remove the grey areas and simplify both the idea and application of a smart home, which is why we're extremely proud to work with RIBA to assist UK specifiers in the development of bespoke smart home systems and solutions for intelligent home automation. “As consumer demand continues to
ENTER THE ECA LEARNING ZONE
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CA has joined up with a number of industry-leading organisations to launch the ECA Learning Zone. The Learning Zone is designed to educate and inform ECA members and the wider industry on a wide range of electrotechnical and commercial issues, from the latest amendments to the Wiring Regulations to new, cutting-edge technologies and value-adding support services. ECA Technical Director, Mike Smith, said: “Attendees can look forward to engaging presentations, important new information and the opportunity for training and professional development.” GET MORE DETAILS ABOUT FORTHCOMING ECA LEARNING ZONE WEBINARS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EU019
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grow in response to new technologies, functions and home reality, it is imperative to increase understanding of how premium technology can best facilitate end users and bring great value and reward.” FIND OUT MORE ABOUT GIRA'S SMART PROJECT RIBA APPROVED CPD AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EU018
LEARN TO MAKE THE RIGHT RCD CHOICE
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chneider Electric offers a range of online training modules which are ready when you are, so you can grow your knowledge in your own time. One such module is ‘Selecting RCDs per application’ which, upon completion, will enable delegates to propose the right type of RCD to ensure protection of people and continuity of service, depending on the application. You'll learn about the function of the different types of RCD and how to choose the right one. All training modules are accessible in the mySchneider Electrician portal, on any device. ACCESS THE RCD LEARNING MODULE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EU020
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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: NOW THAT MORE PEOPLE ARE BUYING ELECTRIC VEHICLES, I’M OFTEN BEING ASKED TO FIT AND MAINTAIN EV CHARGE POINTS. WHAT SORT OF TEST EQUIPMENT WILL I NEED?
We say: It’s certainly important to ensure that EV charge points are correctly installed and maintained. If you’re going to carry out this work, you first need to make sure you’re familiar with all the relevant charge point testing standards. For test equipment, there’s good news: you may already have most of what you need, as modern multifunction testers like the Megger MFT1741+ support EV charge point testing. However, there's one extra item you'll need to purchase, and that’s an EV charge point adaptor. This links your tester to the charge point and simulates the connection of a vehicle, which is necessary for carrying out the tests. Megger has just introduced the EVCA210 adaptor which, in conjunction with a suitable instrument, will let you test the functioning and safety of all AC Mode 3 EV charge points in accordance with the IEC/EN 62851-1 and IEC/HD 60364-7-722 standards. As well as being compact, easy to use and portable, the EVCA210 adaptor is supplied with not only a Type 2 connector, but also a Type 1, which is important if you want to test Type 1 plugs on tethered leads. The EVCA210 will, therefore, make a very useful addition to your test kit. WATCH A SUPPORTING VIDEO AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EU021
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NSIGHTS SMALL BUT POWERFUL As mobile devices increase their capacity and become more power hungry, the new USB Type-C connector is set to replace Type-A over time. Emma Segelov, EMEA Marketing Operations Manager at MK Electric, provides insight on why the shift is taking place, and how MK is helping organisations to move from one type to the other. When it comes to connecting devices such as phones, tablets, external hard drives and laptops, the 4-pin USB-A connection has been the standard for quite some time. But the use of USB Type-C – the cable that has the same shape connectors at both ends for phones and tablets – is on the rise and expected to become the norm. USB-C benefits USB-C has the capability to not only charge a connected device but also power a much broader range of equipment. This is possible because the power capability of USB-C far exceeds that possible with USB-A. USB-C devices and cables with Power Delivery (PD) Specification will be able to deliver and send up to 100W of power in the future. In addition to more power, data exchange rates are significantly higher with USB-C and even video transfer will be possible. Its smaller connection size and reversible shape also means that users won’t need to keep flipping the connector over to find the right orientation.
transition from the still commonly-used Type-A, to Type-C connection. That’s why we've launched a new USB integrated socket into our Logic Plus range that has two USB ports – one Type-C, one Type-A. It provides a total of 15W across both outlets; the USB-C socket is rated at 15W (5V/3A) power whilst the USB-A port is rated at 10W (5V/2A). Our newest Logic Plus USB integrated sockets offer convenient access to power, and mount into a standard 25mm back box, making them perfect for retrofit as well as new build. They also feature backed out and captive terminal screws and in-line, upward facing terminals with a funnel entrance for no-fuss installation.
Transitioning to USB-C Although USB Type-C connection is on track to become the new standard for charging and data transfer, it will take time for the market to fully make the
Optimising user experience Aside from making life easier for electricians, user experience is also crucial to the success of a USB integrated socket. Our Dynamic
mkelectric.co.uk
Device Recognition (DDR) technology ensures that whatever make or model is being charged, the device recognises the socket as it would its own charger and draws current from the USB charging socket in the way that best suits its design to ensure optimal charging in the least amount of time. Our USB integrated sockets meet the highest safety standards, too, with comprehensive electrical protection against an overload or short circuit. The products have been designed so that if the total charging current exceeds the rate level of 3A, the device will enter a current limited safety mode, or if voltage drops too much (e.g. under short circuit conditions) the output voltage will shut down completely. They have a three-pin operated ‘child resistant shutter system’, which is designed to inhibit access to the electricity supply, unless all three pins of a standard British 13A plug are in position. Unlike many other USB sockets, ours offers double pole switching for added user safety.
GET MORE DETAILS ABOUT THE MK ELECTRIC LOGIC PLUS RANGE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EU022
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THE POWER OF
DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
Sean Miller, Electrician Programme Manager at Schneider Electric, explains the crucial role that electrical understanding plays in creating an energy efficient system.
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hile 2020 has been dominated by COVID-19 headlines, sustainability and energy usage has bubbled beneath the surface with ever increasing ferocity for all electrical professionals. Power efficiency is now a top concern for all, especially those working in business-critical applications seeking to meet increasing digital demands, manage energy costs, and minimise CO2 emissions. Within critical systems that support data centres, buildings, industrial factories and healthcare facilities, the growth of digital services, data consumption and connectivity has made power continuity and resilience essential. Downtime has become a key issue within increasingly complex electrical systems. According to a Centrica report, 39% of businesses today experience unscheduled downtime as a result of an energy-related failure, and one in three lose revenue due to power outages. Additionally, 18% of those businesses said that outages have damaged their brand, with 19% citing that relationships with customers have soured as a consequence.
technology, topology and modularity need to be considered to maximise efficiency. There are some key considerations that all electricians must be aware of when choosing solutions for their critical projects:
While the importance of resilience is becoming more widely understood, the means of pre-empting issues remains opaque. Fundamentally, maximising efficiency requires a holistic understanding of all electrical and business functions. However, the details are more complex – the type and design configuration of an uninterruptible power supply (UPS), for example, can deliver significant cost savings. Ensuring power predictability and reliability is the priority for any UPS, yet several options in
Tools to guide modernisation Fortunately, there are many online resources and digital tools freely available today to help guide electrical contractors, business owners and operators, which offer the ability to model scenarios to meet specific requirements. Some, for example, can help to determine energy usage, efficiency gains and long-term lifecycle benefits, while others offer the ability to select and deploy UPS technologies based on uptime and availability requirements, budget, and even upgrades to an existing installed base of UPS assets. Modern tools can provide data driven insights into different scenarios. They help end-users to identify basic power, cooling and IT requirements in specific environments, offering key guidance. Electricians and operators will frequently be the decision makers on product upgrades and replacements. To help this process, tools exist to calculate
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the cost of maintenance and support contracts, replacement schedules and the estimated remaining life of a system compared to the power consumption, longevity and replacement costs of upgrading to newer technologies. Ease of installation Today, the electrical industry, like many others, is beginning to experience a widespread skills shortage. Due to the specialist expertise needed for specific applications and environments, many professionals are beginning to move from traditional electrical installation work to data centres and other power-intensive critical infrastructure spaces. Depending on the type of application a contractor is working on, the complexity of deploying this technology could be significant. Electrical professionals must therefore be expertly trained and able to prioritise safety on-site. As such, new power products and components need to be easy to work with, easy to install, and safe to service and maintain. The good news is that as new technologies evolve, manufacturers like Schneider Electric can simplify their designs and make products easier to install. Take the Acti9 Isobar P distribution board, which has split neutral cabling and plug-on RCBO technology to reduce total installation time. Paired with IoT technologies such as PowerTag, which
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provides data analytics, this can help electrical professionals to overcome many of their energy-related challenges and bridge the skills gap. Remote monitoring With outages increasing and resiliency becoming a growing concern, deploying new power protection solutions with the ability to monitor, manage and check the health status of critical infrastructure equipment in real-time has become a fundamental consideration. IoT technology and advanced control circuitry allow systems to be monitored and managed from any location. Status information is continuously routed to a central management console, providing operators with the visibility needed to schedule proactive maintenance and replace products that are nearing their end of life. Layered Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning algorithms identify and alert users to issues, enabling them to respond rapidly before problems arise. Solutions such as Acti9 PowerTag enable this level of insight and remote monitoring. As technologies continue to improve and become more sustainable, sophisticated remote management software increases resilience and uptime, enabling complex power products to be managed with even greater efficiency, lower operating costs and a reduced carbon footprint.
PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN
Prioritising connectivity Fundamentally, the ability to maintain critical equipment and provide a consistent and reliable service relies on complete connectivity. Systems must embrace open infrastructure to enable organisations to compete in the digital world. Interoperability is more important than ever to allow diverse hardware and software systems to work seamlessly across sectors and verticals. Unifying the software which provides the basis for agnostic applications, analytics and services for seamless integration is a necessity. Connecting everything, from the shop floor to the top floor, embeds intelligence at every level and supports better decision making through operations. Without complete connectivity bridging all functions and applications, maximum efficiency is impossible. Challenges ahead The challenge and the opportunity we have in front of us for the next 20 years is to transition into a new all electric, all digital world, where we can use connectivity and remote monitoring for improved installations and increased safety. Electricians must make decisions now with this in mind, in order to be prepared for the future. DOWNLOAD THE SCHNEIDER GLOBAL DIGITISATION REPORT AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EU023
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A TOUCHLESS SUBJECT
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hysical access control technology has been evolving at breakneck speed over the past few years. Much of the innovation in the sector has focused in two areas – mobile technology and biometrics (including facial recognition) – with companies placing bets on which they believe will grow fastest and even, potentially, emerge as the clear winner. For customers looking to upgrade their access system to a ‘keyless’ solution, the choice can be confusing, so what are the advantages of both?
Mobile's staggering growth The growth of mobile credentials is unsurprising given how ubiquitous smartphones have become, but the rate is still extraordinary nonetheless. In 2018, annual downloads of mobile credentials reached 4.1 million worldwide. Within just three years, IHS Markit predicts that the number will have reached over 120 million. There are various drivers behind this phenomenon, but the most important is convenience. For the user, it means being able to access their building using their phone without needing to carry additional cards/fobs. Mobile credentials are also not ‘sight’ dependent, so are well-suited to residential buildings where people may be coming and going in the dark, and where access is requested from a vehicle. They're convenient for the administrator too, as credentials are very easily
What are the individual advantages of mobile and facial recognition, and which one is likely to come out on top now that access control is embracing touchless technology? Gareth Robinson, Access Control Product Manager at 2N, discusses.
replaceable if a phone is lost or stolen (which may not be true for biometric data, since a face or fingerprint doesn't change). Mobile credentials are also a smart choice for administrators that need access control throughout a building, not just at the main entrances which are equipped with video intercoms. Bluetooth readers are relatively inexpensive and can easily be deployed to control access to individual rooms or zones. Facing the facts Facial recognition technology initially grew around identity detection and tracking in high-footfall or public spaces. In recent years, however, we've seen it increasingly used in physical access control, especially at the entrances of large commercial spaces which have a large number of people entering and exiting throughout the day. Technological developments continue at a brisk pace, so the overall reliability – which has been an issue, particularly identification bias around race and gender – is improving. The technology is also becoming more affordable.
Facial recognition is, however, facing some non-technological challenges too, not least regulatory changes governing its use which have recently been made in many territories across the globe. Complying with GDPR obligations is a complication as well, with people having the right for their personally identifiable information to be deleted or ‘forgotten’. A battle with only one winner? Some major companies are focusing their R&D spend on one technology over the other. For example, 2N – a global leader in IP access control systems – has prioritised mobile with a suite of products in that area, but each solution has different strengths. As a result, it seems likely that the two will continue to thrive by meeting different needs. Only time will tell, but one thing does seem clear: the pace of innovation in this sector will benefit customers, whatever their specific needs may be. GET MORE DETAILS ABOUT THE 2N RANGE OF TOUCHLESS SECURITY PRODUCTS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EU024
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'HANDS-OFF' LIGHTING: THE PIR-FECT APPROACH? Anxiety about returning to work (and play) isn't going to disappear overnight, but there are many ways that technology can help without having to break the bank buying ‘special’ equipment at top-end prices. The lifestyle changes we’ve all had to make are fast becoming the new long-term normal, but readily available smart technology that can be installed without major disruption means we can fit a lot of them seamlessly into our lives. Keeping the virus at bay While social distancing rules help to avoid viral transmission by air, an infected person can still transfer the virus just by touching their face and then touching a surface. COVID-19 has been found to survive on plastic such as the type light switches are made of, up to 72 hours after being applied. Of course, regular cleaning and disinfection is the first line of defence but may not be easy to achieve every time someone touches a switch. So, it makes sense also to reduce the likelihood of contagion by avoiding the need to touch the switch in the first place, and
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automating lights is a relatively easy job using ceiling or wall mounted PIR detectors or automatic light switches. Quicker installation Sleek, flush-mounted PIR presence detectors look great of course, but surface-mount detectors also make for quick installation that doesn’t involve cutting new ceiling apertures. Surface mount options, such as those available from Timeguard, also keep up appearance by placing the easy set controls under a stylish easily removable on/off cover. The added advantage here, of course, is that the controls are easily accessible if you need to make quick adjustments. There’s also an easy wall mounted version that will fit into any ready-wired switch back box. Automated alternatives Alternatively, you can just swap the light switches for automated models like the Timeguard ZV810N Motion Sensor PIR Light Switch that has built in PIR detectors and turns lights on/off as people enter or leave a room. It simply replaces an existing one- or two-way two-wire light switch (no Neutral needed) and will detect movement over an 8m field. As it’s rated for up to 400W LED, it's as suitable for large and brightly lit offices and commercial spaces as it is for domestic properties.
PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN
You can adjust the time the light remains on after occupants leave the detection field to give people ample time to reach the end of a corridor or the top of the stairs, for instance, and adjust the lux level to avoid nuisance switching in good natural daylight. Other options in the Timeguard Automated Light Switch range have built-in programmable timing. IP40 protection, Class II double insulation and branded, guaranteed quality should also be on your checklist for the ideal and safest choice. Want to go a step further? Don’t forget these are just a few simple, entry-level ideas to address immediate concerns about COVID security. Once you have the customer's attention, do remind them of the original reasoning behind automating switching of lighting: energy efficiency and both security and courtesy lighting. You'll also benefit from taking the time to explore the ideas of more-sophisticated PIR lighting control, indoors and out, using zoning and master/slave combinations. GET MORE DETAILS ABOUT TIMEGUARD'S PIR RANGE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EU025
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STEPs in THE RIGHT DIRECTION
Gary Fisher of Lougar Electrical proves he has a head for heights as he road tests the Werner 717 series platform step ladder.
I
like a good set of steps, but I'll be honest and say that it's been a while since I've had a really reliable set. I'm not a huge fan of some of the more traditional materials that have been used in recent times, with aluminium and wooden being the main choice available. I remember getting an electric shock from a pair of aluminium ladders when I was carrying them through a building site many years ago, and as for my trusted wooden pair, I was forever having to redo the screws and keep the strength in them. Thankfully, in this modern era we now have fibreglass ladders available to us, which are light in construction and, more importantly, non-conductive. Werner is a well known name, particularly in the building side of the trades sector, so I was only too pleased to give one of its fibreglass offerings – the 717 series platform ladder – a trial run. My first reaction when handling the steps was how solid and well-built they felt – heavier than other fibreglass step ladders I've used in the past. The unit I received was the five-tread variety and the seven-layer fibreglass rails that Werner uses in this unit's construction ensures its highly resistant to outdoor conditions and ideal for trade use.
Another example of the sturdiness of the step ladder can be found through the use of an EDGE brace attached to the bottom end of the unit (where the feet are), on both the front and back. This provides enhanced strength and increased protection, and further aids the process of the ladder staying firmly in one place when in use. The steps are all anti-slip, so if you're using them in wet or slippery conditions you'll feel more confident that you won't slip or fall off. The top step acts as the platform area and provides you with the room to easily position yourself with both feet if you require extra height at any stage. I felt safe and secure every time I used this steel platform, which can't be said for some other ladders I've used in the past and have felt more like a death trap.
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PRIZE DRAW
WIN A C.K MAGMA WHEELED CASE
One winner will bag a Technician's PRO Wheeled Case this month.
i
f your work requires you to regularly transport a heavy toolkit, then C.K Magma’s new Technician’s PRO Wheeled Case (MA2652) offers the perfect solution, with a range of great features and benefits to make every task that much easier. Ideal for all terrain use, the wheeled case offers more storage than ever before and will effortlessly transport a fully laden toolkit which, with test equipment and power tools, can top 20kg. More storage options Its balanced design includes a rugged and durable chassis, wheels and a telescopic handle, ideal for effortless movement of larger toolkits, test equipment and power tools, whether on a factory site or commercial premises. More storage now includes 50 deep square pockets/compartments, with handy vertical pockets for clear visibility and organisation of tools.
“THE STEPS ARE ALL ANTI-SLIP, GIVING YOU THE CONFIDENCE THAT YOU WON’T SLIP OR FALL OFF WHEN USING THEM.” The ladder features a multi-functional HolsterTop to keep your tools organised and close to hand, limiting trips up and down the ladder. It's also approved to the latest EN131 standard, so another assurance of quality for the user. Made for the trades I've managed to get some really good use out of this step ladder now, and have found it to be up to the job on every occasion it has been required. They're a solid and rugged set that feel like they're made for the trades, rather than the DIY market. Now that we're getting back to some sort of normality in our working lives, I'm sure these steps will take even more of a bashing on a daily basis. They're far too well made, however, to give me any cause for concern and I'm confident they'll stand up to whatever is put in front of them over the next few months. WATCH A WERNER 717 SERIES PROMOTIONAL VIDEO AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EU026
58 November 2020
PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN
HOW TO ENTER
ENTER THE FREE PRIZE DRAW TO WIN A C.K MAGMA TECHNICIAN'S PRO WHEELED CASE BY FILLING OUT THE CONTACT FORM AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EU027 Usual T&Cs apply. Deadline for entries: 10/12/2020.
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THERE'S LOTS OF MERIT IN THE FERRET
Offering electricians the capability to reach, and view, those parts of an installation that would usually be a pain to access, Norman Bradshaw discovers why the Ferret WiFi from Super Rod could be the ideal new pet for your tool-kit.
B
efore I go into the results of this particular product test, let me tell you a little bit about this little tool – known as the Ferret WiFi Inspection Camera. Firstly, it comes from the Super Rod stable of products, so you immediately know it’s going to be innovative (even quirky) and something that electricians will find useful on a regular basis. The camera comes in a hi-vis yellow pouch which will fit easily in the palm of your hand or work trouser pockets. The camera itself is very small and is activated by flicking a switch which is neatly housed under a screw-on cap at the rear end of the unit. Also housed in this compartment is the USB charging adapter. The camera unit is very compact but extremely sturdy, featuring two threaded parts on the top which are designed to fit neatly onto your standard Super Rod attachments. In the pouch you also get a
plethora of attachments, including two short rods (one which is flexible), a magnet and a hook. All of the aforementioned can then be connected to the camera. The section that houses these small attachments is held in place with Velcro and is detachable, ensuring you can easily take all the attachments with you on-site – another good example of the thought that has gone into this product. Down to business One thing that the user does need to do is to sync the camera up to their mobile phone by Wi-Fi. The quick guide that came with the tool includes the QR Code for Android and iOS users, or you can visit your chosen store and download the Ferret WiFi App yourself. Once downloaded, you simply go to the Wi-Fi setting on your phone and you'll see an option for the Ferret WiFi listed. Select this icon and the Ferret will then switch on – hey presto, you're ready to roll!
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The six segment LED light really helps to give crystal clear vision under things like floor boards or when you're in the loft, and if lighting is a problem you have the ability to change the light intensity. Additionally, there are a number of features which you can adjust from your phone’s screen, such as whether to save your photos in JPG or PNG format. The camera also handles recordings, as the App includes a Gallery section where you can save your camera or video uploads by placing them either in the Pictures or Videos folder. You can even record with sounds, take pictures, zoom in/out and, just to make sure that it won’t fail on you at a critical time, it even comes with a built-in battery indicator. The Wi-Fi coverage is also reassuringly reliable. Inquisitive to see how far the Wi-Fi would stretch, I got up to over 5m and still hadn't lost the connection, which I think is pretty good going. Another nice feature to this product is that when you attach the hook, magnet or any of the other handy accessories to the front end, it becomes a great installing or retrieval tool. I've not seen another product that can do this to the same standard and accuracy. The only drawback that I found was that I was a little scared of scratching or damaging the unit as it seems like too nice a product to use it in the way that you're supposed to. I soon got over this, however, and also found a nice method of further protecting the camera by placing it inside an old Super Rod black whisk that I had in the toolbag – perfect for passing the camera under/through sleeper walls or floor boards.
and outside/inside pockets which can comfortably house everything in the kit. This, for me, was excellent as it meant that I could just hang the tube of rods on my shoulder, leaving my hands free to carry any other hand tools. If it's one less trip to the van per day, it's always worth it. Some of the more familiar metal Super Rod attachments have been given a reworked ribbed surface and others now come in plastic versions, making this kit a really good all-rounder. During the review one of the plastic end adaptors broke, which did surprise me, but the rest have certainly passed the test. If you've not used the original Super Rods before, you don't know what you're missing as they have to go down as one of the best time-saving inventions of the last 20 years in our industry. If you work on your own a lot, try to imagine that these are more like having another pair of hands – a simple concept, but so effective.
THE VERDICT Happy anniversary In addition to the Ferret Wi-Fi tool, Super Rod very kindly sent me a set of one of its original products – the CRMX Mega Set 10 Year Anniversary edition of the rods. The set comes with the now infamous cable socks, in two sizes suitable for T&E cables up to 6.0mm, and included 15 different attachments in total – some of which ended up housed in the Ferret WiFi case and others with this set. The whole kit could easily be carried in the very practical Super Rod Tube Shoulder Holster which has a long strap
If rewires, testing/inspection or fault finding is your bag then you'll find the Ferret WiFi (and any accompanying Super Rods) to be a trusty companion that will save you time, headaches and money. The Ferret has deservedly won a number of prestigious awards, and I can now fully understand from first hand use why it is so worthy of the accolades. Highly recommended!
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FERRET WIFI VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/EU028
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PROTEC-TION, GUARANTEED! Steve Hewish takes a safety-first approach this month, as he tries out the Snickers ProtecWork range.
E
nsuring you’re both comfortable and safe while working in potentially hazardous environments, such as those faced by electrical contractors, is a vitally important requirement. Fortunately, workwear providers, such as Snickers, are really stepping up their efforts in this area, as I found out when I had the chance to take some items from the ProtecWork range on review. Wool terry jacket and thermal trousers Good looking, warm and acting as another layer of arc resistant protective clothing, the wool terry jacket has been designed to fit comfortably around the body. This snug fit minimises the likelihood of the jacket catching or snagging while in a high-risk working environment. The thumb holes in the sleeves that hook over your hand are a clever touch as they ensure the sleeves don't roll up, thus maintaining an arc resistant covering on your hands and arms while wearing the wool terry jacket and Protec gloves. The wool terry trousers are a good insulator for cold weather environments and their arc resistant and flame retardant properties make them a perfect pairing to the waterproof shell trousers.
“THE THUMB HOLES IN THE SLEEVE THAT HOOK OVER YOUR HAND ARE A CLEVER FEATURE.”
Waterproof shell trousers and jacket, high-vis Class 2 Both comfy and weather resistant, this trouser and jacket combination is hard wearing. The trousers have Kevlar reinforced pockets to minimise the chance of tools penetrating them and injuring the wearer, while reinforced knee covering
minimises damage to the knees in hazardous working environments. The zipped bottoms of the trousers also help with putting on high ankle boots or wellingtons. The hi-vis and retro reflective material is a perfect covering for lots of different job types, from general electricians to substation electricians. Long sleeve T-shirt This is brilliant for hazardous working areas as it covers your whole upper body, including your arms. The material is strong and breathable – perfect for jobs where you have the potential to rip or tear your clothing. Protec headwear Multi-use headwear is such a good and effective clothing option as it can be used as a hat or as a cover for your neck and face. This is made from arc resistant material and is a good covering for those occasions where you're working in hazardous areas. Solid Gear Bravo Gtx boots These are a solid but comfortable pair of waterproof high ankle boots that I found were excellent for jobs where you're faced with wet and dirty conditions under foot. Boot covers may be needed for domestic work, however the Bravo Gtx boot’s Gore-Tex covering means you can almost submerge the whole boot without water leaking in, which is ideal to keep your feet warm and dry. VIEW SNICKERS’ FULL RANGE OF PROTECTIVE WEAR AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EU029
PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN
November 2020 65
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PRODUCTS ROUND UP
RHINO PRODUCTS PipeTube Pro
V-TAC Waterproof LED Fittings V-TAC has released a new range of waterproof fittings with LEDs provided by Samsung. Adding to its already rich range of fixtures with built-in LEDs, these latest fittings are made of industry-grade ABS + Polycarbonate material for a shockproof, heat-resistant, and ingress protected (IP65) shell enclosure. The notable upgrade for this specific range is the stainless steel locking clips, making each unit’s diffuser easier to install and access, yet secured when locked. The 20,000-hour lifespan greatly lessens maintenance and replacement costs compared with using traditional lamps, and the three-year warranty is an assurance that each unit functions perfectly, is free from defects, and provides 100% quality performance. Like other outdoor luminaire families in V-TAC’s extensive catalogue, this new range works with emergency battery packs and microwave sensors which can be ordered separately or built with the product. With a 24-hour charging time, the 9.6V 2200mAh Ni-Cd battery can power the unit for as long as three hours in emergency situations at 6-7W.
GET MORE PRODUCT DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EU031
An upgrade to the pipe carrying accessory of choice for professional van users, the new PipeTube Pro has had a complete redesign, offering a range of new features. The new (optional) PVC lining helps to prevent a galvanic reaction between copper pipe and items stored inside of the tube, which can often lead to discolouration, while the PipeTube Pro's rubber O-ring seal is located within the end of the connecting sleeve, creating a tight seal when the nose cone is closed and helping to prevent water ingress. A new nose cone and connecting sleeve have been redesigned so that the lock is housed inside the tube. The design also incorporates a stronger adjoining hinge, located on top of the system. For added peace of mind, the new bulkhead has been independently crash tested at Millbrook Proving Ground. GET MORE PRODUCT DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EU032
BLAUBERG COVID-19 Ventilation Guide Inside this interactive new guide from Blauberg you'll find clear, expert and actionable ventilation guidance for business and buildings amidst the COVID-19 virus pandemic. The guide will help businesses to learn about the ventilation they currently have, how it works and how to maximise its efficiency during this time. Offering useful and actionable steps, the information is broken down into digestable chapters to help you understand why indoor ventilation is important, how to minimise the risks, what ventilation provision is available and recommended actions to improve ventilation. DOWNLOAD A FREE COPY AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EU033
OVIA Lighting Design Service As part of its commitment to deliver a first class service, Ovia is offering a dedicated lighting design service, allowing customers to access free lighting design schemes for their commercial projects. The free service is available to electrical contracting companies, M&E consultants and anyone involved in the specification of lighting and lighting control equipment. The aim is to provide expertise in choosing the right products and solutions to create a scheme that meets all the requirements and objectives of the project in question, and that it is compliant with all the relevant regulations and standards. Playing a major role in this new service is Gareth Hunt, Ovia’s Lighting Scheme Designer. Gareth has spent eight years in the role of lighting designer for a number of high profile lighting manufacturers, and has also had responsibility for managing a team of lighting designers. He holds Lighting Industry Federation’s Lighting Design Certificate and Lighting Design Advanced Certificate. GET MORE PRODUCT DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EU034
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KNIGHTSBRIDGE 2021 Catalogue This handy A5-sized, full colour publication is packed from cover to cover – over 2,500 products across nearly 400 pages – with new range developments, impressive innovations, and lots of inspiring ideas. Divided into easy-to-reference sections, the catalogue provides full product details along with high quality lifestyle and detailed product images. It features a new 'Smart' section comprising a comprehensive range of commercial, domestic, and outdoor products that are easy to use and all controllable via one simple App. Some new introductions reflect the ever-changing tastes of consumers – a polished chrome finish added to the popular rounded edge range of switches and sockets, a selection of new under cabinet lighting, and additions to the range of LED lamps. REQUEST YOUR COPY BY VISITING: WWW.RDR.LINK/EU035
CED Meridian Fire Rated Downlights This series of technologically advanced products offers significant benefits to stockists, contractors and end users. There's a range of standard 6W fittings, then a dim-to-warm range with colour temperature dimming from 3000 to 2000K, as well as the ultimate Colour Change Technology (CCT) range which offers three colour temperatures – 2700, 4000 and 6500K. Products feature fast fix terminal blocks, while the CCT range can be set and re-set by contractors or end users. Ranges are IP65 rated, resistant to 30, 60 and 90 minute tests and BS476 pt21 approved. Available in white, chrome and satin chrome, they offer a 30,000 hour life and come with a three-year warranty. GET MORE PRODUCT DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EU036
C.K MAGMA Test Equipment Case Plus Perfect for those who need to easily transport and protect valuable diagnostic test equipment and essential tools in one handy case, the premium Test Equipment Case Plus (MA2641) offers a host of enhanced features and benefits. There's improved access with an easy-opening lid and two retaining straps; a bigger/deeper overall design, suitable for the latest generation of test meters; adjustable padded compartments for the safe transportation of test equipment and accessories; a convenient storage compartment to hold all the essential tools needed, plus 27 easily accessible pockets and a handy business card and document holder. GET MORE PRODUCT DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EU037
LEWDEN Bespoke Power Distribution Solutions Lewden has expertise in providing bespoke power distribution solutions, customised to suit customers’ requirements with full concept and product design. Assembled by the company's experienced engineering team with exclusive consultation provided throughout the process, Lewden provides pre-finished solutions within a short turnaround time, to reduce installation time on-site. GET MORE DETAILS ABOUT LEWDEN'S BESPOKE POWER DISTRIBUTION SOLUTIONS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EU038
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PRODUCTS ROUND UP
SNICKERS WORKWEAR Kneeguard Solutions Snickers Workwear has led the way with its trousers and kneepad combination that it invented over 30 years ago. That solution has now become the patented Kneeguard and unique Kneeguard PRO system which delivers advanced knee protection for frequent kneeling on-site, as well as those annoying knocks and bumps around the workplace. Designed specifically for the increasingly popular street-smart, slim fit stretch work trousers, the newest slim fit D30 Ergo kneepads are made of durable material that moulds around your knee to provide enhanced impact protection. It has an EN 14404 Type 2 Level 1 rating to guard against pebbles, nails and various floor debris. There’s also superior cushioning and protection as standard with D3O – a high-tech material that’s flexible, durable and cut-resistant. VIEW A SNICKERS WORKWEAR DIGITAL CATALOGUE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EU039
TAMLITE CAMPUS Range The surface mounted CAMPUS module combines high performance with ease of installation to create the ideal communal lighting solution for educational environments, corridors and main halls, delivering outstanding illumination with minimal energy consumption. Achieving up to 130lm/W, the CAMPUS delivers outstanding energy savings over traditional lamp types and legacy LED fittings – providing long term cost benefits and return on investment for the end-user. The product is also available with a range of control options, including PIR sensors and daylight dimming technology, to ensure the lighting is only used when required. This is particularly crucial in corridors and areas with specific times of use, and leads to increased energy savings over time with controlled usage. Installation is simple with rear or end cable entry, plus the easy-to-maintain nature of the LED technology makes the product an attractive prospect for installers. VIEW A PRODUCT DATA SHEET AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EU040
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C-TEC EVAC-ALERT System
DETA ELECTRICAL 2020/21 Catalogue In support of its brand integration initiative, Deta Electrical has unveiled a new look catalogue, combining Deta, Deta TTE, Brackenheath and Briticent brands into one handy edition. Deta has widened its product portfolio with a number of new additions, including an extensive range of installation materials, an extended range of safety alarms and a next generation range of hand dryers. Likewise, lighting brand Brackenheath unveils its premium range of ‘Spectra’ LED bulkheads and Briticent offers a key new range of inspection lighting. GET YOUR COPY BY VISITING: WWW.RDR.LINK/EU041
C-TEC has launched a new evacuation alert system – EVAC-ALERT. The new BS 8629:2019 gives guidance on evacuation alert systems installed in blocks of flats to assist the Fire & Rescue Service (FRS) in evacuating part or all of a building in an emergency. The EVAC-ALERT system can be customised to create a simple-to-use and cost-effective BS 8629-compliant solution in any high-rise residential building. Housed in a robust vandal-resistant locked cabinet accessible only by the FRS in an emergency, the control panel features an intuitive interface, bright LED indicators and easy-to-operate toggle switches for each evacuation zone. Each panel can connect to an array of evacuation alert devices including sounders, visual alert devices and vibrating devices. Highly flexible, EVAC-ALERT is comprised of EN54-2/4 third-party certified components and can be used to create building-specific wired, wireless or hybrid evacuation alert systems in consultation with the relevant FRS. GET MORE PRODUCT DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EU042
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PRODUCTS ROUND UP
SCOLMORE Type C USB Sockets Scolmore has expanded its wiring accessories range to include 13A 2-gang socket outlets with integrated Type A and Type C USB charging ports. Originally available in the popular Click Mode range, the new socket outlets are now available in all wiring accessories ranges – Polar, Metal Clad, Part M, Deco, Deco+, Define and Definity. By integrating both Type A and Type C on the same socket, the range will have broader functionality and cover charging options for the widest possible range of devices that now use different sized ports. Used independently, the Type C USB has a charging output of 5V DC, 3A, while the Type A USB has a charging output of 5V DC, 2.4A (independent charge). When both USB ports are in use, the 4.2A charge is shared, with Type C given priority to output its full 3A, with Type A reduced to an output of 1.2A. WATCH A PRODUCT VIDEO AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EU043
LINIAN Clips for Temporary Installations Temporary LV lighting and power for constructions sites is often overlooked in terms of the prevention of premature collapse even though, arguably, it's more important than ever in a construction site environment. Aside from this, installers of temporary lighting and power for this application are looking for a robust, compliant, safe, simple, time-efficient and easily demountable method for attaching cables to substrates. That’s why LINIAN has added blue and yellow colours to its Fire Clip range, suitable for arctic grade flexible cables. The clips provide a secure fixing that can also be easily removed in seconds with a set of standard carpenter’s pincers. This allows the installers of TL and TP systems the peace of mind of a secure and compliant temporary installation, installed rapidly and easily removed when no longer required. GET MORE PRODUCT DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EU044
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ZAPPIT Wireless Voltage Indicator Kit This new wireless voltage indicator consists of a transmitter and receiver unit which can give a remote indication of a circuit’s status. The transmitter can connect to any circuit to be worked on via either a 13A plug lead or a banana plug lead, both of which are supplied, allowing connection to accessories such as sockets, crocodile clips or light fitting adaptors. It then allows the user to make one trip to the electrical consumer unit and receive an alert on the handheld receiver unit when the correct circuit has been de-energised. With a good range and a very stable connection it can be used in any situation. The unit utilises RF signals which allow the signal to penetrate solid walls and basements with ease. With the transmitter still connected, it will also alert the user of any unexpected re-energisation of the accessory. The product can also be used as a stand-alone voltage indicator when remote indication isn't required. GET MORE PRODUCT DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EU045
LUTRON RA2 Select Lamp Dimmer Lutron Electronics has launched a new lamp dimmer for its RA2 Select home lighting solution. The RA2 Select plug-and-play lamp dimmer allows homeowners to customise and control their lights from anywhere via the Lutron App, a Pico remote, or voice assistants – including Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Honeywell Home, SONOS and Google Assistant. The RA2 Select lamp dimmer enables homeowners on any budget to make their lighting remotely customisable and controllable and is compatible with 200W LED, incandescent and halogen lamps. GET MORE PRODUCT DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EU046
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PRODUCTS ROUND UP
ESP Sounders & Strobes
HULTAFORS GROUP EMMA Safety Footwear EMMA safety footwear is a fully EU accredited range of shoes and boots that satisfy a wide range of user needs and workplaces – including light and heavy industry sectors, plus office and retail environments. Complementing the Solid Gear and Toe Guard range, EMMA safety footwear includes all the Hultafors Group hallmarks of hi-tech designs that combine top quality materials for ultimate comfort, maximum safety and wellbeing at work. What’s more, every product in the EMMA range is made entirely from recycled or recyclable materials. VIEW THE EMMA SAFETY FOOTWEAR CATALOGUE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EU047
ESP has added a new range of fire sounders and combined sounder strobes to its portfolio of MAGfire Conventional Fire Systems products. Designed as a range of entry level products that are suitable for conventional systems, it offers installers more options – with compact designs and the ability for surface mounting, or flush mounting for a more discreet fitting. The range comprises two sounders – a sounder and a bedroom sounder, with both available in a choice of red or white and providing the option for three distinctive tones. The combined sounder and strobe, again offered in a choice of red or white, offers additional visual indication where VIDs (Visual Indication Device) are required. The maximum sound output is 96db and the flash rate of the strobe is 40 per minute. Compact in design, the products are constructed from fire rated ABS and offer UL approval to EN 54-3. GET MORE PRODUCT DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EU048
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CP ELECTRONICS High Bay Presence Detectors The new family of high bay presence detectors from CP Electronics provide enhanced energy savings through precise light control and long range detection capability. Available with multi-pyro detection components, specifically positioned in combination with a multi-faceted lens design, ensures a vast detection range. With a mounting height ranging from 5m to 20m, the 360° coverage offers a detection range diameter of 30m for 'walk towards', and 40m for 'walk across' when mounted at a height of 15m. The in-built five-pyro design ensures detection of small movements, waving arms and nodding head etc. with no compromise on design. This ensures a steady, consistent and reliable performance so that uniform sensitivity is maintained within the detection range during presence or absence mode, with no blank spots in the detection zone. GET MORE PRODUCT DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EU049
LEDVANCE LED Strip Systems LEDVANCE’s new tunable white, RGBW and RGB LED strips, as well as LED drivers, provide installers with an exciting scope of products to choose from. In addition, LEDVANCE offers technical, planning and installation support with an online LED strip configurator and comprehensive training platform. The system with dynamic LED strips now features RGBW and RGB versions, letting users effectively create accents in any ambience. With tunable white, it is easy to switch between activating light for work and atmospheric warm light. The system solutions, consisting of flexible LED strips, drivers and accessories, can be easily configured, combined and installed. They come with up to a five-year guarantee. GET MORE PRODUCT DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EU050
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CAUGHT ON
C A M E R A SOCIAL SNAPS! Cr3ative Electrical (via Twitter): Earthing to water, discovered today!
Flow Electrics (via Twitter): When drilling from inside out and you get it in the mortar, you know it's going to be a good day! SparkyNinja (via Twitter): Sometimes you just have to look a second time in disbelief. Would you report this on an EICR, or just take the picture and fix it?
IQ Electrical (via Twitter): Does anyone know the rating for this unusual double pole overcurrent protective device?
GrobbyMan (via Instagram): Undertaking an EICR for a landlord. Here we go...!
PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN November 2020 81
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ADVERTISER INDEX Aico Ltd .................................................................................... Page 51
LEDVANCE Ltd ...................................................................... Page 68
ALL LED Ltd................................................................................ Page 4
Logic4training ........................................................................ Page 59
Aurora Ltd ................................................................................ Page 44
Metrel UK Ltd ............................................................................ Page 6
BG Electrical Ltd .................................................................... Page 32
ML Accessories Ltd .............................................................. Page 52
Blauberg UK Ltd................................................................ Pages 10,11
Mr Resistor .............................................................................. Page 70
Carl Kammerling International Ltd .................................... Page 63
NICEIC & ELECSA .......................................................... Pages 64,76
Castline Systems.................................................................... Page 79
Niglon Ltd ............................................................................ Pages 8,9
CED............................................................................................ Page 76
Orlight Ltd ............................................................ Inside Front Cover
CEENorm U.K. Ltd.................................................................. Page 79
Ovia Lighting .......................................................................... Page 64
Chint Europe (UK) Ltd .......................................................... Page 75
Prefect Controls Ltd .............................................................. Page 78
C-TEC Ltd ................................................................................ Page 74
Pro Certs Software Ltd ........................................................ Page 59
DANLERS Ltd .......................................................................... Page 78
Quickwire Ltd.......................................................................... Page 56
DETA Electrical Company Ltd ............................................ Page 67
Sangamo .................................................................................. Page 77
Ecostrad Ltd ............................................................................ Page 35
Schneider Electric.................................................................. Page 28
Electro-Wind Ltd .................................................................... Page 62
Scolmore International Ltd .................................................. Page 68
Electrorad UK Ltd.................................................................... Page 13
Seaward Electronic Ltd ........................................................ Page 36
ELEX .......................................................................................... Page 80
Seletric ...................................................................................... Page 47
Elite Security Products Ltd .................................................. Page 67
Shayla Electrical Ltd .............................................................. Page 73
Emelux Lighting Equipment ................................................ Page 63
SolderM8.................................................................................. Page 62
ERA Home Security Ltd........................................................ Page 39
Super Rod Ltd ........................................................................ Page 43
Fluke (UK) Ltd.......................................................................... Page 48
Tesco Mobile Ltd .................................................................... Page 17
Forum Lighting Solutions .................................................... Page 24
The Electric Heating Company Ltd .................................... Page 71
Gira ............................................................................................ Page 27
The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) .... Page 71
GreenBrook Electrical plc.................................................... Page 60
Timeguard Ltd ........................................................................ Page 40
Hamilton Litestat .................................................................... Page 59
UNICRIMP Ltd ........................................................................ Page 72
Heatstore ................................................................................ Page 55
V-TAC UK Ltd.................................................... Outside Back Cover
Hyco Manufacturing Ltd ...................................................... Page 70
Wera Tools UK Ltd ............................ Page 14, Inside Back Cover
IDEAL INDUSTRIES EMEA .................................................... Page 18
WISKA UK Ltd ........................................................................ Page 79
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