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INDUSTRY UPDATE
Roger Atkins of Electric Vehicles Outlook presented on the opportunities of the electric vehicle revolution
TRADERS FINED FOR FALSE CLAIMS AND DANGEROUS WORK
Contractors energised at Live South event More than 400 electricians attended NICEIC and ELECSA’s Live South event at Epsom Downs Racecourse in May. Contractors were given exclusive access to a variety of technical seminars and breakout sessions from some of the nation’s leading electrical experts. Roger Atkins, founder of Electric Vehicles Outlook, kicked off the show with a presentation on the electric vehicle (EV) revolution. He discussed how technology has made it more financially viable for manufacturers to survive in the EV market, and pointed to the need for extra charging points and the opportunities for electricians in this area. “We can now match eco with economic, and we are just at the start of a renewable revolution,” he said. Other speakers included technical experts from NICEIC and ELECSA including Darren Staniforth, Jake Green, John O’Neill and Tim Benstead, who discussed the 18th Edition and took audience questions. This year’s event was CPD-accredited, meaning attendees could use the day as part of their ongoing professional
development. Attendees also benefited from great deals in the exhibition hall, featuring industry names such as Bosch, ESP and Scolmore. “Live South is a great opportunity for us to meet contractors and discuss what is going on in the industry today,” said Certsure’s managing director Kevan Parker. “Efficiency and smart technology provide contractors with a wealth of opportunities and it is important we provide the relevant information so they can make informed decisions about where to take their business.” Live North will be held on November 21 at Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool. Tickets cost £29 plus VAT for NICEIC, ELECSA and ECA contractors and £49 plus VAT for all non-registered contractors. Apprentice passes are available free of charge. To book your ticket visit niceic-elecsalive.com
Talking point: Live South gave NICEIC and ELECSA the chance to speak to its accredited contractors
A builder and electrician have been fined for carrying out dangerous electrical work on a domestic property in Dudley. Kevin John Wakefield, trading as Beta Homes Improvements, and Paul Lloyd, trading as P Lloyd Electrical, both pleaded guilty at Wolverhampton Magistrates’ Court in April to offences under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008. The court heard how Wakefield was hired to build an extension and install electrics at a house but the householder was plagued with problems which led to an electrical fire. After complaints from the homeowner, Wakefield asked his ex-brother-in-law Lloyd to check the electrical work and issue the necessary certificate. Lloyd issued an electrical installation certificate displaying the NICEIC logo even though he was not, and never had been, registered. The homeowner continued to have issues and brought in another electrician, who found a host of problems including no RCD protection on some of the circuits and one of the circuits being considered so dangerous it had to be disconnected. The electrician also highlighted various errors, missing information and inconsistencies with the certificate, provided by Lloyd. NICIEC was alerted to the concerns and contacted Lloyd about the complaint. Lloyd failed to respond so the matter was passed over to Dudley Trading Standards. Wakefield was fined £2,000 and ordered to pay £1,144 costs, £819 compensation and a victim surcharge of £170. Lloyd was also fined £2,000 and ordered to pay £1,144 costs, £569 compensation and a victim surcharge of £170. Kevan Parker, managing director of Certsure, said: “We take a dim view of those who pretend to be registered electricians when they are not. Anyone thinking about using our logo fraudulently will be caught and dealt with appropriately by the courts.”
6 SUMMER 2019
6-10 News_Connections Summer 2019_Connections 6
11/07/2019 16:48
