Connections - Autumn 2016

England legend to kick off Live North // page 6

connections THE MAGAZINE FOR NICEIC AND ELECSA REGISTERED CONTRACTORS

CASE STUDY P18 A new helipad at Sheffield’s Northern General Hospital is helping to save lives

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HVAC P31 The heating, ventilation and air conditioning market is set to grow

£5.00

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AUTUMN 2016 | ISSUE 199

LED LIGHTING P35 LED is now a central requirement for domestic and commercial projects

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GROWING UP Kent firm Jager Electrical’s roots go back to its founders’ school days // page 26

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NICEIC, ELECSA AND ECA MEMBERS CAN BENEFIT FROM EXCLUSIVE RATES ON PEUGEOT VEHICLES Visit peugeotcontracthire.co.uk/certsure now or call 0345 313 3810** to get a personalised quote.

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MPG figures are achieved under official EU test conditions, intended as a guide for comparative purposes only, and may not reflect actual on the road driving conditions. Model shown is a Peugeot Partner Professional Van. *Model shown includes front fog lights available as a cost option on Professional trim level as part of the Look Pack at £200.00 excl VAT. **Calls may be recorded for training purposes. Call charges to this number from landline and mobile networks may vary. For information, please contact your network provider.

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Autumn 2016 | Issue 199

Contents First phase All part of the job Paperwork may be a chore, but you can use it to your advantage

4

Plugged in News England legend to kick off Live North

6

Building sector shrugs off Brexit

7

The Wire webinar woos more than 600 viewers

8

Stand out with a personalised online video

9

ECA urges UK to say yes to wave power

10

Product news The latest products on the market

13

15

22 26

31

Live wire

Features

Advice 15 If you dismiss underperforming staff, says Sue Ingram, do it the right way

Case study 18 Andrew Brister finds out how Sheffield Electric Co’s work on a state-of-the-art helipad is saving lives in Sheffield Insight 21 Bill Wright discovers the opportunities that renewable energy storage could offer electrical contractors Events 22 Following the success of last year’s inaugural competition, the race is on to become NICEIC and ELECSA electrical apprentice of the year for 2017 Insight 24 Steve Kimber explains why the installation of fire alarm detection systems no longer falls within the electrical contractor’s remit Current affairs Up hill and down dale...

26

Feel it in the air David Adams finds out how new legislation and the demand for energy efficiency is causing a stir in the heating, ventilation and air conditioning market

31

18

Fully charged Ask the experts 39 Answers to the technical helpline’s more frequently asked questions Technical Use of a small generating set to 42 supply a mobile/transportable unit

Shining bright 35 Ignore the LED lighting market at your peril, warns Rob Shepherd England legend to kick off Live North // page 6

connections

Scaffolding – is bonding required? 45

THE MAGAZINE FOR NICEIC AND ELECSA REGISTERED CONTRACTORS

CASE STUDY P18 A new helipad at Sheffield’s Northern General Hospital is helping to save lives

Installations in a garden

48

Variable frequency drives – the effects of harmonic currents

52

/

HVAC P31 The heating, ventilation and air conditioning market is set to grow

£5.00

/

AUTUMN 2016 | ISSUE 199

LED LIGHTING P35 LED is now a central requirement for domestic and commercial projects

/

Initial certification of mobile units 54 Emergency lighting central heating

58

Snags and solutions

60

» Cover photo: Sam Kesteven

GROWING UP Kent firm Jager Electrical’s roots go back to its founders’ school days // page 26

Illustration: Cameron Law

Opinion 16 Why Dan Payerle believes you can’t beat a modern cable verifier with an LCD screen for troubleshooting

Contractor profile Jager Electrical has only been trading for four years, but its roots go back much further, discovers Nick Martindale

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Comment EMMA CLANCY

First phase All part of the job Paperwork may be an unwelcome addition to the day’s work but it is necessary, and savvy contractors can use this to their advantage

L

ove it or loathe it, certification and reporting is an important part of any electrical contractor’s work.

No one likes to go home from a full day’s work only to sit at the computer for hours and fill out a load of paperwork. However, a good report can not only save time and money later should any dispute arise, it can also be a legal document to rely on should any query or complaint escalate.

Also, in an age where first appearances count more and more, the electrical contractor providing a neat and tidy report can set themselves apart from the competition, who might still see form-filling as a chore to be endured and turn in any old dog-eared document.

With that in mind, it is encouraging to see more and more contractors using official NICEIC and ELECSA branded certificates to give their business that professional touch. Branded certificates are confirmation of a firm’s professional accreditation, and many specifiers of work will insist on receiving branded certificates only.

‘The electrical contractor providing a neat and tidy report can set themselves apart from the competition, who might still see form-filling as a chore to be endured’

Emma Clancy is chief executive officer, Certsure

Speaking of certificates, I would like to thank all of you who took part in our recent survey to find out more about the way contractors fill out, file and send their certificates.

With the 18th edition around the corner, we are keen to find out what contractors think of the current certification system and how they are used.

We are looking to understand how form-filling has changed for electrical contractors and how you see electrical forms being used in the future.

Your feedback is important to us and will help shape future versions of electrical forms and the systems we develop to help you complete them.

CONTACTS // CONNECTIONS 17 Britton Street, London EC1M 5TP EDITORIAL General 020 7880 6200 Fax 020 7324 2791 Email nick.martindale@redactive.co.uk Editor Nick Martindale Technical editor Timothy Benstead Sub editor Caroline Taylor Creative director Mark Parry Art editor Adrian Taylor Picture researcher Akin Falope Publishing and business development director Aaron Nicholls ADVERTISING/MARKETING Senior sales executive Darren Hale Display 020 7880 6206 Fax 020 7880 7553 Email darren.hale@redactive.co.uk Sales executive Greg Lee Email greg.lee@redactive.co.uk Classified 0207 880 7633

4

PRODUCTION General production enquiries 020 7880 6240 Fax 020 7880 7691 Production manager Jane Easterman Production executive Rachel Young Email rachel.young@redactive.co.uk SUBSCRIPTIONS Should you require your own copy of Connections or multiple copies for your staff, subscriptions are available by calling 020 8950 9117 CONTRIBUTIONS Connections welcomes ideas for contributions.

Please email nick.martindale@ redactive.co.uk ISSN 2042-5732

© Redactive Publishing Ltd 2016 17 Britton Street, London EC1M 5TP. Registered No. 3156216. All rights reserved. This publication (and any part thereof) may not be reproduced, transmitted or stored in any print or electronic format (including but not limited to any online service, any database or any part of the internet) or in any other format in any media whatsoever, without the prior written permission of the publisher. Redactive Publishing Ltd accepts no liability for the accuracy of the contents or any opinions expressed herein.

Printed by Southernprint.

Paper by Denmaur Papers plc.

The paper mill that makes the text paper for this magazine states that it uses at least 80 per cent wood pulp from sustainable sources.

WWW.NICEIC.COM WWW.ELECSA.CO.UK ENQUIRIES Certsure 01582 539000 Communications manager Paul Collins 01582 539148 paul.s.collins@certsure.com NICEIC Direct Paul Elcock 01582 539709 paul.elcock@certsure.com Twitter @officialNICEIC or @officialELECSA Technical helpline 0870 013 0391 Customer services 0870 013 0382 Sales 0870 013 0458 Training 0870 013 0389 Legal/tax 24-hour helpline 0845 602 5965

Autumn 2016 Connections

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News/Product news

Plugged in Need-to-know industry news for electrical installers

Getty

England legend to kick off Live North Former England star Stuart Pearce will be the guest speaker at this year’s NICEIC and ELECSA Live North event in Liverpool.

Pearce is famously remembered as one of England’s greatest ever left-backs, making 78 caps for his country and more than 700 league appearances for clubs including Coventry City, Nottingham Forest and Manchester City.

Prior to his career in football, Pearce worked as an electrician, once advertising his services in the Nottingham Forest programme and being asked to carry out some domestic work for the then manager Brian Clough. He will be discussing his time served as a spark, along with some anecdotes from his illustrious football career.

Mark Smith, Certsure marketing and communications director, said: “During the past five years, NICEIC and ELECSA Live has firmly established itself as the leading event in the electrical contracting industry, and we are delighted that Stuart will be joining us.

“His experience of life as an electrician and world-class footballer will be an added

attraction for everyone coming to this year’s event.”

Live North takes place in the glorious surroundings of Liverpool’s Aintree Racecourse on 24 November.

Attendees will also be able to get up to speed with the latest changes within the electrical industry via a series of talks by Tony Cable, Darren Staniforth and other guest speakers.

Live North is an opportunity for electrical contractors to meet a wide range of suppliers, including headline sponsors Bosch Power Tools, Denmans, Elite Security Products and Scolmore.

They can also get their hands on the latest industry kit, taking advantage of various special offers and up to £250 worth of discounts.

“It is a chance for electrical contractors to enjoy a fun and informative day out, which will ultimately help them with their business,” added Smith.

The event costs just £29 plus VAT for NICEIC, ELECSA and ECA contractors, and £49 plus VAT for non-registered contractors.

Exhibition-only and apprentice passes are available free of charge.

To book your place, visit www.niceic-elecsa live.com or call 020 7324 2771.

NICEIC AND ELECSA WOW THE CROWDS NICEIC and ELECSA took to the pitch at Kenilworth Road to mark its sponsorship of Luton Town FC for the 2016/17 season.

The NICEIC logo will appear on the home shirt of the Hatters for the eighth year in a row, while the ELECSA logo will be on the away shirt for the third season in succession.

Paul Collins (pictured, second left), communications manager at Certsure, which operates the NICEIC and ELECSA brands, commented: “We are delighted to once again be putting our brands behind Luton Town FC and to continue the partnership we have built up with the club over the past nine years.”

Luton gets in excess of 8,000 fans at each home game and appears on Channel 5’s Football League Tonight show every Saturday night, ensuring plenty of coverage for the NICEIC and ELECSA brands.

6

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36 POCKET GUIDE

at for equipment Responsibility ition on Code the service pos in the Meter Operati

e given tion on the parties on the guidanc This Guide, based ent (MOCOPA), gives informa position of at the service ion. of Practice Agreemelectrical equipment found smaller installat the ic premises or responsible for ion in a domest ion contractors an electrical installat electrical installat parts of the is to provide of this guide anding of which Distribution The intention with an underst of the short) ibility for is the respons the work (contractors the service position the person orderingis identified equipment at the supplier or defect a (DNO), r where Network Operato er), and what action to take (typically the custom ent. boundaries of to the equipm MOCOPA, the TN-C-S nce with the the supply is es, in accorda position where Fig 1 illustrat ). for a typical service responsibility to other systems also ibilities apply operators which (similar respons known as meter a party of companies r, they are not number a howeve are chain; There rs install and maintain electricity supply Meter operato operate in the for equipment. the supplier. with ibilities ly ent, general having respons ent under agreem metering equipm position service the at of equipment Fig 1 Responsibility the MOCOPA) (reproduced from 8

10 7 2

3

MAIN SWITCH

4 5

6

9

1

CUSTOMER EQUIPMENT equipment) meter and customer’s 6 Meter tails (between DNO EQUIPMENT switch (if fitted) 4 Meter main isolating 7 Customer 1 Service cable unit (cut-out to meter) 5 Meter tails 8 Customer consumer main earth block if fitted) 2 Cut-out (or conductor (and or DNO fuse) 9 Customer earthing box if fitted) (or external meter 3 DNO earth terminal 10 Meter board SUPPLIER EQUIPMENT

g purpose of providin has the primary a defect on 1st July 2013, what action to take when efficient MOCOPA, issued e on , to provide an es with guidanc meter operativ the service position equipment at report the defect is identified in operatives to process for meter codes). of (using a system

FREE POCKET GUIDE Inside this issue of Connections you will find Pocket Guide 36 – Responsibility for equipment at the service position.

A printable version of each pocket guide is available on the NICEIC website.

Additional copies can be obtained by contacting the customer service department on 0870 013 0382 or at enquiries@certsure.com.

Amd 3: 2015

© Certsure LLP

Pocket Guide

36 04/16

NICEIC sparks make a mark An NICEIC registered electrician from Northern Ireland finished runner-up in a national competition to find Britain’s top tradesperson.

James Martin (pictured), of Newtownards, was one of 6,000 people who entered Screwfix’s tradesperson of the year contest and finished runner-up in the grand final, held at Wembley recently.

BRANDED CERTIFICATES TO BOOST YOUR BUSINESS

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Building sector shrugs off Brexit The building services engineering sector, which makes up 40 per cent of the UK’s construction and maintenance industry, believes it will successfully weather the outcome of Brexit over the coming years.

According to a survey from the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) and the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA), just 19 per cent believe Brexit will have a negative impact on their business over the next five years.

Almost half (46 per cent) believe it will be good for their business, while 23 per cent think it will have no noticeable impact.

Confidence is less strong among the largest contractors, with those with

over £20 million turnover slightly less optimistic about the short-term business prospects than smaller contractors.

The sector puts maintaining access to the EU single market at the top of its list of Brexit aspirations, closely followed by more control of employment law and the need to negotiate non-EU trade deals.

Despite general positivity about Brexit, 47 per cent of respondents believe the cost of materials will rise as a result, with only 22 per cent believing this will not be the case.

Only 25 per cent believe Brexit will worsen the shortage of qualified workers, with just one in six respondents (17 per cent) saying that maintaining freedom of movement was their top priority.

ECA CEO Steve Bratt commented: “No matter how our relationship with Europe develops, our sector has a huge role to play in achieving UK business growth.

This includes providing skilled jobs, fully functional buildings and infrastructure, and UK energy security.

“To help us achieve these aims, it’s vital that we know the initial views of our sector as we head towards Brexit.”

Shutterstock

More and more electrical contractors are choosing official NICEIC and ELECSA branded certificates to help boost their business.

In Scotland alone, NICEIC registered contractors completed 20 per cent more certificated electrical work in 2015-16 than in the previous year.

A report or certificate is a written record of the work you have carried out and it should be treated with the care and attention that it requires.

Official NICEIC and ELECSA certificates provide installers with a professional image and approach to report writing, and some specifiers of work will stipulate that they will accept only official NICEIC or ELECSA certificates.

NICEIC and ELECSA offer a three-pronged approach for contractors looking to use official, branded certificates: • Online certification – a free online service with no software costs • Traditional paper certificates – these can be purchased direct from our online store • Clik Software – an official partnership that allows users to utilise Clik Software online.

All three methods offer a different solution for contractors and we are constantly working on ways to develop and improve each service.

Clik has now developed an android version of its app, which was previously only available on iPad. It can also offer ELECSA branded e-certs as part of its desktop software.

James, 29, was delighted with his success and believes it will help take his business to the next level.

“We carry out work in homes, offices, shops, hotels and industrial areas each week, and our team are praised by clients for their level of professionalism and manners,” he said.

Tammie Richards, a 41-year-old female NICEIC registered electrician from Lincoln, also made it to the grand final.

Britain’s top tradesperson is a competition organised by Screwfix.

It aims to recognise the best in the trade, from bricklayers to carpenters, handymen, electricians and plumbers.

This year’s winner was bricklayer Richie Maxwell from Tillicoultry.

Connections Autumn 2016

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News/Product news

Plugged in The Wire woos viewers More than 600 contractors tuned in to September’s The Wire, a free technical webinar from NICEIC and ELECSA. The Wire is a live broadcast, hosted by industry experts Tony Cable and Darren Staniforth. It features technical updates with a chance to quiz the hosts in a technical Q&A session.

The latest session included an overview of safe isolation, earthing and bonding and the main protective bonding requirements for both

overground and underground wiring.

Anyone who missed the latest webinar can catch a recorded version of it at www.niceic.com, along with links to previous webinars.

NEW ONLINE SHOP NOW OPEN NICEIC and ELECSA have launched a brand new online shop, featuring a range of new products, training courses and services.

With an improved design, layout and navigation, the site will become a one-stop shop for contractors across all sectors.

The site will now operate on mobile and tablet devices more effectively, enabling you to shop while on-site or on the move.

The shop features a huge range of branded certificates, workwear, essential publications and tools designed to help you get the job done.

It also now includes free delivery on all orders over £50 – previously only available on orders over £100.

The site will continue to evolve over the coming months as we introduce further benefits to you.

Visit www.shop.niceic.com now to view the latest offers or check out the insert inside this edition of Connections.

RAISING AWARENESS OF ELECTRICITY THEFT TESP SCHEME GIVES DUO A CAREER BOOST Two newly qualified electricians have become the first operatives to successfully complete the new industry-wide TESP (The Electrotechnical Skills Partnership) career progression scheme.

Former Royal Marine Luke Versfeld (pictured) of NICEIC contractor PB Electrical in Dorset was one of the first to complete the initiative, and he was joined by fellow newly qualified electrician Reece Kirk. Both received an electrotechnical certification scheme (ECS) gold card in recognition of them meeting the industry standard, a year’s free membership of professional engineering institution the IET, plus a cash award and training subsidy. The career progression scheme is intended to upskill hundreds of existing electrical workers to the industry standard of NVQ Level 3 and AM2.

The programme has been developed and funded by partners including the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA), the Joint Industry Board (JIB), Electrical Safety First, the IET, JTL and NET. ECA research last year found that six in 10 contractors with 31-100 workers say they are facing a skills shortage in the workplace.

Certsure’s technical and standards director, Alan Wells, was the guest speaker for a series of discussions on BBC radio recently.

The BBC was carrying out a report into the increasing number of electricity thefts, and Wells was asked to appear on several radio shows in the Midlands area to highlight the dangers that can arise from people attempting to fraudulently bypass their electricity meter to reduce energy bills.

It is the second time this year Alan has been asked to comment on the issue, following an appearance on BBC TV earlier this year.

ARE YOU AFFECTED BY MK ELECTRIC’S RCBO RECALL? MK Electric is voluntarily recalling a limited number of RCBO products.

Contractors who think they may have installed such equipment are being urged to check specific part numbers with specific dates of manufacture.

Visit www.rcboexchange.co.uk for details of how to identify affected products and register your details so MK may contact you to arrange a free product exchange.

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ON THE SPOT//JUSTIN CHAPMAN NICEIC and ELECSA employ 80 engineers across the country to assess contractors’ work and provide up-to-date technical advice. To many contractors, they will be the face of NICEIC and ELECSA. Here, we turn the tables and put them in the spotlight » Justin Chapman West and South West London

Stand out with an online video NICEIC and ELECSA are offering contractors the chance to boost their business with a personalised video promoting registered electricians.

Earlier this year, NICEIC and ELECSA launched their first-ever TV and online commercial. The Cage was a 30-second film highlighting the hidden dangers of electricity in the home and the importance of using a registered electrician.

The commercial aired on TV in Scotland and Northern Ireland throughout Easter and was promoted across social media throughout the UK. In total, it has been viewed by more than 8 million people since its launch.

Contractors can now have their own tailored copy of The Cage to include their company name and details. The film can then be used on a website or as part of a marketing strategy to promote their business to more customers.

Mark Smith, marketing and communications director at NICEIC and ELECSA, said: “Video content is now one of the most effective ways of marketing a business.

“However, electricians are generally very busy people and finding time to create a film that tells customers who they are and what they do is both time-consuming and costly.

“We want to help them by providing a ready-made film that will mark out their business as professional and generate more opportunities.”

Contractors looking to create their own film simply have to log into the portal at www.thecagetvdownload.co.uk using their existing NICEIC or ELECSA registration details.

They then supply some simple information that they would like to feature on the commercial, which is created instantly for the contractor to download. The cost of the film is £60.

The film can then be used on company websites, shared on social media or emailed off to prospective clients at the click of a button.

“The NICEIC and ELECSA brands have already been proven to win our contractors more work, and this is just another way of using modern technology to help our registrants stand out from the crowd,” added Smith.

How did you become an area engineer?

I previously worked at the NICEIC headquarters in Dunstable as a customer relations engineer, before an opportunity arose to become an area engineer.

How does your typical day go?

Meeting contractors at their office, undertaking an officebased audit and then going to various locations to assess their electrical installation work, including answering questions on BS7671.

What are the main issues that contractors might forget or overlook?

Not making use of the comment box on an EIC to record observations about the existing electrical installation.

What’s the strangest thing you have come across during an assessment?

Nothing too bizarre or out of the ordinary yet, but I am waiting for that day to come.

What’s the strangest request you have had?

I had one contractor ask me if I minded stairs. Confused at first, I asked why.

He said we had to walk up 24 flights of stairs to get to the top of the Nestlé tower in Croydon to view a bird-scarer installation he had put in. The building was being decommissioned, with no services – including lifts.

As you can imagine, my thighs were burning when we finally got to the top.

What interesting jobs have your contractors been involved with?

One contractor did some work for the Manor Racing F1 team. In one of the buildings we visited there were some of the world’s greatest rally cars on display. In the workshop area there were engineers preparing Aston Martins for track racing.

What are your interests outside work?

I do enjoy walking with my dogs, as it gets me out of the house, whatever the weather.

If you could have a superpower what would it be?

Teleportation would be great way to avoid the long queues and plane travel.

If you had a day off tomorrow, what would you do?

On my last day off, I went to Spa-Francorchamps, to watch the Belgian Grand Prix.

Favourite book, film and TV programme?

Books are not my thing really (apart from BS7671, obviously).

I do tend to read various magazines though. My favourite film would be Jerry Maguire and TV programme is Bones.

What’s the best bit of advice you have received in your career?

The effort you put in is always what you will get out.

Connections Autumn 2016

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News/Product news

Plugged in BASEC WELCOMES SMALL CABLE SPECIFICATION The cable industry has welcomed the introduction of the new British Standard BS 8592:2016 Electric cables; thermosetting insulated, non-armoured, fire-resistant, single core, non-sheathed cable of rated voltage 450/750V. The new standard ensures these small sized cables, commonly used for final circuit wiring of critical systems such as fire alarms and emergency lighting, now have a specification.

These cables have been manufactured, distributed and widely used globally for many years but have had a full specification, which has resulted in some variability between cable manufacturers.

The new standard clearly defines the design and performance specification, giving specifiers, designers and installers greater certainty that the cable is fit for purpose.

Dr Jeremy Hodge, chief executive at the British Approvals Service for Cables (BASEC), said: “Previously, cable manufacturers made reference to other similar standards and to test methods to support their design and manufacturing processes, but the new standard negates any grey areas.

“BS 8592:2016 will begin to be referenced in system design standards and it will deter any unsuitable alternatives from being used.”

ECA urges UK to say yes to wave power Proposals to build a series of tidal lagoons in the UK have been firmly backed by the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) in a submission to a government-commissioned review of the potential new renewable sector.

Within the ECA response to the Hendry Review, an independent analysis requested by the government earlier this year, the trade body said that tidal lagoons offered the ‘complete package’ of long lifespan, high flexibility and very high energy predictability.

The ECA submission claims that tidal power could “help the UK to face the considerable challenge of maintaining UK energy capacity and security, while meeting carbon reduction targets”.

ECA director of business Paul Reeve said: “To help Britain to keep the lights – and everything else – on, the UK desperately needs investment in predictable renewable energy capacity.

“A key part of the UK’s low carbon energy mix has to be renewables, and tidal power offers the opportunity for Britain to be world leaders in this increasingly attractive route to electrical energy production and energy storage.”

There are proposals for six tidal lagoons to be built across the UK, with Swansea potentially the first location.

The tidal lagoon in Swansea would power 155,000 homes, while all six power stations would together provide around 8 per cent of current energy demand.

INDUSTRY // DIARY October 12 TechTalk Cardiff City Stadium 18 TechTalk Westpoint Arena, Exeter 18-20 HVAC NEC, Birmingham November 3-4 ELEX Sandown Sandown Park, Surrey 15 TechTalk Malone Lodge Hotel, Belfast

24 Live North Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool December 8 The Wire Webinar www.niceic.com

NEW VENTILATION GUIDES AND TRAINING

NICEIC has produced two new pocket guides for contractors installing fixed mechanical ventilation equipment.

The guides provide installers with handy information and advice surrounding the regulations and notification requirements when installing domestic ventilation systems.

In addition to this, NICEIC now offers a new competency qualification for installers of domestic ventilation systems.

The training and assessment package assesses installers against set criteria for the installation of domestic ventilation systems and runs over two days, comprising a theory and 38 practical exam as part of the POCKET GUIDE s tilation System POCKET GUIDE 39 POCKE Domestic Ven final assessment.

Approved dD Document o F to the Buildi ing Regulations Building Once installers hold the (England d and an Wales) 2010 qualification, they can apply to the NICEIC competent persons scheme (CPS) for ventilation so they can self-certify their work in England and Wales.

For more information about the pocket guides, training or CPS registration, please email traininginfo@certsure.com See our feature on ventilation on page 31

System Types

January 26 The Wire Webinar www.niceic.com

Part F ‘Means of ventilati ventilation’ tio io on’ - Notifiable or Not?

This Guide provides a quick refer reference to whether ventilation system work needs to be notified to a Building Control Body (BCB) in accordance with the Building Regulations 2010 for England and Wales.

A company registered with a ventilation ven self-certification scheme, such as those operated by NICEIC, is not required to notify a BCB prior to carrying out ‘notifiable work’. Ho However, the registered business must 2: their relevant registration body following completion of the notify System ion stack ventilat notifiable work so that a copy of the Building Regulations compliance Passive certificate will be issued to the occ occupier, and so that the certificate (or a copy of the information on it) will b be issued to the BCB.

System 1: ventilators and Background extract fans intermittent

Application of Part F

February 8 TechTalk Wolverhampton Racecourse 14 TechTalk Doncaster Racecourse

In England and Wales, Part F of the Building Regulations applies to fixed systems for mechanical ventilation and includes a number of different system types: Work

system Emergency repairs to ventilation n syste sy (no changes made to ventilation system) sy yste

Notifiable

Commissioning Notice*

No

Yes

Note: In such cases it will be necessary for fo the work to comply with the relevant requirements and to give a notice to the BCB at the earliest opportunity system Emergency repairs to ventilation sys stem system) (changes made to ventilation syst tem m)

System 3: ical extract Continuous mechan

Yes

Yes

System 4: will supply be necessary for Note: In such cases itical fo the work to comply with the Continuous mechan recovery to the BCB at the earliest relevant requirements and to give a notice n heat and extract with under an appropriate opportunity, unless an installer registered regist competent person scheme carries out ou the work.

Planned replacement of a ventilation ventilatio on on – For further informati system on a like for like basis England & Wales (Ventilation)Note: Assuming existing cabling is used Document F nce Guide • Approved Minor Works Ventilation Complia • Domestic

No

Yes

No

Yes

Note: Such as replacement of parts or unit on o a like-for-like basis (using

the addition or control device where o Scotland ion of an output ic 2015 existing cabling),icorVentilat testing and adjusting is not possible or would not affect the system’s ce Domest Handbook – Domest • Technical Standards Supporting Guidan energy efficiency Building

•

16-17 PHEX Chelsea Alexandra Palace, London

10

28 TechTalk Newcastle Racecourse

2nd Edition

* A commissioning notice is always required w where testing and adjustment must be carried out to ensure the system ope operates efficiently.

© Certsure LLP

Pocket Guide

38 01/16

© Certsure LLP Pocket Guide 39 04/16

Autumn 2016 Connections

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The VIPDLOK kits include everything you need to ensure safe isolation • Essential for compliance with Electricity at Work Regulations for safe working

• New VI-15000 Voltage Indicator, CATIV 1000V for all installations categories

• Includes industry leading voltage indicator, proving unit, locking off devices and tags

• Safe because it’s simple, no batteries, no ranges, no switches

The simple solution to safe maintenance

Available from electrical wholesalers and online

www.martindale-electric.co.uk Call: 01923 441717 email: sales@martindale-electric.co.uk

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News/Product news

Plugged in ONLINE ELECTRIC CONTROL

< KNIPEX launches crimping kit

CARRY ON CRIMPING KNIPEX has developed an all-in-one crimping kit, which aims to contain everything an electrician needs to carry out crimping tasks on end-sleeves in one place.

The kit includes an auto-adjusting set of crimping pliers for end-sleeves up to 16 mm² and an insulation stripper for conductors up to 10 mm², meaning contractors can have both tools available at once.

The tools and an assortment of endsleeves, known as ferrules, with and without collars, are stored securely in the TANOS MINI-Systainer, a container that can be also be connected to a second box if required. www.knipex.com

The Electric Heating Company has developed the DSR electric combination radiator, which can be controlled by a computer, smartphone or tablet, using its Smart APP control system.

As well as enabling users to control radiators from anywhere and to programme them to come on at certain times, the app can monitor electricity use and prioritise radiators.

The radiators incorporate a spot-welded, high-fin design offering six times the normal radiator surface area, and allowing cooler air from floor level to be heated as it rises through the radiator, creating naturally convected heat. They use approximately 20-25 minutes of electricity per hour, and continue to provide heat which has been stored in Magmatic tablets for up to 45 minutes with no further use of electricity. www.etas.co.uk electric-heatingcompany.co.uk

UNDER LOCK AND KEY Martindale Electric has developed a new lockout device, designed to ensure circuits have been de-energised and properly isolated before any modifications or maintenance.

The LOKKIT6 enables contractors to lock off and label Red Spot or similar fuse holders as part of a safe isolation procedure, and is designed to restrict finger access to live contacts and prevent the reinsertion of a fuse while maintenance is in progress.

It also includes the LOK6 universal fuse carrier lock off, a TAG4 warning tag and marker pen, plus a PAD10R padlock. www.martindale-electric.co.uk

< LOKKIT6 enables safe isolation

< Remote controlled radiator

< The Megger MFT1711 multifunction tester

NEW ADDITION TO THE FAMILY Megger has released its new MFT1711 multifunction tester as an entry-level model to its MFT1700 family, aimed at contractors who work mainly on single-phase installations in domestic and commercial premises.

The new device includes a number of features that were previously only available on higher-priced models, including maximum Zs function, which makes it unnecessary to remember individual Zs readings when testing an installation, automatic RCD testing and true RMS voltage measurement.

The MFT1711 can test RCDs with sensitivities from 10 mA to 500 mA, including programmable types. It provides three options for loop testing – two-wire no trip, three-wire no trip and high current – and also features fast-response continuity testing. http://uk.megger.com/

DOUBLE DISPLAY DEVICE The new Beha-Amprobe ACD-14-PRO-EUR clamp multimeter is designed to allow contractors to test and display voltage and amperage simultaneously to enable accurate voltage drop testing.

It is designed for use in both electrical and HVAC applications. It features True-RMS for use in noisy electrical environments, low pass filter for current and voltage measurements on variable frequency drives, and in-rush current measurements to verify maximum current surge during motor start-ups.

For HVAC technicians, the ACD-14-PRO-EUR measures temperature with the included thermocouple, capacitance for startup and run capacitors, and dc micro amps for flame sensor testing. www.beha-amprobe.com

< The new Beha Amprobe

NEW CLIPS TACKLE FIRE CONCERNS Marshall-Tufflex has developed a new range of Firefly clips, following the third amendment to BS 7671:2008 of the Wiring Regulations. This requires cabling above escape routes to be supported by fire-resistant fastenings and fixings to prevent collapse in extreme heat.

The spring-loaded clips have been developed to fit < Keep exits clear with Firefly clips on the inside or outside of Marshall-Tufflex mini/maxi trunking and conduit, holding cables secure in the event of a fire and ensuring escape routes remain accessible.

The clips are fire resistant above 1,000°C for up to 120 minutes, far exceeding the legal 45 minutes at 930°C. www.marshall-tufflex.com

Connections Autumn 2016

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28/09/2016 15:03

N O RT H 2 0 1 6

2 4 N O V E M B E R

Technical Conference and Exhibition Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool Celebrate NICEIC’s 60th Birthday!

Don’t miss out on attending the multi award-winning NICEIC ELECSA Live! Be a part of big debates, update your knowledge and be inspired by the latest innovations and technology for the electrical industry.

Visit: www.niceic-elecsalive.com

Keynote speaker Stu art Pea rce MB E, er form er Eng land def end r age man and U21

Cable e: Tony rs includ if or t h n Speake a t S rren and Da

Technical experts on hand to answer your questions Over A lively trade expo. Meet more than hours of technical and business seminars

Demo zone exhibitors

of attendees would attend another NICEIC ELECSA Live event

BOOK NOW Tickets from £29 (ex vat) Exhibition only and apprentice passes are free of charge!

Partner sponsors:

p14_CON.Aut16.indd 14

www.niceic-elecsalive.com or call 020 7324 2771 28/09/2016 14:55

Advice/Opinion/Insight/Events/Case study/Customer care/Training FIRING STAFF THE RIGHT WAY

Live wire Learn to let go All business owners are likely to have to dismiss underperforming staff at some point.

How you go about this can have a big impact on both your business and the individual, says Sue Ingram

I

n business you will undoubtedly be hiring, managing and, sadly, firing staff. It is an integral part of building strong and successful teams, and every manager needs to become skilled in how to move individuals out of the organisation in such a way that it does not create any bad feeling with the remaining staff or leave the individual so annoyed that they take you to an employment tribunal. The following tips will help.

Communicate what good looks like Many managers detail what is expected in terms of outputs and targets but are not so clear about setting expectations around the desired attitude and working approach. Managers find it straightforward to dismiss an individual who consistently produces low-quality work, but struggle with dismissing an individual for displaying a poor attitude.

Clearly define the attitude you expect from your staff and then communicate it again and again until it becomes integral to the way the team behaves. If an individual is then dismissed for breaching a clearly stated expectation, both they and their colleagues will consider the action to be fair.

Demonstrate respect Throughout the process demonstrate genuine respect for the individual. Listen to their points of view, even if they have been heard many times before. Remind them that both of you are working towards the same outcome; to be both happy and successful in your work.

Allow them to improve In initial meetings the individual is likely to promise to improve, which may be genuine or not! Either way, accept their word and then set a very clear SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, timebound) target for them to achieve within a month. Even if the full improvement cannot be achieved in that time, set the target for what you need to observe to demonstrate their commitment to improvement.

Follow procedures You can be right to dismiss an individual, but if you do so without following your organisational procedures an employment tribunal will find against you. It might seem unfair but a tribunal will not support a manager who acts outside the procedures introduced to maintain consistency and fairness.

Be reasonable

Value even a failing employee

This is the second criterion that an employment tribunal will assess a case on – and is a difficult one. After all, what one person considers reasonable, another might not. So consistently check, ‘Am I acting reasonably here? What assumptions might I be jumping to?’.

Call on external professional support, your HR department or a trusted colleague to support you in remaining calm and objective.

Again, you can be right to dismiss, but if you do it in what is considered an unreasonable manner, an employment tribunal will find against you.

Conduct the process with honesty and respect, allowing the individual to maintain a sense of dignity throughout, and you will find that it is possible to fire someone so they say ‘thank you’.

Nobody is good at everything. If an individual has failed within your job role, that does not mean they are a failure in life. There will be other roles where they will thrive and flourish. Provide honest feedback about

Sue Ingram is author of Fire Well, how to fire staff so they thank you and founder of training company Converse Well www.conversewell.com

Meet again within one month

Illustration: Cameron Law

what you believe to be their natural talents and enthusiasms to balance the negative. Ensure that, should they leave, it is with their head held high and with the feedback they need to find the right job role for them.

It is crucial to maintain the momentum of the conversations. Set a review date at every meeting and honour that appointment. Should you be seen to be giving this situation a low priority then the individual is likewise free to consider the change you request to be a low priority.

Connections Autumn 2016

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Advice/Opinion/Insight/Events/Case study/Customer care/Training CABLE VERIFICATION If you have an opinion about an issue concerning the electrical industry, let us know.

Email nick.martindale@ redactive.co.uk

Live wire

Embracing LCD Many installers will have grown up using LED cable testers, but developments in LCD verifiers mean these now offer a more complete solution, says Dan Payerle yerle

C

able continuity checkers were the sters first dedicated LAN cabling testers m when networks migrated from coaxial to twisted pair in the late 1980s. These early testerss s’; a became known as ‘blink boxes’; day. nickname that is still in use today. nd, LEDs (light emitting diodes) display the test result and, ss. regardless of brand or model, four green LEDs = pass.

LEDs were used because they were inexpensive. But e now LCD cable verifiers are affordable. Their intuitive aults graphics allow installers to quickly repair complex faults that are difficult to display on an LED verifier.

LED verifiers have troubleshooting modes where fault n LEDs (open, short, reverse, split) blink in conjunction with the LED that corresponds to a pair in the cable.

The tester scans each pair while the user ‘decodes’ the ault. sequence of ‘blinking’ LEDs to identify the cabling fault. o the Blink boxes communicate only wire map status to ery user. But they do have advantages. Above all, it is very n, easy to see four green LEDs in any lighting condition, his compared with ‘reading’ the result on an LCD. For this reason, blink boxes remain popular today.

Bu the ability to display more than just wire map data But make LCD verifiers the best choice for most installers. makes LCD verifiers can show cable length, distance to open/short, connection speed on live networks, ana analogue v digital phone service, power over ethernet statu etc. status, Arg Arguably, the single feature of LCD verifiers that most impro improves productivity is support for multiple remotes.

Using multiple, inexpensive, numbered remotes, a single insta installer can connect to more than a dozen cables at once and test each one from the patch panel in seconds witho having to walk back and forth each time. LCD without verifi verifiers display the test result along with the ID number of the remote, reducing single-person testing of a jobsit to a fraction of what it would be. jobsite Wh it comes to testing and troubleshooting today’s When cabli infrastructures, a modern cable verifier with cabling LC screen cannot be beaten. In fact, as they do an LCD m so much more than test cable, perhaps we should be callin these pocket wizards “network verifiers”. calling

Dan Payerle is business unit manager of networks test at IDEAL Industries/IDEAL Networks www.idealnetworks.net

IN FOCUS// CHRIS ELLIOTT

» Chris Elliott Vantage Systems

You’ve recently started up Vantage Systems. What’s the background?

I’ve worked for my father’s firm, R J Elliott Electrical in Cwmbran, for 25 years.

He’s retirement age now, so he’s winding down although he’s a director of the new business.

Why the new name?

I’d like to grow the business and having a personal or a town name limits that.

What kind of work do you undertake?

We’re focusing on IP, fire alarms, CCTV and emergency lighting.

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What stage are you at?

We’re gradually bringing customers over to the new business. But some people still remember the name of R J Elliott so it’s a slow process. We’ve got the office side up and running and we’re now looking to build up a client base through advertising, the website and social media.

How involved is your Dad? He is fully involved in the office side now, and he’s specialising in intruder alarms. He also has a BAFEaccredited fire extinguisher company so Vantage can offer everything in the

building electrically and in terms of fire safety.

Are you also targeting home automation?

Yes, the market indicates that’s the way to go, but I think it’s 10 years away. It’s a natural progression as we already do CCTV and security alarms.

What’s the next step?

We would like to employ staff who can adapt to new technologies, with a good knowledge of and interest in the internet of things.

This would give me more time to concentrate on further growth.

Illustration: Cameron Law

If you are a small business or sole trader and would like to feature in In Focus, email nick.martindale@ redactive.co.uk

Autumn 2016 Connections

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Advice/Opinion/Insight/Events/Case study/Customer care/Training EMERGENCY LANDING

Live wire

Every second counts A new helipad at Sheffield’s Northern General Hospital is helping to save the lives of patients involved in major trauma, assisted by local contractor Sheffield Electric Co

>The design and construction of the new helipad has been ‘ a real team effort’

By Andrew Brister

T

here are around 20,000 major trauma cases each year in England. The speed with which patients receive specialist treatment can be the difference between life and death.

Now, thanks to a new primary helipad at Sheffield’s Northern General Hospital, the hope is that more lives will be saved by faster transfer to emergency trauma teams.

The Northern General Hospital is one of just 26 trauma centres in the country and covers the areas of Yorkshire, Humber and the East Midlands, serving 1.8 million people. Before the new helipad was built, air ambulance helicopters had to land on a helipad that was built more than 20 years ago and, because of its distance from the accident and emergency (A&E) department, required a secondary transfer by land ambulance to reach the hospital. This took vital extra time and created additional complexity and risks for patients.

Local support Thanks to the ‘Saving Time, Saving Lives’ appeal, Sheffield Hospitals Charity has been able to fund a state-of-the-art helipad that will give critically ill patients quicker access to life-saving medical treatment.

The new £2 million helipad means that when patients with lifethreatening conditions land by air ambulance at the hospital, they are just seconds and a trolley-push away from a consultant-led specialist team with access to the best diagnostic and treatment facilities.

Electrical engineer and contractor Sheffield Electric Co has carried out the vital electrical installation on the landmark project. It is an approved framework contractor for Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, the NHS Trust that includes the Northern General Hospital, and won the tender. Sheffield Electric is a sub-contractor to Henry Boot Construction on the project, while the architect was James Totty Partnership.

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The new scheme included the demolition of an existing building and site clearance to allow for the construction of the helipad, a dedicated access ramp, a shell-ready office accommodation block and a reconfigured ambulance bay.

“We had a basic specification of what was required, but it was up to us to fill in the blanks, elaborate and come up with design ideas,” explains Mark Ashforth, director at Sheffield Electric. “We had to look at the latest technology for helipads and adopt best practice.” The Department of Health’s Health Building Note 15-03: Hospital helipads is the key document for this type of project.

Landing lights As you would expect with an aviation installation, the regulations are exacting. “Obstruction lights are placed all around the hospital, basically everywhere with a high structure,” says Ashforth. These lowpower-consumption LED light sources from RedDot consist of double fittings to ensure there is always a light working atop of surrounding structures. These operate in ‘service’ and ‘standby’ modes. Should the service light fail, it will automatically transfer to standby light.

The helipad itself is lit with Thorn SafeLED inset lights – an omnidirectional, LED-based light fixture. It is a robust construction designed for harsh weather environments with encapsulated electronics. The housing is IP67 protected. The protrusion above ground is only 9mm to ensure minimal risk of external mechanical impact. It can be mounted in shallow bases with a total depth of only 100mm.

A wind sock gives pilots an idea of the wind on approach and this also lights up. Beneath the sock is a full weather station, which is linked to the lighting control system for the helipad, supplied by FEC. “Pilots can dial into the system to get a report on wind speed and direction, temperature, humidity and so on,” reveals Ashforth. There are two remote lighting control panels – one master, one mimic, which can be

Autumn 2016 Connections

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1.8 M: The number of people catered

If you’ve been involved in an interesting and innovative project let us know. Email nick.martindale@redactive.co.uk

>The new dedicated ramp provides easy access to A&E

for by the Northern General Hospital in the event of trauma

‘Pilots can dial into the system to get a report on wind speed and direction, temperature, humidity and so on’ Fire protection

keypad activated by trained staff on the ground or operated by VHF radio and SMS text by helicopter pilots in the air.

Ideally, when the helicopter is 8-10 miles away, pilots will activate the controller to switch on the lights. The master panel then sends a signal to the mimic panel in the emergency room, alerting the trauma team so that they can be ready. “Currently, the team in the air are still using the ‘bat phone’ – the red phone we’ve all seen on the A&E documentaries – to alert the team on the ground that an emergency is about to arrive, but they will be changing over to the automated system once they’ve got used to it,” says Ashforth.

The trauma specialists on the ground, meanwhile, wait in a safe area, with ramp access straight to A&E. “We’ve provided ramp lighting, with an automatic gate that lifts once the pilot gives the all-clear,” he adds.

It is critical that there are no power outages to the helipad lighting system. “All lights are backed up by an uninterruptible power supply, but they are on the essential supply as well,” says Ashforth. “In theory, if there was a power outage, you would only lose power for 30 seconds before the generator kicked in, but the UPS system takes care of that 30 seconds. The lights could run for an hour on the UPS.” The helipad has an electric underfloor heating system to prevent freezing over in the winter. “We’ve used a 400V electric system with built-in snow and temperature sensors that will activate the system when temperatures drop to 3°C,” adds Ashforth.

Sheffield Electric has also designed and built a control panel for the helipad fire suppression system, supplied by Hawkes Fire. This takes the form of two jets, which spray a mix of water and suppression foam should there be an accident. The jets are supplied by a mains-fed 5,500 litre water tank with in-line foam generator. Actuators on the pressurised pipework will set off the pumps if trained operatives respond to a fuel spillage or helicopter crash. The foam used is Petroseal 3, a Film-Forming FluoroProtein (FFFP) firefighting concentrate.

The helipad is up and running and already contributing to saving lives across the region. Dr Stuart Reid, consultant in emergency medicine and clinical lead for major trauma at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, says: “As part of the team receiving patients in our resuscitation room, I know how vitally important the new helipad is.

Time is a crucial factor in determining if a person lives or dies.

“The new helipad provides a facility for air ambulances to land easily and for our teams to transfer patients straight into the emergency department, where we can start to treat them straight away. These precious minutes saved give us the best possible chance to save the life of the patient.”

The work of the construction team has been praised by Leigh Shearstone, estates manager at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals. “The design and construction of our new helipad has been a real team effort from all involved,” he says. “The hospital now has a fantastic facility that I am sure will contribute to the saving of many lives in the future.”

» Andrew Brister is a freelance journalist specialising in the electrical industry Connections Autumn 2016

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28/09/2016 11:07

Digiline Electric Central Heating Radiators Available in 500mm and 300mm heights Double panel and single panel radiators available

safe isolation for engineers & contractors

Thermal fluid filled for rapid and even en heat transfer ntrollable • 100% Efficient • 100% Controllable Built in digital electronic thermostat & radio receiver ver for central programming.

Radio Frequency 4 zone central programmer optional onal ( shown right )

Energy optimisation ensures minimum m running costs

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the VIP PRO and the SP400 DESIGNED IN THE UK FOR THE UK

Our e-newsletters are a great way to keep up-to-date with latest industry news and developments as well as finding out about new products, services and great offers. To sign up now email newsletter@certsure.com and let us know if you would like to receive either the NICEIC or ELECSA version.

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available from www.shop.niceic.com @socketsee

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Advice/Opinion/Insight/Events/Case Study/Customer care/Training ENERGY STORAGE

Live wire Save it for later The growth in the use of renewable energy has led to a need to store it for future use.

This could create opportunities for electrical contractors, says Bill Wright

I

ncreased use of solar PV and wind technology has undoubtedly been a major success for the renewable energy industry over the past two decades.

But as more renewable energy is connected to the grid, engineers now have to consider how to store this additional energy, which can fluctuate wildly.

Solar PV is great at producing energy during the day, but this can be wasted if demand is highest in the evening. Similarly, wind power is dependent on weather conditions, and can produce additional power at times when it might not be required.

An energy storage unit enables any excess power to be stored during the day and used as and when required. It also reduces dependency on fossil fuels to fill the gap created when there is a drop-off in supply.

As a result, more energy suppliers are now investing in grid-scale power storage stations, with a large experimental facility currently in production at a sub-station in Willenhall near Wolverhampton.

Bill Wright is head of energy solutions at the Electrical Contractors’ Association

The future There are still many hurdles to overcome before energy storage reaches its full potential.

Domestically, it will be those customers with renewable energy systems already in place who will look to take up storage solutions first. But as the price of batteries falls and storage is introduced on largerscale projects, then the practice will become the norm.

More firms will then enter the market and innovation is likely to increase. Then we could see a concerted move towards ‘off-grid’ production of electricity.

While energy storage might seem a fanciful idea, more suited to an episode of Star Trek, we have much of the technology in place and the skills to install it now.

The ECA runs a free energy efficiency adviser course with Schneider Electric for interested members. To find out more, visit www.eca.co.uk/find-an-eca-member/ eca-accredited-energy-efficiency-advisor-eea/

‘Energy storage solutions connected to home domestic systems have an expected payback period of 10 years’ Connections Autumn 2016

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Thinkstock

Storage in domestic settings ‘Energy storage’ means that electricity can be stored when it is cheap and plentiful, and used later when supply may be scarce or more expensive. If the peaks and troughs of renewable energy can be levelled out, then the UK will require fewer conventional power stations to meet peak demand.

Energy storage can also open up a new area of opportunity for electrical contractors. Small systems installed domestically will reduce the need for additional power from other sources such as the grid.

Domestic systems will need a change of inverter, along with an isolation system. All of this costs, but, if the energy savings can be proven, this type of storage may become viable for homeowners too.

One of the most recent developments is the Tesla small storage system, which uses a lithium ion storage battery and can connect directly into the home circuit.

They can also communicate with the inverter to produce AC output.

Other similar systems are available, while technologies such as fuel cells are also being developed, but costs mean the lithium battery storage option is currently leading the domestic market.

Energy storage solutions connected to home domestic systems have an expected payback period of 10 years, depending on tariffs and period of use.

It might be a long way off before they become the norm, but the payback period will reduce dramatically as energy prices rise. The potential for government to subsidise power storage systems in conjunction with PV or wind installations could also increase demand.

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28/09/2016 15:07

Advice/Opinion/Insight/Events/Case study/Customer care/Training APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR

Live wire

The stage is set Following the success of last year’s inaugural competition, the race is on to become NICEIC and ELECSA electrical apprentice of the year for 2017

T

he search is on to find the next NICEIC and ELECSA electrical apprentice of the year. This year’s competition promises to be bigger and better, with more tasks and even greater prizes up for grabs.

Mark Lee from Essex claimed the top prize last time out. The 22-year-old beat off competition from almost 400 entrants to become the first ever NICEIC and ELECSA apprentice of the year.

He claimed the winner’s prize of a holiday voucher worth £2,000, and his employer, First Call Electrical Contractors, also received a year’s free registration with NICEIC as part of the prize.

“The whole contest was amazing and we were all made to feel really proud of ourselves, so winning it was a really big achievement,” said Mark. “It was an unreal feeling. I never thought I would get to the final. I thought I would give it a go and just see how I compared.”

Three parts The competition comprises three stages.

The first is an online exam asking a variety of questions relating to electrical installations.

The top-performing 20 per cent of students from this stage then progress to stage two; a practical one-and-a-half-hour, written exam held at several locations across the UK. The eight students with the highest marks then go ahead to the grand final, held at partner sponsor Scolmore Group’s head offices in Tamworth, Staffordshire.

The final challenge comprises a range of tasks designed to assess contestants’ ability across a range of disciplines, including

22

> All eight finalists receive an iPad and tools testing, fault-finding, conduit-bending, tray manufacturing and safe isolation.

Everyone’s a winner All eight finalists will then attend a glitzy ceremony and BBQ at the prestigious Belfry Hotel, where they each will receive an iPad and goody bag of tools before finding out who is the overall winner.

> The winner is announced on the night Emma Clancy, CEO of NICEIC and ELECSA, said: “Apprenticeships are the lifeblood of our industry, and we are committed to developing the talent of the future. We would encourage all those just starting out in the industry to take part, and wish everyone good luck.”

To find out more about the competition, visit www.niceic.com/apprentice or www.elecsa.co.uk/apprentice

From the sponsor As well as hosting the grand final of the competition at its head offices in Tamworth, Staffordshire, Scolmore will once again be offering a range of prizes to those apprentices who shine on the day.

There will be holiday vouchers worth £2,000 for the overall winner, £750 for the runner up and £250 for third place. The eight candidates who make it through to the final stage will also each receive an engraved trophy, an iPad and a ‘van pack’ of Scolmore products.

Every college that enters 20 students or more for the competition will receive a Scolmore college pack containing a variety of Scolmore products, while the college of the overall winner will receive £1,000 worth of kit.

Marie Parry, Scolmore marketing director, said: “We couldn’t be more pleased with how last year’s event went. The talent of the individuals who made it through to the finals was very impressive indeed and we are hoping to build on this success and attract even more entries and industry interest as the competition gathers momentum.”

Autumn 2016 Connections

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‘The whole contest was amazing and we were all made to feel really proud of ourselves’

Meet last year’s winner

M

ark Lee was a 22-year-old novice when he first applied to take part in NICEIC and ELECSA’s inaugural apprentice of the

year competition.

Three months on from winning the title, Mark was busy, helping with a consumer unit change at a house in South London.

Working happily alongside other trades on a large house conversion, he appeared confident, well-rounded and in full charge of the situation.

“It has just been full on since the day I won,” says Mark. “Things just seemed to change straight away. I was given a lot more responsibility and my bosses seemed happy to just let me get on with things and see what I could do.

“I think the biggest change for me was confidence. I entered the competition on the off-chance – not really having a clue how I would get on. But as I progressed

through each round I got more confident, and winning the final was just unbelievable. It just confirmed to me I was doing the right thing.”

Mark is currently in the final year of his level 3 NVQ. While the academic side is not his favourite part of the job, he believes the win has pushed him to try hard.

“Learning in a classroom is not really for me and it can be hard to focus at college sometimes,” he says. “But I know it has to be done and if ever I do get down about it I just think back to the final and it gives me the boost I need.

“I know that if I want to go and succeed in this industry then getting the right qualifications is part of it.

‘Things just seemed to change straight away.

I was given a lot more responsibility’

“Eventually I think I would like to go out on my own and start my own business.

That is a long way off though. For now, I am happy doing what I am doing and getting the experience behind me.”

He’s also keen to acknowledge the role his employer has played in his success. “The guys at First Call have been great,” he says. “They just let me get on with it and then come in and check or supervise that what I have done is correct. It is mostly second-fix work, but I have also been getting involved in a bit of first-fixing – fully supervised!

“They have given me a project of my own to work on as part of my NVQ,” he adds. “It’s a high-spec job in a loft and I will be responsible for getting the materials to site, liaising with the client and architect and coming up with any solutions. It will be tough but I am looking forward to it.”

Such has been the hectic workload since winning that Mark has not yet used up his £2,000 holiday voucher prize. “I am still looking at things and deciding the best way to use it,” he says. “I have a few ideas and am possibly looking at going to Miami or Mexico with a few mates, and there is a music festival in the Alps that looks appealing.”

The additional tool bag and tools from Scolmore have been used though, and Mark is keen to encourage others to get their entries in for this year’s competition. “I would say go for it,” he says. “The prizes are amazing and it is a great test for anyone looking to make their way in the industry.”

Connections Autumn 2016

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Advice/Opinion/Insight/Events/Case Study/Customer care/Training FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS

Live wire All fired up Many electrical contractors feel that the installation of fire alarm detection systems should fall within their remit. But this isn’t the case, says Steve Kimber

C

Specialised subject However, if you are serious about becoming a fire installation company, you have to become a specialist in your own right.

Nowadays, there is a convergence of technologies using common network connectivity; sometimes even wireless. Although fire and emergency lighting often go hand in glove, it is not uncommon to also integrate access control for egress and CCTV for visual confirmation. Addressable systems not only signal the actual detector that has activated to the monitoring centre but, by using supplementary technology such as LAN Control Systems’ Nimbus, confirmed fire signals can be sent. Nimbus also provides maintenance schedules for the installer and customer schedules for testing specific detectors weekly, all reviewed and reported online.

Fire systems are no longer a call point and bell, but provide a highly intelligent, integrated solution that require skills over and above basic electrical contracting skills. If properly approved, the systems need maintaining and that introduces another dimension in the form of recurring revenue streams. By maintaining the systems you install, rather than fitting and forgetting, additional revenue can be made from alterations and refurbishment, breakdown and callout.

24

Steve Kimber is managing director of Southern & Northern Monitoring Services and a non-executive director of Certsure LLP

Picking up the pieces Specialists are often called in to maintain systems for occupiers of new buildings, which were installed by an electrical contractor. Often the design does not meet the standards; there is insufficient or no detection in ceiling voids, and insufficient sounders, which may not be wired in accordance with the standards. The installer cannot certificate the installation to BS5839, let alone BAFE SP203, and the occupier or landlord have some hefty costs to bring the system up to standard.

Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, it is the landlord or a nominated responsible person of the business who bears the liability to ensure that a risk assessment has been carried out and that the system is designed, installed and maintained to the correct standards.

They will appoint professionals to undertake that aspect of the requirements, which is where BAFE SP203 comes into its own. Having achieved this standard, it is a phenomenal marketing tool.

As with the huge push to get certificated to install PV through the microgeneration certification scheme, there is also need for a drive to get certificated for fire systems, especially as the fire marketplace is growing exponentially.

Many security installers who are indoctrinated with third-party certification to specialist standards branched out into fire many years ago. Security no longer sits in the top five risks, according to the Association of British Insurers (ABI), but fire does. In short, don’t play with fire or you will get burnt!

‘If you are serious about becoming a fire installation company, you have to become a specialist in your own right’

Alamy

ertificating a fire alarm system to basic electrical standards is no longer acceptable, and, in light of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, electrical contractors who are not qualified to carry out a proper risk assessment and professionally design, install, commission and maintain a fire system leave themselves open for prosecution.

The basic BS5839 four-part certification scheme is a good place to start, while for those who want to be a serious player BAFE SP203 is essential.

The Fire & Security Association (FSA) supports specialist certification and encourages electrical contractors to recognise the risks and legal implications of not installing and certificating fire systems to the correct standards. It provides a business model for an electrical contractor to use an FSA specialist for the design, commission and monitoring of such systems, leaving the contractor to carry out the installation.

Conversely, FSA specialists use the same electrical contractors to undertake the wiring on-site for systems they are contracted to install. So it’s a win-win scenario.

Autumn 2016 Connections

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Designed to exceed the new standards

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CONTRACTOR PROFILE // JAGER ELECTRICAL COMPANY: Jager Electrical BASED: Kent FOUNDED: 2011 MAJOR PROJECTS: Mayford Business Centre in Surrey; East Kent College STAFF NUMBERS: 15

Friendly business Jager Electrical has only been trading for four years but its roots go back much further, with its two founders having been friends since childhood

By Nick Martindale

B

usinesses are often forged in wider relationships, whether that’s family, colleagues or, as in the case of Kent-based Jager Electrical, long-established friendships. The company was set up in 2011, although it wasn’t until 2013 that its founders felt able to commit to it full-time, but its origins date back much further, to a time when James Goble and Elliott Riseley (the company name comes from the duo’s initials) were schoolboys.

“We’ve been friends since we were about 10 or 11,” says James, now 31. “I was a year above Elliott at school and then when I left I went straight to college and got my apprenticeship, and Elliott did the same the next year.”

The pair both went on to work for the businesses that had put them through their apprenticeships – James with Ashford firm Terry Baker Electrical and Elliott with G. W. & E. Wright – before both started sub-contracting for E. W. Gee. But it was during the downturn and work was hard to come by, and before long the duo decided to focus on their own operation full-time.

“When we first set the company up, we worked evenings and weekends to build up some clients and save some money,” says James. “But when we ran out of work with Gee, we went for it. We had about six weeks in front of us to start with.”

26

Building a base The initial focus for the business was domestic, but it soon started to move into working for main contractors on newbuild houses.

“In our first year, we managed to get quite a bit of work with a big building firm called Walker Construction,” he says. “Ever since then, we’ve had regular work with them, and that’s helped us grow a lot.” Both he and Elliott moved off the tools a year ago, which has created more time to actively seek work, he says.

To date, the biggest project the business has been involved in was at the Mayford Business Centre in Surrey, which involved

Autumn 2016 Connections

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£400,000: The largest contract Jager Electrical has taken on to date

James Goble

Elliott Riseley

upgrading all lighting and installing a new fire alarm system across the whole campus, including some external buildings.

“We ended up upgrading all the lighting and doing all the fuseboards, so it was a big project for us,” says James. “That was worth around £400,000.”

Another prominent project was at East Kent College, worth £240,000. “That was through Walker Construction and was a renovation of one of the buildings and an extension to the Achieve Building,” says Elliott. “That was a full electrical installation, so distribution, small power, LED lighting, data and fire and security alarms. There was a lot going on.” It has also recently won three contracts to work on extensions at schools in the local area, including two through another main contractor, Kier Construction, on the Isle of Sheppey.

Currently, a major focus is on 44 newbuild flats, where the value has grown to around £320,000, as well as seven houses in Hampton Hill. “The majority of our work is through

construction companies now,” says James. The company would be capable of taking on a job worth up to £500,000, says Elliott, depending on the timeframe, although it also continues to take on work for domestic customers. “We could probably keep an electrician and a van going purely on working for the public,” he says.

Periodic testing is also a growing part of the business. “We have some leisure contracts with Ashford Leisure Trust at The Stour Centre, where we do all the periodic testing, and that’s direct with them,” says Elliott. “We’ve also started doing some periodic testing in Canterbury for student houses through a local letting agency.”

Geographically, Jager Electrical covers all of Kent as well as London and Sussex, but tends to keep work within a two-hour drive if possible. “We have had people staying away in the past, but that was more with London and solely because of the traffic,” says James. “It can take ages to get in sometimes.”

Growing up fast The business has grown rapidly since 2013, and turned over around £830,000 last financial year, up from £650,000 and £250,000 in previous years. “I think this year we will do £1 million,” says James. “We got big quick, but we want to keep grounded and level-headed and make sure we can fulfil our customers’ needs.”

Jager Electrical currently employs 10 full-time electricians Connections Autumn 2016

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Photography: Sam Kesteven

‘We were constantly working, including weekends. In the past year we’ve been able to have a bit more of a life’

27

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CONTRACTOR PROFILE // JAGER ELECTRICAL

and is recruiting for more, and also makes use of two sub-contractors to help out in busy periods. Office manager Stacey is another new addition, having joined in June. “She was another investment but we’re now starting to wonder how we coped without her,” says James.

Much of the business’s growth has come through apprenticeships. “We have three senior trainees in their third year and then a couple who are slightly younger,” says James.

“They go to college one day a week and obviously we pay their wages for that. We’ve probably taken on one a year so far. It means we can train them up and get them used to our ways and how we want them to work.” Other staff have come from industry contacts, while they even managed to recruit one young man from their local gym to join them as an apprentice.

Not surprisingly, the business found it needed its own premises in early 2015. “We were operating out of my house and garage before,” says James. “It’s a brand new premises and we’ve kitted it out. We’ve now got an office with three desks and stores where we keep all our materials.”

Moving to their own premises has also been beneficial for the two founders, helping them to reclaim a life outside work.

“We do a lot better now that we have the office,” says James.

“Previously it was go to work, come home, laptops up; it got to a point where we were constantly working, including weekends. In the past year we’ve been able to have a bit more of a life and to get our weekends back. But we never switch off; even if we have a holiday we’ll always have the phones with us. But we have more of a balance now.” Both

‘We’re not silly with our money and we keep things tight, because you never know what’s around the corner’ 28

> Jager Electrical now operates from brand new premises with an office and stores

founders have children, he says, adding that it would be nice to think they may one day want to come into the business.

That’s not to say there aren’t busy spells, and last summer saw a sudden surge in work as schools sought to undertake renovation projects in the holidays. “We were both back out on the tools for about six weeks, which was something we needed to do to get through that busy spell,” says James.

“But the moment we’re out of this office everything else slows up, such as the tendering and project management.”

Under control Both founders are keen to continue growing, but also stress the need to keep the business at a manageable level. “I’d say we’d go to 20 employees tops, although I always thought 15 would be enough,” says James. “We have seven vehicles at the moment, and I think we could go to a couple more. But if we carried on getting lots of work and we could maintain that, then we would grow with it.”

There’s no doubt, though, that Jager Electrical has come a long way since the friends first decided to make a go of it. “One of our first projects was four houses with a general builder and following that we won work with Walkers,” says James. “They were both worth about £25,000, and we thought they were massive jobs because we were used to doing domestic works. Then within six months we won one with Walkers that was just shy of £100,000, and we had to pinch ourselves because we couldn’t believe we were doing it.

“Now we’ve gone onto even bigger ones, so we just try to take it in our stride and stay level-headed,” he adds. “We’re not silly with our money and we keep things tight, because you never know what’s around the corner.” » Nick Martindale is editor of Connections Could your business feature in Connections?

Email nick.martindale@redactive.co.uk

•

Autumn 2016 Connections

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HVAC

£1.2bn

Feel it in the air

The forecasted size of the HVAC market by 2019

be able to let properties that are less than an ‘E’ energy rating from 2018,” explains John Kellett, general manager, technical, marketing and product strategy, for the Mitsubishi Electric Living Environmental System. “This places a focus on the equipment used to heat, cool and ventilate buildings.”

The heating, ventilation and air conditioning market is growing on the back of new legislation and the need for homes and commercial buildings to become more efficient

By David Adams

I

f your company has never done much work with heating, ventilation and air conditioning, or HVAC for short, you may be missing a trick. “It’s a good opportunity for some new business,” says Paul Collins, technical services manager at NICEIC. The UK ventilation equipment and air conditioning markets grew by

4 per cent in 2014 (the last year for which figures are available, from AMA Research) and was predicted to grow by 10 per cent between 2015 and 2019, when it could be worth over £1.2 billion.

The market is likely to be boosted further by energy efficiency legislation and regulations from both the EU and the UK government (EU regulations are likely to apply until at least 2019).

“Legislation will mean, for example, that commercial landlords will not

HVAC update UK readers may feel that global warming isn’t yet happening fast enough for the domestic air conditioning market, often restricted to the luxury end of the residential newbuild market. But the commercial market is buoyant, with demand for new products and refurbishment of older systems.

Mitsubishi, Hitachi, Daikin and other manufacturers have focused in recent years on improving the efficiency of products, on making them easier to install and maintain, and on reducing noise output, as well as developing sophisticated control systems.

If you’re considering increasing your involvement in the air conditioning markets, you might well find it worthwhile to develop expertise in the installation and maintenance of ventilation equipment too. Demand for this has increased following energyefficiency-related updates to Building Regulations in 2014.

Mechanical extract ventilation (MEV) systems can improve air quality significantly, making for a much more pleasant atmosphere within energyefficient buildings, while mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) systems ensure that ventilation is not achieved at the cost of heat.

Installation of these systems is still relatively unusual, but we could see growing demand for their installation in future, in sectors such as public housing. Regulatory conditions continue to tighten, and some local authorities may fear the consequences of poor ventilation, leading to legal challenges from residents suffering ill-health. In anticipation of this growth potential, NICEIC has created a competency qualification for installers of domestic ventilation systems.

The final piece of the jigsaw is heating. Where once electricians had Connections Autumn 2016

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HVAC

only minimal involvement, a growing number of contractors are now seeking to get more involved in many different aspects of heating technology, from installing more complex boilers and heating, air conditioning or ventilation systems, to linking heating systems to renewable energy microgeneration technologies, such as solar thermal systems and heat pumps.

In each case, they may also be installing sophisticated controls to manage heating or cooling effectively – sometimes via smartphone apps – or via building management systems in commercial and industrial settings.

Pump action The heat pump market is also growing, for both domestic and commercial/ industrial customers. Hitachi claims its Yutaki air source heat pumps can reduce running costs by 60 per cent and carbon emissions by 70 per cent compared with boiler-based central heating and water heating systems.

Warren Clark, UK product marketing manager at Hitachi, highlights government support for this market – in the form of payments through the renewable heat incentive – and its diminishing support for the solar energy industry. If he were running an electrical contracting business, he says, renewable heating is one potential service line he would want to be training staff to deliver.

This is also a key product area for Mitsubishi, says Kellett, pointing to its new QUHZ 4kW air source heat pump, designed to match the energy usage profile for newbuild homes. “We are also seeing an increasing use of heat pumps retro-fitted to work in tandem with traditional oil and gas systems, with the old system used as a backup for extremely cold weather,” he says.

Another related technology that may become more relevant to HVAC in future is the smart grid. Some manufacturers are looking at new ways of using energy storage technology that could help consumers to use energy far more efficiently and cost-effectively.

For example, suggests Dimplex product marketing director Chris Stammers, there are over 2 million electrically heated hot water cylinders in UK homes. If one assumes an average capacity of 150 litres, heating water to 65°C, these cylinders collectively hold 2GW of stored energy (9.6Kwh 32

Case study: One-stop shop One contractor that has sought to become a one-stop shop for almost all its clients’ HVAC needs is Griffiths, based near Kettering in Northamptonshire.

The company was founded by electrician Brian Griffiths and his son Ian in 1999. Initially, it specialised in air conditioning, sub-contracting for air conditioning companies, but over the years the range of services it offers for domestic and commercial customers has expanded to encompass solar thermal and PV, heat pumps and other electrical and plumbing services.

“The work we take on is often a complex mixture of air conditioning, heat pumps and work related to the whole central heating and ventilation system and whole house heat recovery,” says Brian.

“So much of it is integrated technology that it makes sense for one contractor to be involved in everything that goes into that building,” he adds. “Lots of customers really appreciate only having to deal with one contractor for all those areas.”

HVAC 2016 HVAC 2016 runs from 18-20 October, as part of the UK Construction Week event at the NEC. Visitors to the exhibition will be able to look at the best HVAC technologies and business opportunities available today, and to find out more about the technologies of the future.

The seminar programme includes guidance on using HVAC technologies, and on issues facing anyone working in this area. This includes a session featuring Certsure CEO Emma Clancy, focusing on indoor air quality in energy-efficient homes; alongside sessions on topics such as sustainable buildings, mechanical ventilation heat recovery (MVHR) systems, and heat pumps. In addition, you can visit the other elements of the UK Construction Week event, including Energy 2016, Smart Buildings 2016, Grand Designs Live and even a beer and ale festival, featuring live music.

For more information, visit www.ukconstructionweek.com/hvac

per average cylinder). “That could be converted to stored energy generated off-peak when there’s surplus capacity, to be used when needed,” he says. In future, he suggests, homeowners using more efficient cylinders connected to smart grid technologies could enjoy huge cost savings as a result.

It’s clear that HVAC-related technologies, such as heat pumps and energy storage, are advancing quickly.

Contractors working in this space are also now able to offer customers smart-home-like control systems to manage them. Not all of the hype is justified though: fully integrated control of all HVAC systems isn’t yet possible, because there is no standard protocol

to integrate all the different systems.

The smart grid is not yet with us.

There is also a clear need for more effective training in some parts of the industry: at a panel discussion for HVAC 2016 (see box), Certsure CEO Emma Clancy spoke about the need to develop an equivalent of the electrical industry’s voluntary compliance scheme or the Gas Safe Register for the HVAC industry.

But if you are looking to develop a broader range of services, HVAC could offer a whole new range of different business opportunities, with plenty more growth potential in the future. » David Adams is a freelance business journalist

Autumn 2016 Connections

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LED LIGHTING

The market for LED lighting continues to grow on the back of falling costs and improvements in technology, making it something contractors cannot afford to ignore

Shining bright

fall by up to 40 per cent, with some manufacturers incurring heavy losses.

For those that are able to continually innovate and remain price-competitive, this is not all bad news though, while customers now have more choice than ever before.

Rate of change The speed of innovation and technological advancement witnessed

in the industry is nothing short of phenomenal. Leading manufacturers consider this an advantage, as an everincreasing variety of vertical sectors can now benefit and, therefore, their customer base is expanding rapidly.

“In the main, the LED lighting industry is in a very favourable position at the moment,” says Andy Charalambous, technical manager at Reggiani. ‘It is now widely accepted as the lighting solution of choice for retail, while all the usual benefits of LEDs with the addition of controls are being increasingly recognised by the hospitality sector.

In the residential sector, it is also beginning to take off in a big way too.”

An exciting aspect of modern lighting technology is its role in our increasingly connected world. The digital generation wants to control everything at the touch of a button, says Dan Scott, director of trade at Philips Lighting. “The concept of the smart home and the possibilities of connected lighting are really beginning to gain traction in the residential arena,” he says. “In the near future, we can see a time when all our lamps, luminaires and systems will be digital and network-ready.”

Connections Autumn 2016

35_36_LED lighting•CT•NM.indd 35

Philips

O

ver the past decade, LED has created a step-change in the way that people approach lighting.

According to Radiant Insights’ LED Lighting: Market Shares, Strategies, and Forecasts, Worldwide, 2015-2020 report, the global LED lighting market was estimated to be worth $13 billion (£9.7 billion) in 2014 and is likely to exceed $63 billion (£47 million) by 2020.

Susan Eustis, leader of the team that prepared the study, says: “Frequent product introductions have characterised the LED lighting industry.

There is a highly competitive pricing environment, with the price point per light about to decline further, creating competitive changes.”

This level of competition means that the market is starting to stabilise, and fewer new entrants are now coming into the sector. Despite rising demand, the oversupply situation has caused the average sale price of LEDs to

£47bn The amount the LED market is predicted to be worth by 2020

By Rob Shepherd

35

28/09/2016 11:19

LED LIGHTING

Great strides have also been made in LED lighting controls, says Gavin Williams, marketing manager at Hamilton Litestat. “Lighting control makes it possible to create “scenes” that enhance the characteristics of a room and highlight key features, while also setting an appropriate lighting level for certain times of the day or when a room is undergoing a particular use,” he explains.

“Savings of between 20-30 per cent can be achieved by dimming the LEDs alone, with further savings of 50 per cent possible by using passive infrared (PIR) sensors to turn off lights when a room or area is not in use.”

Payback time Yet despite prices falling, LED lighting still suffers from a reputation for being expensive. However, the economic argument is becoming more persuasive and involves a number of considerations, including energy use, maintenance, life, colour quality, colour consistency and the adoption of best available technology.

While early adopters sought its unique features, such as better efficiency, improved operation in cold environments and enhanced controllability, the current wave of adoption is much more focused on the value of ongoing energy and operational savings that can be factored against upfront cost.

Initial price should never be the sole purchasing criterion though, warns Marie Parry, marketing director at Scolmore. “It may be tempting to specify lower-cost products but, as reliability reduces, so will profit margins, as the need to return to sort out problems becomes an issue,” she says.

Ensuring the right warranty is in place is also important for contractors when looking to specify products, warns Simon Miles, managing director at Carbon8Lighting. “A good warranty is a fundamental prerequisite for any purchase of LED lighting,” he says.

“The industry has been plagued with products not meeting expectations, and poor warranty support has been a massive issue. My advice is simple – know your supplier and know what its warranty covers.”

Opportunity knocks There are clear opportunities for electrical contractors to take 36

Case study: University challenge The new multi-storey car park at the University of Leeds features a colourchanging lighting scheme using a Philips Color Kinetics LED lighting system.

The new 690-space car park is a prominent building that is clearly visible from some distance, so a decision was taken to provide it with a distinctive external appearance.

During the day this is achieved by a special cladding design, using perforated metal panels, which is further enhanced by the use of different coloured lighting at night.

The exterior lighting for the building was designed by LITE, providing a wash of colour across the façade. “We worked closely with NICEIC Approved Contractor Gough & Kelly to produce a scheme that would enhance the night-time appearance, while meeting the requirements of Leeds’ planning department,” explains LITE’s managing director Andrew Milestone.

Each of the ColorGraze fixtures is mounted on special 1m offset brackets to allow the lighting to graze the cladding all the way up the building. The lighting is controlled by a Pharos controller, allowing it to meet the lighting requirements imposed under planning constraints. advantage of the rapid adoption of LED. Like other carbon-reduction technologies, such as renewable energy sources, LED lighting is on the radar of everybody from multinational corporations down to homeowners as a key method of saving energy and money over the long-term.

Kent-based NICEIC Approved Contractor Berryman Electrical recognised the potential for LED lighting early on. “We have incorporated it into the general scope of our activities for many years,” says associate director Martin Buckley. “In recent times, however, it has become incredibly popular, and all of our recent office projects have been exclusively LED across all applications, including architectural, general office and

‘The industry has been plagued with products not meeting expectations, and poor warranty support has been a massive issue’

emergency lighting. We expect this trend to continue.”

For those that haven’t yet made the move, Scott stresses the need to truly understand a customer’s requirements, as lighting is no longer just about providing illumination. “Go beyond simply understanding the technical aspects of the lighting and consider their business drivers, such as energy performance, enhancing the appearance of merchandise or facilitating intricate tasks,” he suggests.

“Based on this insight, a strong business case for a lighting upgrade can then be developed.”

Staying up to speed with a fastmoving market is also important, says Caroline Smith, account manager at Reggiani. “Electrical contractors should keep up with developments to ensure that they are entirely au fait and comfortable with the associated technologies and controls, including the internet of things,” she says. “The market is increasingly showing signs of moving towards the domination of LED fittings with affiliated controls. It would be wise to prepare for this.” » Rob Shepherd is a freelance journalist, specialising in the electrical industry

Autumn 2016 Connections

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26/09/2016 15:10

Ask the experts/Technical

Fully Charged From the helpline

We continue with our series of answers to some of the more frequently asked questions put to our Technical Helpline.

QUESTION

ANSWER

Is it permitted to notch solid timber joists (rather than cutting holes) incorporated between floorboards and ceilingboards for the passage of low voltage cables?

Yes. Regulation 522.6.201 of BS 7671 does not preclude the notching of timber joists for the installation of cables operating at low voltage, provided the cables meet one (or more) of the mechanical protection requirements given in Regulation 522.6.204.

However, to minimise the risk of structural instability, the position and size of notches (and holes) in timber joists is restricted by the building regulations for the UK jurisdictions. Cuts for notches (and holes) should be formed according to the recognised practical guidance given in BS 5268-2: 2002 Structural use of timber. Code of practice for permissible stress, design, materials and workmanship which indicates: • the depth of the notches should not exceed 0.125 of the depth of a joist, and • the notches should be located between 0.07 and 0.25 of the span from the support.

Note: BS 5268-2 was withdrawn in 2010 but is still recognised as acceptable guidance to comply with the relevant parts of the Building Regulations. It has been superseded by BS EN 1995-1-1: 2004+A1: 2008 Eurocode 5. Design of timber structures. General – Common rules and rules for buildings.

QUESTION

ANSWER

Are pvc insulated and sheathed flat cables (such as, twin and earth) operating at low voltage suitable for installation in notches made in solid timber joists?

Without the provision of additional mechanical protection, pvc insulated and sheathed cables should not be installed in notches.

Regulation 522.6.204 requires non-armoured cables to have some form of additional mechanical protection, such as, earthed conduit complying with BS EN 61386-21, earthed trunking or ducting complying with BS EN 50085-2-1 or some other form of protection sufficient to prevent penetration of the cable by nails, screws and the like.

Where non-armoured cables are to be protected from penetration by nails, screws and the like by, for example, a steel plate, it must be of suitable thickness, such as 3 mm or greater secured across the notch above the cables. ‘Metal cable capping’ does not provide suitable or sufficient protection against penetration by nails, screws and the like.

However, it should be noted that mechanical protection provided by a suitable steel plate may not resist penetration where a nail gun is used to drive the fixings securing the floor or ceiling finish.

Connections Autumn 2016

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Ask the experts/Technical

Fully charged

40

QUESTION

ANSWER

Is it acceptable for a consumer unit to be installed in a cupboard that is within zone 2 of a location containing a bath or shower?

Yes. The inside of a cupboard installed within zone 2 of a room containing a bath or shower does not form part of that zone, therefore the requirements detailed in Section 701 do not apply.

However, the designer will need to consider the environmental conditions that may exist where a consumer unit is to be installed within such a cupboard and, amongst other things, any equipment installed in a cupboard must remain accessible for inspection, testing, fault finding, maintenance, repair or replacement (Regulation 132.12 refers).

QUESTION

ANSWER

Is it permitted for two or more low voltage circuits to share the same circuit protective conductor?

Yes. A protective conductor is permitted to be common to two or more circuits. Examples of such practice are: • where metal conduit serves as the protective conductor for a number of final circuits, • extraneous-conductive-parts complying with Regulation 543.2.6, and • the sheath or armour of a cable.

Where a protective conductor is common to two or more circuits, its cross-sectional area (csa) must be either: • calculated in accordance with Regulation 543.1.3 for the most onerous of the values of fault current and operating time encountered in each of the various circuits, or • selected in accordance with Regulation 543.1.4 so as to correspond to the csa of the largest line conductor of the circuits.

Note: where calculation produces a figure corresponding to a non-standard size of csa, the figure may need to be rounded up to correspond with the next standard size of csa. For example, where the protective conductor is a single-core cable and the calculated figure is 2.8 mm² a protective conductor having a minimum csa of 4.0 mm² must be installed.

QUESTION

ANSWER

Is it necessary to install an RCD to a final circuit that will supply a Class II under floor heating mat, where the circuit cable (pvc insulated flat twin and earth) is installed in surfacemounted trunking throughout its length; therefore, avoiding the requirements of Regulation 522.6.202?

Yes. Regardless of the requirements for cables in walls or partitions given in Regulation 522.6.202, underfloor heating is a special installation and the specific requirements given in Section 753 of BS 7671 must be met.

Regulation 753.415.1 of that section requires circuits supplying Class II heating equipment to have additional protection provided by an RCD having a rated residual operating current (IΔn) not exceeding 30 mA and an operating time not exceeding 40 ms at 5 IΔn.

QUESTION

ANSWER

Where should a firefighter’s switch for a lighting installation operating at high voltage be located?

Regulation 537.6.3 requires a firefighter’s switch to be located outside the building and adjacent to the equipment in a conspicuous position, reasonably accessible to firefighters and unless otherwise agreed with the local fire and rescue service, at no more than 2.75 m from the ground or the standing beneath the switch.

Alternatively, the firefighter’s switch may be positioned in a different conspicuous position, provided a notice giving the position of the firefighter’s switch is placed adjacent to the lighting installation and a notice fixed near the firefighter’s switch so it is clearly distinguishable.

Autumn 2016 Connections

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27/09/2016 11:17

Ask the experts/Technical

Fully charged 42 45 48

Use of a small generating set to supply a mobile or transportable unit Scaffolding – is bonding required?

Influences affecting installations in and about a garden

52 54 58 60

Variable frequency drives – the effects of harmonic currents The initial certification of a mobile or transportable unit Emergency lighting – the full rated duration test Snags & Solutions – a practical guide to everyday electrical problems

Use of a small generating set to supply a mobile or transportable unit Objective To describe the requirements that apply when use is made of a small generating set to supply a mobile or transportable unit.

A

small, single-phase generating set is sometimes used to supply the installation of a mobile or transportable unit, such as a vehicle, trailer, transportable container or cabin.

This article looks at the main requirements of BS 7671 for electric shock protection in these circumstances, based on the generator being used as the sole means of supply to the unit, and not connected in parallel with a mains supply.

Small generating set A small generating set (see Fig 1) is considered to be one that has an output rating of 0.2 kW to 10 kW (clause 7.1 of BS 7430: 2011+A1: 2015 Code of Practice for protective earthing of electrical

Requirements for mobile unit

42

installations refers). Such machines are generally single-phase and often provide outputs of 230 V and/or 110 V through a voltage selector switch.

Winding connections are normally brought out by the manufacturer to a socket-outlet, the protective conductor contact of which may (or may not) be connected to the generator enclosure. In some cases the protective conductor contact is also connected to the neutral of the generator winding, but this is often not the case, and typically such generating sets are run as ‘floating’ systems; that is, without the winding connected to the frame or earth.

However, as for most installations, it is generally recommended that the installation of a mobile or transportable unit is protected by automatic disconnection of supply, in accordance with Section 411 of BS 7671.

Protection against electric shock in the installation Where the generator is earthed, a TN system is normally the most appropriate type of earthing arrangement to use, but possibly without an earth electrode, as explained later. Figures 717.1 and 717.3 in Section 717 of BS 7671 show typical arrangements to supply a mobile or transportable unit, with the generator inside or outside the unit respectively, where there is a TN system.

Use of a TT system (which requires a source earth electrode and an installation earth electrode) is not usually necessary, as the generating set is generally sited close to or within the mobile or transportable unit.

When using the protective measure of automatic disconnection and a TN system: a) one pole of the single-phase generator should be connected to the main earthing terminal of the installation (MET) (see Fig 2), b) the installation should comply with the requirements of BS 7671, with: • all exposed-conductive-parts connected to the MET by circuit protective conductors (Regulation 411.3.1.1 refers), and • all accessible conductive parts of the unit, such as the conductive structure of the unit, connected to the MET by main protective bonding conductors (Regulations 717.411.3.1.2 and 411.3.1.2 refer), c) automatic disconnection of supply should be

Autumn 2016 Connections

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Fig 1 Typical small generating set

Fig 2 Small, single-phase generator supplying the installation of a mobile or transportable unit, using a TN earthing arrangement

L

L Main switch of installation

Generating set

N The connection to the MET may be made through the earthing contact of the socket-outlet on the generator if that contact is connected to the generator neutral

N

Cables connecting a portable generator to the mobile or transportable unit

MET of installation

Earth electrode

by RCD having a rated residual current (I n) not exceeding 30 mA (Regulation 717.411.1 refers), d) every circuit supplied by the generator should be protected by an RCD with a rated residual operating current (I n) not exceeding 30 mA and an operating time not exceeding 40 ms at 5 I n (Regulation 551.4.4.2 refers).

Note: A single RCD may be used for both c) and d) if it meets the requirements for both these functions and provided such use will not result in unwanted tripping or undue inconvenience if an RCD trips (see Regulations 314.1 and 314.2).

If the mobile or transportable unit supplies equipment outside the unit, it is recommended that the pole of the generator that is connected to the MET should be connected to an earth electrode (the connection to the electrode can be made from the MET, as shown in Fig 2).

Note: Where an earth electrode is provided, its resistance to Earth should be sufficiently low to operate the RCDs supplying equipment outside the unit based on the application of Regulation 411.5.3, and preferably not exceed 200 Ω.

The external earth fault loop impedance (Ze) must be determined, to check that the requirements of Regulation 411.4.5 for automatic disconnection in the event of a fault are met.

Ze can be found approximately by dividing the nominal line-earth voltage (U0) of the generator, by the prospective short-circuit current at the generator terminals. In the absence of better information, this current may be assumed to be three times the rated output current. This level of current lasts for only a few cycles for most small generators, after which it quickly decays but this should be long enough to operate a non-delay RCD. Thus, for example, the Ze value given by a generator with a rated voltage of 230 V and a rated current of 15 A would be approximately equal to 230 ÷ (3 × 15) = 5.1 Ω.

The value of Ze must be added to the highest value of R1 + R2 for a circuit to give the value of Zs at the most remote point of the circuit.

Only cables suitable for the environmental conditions likely to be encountered should be used to connect the generator to the installation.

Furthermore, all cables should be as short as practicable as this limits the risk of insulation damage (clause 7.1.1 BS 7430 refers).

Clause 7.1.1 of BS 7430 recommends the use of flexible cable with a metallic braid or screen that is suitable for use as a protective conductor, and that if a cable without a metallic screen is used, it should be flexible with an extruded oversheath capable of high abrasion resistance and contain a separate protective conductor.

Clause 7.1.1 also recommends that the cables should be inspected for damage frequently, and if defective should be removed from service and replaced, not repaired.

Summary Whilst small generating sets may not always be connected to Earth, when they are used to supply mobile or transportable units care should be taken to ensure all the applicable requirements of Section 717 are met in addition to the general requirements of BS 7671. Additional guidance may also be sought in such instances from BS 7430.

Connections Autumn 2016

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27/09/2016 11:18

Ask the experts/Technical

Fully charged Scaffolding – is bonding required?

Objective This article aims to reduce the uncertainty contractors may have regarding the connection of a protective bonding conductor to fixed scaffolding.

F

rom questions asked of the Technical Helpline, it is apparent that there is uncertainty regarding the application of protective equipotential bonding to fixed scaffolding1. Fixed scaffolding is the erection of individual sections of metallic tubes to form a temporary safe working platform at height, and is mainly used in the construction, maintenance and repair of buildings. Scaffolding is also erected for other purposes, for example, temporary footbridges or terraces for spectators at events, such as open-air music concerts.

Establishing whether protective equipotential bonding (‘bonding’ for short) for scaffolding is necessary is dependent on determining whether

1 Scaffolding is referred to as ‘fixed scaffolding’ where it is constructed of individual components to form a temporary structure.

The term ‘fixed’ is used because scaffolding is rarely freestanding; it is generally fixed to an adjacent structure. ‘fixed’ also distinguishes it from other forms of scaffolding, such as a portable scaffold tower.

protection against electric shock or protection against lightning is required.

Protection against electric shock Metallic scaffolding is an exposed-to-touch conductive structure not forming part of the electrical installation and may introduce Earth potential into the electrical installation, especially where erected outdoors and in contact with the general mass of Earth. This means that scaffolding generally meets the definition of an extraneous-conductive-part. Where ADS with additional protection by an RCD is the protective measure for electrically-powered tools and equipment used on or near scaffolding, it is likely that protective bonding to the scaffolding will be required.

However, in many instances there will be no requirement for metallic scaffolding to be ‘bonded’: for example, where scaffolding is erected against or around a structure which does not have any electrical services, and electrical work is not likely to be used for construction work, protective bonding is not required (clause 8.1.1 BS 7430: 2011+A1: 2015 Code of practice for protective earthing of electrical installations refers).

Furthermore, protective bonding is not required where it is established that only batterypowered tools and equipment2 (such as handheld drills and fixed luminaires respectively) or tools and equipment having the following protective measures are to be used on or near the scaffolding: • reduced low voltage systems (RLV) (Regulation 411.8), • double or reinforced insulation (Class II) (Section 412), and/or • extra-low voltage systems provided by SELV (separated extra-low voltage) (Section 414)3.

Protection against lightning Lightning is an unpredictable phenomenon and may strike, for example, tall4 buildings, low buildings5 and trees. Electrical discharge due to lightning can result in physical damage to a structure and a hazard to persons and livestock (BS EN 62305-3 Protection against lightning refers); hence providing lightning protection is complex and a different approach is required to that for protection against electric shock, due to the hazards associated with lightning.

It is not possible to cover the design of a lightning protection system (LPS) and the associated protective bonding requirements in this article; expert advice should always be obtained. However, the following provides Connections Autumn 2016

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Ask the experts/Technical

Fully charged general guidance regarding bonding.

Where scaffolding is erected against an existing building having a LPS it is likely that the scaffolding will require connecting to the LPS system to minimise, in the event of lightning, the risk of dangerous sparking or flashover between the LPS and the scaffolding, due to the scaffolding being a conductive structure and most likely at a different potential.

Indeed, it is recommended in clause 8.2 of BS 7430 that where scaffolding is erected against an existing structure having an external LPS, the scaffolding should be bonded to the LPS networks for earth terminations and air terminations.

The LPS also may require connecting to the main earth terminal of the electrical installation with protective bonding conductors complying with Chapter 54 (Regulation 411.3.1.2 refers).

Where scaffolding is erected against an existing building not having a LPS or to a new building under construction, due to the nature of lightning, it might be necessary for the scaffolding to be protected against lightning and consequently bonded, for example, where the scaffolding is erected against a tall building.

Where there is doubt regarding lightning protection an expert should be consulted.

A risk assessment in accordance with Part 2 of BS EN 62305 may be required.

Bonding conductors and connections Where a protective bonding conductor is connected to scaffolding, the appropriate size of cross-sectional area should be selected from

2 Electrically powered tools and equipment excludes tools and equipment having integral batteries and not connected to a wiring system.

3 RLV and SELV systems are strongly preferred as the protective measure for certain tools and equipment according to the notes attached to Regulation 704.410.3.10 of Section 704 (Construction and demolition site installations).

4 Approved Document B (Fire Safety) Volume 2: 2006 Edition for use in England considers buildings over 30 m in height as ‘tall’ (paragraph 4.27 refers).

5 Domestic premises do not normally require a lightning protection system.

Regulation 544.1.1 and the conductor should be connected to the scaffolding, for example by a corrosion-resistant clamp complying with BS 951 (Electrical earthing. Clamps for earthing and bonding. Specification).

Fortuitously, once erected scaffolding generally provides an electrically continuous path having a low resistance; meaning normally one bonding conductor connection is required. Where doubt exists regarding the electrical continuity of scaffolding, tests for continuity should be carried out using a low-resistance ohmmeter.

Where more than one connection is required, one bonding conductor may be used provided the conductor is continuous throughout its length or any connections are classed as ‘permanent’, such as a connection made by soldering or a crimping tool, to minimise the risk of a break in continuity downstream.

Summary In order to provide an electrically safe platform for working at height, an assessment should be carried out to determine whether fixed scaffolding requires bonding for either protection against electric shock or lightning. As highlighted, this assessment and outcome should not solely be the responsibility of the electrical contractor; other informed parties such as those with a responsibility for safety at the particular site should be consulted.

The NICEIC and ELECSA publishing team Tim Benstead, principal technical author Tim worked in contracting and maintenance prior to spending some 16 years as a lecturer. He began working for the Electrical Safety Council in 2006 as a senior engineer.

Mike Burling, senior engineer A former JIB technician, Mike had his own NICEICregistered electrical contracting business before becoming a college tutor and NVQ assessor. He now works as a senior engineer.

Derek Cooney, technical author Derek is a time-served electrician who spent many years electrical contracting on domestic, commercial and industrial installations before becoming a college lecturer. He joined NICEIC as a technical operations engineer in 2009.

Alex Whitworth, technical illustrator Alex has been a professional designer and illustrator for 15 years, working on projects including fashion advertising, book publishing and even cigar packaging.

Chris Long, technical engineer Chris is a gas professional responsible for providing a technical overview of all gas-related articles and publications. He lives in Hampshire with his family and outside of work is a motorbike nut.

46

Terry Bratley, technical author Terry is a time-served electrician who worked on domestic, commercial and industrial installations.

He then taught BTEC and HNC courses before joining Certsure.

Autumn 2016 Connections

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Ask the experts/Technical

Fully charged Influences affecting installations in and about a garden Objective To identify the sources that, if not protected against, can have a detrimental effect on an electrical installation in and about a domestic garden.

R

ecent years have seen an increased growth in occupiers of domestic properties wishing to extend the living space to the garden.

This article looks at the notable external influences recognised by BS 7671 that an electrical installation installed in a garden may be exposed to, and the requirements applicable for the protection of cables and associated equipment against those influences.

This guidance is also applicable to circuits passing through a garden, such as supplies to outbuildings and greenhouses; however,

1 Flexible thermoplastic cables are not recommended for permanent use outdoors (clause 4.4.11 of BS EN 50565-1 refers).

Fig 1 Method of burying cable

installations internal to such buildings are not discussed, nor are the specific requirements relating to gardens given in Part 7 of BS 7671.

The guidance may also be of use to electrical installation designers considering outdoor installations at other types of premises.

General A garden, or similar location, is not recognised as a special location; however, a designer will need to take account of the full range of local weather conditions and applicable external influences to which it will be exposed (Regulation 301.1 refers).

The designer should, therefore, make an assessment of the influences that may affect the safe operation of the planned installation, and select cables and associated equipment that are adequately constructed, or otherwise protected (Regulations 512.2.1 and 512.2.2 refer).

In addition to the general requirements of BS 7671, examples of the application of Part 7 in the outdoor area or buildings associated with a garden may include: • swimming pool or hot tub (Section 702) • sauna heater in an outbuilding (Section 703) • outdoor lighting (Section 714) • greenhouse (due to persons using the location possibly having wet clothing, footwear and/ or hands and being in direct contact with the general mass of Earth, the applicable parts of Section 705 should be applied) • electric vehicle charging (Section 722).

Cables installed outdoors

As dug material Typically 600 mm CAUTION CAUTION CAUTION BURIED CABLES BELOW

Warning tape or tile

150 mm Sifted soil or sand Cable diameter 100 mm

A typical section of a buried wiring system

Armoured cable Sifted sand (soft bed)

There are typically five outdoor installation methods for cables: • underground • surface-mounted (clipped direct) • housed within surface-mounted containment systems (such as conduit) • secured to surface-mounted support systems (such as cable basket) • overhead.

Whatever method of installation is selected, the installation of cables outdoors should be carried out within the temperature range for handling/installation recommended by the cable manufacturer to minimise the likelihood of damage to the cable. Furthermore, unless cables are resistant to the effects of solar radiation they should be adequately protected (refer Regulation 522.11.1).

Underground To minimise the risk of exposure to detrimental

48

Autumn 2016 Connections

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Fig 2 Example of exposed conductors due to cable strain caused by a damaged timber fence

finished ground level. For example, where a cable is routed through ground that will be finished with concrete the risk of impact is lower than where a cable is routed through ground that will be subject to digging, such as a flowerbed (Regulation 522.8.10 refers).

Surface mounted

Fig 3 Use of catenary wire

Catenary wire

Turnbuckle, keeps the catenary wire taut

Drip Loop, prevents rain water entering the building

effects typically expected in a garden, such as impact (522.6), vibration (522.7), mechanical stress (522.8), direct sunlight (522.11) and corrosive or polluting substances (522.5), cables may be installed in the ground within conduit or ducting.

Where such conduit or ducting is not used, an earthed multicore armoured or sheathed cable1 may be installed (Regulation 522.8.10 refers).

Where cables buried underground are used, their location should be suitably identified, and be buried at a sufficient depth in relation to the

To prevent ingress of moisture, fauna or flora, cables within surface-mounted containment systems, such as conduit or ducting, may be used provided the system is adequately sealed (where required).

Surface-mounted cables should not be installed where there is a risk of contact with corrosive or polluting substances (including water) or where they will be frequently splashed, immersed or submersed in water, unless cables are constructed for such use.

Cables installed below a timber decked floor, for example, to supply recessed luminaires within the floor, should be securely fixed to the joists supporting the floor. Where a cable needs to pass through a joist, holes should be cut at least 50 mm measured vertically from the top or bottom as appropriate, of the joist. Cables should not lie on the ground underneath the decking as they will be at risk of the harmful effects of fauna and/ or flora.

Wiring systems that are surface-mounted should be of suitable construction for their installed position and securely fixed to rigid structures, such as walls constructed from bricks or blocks, to minimise exposure to the aforementioned detrimental effects. Fixing to non-rigid items, such as timber fences should be avoided.

It should be recognised that cables fixed to some timber fences may be exposed to vibration and mechanical stress caused by wind loading to the fence; meaning cables could be pulled from their fixings/enclosure (see Fig 2). Furthermore, most timber fences at some stage after erection will require treating with preservative which may have a detrimental effect on fixed cables.

For similar reasons, cables should not be fixed to trees, especially the fast growing type as this could eventually lead to strain on the cable and any connections. Furthermore, the foliage of certain plants, such as ivy, may encircle cables leading to additional strain being placed on fixings.

Installing cables on rigid structures (walls) that may be exposed to excessive flora growth is not precluded; however, contractors should highlight the problems associated with flora to the client and choose appropriate cables and fixings to Connections Autumn 2016

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Fully charged limit the effects of such growth (Regulation 132.5.1 refers).

Overhead Cables installed overhead should be adequately supported (Regulation Groups 522.7 and 522.8 refer). This is of particular concern where the distance between two points is such that undue strain is placed on the cable. To overcome this issue, contractors could use catenary wire with insulated and sheathed cables secured to the wire.

Where it is necessary to install cables overhead they should be at a suitable height throughout their length. Guidance provided in HSE GS6 and ENA Technical Specification 43-8 details required and recommended minimum heights of spans above the ground.

Electrical equipment Most of the detrimental effects that apply to cables and the consequent requirements to protect cables are likely to apply to equipment mounted outdoors.

Other requirements for equipment outdoors,

50

amongst other things, are: • equipment having a high heat output such as patio heaters and some types of luminaires (floodlights) should be positioned at an adequate distance from combustible material, to minimise the risk of fire, • enclosures for accessories, such as socketoutlets and current-using equipment.

Luminaires should preferably be positioned to avoid the need for forming small holes to allow collected or condensed water to drain away as these holes can leave the enclosure at risk of infestation by insects.

Summary All the environmental conditions that an electrical installation in a garden is to be able to withstand must be determined by the designer prior to any work being carried out. Such an assessment will enable the designer to choose appropriate wiring systems, supports and equipment. Furthermore, whilst an outdoor area in its own right is not a special location, there may be instances where a designer may need to apply relevant sections of Part 7 of BS 7671.

Autumn 2016 Connections

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27/09/2016 11:24

Ask the experts/Technical

Fully charged Variable frequency drives The effects of harmonic currents Objective This article describes what harmonic currents are, the type of electrical loads that create them, the effect they have on the rms value of current and the impact they have upon the electrical system within an installation.

T

Harmonic currents

his is the second in a series of articles detailing some of the benefits of using variable frequency drives (VFDs) along with a number of problems associated with their use.

VFDs can provide significant energy savings, and when starting do not cause a large disturbance on the electrical supply; however, they do introduce inefficiencies in the form of harmonic currents and this article will focus on this particular aspect of VFDs. This article is concerned with the odd numbered harmonics as even numbered harmonics (such as 2nd, 4th and so on) are rare in a.c. circuits, and where they do exist have a minimum effect as the harmonics ‘swing’ equally in both the positive and negative cycles and, therefore, cancel out.

Harmonic currents are sinusoidal currents having frequencies that are whole multiples of the fundamental frequency at which the supply system is designed to operate, which in the UK is 50 Hz. For example; with the fundamental frequency being 50 Hz, then the 3rd harmonic will be at 150 Hz, the 5th will be at 250 Hz, and so on.

It is worth noting that even though a load is connected to a sinusoidal voltage, the current sine wave is not necessarily sinusoidal.

Fig 2 shows the effect the presence of harmonics has on the fundamental sine wave. The complex distorted wave shown is the sum of all the sine waves from the fundamental up to the 9th harmonic.

The complex wave shown in Fig 2 is classed as electromagnetic inference (EMI), and a VFD is an example of a source of such interference. Section 444 of BS 7671 provides basic requirements and recommendations to enable the avoidance of such electromagnetic disturbances.

Sources of harmonic currents In electrical installations there are only two types of load connected to an a.c. supply: Fig 1 Example of a distribution network with connected loads

Effects of harmonic currents Connected loads

Common bus-bar Back-up supply

Ih1

HV/LV

Sum of Ih1 to Ih4 Harmonic currents to distribu on network and other users

52

Variable frequency drives

G

Power-factor correc on

• Linear loads such as resistive heating, transformers and electric motors • Non-linear loads such as VFDs, some discharge lighting, LED drivers, UPS and switched mode power supplies.

It is the non-linear loads that are responsible for the distortion of the supply a.c. waveform.

Fig 1 shows a typical arrangement of linear and non-linear connected loads for a large installation.

The sum of all the harmonic currents created appear on the network via the common bus-bar (refer Fig 1), and these currents can cause interference both on the supply and within the installation.

Ih2

Discharge ligh ng

Ih3

Welding machine Arc furnace

Ih4

IT Equipment UPS

Linear loads (Harmonic currents not generated)

Whenever non-linear loads are connected, harmonic currents are produced increasing the overall rms value.

Considering Fig 2, the resultant circuit rms is found using;

where Ihn is the rms value of current at the various harmonic frequencies.

Potential effects of harmonic currents include: • overloading of the neutral conductor, • overheating of transformers because of increased losses, • reduced capacity of transformers, • over-stressing of power factor correction capacitors, and

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Fully charged Fig 2 Fundamental and harmonic frequencies producing a complex waveform1 Ipeak Irms

Complex wave

Ih1

Fundamental Fundamental(50 (50Hz) Hz) 3rdrd Harmonic (150 Hz)

Ih3

5rdrd Harmonic (250 Hz)

Ih5

7rdrd Harmonic (350 Hz)

Ih7 Ih9

rd rd

9 Harmonic (450 Hz)

Fig 3 Three-phase waveform showing the 3rd harmonic Fig A

L1 Time

Current (A)

L2 L3 3rd Harmonic

Fig B

L1

L2

L3

Current (A)

L1 3rd

L2 Time

L3

The significance of Fig 3 is that it shows the 3rd harmonic is in phase with all three phases. The same effect is true for the 9th, 15th, 21st and so on for all odd multiples of the 3rd harmonic. These particular harmonics are called triplen and are the focus of Section 5.5 in Appendix 4 of BS 7671.

The currents created in each phase by triplen harmonics add together to create an increase in neutral current (refer Fig 3B). Furthermore, the frequency of the neutral current has increased to roughly three times the fundamental (150 Hz) through predominately the 3rd harmonic and other triplens.

The orders of harmonics create different effects in terms of the phase rotation sequence (Table 1 refers).

The consequence of triplen harmonics being ‘zero sequence’ is that the magnitude of these currents are additive in the neutral conductor as shown in Fig 3B. This can lead to very large currents circulating in the neutral and, unless the neutral is sufficiently sized, this can lead to overload. This condition will be further addressed in the final article of the series.

Table 1 also shows that the 5th harmonic may be a concern where motors are installed as it shows that it creates a negative sequence. This means that when the supply voltage containing the 5th harmonic is applied to a 3-phase motor, it will attempt to drive the motor in reverse, creating a negative torque. In order to compensate for this negative torque, the motor will draw additional current. This, in turn, may cause overheating and/or the tripping of an overcurrent protective device.

3rd Harmonic Neutral

Table 1 shows the effects of harmonics from the fundamental up to the 9th order

• nuisance operation of circuit-breakers and RCDs (this aspect will be discussed in the third article of the series).

For three-phase systems that supply three-phase and single-phase non-linear loads, the effect of harmonics becomes more problematic. Fig 3 shows a three-phase waveform with just the 3rd harmonic current superimposed.

1 Harmonics other than those detailed in Fig 2 may also be present.

Summary For an installation that has non-linear loads, of which a VFD is an example, harmonic voltages and currents at frequencies greater than the 50 Hz supply will be present.

Harmonics in power systems result in increased heating in the equipment and conductors due to an increase in the rms value of current. On three-phase four-wire systems, triplen harmonics cause current to flow in the neutral conductor which can equal or even exceed a phase current value.

Where electric motors are fitted, they can experience a negative torque due to the 5th and other odd numbered harmonics.

Where there are distribution transformers installed, they can experience higher copper and iron (hysteresis and eddy current) losses due to the increased rms current and higher frequency.

The next article in the series will consider the selection and rating of overcurrent protective devices, and the type of RCD that can be used with VFDs.

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Ask the experts/Technical

Fully charged The initial certification of a mobile or transportable unit Objective This article details the information that should be provided as part of the initial verification of a mobile or transportable unit (referred to as unit in this article).

A

mobile or transportable unit is defined in Regulation 717.1 as, ‘a vehicle and/or mobile or transportable structure in which all or part of an electrical installation is contained’. Examples of mobile or transportable units include amongst others, vehicles for the entertainment industry, medical or health screening services and welfare units.

No less than for other types of installation, before being put into service, mobile and transportable units must be inspected and tested to verify, so far as is reasonably practicable, that the requirements of the Regulations have been met (Regulation 610.1 refers).

The manufacturer of the unit must issue an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC).

The information that should be recorded, however, will be constrained by the uncertainty of the supply that will be provided when the unit is ‘on site’.

An EIC should also be issued by the contractor responsible for the connection of the unit to a low Fig 1 Mobile unit

54

voltage supply once the unit is delivered to site.

However, in this article only its use for the initial certification of a unit is considered.

Requirements for connection of the unit As a consequence of being moved from one location to another there is an increased risk that a unit may be inadvertently connected to an inappropriate supply arrangement. In view of this, it should be confirmed that any limitations imposed by the designer regarding the connection of the unit to an electrical supply are clearly recorded in the user documentation (Regulation 717.132 refers). A permanent notice should be displayed at each supply inlet connector (or a similar prominent position) to provide information throughout the lifetime of the unit, as required by Regulation 717.514.

The notice displayed should be durable and, as a minimum, include the following information about the unit: • The types of supply suitable for connection to the unit, including any limitations imposed by the designer • The voltage rating and number of phases • The number of supplies, phases and their configuration • The maximum power requirement of the unit • The earthing arrangement within the unit.

It should be noted that the connection of a unit to a PME earthing arrangement is prohibited, unless the unit is under continual supervision by skilled or instructed person(s) and the adequacy of the earthing arrangement is confirmed before each connection of the supply (Regulation 717.411.4 refers).

Identification of the unit In order to minimise the risks previously described, it is essential that the details recorded on the EIC provide a unique means of identification irrespective of location or particular application served by the unit.

Otherwise it might be impossible to confirm, at a later date, which particular unit the certificate covers. Therefore, in addition to the client’s details, full details of the particular unit must also be recorded, including: the model name and description, any unique identifier, and for a vehicular unit the 16 digit vehicle identification number (VIN) should be inserted (refer Fig 2).

The NICEIC certificate ‘Electrical Installation Certificate for small installations not exceeding 100 A’ provides a means of recording such information.

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Fig 2 Vehicle details from the ‘Electrical Installation Certificate for small installations not exceeding 100 A’

Electrical testing The range of electrical tests appropriate to the initial verification of such a unit is limited to those performed with the supply to the unit de-energised, commonly referred to as ‘dead tests’. Recording the results of dead tests, such as continuity and insulation resistance, together with the results of the inspection, provide evidence that the circuits have been installed in accordance with the relevant requirements of BS 7671, and provide the user with information that can be referenced and reconfirmed once the unit is delivered to site.

In contrast, tests performed with the supply energised, such as earth fault loop impedance tests, are reliable only for the particular supply connected at the time of testing, and as such, are not deemed applicable to the initial verification of such a unit. Consequently, N/A (not applicable) should be inserted in the relevant boxes on the schedule of test results, and the extent of the work covered by the certificate, including the electrical testing, should be accurately recorded on the certificate.

The maximum tolerable upstream earth fault loop impedance (ZT) Whilst it is necessary to install an RCD having a rated residual operating current of 30 mA where the protective measure is automatic disconnection of supply (ADS) (Regulation 717.411.1 refers), it is helpful to state what is the maximum value of impedance that can be tolerated at the point where the unit is connected to the supply.

ZT is the maximum value of impedance that can be tolerated safely at the point where the unit is connected to the electricity supply.

The installation of an RCD having a rated residual operating current of 30 mA does provide for a maximum earth fault loop impedance of up to 1667 Ω. However, a maximum impedance of 200 Ω is recommended to limit the effects of soil and temperature change. Typically, the connection of the unit is normally not under the control of the person performing the initial verification of the unit, so ZT is required to be declared on the certificate.

Declaring a maximum value is intended to support the person responsible for the connection of the unit to a low voltage electrical supply. Therefore, prior to the unit being connected to a low voltage supply it should be confirmed that ZT will not be exceeded.

Where the unit is connected to the supply via a flexible, detachable supply cable, ZT is determined from: ZT ≤ ZS – {(R1 + R2)cs + (R1 + R2)fc} Where: • ZS is obtained by taking the lowest value of earth fault loop impedance of all the final circuits, taking into account the relevant data for the protective devices.

• (R1 + R2)cs is the resistance contribution made to the earth fault loop impedance by the units supply cable. That is, the measured resistance (R1 + R2) of the cable provided to connect the unit’s consumer unit to the supply.

• (R1 + R2)fc is the resistance contribution made to the earth fault loop impedance by the final circuit with the highest value of measured Connections Autumn 2016

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Fully charged Fig 3 Maximum tolerable upstream earth fault loop impedance (ZT)

UNIT supply connection point

final circuit (R1+R2) fc max Z T

C/U

Load

supply cable to the unit (R1+R2) cs

resistance recorded on the Schedule of Test Results.

and a completed EIC should be issued for the installation of the unit and the supply.

Example:

Periodic inspection and testing

The supply available to a unit is a 20 A type B circuit-breaker to BS EN 60898. From Table 41.3 the maximum earth fault loop impedance is 2.19 Ω. The measured values of (R1 + R2)cs and (R1 + R2)fc are 0.2 Ω and 0.3 Ω respectively.

Determine the declared maximum value of ZT, permitted at the point of connection of the unit to the low voltage supply.

ZT ≤ ZS – {(R1 + R2)cs + (R1 + R2)fc}

As with all electrical installations, the time interval between periodic inspection and testing of a mobile or a transportable unit is a matter of engineering judgement and will depend on a variety of factors including amongst other things, the level of supervision, the frequency of use, quantity of road mileage and the severity of the external influences to which it is exposed.

However, as a minimum, such units should be inspected and tested by a skilled person(s), competent in such work, at least annually.

In addition, a visual inspection should be carried out on the connecting cable and all plugs and socket-outlets before each and every use of the unit, and the results of the visual inspection should be entered in a log-book as a permanent record of the condition of the electrical equipment.

Z T ≤ 2.19 - (0.2 + 0.3) = 1.69 Ω The person responsible for the connection of the unit will need to confirm that the low voltage supply is suitable for the anticipated maximum demand (the sum of all connected loads taking into account any diversity), and the fault current does not exceed the maximum tolerable fault current, based on the short-circuit capacity of the installed protective devices (declared in units of kA).

Alternatively, where the installation is supplied directly (that is other than via a flexible, detachable supply cable), the value of ZT is derived from: ZT ≤ ZS – (R1 + R2)fc

Summary Due to the risks associated with the connection of a mobile or transportable unit to a low voltage supply, the maximum impedance, load and fault current that the unit can tolerate safely should be recorded on the EIC.

After the connection of the unit to a supply it will be possible for the live tests to be carried out 56

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Ask the experts/Technical

Fully charged Emergency lighting – the full rated duration test Objective To explain the importance of carrying out a full-rated duration test on self-contained emergency lighting.

S

elf-contained emergency luminaires1 are designed to operate in the event of a general or local failure of the normal lighting supply. Therefore, in addition to the monthly tests specified in BS EN 50172: 20042, each luminaire and internally illuminated sign should be tested for its full rated duration at least once a year (clause 7.2.4 BS EN 50172: 2004 refers).

The purpose of the test is to confirm by stimulating failure of the normal lighting supply, whether or not the emergency battery supply of each self-contained emergency luminaire and internally illuminated sign has sufficient capacity to maintain the rated emergency lumen output for its rated duration.

Completion of the test not only demonstrates whether, or not, the emergency supply satisfies the designed duration, but also provides verification that, after being discharged, the emergency supply will recharge once the normal supply is restored (clause 7.2.4 of BS EN 50172 refers).

Typically, the test is normally conducted Fig 1 Self-contained emergency escape lighting

The designed duration The designed duration for an emergency lighting system is specified by the system designer according to the particular risk assessment.

Typically, a duration of 1 or 3 hours is selected based on: • whether the premises will be evacuated immediately in the event of the supply to the normal lighting failing, and if so the time required, and • whether immediate reoccupation of the building is required once the normal supply has been restored.

Whilst for escape purposes a minimum duration of 1 hour is required (clause 4.2.5 of BS EN 18383 refers), this is insufficient to allow the immediate reoccupation of premises once the normal supply has been restored, due to the risk of the supply to the normal lighting failing during the battery recharge period. So, where immediate reoccupation is intended a 3 hour emergency duration should be provided to allow for a second evacuation.

Detailed information on the type and classification of emergency lighting recommended for typical premises, including appropriate duration periods, is contained in clause 9 of BS 5266-1: 20164. BS 5266-1 has been recently revised and the key changes introduced will be the subject of an article in the next edition of Connections.

The full rated duration test

1 A self-contained emergency luminaire designed and constructed in accordance with BS EN 60598-2-22 2 BS EN 50172:2004 / BS 5266-8:2004 Emergency escape lighting systems

58

as part of an annual periodic inspection and test on the emergency lighting system and on completion of the periodic inspection a certificate is issued to the person responsible for the safety of the premises (responsible person).

The emergency supply must be appropriate for the particular type of premises and regularly maintained. Therefore, in addition to the monthly inspections and tests specified in clause 7.2.3 of BS EN 50172: 2004, each self-contained luminaire should be operated from its emergency supply for its full rated duration. As a minimum, the test should be performed at yearly intervals, and the results and date of testing should be recorded in the system log book.

In some cases, although a minimum designed duration of 1 hour is specified, the installer may fit self-contained emergency luminaires having a full rated duration of 3 hours. In such circumstances, a test performed for one hour would not be sufficient to confirm the integrity of the battery supply, and as such would be considered a short duration test rather than a full

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Table 1 Routine inspections and tests The minimum and routine inspections and tests required for self-contained emergency luminaires Where automatic testing facilities are used the results should be recorded in the system log book. Where manual test facilities are used the following routines tests should be undertaken and the results recorded in the log book.

Monthly: (normally conducted by the responsible person) Failure of the supply to the normal lighting should be simulated for a period long enough to ensure that each lamp is illuminated. All luminaires should be checked to ensure that they are present, clean and functioning as intended.

At the end of the test period, the supply to the normal lighting should be restored and any indicator lamp or device used to indicate that the normal supply has been restored must be checked.

battery fails to maintain the supply for its full rated duration, it should be replaced with an equivalent and compatible type to maintain the performance of the emergency lighting. To ensure correct replacement the battery details should be clearly marked on the luminaire, and the replacement should only be undertaken by competent persons, who should enter the date of commissioning on the battery label and record the details in the system log book (clause 22.6.8 of BS EN 60598-2-22 refers). After being fully charged the new batteries should be tested for their full rated duration.

Self-testing luminaires

rated duration test (clause 12 of BS 5266-1 refers).

Self-testing luminaires incorporate the technology to automatically perform function tests, including monthly and full rated duration discharge tests, without the disruption caused by manual testing.

Features can allow for staggered delay testing so that not all the luminaires in a given area are tested at the same time.

Where automatic test facilities are used they should be installed in accordance with BS EN 62034: 2012 Automatic test systems for battery powered escape lighting, and the results of the tests (monthly and annual) must be recorded in the system log book.

Conducting the test

Maintaining the system

Once discharged, the emergency battery supply may take up to 24 hours to recharge, so that wherever possible the test should be conducted at a time of low risk (clause 7.2.1 of BS EN 1838 refers). Ideally the test should be scheduled at a time when the building is unoccupied or be undertaken outside of the premises’ normal working hours. Where the building is continuously occupied, phased or alternate testing of luminaires should be employed to minimise the risk of building users being left without an emergency lighting supply.

NOTE: For premises continuously occupied, such as for example a hotel, automatic testing facilities should be recommended, as discussed later in this article.

Irrespective of the method used to perform the tests, emergency lighting systems should be regularly tested and maintained. Therefore, as recommended by clause 10.7 of BS 5226-1, as part of the process of handing over a new emergency lighting system, the responsible person should be provided with support in the following: • training in the monthly inspections and tests needed to maintain the system • training in the use of manual test facilities or the checking of automatic test facilities • guidance on the importance of keeping the system log book up-to-date and safe storage of the system documentation.

Battery replacement

To ensure that emergency lighting operates when required it should be installed, tested and maintained in accordance with BS EN 50172.

This requires a full duration test to be conducted at least once a year and the results recorded in the log book.

Guidance on the design and inspection and testing of emergency lighting systems is contained in the NICEIC and ELECSA snags and solutions publication: Emergency Lighting (2nd Edition).

Annually: (normally conducted by competent persons as part of the annual periodic inspection and test on the system) Same as for the monthly tests, but each luminaire and internally illuminated sign should be tested for its full rated duration in accordance with the manufacturer’s information.

The batteries of self-contained luminaires are designed to have a minimum life expectancy of 4 years when operated in the luminaire (clause 7.2.1 of BS 5266-1 refers), so premature failure may be indicative of a fault with the charging circuit rather than the battery, or even a consequence of installing the battery in a location where its temperature limits are exceeded. However, where a

Summary

3 BS EN 1838: 2013 Lighting applications.

Emergency lighting 4 BS 5266-1: 2016 Emergency lighting – Part 1: Code of practice for the emergency lighting of premises

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Ask the experts/Technical

Fully charged Snags & Solutions A practical guide to everyday electrical problems Now updated to Amendment No 3 of BS 7671 and where appropriate BS 5266 and BS 5839 ‘Snags & Solutions’, NICEIC’s problem solving book, is now available in five parts, which cover many commonly-encountered electrical installation problems. All parts have been updated, where appropriate, to take account of the requirements of Amendment No 3 to BS 7671: 2008 (17th Edition of the IET Wiring Regulations), which was published on 1st January 2015 and all parts (including Regulation 421.1.201) are now in force.

Part 1 of Snags & Solutions addresses 53 problems relating to earthing and bonding. Part 2 covers 55 problems relating to wiring systems. Part 3 covers 52 problems relating to inspection and testing.

Parts 4 and 5, which have recently been introduced, cover 50 problems relating emergency lighting and 48 problems relating to domestic fire detection and alarm systems, respectively.

The books are available from NICEIC Direct.

To give an indication of the value of these books, a snag and solution is being covered in each issue of Connections. This issue addresses a snag from Part 3 – Inspection and Testing.

snags and solutions A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO EVERYDAY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS

Part 1

earthing and bonding 5th Edition

Amd 3: 2015

snags and solutions A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO EVERYDAY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS

snags and solutions A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO EVERYDAY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS

Smoke alarms in dwellings As a minimum requirement, smoke alarms should be installed when a dwelling is initially wired or when a dwelling is rewired.

Snag 21 Failure to install appropriate smoke alarms is a failure to comply with the recommendations of Approved Document B and the Technical Handbook, relating to the Building Regulations in England and Wales, and Scotland, respectively..

Solution BS 5839-6 Fire detection and fire alarm systems for buildings - Part 6 Code of practice for the design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of fire detection and

snags and solutions A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO EVERYDAY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS

snags and solutions A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO EVERYDAY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS

Part 2

wiring systems

Part 4

3rd Edition

4th Edition

Emergency Lighting

BS 5266-1:

Amd 3: 2015 Amd 3: 2015

Part 5

to BS 5266 series 2nd Edition

Amd 3: 2015

2011

2nd Edition Amd 3: 2015

60

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fire alarms systems in domestic premises recommends that a fire risk assessment is carried out prior to the installation of a fire detection and fire alarm system, to ensure that an appropriate level of detection and alarm is provided.

In any event, Approved Document B (England and Wales) recommends, and the Technical Handbook (Scotland) requires, that a domestic dwelling has at least a Grade D fire alarm system to BS 5839-6 installed.

A Grade D system should include one or more mainspowered smoke alarms, and heat alarms where appropriate, each alarm having an integral power supply, generally a battery. Where there is more than one smoke alarm or heat alarm, these should be linked together as required by clause 13.2(c) of the standard.

Recommendations on the grades of system that are considered generally appropriate for generic types of domestic dwelling are given in clause 9 of BS 5839-6. The supply to the smoke alarms, and where appropriate, the heat alarms, may be taken from: 1) a dedicated way at the incoming distribution board, or 2) a regularly used local lighting circuit. (see also Snag 22 – supplies to fire alarm systems) Regulation 560.10 Fire detection and fire alarm systems shall comply with the relevant parts of BS 5839 series.

Meet the helpline If you have ever telephoned our technical helpline, you may wonder who the voices are on the other end of the line.

John O’Neill, technical engineering manager Industry experience: Owned and operated a large electrical systems integrator, electrical design consultant and lecturer in electrical engineering. More recently an NICEIC area engineer, supporting contractors through the assessment process.

Sam Donaghy, technical helpline engineer Industry experience: More than 35 years’ experience in the electrical industry, working predominantly in automation and control. Most recently he was a further education college tutor, working with Level 3, HNC and HND apprentices.

Stuart McHugh, technical helpline engineer Industry experience: More than 48 years in the electrical industry, including a six-year apprenticeship, industrial commercial domestic and street-lighting work.

Duncan McFarlane, technical helpline engineer Industry experience: Time-served electrician, working on domestic, commercial, industrial and petrochemical installations. Electrical clerk of works, electrical surveyor, lecturer and NVQ assessor.

Norman Bradshaw, technical helpline engineer Industry experience: Electrician for 23 years, working as an Approved Contractor, assisting new electricians in gaining Part P registration and working in partnership with local building control departments.

Mark Cooper, technical helpline engineer Industry experience: Approved electrician with more than 30 years’ experience, mainly in heavy industrial and commercial installations. Also a qualified NVQ assessor.

Steve Hoult, technical helpline engineer Industry experience: Experienced in design and installation of systems to 11kV working in the coal-mining industry and then on industrial and construction electrical supply installations.

Richard Atkins, technical standards engineer Industry experience: More than 46 years’ experience in the electrical industry working in the manufacturing sector.

Area engineer for over 13 years.

Mark Barnes-Rider, technical helpline engineer Industry experience: Fourteen years as an Approved Contractor.

More recently worked in the social housing sector as an electrical compliance manager.

Call the technical helpline on 0870 013 0391. Got a legal query? Call our legal helpline free on 0845 602 5965

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Hultafors Precision, quality and long-lasting sharpness are the hallmarks of these superb new products.

Hultafors Tools has extended its range of knives for professional craftsmen and women. With a selection of Heavy Duty Knives, Safety Knives, Chisel Knives and Utility Knives already available, there’s also specially designed products for electricians, plumbers and painters. They’re all are ergonomically designed and made from the highest quality Japanese steel. The handles are made from a friction-grip Santoprene and sheaths are made from extra durable polypropylene plastic with special fasteners for Snickers clothes. www.hultafors.co.uk

VoltMonkey If you are looking to buy bespoke manufactured goods or electrical components at the lowest prices check out a new webstore that has just gone live. Voltmonkey provides outdoor electrical equipment, including hook-up units for caravan and camping parks, electric vehicle charging points and cables, utility combination boxes for festivals, markets and outdoor use, lighting, and heaps of accessories. www.voltmonkey.co.uk

Venture Lighting Venture Lighting Europe has produced a new OEM Components brochure, which is now available to download. The 24-page brochure covers Venture’s full range of LED components, including the various options for VLED modules and drivers available to OEMs. Venture has pioneered light source technology for over 30 years and continues to work closely with OEMs to provide highly efficient components. www.venturelightingeurope.com 01923 692600

Connections Autumn 2016

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For great deals on products and services visit www.shop.niceic.com

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Scan QR code with your smart phone to visit our site

Socket & See

Kidde

Since 1998, Test & Measurement has been the focus for the Socket & See range of products.

Founded to deliver ‘easy to use’ product with a ‘works out of the box’ attitude, the brand continues to develop innovative and unique market savvy product.

Recent products include the VIP PRO 2-Pole Voltage Indicator, the EPF PRO Phase Finder, SP200/ 400 True AC Proving Units and the recently launched DLM PRO Multifunction Gas Tester. www.socketandsee.co.uk

Kidde’s Firex range now offers safety plus sustainability, with low energy mains-powered smoke and heat alarms that cost less than £1 a year to run.

Interconnected, mains-powered smoke and heat alarms with reliable power back-up should now be the norm for most housing to satisfy Building Regulations requirements and Code of Practice recommendations. The latest Firex range provides much lower maximum mains consumption, with substantial energy savings. www.kiddesafetyeurope.co.uk 01753 766392

Greenbrook

Scolmore

GreenBrook’s new range of Occupancy Detectors, The Orion Range, offer high performance products for optimum switching of all types of lighting – including LEDs. These energy saving products, available in various designs, are proving popular in both commercial and domestic applications with both infra-red and microwave options available.

Featuring easy to access controls for the time delay and LUX levels settings – this new range has been manufactured with the installer in mind. www.greenbrook.co.uk

Leading lighting and wiring accessories manufacturer Scolmore Group has added to its popular Inceptor range of integrated LED Downlights, with a non-fire-rated version that provides contractors with a high-quality, cost-saving LED solution for lighting projects.

The new Inceptor Pico Fixed Integrated LED Downlight is being positioned as the ideal alternative for those applications where there isn’t the requirement for a fire-rated fitting and therefore, no need to incur the additional expense that a fire-rated model commands. . www.scolmore.com 01827 63454 sales@scolmore.com

Snickers

Snickers

Introducing the NEWEST Working Clothes that will fit your winter workdays – in Snickers’ latest 48 page FREE magazine. You’ll find all need to know about the world’s most innovative range of working clothes, the only one that will your fit your workday on site – all winter long. There’s advice on choosing the right Work Trousers and Jackets to suit your trade – RUFFWork, LITEWork, FLEXIWork and ALLROUND workwear. www.snickersworkwear.com 01484 854788

Snickers new ALLROUND 37.5® Insulated Work Jacket. Performance and comfort are integral features of this water-resistant, padded jacket.

Top athletes have long enjoyed the benefits of performance wear – now craftsmen and women can too. Snickers Workwear is one of the first manufacturers of working clothes to introduce 37.5® Technology into its clothing.

MD David Clark, MD of Snickers Workwear in the UK, says: “It’s proven that an athlete’s performance can improve by up to 26 per cent through the use of this advanced technology.” www.snickersworkwear.co.uk 01484 854788

Hultafors

Snickers

Solid Gear Athletic Safety Trainers from Hultafors. Ultimate safety and performance – recommended by Snickers Workwear.

Part of the Hulafors Group UK, Solid Gear delivers top quality safety footwear for professional craftsmen.

With modern, sporty looks, its Athletic range of Safety Trainers brings together superb functionality and top class safety in a range of styles, designs and colours to create versatile safety shoes that are well suited to a variety of work tasks. www.solidgearfootwear.com 01484 854788

Snickers RUFFWork – Heavy Duty Working Clothes. Reinforced, comfortable and tough for hardwearing comfort.

Part of the Next Generation Workwear range, Snickers’ RUFFWork working clothes are modern, heavy-duty garments that combine an amazing fit with reinforced features throughout. Packed with loads of functionality, the trousers are specially designed for those professional craftsmen who really rely on their gear in demanding on-site working conditions. www.snickersworkwear.co.uk 01484 854788

Autumn 2016 Connections

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Current affairs

Don’t forget to send Current Affairs any pictures that have made you smile and let us know about any hidden talents or charity initiatives.

Email nick.martindale@redactive.co.uk

CAUGHT ON CAMERA

Up hill and down dale A qualifying supervisor for the City of York Council’s street lighting division has completed a 170-mile bike ride across the Way of the Roses in Yorkshire, raising £500 for Prostate Cancer UK. Eric Winterburn started at the Eric Morecambe statue (pictured) on the west coast and ended in Bridlington.

“I’ve always been a keen cyclist and was looking for a challenge,” says Eric, who undertook the ride with a former work colleague and his brother-in-law.

“We decided to split it over three days.

The hardest part was getting back on the bike the next day but we all finished together.”

Having completed his first major cycle ride, Eric now has his eyes on taking to the road again. “There are a couple of other coast-to-coasts that I quite fancy,” he says. “My wife was very good at raising sponsorship, and a few people have said they would sponsor me again.”

This quarter’s shabby installations include: a dubious extension lead; an overcrowded distribution board; a domestic property missing a consumer unit altogether; and a joist cut out for a downlighter.

It continues with the result of a poorly sited radiator on the other side of the wall; a consumer unit wired upside down; a dodgy cable extension feeding a shower; and an ill-thought-out gas cooker/ switch combination.

1 2 5

3 6 4 7 8

Thanks to: Andrew Reese of A Reese Electrical in Caerphilly /// Stuart Millington of Electrical Solutions in Bedford /// Eddie Lydden from Phase 3 Electrical in Thornton Cleveleys /// John Wootton from OCD Electrical in Hemel Hempstead /// Tony Richards from Newark firm T. R. Electrical Services /// Brian Coleman of Swanley-based Evergreen Electrical /// David Jenkins from Those Electricians in South Devon /// and Ian Garner of Ian Garner Electrical Services in Goldstone.

Keep those shots coming in!

Put the kettle on If you’re anything like us at Connections, you’ll find it hard to get going in the morning until you’ve had a cup of tea. But even for the most ardent brew fan, a new survey by Avery UK provides pause for thought.

According to the research, the average office worker will drink an incredible 24,684 cups of tea during their working life.

The survey also found staff will send more than 400,000 emails over their career, and be late for work twice a month, with bad traffic the most likely cause, ahead of poor timekeeping and oversleeping.

It also suggests the typical office worker will fall out with colleagues 479 times in their working life, probably over whose turn it is to make the next round.

Now, where’s that cup gone?

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Fancy a charity climb?

Do you fancy doing something a bit different next year? How about a once-in-alifetime trip up Mount Kilimanjaro?

The Electrical Industries Charity is seeking 25 people to take on the challenge in February 2017, and help to raise money for the family of Christopher Hendrie.

Christopher was an electrician who died at the age of 32 in 2014 from bile duct cancer, having previously been refused life insurance owing to a genetic disease. The charity is hoping to raise £100,000.

Email tessa.ogle@electricalcharity.org

Autumn 2016 Connections

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It’s the 1s that make the difference

The new MFT series from Megger adds one to the number but loads of value features.

MFT1711 - single-phase tester Now with auto-RCD tests, 1 kV insulation range, True RMS voltage measurement and ZMAX facility Q

MFT1721 - 3-phase tester

WWW.MEGGER.COM

Q

Now with 100 V Insulation range, True RMS voltage measurement, mV sensor input and Type B RCD test Q

MFT1731 - the ultimate 3-phase tester Now with a large soft carry case for tester, leads and tools, more earth testing with ART and stakeless methods enabled

Yes the new 1s give you so much more.

To find out what and to see a datasheet call 01304 502 101 Or visit the web site by scanning the QR code Copyright © 2016 Megger Limited, Archcliffe Road, Dover CT17 9EN The word ‘Megger’ is a registered trademark

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Bosch Professional Power Tools

Give your skills the tools to get the job done.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in your hands. Bosch Professional. www.bosch-professional.co.uk

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