Connections - Spring 2015 by NICEIC

More firms turning to NICEIC and ELECSA // page 6

connections THE MAGAZINE FOR NICEIC AND ELECSA REGISTERED CONTRACTORS

CASE STUDY P20 Why it’s Christmas all year round for lighting specialist Piggotts

DIY SOS P28 The firms giving up time and money to help out with the BBC show

£5.00

SPRING 2015 | ISSUE 193

RENEWABLES P32 New incentives mean more opportunities for contractors

HOME ADVANTAGE How staying local is paying off for Settle business JD Mounsey // page 24

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Spring 2015 | Issue 193

Contents Keeping our promise Certsure celebrated its second birthday in April

Plugged in 20

News More firms turn to NICEIC and ELECSA

Book now for Live South

Landlord regs don’t go far enough

Scottish contractors to gain from new rules

Staffs apprentice takes top award

9 10

Renewables news Steady progress for renewables in 2015

New wave of green deal funding

Product news The latest products on the market

Features Contractor profile 24 JD Mounsey has established a thriving local business in North Yorkshire

Live wire Advice 17 It’s vital to have a strong web and mobile presence if looking for new customers, says Amanda Walls Opinion Any delay to next year’s ban on halogens would be a retrograde step, warns Billy Knight

Case study Regent Street’s Christmas lights are just some of the unusual challenges that Essex-based contractor Piggotts faces

Fully charged Ask the experts 41 Answers to the technical helpline’s more frequently asked questions

Customer care 23 Make sure you follow the right procedures when compiling EICRs to guarantee customer safety and satisfaction, advises Philip Sanders Current affairs An electrici-free life

Sending out an SOS 28 What’s it like for the contractors involved in the BBC’s DIY SOS show?

Technical Cable supports in escape routes

Fire detector recommendations

Auxiliary circuits requirements

Electrical installation certificates

Earth fault loop impedance

Equipment in lofts

Snags and solutions

Green vision 32 Opportunities for contractors in the renewables sector are looking good Heat of the moment 36 Underfloor heating is an increasingly popular choice for consumers

» Cover photo: Jim Varney

Illustration: Cameron Law

Soccer legend gives asbestos the red card

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Comment EMMA CLANCY

First phase Keeping our promise Two years after the creation of Certsure, we’re delivering on our pledge to unite the industry and deliver better customer service for contractors

ertsure celebrated its second birthday on 1 April this year. Certsure was a joint venture created by Electrical Safety First (or Electrical Safety Council as it was then) and The Electrical Contractors’ Association. This groundbreaking partnership brought together the certification services of NICEIC and ELECSA so that more could be done to benefit the industry. The vision, at that time, was to unify the industry for the good of the contractor and the consumer and, as we celebrate the first two years in operation, I believe we have achieved that. For the contractor, the results have been clear. As Certsure we now have more than 34,000 contractors registered with NICEIC or ELECSA. This is more than 80 per cent of the domestic market in England and Wales and, as the results show, our brands prove NICEIC and ELECSA contractors win more work than any other competent person scheme operator.

‘We will promote our contractors to an even greater reach of the population’

Emma Clancy is chief executive officer, Certsure

We have also been able to deliver improved customer service. We implemented a series of changes and the first set of results show we have changed the way we operate. Our customers recognise this through the services we deliver (see page 6). The aim now is to build on what we have achieved so far. We will continue to focus on customer service and engage with you so that we can deliver additional benefits to help your business. We will also promote our contractors to an even greater reach of the population and ensure NICEIC and ELECSA remain the number one choice for consumers and specifiers when it comes to choosing a registered contractor.

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 Victoria Burgher 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

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 2015 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

Spring 2015 Connections

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S O U T H 2 0 1 5

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BS 7671: 2008 Incorporating Amendment No. 3: 2015

Requirements for Electrical Installations

• EICR coding

IET Wiring Regulations Seventeenth Edition

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News/Renewables news/Product news

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

More firms turn to NICEIC and ELECSA Growing numbers of electrical contractors are turning to NICEIC and ELECSA for registration to help build their business. More than 18,000 firms are now registered as an Approved Contractor with NICEIC, the first time in the organisation’s 59-year history that the roll has topped this number. Certsure, which operates the NICEIC and ELECSA brands, now maintains a total roll of more than 33,000 registered contractors (including Part P registered domestic installers). “The two brands have been proven to win businesses more work and it would seem more and more firms are now turning to NICEIC and ELECSA to help build their business,” said Certsure CEO Emma Clancy. “NICEIC and ELECSA contractors carry out more commercial and domestic

work than any other scheme operator, with up to 89 per cent of all Part P work across England and Wales now carried out by a contractor with either badge.” Additionally, NICEIC and ELECSA registered contractors now rate the service provided by Certsure at an impressive 8.4 out of 10. Just under 95 per cent also rate the technical advice received as excellent. The customer feedback study is part of Certsure’s commitment to improve services following the launch of its customer charter. “When we formed Certsure we promised to build a new brand that meant all our customers received the best possible service, every time,” added Clancy. “We implemented a series of changes and I am delighted with the feedback,“ she said. “The first set of results show we have changed the way we operate. Our customers recognise this through the services we deliver. But this is just the start. We will continue to build on this and ensure Certsure is the number one choice in the industry for certification.”

SKILLED WORKERS CALL FOR APPRENTICESHIP SUPPORT UK electricians are calling for government support to increase the availability of skilled workers by encouraging apprenticeships, according to new research conducted by Electricfix’s umbrella organisation, Screwfix. More than three-quarters of UK tradespeople, including professional electricians, want the government to increase apprenticeship places from 110,000 to 400,000 to encourage as many school leavers to take up apprenticeships as go to university. The report also revealed that nearly three-quarters of tradespeople believe the amount of tax their business pays is of great importance. Some 89 per cent support current commitments to continue freezing fuel duty and 84 per cent want the personal income tax allowance to increase to £12,500.

MORE TECHNICAL DATA NEEDED ON CABLES The British Approvals Service for Cables (BASEC) is encouraging cable manufacturers and traders to make more technical information readily available to users of their cable products. BASEC receives many enquiries and sometimes user complaints relating to cable products, where timely technical information from the cable manufacturer or trader could have prevented a problem occurring. The enquiries come from both installers and wholesalers. Although this is not currently a pre-requisite of BASEC product approvals, cable suppliers are required under ISO: 9001:2008, clause 7.2, to provide customers with suitable information about their products. BASEC would like to encourage cable manufacturers and traders to provide consistent technical product information to their customers, either in the form of data sheets, information on websites, information provided via wholesalers or distributors, or by other means.

CALL FOR MORE HELP FOR WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION NICEIC has welcomed a new report by the NHBC Foundation, which calls for more action to boost the numbers of young women in construction. Research by the house-building organisation reveals that while a third of boys and young men are interested in building and construction, only one in 10 girls and young women feel the same – the lowest level of interest out of every job sector included in the study. The report, A career of choice: attracting talented young people into house building, contains a number of key recommendations for the industry, including a call for a joint effort to promote career opportunities in the sector. “We welcome this important research by NHBC and fully support the recommendations included within it,” said NICEIC CEO Emma Clancy.

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ECA BACKS APPRENTICESHIP PROPOSAL The Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) has welcomed the government’s decision on apprentice funding, which promises to give employers purchasing power via a digital “apprentice voucher”. “This approach should benefit employers and apprentices, provided the finer points of the system can be agreed,” said ECA director of employment and skills Alex Meikle. “It gives employers the ability to choose who they work with to deliver apprenticeships while enabling those industries, such as ours, which have established relationships with trusted training providers, to continue with what has worked. “This way of working and the support these organisations provide have contributed significantly to the development of our gold standard apprenticeship, and I’m delighted we can carry on with it,” he said.

TWO FIRMS SENTENCED FOR LOGO MISUSE Two company officials were ordered to pay more than £30,000 for a number of offences relating to mis-selling the Green Deal scheme, failure to provide the appropriate cancellation rights and misuse of the NICEIC logo. Abdul Muhith and David N Clarke of Becoming Green (UK) Ltd were sentenced on 16 January this year at Cardiff Crown Court, following guilty pleas under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 Act. Company director Muhith pleaded guilty to six offences related to misleading consumers. Homeowners were led to believe they could get home improvements under the Green Deal scheme for a one-off payment of £299 without being told it was a loan agreement subject to interest. Muhith was ordered to pay £2,500 per offence (totalling £15,000), as well as £2,500 contribution towards prosecution costs and a further £1,794 in compensation to the victims in the case. Clarke, head of operations at Becoming Green (UK) Ltd, pleaded guilty to three offences under the regulations, including mis-use of the NICEIC logo. He was sentenced to a fine of £2,500 per offence (totalling £7,500) and ordered to pay a £2,500 contribution towards prosecution costs and £598 compensation. The case against the two men was brought by the Wales Trading Standards Scambusters team with assistance from NICEIC. In a separate case, a contractor in the North East was also sentenced for unauthorised use of the NICEIC approved contractor logo and two other logos. Martin Coverdale, who traded as Coverdale & Sons Plumbing & Heating, was sentenced to a community order totalling more than 180 hours at Middlesbrough Crown Court on 26 January. “These latest prosecutions show how seriously we take misuse of our logo,” said NICEIC CEO Emma Clancy. “The NICEIC name is associated with quality and we will work with the appropriate authorities to protect those contractors who are legitimately registered with us and have the quality of their work assessed on a regular basis.”

Book now for Live South Sustainable architect and TV presenter Charlie Luxton will be the keynote speaker at this year’s award-winning NICEIC and ELECSA Live South event. Luxton, who regularly appears on BBC TV’s DIY SOS, will be discussing the role electricians have in influencing designers and architects around energy saving designs and cable management. Other keynote speakers include NICEIC’s Tony Cable and Darren Staniforth, The IET’s Mark Coles and WF Senate’s Ivan Gill. Over the past four years NICEIC and ELECSA Live has firmly established itself as the leading event in the electrical contracting industry. It provides electrical contractors with high quality, useful content that helps them to develop their businesses and their technical knowledge. The 2014 South event welcomed 27 per cent more

delegates than 2013 and saw a record number of exhibitors. Last year Live won two major industry awards. It was named conference of the year (UK) at the Eventia Awards before winning the best use of events and live marketing award at the Construction Marketing Awards. The event was recognised for the attention to detail of its “customer journey”, in which dozens of “tiny noticeable things” were built into the programme to stimulate the five senses of exhibitors and delegates. NICEIC ELECSA Live South 2015 takes place at Epsom Racecourse on 14 May. Tickets cost £29 plus VAT for ECA, ELECSA and NICEIC registered contractors, or £49 plus VAT for non-registered contractors. Exhibition-only and apprentice tickets are available free of charge. To book your place visit www.niceic-elecsalive.com or call 020 7324 2771.

Landlord regs don’t go far enough NICEIC and ELECSA believe regular electrical inspections should have been included in new laws for private and social landlords in England. Under new measures launched by housing minister Brandon Lewis, landlords will be required, by law, to install working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in their properties. It is expected to be introduced in October this year and the government estimates these new requirements will result in up to 36 fewer deaths and 1,529 fewer injuries over a 10-year period. But Certsure CEO Emma Clancy says the regulations don’t go far enough.

“Any measures that could help reduce serious incidents in the home are, of course, welcomed,” she said. “However, I believe the government could have gone further by including regular electrical inspections as part of the new rulings. “The majority of fires in homes are caused by electricity. A regulation that would require electrical installations to be carried out at least every five years would help reduce this number. While the majority of landlords are reputable and voluntarily carry out electrical inspections, there is a small minority who are needlessly putting lives at risk.” In February the Scottish government introduced new legislation requiring landlords to carry out electrical safety inspections on privately rented properties at least every five years (see page 8).

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Plugged in Scottish contractors to gain from new regs NICEIC-registered contractors in Scotland are recognised as satisfying statutory guidance in a new law that will see landlords obliged to carry out electrical safety inspections on privately rented properties at least every five years. The new legislation comes into effect from 1 December 2015 and is designed to reduce the number of domestic fires caused by electrical faults. The official guidance on the ruling and what it means for landlords in Scotland was officially launched by housing and welfare minister Margaret Burgess in February. From December anyone carrying out an electrical safety inspection for a landlord must be employed by a firm that is registered with NICEIC or a member firm of the Electrical Contractors’ Association of Scotland (SELECT). Emma Clancy, CEO at NICEIC, said: “The private rented sector in Scotland has grown significantly in the past decade, yet many of the homes available in the sector fail to meet the Scottish Housing Quality Standard. “This is an important piece of legislation that will ensure electrical standards are driven up within the sector. Landlords will now have a responsibility to ensure that installations for the supply of electricity, electrical fixtures and fittings and appliances are all up to a reasonable state of repair and in proper working order. They will also have to ensure that inspections are carried out by a registered competent person.”

All inspections must be carried out before a tenancy starts and at intervals of no more than five years. It is not a requirement to carry out a new inspection every time a new tenancy starts as long as an inspection has taken place in the previous five years. Any element of the inspection that is classified as an immediate danger will need to be rectified to the required repairing standard. An electrical safety certificate must also be provided and a copy given to any new tenant. In addition to making sure the installation, supply and fittings are safe the inspection must also include a portable appliance test to assess the safety of any appliances provided by the landlord. Any appliance that fails the test must be removed, replaced or repaired. “NICEIC has regularly campaigned for tougher laws surrounding electrical safety in the home and we are delighted to be working with the Scottish government on this significant step forward,” added Clancy.

BOOKS UPDATED TO AMENDMENT 3 Did you know that all NICEIC, ECA and ELECSA publications have now been updated to include amendment 3 regulations? The third amendment to BS 7671: 2008, The IET Wiring Regulations, came into effect on 1 January. Electrical contractors are now in a six-month transition period to get up to speed with the changes as from 1 July it will be a requirement that all electrical installations designed after 30 June 2015 comply with BS 7671: 2008, incorporating Amendment 3: 2015. Popular books such as the Site Guide; Inspection, Testing & Certification; Domestic Periodic Inspection Testing & Reporting; and From the Helpline have now been updated and edited to incorporate amendment 3. Additionally, all the books in our Snags and Solutions series (earthing and bonding, wiring systems, inspection and testing, emergency lighting and domestic fire detection) have been brought up to date. The books are available individually or as part of a bundle package delivering more great savings. To find the publication best suited to your needs visit www.niceicdirect.com

FREE THERMAL IMAGING SEMINARS Fluke is offering a series of free thermography seminars, held throughout the UK and Ireland, over the rest of 2015. The seminars are designed to highlight how thermal imaging can be used to identify the presence of faults in equipment under normal working conditions, in new or existing installations. Each seminar will cover: the difference between a visual image and a thermal image and what that means for finding latent electrical defects such as bad connections; an understanding of some limitations of thermal imaging; and an introduction to the common types of electrical defects in high, medium and low voltage that can be detected with a thermal imager. For more information see www.flukeacademy.shuttlepod.org/UK-seminars

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Staffs apprentice takes top award An apprentice from NICEIC Approved Contractor I C Electrical in Staffordshire has been named JTL’s national apprentice of the year at the training provider’s annual awards ceremony. Zak Gates, 22 (pictured), from Burton-upon-Trent, passed all his City & Guilds electrical exams with distinction at Loughborough College and is currently working towards a higher national diploma in electrical and electronic engineering sponsored by his employer. “I feel privileged to win this award, it’s a great achievement,” said Zak. “It’s great to know all my hard work has been noticed and I’m pleased my parents and employers were there to share the moment with me.” Managing director of I C Electrical Ltd, Chris Emmerson, added: “The standard was higher than ever this year, but we were confident he would win. He’s been with us for five years and has matured into a very confident and competent young project manager, who is liked and respected in equal measure by his colleagues. He was an exceptional apprentice, who progressed quickly and is now managing projects, budgets, staff and profit targets.” JTL delivers apprenticeships in partnership with colleges and workplaces across seven regions in the UK. The not-for-profit organisation has around 6,000 young people on apprenticeship schemes at any one time.

NEW RULES AIM TO ENSURE PROMPT PAYMENT The Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) has welcomed the new Public Contracts Regulations 2015, while noting that supporting guidance is now required to assess whether the regulations will work properly in construction. One of the key aims of the new rules is to ensure that when any public sector body (such as a local authority or the NHS) is the client, all suppliers engaged on a project are paid promptly. Another aim is to improve the standardisation of public sector pre-qualification activity. “We will have to wait for the supporting guidance before we can be certain that the regulations have delivered everything our members need,” said Paul Reeve, ECA director of business services. “However, we can say that they enshrine in law the need for all public sector contracts to pay promptly, right through the supply chain. On the face of it, this is a very welcome, if overdue, development.” Much of the new rules are based on previous recommendations by Lord Young to help smaller businesses, and are the result of sustained lobbying and representation by the ECA and SEC Group. “The ECA engaged directly with Lord Young, Frances Maude, Vince Cable and others to put the case for prompt public sector supply chain payment, and for sensible pre-qualification,” added Reeve. “These new regulations establish the principle of prompt supply chain payment and we will continue to work with the next government to ensure our members are paid promptly on all public sector work.” The Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (SI 102) can be found at www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2015/102/contents/made

ON THE SPOT// TERRY GRAY NICEIC and ELECSA employ 80 engineers across the country to assess contractors work and provide up-to-date technical advice. To many contractors they are the face of NICEIC and ELECSA. Here, we turn the tables and put them in the spotlight » Terry Gray area engineer, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire How did you become an area engineer? I worked for NICEIC as an assistant engineer between 1995 and 1997 before leaving to work as London regional manager at the ECA (1997-2004). I then set up my own company TJ Electrical Training Ltd and was enticed back as an NICEIC area engineer in October 2011. What does your day consist of? Assessment of contractors registered on the NICEIC Approved Contractor scheme, so visiting contractors in their office before conducting site audits to check the standard and compliance of their electrical work against the Wiring Regulations BS 7671: 2008. A typical site visit could be anything from a Rolls-Royce factory in Derbyshire to a Baptist church with an immersion pool installation. What are the main issues contractors might overlook? To issue appropriate certification for domestic smoke alarm systems. What’s the strangest thing you have come across during an assessment? A qualified supervisor who insisted that we drive to site in his Porsche Boxter with a step ladder between us. What’s the strangest request you have had? I once had an enquiry on the technical helpline from the police about an alleged attempted murder in Wales, where a husband had allegedly attempted to

electrocute his wife in the bath. They wanted an expert witness and I believe a colleague went out to investigate the matter. What interesting jobs have some of your contractors had? One of the most unusual visits was to an anaerobic digestion plant in Leicestershire attached to a recycling plant. What are your interests outside of work? Ornithology, golf and star gazing with my eight-inch Orion reflector telescope. If you could have a superpower what would it be? I would be a rubber man: flexible in the job, able to bounce good ideas off the contractor, safe around electrical systems and on the ball at all times. If you had a day off tomorrow, what would you do? Depending on the weather, I might take myself off for a nature walk in Derbyshire, relax at home or play a round of golf. Favourite book, film and TV programme? Favourite book: One Summer: America 1927, by Bill Bryson Film: Planes, Trains and Automobiles TV programme: The Chase What’s the one best bit of advice you have received in your career? It was from my father who told me: “Get a trade lad.”

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News/Renewables news/Product news

Plugged in Soccer legend gives asbestos the red card England football star Stuart Pearce is blowing the whistle on asbestos after revealing he could have breathed in the deadly dust while working part-time as an electrician in his early football career. The former Nottingham Forest manager and Newcastle and England left-back fears his ignorance about the fatal fibre when he worked for four years as an electrician means there’s a real possibility he could develop a deadly asbestos-related disease in the future. He is now backing a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) campaign urging all tradespeople to be aware of asbestos and take sensible measures against it. While safe work with asbestos has come a long way since Pearce was working as an electrician in the early 1980s, it remains a very real danger today. HSE estimates 1.3 million tradespeople are still potentially at risk of being exposed to the microscopic fibres, which can prove fatal if breathed in. Pearce said: “I was working as an electrician for four and a half years and it’s chilling to think I could have been exposed to it without knowing. We were simply ignorant about the risks back then, but today there’s no excuse. “Most people know how dangerous asbestos is, but many think it’s a thing of

April 15-16 Northern Ireland Tradeshow Ramada Plaza Hotel, Belfast 23-24 ELEX Exeter West Point, Exeter May 14 NICEIC ELECSA Live Epsom Downs Racecourse 20-21 PHEX Alexandra Palace, London

the past. It’s not, it’s still there. It can be found in walls, ceilings, even floor tiles and guttering – basically in any type of building built before the year 2000. “Making sure you’re aware of where it can be found and how to deal with it safely, even on basic jobs like drilling holes or sanding, really could mean the difference between life and death.” The trained electrician turned football legend is also encouraging workers to use HSE’s free app that helps tradespeople easily identify where they could come into contact with asbestos and gives them easy-to-follow guides on how to deal with it safely. “Let’s make asbestos deaths a thing of the past,” said Pearce. To get the free web app visit www.beware-asbestos.info/news and for more information on asbestos safety visit www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos

SURPRISE VISITOR FOR CRAWLEY APPRENTICES Apprentices from the Crawley branch of Clarkson Evans got to meet shadow secretary of state for work and pensions Rachel Reeve, when she made a recent visit to their office. The apprentices described what was involved in their role and explained why they had decided to go down the apprenticeship route to obtain a recognised professional qualification, rather than heading off to university. “It was inspiring to visit Clarkson Evans,” said Reeve. “They have really embraced apprenticeships and offer a great scheme with amazing opportunities for their staff.” Crawley apprentice Cian Morgan-Smith was one of the apprentices who met the shadow minister. “The best thing about a good apprenticeship is that when you come out you’ve got a job and in the meantime you are working, learning and earning,” he said. “You can’t say that about university. “It was really good to meet her and put across the importance of encouraging more good quality apprenticeships – the more we have the better.”

INDUSTRY // DIARY

June 11-12 ELEX Manchester Event City, Manchester

CALL FOR FIVE-YEAR CHECKS IN WALES A roundtable reviewing safety in Wales’ rising number of privately rented homes has called on the Welsh government to include an urgent requirement for five-yearly electrical safety checks for the private rented sector (PRS), through the Renting Homes (Wales) Bill. Hosted by Electrical Safety First, the event brought together Welsh Assembly members and a range of key stakeholders, including British Gas, Shelter Cymru and Welsh tenants. Almost 70 per cent of domestic fires in Wales are caused by electricity, which seriously injures 350,000 people in the UK each year. Electrical safety is particularly important in the PRS, as over a third of these homes fail to meet the Decent Homes Standard. Welsh government statistics also show that 18 per cent of them are unfit to live in. The rapid growth of the PRS in Wales brings its own problems, with safety a growing concern. Poorly maintained homes often have sub-standard electrical installations, so concerns around home safety are increasing in tandem with the expansion of the sector. “While we welcome the Renting Homes (Wales) Bill and its intentions for a fairer legal basis for renting, we do not believe it creates safer homes in Wales,” said Phil Buckle, director general of Electrical Safety First. “We are calling on the Welsh government to take note of a broad coalition of stakeholders to introduce mandatory electrical safety checks in the Welsh private rented sector. We are ready to help the Welsh government make the PRS safer.”

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News/Renewables news/Product news

Plugged in Steady progress so far for renewables in 2015 The start of 2015 saw a 31 per cent rise in total feed-in tariff (FIT) installed capacity compared with the same period in 2014, and a 26 per cent increase in the number of installations, taking total deployment at the end of January to 3,350MW or 654,487 installations. Photovoltaics were responsible for 99 per cent of the increase in installations and 78 per cent of growth in capacity, with wind contributing 17 per cent to capacity growth. The largest growth since January 2014 was seen in wind (up 58 per cent at 360MW) and anaerobic digestion (up 44 per cent at 96MW). The start of 2015 saw a fall in the number of applications for the renewable heat incentive compared with recent months, with a total of 2,127 new and legacy applications in January. Much of the reason behind the decrease in number was due to the time of year, as well as a surge in biomass installations in November and December ahead of the tariff reduction, which came into effect in January. Biomass installations have now overtaken air source heat pumps for new applications.

In February, the Department of Energy and Climate Change announced that the degression “super trigger” for biomass had been passed, meaning the tariff of 10.98p per kWh was reduced by 20 per cent to 8.93p per kWh for all new applications made after 1 April 2015. The tariffs for air and ground source heat pumps and solar thermal are not affected by this degression. Another PV tariff reduction also came into force in April, taking a 4kW or less system down from 13.88p to 13.39p, a fall of 0.45p.

New wave of Green Deal funding The third release of cash from the Green Deal Home Improvement Fund (GDHIF), worth up to £70 million, took place in March. The new wave of money provided up to £5,600 to households in England and Wales to help with the cost of installing certain energy-saving measures, such as solid wall insulation, double glazing, boilers and cavity wall and floor insulation. Domestic energy customers can receive up to £3,750 for installing solid wall insulation; up to £1,250 for installing two measures from an approved list; up to £100 refunded for their Green Deal assessment; and up to £500 more if applying within 12 months of buying a new home. The £70 million for the third release is available for applications for solid wall insulation and/or the two measures offer, until all the funding is allocated. More than 25,000 households had received a voucher for the GDHIF since it launched in June 2014, by the time the third wave of funding was released.

DOMESTIC ENERGY ASSESSOR COURSE NICEIC is now offering a five-day training course and qualification that will provide attendees with all they need to become a certified domestic energy assessor (DEA). A DEA is a certified individual who undertakes energy calculations on existing dwellings to produce energy performance certificates (EPCs). All existing residential dwellings in the UK require an EPC for MCS, Green Deal or ECO work and also before they are marketed as for sale or to let. The new course is being run in partnership with Elmhurst Energy Systems, one of the leading accreditation bodies for energy assessment, over the course of 2015, at centres in Lutterworth, Edinburgh and Northern Ireland. There is currently a 10 per cent discount available on the course, taking the cost to £1,365 plus partial VAT (normal price £1,500 plus partial VAT). For more information call 0870 013 0458.

GET AHEAD WITH SOLAR THERMAL TRAINING Contractors interested in taking advantage of solar thermal installations can sign up to a three-day course with NICEIC. This training and assessment is designed to provide experienced heating and plumbing engineers with the necessary skills for the basic design, installation, commissioning and service of solar thermal systems. Successful candidates can diversify their business into the ever-increasing renewable energy market. Adopters of the popular solar thermal technology can win new business and exploit the opportunities that the microgeneration industry presents. The next solar thermal training courses take place at NICEIC’s Chesterfield training centre on 3-5 June and 29-31 July 2015.

Spring 2015 Connections

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02/04/2015 10:12

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THE POWER TO KEEP YOU COVERED ON THE ROAD

the power behind your business Our Van Insurance includes additional cover including motor breakdown as standard. For your next quote, call 0843 290 3431 or visit niceicinsurance.com

NICEIC Insurance Services is a trading name of Towergate Underwriting Group Limited, registered in England company number 4043759. Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. NICEIC is a trading name of Certsure LLP, who are an Introducer Appointed Representative of Towergate Underwriting Group Limited.

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News/Renewables news/Product news

Plugged in < Ideal’s In-Sure connector

SURE FIT The new In-Sure lever wire connector range from Ideal Industries is designed as an alternative to the use of traditional connector strips as a means of joining solid, stranded or flexible conductors. The device uses a combination of push-in and lever clamp technology to hold rigid and flexible conductors in place, while allowing for them to be removed if necessary. The conductors push into place and can be connected or removed by lifting the levers. The connectors are available in two, three and five-port models and are made from transparent material to allow installers to make a visual inspection of connections. www.idealindustries.co.uk

POCKET POWER

TINY TESTER

Electrical contractors looking to make use of thermal imaging can now do so through a camera that fits in their pocket. The FLIR C2 is 12.5cm high and weighs 130g, meaning contractors are able to carry it about their person while on site. The cameras are designed to help identify damaged electrical circuits or components, as well as sources of heat and energy loss, without the need to remove walls or plasterboard. Priced at £599, the device includes a built-in work light and flash and can store images as JPEGs that can be downloaded to a PC at a later stage. www.flir.com/ < FLIR C2 C2

Beha-Amprobe has unveiled a new mini-clamp meter, designed to fit into contractors’ pockets and eliminate the need for them to have to return to vans or toolboxes each time they require a test reading. The AMP-25-EUR AC/DC TRMS Mini-Clamp measures just under six inches and includes features such as True-RMS for accuracy in electrically < Beha-Amprobe noisy environments, non-contact voltage detection and a 300A low pass filter for variable frequency drive testing. The meter is safety rated CAT III 600 V and features DCA zero and data hold functions, auto power off, one-inch (25mm) jaw opening, and a backlit screen. www.amprobe.com

ON YOUR METAL

< Wylex

< Crabtree

Wylex and Crabtree have both unveiled new all-metal consumer units designed to comply with the new requirements of the Wiring Regulations. Amendment 3 to BS 7671, published in January 2015, requires that consumer units and similar switchgear assemblies for use in domestic household premises shall have their enclosures manufactured from non-combustible material such as ferrous metal (steel). The Starbreaker range from Crabtree features a busbar system, which contains socket apertures for plug-in devices such as MCBs and RCBOs, and includes all of the models necessary to meet the requirements of the 17th edition. The Wylex NM range of consumer units has also been designed to provide a simple and safe method of conforming to the new amendment, which applies to domestic household premises, including the main building and all integral attached or detached garages and outbuildings. www.electrium.co.uk

Connections Spring 2015

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Advice/Opinion/Insight/Events/Case study/Customer care/Training DIGITAL MARKETING

Live wire Going digital Having a strong web and mobile presence is essential for contractors wanting to be found by potential customers, says Amanda Walls

ver the past few years the digital marketplace has grown exponentially. The internet now opens up perhaps the biggest pool of potential clients who are only a click away, and yet many businesses still don’t, or can’t, embrace the digital revolution. Embracing digital marketing can not only open up new opportunities, it can also be a great way to gain exposure among perhaps the biggest audience on earth, so what are you waiting for? The following steps can help you get to grips with your online marketing:

Evaluate your situation Do you have a website? Is your website optimised? In the same way that a shop entices customers or turns them away, your website can have the same impact. Engage with your customers and give them a quick way to find the information they need. Alternatively, dangle a carrot of information that encourages them to convert, or get in touch for more information.

Optimise for mobile Around 65 per cent of service/purchase decisions start on a mobile and, although they may end up converting on a desktop or other device, it’s mobile where you need to be found. Have you ever been out at the shops or on public transport and needed to look something up quickly? Chances are you have performed a search on your mobile for something that you may then later investigate at home. Either way, being able to be found on mobile is crucial, so ensure your website is mobile-friendly and Google will reward you in the mobile search rankings.

Illustration: Cameron Law

Identify your target market Are you looking to target locally or nationally? This decision will change your marketing approach. Optimising for Google+ Local can work well if you are operating in the local area. For example, if you are based in London, then optimising for “your chosen service London” can help to bring you targeted traffic – those people who are searching for a specific service and are already in your area. If you do choose to optimise locally then a Google+ Local page and Google My Business listing is a great way to start. This gives your business the chance to appear within the local search results, which often appear at the top of the search page for given areas. You can then support and optimise these pages through a range of strategies. Local listings often take into consideration local business directories such as

Yell and 192, so make sure you are listed here and that your business information is correct. If targeting nationally then you must focus on your target areas. The Google Keyword Planner tells you the keywords people are searching for; after all, you could rank in top position for hundreds of terms, but if no one is searching for them it won’t bring traffic to your website.

Embrace online marketing Unlike a shop front, if you don’t market your service in an online space then people won’t find it. Optimising your website for Google Search and running Google AdWords campaigns are great ways to drive additional traffic, and strong campaigns will allow you to really mark your presence in the online sphere. Online marketing doesn’t always require professional help. Google offers a range of free courses that you can undertake to learn more about how to analyse your website’s users and also about how you can market your website using its tools. Google AdWords and Analytics qualifications give you an insight into two of Google’s key platforms and give you the base you need to start your own AdWords campaigns to bring quick win traffic to your website. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, but make sure you take ownership of your brand. Your online presence is an extension of your own business or service so your tone of voice and the way you come across will reflect directly on your business. So make it effective and engaging for your target audience. Amanda Walls is head of digital at Manchester-based Digital Agency Evolutia

Connections Spring 2015

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Advice/Opinion/Insight/Events/Case study/Customer care/Training EU HALOGEN BAN If you have an opinion about an issue concerning the electrical industry, let us know. Email nick.martindale@ redactive.co.uk

Live wire

Mind the gap As next year’s ban on halogen lamps approaches, it would be a step backwards for the EU to bow to pressure to delay the move, says Billy Knight

ue to come into effect in 2016, the EU’s proposed ban on halogens has been met with criticism from some industry groups, which claim the LED market is not yet ready to fill the gap and meet demand. At best, this outlook is short-sighted; at worst, it has the potential to seriously put the brakes on the UK’s energy efficiency progress. If the ban goes ahead as planned in September next year, its critics argue that we’ll see a shortfall between supply and demand of quality, widely available and affordable household bulbs. Instead, they are calling for a delay until 2018, or even as late as 2020. However, in reality, there are leading brands out there that are already offering the level and volume of product we need. Thanks to heavy investment in R&D, supply chain management and marketing, LEDs are now mass market and are experiencing impressive growth. As the market matures, we’re seeing quality products take the lead – ones that offer long-term efficient performance that more than justifies the initial investment.

Billy Knight is trade director at LED Hut

While LEDs have traditionally been seen as more expensive, in recent years costs have come down significantly without compromising on quality and performance. And because LEDs operate at such a high efficiency and have a lengthy lifespan, they will continue to deliver ongoing savings and reduce maintenance costs long after they have paid for themselves. As a like-for-like retrofit replacement, LEDs operate at as much as 90 per cent less of the wattage of their halogen counterparts. With lighting making up around 20 per cent of the EU’s total energy use – and our legally binding 2020 emissions target looming – it’s not hard to imagine the huge knock-on impact that the halogen ban will have in terms of improving our energy performance. It’s crucial for the LED industry – before and after the ban – that we make ourselves heard. If consumers aren’t aware of the features and benefits of LEDs, they won’t know the options available to them once halogens disappear. It’s up to manufacturers, electricians, contractors and merchants to pull together and communicate the true value of switching to quality LED solutions that will continue to deliver results long after 2016.

IN FOCUS// LAWRENCE EARLY

» Lawrence Early is founder of LCE Electrical Services

How did you come to work for yourself? I have an electrical engineering degree and was in the corporate world for nearly 30 years in electronics businesses. When I got to 50 I decided I needed to do something different so I did my City & Guilds and set myself up as a sole trader. What work do you do? It’s mainly domestic, consumer unit replacements and occasionally a full rewire, in and around the Chesterfield area. But a lot of it is smaller jobs with

new kitchens or putting a new socket in a front room. I do some light industrial work too, usually with a friend of mine. How do you find work? I got on to the Derbyshire trusted trader scheme run by the council and that brings in a fair bit of business. It would be nice to have some regular contracts with builders but that can be hard to break into. How has ELECSA helped? It has opened doors. It’s vital you can certify your own work.

What’s been hardest? I’m a bit of a stickler for the paperwork and do all the certificates properly, but hadn’t realised quite how much time that would take. Then there’s the invoicing, so it eats into the evenings. What about the future? I have no plans for big expansion, but I’d like to keep going for another 10 years or so. And outside of work? I run a microbrewery called Heath Village Brewery with a couple of friends. We supply beer festivals and a few pubs.

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

Spring 2015 Connections

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Advice/Opinion/Insight/Events/Case study/Customer care/Training CHRISTMAS STREET LIGHTING

Live wire

Festive spirit Designing and installing the Christmas lights in London’s Regent Street and other high-profile locations takes a lot of planning and throws up some unusual challenges for Essex-based contractor Piggotts By Andrew Brister

iggotts is not your typical electrical contractor. First, not many firms can boast a history going back to the 1700s and, second, not many also make a living from flags and banners, marquee hire and windsock installations. Piggotts was set up by two entrepreneurial brothers in the heart of London way back in 1780. It has provided a wide range of products and services since its inception, coming up with innovative solutions for marquees and large free-standing temporary structures, flags, banners and festive street decorations. Among its varied and illustrious history, the company can claim the contract for the bunting and banners at the coronation of King George VI and his wife Queen Elizabeth in 1937, the supply of armed forces tents, the first ever design and build of a biplane and the creation of wooden scaffold towers used in early film sets. Since becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Crown Group in March 2001, NICEIC-registered Piggotts has further diversified and now operates across six divisions: Christmas illuminations, creative design, electrical services, flags and banners, marquees and windsocks. The electrical services division of the organisation undertakes all types of exterior lighting installations, from public street lighting, highways and car parks to amenity lighting, floodlighting and decorative architectural lighting. The team also carries out the design and installation of internal lighting, such as low and high bay fittings and rewiring, as well as offering portable appliance testing services.

Christmas presence The division is perhaps best known for the design and installation of complex lighting schemes for festive street illuminations. Piggotts has lit up a number of high-profile Christmas displays over the years, from London’s Regent Street, Bond Street and South Molton Street through

to Covent Garden and Victoria and further afield in the UK, at sites from Romford to Abergavenny. “You may be surprised, but the Christmas illuminations are a year-round business for us,” says Piggotts’ electrical contracts manager Dave Beasleigh. “There is ongoing refurbishment work, electrical infrastructure that needs to be put in and, of course, working with potential customers on creative designs.” The Christmas lights display on Regent Street is the grandfather of such schemes. Every three years, The Crown Estates calls for tenders from companies to bid on the chance of decorating one of the most exclusive shopping areas in England, to bring the wow factor to the thousands of visitors who crowd its pavements in the festive season. Piggotts won the bid and has been responsible for the creative design, supply and installation of the lighting for the past three years. “The overall design scheme lasts for the three years, with some parts of the decorations changing depending on the requirements of the sponsor in any given year,” says Beasleigh. The year 2012 was a special one in British history with London hosting the Olympic Games, attracting spectators from all over the world. With this in mind, the first theme for the Christmas lighting scheme was The 12 Days of Christmas, with each individual cartouche representing one of the 12 days, bringing old traditions alive. The partner was Team GB and Paralympics GB, which also switched on the lights.

‘Christmas illuminations are a year-round business for us, with ongoing refurbishment work, electrical infrastructure and working on creative designs’

Spring 2015 Connections

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

1780: The year Piggotts was set up

> Regent Street’s 2014 Christmas lights, with the snow globes in the background

“In all, there were 16 large cartouches of 6m diameter, and 13 cartouches of 3m diameter,” explains Beasleigh. “In the centre of each cartouche there’s a ring of LEDs to provide backlighting to the design and underneath that hang 400W halogen lamps for floodlighting – four halogens on the large cartouches and two on each of the smaller ones.” As the design progressed in 2012, LED technology was not sufficiently advanced to be able to provide a cost-effective floodlight, so Piggotts opted for tried and tested halogen lamps. “Either side of the cartouches there are branches to provide static and twinkling lights and these are provided by 24V LED lamps,” says Beasleigh. “The larger cartouches have six branches on each side and the smaller ones have five. Each decoration, with all of its drivers, runs at nearly 15A on the large cartouches and 12A on the smaller ones, and with the lights being on for 24 hours a day for close to 60 days, quite a lot of energy is used.”

Celebrity sparkle In 2013 the scheme was again The 12 Days of Christmas, but this time media and events agency Media Circus lined up DreamWorks and its animated film Mr Peabody & Sherman: Adventure Back in Time as a sponsor. This was spread across the 29 displays that spanned from the BBC in the north and finished at Waterloo Place in the south, with each cartouche showing vibrant scenes from the film. Actor Ty Burrell (the voice of Mr Peabody) and Leona Lewis were among the celebrity guests who switched on the lights that year. The scheme for 2014 incorporated 3D snow globes, with Media Circus bringing in 20th Century Fox as a sponsor, promoting Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb. The lights were switched on by Take That and crowds were entertained with live music all night against a backdrop of fireworks and snow. Piggotts’ inspirational idea of a snow globe proved to be quite a challenge: the globes had to be robust in case of high winds, but also look delicate in keeping with its wintery theme. These globes were also designed to inflate within 40 seconds to coincide with the turning

on of the lights. The Regent Street R logo rotates inside each of the seven globes. “The creation of the globes was quite a feat,” says Beasleigh. “We experimented with the optimum diameter of the globe to get the snow to flow exactly as we wanted. We made mock-ups and devised a unit with a fan to blow the snow around and we got the look that was needed.” The snow is, of course, stage snow, a very fine papery material. Given the air pollution in this part of London and the damp, winter conditions, the snow is prone to becoming claggy and has to be replaced from time to time. “It’s a lot easier to replace the snow in the workshop than it is when the globes are high above Regent Street,” quips Beasleigh. Working at height is of course a serious consideration for this type of work. The days of throwing temporary cables across the rooftops have gone, and since 1992 there has been a gradual introduction of a permanent electrical infrastructure. “We used to have a 60A supply for each side of the street, but that’s come down to two 32A supplies as energy consumption has reduced with the introduction of LED technology,” says Beasleigh. Everything in Regent Street is supplied from the rooftops, with the team using platforms to connect the decorations. “We hang the decorations at night to minimise disruption and there is traffic management and a ground crew to cordon off areas of the pavement from pedestrians,” says Beasleigh. “Regent Street is very well managed and most roofs will have some sort of barrier at the edge and our crew are harnessed off using I-bolts on the roofs.” Beasleigh is nervously anticipating Regent Street’s decision on the latest tender for the next three years. “Hopefully, I can carry on; it’s one of the main streets that I enjoy working on.” Either way, with plenty of projects on their books, it’s always Christmas at Piggotts.

» Andrew Brister is a freelance journalist, specialising in the electrical industry Connections Spring 2015

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Advice/Opinion/Insight/Events/Case study/Customer care/Training EICRS

Live wire Reporting for duty Electrical installation condition reports are becoming increasingly prominent in both domestic and commercial sectors. Follow the right procedures to ensure customer safety and satisfaction, says Philip Sanders

omeowners, landlords and dutyholders are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of having an electrical installation periodically inspected and its condition reported upon. An electrical installation condition report (EICR) identifies any damage, deterioration, defects and/or conditions that may give rise to danger, along with observations for which improvement is recommended. Homeowners often ask for, or obtain, a condition report as part of a house sale and, similarly, landlords with an increasing awareness of their electrical safety obligations are looking at undertaking periodic inspections in relation to their rental properties. The importance of periodic inspection and reporting in the ever-increasing private rental sector has been further recognised in Scotland where legislation changes will place statutory requirements on landlords (see page 8). Furthermore, the value of periodic inspection and reporting is increasingly being recognised by dutyholders in the workplace. NICEIC and ELECSA contractors are often called to inspect and report on the condition of all types of electrical installations and, as such, should ensure that due consideration is given so that: only skilled persons or persons suitably competent undertake such work; they have the appropriate experience of the type of installation to be inspected; and do so under an agreement with the customer. This agreement should include the “reason for”, “extent of”, and “agreed limitations” (if any) to be placed on the inspection.

Reason, extent and limitations The reason for the inspection and extent of the installation to be covered should be discussed and recorded, and any limitations should be agreed with the person ordering the work. For a dwelling, it is usual for the whole of the installation to be included with no expected limitations, whereas a business premises may have certain specified limitations. Nonetheless, it is important that unnecessary limitations are not subsequently placed on the inspection as the greater the limitations applied to a report the less its value. This part of the process should not be omitted as, in addition to being required to be accurately recorded on the condition report, this information forms the basis

of other considerations, including the time required to complete the inspection and the associated costs.

Inspection It is vital to ensure that sufficient inspection and testing is undertaken for an accurate report to be compiled. Some contractors will allow for around 20-30 minutes per circuit; others may go for as long as 40 minutes. On a typical 10-way consumer unit this would equate to 200-300 minutes or 3.5-5 hours for a typical three-bed dwelling, without completing paperwork/EICR. This, of course, will be influenced by extent and limitations, accessibility, whether it is energised and other factors. Inspection methods should be consistent across the installation and testing appropriate in type and quantity. Particular attention should be paid to areas of the installation that are susceptible to external influences and show signs of wear and tear, corrosion, damage and deterioration, and excessive loading. Operational limitations should not be recorded without good reason and only where reasonable attempts have been made to overcome any apparent limitation.

‘It is important that unnecessary limitations are not subsequently placed on the inspection as the greater the limitations applied to a report the less its value’

Observations and recommendations Any observation relating to a specific defect or omission that can be supported by one or more regulations in BS 7671 should be recorded in a manner that will be understood by the customer. The observation should detail what the situation is, and not what is considered necessary to put it right. Observations based solely on personal preference or “custom and practice” should not be included. Each observation must be given an appropriate classification code as detailed below: • Code C1 – Danger present • Code C2 – Potentially dangerous • Code C3 – Improvement recommended • Code FI – “Further investigation required without delay”. This was introduced in the third amendment of BS 7671 and renders the condition of the electrical installation unsatisfactory. Clear and accurate reporting is a skill all electricians need. A good report not only saves time and money later should any dispute arise, it can also be a legal document to rely on should any complaint escalate.

Philip Sanders is customer relations engineer at Certsure

Connections Spring 2015

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CONTRACTOR PROFILE // JD MOUNSEY COMPANY: JD Mounsey BASED: Settle FOUNDED: 1994 MAJOR PROJECTS: Giggleswick School, Lancaster University STAFF NUMBERS: 11

Home comforts

Jonathan Mounsey

Based in the North Yorkshire town of Settle, JD Mounsey has developed into a thriving business based around offering a wide range of services to customers in its local area By Nick Martindale

estled in between the Yorkshire Dales and the Forest of Bowland in North Yorkshire lies the market town of Settle. It’s where Jonathan Mounsey, founder of JD Mounsey, grew up, and from where his thriving business now operates. It’s also where the firm derives the majority of its work. “When I started in 1994 I would work within a 10-mile radius and now it’s within an hour’s drive,” says Jonathan. “We stay this side of Leeds and we have touched on bits of Manchester, but that’s not our core area. Within an hour we can hit Lancaster, Clitheroe and the Bowland area and right out into the Yorkshire Dales.” Jonathan first started working for himself at the age of just 20, having completed a City & Guilds electrical apprenticeship. “At that point I was a qualified electrician, but I also did TV aerial fitting and intruder alarms,” he says. “So I had a really broad scope when I set up. It grew from there; I advertised, picked up more customers and started to employ staff.” The initial focus for the business was domestic installations, but before long it started expanding into local offices, schools and commercial jobs. “We have a strong customer base in

educational establishments, so we do schools, colleges and universities,” he says. Recent projects include working on the sports hall and rewiring the chapel at Giggleswick School, as well as Skipton Girls’ High School and local businesses, including pubs, offices and shops. Around half the company’s work is through main contractors, he says, with a similar percentage direct with end-clients. But the business still retains its original focus too, taking on work in local households, all of which can help to grow the firm’s reputation as the main player in the area. “Sometimes we do a small domestic job and then we end up rewiring their house and then working at their business,” he says. “We can also be working at a college and end up doing domestic jobs for the staff through that. So there’s a really wide scope of work.”

‘Sometimes we do a small domestic job and then we end up rewiring their house and then working at their business’

Spring 2015 Connections

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11: The number of people

It’s a focus he’s keen to maintain, even as the company grows. “I want to do it all,” he says. “I want as wide a range of customers as possible so if there ever is another downturn we are still the company that can do every size of every job. You only need one big contract to go wrong or not to come off and you’re high and dry. I may develop the contracts teams, but I will keep the small works team. There’s definite value in using us; for a decent-sized firm we’re very reasonably priced.” One thing that has changed is the size of contract the business takes on. “What I used to think was a big job I now think is a little one,” he says. “So my perception has changed, and we have something planned for this year that could be our all-time biggest job. If we’re offered jobs like that then I would like the chance to do it.” Expanding the vision Recently, the firm has started moving into other areas beyond its core base of electrical installations, fire alarms and security systems. On the electrical side, this has involved a focus on energy-saving, providing customers with advice and recommendations around the total lifetime cost of installations, as well as renewable technologies. “We’re MCS-registered through NICEIC so if someone comes along with a project that has solar PV on it we could

do everything,” says Jonathan. “We’ve done some nice solar PV installs up here on the Yorkshire Dales and some in the National Parks. The feed-in tariff versus the cost of equipment is quite good again now after a bit of a lull, so it’s worth doing.” Most of its PV installs are for domestic properties, he says, although the business has also been approached recently about some large commercial projects. Air-source heat pumps are also becoming popular, he says, on the back of the renewable heat incentive. Most notable, however, has been the move into plumbing, heating and bathroom installations, which now accounts for around 35 per cent of the company’s work. “I found I was being offered the whole job and I was giving away the plumbing and heating side of it, and the people I was passing that work to weren’t always delivering,” he says. “So I took the decision to take on our own guys and register the company with Gas Safe and subsequently OFTEC.” The company now has two dedicated gas engineers – one of whom is also qualified as an oil technician – and recently took on a dedicated bathroom installer. It also invested in a fleet of eight vans designed to bring together the different strands of the business into one offering. “We wanted a rebrand with one logo for one company that does all of it,” he explains. Connections Spring 2015

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Photography: Jim Varney

employed by JD Mounsey

02/04/2015 14:14

CONTRACTOR PROFILE // JD MOUNSEY

> The business has to hold a lot of stock as there are no local wholesalers

Data networks is another focus; the business recently became a HellermannTyton-approved data installer, enabling it to install Cat 6 structured cabling, which has already seen it take on a project at Lancaster University. “That may grow, but due to our rural location how far it does is probably down to how far we want to travel,” he says. “We’re not chasing jobs in universities all over the north-west and making people stay in hotels.” Recruitment drive The business, which became a limited company in 2006, now employs 11 people, with 10 engineers and a full-time administrator, and is currently looking to add both another operative and administrator to the team. “We’ve got to the point now where we’re fire-fighting in the office so we need some extra help,” says Jonathan. “That’s going to put some more management in which will allow us to employ more people.” Much of its staff join the business as apprentices, although there’s a high barrier to entry. “We work with JTL on the apprentice scheme,” he says. “My experience is that if they pass the JTL exam hands-down – so 97 or 98 per cent – they’ll be a good apprentice, so I look for a high pass. We’re a full-scope firm and we operate at quite a pace, so they need to be switched on to do that. Over 20 years we’ve put more than a dozen people through that.” Inevitably, Jonathan’s own role is changing as the business grows, although he’s still heavily involved in scoping each project and helps out on the tools during particularly busy periods. “I like to keep my hand in, but now we have so many engineers out there I need to be doing some organising,” he says. “The good thing for me is, because I can do it, it’s quite easy to see what is needed next. The times when I would go to site are when we’re running out of time and the lads are under too much pressure, or when they are tied up on the contract jobs and I do a bit of fire-fighting on smaller jobs or works that are very technical.” Settling up The business moved into its current premises on an industrial estate just behind the town centre in 2008, and is already looking to add to this as the organisation grows.

‘I want as wide a range of customers as possible so if there ever is another downturn we are still the company that can do every size of every job’ 26

“We moved here because there is a piece of land on the end that we’re going to expand into, and we have planning permission for that,” says Jonathan. “We’ll be putting up a two-storey building, with the offices upstairs to give us more downstairs service space.” The business has to hold a lot of stock as there are no local wholesalers, he adds, and in the longer-term plans to open a trade counter to supply other businesses in the area. Jonathan admits he is keen to continue growing the turnover, but is determined this will not be at the expense of the quality of work. “I want to do a good job,” he says. “I’m interested in the quality of the work we do and the people we’re associated with, hence we do pursue the premier accolades. I view the NICEIC Approved Contractor scheme as the pinnacle on the electrical side, and that’s where we sit.” The immediate focus is to continue growing in the various channels it has developed, and to stay on top of any new developments that come along. But there’s no desire to look outside the local area that has served both Jonathan and the business so well for the past 20 years. “We’re not going to up sticks and move near a motorway so we can get the transport links, because I’m trying to achieve a quality of life for the team,” he says. “We live in an incredibly scenic part of England, and that’s where we want to be. We’re building the best company we can based on a high quality of service and installation, and we want to do that within this rural area.” Still only 40, Jonathan himself has plenty of time in which to grow the business and maintain the quality of life for his team. Already, however, he’s under pressure from what could prove to be the next generation. “I’ve got a young family that one day will grow up and they might want to come into the business,” he says. “I’ve got a little lad who can’t wait and wants to know when he can start. He’s only seven, but he’s worked it out; there are nine years and six months until he’s on the tools.” The future of JD Mounsey, it appears, is in safe hands. » Nick Martindale is editor of Connections Could your business feature in Connections? Email nick.martindale@redactive.co.uk

•

Spring 2015 Connections

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02/04/2015 14:14

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02/04/2015 16:19

DIY-SOS

Sending out Now in its 16th year, the BBC’s DIY SOS programme has transformed the homes of families across Britain, with help from friends, family and local tradespeople. But what is it like on the inside for the NICEIC and ELECSA contractors who give up their time? By Andrew Brister

firm BBC favourite, DIY SOS is something of a British TV institution. Presented by Nick Knowles, the programme was first aired on 7 October 1999 and is still going strong, nearly 16 years later – something of a rarity in the fickle world of broadcasting. DIY SOS became DIY SOS: The Big Build in 2010. The show is now a one-hour programme in which the team enlists the help of local trades, suppliers and the wider community to help deserving families. The projects are ambitious and often involve major construction work, such as building a loft conversion or extension. Many electrical firms have given freely of their time over the years, working alongside the show’s resident electrician Billy Byrne. Of course, it doesn’t do any harm in terms of marketing and publicity to appear on the programme, but that is not the reason that most take part. It’s a chance to give something back to the community and deserving causes, even a bit of a relief from the cut-throat world of contracting and trying to get paid on time. We talk to a few of the firms that have made a difference in recent shows. 28

Live-Link Electrical Live-Link Electrical happily provided its expertise to the DIY SOS team to provide much-needed help to a family in Swansea. Fifteen-year-old Jack Morris was born with a rare form of muscular dystrophy, which has led to a lifetime of painful operations. As Jack got older, it became impossible for mum Helen to get him upstairs and he was forced to sleep in the living room of their small three-bedroom semi in Swansea. With no other social space in the house, Jack’s brother Daniel rarely brought his friends round and they were spending less time together as a family. “When we saw the house, with Jack’s hospital bed in the living room, we just had to get involved,” says Live-Link Electrical’s founder and director David Cole. So Nick Knowles and the BBC team, with designer Gabrielle Blackman, set about turning the house into somewhere for Jack to grow into a man with dignity. The revamped home includes a downstairs extension for Jack to have his own space, a beautiful garden and remodelled rooms for Helen and Daniel. The project included a full rewire of the existing property, wiring of the

‘Billy Byrne enjoys golf so we gave him a game and showed him Swansea’s fine landscape, and Nick Knowles kindly got the drinks in to say thank you’

Spring 2015 Connections

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an SOS

of the extension and electrics for the garden outbuildings, as well as some garden lighting. “We were so glad that we were able to help the family in their time of need,” says Cole. “We were only a small part of what was created for the family, which will now help improve their lives. We had the pleasure of working alongside other South Wales trades who all worked extremely hard to get the job done in nine days.” With 88 contractors putting in some long days, it was challenging, but rewarding, work. “We did have a bit of time where we were able to relax from the project and get to know the DIY SOS team a little better,” says Cole. “Billy Byrne enjoys golf so we gave him a game and showed him Swansea’s fine landscape, and Nick Knowles kindly got the drinks in to say thank you for all the hard work. Live-Link is very proud to have been a part of this very special event. Giving the house back to the family and seeing their reaction was amazing; something that will remain with us for ever.”

> Far left: Live-Link Electrical’s David Cole with DIY SOS presenter Billy Byrne. Above: the Spinney Centre (top left) and the HE Simm and DIY SOS teams at the Norris Green Youth Centre in Liverpool

Bloom & Wake Six engineers from electrical contractor Bloom & Wake helped transform the Spinney Centre, Peterborough. The centre is used by Little Miracles, which supports families struggling with difficulties ranging from babies born prematurely or with disabilities to mums suffering post-natal depression. “One of our employee’s stepdaughters has a disability and uses the centre so we were made aware of the project through him,” says Melanie

Mattless, office manager at the Cambridgeshire-based contractor. “Six of our engineers helped out for the two-week project. It was a lot of hard work because there was not much space, but it was very rewarding.” The team put in 70-hour weeks to make sure the project was finished on schedule. The charitable work does not stop there. One of the firm’s fourthyear apprentices, Billy Lee, 20, was recently diagnosed with bone cancer in his thigh. He has been hospitalised since November last year and has undergone some gruelling chemotherapy but, unfortunately, this did not shrink his tumour and his leg had to be amputated. Billy and his family now have another battle to raise £70,000 for a prosthetic limb to enable him to rebuild his life (www.gofundme. com/Billyon2feet).

HE Simm Liverpool-based M&E specialist HE Simm has appeared on the programme twice in recent years. The contractor provided 15 electricians to install an entirely new electrical system in a major rebuild of Liverpool’s Norris Green Youth Centre back in 2011, and last year helped to Connections Spring 2015

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02/04/2015 11:30

DIY-SOS

finish a home extension for a disabled young girl as part of a DIY SOS project in Bury. Norris Green Youth Centre started out as an Old Boys’ Club over 50 years ago. Over time, despite providing vital services to young people in the area, the building became in desperate need of repair. In what was the programme’s biggest-ever project at the time, HE Simm worked alongside several local companies in a 10-day build to renovate the dilapidated youth centre in one of the most deprived parts of Liverpool; a project that would normally take around six months to complete and cost in the region of £1 million. “As a local company trading over 60 years we wanted to make a contribution to the community and were delighted to be able to get involved,” says managing director Gareth Simm. “The centre has a long history and it’s great that the refurbishment means many more young people will get the chance to benefit from the potentially lifechanging opportunities it can now offer. We’re really proud of all the staff who worked literally non-stop throughout the project. They really enjoyed getting stuck in and meeting Billy Byrne, Nick Knowles and all the DIY SOS team.” The project in Bury saw dozens of builders, electricians and plumbers working together to adapt a family home and provide accessible facilities for a six-year-old girl called Maddie. HE Simm has overseen the plumbing and heating, joining a raft of other businesses in providing services, supplies and labour free of charge. “We were absolutely delighted to be invited to get involved with this project and to play a small part in making a big difference to Maddie’s quality of life,” says HE Simm supervisor Jimmy Doyle. “She suffers from dystonia and an undiagnosed brain disease. Her family had started renovating their house to make it more accessible, with 30

> Staff of Comserv with members of the DIY SOS team

a downstairs wet room, bedroom and en-suite bathroom for Maddie, who has to use a wheelchair. But, due to unforeseen building costs, and the cost of care and treatment for Maddie, they were unable to complete the renovation, leaving it unfinished. “The project itself took 10 days to complete and there was a great atmosphere throughout,” he adds. “It was a real team effort with up to 80 people on site each day – everyone has pulled together and the reveal was a proud moment both for us and the family. It has been a unique experience working to such a tight deadline and under the glare of the TV cameras,

‘It has been a unique experience working to such a tight deadline and under the glare of the TV cameras, but certainly very worthwhile’

but certainly very worthwhile. The build will allow the family to relax and enjoy their future in the knowledge that Maddie has got the best home care facilities possible.”

Comserv The electrical arm of Hampshire-based social housing repairs and maintenance firm Comserv has helped adapt the home of Hanaagh and Mike Smith and their two young disabled twins Reuben and Zachary. The twins were born prematurely at 29 weeks and Reuben was later diagnosed with quadriplegic cerebral palsy, while Zachary is severely deaf and has had meningitis twice. The DIY SOS team adapted the family home in Whiteley, Hampshire to meet the changing needs of the boys as they grow up. The house was tiny and the cramped conditions were making life extremely difficult and at times dangerous for the growing boys. The build included the completion of a single-storey extension in just nine days and Comserv was responsible for the electrical installation. » Andrew Brister is a freelance journalist, specialising in the electrical industry

Spring 2015 Connections

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02/04/2015 16:21

RENEWABLES

Green vision A Opportunities in the renewables space are constantly evolving as government incentives come and go. But contractors willing to take the plunge could find themselves increasingly in demand

By David Adams

t some point over the past five years most electrical contractors probably at least considered getting involved in renewables. Generous feed-in tariffs for solar photovoltaics (PV) in 2011 led to a boom in installations, which was then followed by a deep bust when the tariffs were reduced drastically in 2012. That led to many companies either scaling back PV work or pulling out of the market. It may have led some contractors to conclude that renewables in general â&#x20AC;&#x201C; including wind turbines, heat pumps, combined heat and power (CHP) technologies and anaerobic digestion plants â&#x20AC;&#x201C; were all too much of a gamble. It also seems to have led to some contractors deciding not to pursue becoming microgeneration certification scheme (MCS) certified, or letting it lapse.

Spring 2015 Connections

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50,000: The number of air-source heat pumps expected to be installed in 2017

> Dimplex A-Class air-source heat pump

> Rooftop solar PV panels at the Hitachi Rail factory in County Durham

‘The key for contractors will be in specifying highly efficient products so customers can take advantage of both minimum running costs and the RHI’ And yet, renewables could still offer significant commercial opportunities – and already do for many electrical contractors. Solar is still the most obvious route into the market, but there is strong potential for growth in other renewables too. Government schemes, such as the renewable heat incentive (RHI) and the Green Deal, may also help persuade homeowners, businesses and other organisations to invest in these technologies.

Mix and match The RHI has been running for non-domestic installations since 2011 and for domestic dwellings since April 2014. RHI payments continue for 20 years in non-domestic installations and seven years for domestic buildings. This should provide a tax-free return of around 12 per cent a year, compared with the 5-8 per cent returns offered by the various feed-in tariffs. However, the budget for the RHI only runs until April 2016, so we will have to wait at least until after the general election in May before we are sure about its longer-term future. The Green Deal, a loans scheme for householders seeking to make energy efficiency home improvements, has been slow to take off, but it should continue to be a source of work for some electrical contractors. More solar PV installations were completed in 2014 than in any previous year. By the end of 2014 almost 5GW of solar PV panels had been installed, up from 2.8GW a year earlier, according to Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) figures. The domestic market was hit most dramatically by the sudden cuts in feed-in tariffs (FITs) three years ago – at the end of 2011 there were 20,000 weekly installations and when the new tariffs were introduced that fell to 800 – but it has recovered. While the market for smaller commercial installations is still sluggish, the DECC’s support for higher FITs is starting to have an effect, as is increased activity in larger commercial installations. Renewable specialist Photon Energy supplies solar PV for large-scale domestic installations, working with developers, for the public sector and on commercial projects. Recent examples include a 1MW scheme at Newton Aycliffe in County Durham for Hitachi Rail, installing 3,800 rooftop panels on the company’s new train manufacturing facility. But Jonathan Bates, Photon’s director and general manager, says it and its peers find it harder to compete

on price in the small-scale domestic market, now usually served by smaller, local companies. Contractors that do work in this market must learn to live with the unpredictable actions of government: the PV industry is awaiting a review of the FITs later this year. The election is also a concern for those working on onshore wind projects, particularly should the Conservatives be elected. Wind is controversial, on and offshore, but the UK now has the third largest installed base of wind energy generation equipment in Europe, with 12.4GW of capacity, behind Spain (23GW) and Germany (39GW). It is also a source of work for some electrical contractors. For example, Lotus Electrical Services, based at Kirkgunzeon in Dumfries, has installed mid-voltage connections between wind turbines and local substations at sites including the 36MW Fairburn wind farm, near Loch Achonachie in Ross-shire; a 20-turbine installation that can power 40 per cent of homes in Inverness; and a 15-turbine, 30MW wind farm at Dalswinton in Dumfries. Other contractors have developed expertise in smaller-scale wind installations. Warming up The heat pump market has also endured government-induced stress in recent years, particularly during the long wait for the domestic phase of the RHI. Nonetheless, installations have increased. Sales of air-source heat pumps across the market are forecast to rise from 18,000 in 2013 to over 50,000 in 2017, according to figures from the Building Services Research and Information Association (BSRIA). “We have seen a slow build-up in both awareness and sales over the past six years,” says John Kellett, product strategy and marketing manager at Mitsubishi Electric. “As more people understand the benefits of the RHI we are seeing an increase in interest.” Connections Spring 2015

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RENEWABLES

12 per cent: The approximate annual return on the renewable heat incentive

The pumps themselves have become more efficient and easier to install, according to Clare Campbell, renewables product marketing manager at Dimplex. “The latest models offer easier installation and quicker paybacks, particularly for larger, older, off-gas private homes,” she says. “The key for contractors will be in specifying highly efficient products so customers can take advantage of both minimum running costs and the RHI.” Another growth area is hybrid systems, where the heat pump works alongside a conventional gas or oil boiler. Bristol-based electrical contractor Emmdee Electrical was already working with renewables, particularly PV for newbuild, when it started installing Dimplex’s Quantum night storage heaters in 2013. These store energy during periods of low demand on the grid, only turning it into heat when required. An algorithm running them matches operations to usage patterns and weather conditions. Emmdee managing director Lee Bignell says electrical heating solutions, installed in newbuild or replacing existing systems across southern and SW England, the Midlands and South Wales, now account for between 10 and 15 per cent of the company’s turnover. Anaerobic digestion (AD) and biogas plants also increased in 2014. “It was our biggest year yet in terms of new AD plants,” says Matt Hindle, policy manager at the Anaerobic Digestion and Biogas Association (ADBA). “There were about 100 new plants in 2014.” He expects 2015 to be quieter, with around 60 new plants, due to a reduction in AD feed-in tariffs. But there are now around 350 AD plants in the UK, generating 428MW of energy, with 500KW the most common size. Typical installation sites include farms, breweries, distilleries, factories, waste processing sites and water treatment plants. Ongoing opportunities These developments can create knock-on business for contractors too. Jo Whitehouse, business development 34

Case study: SCL Electrical SCL Electrical is a family business originally founded by Alan Swatton in 1981. Today it is run by his son Richard, in partnership with co-owner and commercial director Stephen Lamplough. The Northampton-based company also employs three other permanent engineers, alongside apprentices, sub-contractors and back office staff. It also has a couple of members of staff based in Saudi Arabia, serving a growing client base there. SCL invested in solar PV training when the opportunities first became apparent. “Most customers were in the domestic market and we did a lot of installations in 2011-12 when the tariffs were high,” recalls Richard. “More recently we’ve moved into the commercial side.” One recent project was a 143KW installation, with 600 panels on multiple roofs for Rock UK, an Outward Bound Trust centre. “It’s probably about 50 per cent of what we do now and growing month by month,” says Richard. “We always considered ourselves to be electrical contractors first and foremost. We sold a lot of PV on the back of the fact that we would be around whatever happened with the tariffs. People like that.” The company has also picked up work maintaining panels and PV equipment originally installed by other companies, some of which have since ceased trading. SCL also works as a sub-contractor for electrical contractors that do not work with PV, as well as with a company that specialises in wind turbine installation but does not work with PV. “It gives us another revenue stream and sets us apart from a lot of other contractors,” says Richard.

> Mitsubishi Ecobuild heat pumps

manager at Cosgriff Whitehouse Electrical (CWE) in Wolverhampton, says around 40 per cent of the company’s business is now accounted for by installing, testing and maintaining power, control and communication cables and other plant equipment at

‘The initial outlay and ongoing costs of registration are more than outweighed by the earning potential’

AD plants. CWE has worked on 16 plants to date, spread across the UK, from Scotland to Kent and Wales. CHP technologies may also offer commercial opportunities, but contractors must remember there is a mechanical element to these systems, alongside the electrical installation, warns Mike Hefford, head of renewable technologies at heating specialist Remeha Commercial. Remeha’s products are used in domestic installations, as well schools and small hospitals. In future more electrical contractors may also be installing and maintaining energy storage technologies. Lithium ion batteries can be installed alongside domestic PV installations, to capture power not needed immediately for later use. There will be many opportunities in renewables for contractors with MCS accreditation, says Dimplex’s Campbell. “The initial outlay and ongoing costs of registration are more than outweighed by the earning potential in a marketplace teeming with opportunity,” he concludes. » David Adams is a freelance business journalist

Spring 2015 Connections

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02/04/2015 10:15

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UNDERFLOOR HEATING

Heat of the moment Spring 2015 Connections

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Electric underfloor heating has grown in popularity over recent years and is now considered one of the most efficient ways to heat a building. This should be good news for contractors By Rob Shepherd

seen a change in terms of our client base in that it is now accessible to most people in terms of cost and simplicity of installation,” says company director Carl Morley. “A greater number of products have come on to the market offering lower costs and more flexibility.” David Goose, managing director of Ambient Electrical, agrees. “Electric underfloor heating is no longer seen as a luxury item,” he says. “The costs have dropped considerably over the past decade, with decent quality systems being around 25 per cent lower in price than they were in 2005.” Type cast Different formats are designed to suit specific floor surface types. Mat-based and loose wire systems are perfect for installation under ceramic, tile and natural stone, while foil systems are suitable for use with laminate, carpet, vinyl, engineered wood and other floating floors. “The most common forms of electric underfloor heating are the floor heating mat and the floor heating cable,” explains Jonathan Jones, global product category manager at Pentair Thermal Management. “The heating mat is designed with the installer in mind and is the quickest and simplest solution to install. With the heater pre-installed onto an adhesive lined mat, not only can it be fixed to the subfloor really quickly, but the power output per square meter is also Connections Spring 2015

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Myson; Thermogroup

lthough underfloor heating is by no means a modern concept – its use can be traced back to Roman times – it is only in the past 20 years or so that using electric-based systems in this way has become more common. Leading the way has been Scandinavia, where underfloor heating under tiled and wooden floors in lobbies, kitchens, bathrooms and conservatories is considered the norm. These systems work by passing a current through a cable and the electrical resistance of the cable causes a heating effect. The inner heating element is earth-sheathed and electrically insulated from the working surface, so there is no danger of electric shock. Electric underfloor heating cables do not have to get very hot in order to warm the floor and most systems incorporate a floor thermostat, as well as a room thermostat. Crewe-based NICEIC Domestic Installer DC Technical Solutions has been installing electric underfloor heating for the past 12 years. “We have

02/04/2015 12:20

UNDERFLOOR HEATING

pre-defined, meaning the installer does not need to calculate cable spacing in order to achieve a specific heat output.” The overall heat requirement of a room will depend on its size and its heat loss characteristics. Dividing the total heat loss by the floor area will give the heat requirement in watts per square meter (W/m²) and it is then easy to specify the amount and type of matting, foil or wire required. Benefit check Given that most people are used to having wall-mounted, water-based radiators, the argument for switching can be difficult. But there are some real practical benefits to electric underfloor heating, most significantly that it delivers an even radiant heat across the whole floor area, with no cold spots. “Tests have proven that the average room temperature can be reduced by 1-2°C compared with a traditional radiator-heated room before the occupant feels any difference,” says Jones. “We tend to feel the cold in our extremities first so if the heat source is at floor level our feet are kept warm and our whole body feels warm too.” Although it can be used in commercial premises, it is more commonly installed in domestic dwellings. “I’ve carried out installations in range of newbuild, retrofit and refurbishment projects,” says Tony Cox, managing director at Gloucester-based NICEIC Approved Contractor AJC Electrical. “But most of the customers I install it for are those having new conservatories built and bathrooms revamped.” Joan Pask, group marketing manager at Warmup, believes that electric underfloor heating is especially suited to new, low-energy houses. “New buildings – especially Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH) Level 4 or higher – are considerably more airtight and insulated than pre-2006 homes, with the energy requirement for CSH 4 dropping from 55kWh/m²/year to 24.83kWh,” she points out. When it comes to renovations, electric systems have the benefit of not relying on the rest of the heating system, says Steven Rooney, sales director at Gaia Climate Solutions. “If an existing system is at capacity, electric underfloor heating can be installed without upgrading the boiler,” he says. “And homeowners don’t have to turn on the rest of the system if they just want a warm floor.” 38

Rest and relaxation The London Syon Park Hotel sits at the edge of the 200-acre Syon House estate in Brentford, and its 137 rooms and seven suites provide a touch of luxury for its guests. Part of this experience comes from electric underfloor heating, using the Raychem intelligent underfloor heating system from Pentair Thermal Management. The installation uses a number of different elements. T2Red with T2Reflecta was installed in the bedrooms, combining self-regulating heating cable with a pre-grooved aluminium-covered insulation profile to reduce heat loss and provide an even heat distribution. In the bathrooms, > Underfloor heating adds to the T2Quicknet 160, a thin self-adhesive heating mat, luxury in the hotel bathrooms provides fast heat-up time and, at only 3mm thick, is ideal for installation under tiled floors. “The developers were looking for a smart heating solution that would provide high levels of comfort,” says Jonathan Jones, global product category manager at Pentair Thermal Management. “The hotel now has a reliable, energy-efficient solution that allows guests to immerse themselves in the luxury that this country retreat offers.”

Money matters One of the most frequent criticisms levelled against electrical underfloor heating – as well as electric heating in general – is that it is expensive to run compared with gas central heating. It’s a claim that Mark Russell, design and marketing manager at the Underfloor Heating Store, refutes. “According to independent energy watchdog Energywatch, since 2003 gas prices have risen by as much as 92 per cent, while electricity prices have only increased by 54 per cent,” he says. “When installation, servicing and maintenance are taken into account, overall cost-effectiveness comes out in favour of electric underfloor heating.” This is a view shared by Sarah Macfarlane, Myson’s product manager for electric underfloor heating. “It’s all about using the right controls, just as you would with any heating system,” she says. “Electric underfloor heating provides perfect zone control and can be used in unexpected chilly spells in warmer seasons to provide warmth without using the central heating boiler.” Meeting the need The installation of electric underfloor heating should be a welcome addition to most contractors’ service portfolios and represents an opportunity to diversify into a new and exciting sector.

Given the simplicity of installing the systems, little or no additional training is required. “Installing underfloor heating is quick and easy and should provide no real challenge for a professional electrician,” says Macfarlane. “What it will provide is a useful new revenue stream that takes the electrician more firmly into the arena of home improvement, not just home maintenance.” Being part of the broader energy efficiency agenda should help contractors position themselves for the future, suggests Pask. “Flexibility is the key to future business expansion and profitability and requires meeting customers’ needs for highly targeted, personal solutions,” she says. “To achieve this goal today’s heating contractor must take advantage of training to keep ahead of market developments such as the smart home.” Economical to run and requiring little maintenance, it’s no surprise that electric underfloor heating is growing in popularity. The use of gas and oil boilers is not sustainable and electricity is the key to future home heating. With significant opportunities for electrical contractors and the economy on the up, now could be the perfect time to explore what’s on offer. » Rob Shepherd is a freelance journalist

Spring 2015 Connections

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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 necessary for a fire alarm detector to be installed in the lounge of new domestic premises to provide life protection where a Grade D Category LD2 system is installed?

Yes. Guidance documents issued by governments for the building regulations in the United Kingdom jurisdictions, namely Approved Document B – Fire safety (England and Wales), the Technical Handbook – Fire (Scotland) and Technical Booklet E – Fire safety (Northern Ireland) recommend the installation of a fire detection and fire alarm system in accordance with BS 5839-6 (the standard for fire alarm and fire detection systems) for new domestic premises. Consequently, BS 5839-6 recommends that the lounge of new domestic premises (defined as a ‘principal habitable room’) should incorporate a smoke detector. Alternatively, for such rooms a carbon monoxide fire detector (CMFD) may be installed ((Note D) to Table 1 of BS 5839-6 refers).

QUESTION QUESTION Regarding the above answer, under what circumstances might a carbon monoxide fire detector be installed?

ANSWER

QUESTION

ANSWER

I plan to install a final circuit and control wiring for a central heating system (CHS). Is it necessary to issue an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) for the circuit and associated control wiring?

Yes. The fundamental principles of BS 7671 state the requirements intended to provide for safety of electrical installations and within these requirements Regulation 134.2.1 calls for appropriate inspection, testing and certification of any erected installation. Therefore, where a new circuit is installed for a CHS and associated controls, as for any other circuit, an EIC needs compiling and issuing to the person ordering the work. Similarly, where existing final circuit or control wiring associated with a CHS is being altered or added to, either an EIC or a Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate (where appropriate) will require compiling and issuing.

A carbon monoxide fire detector (CMFD) may be suitable in a dwelling where a fire safety risk assessment reveals that a smoke detector may increase the risk of false alarms, for example, where the lounge is open to the kitchen. False alarms in fire systems can have a detrimental effect on fire safety and therefore an emphasis is placed on keeping false alarms to a minimum (clause 12 of BS 5839-6 refers). It should be noted that CMFDs respond faster to slow burning fires than typical smoke detectors but respond slower to flaming fires than smoke detectors. Therefore, the risk assessment should also consider the number of floors, rooms and circulation areas in the premises and the ability of the occupants to move to a place of safety in the event of fire, so that this slower response time does not impair evacuation of the premises.

Connections Spring 2015

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Ask the experts/Technical

Fully charged

QUESTION

ANSWER

I want to replace a consumer unit and although the existing unit is currently wall-mounted and meets Regulation 132.12 regarding accessibility, the mounting position has inadequate width to accommodate a new unit. Can I mount the new unit vertically?

Yes, provided the manufacturer’s documentation confirms that the particular consumer unit and enclosed switchgear and controlgear are suitable for vertical mounting and meets relevant standards, such as BS EN 60439-3.

QUESTION

ANSWER

Regarding the answer directly above, where manufacturer’s documentation confirms the consumer unit is suitable for vertical mounting the switchgear and controlgear will be operated left and right (rather than up and down). Does this comply with BS 7671?

BS 7671 does not require the operation of switchgear and controlgear to be identified by orientation. Identification for the installation (including switchgear and controlgear) is required to be provided by marking, labels and notices which are legible, durable and fixed in appropriate positions, to provide for safe operation, whilst minimising confusion to the observer (Section 514 (Identification and notices) refers).

QUESTION

ANSWER

I plan to replace a length of damaged insulated and sheathed flat cable (twin and earth) installed some 20 years ago in a wall at a depth of not more than 50 mm from the surface. However, to meet the requirements of BS 7671: 2008 (including Amendment 3); this installation method means the cable should have additional protection by RCD in accordance with Regulation 522.6.202. Do I have to provide such protection to carry out this repair?

No. Provided you install the new length of cable using exactly the same route as the existing cable, this repair work will not be classed as an addition or an alteration. However, where possible it is always good practice to meet the current standard of BS 7671, especially where it may improve safety for the user of the installation. Also, if the installation since construction has not been subject to any additions or alterations, a warning notice to indicate wiring to two versions of BS 7671 should be affixed at or near the appropriate distribution board (consumer unit).

QUESTION

ANSWER

In relation to the question directly above, the cable supplies a socket-outlet. If I also replace the socket-outlet with a similar socket-outlet, do I have to install additional protection by RCD in accordance Regulation 411.3.3?

No. Although it is good practice to meet the current requirements of BS 7671, replacement of an accessory with a similar accessory is classed as maintenance work and not an addition or an alteration.

STION

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Ask the experts/Technical

Fully charged 44 49 52 57

Supports for cables in escape routes Changes to the recommendations for fire detectors An introduction to the requirements for auxiliary circuits Changes to electrical installation certificates

60 63 66

Limiting values of measured earth fault loop impedance Fire protection for electrical equipment in lofts Snags and solutions: A practical guide to everyday electrical problems, now updated to Amendment No 3 of BS 7671

Supports for cables in escape routes There have been a number of instances at times of fire where firefighters have been placed at risk, injured or killed due, in part, to entanglement in cables that have fallen down causing an obstruction. For example, the investigation carried out by Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service into the deaths of two firefighters in 2010, identified one of the factors that led to their deaths as a failure of cable supports. One specific conclusion in the report states: ‘Surface mounted electrical cabling was encased in plastic trunking which failed when exposed to heat, so releasing the cables.’

vacuating a building in the event of fire should be an unhindered transition; however, it is self-evident that with increasing floor area and/or number of floor levels, a longer evacuation route will generally be created and the potential for hazards along that route increased. Experience has shown that even with adequate evacuation planning (including rehearsal), hazards may be present in an escape route at times of fire, and regardless of the familiarity a building user might have with the particular escape route and building, panic can still occur during the evacuation process, such as, for example, from an unexpected obstacle, such as cables which are dangling and/or have fallen to the floor in the escape route following heat from fire. In addition to flame, fire produces other hot products, such as smoke and gases which will generally rise and circulate in the building and the

Photo courtesy of London Fire Brigade Fire Investigation Team

Plastic trunking melted in a fire and released cables that obstructed escape

Spring 2015 Connections

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Fig 1 Example of cables within plastic trunking with metallic supports

increased temperature might, for example, subject non-metallic support systems (such as trunking) mounted at high level to a degree of deformation, resulting in sagging and the lid becoming dislodged leading to cables hanging down. In the light of such risks, for many years both BS 5839-1 (Fire detection and fire alarm systems for buildings – Part 1: Code of practice for design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of systems in non-domestic premises) and BS 5266-1 (Emergency lighting – Part 1: Code of practice for the emergency escape lighting of premises) have recommended the use of metallic cable support systems, clauses 26.2(f) and 8.2.3 refer respectively. These clauses are predominately concerned with maintaining circuit integrity of these important safety services; however, it should be noted that Note 9 to clause 26.2 of BS 5839-1 mentions that cables supported only by plastic cable trunking can create an entanglement hazard to firefighters. Until the publication of Amendment 3 to BS 7671, there was no similar requirement to support cables in escape routes with metallic cable support systems. However, in response to the recognised risks associated with entanglement, Amendment 3 to BS 7671: 2008 has introduced Regulation 521.11.201 which aims to prevent wiring systems in escape routes becoming an entanglement hazard to building users evacuating a building and firefighters entering a building. 1

• safety services (such as emergency lighting and fire detection), • data, voice and television. Regulation 521.11.201 requires all wiring systems in escape routes to be supported such that they will not be liable to premature collapse at times of fire. Consequently, cable supports will need to have a high melting point, such as steel or copper (melting points in the range of 1450 ºC and 1050 ºC respectively). This effectively prohibits cables in escape routes being supported solely by materials having a low melting point, such as non-metallic clips, ties, conduit and trunking, unless the cables are given additional fire-resistant means of support/retention. For example, fixing metallic ‘P’ clips to the structure for security of cables within non-metallic trunking (see Fig 1). It should be noted that in an escape route the sole use of certain metallic support systems, such as a cable basket or cable tray may not ensure Regulation 521.11.201 is met. Metallic ties may need to be used (where appropriate) to secure cables to the support, to avoid, at times of fire, non-metallic supports disintegrating and subsequent dangling cables (see Fig 2). Also, Section 422 (Precautions where particular risks of fire exist) of BS 7671 should not be overlooked. This Section includes certain requirements regarding the flammability and fire resistance of wiring systems and therefore places implications on the supports for the wiring system.

Requirements of BS 7671

Escape routes; a brief overview

The requirements of BS 7671 apply to all wiring systems typically used in and about a building, including systems used for: • low voltage distribution circuits and final circuits,

Although electrical contractors are familiar with working in and about buildings, they may be unfamiliar with the term ‘escape route’ when applied to a building and therefore unsure of the application of Regulation 521.11.201. Connections Spring 2015

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Ask the experts/Technical

Fully charged Fig 2 Example of cables dangling where plastic supports have disintegrated

BS 7671 defines an escape route as ‘a path to follow for access to a safe area in the event of an emergency’, and such routes in buildings are routes intended to provide a safe unobstructed means of escape from any location in a building to a place of safety, typically outside the building. In non-domestic buildings, escape routes are normally identified as part of the design process and are generally apparent by the siting of escape route direction signs and emergency exit signs in and around the building. Contractors should beware that an absence of signage does not necessarily mean that a location is not an escape route. For example, signage is typically not installed in domestic premises; however, these premises will be constructed having a means of escape in accordance with the requirements of the building regulations in the United Kingdom (UK) jurisdictions, namely, England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Determining an escape route in domestic premises, like any building, may at times appear complex, but as a minimum it should be assumed that the hall, stairway and landing form part of an escape route. Information issued by 46

governments for the UK jurisdictions in the form of Approved Document B – Fire safety (England and Wales), the Technical Handbook – Fire (Scotland) and Technical Booklet E – Fire safety (Northern Ireland) provides guidance on the means of escape. Alternatively, where contractors are unsure whether their particular working location is an escape route, they could seek guidance from: • in non-domestic premises the person responsible for safety, or • in domestic premises the local Building Control Body. Also, for an escape route where contractors carrying out periodic inspection and testing observe cables supported solely by non-metallic cable supports, a Classification code C3 (Improvement recommended) should generally be recorded on an Electrical Installation Condition Report. 1 Electrical Safety First issued a Safety Bulletin on supporting heavy cables in Switched On Edition 33 Summer 2014

Spring 2015 Connections

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02/04/2015 16:37

Ask the experts/Technical

Fully charged BS 5839-6: Changes to the recommendations for fire detectors in the principal habitable rooms of domestic premises

• sheltered housing, including both the dwelling units and common areas. Class of buildings considered as domestic premises by BS 5839-6 include, for example, bungalows, multi-storey houses, individual flats and maisonettes. It should be noted that for a building containing flats or maisonettes BS 5839-6 does not apply to the communal areas. For a full description of the class of domestic premises covered by BS 5839-6 see clause 1 (Scope). Changes relating to the type of detector

A revised edition of BS 5839-6, the code of practice for fire alarm systems in domestic premises came into effect on 31 May 2013. This 2013 edition does not constitute a full revision of BS 5839-6; however, it does supersede BS 5839-6: 2004, which has been withdrawn.

t first glance it is evident that the Standard has been renamed. Compared to BS 5839-6: 2004, the title of the 2013 edition includes the addition of the words ‘commissioning’ and ‘domestic premises’, where the later replaces the word dwelling. The full title is now ‘Fire detection and fire alarm systems for buildings – Part 6: Code of practice for the design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of fire detection and fire alarm systems in domestic premises’. The Foreword of the 2013 Standard reveals that a number of the technical changes have been introduced, and one such technical change, the subject of this article, regards the type of detector recommended for installation in the principal habitable room of domestic premises. Other technical changes will be discussed in future Connections articles. Definition given in BS 5839-6 Principal habitable room – a room that is normally the most frequently used room for general daytime living purposes. Scope of BS 5839-6: 2013 BS 5839-6: 2013 applies to new and existing buildings used as domestic premises that are: • designed to accommodate a single family, • houses in multiple occupation that comprise a number of self-contained units, each designed to accommodate a single-family, and

For protection of life in new or materially altered buildings commonly used as domestic premises the information given in Table 1 of BS 5839-6: 2013 recommends that to provide the earliest practicable warning of fire to occupants, fire detection and fire alarm systems should incorporate a smoke detector installed in every principal habitable room. This is a change to the recommendations given in Table 1 of the 2004 edition of BS 5839-6 which recommended heat detectors should be installed in every principal habitable room. It should be noted that Table 1 of the 2013 edition still recommends heat detectors should be installed in every kitchen of new or materially altered premises. Detectors in principal habitable rooms As previously mentioned Table 1 now recommends smoke detectors are installed in every principal habitable room. Smoke detectors employed in domestic premises are generally of two types: optical detectors (OD) and ionization detectors (ID). Either may be used in the principal habitable room. However: • Optical detectors are less likely than ionisation detectors to respond to fumes from cooking. Thus, ODs are more suitable in rooms or areas into which kitchen cooking fumes may discharge. • Ionisation detectors are less likely than optical detectors to respond to tobacco smoke. Thus, IDs are more suitable in rooms or areas where smoking is likely. To limit false alarms, the response of ODs and IDs should not be overlooked when designing a fire alarm system. Unwanted alarms can have a detrimental effect on a fire alarm system, such as when the frequency of unwanted alarms results in occupants ignoring the fire alarm system signal (clause 12 (Limitation of false alarms) refers). Connections Spring 2015

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Ask the experts/Technical

Fully charged Fig 1 Smoke detectors rather than heat detectors should be used in the principal habitable room

â&#x153;&#x2014;

â&#x153;&#x201C;

Where the designer identifies that ODs and IDs mounted in the principal habitable room might produce an unacceptable rate of unwanted alarms a carbon monoxide fire detector (CMFD) may alternatively be used in such rooms (clause 10.2(g) (Recommendations) refers). Carbon monoxide fire detectors generally do not respond to dust, steam and cigarette smoke and, therefore, limit the production of alarm signals (compared to smoke detectors). Carbon monoxide fire detectors are not recommended as the sole means of fire detection in domestic premises. Their response to fire is generally not sufficient to give an audible warning signal which provides adequate time for occupants to escape safely in the event of fire. However, where appropriate, a CMFD may be incorporated within systems. Where the designer selects to use carbon monoxide fire detectors in the principal habitable room or other recommended areas within the premises the detector should incorporate a warning device to indicate expiry of the electrochemical cell is approaching. Such a warning device is not necessary where a CMFD is incorporated within a Grade A, B and C system that is subject to periodic maintenance not exceeding 12 months (clause 10.2(e) (Recommendations) refers). Carbon monoxide fire detectors should not be confused with carbon monoxide warning detectors (CMWD). The function of a CMWD is to detect levels of carbon monoxide in the air from incomplete combustion within a fuel burning appliance. 50

The NICEIC and ELECSA publishing team Sue Heybourne, technical illustrator Sue joined NICEIC in 2000 and previously worked for The Electrical Safety Council before moving to Certsure in 2013. She is responsible for producing and archiving all the illustrations for publications, articles and presentations, pocket guides and books. She also helps design all certificates. 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. 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. John Clark, senior engineer John started out by serving a five-year apprenticeship before spending some time installing plant in power stations. He then took a degree in electrical and electronic engineering before becoming a lecturer. He now works as senior engineer helping to develop the learning guides. Tim Benstead, principal technical author Tim started his career as an apprentice electrician and worked in both 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 and was part of the team responsible for the production of The Essential Guide, NICEIC publications and certificates. Mike Burling, senior engineer A former JIB technician, Mike had his own NICEIC-registered electrical contracting business, before taking on a role as a college tutor and NVQ assessor. He now works as a senior engineer responsible for overseeing the technical content of all technical publications and articles.

Spring 2015 Connections

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Ask the experts/Technical

Fully charged An introduction to the requirements for auxiliary circuits This article is the first of two dealing with auxiliary circuits. Whereas this article aims to provide a broad overview of use of auxiliary circuits, the second article will focus on the particular requirements of auxiliary circuits used in conjunction with instrument transformers.

lthough Section 557 – Auxiliary Circuits is introduced by Amendment 3 of BS 7671 as a separate section, the topic is not completely new. In previous editions of BS 7671, auxiliary circuits were referred to as ‘control circuits’ and were the subject of Regulation 537.5.3 (now deleted). Part 2 of BS 7671 defines auxiliary circuits as circuits for the transmission of signals intended for the detection, supervision or control of the functional status of a main circuit, such as circuits for control, signalling and measurement. The circuits used by a building management system (BMS) to monitor temperature and humidity at various points within a building are an example of auxiliary circuits. Regulation 557.1 makes it clear that Section 557 only applies to auxiliary circuits not covered by other product or system standards such as the construction of assemblies of electrical equipment to the appropriate part of the IEC 61439 series. However, as with many other standards, such as BS 5839 dealing with Fire Detection and Alarm Systems, it is a requirement of the standard that the installation of wiring associated with the alarm system complies with the requirements of BS 7671. Rather than being concerned with the operational characteristics of the equipment supplied by the auxiliary circuit, Section 557 is concerned with ensuring that the power supply is safe, reliable and does not impact upon the functionality of the equipment supplied by the auxiliary circuit. Broadly speaking, the contents of Section 557 cover the following areas:

1. The electrical supply to the auxiliary circuit and the associated protective measures (see Regulation Group 557.3). 2. The minimum cross-sectional area of the cables used for the auxiliary circuit (see Regulation Group 557.4). 3. The special requirements of auxiliary circuits used for measurement (see Regulation Group 557.5). 4. Measures required to avoid loss of functionality in the auxiliary circuit (see Regulation Group 557.6). Where the auxiliary circuit is a control circuit, Regulation 557.3.201 requires that the circuit should be designed, arranged and protected so that a fault between the circuit and other conductive parts is not liable to cause the equipment being controlled to malfunction, i.e. not operate as intended. The auxiliary circuits described in Section 557 may operate using an a.c. or d.c. supply which can either be obtained by either a connection to the main power circuit or from an independent source such as a battery. Section 557 includes requirements for the electrical protection provided for auxiliary circuits and the method used will depend upon whether the auxiliary circuits are earthed or unearthed. Rather than being permanently connected to the power supply some auxiliary circuits are connected via a switching device and Regulation 557.6.5.1 contains requirements for auxiliary circuits without a direct connection to a main circuit. Power supplies for auxiliary circuits dependent on the main a.c. circuit are detailed in Regulation 557.3.2.1. The recognised methods of connecting the auxiliary circuit are: 1. direct connection to the main a.c. supply (as shown by Fig 1), 2. via a rectifier (as shown by Fig 2), and 3. via a transformer providing simple separation between the main and auxiliary circuits (as shown by Fig 3). Regulation 557.3.2.1 recommends that where auxiliary circuits primarily supply electronic equipment or systems, then rather than being supplied directly (as shown in Fig 1) there should be, at least, simple separation from the main circuit. It should be noted, however, that rather than being a requirement this is a recommendation. Auxiliary circuits do not necessarily operate at extra-low voltages and the maximum preferred values of the nominal voltage for auxiliary circuits used for control purposes is as shown in Table 1 (Regulations 557.3.5.3 and 557.3.5.4.1 refer):

Spring 2015 Connections

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Fig 1 Auxiliary circuit supplied directly from the main circuit

Table 1 Maximum preferred values of nominal voltages of auxiliary circuits Nominal frequency d.c. a.c. (50 Hz) a.c. (60 Hz)

Terminals for the auxiliary circuit

Fig 2 Auxiliary circuit supplied from the main circuit via a rectifier

Terminals for the auxiliary circuit

Fig 3 Auxiliary circuit supplied from the main circuit via a transformer

Terminals for the auxiliary circuit

Maximum nominal voltage (volts) 220 230 277

Rather than being supplied from the main circuit, Regulation 557.3.3 permits auxiliary circuits to be supplied by an independent supply which could be a battery. However, the independent auxiliary circuit should not be able to create a hazardous situation. Where the main circuit suffers a loss of supply or an undervoltage occurs, this should be detected. Where an auxiliary circuit, connected to the main circuit via a transformer, requires a connection to earth, Regulation 557.3.4.2 requires that there should only be one point of connection which should be located on the secondary side, situated close to the transformer, be easily accessible and, for ease of carrying out insulation measurement, be capable of being isolated. Regulation Group 557.3.6 contains two regulations dealing with protective measures. The first Regulation 557.3.6.1 contains requirements aimed at protecting the wiring systems. For single-phase earthed a.c. or d.c. auxiliary circuits supplied by a transformer, as shown by Fig 4, it is permitted to protect the auxiliary circuit by protective devices inserted in the conductors not connected directly to earth. In unearthed auxiliary circuits, Regulation 557.3.6.1 requires that short-circuit protection shall be provided for all line conductors (see Fig 5). As an alternative to the arrangement shown, the short-circuit protective devices can be connected in the primary winding. In order to ensure adequate mechanical strength in BS 7671, Table 557.1 provides minimum values of cross-sectional area for copper conductors used in auxiliary circuits (see Table 2). Regulation group 557.5 contains guidance on using auxiliary circuits in measurement systems where the auxiliary circuit may either be directly connected to the means of measurement (557.5.2) or connected via a transformer (557.5.3). When measuring or monitoring voltages or currents in high voltage/high current circuits such as those Connections Spring 2015

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Fully charged Fig 4 Position of protective devices in an auxiliary circuit connected to Earth and supplied by a transformer

Fig 5 Devices providing short-circuit protection in an auxiliary circuit NOT connected to Earth and supplied by a transformer Auxiliary circuits often form an integral part of control and instrumentation systems where the system needs to be robust, reliable and not subject to malfunctions. Regulation Group 557.6 provides the designer and installer of auxiliary circuits with guidance on measures intended to ensure that, when installed, the circuits function as intended with a high degree of reliability. The regulations included in Regulation Group 557.6 include requirements for: • The voltage supply (557.6.1) • Quality of signals depending upon cable characteristics (557.6.2) • Measures to avoid loss of functionality (557.6.3) • Current-limiting signal outputs (557.6.4) • Connection to the main circuit (557.6.5) Table 2 Minimum values of cross-sectional area of copper conductors (mm2) used in auxiliary circuits found in electrical distribution systems, it is desirable to use instrument transformers to provide electrical separation between the high voltage/high current electrical distribution system and the auxiliary circuits used for measurement. The use of auxiliary circuits in applications utilising instrument transformers will be subject of a following article. 54

Application

Control circuits Data transfer

Type of cable Single-core or Two-core Stranded Screened 0.5 –

0.5 –

Multicore Screened or unscreened 0.1 0.1

Spring 2015 Connections

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Fully charged Schedule of items inspected

Changes to Electrical Installation Certificates NICEIC and ELECSA Electrical Installation Certificates and Report forms have been revised to take account of the changes introduced by the model forms contained in Appendix 6 of BS 7671: 2008 (Amendment 3, 2015). In this article the key changes to the Electrical Installation Certificate are discussed. In a subsequent article the changes to the Electrical Installation Condition Report will be considered. Fig 1 Schedule of items inspected

Previously a single page form, the Schedule of Items Inspected supplied as part of an NICEIC Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) and an NICEIC and ELECSA Domestic Electrical Installation Certificate (DEIC), is now aligned to the format of inspections contained in the Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) and as such includes in Section 1, items relating to the condition of the supplier’s intake equipment. Condition of intake equipment A fundamental principle of BS 7671, is that before any addition or alteration is undertaken the condition and rating of existing equipment, including that of the distributor, should be confirmed (Regulation 132.16 refers). It should be noted that a limitation cannot be used to prevent inspection of an item relating to new work, consequently where the inspector is unable to confirm the items listed in Section 1 are satisfactory, for example, as a result of being unable to gain (or being denied) access to the location where the intake equipment is housed, then the certificate would be incomplete and should not be issued until access is gained. For such reasons, it is essential that a preliminary inspection of an existing supply intake is undertaken before installation work commences. For smaller installations, particularly domestic installations, access to the supply intake equipment for inspection and testing purposes is not normally restricted, but for many non-domestic installations, restrictions are likely to be employed in accordance with the periodic health and safety risk assessment. Furthermore in some premises, particularly larger premises, such as hospitals or office complexes, the intake location may contain high voltage (11 kV) switchgear, so it is highly unlikely for contractors to be permitted access. Where no supply is currently provided, no EIC should be issued. Where access to the supply intake location is denied, the person ordering the work should be requested to provide the required information so that the proposed work can proceed. That is, to confirm the items contained in Section 1 of the Schedule of Items Inspected, along with other information relating to the supply intake such as the values of external impedance and prospective fault current. Note: Where inadequacies in the supply intake equipment are observed, the person responsible for the safety of the premises should Connections Spring 2015

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Fully charged Fig 2 Permitted exceptions

Fig 3 Issuing the Electrical Installation Certificate

be advised, preferably in writing, to inform the relevant authority. Permitted exceptions The third Amendment of BS 7671: 2008 removed the reference to ‘ordinary persons’ from Regulation 411.3.3. As a result the requirement to provide additional protection by means of an RCD, in accordance with Regulation 415.1, for socket-outlets with a current rating not exceeding 20 A, applies to all installations. Whilst the default position is for socket-outlets with a current rating not exceeding 20 A to be installed, circumstances can arise, particularly in installations other than in dwellings, whereby the omission of additional protection for a socket-outlet(s) might be appropriate. For example, where the safety risk assessment highlights that unwanted operation of the RCD is likely to introduce a hazard, or alternatively if unwanted operation is likely to cause considerable disruption and loss of productivity. In such circumstances it would be reasonable for the electrical designer to approach the client to discuss a suitable engineering solution. Such a solution may include finding an alternative means of connection to a socket-outlet. In view of such circumstances exceptions are permitted by Regulation 411.3.3 to omit additional protection by means of an RCD as follows: 58

a) For premises other than dwellings, where the documented risk assessment determines that RCD protection is not necessary. b) For a specific labelled or (suitably identified) socket-outlet provided for connection of a particular item of equipment. The NICEIC Electrical Installation Certificate for use by Approved Contractors requires the person responsible for the design to indicate whether an exception permitted by Regulation 411.3.3 has been applied. Where an exception has been applied the designer should confirm, in the relevant Design section of the certificate, that the details of the exception(s) are appended to the certificate. Where an exception as detailed in (a) is applied, the decision must be supported by the client’s documented risk assessment, and the designer should confirm that the client’s risk assessment (or a suitable copy) is appended to the certificate. It should be noted that the requirements of Regulation 411.3.3 are not applicable for FELV systems or reduced low voltage systems. Issuing the Electrical Installation Certificate Regulation 631.4 requires electrical certificates to be compiled, signed and authenticated by skilled persons1, competent to verify the requirements of BS 7671 have been met. For NICEIC or ELECSA certificates the results of inspection and testing should be reviewed by the registered Qualified Supervisor who should sign to confirm such review. Only a registered Qualified Supervisor employed by the Approved Contractor or Registered Domestic Installer is eligible to sign the certificate to take responsibility for both the inspection and testing, and for reviewing the results. 1 Skilled person (electrically) as defined in Part 2 of BS 7671: 2008 (Amendment No 3)

Switch to online certification Since launching last year, NICEIC’s online certification and notification system is proving a hit for the busy contractor looking to save time and money, with more than 30,000 currently using the service. With no expensive upfront costs for software or annual bills for continued use, www.niceiconline.com offers a simple and easy solution to form-filling. Simply log on to the cloud-based system using your NICEIC details to easily fill out all forms or notify work online.

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02/04/2015 16:47

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Fully charged Why the ‘limiting values of measured earth fault loop impedance’ have changed Contractors who purchase Amendment 3 compliant NICEIC/ELECSA test certificates may well have noticed that in the tables supplied with the test certificates there has been a reduction in the ‘Limiting values of measured earth fault loop impedances’ shown in Table 1. These reductions are due to the introduction, in Amendment 3, of a Minimum Voltage Factor which appears in the text of BS 7671 as the abbreviation Cmin.

rior to Amendment 3 the values of Maximum earth fault loop impedance given in the tables found in Part 4 of BS 7671, were based on a nominal voltage (U0) of 230 V1. However, in practice, and as recognised by the Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations 2002, the voltage at the terminals of the consumer intake will vary between the limits set by these aforementioned regulations. The Minimum Voltage Factor accounts for certain less typical operating conditions where the value of the voltage appearing between line and earth at the consumer’s intake may be less than U0 . The following issues can contribute to the decrease in supply voltage: 1 During periods of high demand there can be a volt drop along the distribution network operator’s distribution cable; this volt drop will depend upon both the distance between the sub-station transformer and the particular installation and loading on the system. 2 In order to keep the output voltage close to a set value many sub-station transformers have automatic tap-changers. However, the voltage appearing across the output of the final sub-station transformer supplying the distribution circuit may decrease with loading. Using the values of maximum earth fault loop impedance given in previous editions of BS 7671, in the event of a fault of negligible impedance to earth occurring when the voltage between line and earth is less than the nominal value (U0), then the resulting fault current may not be sufficient to operate the overcurrent protective device in the required disconnection time. Based on the content of various IEC technical reports and in line

with the Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations 2002, the third amendment to BS 7671: 2008 has adopted a Minimum Voltage Factor (Cmin) of 0.95. The adoption of this factor ensures that in situations when the supply voltage falls to 95% of U0 and a fault to earth occurs, the overcurrent protection device will operate within the required disconnection time. Regulation 411.4.5 now requires that in TN systems the characteristics of protective device and the circuit impedances shall fulfil the following requirement:

Zs × Ia ≤ U0 × Cmin Rearranging this formula gives

Maximum Zs = U0 × Cmin Ia

Where Zs is the earth fault loop impedance U0 is the nominal a.c. rms line voltage to Earth Ia is the current causing operation of the protective device within the specified operating time Cmin is the minimum voltage factor (0.95) The current required to cause the operation of a particular protective device within the required operating time can be determined from the table accompanying the device time/current characteristics shown in Appendix 3 of BS 7671. For example, using the table of current required to cause the device to operate that forms part of Fig 3A1, it can be seen that to cause a 32 A BS 88-3 fuse system C to operate within 0.4 sec requires a minimum fault current of 240 A. Substituting U0 = 230 V, Ia = 240 A, and Cmin = 0.95 in the formula for Zs results in a Maximum Fault Loop Impedance Zs of 0.91 Ω. This value concurs with that shown in Table 41.2 of BS 7671. Prior to the introduction of Amendment 3, due to Cmin not being included in the formula, the value would have been 0.96 Ω. The maximum Zs values given in Tables 41.2 to 41.4 are based upon the line conductors carrying load current and being at a temperature of 70 °C. However, when carrying out an earth fault loop impedance test on a circuit as part of an Initial Inspection and Test the line conductors are likely to be at ambient temperature and the measured value of Zs will be less than it would have been had the line conductor been at 70 °C. In order to take into account the change in the resistance of the line conductor with increasing operating temperature when carrying out a measurement of earth fault loop impedance Appendix 14 of BS 7671 1 It is recognised in the UK recommends that the formula for Maximum Zs is that when measured the typical voltage supplied to replaced by: single-phase installations is 240 V 50 Hz a.c.

Maximum Zs = 0.8 ×

U0 × Cmin Ia

Spring 2015 Connections

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Table 1 Limiting values of measured earth fault loop impedance

Using this formula the maximum value of Zs that will ensure disconnection of a 32 A BS 88-3 fuse system C within 0.4 sec is 0.72 Ω (rounded down). To aid electricians carrying out inspection and testing the pads of NICEIC/ELECSA certificates contain the table of corrected values of earth fault loop impedance shown in Table 1. On this table the maximum permitted value of earth fault loop impedance is referred to as the ‘Limiting values of measured earth fault loop impedance’. It should be noted that for a 32 A BS 88-3 fuse system C fuse

the value of the Limiting value of measured earth fault loop impedance is 0.72 Ω. Whilst it is not common to carry out an earth fault loop impedance test on a circuit carrying load current, there may be instances where the circuit being tested has conductors operating at a temperature closer to their rated value, the inspector may feel that it is not appropriate to apply the 0.8 factor. In this situation the uncorrected value of limiting values of measured earth fault loop impedance can be found in Tables 41.2, 41.3, and 41.4 of BS 7671. Connections Spring 2015

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Fully charged Fire risks associated with equipment in the loft

Electrical equipment in lofts – consideration of fire protection This article, which is the first of two on the fire risks associated with mounting electrically powered equipment in the loft space of domestic premises, looks at the reasons why this particular space is becoming the selected location to mount certain items of equipment; it identifies risks (fire and accessibility) from such practice, and why an early warning of fire in accordance with BS 5839-6 (the British Standard for fire detection and fire alarm in domestic premises) should be considered (where appropriate) for this typically infrequently accessed location.

The need for using the loft space New domestic premises in recent decades have been subject to a decreasing living space as, amongst other things, housing developers manage the increasing costs of land and construction with providing property at an affordable price. Also, organisations or property owners ‘materially changing the use of a building’, such as changing a building into individual flats for domestic use or carrying out ‘material alterations’ to domestic premises, such as erecting an extension, are looking to maximise the return on their investment; this may well involve using void spaces to mount equipment, minimising impact on the living space. To maximise the space available, developers, organisations and property owners are opting to mount in the loft space equipment that requires infrequent handling or visual monitoring, including: • central heating boilers • inverters for solar photovoltaic systems • television signal boosters • water pumps • in-line extractor fans • recessed lighting for the rooms directly underneath.

A feature of electrical equipment which carries current or uses current is the presence of heat, which if restricted from being transferred from the equipment to the surrounding air, may lead to overheating and subsequent fire. This may occur, for example, where the ambient temperature is greater than the temperature the equipment is designed to operate in, or where equipment is covered with thermal insulation. Furthermore, electrical equipment mounted in any location can, in the event of a fault or incorrect installation, become a source of ignition and a loft by its nature may provide a ready source of fuel, enabling a fire to become rapidly established. This is because a loft: • is a space having a ceiling below and a roof above typically constructed from timber, • may have a roof covering with a degree of flammability, such as thatch or felt, • is a location in which to store seldom used items (which may be combustible), • may contain cardboard boxes to house stored items, and • due to infrequent use, are potentially dust accumulating locations. It should be noted that a loft can be subjected to a wide range of temperatures, for example, below freezing in the winter months and, say, 35 ºC in the summer months. Therefore, to ensure operation of the equipment does not present a fire risk, as for any installed equipment, the manufacturer’s instructions should be taken into account, (Regulation 134.1.1 of BS 7671 refers). Risks to persons associated with equipment in the loft Where electrical equipment is mounted in the loft, it must be accessible to, for example, carry out maintenance and repair (Regulation 132.12 of BS 7671 refers). To avoid hazards to competent persons entering the loft when carrying out work, such as replacing an item of equipment, there must be safe access, a working platform (for example, floorboards) and adequate lighting (Regulation 15 of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 refers). Furthermore, without a safe permanent means of access and lighting to the equipment, occupants may be put at risk when, for example, they decide to investigate why a particular piece of equipment in the loft which provides function for the living space has malfunctioned. Connections Spring 2015

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Fully charged Should a fire detector be selected for the loft, it must, amongst other things, be accessible for maintenance and have accessible means of being silenced in the event of a false alarm (clauses 11.2(n) and 12.2 (a) refer respectively).

Fig 1 A fire detector mounted in a loft space due to the enhanced fire risk from an inverter

Fire risk assessment To assess whether fire detectors are required in any particular location of a dwelling, including a loft space, a fire risk assessment should take into account (amongst other things): â&#x20AC;˘ the probability of fire occurring in the location â&#x20AC;˘ the probability of early detection and warning to occupants before significant fire spread occurs. With the increase in the use of electrical equipment in the loft space and the likelihood of no one becoming aware that a fire exists until it is established, it is likely that any fire risk assessment will highlight the need for mounting an automatic fire detector in the loft space. More importantly providing a fire detector in the loft as part of a fire detection and fire alarm system, may provide an early warning signal and vital time for occupants to safely evacuate the premises and summon the Fire and Rescue Service before they are endangered and the property suffers major damage. Due consideration should be given to the specific requirements and recommendations that may exist in the various constituent parts of the U.K.

The guidance given in BS 5839-6 Clause 11 (Location and siting of fire detectors) comments that, in cases where certain electrical equipment is mounted in the loft a Category LD2 system might incorporate a smoke detector within the loft space. Clause A.6 of Annex A (Consideration of ignition sources) acknowledges that electrical appliances and wiring are the second most common source of ignition of accidental fires in dwellings. The clause also recognises that electrical equipment mounted in lofts contribute to the fire statistics and, where the loft is selected for mounting such equipment, there might be justification for a fire detector*. Fire detectors in single-family domestic premises are generally mounted in kitchens, hallways, landings and lounges to form a Grade D Category LD2 fire detection and fire alarm system for protection of life (Table 1 refers). However, although Table 1 provides examples of suitable Grade and Category of system for typical premises, they are generic and design of a system should ideally be based on a fire risk assessment. Such an assessment may identify any additional risk factors which may warrant, for example, a fire detector in the loft (clause 4.2 refers).

Summary

* To avoid unwanted alarms, the smoke detector would typically be an ionisation chamber smoke alarm, unless the use of a multi-sensor detector is likely to minimise unwanted alarms as a result of dust ingress

It is widely recognised that the risks to persons and damage to property from the effects of fire can be reduced by the installation of an appropriate fire detection and fire alarm system. Therefore, where a contractor plans to install electrical equipment in the loft of domestic premises, consideration should be given to the type of equipment and its operational characteristics and the probability of fire occurring, which may warrant a fire detector being mounted in the loft as part of a fire detection and fire alarm system.

Spring 2015 Connections

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Fully charged Snags & Solutions A practical guide to everyday electrical problems Now updated to Amendment No 3 of BS 7671 ‘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 1 January 2015 and, apart from Regulation 421.1.201, come into effect on 1 July 2015. 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 to 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 1 – Earthing and Bonding, relating to the requirements for additions and alterations to lighting circuits that do not contain a cpc. snags and solutions

snags and solutions

A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO EVERYDAY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS

Part 1

earthing and bonding 5th Edition

Amd 3: 2015

Lighting circuits Lighting circuits in older installations may not include circuit protective conductors.

Snag 36 Lighting circuits installed before 1966 often did not include a circuit protective conductor (cpc). If Class I equipment, such as a metal luminaire (lighting fitting) switchplate or the like is subsequently installed, the addition of a circuit protective conductor is essential. Without a cpc, there will be a risk of electric shock under fault conditions. 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

Spring 2015 Connections

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Solution There is no legal requirement, and no regulation in BS 7671, requiring an existing lighting circuit to be rewired or otherwise upgraded to current standards. Furthermore, it is permissable to extend or alter an eisting lighting circuit having no cpc. However, the new work must be carried out in accordance with the current edition of BS 7671, and the safety of the existing installation must not be impaired. The following are some of the main requirements of BS 7671 that must be taken into account where an existing lighting circuit without cpc is to be extended or altered: 1. No alteration or addition may be made to an existing installation unless it has been ascertained that the rating and condition of any existing equipment, including that of the distributor, which will have to carry the additional load is adequate for the altered circumstances and the earthing and bonding on which the alteration or addition will rely for safety

is adequate (Regulation 132.16 refers). Amongst other things, the adequacy of the cross-sectional-area (csa) of the existing circuit conductors and the type and rating of the protective device must be established. If, as is likely, protection against electric shock is provided by Automatic Disconnection of Supply, a cpc must be run to and terminated at each new point in wiring and at each new accessory (Regulation 411.3.1.1 refers). 2. A cpc must also be run to and terminated at any existing point in wiring or accessory that is changed from the all-insulated type to the type having metallic parts required to be earthed. 3. Furthermore, it is advisable that a cpc should be connected to any existing Class I equipment connected to the circuit if this equipment is not already satisfactorily earthed. Advice on dealing with existing Class I equipment that may not be earthed is given in a best practice guide entitled Replacing a Consumer Unit in Domestic Premises Where Lighting Circuits Have No Protective Conductor, published by Electrical Safety First. This may be downloaded from the NICEIC website at www.niceic.com or from the Electrical Safety First website at www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk 4. Like a cpc used for any other purpose, a cpc installed to an existing point or accessory may consist of a separate green-yellow covered copper conductor. However, where a cpc is not an integral part of a cable (such as a twin and earth cable) and is not contained in an enclosure formed by a wiring system (such as trunking), it must have a cross-sectional area not less than: â&#x20AC;˘ 2.5 mm2 if protection against mechanical damage is provided, or â&#x20AC;˘ 4 mm2 if protection against mechanical damage is not provided (Regulations 543.1.1 and 543.3.1 refer). Connections Spring 2015

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Ask the experts/Technical

Fully charged 5. Where a cpc consists of a separate green-yellow covered copper conductor, it must still be incorporated in the same wiring system as the live conductors or in their immediate proximity (Regulation 543.6.1 refers). This would require the cpc to be run along the same cable route(s) as the existing cables. The requirement does not apply where a residual current device is used for protection against electric shock. In practice, rather than making changes to an existing lighting circuit having no cpc, the designer or contractor may persuade the customer that it would be safer and more practicable to rewire the circuit. Regulation 132.16 No addition or alteration, temporary or permanent, shall be made to an existing installation, unless it has been ascertained that the rating and the condition of any existing equipment, including that of the distributor, will be adequate for the altered circumstances. Furthermore, the earthing and bonding arrangements, if necessary for the protective measure applied for the safety of the addition or alteration, shall be adequate. Regulation 411.3.1.1 (part of) A circuit protective conductor shall be run to and terminated at each point in wiring and at each accessory except a lampholder having no exposed-conductive-parts and suspended from such a point. Regulation 543.1.1 (part of) . . . the cross-sectional area shall be not less than 2.5 mm2 copper equivalent if protection against mechanical damage is provided, and 4 mm2 copper equivalent if mechanical protection is not provided.

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. Paul Collins, technical services manager Industry experience: More than 25 yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; experience in the electrical industry, covering gas, heating, plumbing and renewable technologies. Worked with CORGI before joining NICEIC in 2005 John Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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 Justin Chapman, technical helpline engineer Industry experience: Electrician for more than 25 years, experienced in a wide range of electrical installation work, including hazardous area installation work and periodic inspection and testing on all types of electrical installations. Has furthered his knowledge with Certsure by gaining proficiency in all MCS renewable technologies and installations Clinton Thompson, standards engineer Industry experience: Electrician (domestic and industrial), electrical engineer (food industry, high-volume production and heavy press industry), college tutor, training centre tutor 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 Geoff Brittain , technical helpline engineer (team leader) Industry experience: Full apprenticeship and further education. Worked in all aspects of the electrical industry. Became projects manager and subsequently ran his own company. Joined the ECA in 2007 and became team leader in 2010

Regulation 543.3.1 A protective conductor shall be suitably protected against mechanical and chemical deterioration and electrodynamic effects. Regulation 543.6.1 Where overcurrent protective devices are used for fault protection against electric shock, the protective conductor shall be incorporated in the same wiring system as the live conductors or in their immediate proximity. 68

Mark Cooper, technical helpline engineer Industry experience: Approved electrician with over 30 yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; 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

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

Spring 2015 Connections

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GET A GRIP on Energy Costs

The Electrocorder range of electrical data recorders has been designed and manufactured in the UK to help you do your job better. Every model has been expertly calibrated to give the most accurate electrical diagnoses using constant sampling techniques, helping you to carry out comprehensive and reliable energy audits. Plus, with its simple design, free software and simple data transfer via USB to your laptop, the Electrocorder is such a low cost investment that it canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t fail to amp up your business.

ENERGY AUDITS VOLTAGE OPTIMISATION ACCURATE DATA & LOW INVESTMENT

E : sales@acksen.com W : www.acksen.com T : +44 (0)870 225 1790

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SLD

Signs & Labels Direct Ltd

Signs for your installations! Over 12,000 contractors and industries are using our engraved signs. Our website has everything you need to manage your projects. With our online ordering system ”SignStudio” ordering is simple and fast. We guarantee your satisfaction. Signs & Labels in Plastic

Stainless Steel Signs & Cablemarking

• Engraved for durability • Adhesive backing always included • Many colours to choose from

• Best for extreme environments • 25 different sizes to choose from • Mounting with steel screws or straps

In all our factories, we receive and produce over 150 orders daily. Cable marking on smooth Cards • Very durable UV-resistant ABS plastic • Halogen free • Many sizes and colours to choose from • Incredible value

In total there are often more than 10,000 signs and everything is produced and mailed the same day.

Let us show you what good service means. Call 01789 801 050, email order@sld-ltd.co.uk or simply visit www.sld-ltd.co.uk

24 hour delivery

Excel import

Self Adhesive

Full project control

THE POWER TO SUPPLY THE RIGHT PRODUCTS FOR YOUR BUSINESS

the power behind your business Our range of certiﬁcates, publications, tools and test equipment will help you get the job done. To buy now call 0843 290 3426 or visit niceicdirect.com

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Product Focus Snickers Workwear

Makita

Unbeatable functionality, quality and comfort – the Canvas+ is the latest addition to the Snickers range of toolvests. With Cordura-reinforced versatility, this hard-wearing toolvest ensures you have easy access to your essential tools at all times. There’s built-in ergonomic tool carrying and all the pockets you need – for outstanding working comfort and efficiency on site.

The new Makita DTD148 18v brushless impact driver is even more compact than its predecessor, the DTD147, whilst generating a massive 175 Nm of impact torque. The 10mm reduction in overall motor body length aids confined space access whilst the 5Nm increase in driving torque makes this the most powerful 18v impact driver on the market. It has an electronic switch system that enables the operator to select the rotation speed and corresponding impacts per minute performance.

01484 854788 www.snickersworkwear.co.uk

www.makitauk.com

Prime Alarms

Marshall-Tufflex

SecuPlace is a wireless alarm system that uses the GPRS network for connection to the internet. This allows access to use a smartphone app (My ELAS) to control and manage the wireless alarm system. With add-ons such as carbon monoxide, flood and smoke detectors, the SecuPlace is a great burglar alarm system to install. Once training is complete (one day of your time) you can install in half a day or less.

Marshall-Tufflex has launched the first domestic voltage optimiser to comply with amended British Standards governing the performance of consumer units and switchgear assemblies. New Voltis Home is the first domestic optimiser to comply with the amendment. The slimmed down, lighter metal unit delivers savings via a 9 per cent fixed voltage reduction. It has an internal 100Amp main switch/isolator meaning no additional installation costs and can be turned through 90° for flexible fixing.

0844 330 0013 niceic@primealarms.uk www.primealarms.uk

01424 856 655 sales@marshall-tufflex.com www.marshall-tufflex.com

Urmet

Scolmore

Developers Weston Homes have chosen Urmet’s 2-Voice, 2-Wire system for Preston Hall, a prestigious Victorian restoration project in Aylesford, Kent. To restore and refurbish this magnificent property, the developers needed a system that utilised the existing cabling throughout the building, while providing the residents with a modern-day system using the latest door-entry technology.

Providing contractors with quick and easy installation solutions is one of Scolmore’s core strengths and the Ezylink dry lining box connector is another example of how a simple, unassuming product can overcome basic installation problems on site. Ezylink is a clever little product, which very simply will connect most combinations of the CLICK dry lining boxes, allowing installers to achieve the neatest installation of cavity boxes in as little time as possible.

01376 556 010 marketing@urmet.co.uk www.urmet.co.uk

01827 63454 sales@scolmore.com www.scolmore.com

Danlers Danlers has announced the release of ControlZAPP with dimming capability, the ground-breaking link between standalone controls and the sophisticated, but expensive managed systems. There is now a Third option. Featuring Bluetooth smart communication, ControlZAPP has the flexibility to schedule multiple scenarios and function changes in real time, increasing energy saving and improving end user comfort at a low cost. ControlZAPP can be used to remotely set up, adjust or override various settings, such as daylight linked dimming (DALI or 1-10V ballasts) occupancy detection, time lags, photocell threshold etc, into a pre-determined real time schedule. The ControlZAPP APP can be downloaded free from the Danlers website onto a mobile or tablet (Android 4.3 or later), which can then be configured to upload to a ControlZAPP enabled product. ControlZAPP is designed to be within the scope of all qualified contractors large or small, for both retrofit and new installations – ideal for use in offices, public buildings and warehousing. 01249 443377 sales@danlers.co.uk www.danlers.co.uk

Connections Spring 2015

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For great deals on products and services visit www.niceicdirect.com

Hultafors

Spacer

Typical of Hultafors’ quality, this anti-vibration bricklayer’s hammer is a well-balanced hammer with a narrow straight chisel, nail puller and Hultafors’ unique ergonomic handle with an end stop. It has a continuous steel body forged into a single piece, combined with a tempered striking surface and chisel – the hammer is extremely durable.

The Spacer Connect™ range is designed to save considerable time and hassle during installation of back-boxes for sockets and switches. They achieve this by clicking into back-box knockouts, connecting them perfectly. This then guarantees the sockets or switches will be perfectly aligned, parallel and automatically spaced correctly. They allow best practise to be met, whilst using a much quicker process and negating the need for rubber grommets. A similar connector is also available for conduit applications.

www.hultafors.co.uk

01761 241 601 sales@spacerconnect.com www.spacerconnect.com

EES Data

Martindale Electric

Free to download – Estimating Installation Guidance Times. Commercial and industrial guidebooks of estimating install times free to download and use. View on our website or download in PDF book format.

Martindale Electric announces the launch of its new ET series of multifunctional electrical installation testers, which have been designed to meet the requirements contained within the latest Amendment 3 changes to the 17th Edition Wiring Regulations. The new range of ET4000 and ET4500 testers simplify 17th Edition testing by featuring the latest third amendment fuse tables, built-in together with red and green LED indicators, for instant pass/fail confirmation of all main test functions.

01924 200103 www.ees-data.co.uk sales@ees-data.co.uk

01923 441717 martindale-electric.co.uk

ESP

Electrium Wylex

ESP offers a complete and flexible range of quality door entry solutions, which guarantee simple installation and high performance. Included is a number of handy kit formats, which provide contractors with all the elements required for a professional system installation in a convenient, boxed unit – saving time and money as there is no need to order separate components. There are three kits available: the EZ-TAG2 PRO is a single door proximity and keypad access control kit; the EZ-LOCK PRO is a complete single door access control kit; the EZ-PROX PRO is a simple, single door proximity reader.

Scan QR code with your smart phone to visit our site

Wylex has launched a new range of all-metal consumer units to help installers and specifiers conform to the latest requirements of the wiring regulations. Wylex NM consumer units provide a simple and safe method of conforming to the new amendment, helping installers who apply good workmanship and proper materials to ensure that the cable entry method, so far as is reasonably practicable, maintains the fire containment of the enclosure.

01527 515150 info@espuk.com www.espuk.com

01543 455000 www.electrium.co.uk

Ideal

FLIR

Ideal Industries launches its new In-Sure™ lever wire connector range, a versatile tool-free alternative to traditional connector strips for joining solid, stranded or flexible conductors. Utilising a combination of push-in and lever clamp technology, the innovative design securely retains both rigid and flexible conductors whilst allowing them to be easily removed if required. Featuring a compact clear housing which permits visual inspection of the connected wires they take up less room in junction boxes. There is also a check port for continuity testing.

FLIR Systems has launched the FLIR C2, the first fully-featured, pocket-sized thermal camera designed to help building professionals identify hidden heat patterns that clearly show where problems are, such as sources of energy waste, signs of structural defects, plumbing issues and more. Its compact and slim design enables the FLIR C2 to fit comfortably into any pocket, available for immediate use to uncover invisible building issues and to show customers where potential problems are located.

www.idealindustries.co.uk

www.flir.com/c2

Spring 2015 Connections

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THE POWER TO HELP OUR APPROVED CONTRACTORS COMPLETE 1.5M INSTALLATIONS IN THE LAST 2 YEARS

the power behind your business Becoming an Approved Contractor can open all sorts of doors for your business. Upgrading your enrolment is straightforward and quick and the beneﬁts are huge. To ﬁnd out how far you could go with NICEIC, just call 0843 290 3465 or visit niceic.com

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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

Sneaking ahead In the last issue of Connections, A C Electrics laid down the gauntlet by producing an original enrolment letter from 2 October 1974, prompting us to challenge contractors to find an older one. And you did, just. First, Mike Wingrave from Coleford in Gloucestershire sent in a letter, dated 5 June 1974. And, just as Connections was going to print, Cyril Townsend of C.Townsend in Leominster sent in the above letter, from 9 May 1974, putting himself in pole position. • Can you do better than this? Scan and send your old enrolment letters to nick.martindale@redactive.co.uk

Electrici-free A world without electricity would clearly be bad news for electrical contractors, as well as everyone else, such is our dependency on it as a source of power. But that’s exactly the kind of world 42-year-old Peter Lloyd, from South Wales, has had to create for himself. Peter suffers from a very rare condition known as electromagnetic hypersensitivity, which means that using any electrical device – including lighting and heating – can make him ill. The situation is so bad that he is now facing eviction from his house in St Fagans, because his landlady is unhappy that the house isn’t being heated. His local MP and brother are now campaigning for him to move to a purpose-built hut in an isolated location. With no electricity, naturally.

There seems to be a never-ending supply of dodgy jobs and dubious installations that registered contractors have to put right. This issue’s round-up features (1-4): eight-way earthing terminals thrown together in a bathroom cupboard; an isolater filled with coal and cement dust; the consequences of overloading sockets; and a burnt-out 13A plug with silver paper used as a fuse. Next up is (5-8): exposed wiring in a meter cupboard; sockets and an isolator left live behind a boiler installation; an alternative method to connect a three-phase supply; and a case of fused earth complete with hose clip clamp.

1 3

2 4

6 7

Thanks to: Clive Thornton of Thornton Electrical in Chelmsford /// Jonathan Barrett from Clogher Valley Electrical in County Tyrone /// Joshua Gardner from Point Electrical in Hertfordshire /// Alan Hawes of Gainsborough Electrical Services in Southend-on-Sea /// Jarek Mikolajczewski of JK Electrix in South London /// Eddie Parton of E Parton in Worcester Park /// Jason Creswick of Buzz Electrical Projects in Sheffield /// and Matt Pajak of Tilston Electrical Services in Cheshire.

Keep those shots coming in!

Making sparks fly Most bosses tend to worry about staff falling out with each other, but a new survey suggests a greater problem could arise when employees become a bit too friendly. According to the website careerbuilder.co.uk, 39 per cent of workers have indulged in a bit of extra-curricular activity with fellow staff, and 28 per cent have had a fling with a married colleague. Almost one in four have indulged in a spot of romance with their boss. The most common scenarios for people to get together are during happy hour in the pub (17 per cent), over lunch and while working on a project together (12 per cent). Some 9 per cent say romance blossomed while “working late”. Whether they claim overtime as well is not clear.

Spring 2015 Connections

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Testers’ testers

The MFT1730 multifunction tester is the full-time testers’ tester of choice. Why?

Dual display - measuring earth loop and PFC simultaneously to speed up testing

Dual non-trip loop testing – 3-wire and 2-wire, for where there’s no neutral, with no lead null required

Dual convenience of on-board results storage and rechargeable batteries

Adapted to any task, domestic or industrial even has a built-in earth stake tester

See why MFT1730 is the testers’ tester today by scanning the QR code with your smart phone Call 01304 502 101 or go to www.megger.com for full details.

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World's First! The ďŹ rst battery with Wireless Charging.

Simply more.

WORLD'S FIRST! The Bosch Wireless Charging System Changing batteries is now a thing of the past. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s because Bosch integrates charging into the working process. Just place the tool onto the charger wherever you are working, and the battery starts charging straight away. www.boschwirelesscharging.co.uk

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Connections - Spring 2015

Articles inside

Auxiliary circuits requirements

Earth fault loop impedance

Electrical installation certificates

Equipment in lofts

Fire detector recommendations

Technical

Heat of the moment

Ask the experts

Contractor profile

Sending out an SOS

Customer care

Advice

Green vision

Staff s apprentice takes top award

Opinion

Scottish contractors to gain from new rules