Connections - Summer 2015 by NICEIC

Football deal boosts NICEIC and ELECSA brands // page 8

connections THE MAGAZINE FOR NICEIC AND ELECSA REGISTERED CONTRACTORS

CASE STUDY P20 Creative solutions at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History

SMART HOMES P31 Cashing in on rising demand for connected homes and offices

Â£5.00

HVAC P35 Why heating, ventilation and air-conditioning is a growing focus for contractors

SUMMER 2015 | ISSUE 194

BOUNCING BACK Shrewsbury firm RMW Electrical is thriving again after coming close to catastrophe // page 26

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Summer 2015 | Issue 194

Contents 17 State of the industry 4 Are you feeling the benefits of an upturn in the economy? Let us know

Plugged in News NICEIC takes on B&Q Homefit role

Record crowd for Live South

NICEIC website revamped

Luton sponsorship promotes brands

TechTalks more popular than ever

Area engineer’s marathon effort

Renewables news EU ruling poses problem for renewables sector

Big rise in RHI applications

Product news The latest products on the market

Features Contractor profile 26 RMW Electrical in Shrewsbury is back from the brink of catastrophe and facing the future with confidence

Advice 17 It’s time for small employers to prepare for the workplace pension scheme, says Paul Budgen Opinion 18 Running out of battery power midway through a job could now be a thing of the past, says Eric Streuli Case study Monard Electrical is illuminating Oxford University’s Museum of Natural History

Fully charged Ask the experts 39 Answers to the technical helpline’s more frequently asked questions

Training 23 Certsure is constantly reviewing the training it offers, with new courses on the horizon, says Alan Charlton Insight 24 Chris Long unravels the required distances between pipes and cables Current affairs Generations of sparks

Technical Appropriate use of minor works certificates

Auxiliary circuits

Periodic inspection and testing

Recording the reference method

Risk assessment for RCDs

BS 7671 and exterior lights

Snags and solutions

Smarten up 31 Home automation is now a reality for consumers and so provides a good opportunity for contractors Climate control 35 In the drive for energy efficiency, contractors need to be prepared for more work with heating, ventilation and air-conditioning

» Cover photo: Mike Poloway/UNP

Illustration: Cameron Law

Live wire

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Comment EMMA CLANCY

First phase State of the industry There are promising signs that growth in the construction sector is beginning to catch up with the wider economy. But how is it for you? Now’s your chance to let us know

or some months the government has been talking about a “turning of the tide” as the economy entered a period of rapid growth. But this has been hampered slightly by the huge tanker that is the construction industry, which is failing to grow at the pace of other sectors. Throughout 2014 the construction sector was considered a drag on overall national growth. Firms within the sector were still feeling the devastating effects of the crash and the optimism that was abundant across other sectors was not prevalent for many in construction. Early reports for 2015, however, suggest the industry might finally be catching up. Recent research by the ECA shows the electrical contracting industry had a strong start to the year. According to first-quarter results, 62 per cent of firms (with a turnover in excess of £5 million) witnessed an upturn in turnover and the general outlook for the rest of the year was optimistic. However, that optimism was not shared by smaller firms, with only 16 per cent of businesses whose

Emma Clancy is chief executive officer, Certsure

turnover was less than £200,000 a year expecting revenues to grow in the next quarter. With this in mind, Certsure has decided to conduct its own research to get a better understanding of how the current market is performing for our customers. Many of you will have recently received our “state of the industry” email questionnaire and I would like to thank the 1,100 of you who have already responded. If you haven’t yet had the chance to do so please fill it in; every response will help us get a more accurate picture of the industry today. Your views and comments are hugely important to us and give us an indication of what we can do to help you and your business. In the past we have looked to offer different schemes and services, such as Green Deal and MCS, to allow your business to diversify and grow. There are lots of markets in which the skills of an electrical contractor are suited and it is vital that we reflect these opportunities in the schemes we offer. In doing so, we hope the increased optimism for 2015 will be a feature that all our customers, of every size, can share in.

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

Summer 2015 Connections

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N O RT H 2 0 1 5

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• A lively trade exhibition and demo zone Darren Staniforth Plus much more...!

Technical Development Manager, NICEIC & ELECSA

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Eventia Awards ‘UK Conference of the Year’ Gold Winner 2014

Construction Marketing Awards ‘Best Use of Events and Live Marketing’

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News/Renewables news/Product news

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

NICEIC takes on B&Q Homefit role NICEIC contractors are set to benefit from a new partnership with B&Q Homefit, which will see the organisation take on responsibility for assessing the technical competence of all B&Q Homefit electrical installers. All certification and notification work will also be handled through NICEIC’s online certification system. This is good news for the majority of B&Q installers who are already NICEIC contractors as they are already registered.

The NICEIC name and logo will also appear on the B&Q website and in stores throughout the UK, ensuring greater promotion of the NICEIC brand and awareness about using a registered contractor to carry out electrical work. Billy Quinn, director of installation and services at B&Q, said: “B&Q, the largest home improvement retailer in Europe, is committed to offering our customers the highest level of safe and reliable services. “NICEIC is the nation’s number-one regulatory body for electricians and the electrical safety brand most recognised by consumers. The B&Q and NICEIC brands complement each other and create the perfect fit.”

SUSPENDED SENTENCE FOR ROGUE SPARK’S LOGO MISUSE An electrician has narrowly avoided jail after falsely claiming to be registered with ELECSA. Steven Mitchell, who traded as CCC Electrical, was sentenced at Leeds Crown Court to 12 months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years, in April. He was ordered to do 260 hours’ unpaid work and pay prosecution costs of £3,400. Mitchell had pleaded guilty to 11 offences under the Fraud Act 2006 and the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 at an earlier hearing. Mitchell’s details were passed to West Yorkshire Trading Standards by ELECSA following a complaint from a householder in February 2014. Mitchell had advertised himself as ELECSA-registered despite personally withdrawing from the scheme in 2011. Further investigations revealed that Mitchell was also not a member of the government-endorsed TrustMark scheme. Mitchell carried advertisements in the Normanton and District Advertiser with the ELECSA and TrustMark logos. Quotations and business cards also carried these logos and Mitchell falsely issued certificates to three customers for work carried out. Two of his customers had installations checked by a qualified electrician and in both cases problems were discovered, one of which could have resulted in a fire. David Lodge, head of Trading Standards in West Yorkshire, said: “This shows how seriously the courts take this matter. The public needs to be certain that any electrical work on their property is undertaken by a skilled and competent electrician.”

SPARKS FLY FOR WOMEN IN THE STEEL CITY Women and girls seeking a career with real spark attended a special event in Sheffield in June to find out more about working in the electrical industry. The free day was hosted by NICEIC, The Sheffield College, Women in Science, Engineering and Technology (WEST) and JTL Training. It gave women the chance to gain insight into the sector, and included practical sessions involving wiring a lighting circuit and two-way lighting circuit. Working female electrician Mandy Reynolds, who runs her own NICEIC-registered business, was also on hand to provide advice. Heather Smith, principal at The Sheffield College, said: “We are committed to raising awareness of the rewarding careers available for women in construction and engineering, challenging stereotypes and highlighting the inspirational role models who are leading the way.” Visitors also received the latest information about training, apprenticeships, jobs and careers in the electrical engineering industry, and had the chance to try practical activities and meet women electricians. NICEIC was particularly keen to support the event given its long-established Jobs for the Girls programme, which aims to attract more women into the industry. “Learning a trade offers women the opportunity to develop a skill for life that enables them to work on their own or within a team, and gives them flexible working hours that can revolve around home or family commitments,” said Emma Clancy, chief executive of NICEIC.

Summer 2015 Connections

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FREE POCKET GUIDE Inside this issue of Connections you will find Pocket Guide 33 – Risk Assessment in the Workplace. A printable version of each pocket guide is available on the NICEIC website. Additional copies can be obtained by contacting the customer service department on 0870 013 0382 or at enquiries@certsure.com

The Joint Industry Board has relaunched its training support programme and is running a campaign to encourage JIB companies and employees to take advantage of its funding opportunities. Formerly known as the JIB Further Education Fund, the new Skills Development Fund provides financial support for courses relevant to the electrotechnical industry, usually at a rate of 50 per cent of the course value, and up to a maximum of £625 per course. For a course to be eligible it must be over and above the requirements of JIB grading, such as BTEC national certificates, degrees and foundation degrees, HNCs and ONCs. Applicants must be either a JIB-graded operative employed by a JIB member company or a JIB-registered electrotechnical apprentice. “As skills shortages in our industry begin to bite, we are determined to make members, and their operatives, fully aware of the funds available to bridge the skills gap,” said Andy Reakes, fund secretary. See www.jib.org.uk/sdfund-employer

APPRENTICE ELECTRICIAN NEEDS YOUR HELP An NICEIC registered firm is hoping to raise more than £70,000 to help one of its young apprentices who was recently diagnosed with bone cancer. Twenty-year-old Billy Lee was in the final year of his four-year apprenticeship with Peterborough-based Bloom & Wake when he was diagnosed with cancer in his thigh bone. He was hospitalised in November last year, undergoing some gruelling chemotherapy. Unfortunately the therapy failed and his leg had to be amputated. To help Billy and his family have a better life in the future, Bloom &Wake is hoping to raise £70,000 to fund a prosthetic limb. Cersture has already donated to the cause and anyone wishing to support Billy can do so at www. gofundme.com/billyon2feet

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NICEIC website revamp

The NICEIC website has been developed and improved with new features, imagery and refreshed copy. The content has been rewritten and reorganised and built into an improved navigation system. It will help users find information faster and more easily.

An improved website is part of NICEIC’s promise to provide contractors with access to the most up-to-date services and information available. There are new sections featuring videos, technical information and shortcuts through to publications such as Connections, as well as catalogues. One of the most popular sections ‘Find a contractor’ now includes a map and additional information about each scheme for which a firm is registered. More customer interaction is now being carried out online and we want to reflect this change by improving our site. The newly revamped site will make www.niceic.com the one-stop-shop for everyone seeking information about not only the electrical industry, but the wider building services sector too.

Record crowd for Live South event TV stars Charlie Luxton and Billy Byrne were the star attractions at this year’s award winning NICEIC and ELECSA Live South event in Epsom. The duo, who are regulars on the hit BBC show DIY SOS, were joined by around 700 electrical contractors keen to find out more about the latest developments in the industry. As the keynote speaker, Luxton, an architect by trade, spoke about sustainable homes. He encouraged electricians to challenge designers and look at alternative ways of integrating traditional electrical systems into new developments. “It is an exciting time in construction, but low-energy housing needs everyone pulling in the same direction,” he said. He also warned contractors to be wary of the additional work required to ensure an electrical installation meets its lowcarbon aims, and to price accordingly.

Byrne, who is the regular electrician on DIY SOS, posed for pictures with guests and tried out all the latest equipment in a packed exhibition hall featuring some of the biggest industry names, including show sponsors Bosch, esp, Peugeot, Schneider Electric and the Scolmore Group. With contractors now starting to implement Amendment 3 of the latest wiring regulations, the talks by Tony Cable, Darren Staniforth and Mark Coles of the IET were very popular. NICEIC and ELECSA’s marketing director Mark Smith said: “This was the busiest Live show we have ever put on and it has now become a permanent fixture on the industry calendar.” NICEIC and ELECSA is putting the finishing touches to its Live North event, which will take place at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool on 26 November. See www.niceic-elecsalive.com

Rafael Bastos

JIB SKILLS DEVELOPMENT FUND RELAUNCHES

Connections Summer 2015

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News/Renewables news/Product news

Plugged in NICEIC and ELECSA have agreed to extend their sponsorship of Luton Town FC for the 2015-16 season, ensuring further great coverage for both brands. NICEIC has a long association with the club, which is local to its head office in Dunstable. The NICEIC logo will appear on the home shirt of the Hatters for the seventh year in a row, while the ELECSA logo will be on the away shirt for the second season in succession. Mark Smith, marketing director at Certsure, which operates the NICEIC and ELECSA brands, said: “We are delighted to once again be putting our brands behind Luton Town FC and continue the partnership we have built up with the club over the past seven years. “As one of the largest employers in the area it is important we show our support for our local team and the club is a great ambassador for our brands.” Since promotion to the football league last year, Luton regularly has 8,000 fans at home games, and will now appear on Channel 5’s primetime Saturday football league show. This will ensure plenty of coverage for NICEIC and ELECSA.

> NICEIC and ELECSA’s senior marketing manager Julie Blake with Dave Hoskins (left), commercial manager at Luton Town, and John Still, first team manager The football club’s website also attracts more than 88,000 visitors each month and has more than 5,500 subscribers to its YouTube channel, which has now attracted more than 2.5 million viewers. Dave Hoskins, commercial manager at Luton Town FC, added: “We have built up a real partnership with NICEIC and are delighted to have them and ELECSA on board for the new season.”

AMENDMENT 3 TO WIRING REGS COMES INTO EFFECT Contractors are being reminded that all electrical installations designed after 30 June need to comply with BS 7671:2008 incorporating Amendment 3:2015 The IET Wiring Regulations. The new standard was issued on 1 January this year, with contractors given a six-month transition period to get up to speed with the changes. The amendment, now in a yellow book, contains many new changes and requirements to the way electrical installations should be constructed. Alan Wells, technical and standards director at Certsure, which operates the NICEIC and ELECSA brands, said: “It is important that all contractors are aware of the changes and what they might mean when carrying out electrical installation work. “Failure to adhere to the new standards could result in legal action if the work is deemed not to comply with the revised standard. “It will also be a requirement for all NICEIC and ELECSA registered contractors to hold a copy of the current wiring regulations after 30 June 2015 and demonstrate that they are conversant with the changes introduced by the amendments at their next assessment visit after this date.” NICEIC and ELECSA stock a full range of updated 3rd amendment products. If you need any further information on the changes or additional up-skilling, don’t forget you can complete the 3rd amendment online training course. This allows you to understand the changes at your convenience for only £50. To purchase any of our 3rd amendment products now visit www.niceicdirect.com or call 0843 290 3398.

NEW MPS GET THE ELECTRICAL LOW-DOWN The 182 new MPs who entered Parliament after the general election might have got more than they bargained for after a briefing from Electrical Safety First. The charity, which is dedicated to reducing deaths and accidents caused by electricity, has written to the “class of 2015” to explain why electrical safety needs to be urgently addressed. “The government’s fire statistics show that, while domestic fires in general are decreasing, the percentage of fires arising from electricity still accounts for over half of all fires in the home – that’s more than 20,000 a year,” said Phil Buckle, director general of Electrical Safety First. “We have been campaigning long and hard for better regulation of electrical safety in the private rented sector, where a third of properties fail to meet basic standards,” he said. “We are also lobbying to improve product safety legislation around the recall of dangerous products. One recent survey we undertook showed that 47 per cent of our respondents had never seen a recall notice and research suggests there are millions of recalled – and therefore potentially dangerous – electrical items still in people’s homes.” Electrical Safety First has also highlighted the need for particular safety legislation to cover the increasing number of older people staying in their own homes. Its A Shock to the System: Electrical Safety in an Ageing Society report found that older adults are often disproportionately at risk from electrical hazards and around one million people aged over 75 live in non-decent homes. “In the Queen’s Speech there were a number of proposed bills that could be used to tackle some of the key issues we are campaigning on,” added Buckle. “We hope that by contacting the new intake of MPs now we can get their support for the regulations we believe can save lives and protect properties.”

Getty

Luton sponsorship promotes brands

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

Record results for TechTalks A record number of visitors attended the latest series of NICEIC and ELECSA’s award-winning TechTalk events. More than 2,100 conscientious contractors poured through the doors of the 11 regional shows, which ran from September 2014 to March 2015 – a massive 41 per cent increase on the previous year’s series. The number of exhibitors at each event also grew by 30 per cent, making the latest series the most successful yet. In addition to the TechTalks, the team also put on four additional roadshow events in Scotland this year. More than 300 contractors attended these shows which, like the TechTalks, included updates on Amendment 3, informative seminars and the chance to quiz the team’s technical experts. For dates of upcoming TechTalks, see diary, page 10

TechTalks in numbers:

2,110: The total number of bookings made in 2014-15

195: The average number of attendees at each event

4,188: The amount of miles covered by the team

7,596: The number of teas/ coffees served throughout the series

100 per cent: Exhibitor approval rating

BASEC EXPANDS RANGE OF INTERNATIONAL STANDARD CABLE TESTING The British Approvals Service for Cables (BASEC) has announced it will now provide low and medium-voltage cable testing to all International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) cable standards. One of the most common IEC cable standards BASEC tests to is IEC 60502, which is cable intended for fixed installation indoors, outdoors, underground or in the presence of water. When a certificate has been issued, a cable manufacturer can list the standards it has been awarded against the cable product it is selling. In this instance, a cable manufacturer may describe its cable product to potential customers together with the equivalent British Standards it has achieved. “Our message to cable buyers is to always specify a recognised standard and an independently approved cable, and to check the cable markings on delivery and before installation to ensure it meets the criteria for its intended use,” said Dr Jeremy Hodge, chief executive at BASEC. “If suspicious cable is found, contact BASEC or your local regulatory authority for advice.”

» Ian Gwilliam East Wales and parts of Herefordshire

How did you become an area engineer? I have been in the industry since leaving school at 16. I qualified as an electrician at 18 and have worked in many areas of the electrical industry. I moved into education around nine years ago and joined the NICEIC six years ago, becoming an area engineer in 2012. What does your day consist of? I’m out of the house at around 7.10am for my morning appointment of 8.30am. Then I have either one or two assessments in the day, dealing with contractors in their homes or offices. Site visits vary from a general domestic home to the Millennium Stadium. What are the main issues that contractors might overlook? Paperwork is a notorious bug-bear for most contractors and having the up-to-date documentation is often missed. Site issues can be diverse but basic labelling is often overlooked. What interesting jobs have some of your contractors had? One contractor had to rewire a medieval re-enactment museum, which brought up some challenges with lights made to look like candles and hiding sockets away. What’s the strangest thing you have come across? Electrically it might be a pub that had a split supply where the flat above the property was fed directly from the DNO’s pole and

did not pass through a meter. They said it had been like that for at least 15 years, so I believe the bill may have been large if they were ever caught. What are your interests outside of work? Being a foster carer and spending time with all the different children we look after. Also rugby; working in Wales I get a lot of banter being an England supporter. If you could have a superpower what would it be? X-ray vision. I’m sure all my contractors would love me to see every tiny bit of their work. If you had a day off tomorrow, what would you do? Take a lovely long walk through the countryside around our village, watching out for all the wildlife if the kids can be quiet enough not to scare it away. Favourite book, film and TV programme? Favourite book: Room on The Broom (very happy memories of a certain child). Film: All Toy Story films. TV: Sherlock or most crime dramas. What’s the best bit of advice you have received in your career? If a job’s worth doing then it’s worth doing right. My first boss used to show me this by tearing up anything I might have done that he didn’t think was good enough. I soon learned to do it right after that.

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Plugged in Marathon effort Congratulations to area engineer Ian McConville who successfully completed his first London Marathon in April, at the ripe young age of 59. The achievement is even more spectacular because of the fact that he has suffered with asthma all his life. Despite this, he has continued to lead an active life, enjoying camping, mountain climbing and generally anything to do with the outdoors. The marathon is just the latest in a long line of fantastic feats completed by Ian and he even managed to raise an incredible £1,500 for Asthma UK in the process.

ELECTRICAL LECTURERS REQUIRED NICEIC is seeking skilled and self-motivated individuals to join its training team as associate lecturers in electrical engineering. We are looking for suitable candidates across the UK to help out at our training centres nationwide. The role is on a part-time, paid-for basis. This is not a full-time position. The role will involve teaching level 3 of the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) and a selection of bespoke electrical installation industry courses at levels 2 and 3. The successful candidate would ideally have: • A relevant electrical engineering degree, or level 4 in electrical engineering • Industrial, commercial and domestic experience in electrical installations • Experience in delivering level 3 within the QCF • A UK-recognised teaching qualification, such as a PGCE, DTLLS, Cert Ed or equivalent • A commitment to the electrical industry

APPROVED CONTRACTOR LAUNCHES HIRING PLATFORM NICEIC Approved Contractor Steve Bancroft (pictured) has developed a recruitment tool designed to link up electrical businesses with reliable sub-contractors. Bancroft found himself sub-contracting via recruitment agencies when he was made redundant in the downturn, and has since had mixed experiences of using these as a source of labour since starting up SBE Electrical in 2012. “I’ve had my ups and downs with recruitment agencies, especially in London, where they’d say they’d have someone on site on Monday morning and no one would turn up,” he said. “Our local region, the north-west, is more reliable, but the standard you can expect from agencies remains poor.” His experiences prompted him to set up MandE Connect, which aims to match up contractors and sub-contractors, and allows contractors to post feedback on individuals. “As the one looking for competent people to work on my projects, I can search for those with the right skillset,” said Bancroft. “A couple of clicks on the website and an email is generated notifying someone I have identified the ones I want. The subbies are contacted about the work. Subbies post their competencies on the site and wait for the call.” The system is free for both sub-contractors and contractors. See www.mandeconnect.co.uk

If you are interested and would like to find out more information, please send your CV and a covering email to asad.majid@certsure.com and we will be in touch.

INDUSTRY // DIARY September 10 Heating and Renewables Roadshow, Midlands Ricoh Arena 15 Heating and Renewables Roadshow, South-West Westpoint Arena, Exeter 17 Heating and Renewables Roadshow, South-East FIVE, Farnborough 17/18 ELEX Ricoh Arena, Coventry

22 Heating and Renewables Roadshow, Scotland RHC, Edinburgh 24 Heating and Renewables Roadshow, North Event City, Manchester October 13 TechTalk St Mary’s Stadium, Southampton 14 PHEX Old Trafford, Manchester

20 TechTalk Alexandra Palace, London 22 TechTalk Westpoint, Exeter November 5 ELEX Sandown Park, Surrey 11 TechTalk Culloden Hotel, Belfast 26 NICEIC ELECSA Live Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool

For more information about TechTalks or to book your place on the next series please visit www.niceic.com or www.elecsa.co.uk

Summer 2015 Connections

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23/06/2015 11:27

News/Renewables news/Product news

Plugged in EU ruling poses problem for renewables sector

FEED-IN TARIFFS FALL “The sector has been plagued by bureaucracy and red tape in the past few years and we hope the government will look to appeal this latest ruling which, if implemented, could have a dramatic effect on the demand for renewables.” A VAT hike to 20 per cent would put an extra £900 on the cost of a £6,000 PV system – adding almost two years to the current payback period. Similarly, a £15,000 biomass system would go up by £2,250. Anyone who has already pre-ordered or pre-paid for energy-saving materials at the reduced VAT rate would not be affected by the ruling. Under EU law member states can only apply reduced VAT rates in the housing sector if it is part of a social policy.

Big rise in demand for RHI applications March saw a surge in applications for the renewable heat incentive, with 5,613 compared with 2,387 in February, as the deadline for legacy applications passed. New installations also continued to rise, with an additional 2,926 applications in March compared with 899 in February. There was also a big increase in new biomass applications, mainly due to the tariff reduction from 1 April. Biomass is now the technology of choice for new applications, with more than 1,700 applications in March compared with 254 in February. The start of April saw three of the four tariffs increase in line with the retail price index, with air source heat pumps increasing by 0.12p to 7.42p; ground source heat pumps rising by 0.30p to 19.10p; and solar thermal going up by 0.31p to 19.51p. Biomass saw a tariff reduction due to the degression trigger, down from 10.98p to 8.93p.

The £70 million available through the third release of the Green Deal Home Improvement Fund (GDHIF) was fully allocated 10 days after its release. This has created a pipeline of energy-efficiency work for the industry over the coming months, with households in England and Wales benefiting from improvements carried out under the scheme. An additional £5 million, remaining from release two of the GDHIF, was also made available to enable householders to apply for funding to make energy-saving home improvements.

April saw another reduction in the feed-in tariff, with a 4kW or less system going down from 13.88p/kWh to 13.39p/ kWh. The next scheduled reduction is due on 1 July and will reduce the tariff down further to 12.92p/kWh. Overall feed-in tariff (FIT) deployment at the end of February 2015 was 3,439MW (664,126 installations). This represented a 31 per cent increase in total FIT installed capacity compared with the same period in 2014, and a 26 per cent increase in the number of installations. Photovoltaics (PV) were responsible for 99 per cent of the increase in installations and 77 per cent of growth in capacity. NICEIC is running four-day PV training schemes for contractors wishing to self-certify solar PV installations through the NICEIC MCS installer scheme. The next courses take place in our Chesterfield and Dunstable training centres in July and August.

MCS STANDARDS UPDATE All NICEIC and ELECSA MCS registered installers received an email from us last month explaining some amendments to the MCS standards. These include: • An update to the definitions in all standards to align with a review undertaken by the scheme • An update to section 8 in all installation standards to clarify the requirements of this section. A more significant update has taken place to the heat pump standards, and registered heat pump installers have been emailed the relevant information. For the updated standards, please visit the MCS website, email mcs@ gemserv.com or call 0208 090 1082.

Alamy, Shutterstock

NICEIC and ELECSA are warning that any VAT increase on renewable energy products could have dramatic consequences for the industry. The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has ruled that the UK’s reduction in the VAT rate for energy-saving materials for housing violates the EU’s VAT Directive. Solar PV and thermal installs on residential accommodation in the UK currently benefit from a reduced VAT rate of 5 per cent, instead of the standard 20 per cent. The government has yet to make an official response, but has previously argued that the lower VAT rate was legal under EU law as the Green Deal and ECO schemes were social policies. Dani Putney, renewable sector specialist at Certsure, which operates the NICEIC and ELECSA brands, said: “This could, potentially, be another huge hit for the renewable sector, which is only just getting back on its feet following the feed-in tariff (FIT) fiasco. “The amount of solar PV installations has been steadily on the rise and we are seeing more and more people looking at renewables as they try to get a grip on rising energy costs in the home. This is the last thing the industry needs.

£70M OF GREEN DEAL FUNDING SNAPPED UP

Summer 2015 Connections

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23/06/2015 11:28

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23/06/2015 11:29

News/Renewables news/Product news

Plugged in NEW CCTV RANGE RELEASED

< The AT-7000EUR advanced wire tracer

KEEP TRACK OF CABLES Beha-Amprobe has launched the new AT-7000-EUR advanced wire tracer, designed to help contractors identify any routes or breakages in cables. The tracer includes a receiver and transmitter to help locate energised and de-energised wires, breakers and fuses, picking up on any changes in the detected signal multiple times a second. The transmitter features three power modes: ‘high’ for normal circuits, ‘low’ for precision tracing in difficult areas, and ‘clamp’, which provides a boosted 6 kHz signal using a signal clamp for cases where there is no access to bare conductors. The receiver features non-contact voltage detection of energized wires from 90,600V and 40,400 Hz. www.beha-amprobe.com

ESP has released an entire new collection of CCTV products, based around the latest analogue high-definition technology. The package is designed to use the AV transmission capabilities of digital TV to generate a high-definition video using existing coaxial cabling; the same cabling used for standard resolution analogue systems. The HDView CCTV range consists of 40 new products, including 14 HD CCTV Kits, 15 digital video recorders and nine cameras. It includes the DigiviewHD range of four and eight-channel CCTV kits. Installing networked systems such as CCTV is increasingly coming under the remit of the modern contractor, alongside lighting control and home automation systems. www.espuk.com See our feature on smart homes on page 31

< HDView

HEAVY METAL FROM EATON Eaton has become the latest manufacturer to launch a range of full metal consumer < Eaton’s large metal units to meet the consumer unit requirements of the third amendment to the 17th edition. The new units have an all-steel base, cover and door and are designed to contain any fire that could break out in the unit. The addition to the Memera range features top, bottom and rear access with multiple openings to allow for cable entry, while the door hinge is top-mounted to prevent the unit being accidentally left open. It also features a door catch that can be replaced with a locking device if required. www.eaton.uk.com/electrical

POSITIVE DISCRIMINATION

< TEK101

New from Martindale Electric, the TEK101 non-contact voltage indicator has been designed to discriminate between adjacent live conductors. The device features an extended tip to help gain access to hard-to-reach spaces and help distinguish between conductors, and detects voltages from 180V to 600V AC by generating an alarm and lighting up LEDs. It also includes a built-in proving device that continuously checks the tester is functioning correctly, removing the need for a separate proving unit. This works by activating the sensor in the tip of the testers at 50Hz, as well as checking the battery and LED, to ensure the entire circuit and not just the indicator LED is tested. www.martindale-electric.co.uk

Connections Summer 2015

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23/06/2015 11:30

Advice/Opinion/Insight/Events/Case study/Customer care/Training AUTO-ENROLMENT

Live wire Pensions planning Many electrical contractors will find themselves having to enrol staff in a workplace pension scheme this year. Now is the time to prepare for this, says Paul Budgen

n 2012, the government introduced new laws requiring employers to enrol workers in a workplace pension. These have been introduced in stages, with largest employers affected first. Now it’s time for smaller employers to do the same. So if you have received a letter from the Pensions Regulator about auto-enrolment, you may be one of the 45,000 employers who will need to auto-enrol workers this year. Here is a list of some of the key things you might need to consider:

Know your staging date This is the date you need to have all your eligible workers enrolled on a workplace pension scheme. Staging dates are dependent on the size of your PAYE payroll. Head over to the Pensions Regulator’s website to find out when your staging date is (www.thepensionsregulator.gov.uk).

Find out who it affects Identifying who is eligible is important because you may find that not all your workers need to be enrolled. An eligible worker is: • Aged between 22 and the state pension age • Working in the UK • Earning above £10,000 Other types of workers can ask to be enrolled and you may need to make contributions for them too. You can find out more information about this from the Pensions Regulator or from our website (www.nestpensions.org.uk).

Talk to staff

Illustration: Cameron Law

In small and micro-employers, it’s common to communicate with workers face-to-face and in team meetings. When it comes to telling your workers about auto-enrolment, it’s your responsibility as an employer to do this in writing, either by email or on paper. There’s a lot you will need to shed light on so we’ve made things easy by creating ready-to-use templates that are available for free on our website. Telling your workers should help them understand how the changes will affect them, so they’re not left in the dark and won’t keep coming to you with questions.

Understand the cost With auto-enrolment, workers, employers and the government all contribute into a pension pot. The minimum contributions start at two per cent of qualifying earnings and will increase to eight per cent over the next few years. As an employer, the minimum amount you will have to pay in starts at one per cent, increasing to three per cent.

Examine payroll practices Pensions and payroll go hand-in hand. It’s where you find out who needs to be automatically enrolled, how much their contributions should be and then where you process these. With that in mind, looking at your payroll processes may help ease the way for auto enrolment. According to our NEST Insight 2015 report, 64 per cent of employers pay their workers monthly and 34 per cent pay weekly. Auto-enrolment requires employers to check the eligibility of their workers every pay period and make adjustments to their contributions accordingly. An employer who pays their workers at different frequencies and at different intervals may have to do this several times a month. So you may decide that aligning pay periods streamlines the process for you.

Get any help you need If you feel you’d rather focus on the day-to-day running of your business, or need to understand more about what auto-enrolment means for your business, help is available. Our research found that nearly three-quarters of small and micro-employers will be turning to an intermediary for help from an accountant, a payroll provider or an independent financial adviser, for example. They will be able to help you to understand your duties better, find a suitable pension scheme or outsource your auto-enrolment administration. Alternatively, you can appoint a third party to set up and run your scheme for you. Whatever you decide, now is the time to think about it to ensure you are prepared ahead of your staging date. Paul Budgen is head of business development at the government workplace pensions scheme NEST

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

Live wire

An end to flat battery stress Developments in charging technologies mean that running out of power midway through a job could now be a thing of the past, says Eric Streuli

hose who have been using cordless power tools for decades will know that they have come a long way since their earliest days. The past 10 years or so, in particular, have seen major advances in terms of increasing power, reducing weight, extending battery capacity and speeding up recharging times. Much of that improvement was made possible through the arrival of lithium-ion battery technology. Typically half as big and half as heavy as the existing nickel-cadmium packs, the new batteries allowed designers to make tools much more compact and less clumsy, with greater power and performance. Lithium-ion batteries also swept away the rules on when, and for how long, to recharge. A nickel-cadmium battery’s lifetime risked being shortened unless it was discharged fully before recharging. With lithium-ion, charge could be topped up at any time with no ill effect. Of course, solving one problem often shifts attention to another. Today the biggest remaining issue for cordless tool manufacturers and users is loss of

Eric Streuli is UK training manager at Bosch Power Tools

productivity when batteries run out in the middle of a job. It leads to a form of stress that can be described as ‘charge anxiety’. Related to this concern is the need to buy, charge, store and swap extra batteries, again involving time and expense. If only the tool and its battery could be simply ‘docked’ on a charger, like we do with a cordless toothbrush, between each use. In fact, the same principle that keeps the charge in your toothbrush constantly topped up can be applied to much more powerful tools as well. It’s called ‘inductive energy transfer’ and it provides a means of ‘contactless’ or ‘wireless’ charging. To put it simply, an electrical coil in the charger generates a magnetic field that induces voltage and current in a similar coil in the battery pack. That’s the theory, but making it work in practice means safely applying and controlling much higher charging currents than those in a toothbrush. The good news is that this has now been addressed by manufacturers, so professional contractors can look forward to a future in which wireless charging – at work stations and even in transit – will make flat power tool batteries a thing of the past.

IN FOCUS// JAMES MADDISON

» James Maddison B&R Electrics

How did you come up with the company name? I was in the bank and had to think of one on the spot. It’s the first letters of the two villages where I’ve lived: Blidworth and Rainworth. Most people use their names but I wanted to be a bit different. What work do you do? Domestic is my biggest

area of work. I work for a couple of letting agents in Mansfield, looking after around 1,000 properties. But I take on commercial contracts as well. How’s it all going? It’s going well. The first year was the hardest, but once I was up and running word of mouth kicked in and it spread quite quickly. Which areas do you cover? I’m based in Mansfield, but will go anywhere in Nottinghamshire. And your long-term plans? I’ve just taken on an

apprentice and my aim is to get him trained up and in a van on his own. I’d like to have another one or two people working for me, but I want to keep it controlled and manageable and make sure the work is there. What’s the hardest part of working for yourself? Time management and being competitive with pricing to get the work. What about outside work? I’m a keen mountain-biker but that’s taken a bit of a back step in the last few months because I’ve had so much work on.

Illustration: Cameron Law

How did you come to work for yourself? I used to work for E.ON, but I wanted to get more hands-on so I requalified and started working for myself in 2010.

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

Summer 2015 Connections

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23/06/2015 11:32

Advice/Opinion/Insight/Events/Case study/Customer care/Training MUSEUM LIGHTING

Live wire

Light at the museum

> The Oxford Museum of Natural History is housed in a Grade 1 listed building

The Oxford University Museum of Natural History recently reopened after a £4 million upgrade that has seen the restoration of the iconic Victorian glass roof and the installation of a stunning new architectural lighting scheme

By Andrew Brister

xford, the city of dreaming spires, boasts a plethora of architectural gems. Many of the city’s most stunning buildings form part of Oxford University – the oldest university in the English-speaking world – and among them is the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, the Grade I listed neo-Gothic building, designed by the Irish architects Thomas Newenham Deane and Benjamin Woodward and built in 1860. Among its most famous features are the Oxfordshire dinosaurs, the Dodo, and the swifts that have been nesting in the ventilation flues in the tower of the museum for many years. The iconic building has recently benefited from a major refurbishment and development programme that has cast the museum’s main court in a new light, both through the cleaning and replacement of some 8,600 glass tiles, but also thanks to a new state-of-the-art lighting scheme that was installed at the same time. The major work to the roof structure was originally to include minor works to increase light levels on the two main stairwells, but Oxford University’s Estates Services’ deputy electrical engineer Robert Gregg

managed to secure funding to introduce a lighting scheme into the main court areas. “He wanted to develop something unique in the history of the building,” says Richard Francis, partner at Monard Electrical, the Oxford-based and NICEIC-registered firm that won the tender for the design-and-build contract. “The lighting project moved from small maintenance works to a substantial re-lighting project across the museum.” The end result comprises a combination of Zumtobel, Bega and Limburg luminaires, all carefully chosen and positioned to create a superb effect, while minimising visual intrusion.

Creative solutions The main challenge for Monard Electrical was how to install the lighting in a way that was sympathetic to the listed interior. The museum consists of a large square court with a glass roof, supported by cast iron pillars that divide the court into three aisles. Cloistered arcades run around the ground and first floors of the building, with each column made from a different British stone. The stonework and iron pillars are ornamented with natural forms such as leaves and branches. “We couldn’t drill into the pillars because of the listed status, so we came up with the idea of using magnets to attach the fittings and the

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80,056: The number of magnets used

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

to support fittings and cabling

‘We couldn’t drill into the pillars because of the listed status so we came up with the idea of using magnets to attach the fittings and cabling’ A series of seven magnet mount types were designed and developed by Monard, the museum’s project team and the Ashmolean Museum’s mount maker. Over 2,500 magnet mounts were created, using more than 8,000 magnets and 48,000 overall components. At least five variations of each mount type were tested and modified to ensure a final bespoke solution for each luminaire and cable fixing. “The key success factor for this part of the project is that, even with all these components, the magnet mounting system is more or less invisible to the museum visitors and can also be taken out to leave no damage to the building structure,” says Francis. The team also had to contend with high degrees of heat at a high level, caused by the glass roof. Temperatures can climb to more than 50°C, so the magnetic mounts were heat-tested on a purpose-built rig mounted inside an oven. They were put through their paces to ensure they could withstand temperatures up to at least 70°C, over a long period of time, as well as the effects of daily changes in temperature.

Restricted access

cabling,” says Francis. “Drawing on our experience of working on other projects with Oxford’s Ashmolean Museum, we suggested making bespoke magnet mounts that fit the contours of the ironwork and have the strength to support the luminaires for decades.” While the Ashmolean had used magnetic mounts in exhibition cases, Francis believes this is the first time that such an approach has been used to support lighting. Using museum-grade acrylic, the mount structures were cut out using state-of-the-art design software and a laser cutter. The size of the aperture for the magnet was critical, being cut to tenths of a millimetre, with allowance made for the thickness so that the magnet would just fit. Too tight and the acrylic might split; too loose and the magnet could potentially fall out. In time, the magnet will literally be embedded into the acrylic as it deforms around the magnet. “The mounts were combined with aerospace-industry-grade magnets, which were required to give us the strength and compact size we needed to achieve a safe fixing with a minimalistic look,” says Francis. “We checked that the high strength of the magnets did not affect the luminaires by sending test sample data to the manufacturers, which was used to confirm the control gear and LED light engine were not affected in any way by the magnetic field.”

Every luminaire and its control gear had to be carefully positioned to allow for maintenance access for future replacements and testing. All control gear is mounted no higher than 12m due to restrictions on the size of the access platform that could be used, as the widest door into the building is only 1m wide. “Lights and control gear are often in awkward places – this is standard in most buildings of this size – but not many buildings have to navigate dinosaurs,” says Francis. “We went to great lengths to install the control gear in the roof voids and in the clusters of the columns to achieve this, which meant redesigning the cable routes several times, as no more than two cables could be run on each side of the ironwork.” All luminaires are dimmable and networked to a Zumtobel lighting control system, with an integrated central battery for emergency, designed in combination with Oxford-based M&E consultancy CBG Consultants. Day-to-day operation is fully automated with daylight control by a roof-mounted Skyscanner device that monitors the available amount and direction of daylight. For events, museum staff have wireless access to a choice of lighting scenes via an iPad. Monard also recently relit the museum’s lecture theatre to an all-LED scheme, which is linked to the control system installed in the first phase. “I’m really passionate about the building and it’s fantastic to be able to have played a part in making such an amazing difference to the space,” says Francis. The attention to detail has not gone unnoticed, including by the client. “For the first time the museum is benefiting from a well-designed lighting scheme that has attracted critical acclaim from external conservation bodies,” says Gregg. “The results are a testament to the commitment, passion and pride in the project of the whole team.”

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

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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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Advice/Opinion/Regions/Insight/Events/Case Study/Customer care/Training NEW COURSES

Live wire Lifelong learning In a fast-moving landscape, electrical contractors can ill afford to stand still. That’s why Certsure is constantly reviewing the training it offers, with new courses on the horizon, says Alan Charlton

their health and safety processes to ensure they are compliant with the new law. For the first time, it applies to all domestic projects regardless of the size, duration and nature of the work. We are still looking into the exact requirements this will mean for the typical domestic electrician, and, as with any course we deliver, we need to ensure it is not just an information exercise and that real benefit is added. As Einstein said, “Any fool can know, the point is to understand.” It is therefore about you, our customers, understanding the knowledge being imparted so that you are able to use this newfound wisdom to grow your businesses. If you think any of the above might be relevant to you then please email traininginfo@niceic.com and let us know your thoughts. We will be sure to let you know of any necessary training dates as and when they are ready to go live.

Alan Charlton is head of training and consultancy at Certsure. For more information about training courses available email traininginfo@certsure.com Illustration: Cameron Law

t can be quite easy for someone with the appropriate qualifications and years of industry experience behind them to sit back and think “that’s it, my training is done, no more learning for me”. But if there is one thing I have learned as head of training here at Certsure, it is that nothing ever stands still for too long. The electrical industry is constantly evolving and there is always the next thing to learn. Qualifications and experience will get you so far, but the reality is that only those who are willing to build on what they have, by learning new skills, grow their businesses and thrive. It is the same for us working here in the training team too. We are committed to helping contractors build their businesses by offering the latest developments in training. So it is important we are ahead of the curve and able to offer the latest courses that will help contractors develop new skills. There will always be a demand for traditional electrical courses, such as inspection and testing, and it’s important that contractors ensure they keep up with the latest developments in these areas. However, over the past few months there has been a growing demand for other courses that might once have been considered non-electrical but which, in fact, offer numerous opportunities for the installer looking to develop their skills in new areas. In particular, there’s fire alarm and emergency lighting. These are fundamental courses that provide basic design guidance for those who feel confident in positioning such equipment in compliance with the relevant British Standards. The fire alarm module has been so successful that we are now shortly about to offer a specific fire alarm installation module, as well as a maintenance module. Data networking for residential properties is also an area we are looking into. More and more homeowners are now asking about how electrical devices can interact with each other. The buzz word is for everything now to be “smart”, and electricians need to be in a position to benefit from this, and able to cope with installations that complement all that is happening in this digital age. Another course on the horizon is a guide to the recent changes regarding the introduction of the 2015 Construction (Design Management) (CDM) Regulations, which replace the old CDM 2007. As of 6 April this year all contracting firms should have reviewed

‘Over the past few months there has been a growing demand for courses that might once have been considered non-electrical’ Connections Summer 2015

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Advice/Opinion/Insight/Events/Case study/Customer care/Training GAS REGULATIONS

Live wire

Keep your distance Electrical contractors and gas engineers need to be aware of the minimum clearances between cables and pipes, as well as appliances and combustible materials. Chris Long explains

he question of minimum clearances between electrical cables or accessories (meters, consumer units, switchgear etc) and metallic pipework (gas, hot and cold water supplies and central heating circuits) seems to cause debate between the trades, whether an electrical contractor, a gas engineer or a plumber.

Minimum clearances to cables

Gas engineers need to install gas pipework and fittings, including gas appliances, in accordance with the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. The GSIUR provide a ‘goal setting’ approach in achieving compliance with the Gas Safety Regulations. Regulation 18(1) states: “No person shall install any installation pipework in any position in which it cannot be used with safety having regard to the position of other pipes, pipe supports, drains, sewers, cables, conduits and electrical apparatus and to any parts of the structure of any premises in which it is installed which might affect its safe use.” For guidance on how the requirements of Regulation 18(1) apply, gas engineers turn to industry specific standards, principally British Standards, as outlined below: For natural gas: • BS 6891 Installation of low pressure gas pipework of up to 35mm (R1 ¼) in domestic premises (2nd family gases), or • IGEM/UP/2 Edition 3 Installation pipework on industrial or commercial premises. For LPG: •BS 5482-1 Code of practice for domestic butane and propane-burning installations. Installations at permanent dwellings, residential park homes and commercial premises, with installation pipework sizes not exceeding DN 25 for steel and DN 28 for corrugated stainless steel or copper.

For domestic installations, BS 6891 advises that gas pipework should be kept at a minimum of: • 150 mm* from electrical meters and associated excess current controls, switches and socket-outlets, distribution boards and consumer units; and • 25 mm from electrical supply and distribution cables. These minimum distances need to be maintained, wherever possible. However, they may be reduced where electrical insulating material (for example, rigid laminate, PVC, rubber, etc) can be inserted to provide additional electrical insulation. It should be noted that the reduction in distances allowed by the use of electrical insulating material is based on the reduced electrical hazard and, as such, takes no account of any clearances required to facilitate maintenance activities. A common area for non-compliance is where gas pipework and electrical equipment are located within intermediate floors. Worryingly, it isn’t uncommon to see gas pipework and cables sharing floor notches or for gas pipework that runs in parallel to a joist to be ‘conveniently’ supported by several cable runs passing through joists. Whether a gas engineer or an electrical contractor, gas pipework and electrical cables need to maintain a minimum of 25 mm separation** and be so installed as to be independent of each other in terms of their support and to be in compliance with: • Building Regulations – for notching/drilling of joists, and • BS 7671 (Amendment 3) Requirements for electrical installations. IET Wiring Regulations 17th edition – protection of cable runs (as shown in Figure 1).

Combustion clearances Another consideration for electricians and gas engineers is the minimum clearances required by gas appliances from combustible materials, particularly where a gas cooker/hob is concerned. Appliance manufacturers do state the minimum clearances required and these must be adhered to.

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> Figure 1: Cables in floor joists

> Figure 2: Minimum clearances required for a free-standing cooker and high-level grill

‘A common area for non-compliance is where gas pipework and electrical equipment are located within intermediate floors’ Gas cookers and hobs can generate large amounts of heat, particularly above a cooking surface, so the placement of socket outlets or a cooker control switch is important: generally, they shouldn’t be positioned so that a user has to reach over the cooker top to activate the switch or unplug the appliance. Equally, the socket outlet and plug/flexible cable for the appliance shouldn’t be exposed to high levels of heat, as the material is likely to be adversely affected over time, leading to the possibility of insulation breaking down, faulty switching, arcing, structural deformation, and the like. Regulations 522.2.1 & 522.2.201 of BS 7671 provides guidance to the electrical contractor on protection from external heat sources. Where no specific guidance is available, electrical equipment should generally be located 300 mm to the side of a hob and installed at such a height that there is no strain on the flexible cable. Built-in cookers typically have their electrical supply positioned directly behind the appliance: this is acceptable where the appliance manufacturer advises this. However, where the manufacturer advises that the electrical supply is not positioned behind the appliance, the supply point should be located as for a hob, so behind and 300 mm to the left or right of the appliance, and a minimum of 150 mm from the gas pipework (BS 6891 refers). The standard for domestic gas cookers is BS 6172 Specification for installation, servicing and maintenance of domestic gas cooking appliances (2nd and 3rd family gases) which, in the absence of specific guidance from a manufacturer, provides minimum clearances from combustible materials. Figures 2 and 3 illustrate the minimum clearances required by BS 6172 in relation to combustible materials.

>Figure 3: Minimum clearances required for a hob Where the installation also has an overhead cooker extractor fan, this too needs to comply with the minimum clearance stated by both the extractor and cooker manufacturer. Where these measurements differ, the greater of the two measurements should be taken.

» Chris Long, technical engineer, Certsure * Equally applies to many non-domestic installations where the maximum operating pressure (MOP) doesn’t exceed 100 mbar. ** Although the separation distance discussed is concerned with gas pipework, it would be prudent to provide sufficient separation where other pipework used for heating or water services are installed and such the 25 mm clearance could be applied. Connections Summer 2015

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CONTRACTOR PROFILE // RMW ELECTRICAL COMPANY: RMW Electrical BASED: Shrewsbury FOUNDED: 1981 MAJOR PROJECTS: Shrewsbury Music Hall, Telford Shopping Centre STAFF NUMBERS: 25

Niche thinking Shrewsbury contractor RMW Electrical has picked itself up again after almost going out of business a decade ago. Now, with a diverse customer base and a couple of specialist areas, it’s facing the future with confidence By Nick Martindale

ack in 2006, Shrewsbury Town Football Club was in the process of building its new stadium, now called the New Meadow. It was a good time for local tradespeople, and would have been for RMW Electrical had it not coincided with one of the darkest periods in its 34-year history. “We had secured the electrical contract for the new stadium but realised that financially it was not going to be possible to honour it, so we had to pull out,” says managing director Christine Whitrick. “At that point we realised we were weeks away from declaring bankruptcy. We’d hit an all-time low and had to break the news to our staff that the business was in dire straits. Accountants were appointed to assist us and we asked them for a chance to pull it back, and slowly but surely that’s what we’ve done.” At the time, the business was coming out of a prolonged period of uncertainty brought about when one of the founders – Ron Whitrick, Christine’s stepdad – retired. Ron’s son Malcolm took over, but ownership eventually passed to Christine, who by then had worked with the family firm for over a decade. “I joined in 1993 from an insurance background with no knowledge of the industry, but the business needed help so I 26

took redundancy,” she recalls. “I came into an administrative role and it grew from there.” Fire starter Ron originally set the business up with Malcolm in 1981, largely on the back of fire alarm installations. “Ron had worked for a company that did a lot of work with fire alarms, and he and his son thought they could do it better themselves,” recalls Pat Harte, project manager and estimator, who has been with the firm for 31 years. “We were pretty much the only company in this area that would undertake fire alarm work, other than the nationals, but over the years others caught up. When I joined, the spread of the business was about 80 per cent fire alarms and 20 per cent electrical, but now that has changed around.” Fire alarms remain a significant part of the company’s focus, he adds, largely in commercial premises such as

‘We’d hit an all-time low and had to break the news to our staff that the business was in dire straits’

Summer 2015 Connections

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£1m: The value of the largest contract RMW Electrical has taken on to date

Mark Tudor

Christine Whitrick

nursing homes. “It dwindled a bit in the late 1990s, but now people are looking at fire alarms more sensibly, rather than as something they’ve just got to have,” he says. The business has developed a good relationship with local fire authorities too, which often recommend it to potential clients. Over time, RMW developed a number of other significant relationships, particularly with Shropshire Council and Telford & Wrekin Council, taking on work with local schools. But by the time Christine took over, it had become very reliant on these, and suffered when it was unsuccessful in achieving a place on Shropshire’s framework in 2007. “You can get complacent and perhaps we did,” admits Christine. “We’ve learned now that it is not wise to concentrate heavily on one source of work, and we started to look at new projects.” The determination to diversify was strengthened further when the business was caught out by a local construction firm going out of business. “One of our busiest periods of contracting work is the six-week school holiday period and we had completed a sizeable school project, only to discover at the end of it that the main contractor had declared themselves bankrupt,” says Christine. “We received no payment from them for the work and that really hurt us. It left us feeling apprehensive about future contracting work so we started to look at adding other work to our portfolio.”

Chicken feed This drive for new business has seen RMW develop something of a niche area working on newbuild poultry houses, taking advantage of its rural location. “A lot of farmers are moving away from dairy and sugar beet and towards poultry farming, and there seemed to be a gap in the market,” says Mark Tudor, business coordination manager, who has been with the business since 1999, and whose father and son also work for RMW. “We were in the right place at the right time.” This work originally came when the business was introduced to a local farmer back in 2010, he says, but has since led to further work in farmhouses and grain stores, as well as other farms. “We work closely with the construction team, to the point where they now send the plans to us and we then send it back to the client,” says Mark. “It’s totally changed the way it’s done, from being the last trade in to getting our cables in as it’s being built.” Shopping centres have also been added to the list of new clients; one of them on the recommendation of a local building contractor. “We work at Telford Shopping Centre, where we’ve been working night shifts and we also carry out the emergency light testing every month,” says Mark. “We work within the offices and buildings attached to them, undertaking general electrical maintenance work.” This, in turn, has also led to other Connections Summer 2015

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Photography: Mike Poloway/UNP

Pat Harte

22/06/2015 14:49

CONTRACTOR PROFILE // RMW ELECTRICAL

> Administrator Lisa Grindley (top) and project coordinator Alan Evans opportunities; the firm is also working at the Mander Shopping Centre in Wolverhampton. Other prominent clients include Severn Hospice, Morris Lubricants, Telford College, Shrewsbury School, nursing home provider Coverage Care and Shrewsbury Sixth Form College. The biggest project the business has worked on, however, remains the £10 million renovation of Shrewsbury’s Music Hall as part of its conversion to include the Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery. “Electrically, that was a £1 million project and it was a learning curve as well because it was a listed building,” says Christine. “We delivered the entire electrical package including fire alarm, CCTV, door access, feature lighting, stage lighting and the PA system.” That was the last large project Shrewsbury Council commissioned before public sector spending cuts hit, she adds, and is about as large a job as RMW would take on. Terra firma Today the business is back on solid ground, employing over 25 people, including 20 engineers, which it supplements with a team of trusted sub-contractors when required. It has traditionally employed around two apprentices a year; something it had to stop during the depths of the downturn when it had to resort to charging out qualified electricians at apprentice rates simply to keep people employed. “We took the decision back in 2006 that anyone who was with us as we were going through that difficult period would stay with us and that’s been the case,” says Christine. “That’s made us closer and probably stronger.” Now, however, the apprentices are back, drawn mainly from Telford College and Shrewsbury College, with three currently on the books and another two starting later this year. “Almost every apprentice we’ve taken on has remained with us,” adds Christine. “That’s our main recruitment source, and it bucks the trend because we don’t want them to leave us. We don’t want to employ an apprentice for a year, obtain whatever grant we’re given and let them go again. If we have periods where work goes quiet we’ll do something at our own premises.” Inevitably, the business was hit by the downturn, both through larger contractors moving into its territory and downward pressure on electricians’ rates. “One of the hardest things has been to compete in a market that is so cut-throat,” says Christine. “A contractor may obtain several prices for the mechanical and electrical package and then negotiate with them to get it done at the cheapest possible price. We find ourselves having to balance quality, which we will consistently keep giving, against competing in a marketplace governed by the cheapest price, and so far we’ve managed to do it.” This has meant that for certain jobs the firm has had to become more competitive. “If we want the job, such as

‘You can get complacent and perhaps we did. We’ve learned now that it is not wise to concentrate heavily on one source of work’ 28

the one at Shrewsbury School, then we will use our best endeavours to submit the most competitive price,” she says. “But we try do it in a way that is controlled, considering things such as the location, the type of work and which contractor has secured the project.” Steady growth Today, however, things are looking up, with the estimating department in particular busier than ever. Last year RMW turned over £2.4 million and expects to do the same in 2015 – approximately twice the level it was doing back in 2006. As well as new sectors and the fire alarm side of the business, part of this is due to a booming maintenance division – the firm offers 24-hour, 365-day cover to clients – while it is also looking at moving more into CCTV, data and security as possible future areas. For Christine, however, growing the business is less important than knowing it is back on a firm footing after the tribulations of the past few years. “If we can contain what we’re doing now and give people a good standard of living then I would keep it as it is,” she says. “We’ve got the capacity to grow and we’re almost at the point where we’re ready to do this, but I won’t jeopardise people’s livelihoods for the sake of the company’s growth. “One thing I’ve learned is just how valuable this business is to me,” she adds. “I’m lucky because I enjoy coming to work every day and I work with a fantastic team who are striving to achieve the same things as me. You’ve got to value what you’ve got.” » Nick Martindale is editor of Connections Could your business feature in Connections? Email nick.martindale@redactive.co.uk

•

Summer 2015 Connections

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23/06/2015 11:38

SMART HOMES

Smarten up

ou know how it is with technology: turn your back for a minute, and when you look again there’s a whole new generation of devices on the market. While smartphone, tablet, TV and computer technologies have been evolving over the past few years, so too have smart home and office technologies, including advanced, yet increasingly affordable, systems that can be controlled over the internet through tablets or smartphones. Fewer smart home or office installations now require extensive, customised programming, making them easier and cheaper to install. Widespread adoption of the KNX (ISO/IEC 14543-3) standard for home

and building control data has made integration between different smart technologies more straightforward, including home entertainment, lighting, heating, air conditioning, security and fire alarm systems; as well as smart control of white goods, kitchen or garden gadgets, windows and blinds. These advances also make it easier to monitor and manage energy use efficiently, with heating, cooling or lighting technologies reacting to the presence of people in a room or a part of the building, or to changes in temperature or external light levels. Awareness of smart home technologies is now much greater among developers, the construction industry and the wider public. Wendy Griffiths, executive director at the Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association (CEDIA), says: “When I first started CEDIA 14 years ago, the strategy was to drive awareness

of integrated home technology as a profession and work through architects and interior designers, because consumer awareness was limited,” she says. “But now consumers are often driving their architect and interior designer to wake up to this sector.” Remote control One major difference over the past five years has been the rise of tablets, smartphones and apps to control heating or lighting systems. These technologies allow consumers to remotely reconfigure lighting, heating and home entertainment, as well as monitor and control security cameras. The upshot of all this is that a growing number of electrical contractors are making good money out of installing and maintaining many of these technologies and the wired and wireless infrastructures that support them. One point of entry for contractors and for Connections Summer 2015

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Complete Home Control/CEDIA

By David Adams

Developments in consumer technology and programming standards mean home automation is now becoming a reality

22/06/2015 14:50

SMART HOMES

homeowners of more modest means is user-friendly heating controls that can ‘learn’ about a household’s routine and adjust the heating schedule appropriately. These home networks depend on a strong electrical/data cabling infrastructure – a clear point of entry for electrical contractors. Taking action One contractor working in these markets is EML Installations, a small company based in south-west London. Current projects include seven luxury apartments in Mayfair, where home automation based on KNX backbone systems is providing smart heating, lighting, home entertainment and home office facilities for the new tenants. But EML also works with technologies such as Control4 home automation control systems and Comelit IP-based technologies, which make home automation more affordable for customers of more modest means, says operations director Mark Bamford. A combination of these technologies can enable integrated home security and lighting control systems within an apartment block at a much lower price than was possible before. “The door-entry panel allows you to monitor daily consumption of the building, to turn lights on and off and see who’s at the door, from anywhere in the world,” Bamford explains. He says that a few years ago this type of system would have cost £10,000 to £15,000; now the cost is around £2,500 per apartment. Another contractor, Randburg Electrical, works on residential, commercial and industrial projects. The company was founded 10 years ago by director Dan Brazier and his business partner Adrian Cherry. Home automation has become more important to the business as the technology has become more accessible for a wider range of consumers, says Brazier. Stefan Knight, managing director of another London-based contractor, JSJ, also believes the potential size of the home automation market is growing as the technology becomes less expensive. He says that if someone is buying a property that needs rewiring at a cost of £3,000, it is not unreasonable to suggest they spend £5,000 to create a smart home wiring infrastructure. Finally, there is the drive to save energy, perhaps for environmental reasons, certainly to reduce costs. 32

Case study: Konextions One electrical contractor already seeing > A residential renovation project the benefit of smart home technologies is Konextions recently worked on Konextions, based in Surrey. in Rome. The home automation Director Ian Myles began his career as a system was integrated with the dockyards apprentice in 1987 and set up lighting, audio/visual systems, Konextions in 2003 as a one-stop-shop, to HVAC, video entry, CCTV and help clients avoid problems associated with security system multi-contractor projects. Today the company works mainly on high-end residential projects. “We take the shell of a house and we’ll do all the electrical lighting, heating, AV, HVAC automation, multi-room audio, cinemas, security, fire alarms – everything,” Myles explains. The whole process is becoming more straightforward because there are now many more user-friendly products available that don’t require as much programming work. “Things have become easier with KNX, using systems such as Control4,” he says. “Lots of it is now controlled by IP, so it’s about commissioning and setting up, rather than hardcore programming.” Recent projects include a three-storey house in Cobham, Surrey, which will include a home cinema, full heating controls via iPad, six zones of HD TV, 10 zones of audio and a full Lutron lighting system.

Office efficiencies The same trend is also visible in the smart offices sector. “The smart devices going into office buildings are really about energy efficiency and saving money,” says Simon Buddle, education director at CEDIA and technical director at smart home specialist SMC. He says presence detection technologies are becoming more common in offices and are often now integrated with heating and ventilation controls. The BS EN 15232 standard for the energy performance of buildings has also encouraged uptake. “That leads to a requirement for more integrated systems in the office,” says Buddle. “Lighting, heating and ventilation systems need to talk to each other and have some kind of presence detection so that they are not used when the

‘This is a fantastic opportunity; it isn’t a threat. It’s a new frontier for many electrical contractors’

office is unoccupied. If you are building a new office, or doing anything with an existing office building that is going through building controls, you must build to that standard. “This is a fantastic opportunity; it isn’t a threat,” he adds. “It’s almost a new frontier for many electrical contractors. If you are doing an integrated office you need those skills.” Contractors will also have more opportunities to set up maintenance contracts, he adds. But this type of work won’t suit everyone. “Some electricians struggle to get to grips with how things work, because it’s more electronics and IT, than electrical,” says JSJ’s Knight. “But it is perfectly possible for an electrician to do it with training.” CEDIA offers courses to help contractors move into this area and you can access training related to specific types of systems or equipment, often offered free by manufacturers. If smart home and smart office technologies do become more mainstream, it will be worth electrical contractors getting involved. As Buddle puts it: “If they don’t grasp this opportunity, someone else will.” » David Adams is a freelance business journalist

Summer 2015 Connections

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HVAC Vent-Axia’s Sentinel Kinetic whole house mechanical ventilation and heat recovery system

Climate control

hanks to the increasing demand for energy-efficient products that can reduce CO2 emissions, these are exciting times for the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) sector. In fact, the ways in which temperature and air quality are controlled have never been under as much scrutiny as they are today, and HVAC technology is at the forefront of the move towards low-carbon-emitting buildings. These factors, when combined with the upturn in fortunes of the construction industry in general, mean the HVAC sector now boasts some of the highest level of innovation anywhere in the building services industry. This represents a valuable opportunity for manufacturers and electrical contractors alike; at least if building owners and occupiers can be persuaded to buy into the concept. “We have the

products, designers and the skilled installers to deliver a comfortable internal environment, in some of the most energy-efficient ways possible,” says John Kellett, general manager, product strategy and marketing, at Mitsubishi Electric’s Living Environmental Systems. “The key is education because we need building occupiers to understand how the industry can help them achieve their objectives.” Contractors have an important role to play here, suggests Chris Stammers, marketing director at Dimplex. “Energy efficiency remains the biggest issue in the electric heating industry,” he says.

‘The key is education because we need building occupiers to understand how we can help them achieve their objectives’

Greater emphasis on cutting carbon emissions and energy bills means heating, ventilation and air-conditioning is becoming more important. Contractors need to be prepared By Rob Shepherd

“With millions of UK households facing fuel poverty and energy bills still high, the onus on electrical contractors to provide affordable, efficient and reliable heating for their customers has never been greater.” Health scare Modern buildings are designed to retain as much of their heat as possible, but this has one major side effect: poor air quality. When considering that each of us exhales between 10-75 litres of carbon dioxide and 175g of water vapour per hour, while a family of four produces 10-15 litres of additional water vapour each day through cooking, washing and breathing, poor air quality can soon become a problem. According to a YouGov consumer survey, conducted on behalf of the British Electrotechnical and Allied Manufacturers’ Association (BEAMA), 58 per cent of people have experienced mould or condensation in their homes. Furthermore, a study by Prism & Waverton Analytics discovered that 91 per cent of homes tested for volatile Connections Summer 2015

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HVAC

25 per cent: The rate of increase in mechanical extract ventilation systems in 2014

organic compounds (VOCs) in the air were above the recommended level. “If people are exposed to high concentrations of VOCs over long periods of time, there are serious health risks,” warns Kelly Butler, marketing director of BEAMA. This is where mechanical extract ventilation (MEV) and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) comes in. The forecasts for its adoption are impressive and The Zero Carbon Hub VIAQ Task Group believes it will become the dominant form of ventilation in most new homes post-2016. “Sales of these types of ventilation systems have seen an increase of around 15 per cent year on year, but 2014 saw a dramatic increase of 25 per cent,” says Jon Hill, technical manager at Polypipe Ventilation. MVHR can recover up to 80 per cent or more of the energy from outgoing air, meaning the incoming air can be pre-heated, lowering overall energy consumption. Ian Mitchell, product marketing manager for new build residential at Vent-Axia, believes electrical contractors should familiarise themselves with this technology. “There is a great opportunity for electrical contractors to specify and install these systems,” he says. “By joining a competent person scheme, they can differentiate themselves from competitors. It will also help them win work from developers, since those using a competent person to install MVHR can gain a benefit under Standard Assessment Procedure Appendix Q.” This rapid increase in the uptake of MEV and MVHR has, however, left a skills gap in their design and installation; an issue that was reinforced in the recent Zero Carbon Hub report entitled Closing the Gap Between Designed and As-Built Performance. “This can sometimes result in incorrectly designed installations that not only fail to realise the full potential of the systems employed, but can even have a detrimental effect on the standard of indoor air quality,” warns Hill. “But through adequate installation training and clear operational guidance, this issue can be resolved.” 36

Case study: Intelligent thinking Yorkshire Housing has upgraded 16,000 coal-fired homes with Dimplex’s Quantum intelligent off-peak heating system. The properties suffered from high heat loss due to poor insulation and the coal-fired central heating was proving expensive to run and impossible to regulate in individual rooms. Each property was upgraded with between three and five heaters in hallways, living rooms and bedrooms, together with additional heaters where necessary to meet specific heating demand and sizing requirements. The heating upgrades delivered instant benefits for customers, with immediate fuel cost savings of more than 40 per cent. “We set out a plan to fit Quantum heaters alongside the installation of exterior wall insulation,” says Richard Bould, investment project officer from Yorkshire Housing. “Even without the benefit of external wall insulation in the first winter with the new heating system, it still delivered annual running costs of around £1,000, which represented a significant saving compared with the coal fires and supplementary heating. Previously, customers were paying up to £1,750 per year.”

Rules and regulations The 2014 amendments to Part L and Part F tightened up the need to focus on energy efficiency, and the former included a 6 per cent uplift in standards for new homes compared to the 2010 version. It also introduced the Fabric Energy Efficiency Standards (FEES), which focus on the efficiency of the fabric of the building in new homes. However, one of the main drivers for the installation of new HVAC technology is that, in accordance with the Energy Act 2011, by April 2018 it will be unlawful to let properties in England and Wales that do not meet a prescribed minimum energy performance standard (MEPS). Walsall-based Measham Heating and Air Conditioning is seeing a noticeable shift in this market. “Outdated storage heating technology remains common in rented properties,” says Luke Hart, the company’s contracts manager. “Quite sensibly, some landlords are taking appropriate measures sooner rather than later. Since early 2014 we have noticed a significant upturn in work within the rented housing sector.” Read the labels The whole process of identifying the most energy-efficient heating systems

is set to become easier, thanks to the growing influence of the Energy Related Products Directive 2009/125/ EC. From September 2015, water heating products of up to 2,000 litres sold in the UK will need to meet minimum energy performance criteria in order to be legally placed on the market, and those of up to 500 litres will require an energy label. “This will see all heating products labelled like white goods are, so consumers will be able to judge the efficiency of a system based on standard industry-wide criteria,” explains Kellett. Many water heating products available today will essentially be banned, says Jon Cockburn, head of marketing at Heatrae Sadia. “But it will drive more efficient solutions as manufacturers look to develop products and solutions that achieve the highest energy ratings.” With the role of HVAC becoming vital, contractors should study in detail the government legislation on carbon reduction and energy efficiency in buildings, and how intelligent HVAC solutions can satisfy the need to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions, if they are to benefit from the opportunities this will create. » Rob Shepherd is a freelance journalist

Summer 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 Regulation 521.11.201, regarding the fire resistance of supports for cables in escape routes, applicable to supports for communication system cables, such as door entry and internet?

Yes. The requirements of BS 7671 apply to the fixed wiring of circuits supplied at nominal voltages up to and including 1000 V a.c. and 1500 V d.c., which therefore includes systems for information and communication (Regulation 110.1.2 refers). It should be noted that certain systems, such as telecommunications systems to BS 6701, may contain other requirements which supplement BS 7671 (Regulation 110.1.3 refers).

QUESTION

ANSWER

Where I observe during periodic inspection communication system cables installed in non-metallic trunking, surface-mounted at high level in an escape route what (if any), classification code should I record on an Electrical Installation Condition Report?

It should be remembered that Regulation 521.11.201 has been introduced by Amendment 3 to BS 7671 to minimise supported wiring systems, prematurely in the event of fire, falling and/or dangling, and therefore hindering persons escaping from a building and firefighters carrying out search and rescue activities. Regardless of the type of cable, Regulation 521.11.201 requires supports for wiring systems (including cables) to have sufficient resistance to the products of combustion from fire to minimise the risk of the support prematurely collapsing. This requirement effectively excludes the sole use of non-metallic supports (such as plastic cable clips and cable trunking). Therefore, you should attribute, as a minimum, a classification code C3 to your observation. Further information on fire incidents involving non-metallic supports can be found in Connections 179.

QUESTION

ANSWER

Relating to the question above, ‘as a minimum classification code C3’ under what circumstances (if any) would you attribute a classification code C2?

Where an inspection reveals wiring systems in escape routes supported solely by non-metallic supports the inspector must assess the risk of the wiring system and associated cables, at times of fire, becoming a hindrance to persons escaping from a building and firefighters carrying out search and rescue activities, due to premature collapse of the support. Consider the following two examples relating to the use of non-metallic trunking, and the degree of hindrance from cables falling and/or dangling at times of fire: • For a corridor 1 m in width, 3 m in height and forming part of an escape route; if trunking was surface-mounted on the ceiling to span the width of the corridor (1 m distance), should the trunking collapse or lid fail, the contained cables would have support from both walls and hindrance would be minimal, and a classification code C3 would probably be appropriate. • If the trunking was surface-mounted on the wall along the length of the same corridor, for every increasing metre length of corridor the potential for cables becoming a hindrance increases. Where the inspector judges that, due to the length of trunking and cable, the potential for hindrance is high, a classification code C2 would probably be more appropriate leading to an installation being deemed to be unsatisfactory.

Connections Summer 2015

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Ask the experts/Technical

Fully charged QUESTION

ANSWER

Is Regulation 521.11.201 applicable to domestic premises?

Yes. Regulation 521.11.201 applies to all buildings having a designated escape route. An escape route is defined in BS 7671 as ‘a path to follow for access to a safe area in the event of an emergency’, and in domestic premises this is typically the main route used for entering and exiting the premises, and would, in all likelihood, include (where applicable) the landing, stairs and hall.

QUESTION

ANSWER

I plan to make an addition to an existing installation; however, the distribution board houses protective devices to BS 3871, and I cannot find any reference or operating characteristics for these devices in Chapter 41 and Appendix 3 of BS 7671. Is it still acceptable to rely on the use of such devices to provide fault protection?

Yes. BS 3871 was withdrawn in 1994 and consequently the operating characteristics of devices to that standard were removed from BS 7671 when it was reissued in 2001 (16th Edition Blue cover). However, this does not mean that protective devices to BS 3871 cannot be relied on to provide fault protection. Indeed their limiting values of measured earth fault loop impedance for most current rating can be obtained from the inside cover of pads of NICEIC certificates and reports. Furthermore, it is recommended that, due to the in-service age of such devices, a functional test, such as manual operation of the toggle switch, is carried out to verify the effectiveness of the mechanical operation.

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 has been part of the team responsible for the production of various 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.

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Fully charged 42 44 47 50

Appropriate use of Minor Works Certificates Auxiliary circuits Periodic Inspection and Testing Recording the Reference Method

53 57 60

Risk assessment for RCDs – who is responsible? The application of BS 7671 to exterior lighting Snags and solutions: A practical guide to everyday electrical problems, now updated to Amendment No 3 of BS 7671

Appropriate use of Minor Works Certificates As permitted by Regulation 631.3, a Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate (referred to in this article as a minor works certificate) may be issued as an alternative to an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) for the certification of minor electrical work which does not include the provision of a new circuit.

his article looks at specific items and provides examples of electrical work that may, or may not, be certified using an NICEIC or ELECSA minor works certificate.

Additions or alterations to an existing final circuit Where an addition or alteration is made to an existing final circuit, as shown in Fig 1, it should be verified that the work complies with BS 7671 and does not impair the safety of the existing installation (Regulation 610.4 refers). Whilst for such purposes a minor works certificate may be used as an alternative to an EIC, Regulation 631.3 requires that a separate minor works certificate is issued for each circuit worked on. Fig 1 The addition of a socket-outlet to an existing ring final circuit

Existing ring final circuit

Addition of a new socket-outlet

A minor works certificate must not be used to certify the installation of a new circuit, even if the circuit supplies only one point (one accessory). It should be noted that before an addition or alteration is undertaken, Regulation 132.16 requires the adequacy of the existing installation to be assessed, including the earthing, bonding and maximum demand, for the altered circumstances. Replacement of a single protective device A minor works certificate may be issued to certify a ‘like-for-like1’ replacement of a single protective device, or a single item of switchgear containing a single protective device. In addition, a minor works certificate may also be issued for the replacement of a device that is not considered ‘like-for-like’, but only in circumstances where the skilled person undertaking the replacement can verify that the replacement device satisfies the requirements of BS 7671, particularly, for the safe disconnection of the circuit under overload and fault conditions. For example, where an observation on an Electrical Installation Condition Report identifies that the measured earth fault loop impedance for an existing Type C circuit-breaker exceeds the maximum value permitted by BS 7671, the remedial work required may involve replacing the existing circuit-breaker with an RCBO, or replacing the Type C circuit-breaker with a Type B circuit-breaker, or if possible, de-rating the device (for example replacing a 10 A protective device with a 6 A device). For any of the options previously described, the minor works certificate may be used as it makes provision for the skilled person undertaking the work to record the relevant inspections and tests, as shown in Fig 2, required to verify that the work complies with BS 7671 and does not impair the safety of the existing installation. Replacement of switchgear incorporating more than one protective device The replacement of an item of switchgear which incorporates more than one protective device, such as a two-way (or more) consumer unit, is not minor work. Such work requires a greater degree of inspection and testing, including where relevant

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Fig 2 Part 3 of the minor works certificate – Inspection and testing of the modified circuit and related parts PART 3: INSPECTION AND TESTING OF THE MODIFIED CIRCUIT AND RELATED PARTS Insulation resistance:

Confirmation that necessary inspections have been undertaken

(✓)

Confirmation of the adequacy of earthing

(✓)

Line/Line

M⍀

Line/Earth

M⍀

Confirmation of the adequacy of protective bonding

(✓)

Line/Neutral

M⍀

Neutral/Earth

M⍀

Confirmation of correct polarity

(✓)

RCD operating time at I⌬n (if RCD fitted)

⍀

RCD operating time at 5I⌬n, if applicable

⍀

Test button operation satisfactory

(✓)

Circuit resistance:

(R1 + R2)

⍀

Maximum measured earth fault loop impedance, Zs

(In a polyphase circuit, record the lower or lowest value, as appropriate)

Agreed limitations, if any, on the inspection and testing:

Instrument Serial No(s):

for example, because of a failure of the test button, the replacement may be certified using a minor works certificate, but the requirements of Regulation 132.16 should be satisfied before the work is undertaken. For example, prior to the replacement of an RCD that is used for the purposes of providing fault protection for the final circuit(s) of an installation connected to a TT supply system, as shown in Fig 3, the condition and adequacy of the earth electrode, earthing conductor and protective bonding conductors should be verified as a minimum. Replacement of an accessory

parts of the existing installation, than would be required for work carried out on an existing single circuit. For these reasons, the Notes For Recipient, printed on the reverse of NICEIC and ELECSA minor works certificates (which are based on the notes contained in Appendix 6 of BS 7671) state that the certificate is not suitable for certifying the replacement of a consumer unit (or distribution board), for which an Electrical Installation Certificate or Domestic Electrical Installation Certificate, as appropriate, should be used.

While the minor works certificate may be used to certify the replacement of an accessory, for example a socket-outlet or a light fitting on a ‘like-for-like’ basis, such work generally falls under the category of maintenance work and so the client, such as a local authority, can choose to use their own documentation instead. However where this is the case, the safety declaration, installation details, and the inspection and test results recorded on the client’s documentation should be no less comprehensive than that which would have been required on the minor works certificate, and a copy of the completed documentation should be retained by the contractor. Where a minor works certificate is used to certify the replacement of accessories, a separate certificate is required for each circuit affected. Therefore, a single certificate may be used to certify the replacement of more than one accessory connected to the same circuit, but cannot be used to certify modifications carried out on different circuits.

Replacement of an RCD Where an existing RCD needs to be replaced, Fig 3 100 mA RCD providing fault protection for existing final circuits

Final circuits Gas Water

Replacing protective bonding conductors The installation or upgrading of main or supplementary protective bonding can be recorded on a minor works certificate, however, where protective bonding is carried out in more than one location, such as an outbuilding or garage detached from the main installation, a separate minor works certificate should be issued for each location. Guidance on how to complete a Minor Works Certificate, and other forms of certificate or report, such as the Electrical Installation Certificate and Electrical Installation Condition Report, is given in the NICEIC and ELECSA publication: Inspection, Testing and Certification available from NICEIC Direct.

MET 100mA RCD

Earth electrode

1 The term ‘like-for-like’ is used to indicate that the operating characteristics of the devices are the same.

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Ask the experts/Technical

Fully charged The requirements for auxiliary circuits supplied from instrument transformers Section 557, dealing with auxiliary circuits except for those that are covered by specific product or system standards, such as the construction of assemblies of electrical equipment to the appropriate parts of BS EN 61439, was introduced into BS 7671 by Amendment 3. This article, following on from the article in Issue 193 of Connections that provided an overview of auxiliary circuits, will focus on the particular requirements of auxiliary circuits used for the measurement of electrical quantities via a transformer (see Regulation group 557.5.3).

hen measuring or monitoring electrical quantities in relatively ‘high’ voltage/‘high’ current electrical circuits, we are faced with the problem of connecting a relatively ‘low’ voltage/‘low’ current measuring circuit to a high voltage or high current electrical circuit. This problem is frequently Fig 1 A voltage transformer (VT)

resolved by using a special type of transformer known as an instrument transformer. There are two distinct types of instrument transformers, voltage transformers (VTs) and current transformers (CTs). As can be seen from Fig 1, voltage transformers, being double wound, have a construction similar to a conventional transformer. However, as shown in Fig 2, many current transformers are formed by placing a toroidal shaped laminated core that carries the secondary winding around the conductor carrying the current being measured. The current-carrying conductor forms the CT primary winding. A clamp-on ammeter is a form of current transformer that most electricians are familiar with. Instrument transformers have the following characteristics: 1. The ratio of primary to secondary voltages or currents is fixed, for example, 11 kV in the primary produces 110 V in the secondary or 100 A in the primary produces 1 A in the secondary. This enables the wiring used to connect the measuring instruments to have a significantly lower current-carrying capacity than that used in the high voltage/high current circuit. However, it should be noted that Regulation 557.5.3.1(iii) requires that for CTs unless the conductors on the secondary side of the transformer are installed in such a way that they cannot come into contact with the higher voltage circuit the cables for the secondary circuit should have insulation suitable for the highest voltage present. 2. Both voltage transformers and current

Fig 2 A current transformer (CT)

High Voltage

Main Primary Conductor

Core Core

Primary I Current p Low Voltage

Ammeter

Secondary I s Winding

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Fig 3 Using voltage and current transformers to measure voltage and current in a high voltage circuit

0 - 5 A a.c. ammeter A Current transformer

Installation

11 kV

Fuse

Voltage transformer

Fig 4 Current transformers used to measure line currents in a busbar chamber.

transformers provide simple separation between the high voltage/high current circuit and the circuit used for the measuring instruments. This greatly reduces the risk of electric shock. Except in situations where measurements can only be carried out with a connection to earth, the secondary side of an instrument transformer shall not be earthed (Regulation 557.5.3.1(i) refers). Fig 3 shows a voltage transformer and a current transformer being used in conjunction with an ammeter and voltmeter to measure the current and voltage in a high voltage/high current circuit. Instrument transformers, particularly current transformers, are frequently found in the systems used to measure the power or the energy consumed by a particular device or section of an installation (sub-metering) and Fig 4 shows how current transformers can be mounted in a busbar chamber. In a double wound transformer, such as a voltage transformer, an open-circuit in the secondary will cause the current in the primary circuit to fall to close to zero. However, as the current in the primary of a current transformer is the current being measured, an open-circuit in the secondary of the CT will not influence this current. Indeed, if whilst the primary is carrying a high current, the secondary side of a current transformer was to develop an open-circuit, a dangerously high voltage would appear across the open-circuit; consequently Regulation 557.5.3.1(ii) prohibits connecting protective devices such as fuses in the secondary circuit of a current transformer. Many CTs are provided with a device for â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;shortingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; the secondary terminals to ensure that an open-circuit is not created when an instrument is installed. However, Regulation 557.5.3.2 requires that the secondary side of a voltage transformer shall be protected by a short-circuit protection device. In Fig 3, as permitted by Regulation 557.3.6.1, this protection is provided by the fuses located in the primary side of the voltage transformer.

Switch to online certification Since launching last year, NICEICâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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 contractors 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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Ask the experts/Technical

Fully charged The extent of the inspection and testing

Periodic Inspection and Testing – The importance of agreeing and recording the extent and limitations accurately An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR), or where appropriate a Domestic EICR, is issued to provide a formal declaration that, within the agreed extent and limitations, the details recorded provide an accurate assessment of the condition of the electrical installation at the time it was inspected.

s the following article explains, ensuring that the extent and limitations are defined clearly and recorded accurately in Section D of NICEIC and ELECSA report forms, is not only beneficial for the recipient but also for the contractor issuing the report; particularly as failing to do so may involve them in unforeseen liabilities at a later date.

Fig 1 Extent and limitations

D. EXTENT OF THE INSTALLATION AND LIMITATIONS ON THE INSPECTION AND TESTING Extent of the electrical installation covered by this report:

Agreed limitations including the reasons, if any, on the inspection and testing:

Agreed with: Operational limitations including the reasons (see page No.

)

For the benefit of both the client and the contractor responsible for the inspection, it is essential that the full extent of the periodic inspection and testing is recorded, as required by Regulation 621.4. Where the full extent has not been correctly identified, the contractor issuing the report is likely to have assumed responsibility for areas or parts of the installation not covered by the periodic inspection, and as a consequence may be deemed responsible should, at a later date, an electrical defect in that part of the installation result in danger or damage. Limitations Only limitations that can be technically justified and have been agreed with the client (or the person responsible for the safety of the installation) prior to the inspection, including the reasons, should be recorded on the report (Regulation 634.2 and Fig 1 refer). It should be appreciated, that the greater the number of limitations applying to an EICR the less the report’s value to the client in terms of feedback on the safety of the electrical installation. In view of this, NICEIC and ELECSA report forms require the name of the person(s) agreeing the limitations to be recorded on the report. As stated on NICEIC and ELECSA report forms, unless specifically requested by the client, inspection does not cover cables installed in locations which are inaccessible, such as those routed within the fabric of the building structure or above non-accessible ceilings or under floors and the like. However the inspection should cover all accessible areas within the agreed extent and limitations, including lofts and roof spaces where electrical equipment such as pumps, motors or inverters may be housed. Therefore where a location, such as a loft in a dwelling, is accessible but not included as part of the agreed inspection, it should be recorded as a limitation on the report. Furthermore where the agreed limitation applies to a particular circuit test, ‘LIM’ should be entered appropriately on the test schedule. Where no limitations have been recorded, NICEIC and ELECSA (and the client) will assume the extent of the inspection and testing to be comprehensive. Operational limitations including the reasons

The inspection and testing have been carried out in accordance with BS 7671, as amended. Cables concealed within trunking and conduits, or cables and conduits concealed under floors, in inaccessible roof spaces and generally within the fabric of the building or underground, have not been visually inspected unless specifically agreed between the client and inspector prior to the inspection.

In some circumstances, generally as a result of being unable to gain access to a particular part, area, or room in the installation, the inspector Connections Summer 2015

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Ask the experts/Technical

Fully charged Sampling

Table 1 Minimum inspections and tests for domestic installations Inspection • External visual inspection of all accessible electrical equipment such as accessories and consumer units • Internal inspection of every consumer unit

Testing • Continuity of circuit protective conductors to accessible exposed conductive parts • Insulation resistance testing between live conductors and Earth for the complete installation

• Earth fault loop impedance at • Close inspection of terminations the origin (where accessible) and connections at a and at every accessible representative number of items of electrical equipment on every final socket-outlet and, so far as can be determined, the furthest point circuit and, in particular, where of every final circuit the external visual inspection has raised concerns • All RCDs tested in accordance with BS 7671

may be prevented from performing inspection and testing in all the areas agreed with the client. Where this is the case, it is essential that the relevant details are recorded so that the person responsible for the safety of the installation can arrange for those areas to be inspected at an appropriate time in the near future. Fig 2 Reviewing the report

INSPECTION, TESTING AND ASSESSMENT BY: Signature:

While sampling may be employed for both the inspection and testing elements of periodic reporting, it should only be applied appropriately, and the size of sample agreed must be appropriate for the installation and the purpose for which the report is required. Furthermore the sample may also need to be increased, where no previous certificates or reports are available for the installation or as a result of defects1 being found during the inspection. It should be noted, however, that sampling may not be acceptable to a third party, such as an insurance company. Therefore where sampling is intended, it should be based on an appropriate risk assessment and the initial degree of sampling for both the inspection and the testing elements should be discussed and agreed with the client and, where necessary, any relevant third party prior to the inspection and testing and recorded (as a percentage) in Section D of the report. For installations comprised of small numbers of circuits, such as typical domestic premises, the process of sampling is normally applicable to the inspection element of the work only. However where sampling is applied to a domestic installation, the inspections and tests that should be applied as a minimum are listed in Table 1. For the benefit of both the client and contractor, the items selected for inspection and testing on a sampling basis should be identified, where necessary on an additional page, so that a different sample can be selected for the next and subsequent periodic inspections. Issuing the report

Name: (CAPITALS)

Position: Date: REPORT REVIEWED AND CONFIRMED BY: Signature: Name: (CAPITALS)

(Registered Qualified Supervisor for the Approved Contractor at J)

Date:

Regulation 631.4 requires EICRs to be compiled, signed and authenticated by skilled persons competent to verify compliance with BS 7671. For NICEIC or ELECSA report forms, the registered Qualified Supervisor (QS) is responsible for ensuring that the person used to carry out periodic inspection and testing has both the competence and skills necessary for the work. Furthermore, the QS is responsible for reviewing the report and signing to confirm that it is compiled accurately before being issued (refer Fig 2). 1 Where deficiencies are identified the sample size should be increased appropriately, to 100% where necessary, and the actual degree of sampling carried out should be recorded on the report.

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Ask the experts/Technical

Fully charged Installation Methods

Recording the Reference Method In response to the number of enquiries the NICEIC and ELECSA Technical Helplines receive on the subject, this article aims to reduce confusion regarding what to record in the box titled ‘Reference Method’ incorporated in the Schedule of Circuit Details (SOCD) which accompanies either the NICEIC or ELECSA Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) and Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR).

review of the comments received shows that confusion generally arises for the following three reasons: 1) Both the terms ‘Reference Method’ and ‘Installation Method’ (represented by a letter and number respectively) are used in Appendix 4 of BS 7671. 2) Persons working in the electrical industry typically associate installing wiring systems with the term Installation Method (rather than the term Reference Method). 3) Table 4A2 of Appendix 4 does not attribute a letter to indicate the Reference Method for Installation Methods 100 – 103 inclusive. These Installation Methods (typically associated with new domestic and similar premises) are specifically for flat twin and earth cable in thermal insulation. Also, as shown in Fig 1, NICEIC and ELECSA forms contain a box titled ‘Type of wiring’ that requires a code (letter) to be inserted in that box, to provide the observer with an overall view of a particular circuit. To alleviate any confusion with the adjacent Reference Method box, these codes are given in the certificate.

Fig 2 Example of conduit mounted on a wall and containing nonsheathed cables

Reference Methods

Single-core nonsheathed cables in metallic or nonmetallic conduit

Fig 1 Extract of a Schedule of Circuit Details

Maximum Zs permitted by BS 7671

(s)

Operating current, I n

(mm2)

Short-circuit capacity

(mm2)

Rating

cpc

(A)

(kA)

(mA)

(Ω)

RCD

Overcurrent protective devices BS (EN) Type

Live

Max. disconnection time permitted by BS 7671

Number of points served

Reference method

Reference Method

Type of wiring (see code below)

CIRCUIT DETAILS Circuit conductors: csa

Table 4A2 recognises a large number of Installation Methods, due to the many permutations created by the factors that influence a cable’s current-carrying capacity. Examples of factors include: • type of cable support system such as conduit and tray, • construction of the cable such as non-sheathed cables and armoured cables, • installation positions such as cables on a wall and cables concealed in a wall, • type and thermal characteristics of building fabric such as brick and wood, • external influences such as ambient temperature and thermal insulation, and • type of soil for cables installed underground. Electrical installation designers must assess the factors which are applicable to the particular circuit design and then select a cable of adequate current-carrying capacity to provide for satisfactory in-service cable life. The designer can then obtain the appropriate Installation Method number and for most cases (but not all), the corresponding Reference Method letter from Table 4A2 of Appendix 4 in BS 7671.

Due to the large number of Installation Methods recognised by BS 7671, it is impractical to calculate and publish current-carrying capacities for every Installation Method as many would turn out to have the same value. Therefore, Appendix 4 of BS 7671 uses the term Reference Method to represent those many numbers of Installation Method for which the current-carrying capacities given in Table 4D1A to 4J4A of Appendix 4 have been determined by test or calculation, and these current-carrying capacities are used to cover all the Installation Methods given in Table 4A2. Appendix 4 (7.1) notes seven Reference Methods and these are identified by the letters A – G inclusive, and in most cases (but not all) it is the appropriate Reference Method letter corresponding to the Installation Method that should be recorded in the box titled ‘Reference Method’ in the Schedule of Circuit Details (SOCD) for the particular circuit. However, as mentioned earlier for Installation Methods 100 – 103 inclusive, Table 4A does not feature a Reference Method. Therefore, where cables are installed using any of these four Installation Methods the appropriate Installation Method number should be recorded in the SOCD. Examples of Reference Methods Fig 2 depicts an example of conduit mounted on

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a wall and containing non-sheathed cables. From Table 4A2 this represents Installation Method No. 4 and typically the letter B would be recorded in the box titled ‘Reference Method’ in the SOCD. It should be noted that Table 4A2 does not provide a complete set of examples of installation methods or actual product or installation practices; rather it acts as an aid to the designer in choosing an appropriate Reference Method. Where the designer is unsure about the Reference Method that applies then engineering judgement should be applied.

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 years’ experience in the electrical industry, covering gas, heating, plumbing and renewable technologies. Worked with CORGI before joining NICEIC in 2005.

Example of a compiled Schedule of Circuit Details Fig 3 provides an example of a compiled SOCD for a particular domestic installation (flat) having flush-mounted cables and accessories. Reviewing the Reference Methods column indicates that circuit numbers 1, 2, 7 and 8 are cables in thermal insulation and circuits 3, 4, 5 and 6 are cables direct in masonry. It should be noted that where more than one Installation Method is applied for a circuit route, the method which provides the lowest current-carrying capacity (worst case scenario) should be used to select the appropriate Reference Method letter or Installation Method number for recording in the SOCD.

This certificate is not valid if the serial number has been defaced or altered

ICN4/

SCHEDULE OF CIRCUIT DETAILS FOR THE INSTALLATION TO BE COMPLETED IN EVERY CASE

TO BE COMPLETED ONLY IF THE DISTRIBUTION BOARD IS NOT CONNECTED DIRECTLY TO THE ORIGIN OF THE INSTALLATION*

Location of distribution board:

Supply to distribution board is from:

Nominal voltage:

No of phases:

Type: BS(EN)

Associated RCD (if any): BS(EN)

Overcurrent protective device for the distribution circuit: Distribution board designation:

Rating:

RCD No of poles:

(s)

Maximum Zs permitted by BS 7671

(mm )

Short-circuit capacity

(mm )

Operating current, I n

cpc

(kA)

(mA)

(Ω)

RCD

Overcurrent protective devices BS (EN)

Rating

Live

Type

Circuit conductors: csa

Max. disconnection time permitted by BS 7671

Reference method

Type of wiring (see code below)

Circuit number and line

Number of points served

CIRCUIT DETAILS Circuit designation

(A)

Original (To the person ordering the work)

Fig 3 Example of a compiled Schedule of Circuit Details

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

Lighting except bathroom

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

Socket-outlets 7 8

New shower

40 6

10.0 4.0 1.5 1.0

Bathroom light & fan

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. See Table 4A2 of Appendix 4 of BS 7671 CODES FOR TYPE OF WIRING A

Thermoplastic Thermoplastic Thermoplastic Thermoplastic Thermoplastic Thermoplastic Thermosetting/ cables insulated/ cables cables cables /SWA SWA in metallic in non-metallic in metallic in non-metallic sheathed cables cables conduit cables trunking conduit trunking

O (Other - please state)

Mineralinsulated cables

Page 5 of

* In such cases, details of the distribution (sub-main) circuit(s), together with the test results for the circuit(s), must also be provided on continuation schedules.

This certificate is based on the model forms shown in Appendix 6 of BS 7671 Published by Certsure LLP. Certsure LLP operates the ELECSA & NICEIC brands. © Copyright Certsure LLP (January 2015)

See next page for Schedule of Test Results

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

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THE POWER TO GET YOUR JOBS CERTIFIED AND NOTIFIED ON-SITE, ONLINE, IN MINUTES AMENDMENT 3 CERTIFICATES NOW AVAILABLE the power behind your business New for ELECSA members, the time-saving beneďŹ t of certifying and notifying jobs online, allowing you to avoid paper work and administration. Get started now at elecsa.co.uk or phone 0843 218 4487.

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Fully charged Application of exception a)

Risk assessment for RCDs – who is responsible? The alteration to the requirements of Regulation 411.3.3 – Additional protection – has created a certain amount of debate within the industry. Regulation 411.3.3 requires for a.c. systems, that additional protection by means of an RCD in accordance with Regulation 415.1 is provided for: i) socket-outlets with a rated current not exceeding 20 A, and ii) mobile equipment with a current rating not exceeding 32 A for use outdoors.

hese two requirements are distinct from the requirements detailed in Section 522.6 for protection against impact where, typically, RCDs are used to comply with the requirements of Regulations 522.6.202 and 522.6.203, or the use of RCDs providing additional protection for circuits serving rooms containing a bath or shower or passing through zone 1 and/or 2 not serving the location. The debate has been generated because the first exception detailed by Regulation 411.3.3 permits additional protection by means of an RCD to be omitted for socket-outlets with a rated current not exceeding 20 A where, other than for an installation in a dwelling, a documented risk assessment determines that the RCD protection is not necessary. The purpose of this article is to address the enquiries received by the NICEIC and ELECSA technical helplines ‘Who is responsible for carrying out a risk assessment?’

NOTE: It cannot be overstated that the use of a risk assessment to simply avoid the use of an RCD where an RCD should be installed is not acceptable.

Not for a dwelling All socket-outlets having a rating not exceeding 20 A installed in a dwelling, must have additional protection by means of an RCD having the characteristics specified in Regulation 415.1 (Regulation 411.3.3 exception a) refers). The only exception permitted, therefore, would be exception b) for a specific labelled or otherwise suitably identified socket-outlet provided for the connection of a specific item of equipment. However, the reader should be reminded that the requirements of Regulation Group 522.6 – protection against impact – may still apply, as may the requirements of 701.411.3.3 for rooms containing a bath or shower.

NOTE: In a dwelling, all socketoutlets having a rating not exceeding 20 A must have RCD protection unless exception b) applies and all other requirements of BS 7671 have been met.

The intention of Regulation 411.3.3 is that all circuits in any type of installation supplying socket-outlets rated at not more than 20 A, are provided with additional protection by means of a 30 mA RCD. Therefore, deciding to omit RCDs for socket-outlets should not be taken lightly and should be treated as a last resort. It is not acceptable to use exception a) to omit the use of RCD(s) purely for financial reasons. However if, following a suitably rigorous assessment, the risks associated with not providing RCD protection in a particular instance are considered to be acceptable because, for example, the socket-outlets are not likely to be used in a manner that presents danger due to their type, location and/or degree of supervision in place, the decision to omit RCD protection could be justified. Risk assessment This article does not explain how to carry out an appropriate risk assessment, however, guidance has been issued by the HSE in many and various forms. For example, INDG163(rev4) provides a short guide to controlling risks in the workplace. The standard procedure is to follow a five-step process: • Identify the hazard(s). •Who might be harmed and how? •Evaluate the risks and decide on precautions. •Record the significant findings. •Review the assessment and update if necessary. Who is responsible for carrying out the risk assessment? The question now arises as to who is responsible for the assessment? The omission of a suitable and sufficient risk assessment, or an inadequate risk assessment, detailing the reasons for the omission of RCDs may leave the contractor open to liability at a later date. It is clear that when determining whether RCD protection is not necessary, the person carrying out the risk assessment must be competent: that is, he/she should be someone who has sufficient training and experience or knowledge and other qualities to enable the risk assessment to satisfy any legal scrutiny. It is also clear from Appendix 6 of BS 7671, that it is the role of the designer of the electrical installation to attach a suitable risk assessment where exception a) has been applied. This requirement applies to both the Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) and the Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate (MEIWC). However, Regulation 411.3.3 is silent regarding the person responsible for creating the risk assessment. Connections Summer 2015

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Fully charged This certificate is not valid if the serial number has been defaced or altered

ICN4/

ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION CERTIFICATE Contractor’s Reference Number

Issued in accordance with British Standard 7671 – Requirements for Electrical Installations by an Approved Contractor or Conforming Body enrolled with NICEIC, Warwick House, Houghton Hall Park, Houghton Regis, Dunstable, LU5 5ZX

CRN/ DETAILS OF THE CLIENT Client / Address: The installation is:

DETAILS OF THE INSTALLATION Address:

New

Name ( CAPITALS)

An addition

Extent of the installation covered by this certificate:

DESIGN

Original (To the person ordering the work)

Fig 1 Declaration of risk assesment on EICs and MEIWCs

Inspector

An alteration § Details of permitted exceptions appended: Yes / N/A

Risk assessment appended: Yes / N/A

Name ( CAPITALS)

§ Details of permitted exceptions appended: Yes / N/A

Qualified Supervisor † * This box to be completed only where the design, construction, inspection and testing have been the responsibility of one person.

§Delete as appropriate

DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, INSPECTION AND TESTING *

No. of pages

I/We, being the person(s) responsible for the design of the electrical installation (as indicated by my/our signature(s) below), particulars of which are described above, having exercised reasonable skill and care when carrying out the design, hereby CERTIFY that the design work for which I/we have been responsible is, to the best of my/our knowledge and belief, in accordance with BS 7671, amended to (date) except for the departures, if any, detailed as follows:

Risk assessment appended: Yes / N/A

§Delete as appropriate

No. of pages

I, being the person responsible for the design, construction, inspection and testing of the electrical installation (as indicated by my signature below), particulars of which are described above, having exercised reasonable skill and care when carrying out the design, construction, inspection and testing, hereby CERTIFY that the said work for which I have been responsible is to the best of my knowledge and belief in accordance with BS 7671, amended to (date) except for the departures, if any, detailed as follows:

Details of departures from BS 7671, as amended (Regulations 120.3, 133.5):

The extent of liability of the signatory/signatories is limited to the work described above as the subject of this certificate. For the DESIGN of the installation: **( Where there is divided responsibility for the design ) Name Designer 1 Signature .................................................... Date ( CAPITALS) Name Signature .................................................... Date ** Designer 2 ( CAPITALS)

Details of departures from BS 7671, as amended (Regulations 120.3, 133.5): The extent of liability of the signatory is limited to the work described above as the subject of this certificate. For the DESIGN, the CONSTRUCTION and the INSPECTION AND TESTING of the installation.

CONSTRUCTION

I, being the person responsible for the construction of the electrical installation (as indicated by my signature below), particulars of which are described above, having exercised reasonable skill and care when carrying out the construction, hereby CERTIFY that the construction work for which I have been responsible is, to the best of my knowledge and belief, in accordance with BS 7671, amended to (date) except for the departures, if any, detailed as follows:

Signature

Details of departures from BS 7671, as amended (Regulations 120.3, 133.5): The extent of liability of the signatory is limited to the work described above as the subject of this certificate. For the CONSTRUCTION of the installation: Name Signature .................................................... Date ( CAPITALS)

Date

Reviewed by Date

Signature

Name Constructor ( CAPITALS )

Name ( CAPITALS)

Qualified Supervisor ††

INSPECTION AND TESTING

Where the inspection and testing have been carried out by an Approved Contractor, the inspection and testing results are to be reviewed by the registered Qualified Supervisor. Where the design, the construction, and the inspection and testing have been the responsibility of one person, the inspection and testing results are to be reviewed by the registered Qualified Supervisor.

I, being the person responsible for the inspection and testing of the electrical installation (as indicated by my signatures below), † particulars of which are described above, having exercised reasonable skill and care when carrying out the inspection and testing, hereby CERTIFY that the work for which I have been responsible is to the best of my knowledge and belief in accordance with BS 7671, amended to (date) except for the †† departures, if any, detailed as follows: Details of departures from BS 7671, as amended (Regulations 120.3, 133.5): The extent of liability of the signatory/signatories is limited to the work described above as the subject of this certificate. Reviewed by For the INSPECTION AND TESTING of the installation: Signature .................................................... Date Name ( CAPITALS)

Please see the ‘Notes for Recipients’ on the reverse of this page.

Signature .................................................... Date Inspector

Name ( CAPITALS)

DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, INSPECTION AND TESTING * § Details of permitted exceptions appended: Yes / N/A

Page 1 of

ICN4/1 Qualified Supervisor †

* This box to be completed only where the design, construction, inspection and testing have been the responsibility of one person.

Risk assessment appended: Yes / N/A

§Delete as appropriate

No. of pages

Signature Name ( CAPITALS)

Date

This certificate is not valid if the serial number has been defaced or altered

Date

Name ( CAPITALS)

Qualified Supervisor ††

† Where the inspection and testing have been carried out by an Approved Contractor, the inspection and testing results are to be reviewed by the registered Qualified Supervisor. †† Where the design, the construction, and the inspection and testing have been the responsibility of one person, the inspection and testing results are to be reviewed by the registered Qualified Supervisor.

IMN4/

MINOR ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION WORKS CERTIFICATE

Reviewed by

Signature

Contractor’s Reference Number

CRN/

Page 1 of

Please see the ‘Notes for Recipients’ on the reverse of this page.

To be used only for minor electrical work which does not include the provision of a new circuit

PART 1: DETAILS OF THE MINOR WORKS

Details of departures, if any, from BS 7671 (as amended):

Client:

ICN4/1

Date minor works completed: Location/address of the minor works:

Description of the minor works:

Conforming Body enrolled with NICEIC, Warwick House, Houghton Hall Park,Houghton Regis, Dunstable LU5 5ZX

CRN/

To be used only for minor electrical work which does not include the provision of a new circuit

PART 1: DETAILS OF THE MINOR WORKS TN-S

TN-C-S

TN-C

Protective measure(s) against electric shock: Overcurrent protective device for the modified circuit:

BS(EN)

Residual current device (if applicable):

BS(EN)

Details of departures, if any, from BS 7671 (as amended):

Client:

PART 2: DETAILS OF THE MODIFIED CIRCUIT System type and earthing arrangements:

Date minor A Rating works completed:

Type

I⌬n

Type

Details of wiring system Type used to modify the circuit:

Reference method

csa of lives

mm2

csa of cpc

Where the measure for protection against electric shock is ADS, insert Maximum Zs permitted by BS 7671 s maximum disconnection time permitted by BS 7671: Comments, if any, on existing installation, including adequacy of earthing and bonding arrangements (see Regulation 132.16):

Original (To the p

Original (To the person ordering the work)

mA mm2

⍀

PART 3: INSPECTION AND TESTING OF THE MODIFIED CIRCUIT AND RELATED PARTS Confirmation that necessary inspections have been undertaken

(✓)

Insulation resistance:

PART 4: DECLARATION

(n a polyphase circuit, record the lower or lowest value, as appropriate)

Confirmation of the adequacy of earthing

(✓)

Line/Line

M⍀

Line/Earth*

M⍀

Confirmation of the adequacy of protective bonding

(✓)

Line/Neutral

M⍀

Neutral/Earth

M⍀

Confirmation of correct polarity

(✓)

RCD operating time at I⌬n (if RCD fitted)

⍀

RCD operating time at 5I⌬n, if applicable

⍀

Test button operation satisfactory

Circuit resistance:

(R1 + R2)

⍀

Maximum measured earth fault loop impedance, Zs Agreed limitations, if any, on the inspection and testing:

PART 4: DECLARATION

§ Details of permitted exceptions appended: Yes / N/A Risk assessment appended: Yes / N/A

No. of pages

(Delete where appropriate)

I CERTIFY that the minor electrical installation works, as detailed in Part 1 of this certificate, does not impair the safety of the existing installation, that the said works have ms been designed, constructed, inspected, tested and verified in accordance with BS 7671, amended on the date shown✼ and that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, at ms the time of inspection, the works complied with BS 7671 except as detailed in Part 1 of this certificate. ✼ (✓)

Instrument Serial No(s):

The results of the inspection and testing reviewed by the Qualified Supervisor

Name

(CAPITALS)

§ Details of permitted exceptions appended: Yes / N/A Risk assessment appended: Yes / N/A

For and on behalf of (Trading Title of Approved Contractor)

No. of pages

(Delete where appropriate)

I CERTIFY that the minor electrical installation works, as detailed in Part 1 of this certificate, does not impair the safety of the existing installation, that the said works have been designed, constructed, inspected, tested and verified in accordance with BS 7671, amended on the date shown✼ and that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, at the time of inspection, the works complied with BS 7671 except as detailed in Part 1 of this certificate. ✼ The results of the inspection and testing reviewed by the Qualified Supervisor

For and on behalf of (Trading Title of Approved Contractor)

Name

(CAPITALS)

Signature

Signature Address and Postcode

Position

Date

Date Enrolment Number

Branch number (if applicable)

(The enrolment number is essential information)

§ Details of permitted exceptions (Regulation 411.3.3). Where applicable, a suitable risk assessment(s) must be appended to this certificate.

Please see the ‘Notes for Recipients’ on the reverse of this page.

IMN4/1

Whilst BS 7671 places a responsibility on the electrical installation designer to ensure, where necessary, a risk assessment document is appended to either the EIC or MEIWC, the person who carries out the risk assessment for a particular installation may not necessarily be the designer of the electrical installation. Indeed, under the requirements of Regulation 11 of The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, the principal designer is required to, ‘…plan, manage and monitor the pre-construction phase and coordinate matters relating to health and safety during the pre-construction phase to ensure that, so far as is reasonably practicable, the project is carried out without risks to health or safety.’ The principal designer may, therefore, be the designer of the electrical installation, but may also be someone directly employed by the client. As part of this remit, the principal designer is to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that foreseeable risks to health and safety, including the risks associated with the omission of RCDs, 54

1 Further guidance on The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 can be found in ‘Managing health and safety in construction – Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015’ published by the HSE and available for download at www.hse. gov.uk/pubns/priced/ l153.pdf

are identified. In practice, of course, this will mean that a principal designer will need to work with other designers involved with the project. For example, certain industries, like those involving petrochemicals, or hospital estates may be constrained by legislation and standards distinct from those which commonly apply to the design of an electrical installation. Under such circumstances it would be appropriate for the person(s) who will have responsibility for the use of the installation to create the risk assessment. Furthermore, part of the remit of the principal designer is to identify the risks that are likely to arise not only during construction but also during maintenance, cleaning or using the building as a workplace once it is built1. The view of NICEIC and ELECSA is that consultation between the designer of the electrical installation and the client or principal designer is an essential part in managing health and safety in the workplace, and forms the basis in determining whether or not to apply exception a) and omit RCDs.

Summer 2015 Connections

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From 1st July 2015 the rules are changing, including the requirements for consumer units to have their enclosures made from non-combustible materials which is called for in regulation 421.1.201. This new regulation states that early compliance is not precluded so thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no reason to wait for the moratorium to end to start improving safety standards. Lead the change with Wylex NM Amendment 3 Consumer Units. For further information on the full Wylex NM range or advice on how the new consumer unit regulation will affect you, call 01543 438 320 or visit www.electrium.co.uk @ElectriumNews

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Ask the experts/Technical

Fully charged The application of BS 7671 to exterior lighting This article discusses the requirements of Section 714 and other regulations relating to exterior lighting; this will include equipment used to illuminate areas such as highway power supplies and street furniture.

with through wiring is applicable to outdoor lighting installations. Section 714 applies only to specific types of outdoor lighting installations such as street electrical furniture, street lighting, road signs and lighting arrangements in telephone kiosks, bus shelters and the like. Section 714 specifically excludes any application to temporary festoon lighting, luminaires fixed to the outside of buildings supplied directly from the internal wiring of that building (refer Fig 1) and road traffic signals (Regulation 714.1 refers). Protective measures

n previous versions of BS 7671, outdoor lighting installations were included as part of Section 559 – Luminaires and lighting installations. However in Amendment 3, outdoor lighting installations are classified as being a special installation and are now the subject of the additional requirements of Section 714. It should be remembered that, like the requirements of other special installations, the requirements of Section 714 supplement or modify the general requirements contained in Parts 1 to 6 of the regulations. Consequently, where a regulation is not supplemented or modified by a regulation in Section 714, the requirements contained in parts 1 to 6 of BS 7671 will apply; for example, Regulation 559.5.3 dealing

Fig 1 An example of luminaires supplied directly from the internal wiring of a building

Similar to other types of special locations, Regulation 714.410.3.6 prohibits the use of the protective measures non-conducting locations and earth-free local equipotential bonding for outdoor lighting installations. Where the protective measure automatic disconnection of supply is used, Regulation 714.411.201 requires that all live parts of electrical equipment shall be protected by insulation or barriers or enclosures providing basic protection. Furthermore, Regulation 714.411.2.201 requires: • that unless the enclosure is in a location only accessible to skilled or instructed persons, the live parts of every accessible enclosure shall only be accessible with a key or a tool. It should be noted that this regulation applies to all enclosures forming part of the outdoor lighting installation and not just to luminaires • luminaires mounted at a height less than 2.8 m above ground level should be designed so that access to the light source shall only be possible after removing a barrier or an enclosure requiring the use of a tool • doors giving access to electrical equipment (such as lighting columns) and located less than 2.5 m above the ground shall be locked with a key or shall require the use of a tool for access. In addition, when the door is open, basic protection shall be provided by either the use of equipment having a degree of protection of IPXXB or IP2X or by installing a barrier or an enclosure giving the same degree of protection. Except for circuits supplying fixed equipment used in highway power supplies where a maximum disconnection time of 5 s is stated (Regulations 714.411.202 refers), Section 714 does not contain any specific requirement regarding maximum disconnection times. Consequently, where the protective measure is automatic disconnection of supply, the disconnection times given in Section 411 apply. This means, for example, that where a socket-outlet rated at Connections Summer 2015

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Ask the experts/Technical

Fully charged Fig 2 Example of where RCD protection is required where the cable is buried in the render of a wall

less than 32 A is used to supply garden lighting, the maximum disconnection time of 0.4 s would apply for a TN system and 0.2 s for a TT system (Regulation 411.3.2.2 refers). Whilst there is no general additional requirement for all outdoor lighting installations to have additional protection by RCD, lighting in locations such as telephone kiosks and bus shelters does require additional protection by an RCD having characteristics specified in Regulations 415.1.1 (Regulation 714.411.3.3 refers). Furthermore, an RCD may be required where: • the luminaire is connected to the supply via a plug and socket-outlet, or • the external lighting is installed on a rendered wall with the cables buried less than 50 mm from the surface (refer Fig 2) and the requirements of Regulation 522.6.202 apply. In this situation where the method of installation is other than those described in Regulation 522.6.204 the cables should be installed in zones and additional protection by means of a RCD having the characteristics of Regulation 415.1.1 should be provided. There is no requirement for all buried cables to have additional protection by RCD. Being exposed to the full range of British weather, exterior lighting equipment will be subjected to a wide range of external influences including heat, water, corrosion, solar radiation and wind. In addition, depending on the location, 58

the exterior lighting could be subject to impact and the effects of flora and fauna. Regulation 714.512.2.105 requires that electrical equipment forming part of outdoor lighting installation shall, by construction or by installation, have a degree of protection of at least IP33. Furthermore, Regulation 714.512.2.1 recommends that the equipment should be suitable for a temperature range from -40 °C to +40 °C and be suitable for relative humidity between 5 % and 100 %. However, the degree of protection specified is a minimum value and in locations where say hose pipes are used for washing vehicles, the degree of protection should be increased. For luminaires fixed to the outside of a building and supplied directly from the internal wiring of the building, being outside the scope of Section 714, the requirements for external influences is given by Regulation 512.2.1. This requires equipment to either be of a design appropriate to the situation in which it is to be used or its mode of installation shall take into account the conditions likely to be encountered. For luminaires supplied directly from internal wiring and fixed to the outside of buildings a degree of protection of IP33 will generally satisfy the requirements of Regulation 512.2.1. Regulation 714.537.2.1.1 requires that, except as described in Regulation 537.1.2, every circuit shall be capable of being isolated from each of the live supply conductors. Regulation 537.1.2 recognises, that in TN-S or TN-C-S systems, the neutral conductor is reliably connected to Earth, and need not be isolated. Consequently, outdoor lighting supplied by a single-phase TN-S or TN-C-S system can be isolated by a single-pole device in the line conductor but outdoor lighting supplied by a single-phase TT system should be isolated using a double-pole device. Where the isolation and switching is to be carried out only by instructed persons, and then only for TN systems and providing suitable precautions are taken, Regulation 714.537.2.1.201 permits a suitably rated fuse carrier to be used as a means of isolation and switching. Where ground-recessed luminaires form part of an exterior lighting scheme, Regulation 714.512.3 requires that the selection and erection shall take into account the guidance given in Table A.1 of BS EN 60598-2-13. This standard deals with particular requirements of ground recessed luminaires and Annex A of the standard provides a guide to good installation practice. Included in Annex A is Table A.1 which, for various locations where the ground recessed luminaires could be installed, provides details of temperature limits, dimensions and resistance to static loads.

Summer 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 and solutions

A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO EVERYDAY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS

Part 1

earthing and bonding 5th Edition

Amd 3: 2015

‘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 3 – Inspection and Testing, relating to carrying out insulation resistance tests on large installations.

Insulation resistance tests in large installations The measured value of insulation resistance is generally lower at the main switchboard of a large installation than at other relevant points within the installation.

Snag 38 In a large installation, carrying out insulation resistance measurements at the main switchboard with all its final circuits connected may result in a measured value less than the appropriate value given in Table 61 of BS 7671. 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

Summer 2015 Connections

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OFF

Main switchboard

OFF

Origin

OFF

Effective insulation provides basic protection against contact with live parts, and prevents short-circuits and earth faults. A good insulator has a comparatively high insulation value, which is why insulation resistance is usually expressed in megohms (MΩ). When in service, the insulating properties of materials deteriorates with age, due, for example, to thermal cycling and moisture absorption. Such deterioration can increase leakage currents in conductors of cables. The currents flow through the insulation via parallel paths, thereby reducing the overall insulation resistance. Consequently, the insulation resistance of more than one circuit will be less than that of any individual circuit. Generally, the greater the number of outgoing circuits connected to a distribution board, the lower the overall insulation resistance. Furthermore, where a large installation includes equipment such as a main switchboard, distributions boards, distribution circuits and final circuits, the insulation resistance value measured at the main switchboard with all outgoing circuits connected is generally found to be lower than the insulation resistance values obtained at other relevant points in the installation such as, distribution boards.

OFF

Solution

Test points

Although not a requirement of BS 7671 the approximate overall insulation resistance value for the installation can be obtained from the individual insulation resistance values by calculation, as follows: From the equation Overall insulation resistance

Example A complex industrial installation having a nominal voltage of 400/230 V contains a main switchboard and four distribution boards, each with 36 final circuits (see fig within this snag). An insulation resistance measurement, using the appropriate test instrument and test voltage, is carried out at the main switchboard (R1) with the four test point switches (R2, R3, R4 and R5) “closed” to connect the distribution circuits, distribution boards and final circuits to the switchboard busbars. The measured insulation resistance is 0.9 MΩ. This value is lower than the appropriate value given in Table 61 of Regulation 612.3.2. However, by opening the four test point switches and measuring the insulation resistance separately at each of the five test points (R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5), as prescribed by Regulation 612.3.2, the following results are obtained: • Test point (R1) = 195 MΩ • Test point (R2) = 5 MΩ • Test point (R3) = 4 MΩ • Test point (R4) = 3 MΩ • Test point (R5) = 3 MΩ. The individual insulation resistance values are now above the appropriate value of 1 MΩ given in Table 61 and would therefore be considered satisfactory.

Regulation 612.3.2 (part of) The insulation resistance measured with the test voltages indicated in Table 61 shall be considered satisfactory if the main switchboard and each distribution circuit tested separately, with all its final circuits connected but with current-using equipment disconnected, has an insulation resistance not less than the appropriate value given in Table 61. Table 61 Minimum values of insulation resistance (part of) Circuit nominal voltage (V) Up to and including 500 V

Test voltage d.c. (V)

500

Minimum insulation resistance (MΩ) 1.0

Connections Summer 2015

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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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Product Focus Snickers Workwear

Ellis

Check out the best gear for working on site in the new Snickers Workwear catalogue. The latest full colour brochure is now available free in print or as a digital edition. It features the world’s leading range of working clothes, the only one that will work hard on site all year round, whatever the working environment or weather condition. Whatever trade you’re in, there’s something for you in the Snickers range – work trousers, work jackets, tool vests, shirts, underwear, accessories and tool carriers.

Ellis has launched Pegasus – a modular cable hanging system that is stronger, lighter and, because it is has been designed to be made to order, even more flexible than any other solution currently available. Consisting of an aluminium spine supporting any number and combination of plastic cable hangers, Ellis’s managing director, Richard Shaw, says that Pegasus “brings hanger systems for the railway industry bang up-to-date”.

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Martindale Electric

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.

HSE guidelines for lighting, ventilation, temperature, noise and humidity all help to ensure a happy, healthy and productive environment. Getting the balance right also improves energy efficiency and contributes to a safe working environment. The new range of environmental testers from Martindale Electric make it easy to check, monitor and optimise work place conditions in industrial, commercial and public premises and also enable testing for hazardous levels of carbon monoxide and microwave leakage. 01923 441717 martindale-electric.co.uk

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

Kidde Fyrnetics

Scolmore

Low energy consumption is high on the agenda for the new Firex® range of smoke and heat alarms, alongside a host of other advanced features ideally suited to all types of housing. For many years, Firex® has proved a popular range of cost-effective hard-wired, interconnectable alarms, satisfying building regulations and British Standards requirements. The latest generation of Firex® optical and ionisation smoke and heat alarms now offers standard, long life and rechargeable battery back-up versions of each sensing technology.

Scolmore Group has produced a new product guide for 2015 that brings together key products from across the company’s Click wiring accessories, Ovia lighting and iNELS home automation solutions. Designed to make life simpler for the contractor when selecting from the 6,000 products currently available, the Contractors’ Booklet is an A5 format that will provide electrical contractors and installers with a handy, easy to access guide to some of Scolmore Group’s most successful innovations.

01753 766 392 www.kiddesafetyeurope.co.uk

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

Danlers

Spacer

Danlers’ ‘ControlZAPP’ with dimming capability is the ground-breaking link between standalone controls and the sophisticated, but expensive managed systems. Featuring Bluetooth smart communication, ControlZAPP can be used to remotely set up, adjust or override 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 Spacer Connect™ is a range of simple clip solutions that allows a series of back boxes to be connected together as one. It automatically aligns each box, ensures socket or switch are exactly parallel and allows all the back boxes to be perfectly positioned using just one measurement and fixing. This simple solution can save significant amounts of time during installation, as well as reducing the chances of any second fix work being required, since it ensures correct positioning and seals the knockout holes so no material or plaster ingress can occur. It is also available with a conduit variant.

01249 443377 sales@danlers.co.uk www.danlers.co.uk

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

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

Hultafors

Marshall-Tufflex

This Dead Blow hammer from Hultafors Tools delivers all the power you need, but with reduced recoil and no sparks thanks to the internal ball bearings that cushion shock and reduce recoil. These fantastic hammers have a fiberglass and Santoprene handle for optimal grip and comfort. Most important of all is the fact that the hammer’s design ergonomics and efficient operation will help reduce repetitive strain injury. Available in a range of different sizes, their design feature soft faces to minimise the risk of leaving marks on the work piece, and a flat area on the head for upright storage.

MT Supertube conduit is a simple tubing product that can reduce installation costs by more than 50 per cent compared with standard galvanized steel. The lightweight conduit has the strength of steel and is sufficiently pliable to hand bend. It is available in lengths of 3m and coils of 50m or 100m, making it far easier to transport and is installed with no mess, minimal wastage and in a fraction of the time taken for conventional systems.

www.hultafors.co.uk

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

EES Data

Snickers Workwear

Free to download – Estimating Installation Guidance Times.

The launch of these new D3O® LITE kneepads from Snickers Workwear means it’s time to seriously consider giving yourself superior knee protection. Leading the way in reliable and certified knee protection for professional tradesmen and women, the NEW D30 kneepads deliver the most advanced knee protection available today. Delivering superior cushioning and protection, D3O® LITE is a high-tech material that’s flexible, durable and cut-resistant – according to CE standard EN14404.

Commercial and industrial guidebooks of estimating install times free to download and use. View on our website or download in PDF book format.

Scan QR code with your smart phone to visit our site

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

01484 854788 www.snickersworkwear.co.uk

ESP

Aurora

The Fireline fire alarm kits from leading security products supplier, ESP, provide contractors with ideal starter kits when working on small commercial projects. There are two kits available: 2-Zone Conventional Fire Alarm Kit and 4-Zone Conventional Fire Alarm Kit, which bring together all the elements required for a professional system installation in a handy, boxed unit. The kits are very competitively priced and contractors can add further components to create a bigger system if required.

Aurora has launched its latest range of Enlite LED products. Big on performance, high on quality and low on price, Enlite is Aurora’s brand of value-driven LED lamps and luminaires. This extensive new range of innovative products includes ICE lamps, panels, commercial and low-profile downlights, floodlights, bulkheads and more. The unique ICE™ range of 5W GU10 and MR16 direct halogen replacements delivers up 520 Lm; 25,000 to L70 hours.

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

01727 836611 enlitelighting.com

Ideal

Scolmore

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.

The latest addition to Scolmore’s New Media collection promises a faster, more powerful charging option for portable electronic devices – tablets, smart phones (including iPhone6), cameras and E-readers. The new 2A USB Charger Single Module replaces the original 1A version to offer a host of additional features and benefits. It allows 20 Watts of charging from a single wall plate and can fast charge from a single Euro module position. The device will limit output power within safe limits to provide protection against damage or overheating if overloaded or short-circuited.

www.idealindustries.co.uk

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

Summer 2015 Connections

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THE POWER TO DELIVER UNRIVALLED TECHNICAL ADVICE GET UP-TO-DATE WITH INDUSTRY CHANGES AT A TECH TALK NEAR YOU 13th October 2015

– Southampton

20th October 2015

– London

22nd October 2015

– Exeter

11th November 2015 – Belfast 3rd February 2016

– Cheltenham

11th February 2016

– Norwich

24th February 2016

– Llandudno

9th March 2016

– Durham

15th March 2016

– Leeds

17th March 2016

– Derby

TOPICS INCLUDE: Fire Alarm Design Regulation 421.1.201 EICR Coding Amendment 3 FAQ’s Tickets: £25 inc. VAT

Book online at niceic.com or elecsa.co.uk or call 0843 290 3456 Based in Scotland? We will be running a series of events just for you – visit niceicscotland.com for more info.

the power behind your business

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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

Golden oldies Last issue saw Leominster contractor C.Townsend set the bar high by producing an enrolment certificate from 9 May 1974. So naturally we were impressed when Darren Laughton from T James Electrical in Northampton produced an enrolment letter and certificate from 7 August 1963. And we were even more excited when Sandra Phipps of London firm R&I Electrical Services came up with this certificate, from 24 June 1960, with a certificate number of 4092, making it the oldest we’ve had so far. • Can you do better? Email nick.martindale@ redactive.co.uk with a scanned copy

The latest botch jobs uncovered by our trusty contractors include (1-3): an ill-advised method of bonding; a domestic fuseboard missing main earthing and bonding; and a 16mm tail designed to stop a faulty heated towel rail from blowing a fuse. It continues (4-6) with some dangerous cabling routes above a boiler; an unearthed consumer unit conduit with no circuit protective conductor to the bulkhead; and an upside down RCD.

70 and counting Wolverhampton firm Whitehouse Radio and Electrical Services celebrated 70 years in business by bringing together three generations for a commemorative evening at South Staffordshire Cricket Club. The firm, now called Cosgriff Whitehouse, was set up by Doug Whitehouse (centre), now 94, when he returned home from the navy in 1945. He was joined by his son and current managing director Peter (right) and 19-year-old grandson Harry (left), who is completing an apprenticeship with the firm, as well as current members of staff. Congratulations to all!

2 4

5 Thanks to: Michael Pearse of Burnham-based Pearse Electrical Contracting /// Matthew Whate of Whate Electrical Services in Newark /// Bruce Bellingham of Cornwall Energy /// Mike McKinley Electrical Services in Wetherby /// Gordon Watt of Inspect and Test Services in Dungannon /// and Andrew Elmes of A J E Electrical in Brentwood.

Keep those shots coming in!

Bike buddies Area engineer Paul Gallagher (pictured, left) proved that our assessors are not such a scary bunch after all by going on a cycling trip around Scotland recently – along with one of the contractors from his local patch. Paul, who cycled across France last year, got chatting to Paul Alexander of Oxford Spires Electrical (pictured, right) at a recent assessment. After discovering that both men shared a passion for cycling, they decided to buddy up for a ride around the Scottish Highlands. Sadly for Paul Alexander, the trip and inclement Scottish weather proved a little trickier than he estimated and he was forced to complete the journey in his van after just two days. Paul Gallagher did manage to complete the route, along with some pals already on the trip, and the whole group were able to meet up at the end for a well-deserved drink or two. You can find out more about the trip from Paul Gallagher’s blog at https://mamilsinthehighlands.wordpress.com

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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 - Summer 2015

Articles inside

BS 7671 and exterior lights

Climate control

Ask the experts

Smarten up

Contractor profile

Opinion

Case study

Live wire

Area engineer’s marathon eff ort

TechTalks more popular than ever

Training

Luton sponsorship promotes brands

Product news