Connections - Summer 2014 by NICEIC

Single register for Part P contractors // page 6

connections THE MAGAZINE FOR NICEIC AND ELECSA REGISTERED CONTRACTORS

ADVICE P17 Late and non-payment are all too common. But what are your options?

RISE AND FALL P20 An innovative solution helped meet planning rules at an athletics track

£5.00

SUMMER 2014 | ISSUE 190

BIM SOFTWARE P36 Building information modelling can help contractors of all sizes

ONE MAN’S VISION How Tim Harlock built Alpha Electrical Midlands Limited from the ground up

// page 26

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As an NICEIC, ELECSA or ECA member, Peugeot offers you even better deals on brand new cars and vans with exclusive lower rates. With exceptional payloads, low CO2 emissions and slick stylish designs, our vehicles will benefit your business, whatever your requirements. We’ll also give you £250 cashback^ towards equipment or training manuals. So being switched on could save you a bundle. To see how much your membership will save you, visit peugeotcontracthire.co.uk/niceic-elecsa now or call 0845 313 3810 to get a personalised quote. The ofﬁcial fuel consumption ﬁgures in mpg (l/100km) and CO2 emissions (g/km) for the 2008 range are: Urban 32.1 (8.8) – 68.9 (4.1), Extra Urban 54.3 (5.2) – 78.5 (3.6), Combined 43.5 (6.5) – 74.3 (3.8) and CO2 emissions 135-98, for the Partner range are: Urban 29.4 (9.6) – 54.4 (5.1), Extra Urban 49.6 (5.7) – 64.2 (4.4), Combined 39.8 (7.1) – 60.1 (4.7) and CO2 emissions 199-169. Rates refer to the 2008 Active 1.2 VTi 82 5dr and the Partner SE L1 HDi 92 with ATV with Grip Control. Models shown are for illustrative purposes only. Rentals are based on a 24 month contract with 6 months payable in advance followed by 23 monthly payments with 10000 miles per annum. Business users only. A guarantee may be required. Over 18s only. Written quotations from Peugeot Contract Hire, Quadrant House, Princess Way, Redhill, RH1 1QA. Offers apply to eligible vehicles supplied and registered from 1st April 2014 until such time they are withdrawn by Peugeot Motor Company PLC. ^£250 cashback can only be spent on NICEIC and ELECSA web stores. For full terms and conditions, please consult your Peugeot Dealer in the UK. Calls may be recorded for training purposes.

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Summer 2014 | Issue 190

Contents Proportional response 4 Government responds with common sense to the Select Committee report

Plugged in News New site and mark for Part P contractors

Backing for government stance on regulation

JFTG academy boosts women’s career hopes

Renewables news NICEIC named top Green Deal certifier

Electrical Safety First news Contractors’ support helps to save lives

Concerns raised over third-party inspection Product news The latest products on the market

Features

Live wire

Contractor profile 26 Alpha Electrical Midlands Limited has become a specialist in newbuild nursing homes, reports Nick Martindale

Advice 17 Martin Hughes suggests ways of tackling customers who won’t pay Opinion 18 It’s important to be able to prove your data cabling installation can perform as required, says Tim Widdershoven

Fully charged

Case study 20 Christy Lighting came up with an innovative solution to comply with planning rules for floodlighting at a new athletics track in Little Marlow, discovers Andrew Brister

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

Insight 23 Certsure CEO Emma Clancy provides clarification on the differences between Gas Safe and competent person scheme certification

Cutting holes and notches in solid timber joists

Technical Universal socket-outlets

Access all areas 31 Security system installation and maintenance can provide a profitable string to your bow, says David Adams Model of efficiency 36 It’s time electrical contractors joined the BIM software revolution, discovers Rob Shepherd

42 Single register for Part P contractors // page 6

Current affairs Bank holiday blunders

THE MAGAZINE FOR NICEIC AND ELECSA REGISTERED CONTRACTORS

ADVICE P17 Late and non-payment are all too common. But what are your options?

Converting amperes to kVA

RISE AND FALL P20 An innovative solution helped meet planning rules at an athletics track

£5.00

SUMMER 2014 | ISSUE 190

BIM SOFTWARE P36 Building information modelling can help contractors of all sizes

Automatic switching devices – 53 assessing their switching capacity Avoiding damage to cables due 57 to condensation or ingress of water Snags and solutions

» Cover photo: Simon Hadley/UNP

ONE MAN’S VISION How Tim Harlock built Alpha Electrical Midlands Limited from the ground up

// page 26

Connections Summer 2014

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Illustration: Cameron Law

Events 24 This year’s Live South proved to be a lively affair, reports Nick Martindale

connections

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Comment EMMA CLANCY

First phase Proportional response The government’s reaction to the Select Committee report into the domestic electrical industry provides a welcome dose of common sense ‘The comments simply did not reflect the true state of the industry’

ack in March, when the Select Committee issued its recommendations on the future of the domestic electrical industry, there seemed to be a sense that the industry was in disarray and full of cowboy contractors. Newspaper reports at the time suggested the majority of electrical installers were unqualified and carrying out unsafe work. The Select Committee recommendation was for tighter regulation and tougher qualifications. Naturally, NICEIC and ELECSA were shocked by the condemning nature of the reports. The comments simply did not reflect the true state of the industry, with standards improving and increasing numbers of contractors signing up for certification. In response, I called for an industry sense-check and a more balanced approach to change. While we agreed with some points in the Committee’s report, others were not explored thoroughly and did not reflect the industry. So, when the government issued its response to the Select Committee in May it was a relief to see a sensible

Emma Clancy is chief executive officer, Certsure

attitude taken. The report (see page 7) said there was no case to introduce a mandatory register and that it was unreasonable for every individual to require additional qualifications. As the Select Committee has previously commented, it is up to the industry and those within it to resolve any issues. I believe we are doing that. We have just launched a single mark and register for all Part P registrants to make it easier for the consumer when it comes to choosing a registered electrician. We are also working with Electrical Safety First to raise awareness of Part P. These are just some of the steps we are taking to improve our industry. Sometimes it can be easy to knock the electrical sector, but I am proud of the commitment shown by our organisation and our customers to ensure safety and standards increase year on year. I hope you are too.

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 AND MARKETING Senior sales executive Darren Hale Sales executive Adam Dickinson Display 020 7880 6206 Fax 020 7880 7553 Email darren.hale@redactive.co.uk

PRODUCTION General production enquiries 020 7880 6240 Fax 020 7880 7691 Production manager Jane Easterman Deputy production manager Kieran Tobin Email kieran.tobin@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 2014 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 Polestar (Colchester) Ltd. 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 2014 Connections

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BO NO OK W

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Prices NICEIC, ELECSA and ECA contractors

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Speakers Tony Cable, Senior Events and Marketing Engineer, NICEIC & ELECSA

Highlights Live is the must-attend technical conference and exhibition for the electrical industry. • Over 4 hours of technical and business seminars

Darren Staniforth, Technical Development Manager, NICEIC & ELECSA

• Technical experts on hand to answer your questions • A lively trade exhibition and demo zone • Plus much more...!

Partner sponsors:

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BOOK NOW at www.niceic-elecsalive.com or call 020 7880 7625 24/06/2014 08:45

News/Renewables news/Electrical Safety First news/Product news

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

New site and mark for Part P contractors Searching for an electrical installer is now easier than ever, thanks to a new website listing all firms registered for domestic electrical work in England and Wales. The site was developed by all DCLG authorised electrical competent person scheme operators in a bid to create a single point of reference for consumers. The new site is found at www.electricalcompetentperson.co.uk. It was officially unveiled by the minister for communities and local government, Stephen Williams MP, at the Palace of Westminster. “With several registers in operation the marketplace had become confusing for householders,” he said during a keynote speech to a wide array of industry stakeholders and MPs. “Homeowners need to be aware of the dangers involved when carrying out work around their home,” he added. “This website will raise consumer awareness about this issue significantly.” All full-scope Part P registered electrical contracting firms in England and Wales are listed on the new register and entitled to use the new Registered Competent

Electrical logo (pictured) on their vans, websites and marketing material. Emma Clancy, chief executive officer of Certsure, which operates the NICEIC and ELECSA brands, said: “Consumers now have just one name and easily recognisable mark to remember and they can be reassured that everyone listed on the site has had a sample of their work checked and assessed in accordance with the required electrical standards.” The new mark and register is also backed by Electrical Safety First, which will spearhead a targeted consumer marketing campaign to highlight the register and raise consumer awareness.

BUILDING CONTRACTOR FINED FOR LOGO MISUSE The director of a building firm has been fined for falsely claiming to be NICEIC registered. Dorset-based James Hewitson, a director of Poole Bay Building Construction Ltd, pleaded guilty to offences under the Consumer Protection From Unfair Trading Regulations Act 2008. He misused the NICEIC logo on two vehicles and the firm’s website. The company was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay £500 costs and a victim surcharge of £100. Hewitson was fined £300 and ordered to pay £124 costs and a £30 victim surcharge. Charges were dropped against the company’s other director, Mark Hewitson. The action was taken by Dorset Trading Standards. Richard Herringshaw, principal trading standards officer, said: “We gave the company and its directors every chance to remove the logo but they chose to ignore advice. In such circumstances we had no alternative but to prosecute the company and its director.” In January, London-based David Taylor, who trades as DT Property Maintenance and Electrical Contractors, was found guilty of leaving jobs unfinished and homes unfit for human habitation while claiming to be NICEIC registered.

STAY CONNECTED… Don’t forget you can download your own interactive tablet edition of Connections. The online magazines can be downloaded to your device free of charge, meaning they can be accessed and read from wherever you are. The tablet versions include a number of extra features that are not possible in conventional paper format. To download your free copy and recent back issues, visit Google Play on Android tablets and the Apple App Store on iPads, and search for NICEIC Connections.

GEORGE CLARKE LEADS THE WAY AT LIVE SOUTH More than 600 electrical contractors filled out Epsom Downs for NICEIC and ELECSA’s annual Live South event. TV presenter George Clarke was this year’s headline presenter and encouraged the audience to challenge traditional forms of building and lighting design. “Architects are dependent on a lot of people to deliver great buildings, including electricians,” he said. Tony Cable and Darren Staniforth also presented a series of seminars on the upcoming changes to BS 7671 and were joined by Mark Coles from the IET. The changes, which are released in January next year and come into force next July, provoked great debate among the crowd, with NICEIC and ELECSA’s technical team of experts on hand to answer delegates’ questions. “There was a real thirst for knowledge. Contractors showed a great appetite to learn all they could about the upcoming changes and how they will affect their day-to-day work,” said NICEC and ELECSA’s head of group marketing Mark Smith.

Summer 2014 Connections

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ised by Use of the forms recogn reporting and BS 7671 for certifying

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in note 4 below). circumstances as described and EICR (except in certain then develops a 3 This also applies to MEIWC carries out installation work a Building such as where a contractor 4 In certain circumstances, before issuing an EIC or where trading due to bankruptcy meet Part P of the Building Regulations, long-term illness or ceases is for work to be certified to work is fit to be put into service Control Body authorises installation inst whether the installed www.niceic.com the decision to an appropriate means of determining a issue an EICR. However, of the work and www.elecsa.com Amd 2: 2013 out inspection and testing and a detailed examination walls and another contractor to carry lig EIC must not be taken lightly, at November 2013 such as exposing cables in issue an EICR in lieu of an re be required, might Based on information as inspection periodic beyond the scope of a installed. floors to confirm they are correctly

0870 0130382 this guide telephone For further copies of vice@certsure.com or e-mail customerser

FREE POCKET GUIDE Inside this issue of Connections you will find Pocket Guide 32 – Use of the forms recognised by BS 7671 for certifying and reporting. A printable version of each pocket guide is available on the NICEIC website. For further copies of this guide telephone 0870 0130382 or email customerservice@certsure.com

Backing for government stance on regulation

As part of our ongoing commitment to provide you with the best products and services, ELECSA contractors can now access our new online certification and building control system. From 9 June all ELECSA customers transferred over to the system automatically. If you haven’t tried it yet, just log on at www.elecsa.co.uk using the same user name and password and you will be redirected straightaway. The system will also enable ELECSA contractors to take advantage of our integrated online certification system. Online certification means you can create, store and administer certificates on a pay-as-you-go basis. At present the site allows domestic electrical installation or minor works certificates to be filled out online. Furthermore, ELECSA contractors can now also benefit from our new customer guarantee. Platinum Promise guarantees the standard of all the work you undertake for up to six years, not just the work you are required to notify to Building Control. This enhanced guarantee will mean your customers no longer have to pay an additional insurance-backed warranty notice fee, providing additional peace of mind to them and removing any administrative burden placed on you. These additional benefits are part of our continual commitment to improve the products and services we provide to you and your business. If you have any questions or require more information call 0333 321 8225 or email enquires@elecsa.co.uk

06-07_news.FINAL.indd 7

easily identifiable mark and register for all Part P registered firms. However, we believe there were some points in the Committee’s report that were not explored thoroughly and did not reflect the true state of the industry. “More than 70 per cent of firms registered to carry out work under Part P are sole traders where the qualified supervisor carries out the installation with full responsibility,” she added. NICEIC and ELECSA have also opted out of the third-party certification scheme, over fears that it will encourage a DIY attitude towards electrical work by people without the necessary skills or experience to do such work.

Feel the Power and win more work Launching in the centre of this edition of Connections is a new advertising campaign from NICEIC and ELECSA. The Power campaign is based around the strength of the NICEIC and ELECSA brands to win your business more work.

THE POWER TO GET YOUR JOBS CERTIFIED AND NOTIFIED ON-SITE, ONLINE, IN MINUTES

the power behind your business New for ELECSA members, the time-saving beneﬁt 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.

The campaign, which features a striking new tagline and imagery, will feature in a series of new adverts. “Research suggests our contractors notify up to 89 per cent more work than other scheme operators,” said Mark Smith, head of group marketing and communications. “This tells us that our contractors are consistently carrying out more work on a day-to-day basis and we want to highlight that fact. “We want more people to recognise the NICEIC and ELECSA logos. This campaign is a fresh approach to our advertising and will reinforce NICEIC and ELECSA as the names you can trust when it comes to choosing an electrician.”

iStock/Rafael Bastos

ONLINE CERTIFICATION FOR ELECSA CONTRACTORS

NICEIC and ELECSA have welcomed the government’s response to a Select Committee report into the Building Regulations certification of domestic electrical work. In its report, published in May, the government said there was no case to introduce a mandatory register for electricians. It noted the setting up costs and upheaval it would create for firms in the industry if a mandatory register was established. The government also said it would be unreasonable to require every individual within the domestic sector to have a NVQ Level 3 qualification as many businesses employ trainees and apprentices to help carry out their work. “We welcome the fact government has listened to the industry and support its response,” said Emma Clancy, CEO of Certsure. “The Select Committee report put forward some positive recommendations, which we supported, including the development of one single,

Connections Summer 2014

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News/Renewables news/Electrical Safety First news/Product news

Plugged in Girls’ academy boosts women’s career hopes NICEIC and ELECSA host the final session of the inaugural Jobs for the Girls Academy this month. The academy is a series of four sessions held over 2013-14 providing technical, business and industry advice to give women a helping hand into the electrical industry. The sessions have been led by Tony Cable and Darren Staniforth and included talks on different topics. A group of 14 women have attended each session. Certsure CEO Emma Clancy, who was instrumental in launching the Jobs for the Girls initiative, said: “The academy was our response to the lack of opportunities that many women still feel exist in the industry. “We wanted to provide some industry-based learning that we believe will enhance their skills and improve their career opportunities.”

Many of the attendees on the course are just starting out as an electrician or recently passed their level 3 qualification. Topics covered so far include electrical principles and calculations, protective devices and safe isolation, surge protection, green technologies and certification of works. “This is the first academy we have run and we hope those who attended will now go on to make their mark in the industry,” added Clancy.

> Tony Cable and Darren Staniforth (centre left and right) led the academy

New van insurance offer NICEIC and ELECSA Insurance Services are pleased to announce a new van insurance proposition for all their contractors. The new van insurance product includes: additional cover featuring motor breakdown as standard; a free fuel card (terms and conditions apply) with every van insurance quote; free tools cover up to £1,000; free breakdown and legal expenses; a guaranteed courtesy vehicle in any fault or non-fault claim; windscreen protection; 60 days’ EU cover; locks protection (not key cover); up to £100 personal belongings (not money); personal accident insurance covering death (£5,000) and loss of limb (£1,500); and up to £100 medical expenses per passenger. www.elecsainsurance.co.uk or www.niceicinsurance.com

3rd amendment training on way Work on the 3rd amendment to BS 7671 is gathering speed and the final version is due on 1 January 2015. Although the changes have yet to be finalised, some of the expected changes include: • The definition of competent person is to be replaced with “instructed person (electrically)” and “skilled person (electrically)”. These are designed to highlight the different skill levels of each operative on site; • Change in the Zs values reflecting the voltage range that can be expected at the time of the test; • Detailed risk assessments to be carried out if there is a justification for not having a circuit or socket outlet RCD protected; • Wiring systems in escape routes will have to be fully supported (or tied) so that they will not be liable to premature collapse in the event of fire. This may mean greater use of metallic fixings. All contractors will need to become fully aware of the changes and NICEIC and ELECSA are currently preparing a training package around the amendments. Training will be available via a half-day in-house session or online, making it easier for contractors to get up to speed at their own pace and at a convenient time. If you would like to be kept updated on the developments and made aware of any 3rd amendment courses email training@certsure.com to register your interest. We will continue to brief you on any upcoming changes.

SNAPPED ON THE JOB What do you get if you cross an electrician with a selfie? An ‘elecfie’, of course! If you haven’t heard of an elecfie then you need to search for the hashtag #elecfie on Twitter. From Devon to Dumbarton, electrical contractors have been sending in their “elecfies” as NICEIC and ELECSA build up a map of the work being carried out each day by electricians across the UK. From domestic installations to commercial projects, the pictures include contractors working on the fitout of a shop on London’s Oxford Street, installing a new lighting system on a block of flats in Glasgow and working at height on an exclusive sound system. You can catch up with all the pictures and latest developments by keeping track of the hashtag #elecfie on Twitter or by logging on to the NICEIC facebook page. 8

Summer 2014 Connections

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News/Renewables news/Electrical Safety First news/Product news

Plugged in INDUSTRY // DIARY September 18-19 ELEX Ricoh Arena, Coventry 30 TechTalk London Allianz Park October 9 TechTalk Brighton American Express Community Stadium

NICEIC was named certification body of the year at the 2014 National Green Deal & ECO Awards in May. The awards recognise the achievements of companies involved in the Green Deal initiative and the Energy Companies Obligation. “Green Deal is an important scheme for anyone involved in the building services industry,” said NICEIC’s sector specialist manager Dani Putney. “It is a great honour to be recognised by our industry peers. “NICEIC has been involved with Green Deal from the very start, initially working with UKAS on a pilot scheme to test the certification process, to becoming the number-one certification body for installers.” In May 2012, NICEIC became one of 14 companies to operate Green Deal certification in the first wave of official approvals by UKAS. Since then, NICEIC has achieved UKAS accreditation across all Green Deal measures, ensuring it has a solution for every requirement an installer

may have, regardless of the sectors they work in. NICEIC is now the market leader in Green Deal certification, registering its 1,000th installer in January 2014. The judges praised NICEIC’s work in educating consumers and specifiers about the scheme. “When the government launched Green Deal it was a difficult scheme to understand,” said Putney. “NICEIC has worked hard to communicate with both installers and consumers so the benefits of Green Deal can be easily identified. “Green Deal certified companies not only have greater opportunities to work in the growing “green” sector, they also benefit from improved ability to manage their company and to deliver good customer service consistently. “Green Deal certification also gives the consumer confidence that the firm it employs to carry out work on their home has been checked and assessed by a relevant body.”

GOVERNMENT MAKEOVER FOR GREEN DEAL The government has moved to make the Green Deal more attractive to homeowners by offering grants of £500 to those who install energy-saving measures in the first 12 months after moving into a property. Householders can also now claim back up to £1,000 towards the cost of implementing improvements if they install at least two measures from a list of 12, including gas condensing boilers and replacement warm air units. Householders do not have to take out Green Deal finance to qualify for the cashback, although those who do can also reclaim the first £100 they have to pay out for an assessment. The changes are designed to encourage more people to take advantage of the scheme, which could result in additional work for those who are Green Deal certified.

21 TechTalk Cornwall China Fleet Country Club November 6-7 ELEX Sandown Park 12 TechTalk Bristol Ashton Gate Stadium 27 Live North Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool

RHI LEADS TO HUGE RISE IN MCS APPLICATIONS The launch of the domestic renewable heat incentive (RHI) has led to a big increase in the number of applications for the microgeneration certification scheme (MCS). The domestic RHI, which launched on 9 April, gives private householders access to financial assistance if they convert their heating systems to green or more sustainable energy sources. These include air source heat pumps, biomass boilers, ground source heat pumps or solar thermal hot water systems. NICEIC is the leading certification body for MCS. Applications to join its MCS register are up a massive 37 per cent compared to last year. RHI represents a huge opportunity for installers, particularly those in the heating and plumbing community, who are looking to diversify their business into green technologies and increase their potential revenue streams in the renewables market.

Alamy

NICEIC named top Green Deal certifier

14 TechTalk Belfast Culloden Estate and Spa

Summer 2014 Connections

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1 year on site

WARRANTY

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year 3 GUARANTEE standard

24/06/2014 09:02

News/Renewables news/Electrical Safety First news/Product news

Plugged in Contractors’ support helps to save lives All Certsure contractors help fund Electrical Safety First, the only UK charity that focuses on electrical safety. And, as a result, you help save lives. Most domestic fires in the UK arise from electricity – that’s more than 20,000 each year – and it’s estimated that well over a quarter of a million people a year (around 350,000) are seriously injured as a result of an electrical accident in the home. To help address this, Electrical Safety First uses part of its budget to fund two grant schemes: the Fire Safety Fund and the Home Improvement Grant, both of which work at a grassroots level. The next round of grants will open in January 2015, as the charity is currently evaluating and reviewing the programmes to ensure they are as effective as possible. “By supporting grass roots organisations the electrical safety message is reaching local communities through the people they trust – their own homegrown local organisations,” explains Phil Buckle, director general of Electrical Safety First. “But to ensure we support the right projects and make the money work to best

effect, we need to review the grant process on a regular basis.” The Fire Safety Fund is open to community services such as local Fire and Rescue and Trading Standards, as well as other organisations promoting an electrical safety message. Its objective is to support a range of fire-prevention initiatives at a local level, to help tackle the causes of electrical-related fires. The Home Improvement Grant has operated through Care and Repair agencies, which provide direct support to various vulnerable groups, such as the elderly. Electrical Safety First funding has allowed these agencies to ensure those in need can live safely at home, by having essential electrical works undertaken.

Joint action to tackle intake fires

GM FRS/iStock/Shutterstock

Electrical Safety First is continuing to work with the London Fire Brigade (LFB) to reduce electrical intake fires in UK homes. As part of this collaboration, the charity recently hosted an industry meeting, chaired by Martyn Allen, head of technical, at the LFB Training Centre in Southwark. The meeting attracted a range of delegates, bringing together representatives from distribution network operators, energy suppliers, meter

operators, manufacturers and installers. The event highlighted the need for a partnership approach in establishing solutions for reducing the risk of intake fires, and Electrical Safety First is now following up a number of suggestions and ideas arising from the event. Electrical Safety First has previously collaborated with the Chief Fire Officers Association to produce and distribute an intake warning label for householders. The label, which is placed near the electrical intake equipment, aims to discourage people from storing combustible material there, particularly when located under the stairs. Labels are also being distributed by meter operators and other supply industry bodies when visiting homes to replace electricity meters. The total number of labels supplied to date is almost 4.5 million.

LINKEDIN FLAGS UP BAD ELECTRICAL PRACTICE It has proven to be quite an active quarter on Electrical Safety First’s LinkedIn discussion group, with a range of opinions and ideas being shared by people from all areas of the electrical industry. The most active discussion in the past few weeks has been in response to the charity’s call for examples of the worst case of dodgy electrics contractors have come across in rented homes. Electrical Safety First was seeking examples to support a report it is working on with the charity Shelter, to look at electrical safety in the private rented sector. Examples included properties with no earthing, a student home that had been totally rewired in only two days and a property that had been ‘rewired’ in just four hours – the ‘electrician’ had simply changed the socket fronts and left no earthing or consumer unit. There are many more alarming examples on the LinkedIn group, and it all highlights why the private rented sector is an area Electrical Safety First is looking to focus on.

HAIR STRAIGHTENER CAMPAIGN UP FOR AWARD Electrical Safety First has been shortlisted for CorpComms magazine’s best use of video category in its Digi Awards. These recognise the innovative use of digital media in communication programmes. As part of the Beauty Burns campaign, which focused on child safety, Electrical Safety First created a hard-hitting video that showed the dangers of not storing hair straighteners away safely. “Research showed that hair straighteners cause a tenth of child burns and that retailers and manufacturers are not doing enough to protect customers,” said Emma Apter, head of communications at Electrical Safety First. “We wanted to make people aware of the dangers and make them change their behaviour to minimise risk to children.” The 30-second video began by panning out from the melted face of a doll lying next to a pair of hair straighteners. The backdrop of a baby crying and the sound of a music-box heightened the emotional impact and the video ended with a link to Electrical Safety First’s website and the message: “Turn it off, put it away, pass this on.” “A key outcome of the campaign was the impact on manufacturers, as well as consumers,” adds Apter. “Two of the leading hair straightener manufacturers contacted us and have now agreed to provide heat-proof pouches as standard.” The Digi Awards will be presented on 10 July in London.

Summer 2014 Connections

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To view Electrical Safety First’s Switched On magazine, visit www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk ROUNDTABLE TACKLES ISSUE OF PRODUCT SAFETY As part of its increasing engagement with Europe and the European Parliament, Electrical Safety First recently held a roundtable in Brussels to discuss electrical product safety issues. The event attracted MEPs and representatives from the European Committee of Domestic Equipment Manufacturers, the European Engineering Industries Association and European product safety body Pro-Safe. It also focused on the forthcoming Consumer Product Safety Regulation and the Market Surveillance Regulation. “Current EU rules on market surveillance and consumer product safety are scattered over different pieces of legislation, creating gaps, overlaps and confusion,” said Phil Buckle, director general of Electrical Safety First (pictured), who chaired the discussion. “Our Brussels roundtable brought together key European stakeholders, to progress our proposed changes to the legislation, which focus on improving recall and traceability.”

Concerns raised over third-party inspection Electrical Safety First has raised concerns over changes to the way electrical work in the home is checked to ensure its safety. The introduction of third-party inspection schemes for domestic electrical work was recently announced by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG), as part of its changes to Part P of the Building Regulations for England. Originally suggested during the review of Part P, such third-party inspection was considered as a way for DIY-ers – and those not registered with a competent person scheme – to have their work checked and certified. “We have grave concerns over the third-party inspection scheme, particularly following last year’s reduction in notifiable work covered by Part P, which is the only legal framework

protecting consumers from unsafe electrical work,” said Phil Buckle, director general of Electrical Safety First. “Although the third-party inspection scheme will work to agreed criteria it will not, unlike the qualified supervisor model used in the competent person schemes, be accredited by UKAS, which is the sole national accreditation body recognised by government. So there will be no objective, impartial assessment to ensure it operates to the required standards,” he said.

PROGRESS SEEN ON PRIVATE RENTAL IMPROVEMENTS Electrical Safety First is working with politicians, consumer bodies and landlord and tenant groups throughout the UK, to press for improvements in electrical safety in the private rented sector (PRS). The issue has gained increasing importance given the continued expansion of the sector. Electrical Safety First has proposed the introduction of mandatory, five-yearly safety checks, by a competent person, of electrical installations in PRS properties, along with any electrical appliance supplied with them. The charity has also called for residual current devices (RCDs) to be made compulsory in all PRS accommodation. While the charity is working for improved electrical safety throughout the UK, it has already seen some success in Scotland. “We are delighted that our work in Scotland has led to our proposals – put forward in an amendment by Bob Doris MSP – being accepted in the second stage review of the Scottish Housing Bill,” said Phil Buckle, director general of Electrical Safety First. “While the bill has still to pass its third and last stage before it becomes law, it seems likely that the amendment on electrical safety will be included in the final version.”

Warning over poor-quality LEDs LED lighting has been embraced for its energy efficiency, but Electrical Safety First is highlighting the potential dangers of substandard and counterfeit LED lights. In partnership with Trading Standards’ imports team, it has been working to help remove these products from the UK. Steve Curtler, product safety manager at Electrical Safety First, recently gave a presentation to Suffolk Trading Standards on how to identify substandard and fake LED lamps. “This is a growing concern since LED lamps have become increasingly popular and mainstream,” he said. “Fake LEDs

can overheat and lead to fires, which can take hold after people have turned them off and gone to bed. This is when a fire is much more likely to go undetected and become much more dangerous.” Key points for identifying substandard or counterfeit LED lamps include checking if the product: • Allows access to live parts, such as pins • Can be dismantled easily and without being permanently damaged • Doesn’t separate the mains and exposed live parts of the LED supply • Doesn’t have the following marks: mark of origin (trademark); rated voltage or voltage range (marked V or volts); rated wattage (marked W or Watts); rated frequency (marked in Hz); or contains CE, RoHS and the WEEE logos (on the lamp or packaging). Electrical Safety First is planning further work with Suffolk Trading Standards, including developing similar checklists for counterfeit material for European market surveillance authorities.

Connections Summer 2014

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24/06/2014 09:03

News/Renewables news/Electrical Safety First news/Product news

Plugged in DATA CABLE VERIFICATION

LIGHT IN A BOX

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Ideal Networks has developed a new data cable transmission tester, designed to help installers prove copper cabling has been installed correctly and is capable of supporting gigabit Ethernet applications. The SignalTEK CT carries out both wiremap and data transmission tests using its autotest function. The wiremap test displays crossed pairs, opens, shorts and split pairs, while the data transmission test performs at 100Mbit/s or 1000Mbit/s, allowing users to demonstrate whether the link really can support the desired Ethernet speed. The use of two handsets also allows for < SignalTEK CT one-person testing. The device is designed as an alternative to the use of conventional cable certifiers as a means of guaranteeing compliance to international cabling standards such as ISO/IEC 11801, which may not always be appropriate for those installing networks in small business locations or residential properties. www.signaltekct.com

GreenBrook Electrical has unveiled a new addition to its KingShield LED emergency lighting range. The nonmaintained IP20 LED Twin Spot provides up to three hours of < IP20 LED Twin Spot emergency lighting, powered by the selfcontained 3.6V, 4.5Ah battery. The device is designed to provide powerful light for locations where mains lighting is out or non-existent, including warehouses, factories, corridors and even domestic premises. It is designed to complement the nonmaintained IP65 LED Twin Spot, which has been developed for exterior use. www. greenbrook.co.uk

Seaward has relaunched its PrimeTest 250 manual portable appliance tester with the additional ability to quickly download results and print labels. The handheld tester allows users to connect directly to a new “Test n Tag” printer to produce labels efficiently without the need for specific set-up procedures. It also features a 3-phase leakage test and a 250V DC insulation test suitable for testing sensitive electrical appliances, as well as Seaward’s “zap” circuit technology to ensure accurate and reliable earth continuity testing. The PrimeTest 250 can be used in a range of environments, including factories, workshops, schools and colleges. www.seaward.co.uk/ primetest250plus

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INFRARED BATTERY POWER Fluke has introduced a lower-price version of its VT04 visual infrared thermometer, which includes all the features of the higher-end product while being powered by AA batteries. The VT04A is designed as a troubleshooting tool and uses an infrared heat map to help detect issues with electrical installations. The device includes temperature alarms and a time-lapse feature, which automatically monitors equipment over time and captures images after an alarm has been triggered. It also offers three different levels of screen brightness and images can be saved to < VT04A a micro-SD card. www.fluke.co.uk

Connections Summer 2014

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Advice/Opinion/Regions/Insight/Events/Case study/Customer care/Training LATE PAYMENT

Live wire Debt collection Knowing when – and whether – to increase the pressure on late-paying customers can be difficult. Much depends on the reason for the delay and the type of business concerned, says Martin Hughes

adly, even when you’ve given the customer your terms and conditions, sent them invoices and statements and phoned them, late payment is all too common in this sector. There could be several reasons for this, and understanding which ones apply will help you determine the best course of action to ensure payment. Common reasons for delay include:

Outstanding disputes

Often disputes arise because of issues with the quality of the work, or when further work has taken place that was not included in the original quote. Whenever additional work is carried out you must ensure a further written quote is given, agreed and signed off by the customer. This is particularly important since many main contractors work on a paper-based invoice clearance system, so any additional work won’t be picked up without the paperwork. Other disputes can be more contentious, such as if the dispute is totally bogus, or has not been quantified by your customer. The only answer to this, if agreement cannot be reached, may be legal action. This will either force a capitulation of the bogus defence or ensure detailed evidence of the dispute is received.

Customer cash flow problems This can be a tricky situation, especially if you have a long-standing relationship with your customer. You will have to make a commercial judgment as to the long-term importance of the customer. You may decide to agree a payment plan, but often these fail to complete. The alternative response is to work on the basis that “he who shouts loudest” gets paid. In this case legal action should be taken.

Illustration: Cameron Law

Internal administration problems It is important to establish at the outset who and where to send your invoices to. Many larger organisations struggle to clear invoices unless it is absolutely clear who can sign them off. This can be a matter of huge frustration to contractors and sub-contractors alike. The solution is to get the information before any work begins. If this still fails to secure payment then legal action may be the only option.

The customer is no longer trading Here legal advice is required. If your customer is a sole trader or a partnership, you can pursue those individuals because they are personally liable. When the customer is either a limited company or a plc, I would assume the business has been officially wound up and a

liquidator appointed. In this case you will have to lodge proof of debt with the liquidator, who will then pay out any monies to unsecured creditors. In most cases any payout is minimal or non-existent.

What does legal action involve? The decision to proceed with legal action can seem daunting and expensive, especially to small businesses. Very briefly, the process involves sending a “letter before action”, which will normally give the debtor seven days to make payment. The amount claimed can be the principal debt, late payment interest and compensation. This is not expensive, but can be very effective. If they do not pay within seven days, a claim form can then be issued. This would claim the amount covered in the letter, plus court costs and fees paid to the court. If the debt remains unpaid, judgment can be obtained. This will allow you, with the help of your solicitor, to decide the best form of enforcement. For debts over £600 we would normally recommend a High Court enforcement officer who will visit the customer’s premises to ask for payment. If this cannot be obtained they will identify any goods on the premises that could be auctioned to cover the outstanding debt. If the debt is not paid within two days they will remove the goods for auction. If all these steps result in payment in full, including costs and interest, legal action can be extremely economical. However, judgment in itself has no relation to somebody’s ability to pay. If there is no money you will have to bear the costs of all action taken.

Martin Hughes is head of commercial recoveries at Spratt Endicott Solicitors

Connections Summer 2014

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

Live wire

Fit for purpose Proof of performance is one of the biggest challenges for contractors installing data cable or carrying out changes to an existing network, says Tim Widdershoven

rganisations installing or upgrading data cabling to gigabit Ethernet are finding that higher speed transmissions are more susceptible to cable and connector-related problems. These can cause a high number of server retransmissions, resulting in network drop-out or slow connection speeds. Being able to troubleshoot problems and prove performance in advance – rather than waiting for the network to go down – is a big advantage. An increasing number of firms are taking a serious interest in testing as a way to check that their network is functioning to specification. Being completely reliant on their Ethernet networks, they know that faults or slow performance will have a direct impact on productivity. Clients are now demanding proof of performance from installers carrying out the changes, whether it is after moves, additions or changes, or prior to any cabling upgrade. Today’s installers and technicians need test equipment that not only verifies correct wiring, but also confirms and documents a link’s ability to transmit data at full rate.

Tim Widdershoven is marketing manager at Ideal Industries Networks

Data transmission testers are a new category of test equipment that has been developed to address this need. By transmitting Ethernet packets over the installed link at gigabit Ethernet rates and analysing transmission errors and connection speed against criteria defined by the IEEE 802.3ab gigabit Ethernet standard, data transmission testers can quickly prove real-world link performance. A simple pass/fail test determines within seconds whether the installed cable is capable of supporting higher bandwidth applications such as Ethernet or gigabit Ethernet. This allows the installer to demonstrate to their clients that at the time of installation specific applications ran over the network without any problems. There are a variety of network testers on the market, but installers should check for features that make their job easier – such as intelligent remote handsets that allow testing from either end of the link, enabling just one person to undertake testing. It is also beneficial to be able to hand over the test results onsite, without needing to download to a PC first. Professional documentation provides evidence that the job has been carried out correctly and reduces the risk of callbacks.

When did you start working for yourself? About two years ago. I took voluntary redundancy from BAE Systems and decided to go back to my old role as an electrician.

If you are a small business or sole trader and would like to feature in In Focus, email nick.martindale@ redactive.co.uk » Mick Rose is owner of Mickles Electrical Services

How did you come up with the company name? I spoke to Jean Mickle at ELECSA and got excellent service. I realised her surname was a mixture of my first name – Mick – and my wife’s – Lesley – so we decided to call it after her. Which areas do you cover? Mostly Blackpool, but also Manchester and Cumbria.

Primarily it’s domestic work but I take on a bit of light industrial too.

Has that helped win work? Yes, a lot of people use the website to check ratings.

How have you found working for yourself? I like the freedom and only answering to myself. It’s been difficult building up a customer base, but I’m now getting repeat orders.

What’s the hardest part of running a business? Getting a steady flow of work. It tends to be feast or famine, so it’s about trying to strike a balance.

You recently won the Lancashire Trading Standards Safe Trader award for 2013. How did that come about? I’d joined the scheme to get customer feedback and I received a high level of positive comments.

Any future plans? I’d like to employ a couple of people so that I can supervise, and let someone else do the hard graft. What about outside work? I’m a keen motorcyclist, go clay-pigeon shooting and am a grandfather of seven!

Illustration: Cameron Law

IN FOCUS// MICK ROSE

Summer 2014 Connections

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Advice/Opinion/Regions/Insight/Events/Case study/Customer care/Training LITTLE MARLOW ATHLETICS TRACK

Live wire

What goes up… …must come down. The pressures of meeting planning regulations called for an innovative solution when manufacturer and electrical contractor Christy Lighting was asked to install floodlighting at a new athletics track in Little Marlow By Andrew Brister

oliticians, Olympic medal winners and parents are all in agreement – we need the best sporting facilities to inspire the champions of the future. But when it comes to athletics tracks and sports pitches, do we want floodlighting in our back yards? Such facilities are, by necessity, located in the heart of the communities they serve, and achieving planning permission for floodlighting to extend use into the evenings can be a fraught affair. A project carried out by NICEIC Approved Contractor Christy Lighting offers a way forward for such schemes in sensitive areas. The lighting and electrical firm has developed a telescopic floodlighting column for an athletics track at Little Marlow in Buckinghamshire, as part of a major shake-up of sports facilities in the area by Wycombe District Council. Wycombe is undertaking a £30 million revamp of its centre at Handy Cross which, as well as new sports facilities, will see a food store, hotel, offices and park-and-ride facilities on the existing site. No space was left to relocate the current sports pitch and athletics track so a new artificial pitch has been built at nearby John Hampden Grammar School over the road and a home found for the athletics track at nearby Little Marlow. Christy is carrying out the floodlighting and associated electrical installation at both venues in a £220,000 contract for sports specialist Agripower, which in turn has a £2.7 million contract with Wycombe District Council. While the sports pitch at the school has conventional raise-and-lower floodlighting columns – also made by Christy – the fact that the athletics track at Little Marlow is in an area of outstanding natural beauty called for something different. “This is a full-size, eight-lane track, with a clubhouse, CCTV

and parking – all in the green belt,” says Agripower’s project manager Mark Swatton. “The client wanted telescopic columns and we turned to Christy – it’s the first time we’ve been called to do it and we’ve worked with Christy for more than 20 years.” Breaking new ground Indeed, Christy has more than 1,400 floodlighting schemes under its belt, but this is also a first for the company, which has developed a column that sits at a height of 4.5m when not being used and is extended to 15m when events are being held. “There is guidance to deal with light levels, light spill and so on from floodlighting [see box], but that doesn’t deal with the daytime appearance,” explains Christy’s managing director Greg Leslie. “Residents don’t want to see a battery of 15m-high columns, so planning control dictated that the height should be no more than 5m when not in use.” Christy has developed a column that can go up and down by an ingenious compressed air system, within finely manufactured aluminium tubes. Fully airtight seals perform a similar function to the piston rings in the construction of a motor car engine. “We’ve tested the seals and had the columns fully extended for three days without any additional input of compressed air,” says Leslie. The company will guarantee use for a minimum of six hours.

‘Residents don’t want to see 15m-high columns, so planning dictated the height should be no more than 5m when not in use’

Summer 2014 Connections

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This is a new section in Connections, exploring some of the more interesting and innovative projects contractors take on. If you have a project you’d like to be considered, email nick.martindale@redactive.co.uk

600: The number of hours floodlighting can extend an athletic track’s annual usage by

Don’t glare at me As well as the height of the columns, Christy had to consider the potential for light to disturb residents. Sports lighting should adhere to BS EN 12193:2007, which covers: • Optimising the perception of visual information used during sports events • Maintaining the level of visual performance • Providing acceptable visual comfort • Restricting obtrusive light This standard breaks down lighting applications into four zones depending on location – from E1 (the most critical, which covers areas of outstanding natural beauty, such as Little Marlow) through to E4 for inner-city locations. Manufacturers have developed ultra-low glare floodlighting to limit spill away from sports areas – beams are typically projected at angles of 65°-70° to restrict light above playing surfaces.

> Planning dictates the floodlight columns, which extend to 15m high for sporting events, must be below 5m high when not in use

While the telescopic columns themselves obviously add an additional cost, Leslie estimates that it is only a premium of around 10 per cent over the total project value – a small price to pay to get through planning. “If floodlighting is refused, then it’s difficult to make a track or sports pitch economically viable,” points out Leslie. “It gets dark after 4pm in winter, so you are dramatically increasing the availability of the facilities to the general public with floodlighting. Schools get to use the track and pitches in the day, but it’s in the evenings when adult sports clubs take over that you need floodlighting – it can give an extra 600 hours’ use per year.” At Little Marlow, 10 columns are permanently mounted at a height of 4.5m. When the lights are switched on, the columns are energised and the air compressors extend them to their full 15m height in some three-and-a-half to four minutes. Similarly, they will retract when the lights are turned off; an automatic time clock ensures they cannot operate after a set curfew time or be inadvertently left on overnight. The compressors will evacuate air from the columns and they will be automatically lowered. Tried and tested technology The time taken for the columns to rise is exactly the same length of time it takes for the metal halide lamps to reach full brightness. Despite the increasing use of LEDs in all kinds of lighting applications, Leslie feels it is still some time before metal halide lamps can be bettered in sports floodlighting. “LEDs are not there yet,” he says.

“As you increase the power of LEDs you have problems with the heat produced and then the efficiency drops off, so metal halide is still the most efficient light source for this application.” Neither does sports floodlighting have the run hours to justify the payback for LED. Whereas LED streetlighting can easily run for 3,600 hours a year, typical sports floodlighting is only likely to notch up 600 hours. “We always install hours-run meters with our floodlighting and the average usage is around 500-600 hours a year. So you don’t have the usage to produce a viable payback, even if there was a saving in energy with the LEDs,” argues Leslie. Christy has opted for 2kW Philips Optivision MHN-LA metal halide lamps to achieve 150 lux on the track. “I selected these long arc lamps for control of the beam to meet the environmental zone E1 [see box], but more importantly because of the shape of the floodlight and the low windage area,” says Leslie. “This offered the best aerodynamic shape and thus reduced the structural loadings, meaning that I didn’t have to design such a heavy structure to support them.” Clearly, this was a happy contract. Leslie describes Agripower as “incredibly supportive” and Swatton reciprocates the praise. “Christy will sort anything out. They are one of the best contractors we have working for us,” he says. Indeed, things are looking up for the firm Leslie founded with contracts director Terry Adams back in 1985. They see huge potential in a range of telescopic lighting systems, from tennis courts to full-size tracks like this one. The future is bright. » Andrew Brister is a freelance journalist, specialising in the electrical industry Connections Summer 2014

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Advice/Opinion/Regions/Insight/Events/Case Study/Customer care/Training CERTIFICATION

Live wire A clearer picture Competent person schemes offer a different method of certifying work to that used in the gas industry. The creation of a single register should help avoid confusion, as Emma Clancy explains

ne challenge I often come across with contractors is a lack of awareness about the differences between Gas Safe and competent person schemes (CPS). The CPS framework was introduced by the government to allow individuals and firms to self-certify their work so that it complies with the Building Regulations. The schemes were introduced as an alternative to submitting a building notice or using an approved inspector. A competent person must be registered with a scheme that has been approved by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) in England or the Welsh government in Wales. The CPS doesn’t apply to parts of the UK outside of England and Wales, and CPS membership isn’t mandatory in order to undertake notifiable building work. Schemes are accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) to BS EN 45011 (a quality assurance standard). When Part P was introduced in 2005 the DCLG was keen to establish it under a competitive framework to provide better choice and service for contractors. The CPS route was the preferred option. As a result we now have several CPS operators offering a Part P or similar scheme, of which Certsure is the leading certification body, with more than 80 per cent of the Part P market.

Scheme requirement

CPS

Insurance policy covering scope of works

√

Complaints procedure in place within the business

√

Health and safety policy

√

Competent individuals for work

√

Management of subcontracting

√

Management and supervision of installation process

√

Annual assessment of work

√

Choice of certification/registration body

√

GSR

√ √

UK coverage

√

Consumer awareness

√ The CPS offers robust and regular assessment checks to ensure contractors are operating to the highest standards. CPS operators, such as Certsure, also provide guarantees for work and protection for consumers, even if a firm fails to adhere to the standards or goes bust. However, one of the main complaints about the CPS is the lack of consumer awareness about CPS registered firms. When Part P was introduced each CPS operator signed up to a set of conditions of authorisation set by DCLG and adopted by Wales that required each CPS operator to market and promote their own schemes. As a result operators have had to advertise their own schemes, creating confusion for the consumer.

One register Gas Safe Register Gas Safe Register (GSR) is the official gas registration body for the UK, Isle of Man and Guernsey, appointed by the relevant health and safety authority for each area. By law all gas engineers must be on the GSR. It replaced CORGI as the gas registration body in Great Britain and Isle of Man on 1 April 2009, and Northern Ireland and Guernsey on 1 April 2010. GSR isn’t a scheme accredited with UKAS as with a CPS, however the individual gas engineers will hold a qualification such as the Nationally Accredited Certification Scheme (ACS) qualification. Businesses on the GSR can self-certify the installation of certain gas appliances, as well as heating and hot water systems, to comply with the requirements in the Building Regulations in England & Wales. As you can see, there are many pros and cons of the CPS and Gas Safe systems. Under the CPS individual standards are set by each operator. These standards are well known in the industry and contractors are justifiably proud to have been certified by NICEIC or ELECSA.

Many of you often ask why the electrical industry can’t simply operate a scheme similar to Gas Safe where there is one register for all. For whatever reason, there has never been an appetite from government to operate the electrical industry in this way. However, in a bid to simplify the situation Certsure (which owns and operates the NICEIC and ELECSA brands), with the support of all scheme operators, has recently committed to work on a proposal for a mark underpinned by a single register for all full-scope Part P registered electricians. This single mark will sit alongside the existing brands and is due to come into effect this month. If we can improve awareness by working together across all the schemes on common issues we will do so. Certsure has been assessing electricians’ competence for over 56 years. We are proud of our robust and professional systems of assessment and certification. As ever, I would be delighted to receive your feedback at haveyoursay@certsure.com.

» Emma Clancy is chief executive officer of Certsure Connections Summer 2014

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Advice/Opinion/Regions/Insight/Events/Case study/Customer care/Training LIVE SOUTH

Live wire

A lively affair The fourth Live South event took place at Epsom Downs racecourse in May, attracting a record number of contractors eager to find out about new developments in the industry By Nick Martindale

‘The amount of attendees returning to the show year after year highlights not only the growing success of the event, but also the opportunities it presents to contractors’

Photography: Rafael Bastos

he weather gods have not always been kind to us this year, but there was a taste of summer in the air for the annual Live South event, held at Epsom Downs racecourse in May. This year’s conference and exhibition – the fourth to be held in the south – saw a record number of contractors and suppliers converge on the famous racecourse to hear about the latest developments in the industry and find out about new market opportunities. The headline speaker was George Clarke, best known for fronting television shows The Restoration Man and The Home Show, but who is also a practising architect. He stressed the role electrical contractors can play in helping to shape the design and efficient operation of buildings. “An architect is always thinking about space and light and we are highly skilled at working with natural light,” he said. “But we need help with artificial light. How much light do we need? Do we over-spec?” He also expressed his disappointment at the pace of change in how energy is monitored and reduced in buildings. “Our buildings are not as intelligent as they should be in the 21st century,” he said. This is particularly the case in domestic

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Live North takes place at Aintree Racecourse, on 27 November 2014. Tickets cost £29 plus VAT for ECA, ELECSA and NICEIC registered contractors and £49 plus VAT for non-registered contractors. Apprentice and exhibition-only passes are available free of charge. For more information and to book your tickets visit www.niceic-elecsalive.com or call 020 7880 7625

View from the floor “I have been coming since it started. It’s great to just get away for a day and come and chat to guys offering new services. You get the chance to see products that are not even launched yet so it helps keep you one step ahead of the competition. It’s fantastic value” James Padbury, JK Electrical Services, Croydon “The seminar on amendment 3 was very useful. There were lots of different views and questions and it is nice to just get everyone in the one place talking about these things. The chance to ask questions and get an answer straightaway is a major benefit” Matt Seedel, Raygon Electrical, Ruislip > Architect and TV presenter George Clarke (above left) stressed the important role of contractors in lighting design; NICEIC’s Tony Cable (far left) presented an entertaining history of BS 7671 dwellings, he added, stressing that electrical contractors can help advise architects on new technologies, as well as talking to customers about added value and payback periods. Clarke also drew on his own experiences to offer advice on the importance of doing a good job for customers. “Maintain the quality of what you do,” he advised. “Things will always go wrong in the building trade, but you can never compromise on quality. If there’s an issue, sort it out as quickly as possible.” This was followed by an entertaining session presented by NICEIC and ELECSA’s double act of Tony Cable and Darren Staniforth, who took contractors through the history of BS 7671, including a video of their recent trip to the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) library. The IET’s Mark Coles then explained the proposed changes under the 3rd amendment to BS 7671, which will be finalised in November, ahead of the new regulations coming out in January 2015. Another notable session was with Geraldine Fleming, executive director at construction claims and contracts consultancy Knowles, who used a case study of a firm that found itself facing a multi-million compensation claim for a fire, on a contract worth just £9,000. The message was clear: ensure you agree terms and conditions upfront and, if possible, get clients to agree to your terms of business. “This could be you,” warned Fleming. “People like you are too trusting. Be clear whose terms and conditions apply and, if the supplier, you need an effective limitation of liability in your contract.”

“This is my first Live event and it’s been very useful. George Clarke was an excellent speaker and I found the discussion on the new regulations very relevant. It is good to update your knowledge at events like this and I would definitely recommend it to others in the industry” Lisa Weston, LC Electrical, Hampshire

Electrical Safety First’s Jonathan Elliott also presented two sessions looking at amendment 3 to BS 7671 around consumer units and cable entanglement. He discussed proposals for all new consumer units to be enclosed in a non-combustible material such as steel, and measures to prevent cable entanglement in the event of a fire. These preclude the use of non-metallic cable clips, ties or cable trunking as the sole method of support. Cable and Staniforth also picked up on changes to initial electrical installation certificates in a separate session. In the exhibition hall, a number of suppliers and manufacturers were on hand to demonstrate the latest kit and technologies to contractors, including partner sponsors ESP, Peugeot, Scolmore Group and WF Senate. Contractors could also see the benefits of new ways of working for themselves, including NICEIC and ELECSA’s new online certification software and the wireless home automation system from Scolmore. “This was the busiest Live show we have ever put on and it has now become a permanent fixture on the industry calendar,” said NICEC and ELECSA’s head of group marketing Mark Smith. “The amount of attendees returning to the show year after year highlights not only the growing success of the event, but also the opportunities it presents to contractors.” » Nick Martindale is editor of Connections Connections Summer 2014

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CONTRACTOR PROFILE // ALPHA ELECTRICAL MIDLANDS LIMITED COMPANY: Alpha Electrical Midlands Limited BASED: Leamington Spa FOUNDED: 1999 MAJOR PROJECTS: Camberley nursing homes, Bedford Street Lofts STAFF NUMBERS: 22 TURNOVER: £1.2 million

Near and far First set up in 1999, Leamington Spa-based Alpha Electrical Midlands Limited has built up a local and national client base, with newbuild nursing homes a specialist subject

By Nick Martindale

> Tim Harlock is now supported by project manager Mike Mansell, while Lindsey Booth (below) runs the office. Right, Richard Bartlett performs a few checks at the Bedford Street Lofts apartments

ucked away in a side street near the centre of the historic town of Leamington Spa lies an ordinary looking house, long since converted into offices. This is the home of Alpha Electrical Midlands Limited; a flourishing electrical business that now employs 22 electricians, headed by managing director Tim Harlock, who started the company in 1999. Tim grew up in the area, and worked for a number of local companies after completing his apprenticeship before setting up on his own. The town’s central location has come in handy – the business takes on work all over the country, with only around 10 per cent of contracts coming from the local area. Much of the focus is on the commercial sector, and newbuild nursing homes have become a particular speciality, with contracts for a range of national care providers including Life Style Care, Gracewell Healthcare and Care UK. “The first nursing home we did was in 2007 in Cambridge and it was the first project we’d worked on for that particular contractor, and we impressed them,” says Tim. “Then we did another and another, and now we’re asked to tender for quite a lot of nursing homes with different client bases, not all for 26

Mike Mansell

the same client.” The company is currently working on its biggest project to date; a £1.1 million contract on two nursing homes and a care apartment complex in Camberley. “We do everything electrical, so the lighting, power, data, fire alarms and nurse call systems,” says Tim. “We design and install our own fire alarm and emergency lighting systems. We use external companies to test and warranty the systems, but we do all the installs ourselves. It means it’s all under our control and we don’t have to rely on anyone else.” Relationships with national organisations are one reason why Alpha manages to attract business from all over the UK. “Wherever they have their projects they like to keep the same electrical contractor, which is great for us, and that’s why we do the work where we do,” says Tim. “We still have to tender for the job, but if they like the price we tend to

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£1.2m: The company’s turnover for the most recent financial year

Tim Harlock

get the job.” Much of the work the company gets is direct with end clients, he says; he has tendered for contracts with main building contractors, but is wary of being left exposed to late payment. A major focus at the moment is a newbuild 10-storey student accommodation block with 250 bedrooms in Luton, which started in June and has to be finished by the end of August. “It’s all modular so they come completely done and we need to put the infrastructure in,” says Tim. “We’re the main supplier for that.” Contractors spend weeks working away, he adds, either staying in hotels or rented houses for longer projects, and the company also rents a house in south London to act as a base for work in that area. Other projects are more local, including the transformation of the Bedford Street Lofts apartments, an ultramodern development in the heart of Leamington Spa housed in a former gym. “The client we work for also owns a couple of nightclubs and bars in Leamington, and a health club,” says Tim. “We obviously did something a little bit different to a typical domestic property, so it’s all galvanised conduit and it has a very industrial feel to it. We did everything there from the central heating wiring, the data wiring to the TV and intercom systems, as well as the general electrical work.”

Solid base This kind of contract is a far cry from the type of work the business initially undertook when it first started up and consisted of just Tim as a sole trader. “I was working out of an F-reg Escort van and I had a month’s work lined up,” he recalls. “Originally it was domestic work. I got very friendly with a few letting agents in the area and we did work for them. After the first two or three years we started doing a few bigger projects. The size of project was probably £10-15,000, which was a very big project for me at the time, and they would be anything from four to five apartments to an office refurbishment.” Before long he found he needed to take on staff and move into offices – the company incorporated in 2003 – and focused more on the bigger projects. “The domestic market is very limited and there are a lot of one-man bands around,” he says. “I can’t compete with them, even though we still do domestic. But the bigger projects also interest me more.” It was when the business incorporated that Tim realised he needed to move away from doing the work himself. “That was the difficult one,” he recalls. “In the early days I was on the tools and then I would come home and do quotes. But when we moved into offices it became apparent that I had too much to do to be on the tools as well. By that time I had three very good electricians who were capable of doing the work, along Connections Summer 2014

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Photography: Simon Hadley/UNP

‘We’re getting a lot more enquiries for the bigger projects; there’s a confidence out there that there wasn’t before’

23/06/2014 17:08

CONTRACTOR PROFILE // ALPHA ELECTRICAL MIDLANDS LIMITED

22: The number of electricians Alpha has on its books

with the apprentices. So I had to come off the tools, and that was the turning point.” Today, he’s supported by office contracts manager Mike Mansell. “I do a lot of the designs myself and Mike will do the cable calculations, and then we have another supplier that will do all our lux calculations for us, so we can offer the whole package, but keep the price tight,” he explains. Despite this, he’s kept up to speed with training and will dig out the toolbox – he keeps one in his car just in case – when required. “I’m sharing weekends on the Luton project with Mike, just being onsite and doing work that needs to be done,” he says. Responding to recession The business grew steadily, but Tim admits it had become too big by the time the downturn finally caught up with it, and in 2013 he was forced to lay off three electricians. “There just wasn’t the work out there,” he says. “We kept busy but we didn’t make any money. It was a hard thing to do but it’s one of those things you have to take a view on. But they’ve all got jobs and are fine wherever they are now.” Public sector consolidation has also had an impact. The business used to do quite a few small jobs for Warwickshire County Council, but these have now been absorbed into a bigger contract with Solihull Council. “It all got merged together and work dried up because they had to use one particular company,” says Tim. “But I’ve always felt that you don’t put all your eggs in one basket and you need to be working for many different customers because if something goes horribly wrong in one direction then something else can happen in another.” Alpha still undertakes small projects for Warwick Hospital, however, as well as electrical work for a large secondary school and college in Coventry, which tends to happen over the summer. Tim believes the business is now well positioned to prosper from an upturn in the economy. It turned over £1.2 million last year and delivered a healthy profit, and he expects to see this grow significantly in the next year on the back of the major projects it is currently undertaking. “There’s definitely a recovery and it’s good to see,” he says. “We’re getting a lot more enquiries for the bigger projects; there’s a confidence out there that there wasn’t before. People still had the money but they didn’t want to let it out of their hands because they didn’t know what was going to happen the next day.” The plan for the next two or three years is steady growth, says Tim, and he can see potential opportunities advising customers around LED lighting and energy efficiency. “We would like to go to our existing customers and show them the options and the kind of payback they could get, and at the

‘I had enough money in the bank to pay the mortgage and survive for a month and if it didn’t work I would have run out of money’ 28

Looking the part Alpha Electrical Midlands Limited recently took delivery of a new fleet of 10 leased vans, replacing an ageing and costly pool. “They were all old and starting to break down,” recalls managing director Tim Harlock. “My accountant said I could probably find new vans for the same money and not have any problems with them breaking down.” Tim’s first port of call was the NICEIC website, where he found out about the partnership with Peugeot. “I went to our local dealer who came up with a good deal and we got the vans through them,” he says. “What it was costing me a year to keep the old vans on the road is what it’s costing me now to lease them, and I’ll get brand new vans every three years.” The vans also help to project a more professional image. “If you turn up in a smart sign-written van it looks better than someone down the road who has come to fix a socket,” he says. “It gives the impression that you’re a proper company, which is how I want this company to be seen.”

same time generate work out of it,” he says. “Apart from that, I don’t really see there are many other areas we need to touch on that we don’t already do. I don’t think we’ll be an electrical and mechanical contractor; we’ll stick to being an electrical contractor because that’s all I know. “I’m quite happy with where the business is, but there’s always room for improvement,” he adds.” I’d like to see it build a bit more and in a few years’ time I’d like to bring another apprentice through the ranks and into the office, the same as with Mike, so that as and when projects become bigger I can hand them over to different people.” Still only 43, Tim is clearly committed to further developing the business. A six-month-old baby has curtailed his finish time from 7pm to 6pm, but he’s still in the office every morning at 7am. It’s clear, too, just how far he and his enterprise have come since he first took the plunge 15 years ago. “I had enough money in the bank to pay the mortgage and survive for a month and if it didn’t work I would have run out of money,” he says. “But it did work, and it’s been my determination and drive that have got us where we are. You don’t get anything for nothing; you’ve got to work for it.” » Nick Martindale is editor of Connections Could your business feature in Connections? Email nick.martindale@redactive.co.uk

•

Summer 2014 Connections

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SECURITY SYSTEMS

Demand for installation and maintenance of security systems can provide a profitable new element for your business, says David Adams

> Urmet’s Elekta Glass IP entry panel

oes your home have a burglar alarm? Mine doesn’t, but as an impoverished journalist I own almost nothing worth stealing. But there are alarms fitted at hundreds of thousands of homes up and down the country; and yet more alarms, intruder alert and access control systems and other security technologies protecting blocks of flats, gated communities, business premises, schools, colleges and many other types of building. The electronic security market is huge, and contractors willing to put in the necessary effort can benefit from that demand. There are two sound business reasons for working in this area. The first is that it becomes another source of mainstream electrical work. “The work feeds from both directions: you get electrical work from security clients and you end up installing security systems for your other clients,” says Tony Smith, managing director at Blaby Electrical, a Leicestershire-based contractor that has been installing security systems, including access control and CCTV systems, for domestic, commercial and industrial clients, alongside other electrical services, for 18 years. The second is that security work can become an additional source of regular income, through maintenance contracts and emergency response services –

Access all areas

although many contractors would not want to provide such a service. Smith estimates that his company’s security services portfolio accounts for an additional 25 per cent of revenue. Need to know Product knowledge is an absolute must in this market. Smith advises contractors to acquire expertise in a handful of the best products and to equip themselves to meet all client maintenance and replenishment needs associated with those products. Generic and product-specific classroom-based or online training courses are provided by manufacturers and training providers – such as City & Guilds and security systems training specialist Tavcom – as well as security industry organisations such as the National Security Inspectorate (NSI). Guidance published by the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) is also a useful resource. The full range of available products across this sector is huge, from sensor and/or CCTV-based intruder alarms and electronic door locking systems, to sophisticated access control systems that can be integrated with CCTV and monitoring services. Some systems can also be combined with fire alarm systems or building management technologies. Those based on IP technologies can be integrated with a customer’s IT systems, or controlled from computers, tablets or smartphones. Contractors may even consider installing more niche technologies, like the smoke generating alarm systems produced by manufacturers such as Smoke Screen, or perimeter fencing security systems. Many of these technologies have improved greatly in recent years, thanks to the adoption of digital technologies and wireless networking. Emerging solutions Some systems do not require a huge amount of training to master, such as the door-entry systems supplied by Urmet. The company’s 2Voice systems Connections Summer 2014

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SECURITY SYSTEMS

have been developed specifically for the electrical contractor market, says marketing director Mark Hagger. The system is straightforward to connect using Cat5 cabling, with just two wires for each of the devices on the system (entry panels, video monitors and so on), non-polarised connections (meaning the two cores can be terminated either way round) and simplified programming. Hagger also highlights the increased use of internet protocol (IP) technology in these systems, meaning technologies such as Urmet’s IPervoice video entry and access control system can be linked directly into a building’s IT networks. “IP is the most important technical development in the door-entry systems market,” he says. “In 2009 Urmet were first to market with an IP door-entry system specifically designed for the residential, apartment block market. Commercial IP intercom systems are now also available for sites such as offices, car parking, hospitals and prisons.” These systems can be installed by electrical contractors, mechanical and engineering companies or data and network installation companies, says Hagger, but often one of these companies will sub-contract installation to security installation specialists. These technicians are able to implement broader security systems, including door entry, access control, CCTV, intruder alarms and fire alarms. There is no reason why contractors could not develop skillsets that would allow them to fill this role, but some may choose to form partnerships with such specialists instead. If a company does become more deeply involved in the installation and management of a broader variety of security systems, it may start working with technologies that enable remote monitoring of client sites. These systems may be linked to CCTV systems, which are now more sophisticated than in the past, with searchable digital, colour, high definition images making them a much more effective and user-friendly tool. Whatever technologies a contractor decides to work with, staff will need to complete and regularly update all appropriate training courses and should also seek certification from industry bodies such as the Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board and/or the NSI. 32

Case study: RJ Coleman RJ Coleman was founded as a one-man band in 1980 and now has 42 employees. Its staff have been fitting intruder alarms for more than 20 years, and currently design and install Scantronic technology-based intruder alarms – both wired and wireless – access control systems and CCTV systems. About 60 per cent of installations are for domestic customers, with the remainder split roughly equally between commercial and industrial businesses, says founder and managing director Richard Coleman. The progress made in wireless technologies in recent years has been particularly striking. “The wireless systems have become ultra-reliable,” he says. “Five years ago I would never have installed a wireless system. Now 75 per cent of the systems we install are wireless because of the reliability they offer.” Coleman says this part of the business probably accounts for about 15 per cent of turnover. “The numbers don’t sound that big, but we feel it is as important as the electrical services, because it’s another string to our bow,” he says. “If we go somewhere to install an intruder alarm we’ll often end up rewiring the house. Or if we’re working on commercial premises we’ll end up fitting security alarms there.”

> One of SS Group’s security doors operated as part of an access control system Centre stage Some contractors have found that the right niche in security technologies can become the defining characteristic of their business. SS Group, founded in 1995, is a mechanical and electrical contractor that manufactures aluminium and steel security doors and installs security systems and access control systems to operate them. It has residential, commercial and institutional (such as schools and colleges) customers, but has long specialised in installing doors and access control systems for social housing. This creates demand for repeat business in the longer term, because the systems usually require renewal after about 10 years. Dave Cheetham, business development manager at SS Group, says demand for such systems is growing because conventional metal

keys are so easy to copy, whereas an employee’s or resident’s credentials for an access control system can be deleted if they leave or move out of the building. “You can delete people from the system and they can’t get an electrical key fob ‘cut’,” he says. Anyone considering moving into this area needs to think very carefully about what they intend to specialise in, says Hagger, and how comprehensive a service offering they are going to offer. “How far do you go?” he asks. “Do you just install the door-entry system and employ or sub-contract the installation of the automation system or lock?” In many cases, the best solution may be for a contractor to develop their own services to some extent, but to form mutually beneficial partnerships with other contractors, of various kinds, that are already established in this market. Whatever path a contractor chooses, it is important to remember that if you’re installing equipment that the customer relies on for some kind of protection, whether of valuable equipment or people, the consequences of failing to meet their expectations could be serious. As Smith says: “Unless people are prepared to do it right then they’re never going to grow that side of the business.” » David Adams is a freelance business journalist

Summer 2014 Connections

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BIM

Model of efficiency Building information modelling software can allow mechanical and electrical contractors of all sizes to accurately plan building and project designs, saving time and eliminating costly errors By Rob Shepherd

he construction industry has never been particularly renowned for its rapid adoption of new IT technology. One of the main reasons for this was that the design process it used had remained relatively unchanged since the days of drafting and tracing. That’s all beginning to change, however, and one of the key drivers for this is building information modelling (BIM) software. Put simply, BIM is the process of generating and managing information about a building during its entire lifecycle through the digital representation of physical and functional characteristics. It provides a virtual environment where all aspects of the building design – architecture, structure and all services – come together in a co-ordinated and visualised platform. It allows any aspect of a design’s performance to be simulated and assessed before it is built, with systems, components, assemblies 36

and sequences shown in relative scale to each other. A common mistake is to consider BIM simply as 3D-modelling, but in reality its scope is much broader and more sophisticated. BIM provides extraordinary interactive capabilities, such as clicking on a floor level of a building to see probable tenants, rendering a view of the urban landscape from a particular window of a building, or determining where infrastructure is located. Perhaps its biggest advantage is that it is a truly interoperable system, offering full integration and allowing the inputs of the various professionals and specialists involved in every stage of the lifecycle to work together. It also consolidates much of the information contained in specifications and schedules, as well as project management and postconstruction facilities management. According to Graham Watts, chief executive of the Construction Industry Council, BIM offers a “winwin” solution. “It enables intelligent decisions to be made about construction methodology, safer working arrangements and greater

energy efficiency, leading to carbon reductions and a critical focus on the whole-life performance of facilities,” he says. Patrick MacLeamy, chief executive of architecture and engineering firm HOK, goes further. “BIM is the first truly global digital construction technology and will soon be deployed in every country in the world,” he predicts. “It is a game-changer and we need to recognise that it is here to stay.” Leading from the top The Department for Business, Innovation & Skills’ Construction Industrial Strategy, published in early 2013, stated that £40 billion of public money is spent on centrally funded public buildings every year. It found that 30 per cent of the construction process is rework, 60 per cent of the labour effort is wasted and 10 per cent is lost on squandered materials. BIM can be used to make improvements in all these areas, and the estimated savings to UK construction and its clients is £2 billion a year. The UK government has mandated that public sector centrally procured construction projects must be delivered using BIM by 2016. A joint government and industry initiative, the BIM Task Group is supporting and helping to deliver the objectives of the Construction Industrial Strategy. Its goal is the creation of a free-to-use, software-as-a-service platform to transform the procurement of buildings and infrastructure. This

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£2bn: The amount the government estimates could be saved from construction projects each year

your business and integrate you into the future of construction.” SECBE is also keen to shatter the myth that BIM is just for larger contractors, says Carter, and is leading a project called FutureFit Build Assets. “This provides free business support to eligible SMEs that are looking to understand more about BIM and to develop a strategy,” he says.

Making the connection Although main contractors are already using BIM extensively, many firms in the electrical sector have yet to make the leap. Asked whether there is enough awareness among electrical contracting firms, Julian Carter, head of commercial services at the South East Centre for the Built Environment (SECBE), says: “To put it simply, no. The message is slowly getting out there through supply chains, trade bodies and so forth, but many firms continue to ignore the BIM revolution.” Paul Marsland, design and development manager at NG Bailey, shares this view, but is also concerned that the hype surrounding BIM is obscuring its true value. “The danger

is that the industry gets too carried away with the “flashy” and “marketable” visual aspects of BIM, and forgets to focus on the basic structures required to underpin the BIM revolution,” he warns. One company that can consider itself an early adopter is Romford-based Essex Services Group, which has used a BIM process on selected projects for six years, allowing it to demonstrate design intent at a much earlier stage. “BIM needs to be used by all contractors, irrespective of size, for them to evolve within a changing industry,” says the firm’s creative engineering manager Ryan Boundy. “For a small to medium-sized enterprise to stand out from the rest, I cannot emphasise enough the importance of using BIM. It will benefit the running of

‘Those who are not BIM-ready or actively using it could find the projects they are able to work on become a little harder to find’

» Rob Shepherd is a freelance business journalist who specialises in the building services industry

HOK

digital tool will allow the cost of storing, sharing and analysing data to be reduced, provide greater interoperability, allow new disruptive business models to emerge, reduce barriers to entry and allow smaller players to collaborate. Meanwhile, a set of standards designed to overcome problems faced by firms working on BIM projects has already been published. PAS 1192-2 sets out how to share information on BIM projects and is available to public and private-sector clients for use on jobs.

Get on board For those new to BIM, there will be initial costs incurred to cover new computing equipment, software and processes. In some circumstances training may be required, but this should be considered in the light of greater efficiencies further down the line. “All software requires specialist training, but the cost can usually be offset by the introduction of more efficient working practices,” says Simon Brown, senior Cymap application engineer at BIM provider CADline. “In addition, there are many free issue software packages that plug into the BIM process, so introducing BIM working practices needn’t be expensive.” Ultimately, the aim is to reduce waste and create a more efficient programme delivery, says Gary Buckingham, product and segment marketing manager at Schneider Electric. “This should improve the contractor’s margins and reduce contractual conflicts because it breaks down the work silos and promotes collaborative working environments,” he says. “Those who are not BIM-ready or actively using it could find the projects that they are able to work on become a little harder to find.”

Connections Summer 2014

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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

I am installing a dado trunking system housing socket-outlets in a dry area of a laboratory. Do I need to connect conductors for earthing, main protective bonding or supplementary bonding to the free-standing metallic benches situated underneath the dado trunking?

Earthing The benches are not exposed-conductive-parts as defined by BS 7671, so there is no requirement for earthing such items (Part 2 and Regulation 411.3.1.1). Main protective bonding As described, the benches are ‘free-standing’ and so are not extraneous-conductive-parts as defined by BS 7671, and will not require main bonding (Part 2 and Regulation 411.3.1.2). Supplementary bonding As the benches are neither exposed-conductive-parts nor extraneous-conductive-parts there are no requirements to install supplementary bonding conductors (Regulation 415.2).

QUESTION

ANSWER

I plan to cut notches in existing oak joists. Assuming I comply with the recommendations for the depth of cut and the position of the notch, what material will provide adequate protection against penetration as permitted by indent (v) of Regulation 522.6.100?

Whilst no figure is quoted by BS 7671, steel having a minimum thickness of 3 mm is generally recognised within the electrical industry as providing sufficient mechanical protection against penetration by nails, screws and the like for cables passing through joists, provided fired nails are not used to fix the floor material.

QUESTION

ANSWER

Regulation 560.7.1 of BS 7671 requires circuits for safety services to be independent of other circuits. Does this regulation apply to a circuit that supplies smoke alarms and heat alarms forming a Grade D fire detection and fire alarm system in domestic dwellings?

No. Clause 15.5 of BS 5839-6 permits either a separate independent circuit from the dwelling’s main distribution board or a separate electrically protected, regularly used local lighting circuit to be used for the power supply for a Grade D system. No less than for other circuits, the general safety requirements of BS 7671 apply to circuits supplying fire alarms. Compliance with the requirements of Regulation 560.10 of BS 7671 requires the contractor to comply with the recommendations of BS 5839-6.

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Ask the experts/Technical

Fully charged

QUESTION

ANSWER

I am to install a ring final circuit in a dwelling and for a portion of the circuit it is likely that the cables will be installed under thermal insulation to a depth of 200 mm. What installation options are open to me?

Option 1 Avoid installing cables under the thermal insulation. This will enable you to install the ring final circuit as a standard circuit arrangement as detailed in Regulation 433.1.103. The conventional ring final circuit using BS 1363 accessories, certain 32/30 A protective devices and 2.5 mm2 flat twin and earth cable is deemed to comply with BS 7671 provided the current-carrying capacity of the cable (Iz) is not less than 20 A (Regulation 433.1.103 refers) and no part is likely to exceed the current-carrying capacity (Iz) of the cable for long periods. The method conventionally used to reduce the likelihood of the current-carrying capacity of the cable being exceeded, is to locate socket-outlets at suitable positions around the ring circuit rather than loading at a single point. Option 2 Increase the size of the cable. Where a cable is installed above a plasterboard ceiling covered by thermal insulation to a depth of 200 mm, Table 4D5 in Appendix 4 details Method 101# as the installation method. Table 4D5 gives the current-carrying capacity of 2.5 mm2 flat sheathed cable as 17 A and for 4 mm2 as 22 A. The current-carrying capacity of the 2.5 mm2 cable, clearly, is too small at 17 A to comply with the requirements of Regulation 433.1.103. However, as Regulation 433.1.103 only requires a minimum cross-sectional area of 2.5 mm2 and 4.0 mm2 has a current-carrying capacity of 22 A, then an increase in cable size will meet with the requirements of the Regulation. Option 3 Reduce the rating of the protective device supplying to circuit to 20 A. This option is not prohibited by BS 7671; neither is it a standard circuit arrangement as described in Regulation 433.1.103. The designer will have to satisfy him/herself that the relevant requirements of BS 7671 are complied with and, in particular, that in no part of the circuit does the current exceed the current-carrying capacity of the cable. The reduction of the rating of the protective device will enable the cable not to be excessively loaded, but one consequence of such a decision may be to increase the number of circuits required because there is a significantly limited load, 20 A rather than 30/32 A. Option 4 Change the design from a ring final circuit to multiple radial circuits. This permits the contractor to make appropriate choices of protective device(s) and cable sizes with consideration to the particular loads supplied.

QUESTION

ANSWER

Is it permitted to fit a circuit-breaker manufactured by one manufacturer into an item of switchgear, such as a consumer unit, manufactured by a different manufacturer?

No is generally (and currently) the answer. Part of Regulation 510.3 requires manufacturers’ instructions to be taken into account for every item of equipment, and manufacturers’ instructions normally preclude such an arrangement. Fitting a component manufactured by one manufacturer inside an item of switchgear manufactured by another to form an assembly, might mean that the switchgear will not meet the relevant standard for which it was originally certified, such as BS EN 60439-3: Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies (Regulation 511.1 refers). Also, the circuit-breaker and switchgear might not be fully compatible with each other as required by Regulation 512.1.5. Always consult the manufacturer or their information, including their website, before mixing components from different manufacturers.

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24/06/2014 09:28

Ask the experts/Technical

Fully charged 42 46 50 53

Universal socket-outlets – friend or foe? Cutting holes and notches in solid timber joists Converting amperes to kVA Automatic switching devices – assessing their switching capacity

57 60

Avoiding damage to cables due to condensation or ingress of water Snags and solutions: A practical guide to everyday electrical problems, now updated to Amendment No 1 of BS 7671 and where appropriate BS 5266 and BS 5839

Universal socket-outlets – friend or foe? This article is based on one previously published by Electrical Safety First (previously the Electrical Safety Council) in the Autumn 2012 edition of Switched On.

lectrical Safety First reported on long-term load testing of BS 1363 plugs and socket-outlets. Its research in this area has identified potential safety concerns with the increasing availability and use of so-called ‘universal socket-outlets’, that allow the connection of plugs from all over the world. With so many different configurations of plugs and socket-outlets used worldwide, it may well seem a sensible solution to have a universal socket-outlet. In fact these devices already exist and their use is becoming more widespread; particularly in the Far East. However, initial research would suggest that a socket-outlet that accepts all types of plugs may not be the ‘universal’ solution everyone was hoping for! The test laboratory found that the universal socket-outlets assessed in this investigation do not comply with the UK General Product Safety Regulations 2005, the safely requirements of the UK ‘Plug and Socket Safety Regulations 1994’ or BS 1363, or the UK’s specification for 13 A switched and unswitched socket-outlets. Universal socket-outlets can create worldwide ‘dangerous compatibility’ by allowing plugs of many different configurations intended to supply appliances at different voltages to be connected into various – and often incompatible – final circuit arrangements. 42

The uniqueness of plug and socket-outlet constructions throughout the world is a safety feature. They are designed to prevent dangerous compatibility by allowing only the correct plug to be inserted into the corresponding socket-outlet. The universal socket-outlet overcomes this safety feature, creating foreseeable dangerous plug and socket compatibility. The UK Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations require appliances to be correctly fitted with a standard three-pin plug or conversion plug conforming to BS 1363, and fitted with a fuse link that conforms to BS 1362. Schedule 2 of the Regulations also specifies that socket-outlets with which standard three-pin plugs may be engaged must comply with BS 1363. It is clear from this requirement that anyone who supplies socket-outlets ordinarily intended for domestic use, and with which standard three-pin plugs may be engaged, is legally obliged to ensure they meet the requirements of BS 1363 or an equivalent standard. In the opinion of NICEIC, ELECSA and Electrical Safety First, socket-outlets designed to engage with a standard three-pin plug that do not incorporate all the safeguards provided by socket-outlets conforming to BS 1363 are electrically unsafe. As with all safety investigations, Electrical Safety First has been liaising with the suppliers concerned and are keeping the wider electrical installation community and regulatory authorities informed of the potential hazards arising from these devices. If necessary, an update will be published in a future edition of Switched On. As part of Electrical Safety First’s electrical product safety screening programme, an independent laboratory was commissioned to assess the safety implications of a sample selection of universal socket-outlets in foreseeable conditions of use where they are installed in

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the UK for domestic and commercial use. The programme also considered the compliance of the sample selection to the requirements of applicable product standards, and of the legal implications of installing and using these sockets in the UK. Regulatory considerations The safety of socket-outlets is governed primarily by the EU General Product Safety Directive 2001/95/EC which is transposed into UK law as the General Product Safety Regulations 2005. For plugs and socket-outlets for domestic use, corresponding national legislation also applies, i.e., the UK Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations 1994 (PSSR). Socket-outlets are defined as electrical devices under PSSR. Schedule 2 of the PSSR specifies the relevant British Standard BS 1363 for socket-outlets with which standard three-pin 13 A plugs may be engaged. As an alternative, however, Regulation 3(3) permits socket-outlets conforming to a standard or specification recognised for use in Member States of the European Economic Community or other States in the European Economic Area, providing these give an equivalent level of safety. Universal socket-outlets do not give such equivalent levels of safety. BS 7671: 2008 (17th edition of the IET Wiring Regulations) makes reference to BS 1363 as the applicable standard for 13 A socket-outlets for use in household and similar applications. Laboratory testing Five universal socket-outlets were randomly selected and purchased from online retailers (including UK suppliers). Three were switched socket-outlets. For the purpose of safety compliance testing, the following reference standards were used: • BS 1363-2: 1995 +A4: 2012 British standard for 13 A plugs, socket-outlets, adaptors and connection units • BS 5733: 2010 British standard covering the general requirements for electrical accessories Fig 1

Fig 2

Product testing results None of the samples were marked with standard BS 1363 or BS 5733. One sample was missing the name, trademark or identification mark of the manufacturer. Rated current was missing from two samples and one sample had no terminal markings. Only one sample was provided with installation instructions and these did not contain any information about potential hazards for UK usage. One sample has a double socket-outlet arrangement, as shown in Fig 1. The shape and proximity of the two socket-outlets was such that simultaneous use of both sockets was not possible. Under BS 1363 a test pin of 1.0 mm in diameter is applied perpendicular to the accessible external surface of the socket-outlet with a force of 5 N to assess accessibility of live parts. It was possible to access live parts in four samples with the test pin, despite three of the samples being fitted with socket aperture shutters. It was possible with all samples to touch live plug pins of European ‘Schuko’ plugs and United States of America (USA) plugs during plug insertion and withdrawal, as illustrated in Fig 2. The risk of injury from an electric shock is increased with the voltage being 230V instead of 120V. The large and irregular shape of apertures in universal socket-outlets will accommodate a range of worldwide plugs. This results in a potentially hazardous situation, due to it being possible to insert certain plug types incorrectly. For example, the two-pin Europlug (standard EN 50075 specification) can be inserted between the line and earth connections in four of the five samples tested. The socket-outlet design will also accommodate USA, Australia and New Zealand three-pin plugs, as shown in Fig 3, but the connection will be reverse polarity due to the configuration of the plug. Class I appliances fitted with a Schuko plug having side earthing contacts or plugs with an earthing socket, such as a French plug, will lose Fig 3

USA three-pin plug

Australia/New Zealand three-pin plug

NICEIC Connections Summer 2014

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Ask the experts/Technical

Fully charged Fig 4

Fig 5

the electric shock protection provided by the protective earthing conductor in the fixed wiring of the installation. The test laboratory carried out resistance to abnormal heat and fire tests. Applying a glow wire to the socket-outlet materials supporting the current-carrying parts simulates an overheating condition. Three of the samples failed the glow wire test. Front plates, switch actuating assemblies, bases and front plates were affected with varying states of deformation, with two samples shown in Fig 4. The International Electrotechnical Commission’s (IEC) standard for plugs and socket-outlets IEC 60884-1 typically requires socket-outlets to withstand 5,000 plug insertions. All five samples passed the 5,000 insertions test. The test laboratory then carried out an additional 10,000 insertions in accordance with the UK standard BS 1363-2. Testing was stopped after a further 5,000 insertions (10,000 insertions in total) for two samples owing to shutter and cover plate breakages. The extent of the cover plate breakage after a total of 10,000 insertions is shown in Fig 5. The three remaining samples survived the 15,000 insertions with one sample having a broken line contact. Mechanical strength testing was applied in the form of 10 blows with an impact hammer. In general the samples passed with the cover plate cracking on one sample after only five hammer blows. Foreseeable use issues Another concern is the ability to connect 100-120 V rated appliances to the UK 230 V mains supply. Appliances with USA and Canadian plugs are rated and intended for use at supply voltage of 120 V, with 127 V for Mexico and 100 V for Japan. The test laboratory connected a number of appliances having a rated voltage ranging

Fig 6

from 100 V to 120 V, including a hair dryer, fan heater, kettle and toaster. Most of the appliances either shut down or failed in a safe manner when supplied at 230 V. However, in the case of the toaster, the heating elements became much hotter than they would in normal use and consequently exceeded their normal operating temperature resulting in melting of the enclosure, as shown in Fig 6. The toaster did not catch fire but there is obviously an increased risk of a fire and burns. There is an additional safety issue with the use of universal socket-outlets due to fixed wiring installation practices in the UK. Socket-outlets are commonly installed in a ring final circuit configuration that is protected by either a 30 A or 32 A overcurrent protective device. This arrangement provides adequate protection to the installation wiring, but overcurrent protection for the appliance supply lead relies on the fuse (typically rated at 3 A or 13 A) in the BS 1363 plug or fused connection unit. Without this protection, as would be the case if a non-UK appliance (fitted with a non-fused plug) was connected to the supply via a universal socket-outlet, there would be inadequate overcurrent protection resulting in a high risk of fire to the appliance supply lead under fault and overload conditions. Test laboratory comments The test laboratory concluded from its findings that universal socket-outlets pose serious potential hazards and would not satisfy UK safety requirements. They also recommended that electricians should be alerted to the potential hazards of both domestic and commercial installation of these devices. A copy of the laboratory test report is available to view in the ‘Industry’ section of the Council’s website www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk

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Ask the experts/Technical

Fully charged Cutting holes and notches in solid timber joists To provide for the passage of cables it is common practice in domestic dwellings for holes to be made in traditional cut solid timber joists by electrical contractors. The notching of joists is a permitted but less common practice, which may be required where – for practical reasons – holes cannot be cut, such as where there is insufficient space between joists or where joists do not have significant depth to meet Regulation 522.6.100 (see later).

oists can be subjected to stresses to such an extent that the structural integrity of the floor or ceiling is compromised where holes or notches are not cut in specified areas and/or where the hole or notch is too large. Traditional cut solid timber joists are typically found in existing dwellings constructed before the year 2000. Their use in today’s construction industry is normally limited to extensions to existing dwellings and new one-off self-build dwellings. Other new dwellings, such as those constructed on large development sites in the United Kingdom, generally use prefabricated floor joists and ceiling trusses. Prefabricated joists are not discussed in this article. The information given in this article for the cutting of holes and notches in solid timber joists is based on guidance given in BS 5268-2: 2002 Structural use of timber: Code of practice for permissible stress design, materials and workmanship (now withdrawn) and the Timber

Research and Development Association (TRADA) a not-for-profit membership-based organisation. The information provided in the article does not cover every detail of the guidance given in the two aforementioned documents, and if more details are required a structural engineer or building control body should be consulted. To understand why it is important to apply the recommendations for position and size of holes and notches given in Tables 1 and 2 of this article, it is important to consider some basic structural member theory for a joist spanned between two supports. Joist failure Joists in some aspects are analogous to electric cables; both are selected for size and installed to carry a maximum expected load – albeit different types of load – and should either be subject to significant overloading, failure can occur. Such overloading of either joist or cable may occur, for example, where inappropriate workmanship causes a reduction in material cross-section, such as holes or notches in a joist or where strands are removed from a stranded cable at a termination. Where a structural member has a reduction in cross-section, the load to be carried is distributed over a reduced area causing local stresses to be much higher, meaning load carrying capability is reduced. Holes and notches are therefore ‘stress raisers’, and notches – due to their shape – generally produce stresses higher than an evenly cut hole, for the same area of material reduction. Holes and notches cut in structural members are a ‘weak point’, especially if cut in the middle of a span between two supports. Reducing the cross-section of a structural member in the middle of a span raises the risk of collapse. In effect, a hole or a notch cut in the middle of a member can be like inserting a hinge in a joist (see Fig 1).

Fig 1 Example of a joist at risk of collapse by the insertion of an inappropriate notch

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Fig 2 Position and size of holes and notches

Installation work in an existing dwelling To minimise the potential of structural movement where electrical installation work is required in an existing dwelling, it is advisable, where possible, to use the existing holes and notches in joists rather than cutting new holes and notches when installing new cables. Existing holes and notches should only be used for cables under a floor or above a ceiling where the applicable requirements of Regulation 522.6.100, relating to protection of such cables against penetration by nails, screws and the like, are met. For practical applications in dwellings this typically means that to minimise impact to cables, holes should be at least 50 mm measured vertically from the top or bottom (as applicable) of the joist and notches should be covered with appropriate mechanical

protection of sufficient thickness to prevent penetration of nails, screws and the like, such as 3 mm steel. Furthermore, where cables are drawn through holes or notches, existing or new, care should be taken to ensure that cables do not rub against one another such that sheathing or insulation is damaged. There are other methods of meeting Regulation 522.6.100; however, due to practicalities, these are generally not employed in dwellings, and therefore not discussed in this article. Where the cutting of new holes and notches is unavoidable, the recommendations given in Fig 2 or for ease of application Tables 1 & 2 (where applicable) of this article should be applied. It should be noted that some dwellings, for example, a barn converted to a dwelling, might Connections Summer 2014

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Ask the experts/Technical

Fully charged Table 1 Position of holes and notches Holes to be positioned only where measured from either support (m)

Notches to be positioned only where measured from either support (m)

Min

Max

Min

0.5

0.8

0.14

0.5

2.5

0.625

0.175

0.625

0.75

1.2

0.21

0.75

3.5

0.875

1.4

0.245

0.875

1.6

0.28

4.5

1.125

1.8

0.315

1.125

1.250

0.35

1.25

5.5

1.375

2.2

0.385

1.375

1.5

2.4

0.42

1.5

Distance between supports (m)

Max

Examples of appropriate holes and notches cut in a joist having a span of 3 m and a depth of 0.15 m

Depth of joist (mm)

Diameter of hole (mm)

Depth of notch (mm)

100

12.5

125

150

37.5

As an example of the impact this would have on a joist having a span of 3 m and a depth of 0.15 m: • Holes should be cut at a distance from the supporting wall of between 0.75 m and 1.2 m and have a maximum diameter of 37.5 mm. • Notches should be cut at a distance from the supporting wall of between 0.21 m and 0.75 m and have a maximum depth of 18 mm. (Note: the calculation (150 x 0.125) produces an actual size of 18.75 mm and for structural purposes this is rounded down (rather than up)).

200

Application of Fig 2

250

62.5

Table 2 Maximum size of holes and notches

Note: where a hole and a notch are made in the same joist they should be at least 100 mm apart, and where a hole is made the adjacent holes should not be closer than three times the maximum recommended diameter.

contain joists of materials and/or sizes (such as oak 3” x 3”) not generally used as standard in the construction of dwellings. Where this is the case, a structural engineer or Building Control Body should be consulted before cutting holes and notches. Cutting of holes and notches in solid timber joists Where joists are installed in a building they must adequately carry all expected loads. The load-bearing capabilities of a joist are typically assessed by structural engineers using either calculation or selection by past experience; 48

either method taking into account a reduction in cross-section for planned holes or notches. Therefore, should any additional holes or notches be required further guidance should be sought. However, to keep things simple, for domestic dwellings where the joists have a depth of not more than 250 mm a structural engineer need not be consulted provided: • Notches are positioned between 0.07 of the span and 0.25 of the span from either support and do not exceed 0.125 of the joist depth. • Holes are positioned between 0.25 of the span and 0.4 of the span from either support, and do not have a diameter exceeding 0.25 of the joist depth and are cut on the centre line (see Fig 2).

To aid the contractor in determining the appropriate position and maximum size of holes and notches for a range of solid timber joists typically used in dwellings, Table 1 (Position of holes and notches) gives the recommended position of holes and notches for spans between supports and Table 2 (Size of holes and notches) gives the recommended maximum size of holes and notches for depth of joist. Summary Inappropriately cutting a hole or a notch other than in specified areas can lead to a joist being weakened to such a degree that collapse might occur, even where the loading is below the maximum expected value, especially if made in the middle of a span. It is important, therefore, that the recommendations given in Fig 2 or Tables 1 and 2 are followed. Where doubt exists regarding holes and notches, it may be necessary to consult the local Building Control Body.

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Ask the experts/Technical

Fully charged Converting amperes to kVA

For example, supposing the designer of a single-phase 230 V electrical installation has assessed the maximum demand to be 65 A, the load is then equal to 15 kVA (given by 230 V x 65 A ÷ 1,000). Converting kVA to amperes

The load on an electrical installation or item of equipment may be expressed either in amperes or in kVA (kilovoltamperes). The unit kVA (also VA or MVA) is used to express the apparent power of a load or installation which is a maximum value.

he technical helpline is sometimes asked how to convert amperes to kVA, or vice-versa. The main reason for wishing to make such a conversion is likely to be that electricity distributors sometimes require to be advised of the maximum demand in kVA when dealing with applications for new supplies. Alternatively, in the case of a house or flat, a distributor may request the maximum demand of the installation in kW (kilowatts), rather than kVA. Typical domestic installations Typically, it is in industrial and the larger commercial settings where the different values between kW and kVA become more of an issue, and a subsequent article will consider the nature of power factor and the relationship between true (or active) power (W), reactive power (VAr) and apparent power (VA). Electricity distributors sometimes request values of load (maximum demand) for domestic installations to be expressed in kW, rather than kVA. This is reasonable, as the load in a typical dwelling will not be significantly inductive or capacitive and will therefore have a power factor close to unity. For a load having unity power factor, the load in kW has the same numerical value as the load in kVA, and may be calculated by means of equation (1), for a single-phase load.

For a single-phase load expressed in kVA, the load in amperes may be calculated using equation (2): (2)

Current =

kVA x 1,000 nominal voltage

For example, supposing an item equipment of rated voltage 230 V has a nameplate rating of 10 kVA, the rated current of the equipment is then equal to 43.5 A (given by 10 kVA x 1,000 ÷ 230 V). BALANCED THREE-PHASE LOADS Converting amperes to kVA For a balanced three-phase load expressed in amperes, the load in kVA may be calculated using either equation (3), which uses the nominal line-to-neutral voltage (U0), or equation (4), which uses the nominal line-to-line voltage (U): (3) kVA = 3x nominal line-to-neutral voltage (U0) x line current 1,000

(4) kVA = √3 x nominal line-to-neutral voltage (U) x line current 1,000

Where: √3 is the square root of 3, which is taken as 1.732 As an example of the use of equation (3), suppose that a three-phase installation having nominal line-to-neutral voltage (U0) of 230 V has a balanced three-phase maximum demand current of 120 A, as shown in Fig 1. The maximum demand in kVA is then:

SINGLE-PHASE LOADS Converting amperes to kVA

kVA = 3 x 230 x 120 = 82.8 kVA 1,000

For a single-phase load expressed in amperes, the load in kVA may be calculated using equation (1):

Converting kVA to amperes

(1) kVA = nominal voltage (volts) x current (amperes) 1,000

For a balanced three-phase load expressed in kVA, the load in amperes may be calculated using either equation (5), which uses the nominal

Summer 2014 Connections

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Fig 1 A balanced three-phase load where the line-to-neutral voltage U0 and the load current are known (kVA calculated using equation (3))

line-to-neutral voltage (U0), or equation (6), which uses the nominal line-to-line voltage (U):

(5)

Current =

kVA x 1,000 3x nominal line-to-neutral voltage (U0)

(6)

Current =

kVA x 1,000 √3 x nominal line-to-neutral voltage (U)

As an example of the use of equation (6), suppose that an item of balanced three-phase, three-wire equipment having a rated line voltage (U) of 400 V has a nameplate rating of 70 kVA, as shown in Fig 2. The line current is then equal to 101 A, given by: Current = 70 x 1,000 = 101A 1.732 x 400 Fig 2 A balanced three-phase load where the line-to-line voltage U and the load kVA are known (line current calculated using equation (6))

Technical help service grows Did you know that since the merger between NICEIC and ELECSA our technical helpline team has expanded? By bringing together two great teams, Certsure now has a wider and more experienced team of engineers who provide an invaluable service to electricians all over the UK: • The team annually deals with around 60,000 requests by phone or email, with 95 per cent of calls answered first time • In May the technical helpline answered 183 email enquiries and answered 4,950 technical queries over the phone • On one particular day this year the team answered a record-breaking 352 calls, with 100 per cent of calls to the priority line being answered The technical helpline is a great resource for Certsure customers and an indicator of the benefits the NICEIC/ELECSA merger has brought to registered contractors.

Connections Summer 2014

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THE POWER TO HELP OVER 3,000 CONTRACTORS DEVELOP EVERY YEAR

the power behind your business The right qualiﬁcations can make your business more competitive, and we’re giving thousands of contractors an extra edge every year with a wide range of courses. To ﬁnd out where our training could take you, call 0843 290 3419 or email training@certsure.com

p52_CON.07.14.indd 5

24/06/2014 09:32

Ask the experts/Technical

Fully charged Automatic switching devices – assessing their switching capacity Many existing businesses and homeowners and those designing new buildings are increasingly turning to efficient and effective ways to reduce energy costs by employing automatic switching devices.

nfortunately, and as demonstrated by a number of incidents reported by ELESCA and NICEIC contractors, there are still a number of persons failing to adequately assess the applicable maximum rated switching current of an automatic switching device and the type of load to be switched by the device, prior to work being carried out, especially where additions and alterations are made (see later). It is important that persons who carry out electrical maintenance and installation work are competent to assess the suitability of electrical equipment, such as automatic switching devices, so that the applicable maximum rated switching current of the device is not exceeded by the current of the load to be switched by the device. All the incidents reported related to the use of small-scale, single-phase automatic switching devices having a rated current up to 20 A, that are generally used to switch one or more items of fixed current-using equipment. This article therefore focuses on the potential dangers relating to such devices. The guidance given is common practice and can therefore be suitable for other applications involving switching devices. It should be remembered that an automatic switching device could be employed to control a load when used in conjunction with a suitable relay or contactor, however, such an arrangement is outside the scope of this article. Using automatic switching devices

A review of the small-scale automatic switching devices available to the electrical industry reveals that there are generally four types used to provide a means of automatic control for items of current-using equipment; proximity sensors, time switches, dawn to dusk photocells and thermostats.

These four devices are suitable for switching a variety of loads, typically expressed on the manufacturer’s information in amps and/or watts, and manufacturers might attribute more than one maximum rated value of current or power to a particular device. For example, the manufacturer’s information for a particular device might provide information expressed as: • Maximum switch rating 13 A resistive load • Maximum switch rating 2 A inductive load • Suitable for switching immersion/storage heaters of up to 3000 W • Suitable for switching 2000 W of incandescent lamps • Suitable for switching 500 W of fluorescent lamps • Suitable for switching 200 W of compact fluorescent lamps • Not suitable for switching discharge lighting • Suitable for switching 3000 W of heating mats Given the possibility that for a particular automatic switching device a variety of maximum ratings might be expressed on the manufacturer’s information, it is important that contractors consult this information when selecting the device, to ensure that it is capable of switching the connected load. Regulation 134.1.1 requires electrical equipment to be installed in accordance with the instructions provided by the equipment manufacturer. To take account of the reactive component of loads and their effects on switch contacts when they are either opened or closed, the designer will need to choose appropriately rated switches. For example, a fluorescent load during warm-up might momentarily draw twice the amount of current on starting in comparison to normal running mode. Potential dangers of inappropriate assessment Some ways of reducing energy costs might appear straightforward and therefore not requiring assessment of a circuit’s characteristic, such as replacing incandescent lamps with compact fluorescent lamps. However, such like-for-like replacement might result in malfunction or fire, such as where the maximum rated switching current of an in-circuit automatic switching device is not identified and consequently a load greater than the devices’ switching capability is connected. For example, replacing existing lamps with lamps having different characteristics might result in unwanted in-rush current. In all electrical installations equipment should be appropriately rated for the maximum current to be carried in normal service, and the current likely to be carried in abnormal conditions (Regulation 133.2.2 refers). Connections Summer 2014

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Ask the experts/Technical

Fully charged Example of inappropriate assessment

Table 2 Partially reproduced from Table 1 BS EN 60947-4-1 Nature Utilisation of categories current a.c. AC-1 AC-2 AC-3 AC-4 AC-5A AC-5B AC-6A AC-6B AC-7A AC-7B AC-8A

AC-8B

Additional category designation General use

Typical applications

Non-inductive or slightly inductive loads, resistance furnaces Slip-ring motors: starting, switching off Squirrel-cage motors: starting, switching off motors during running Squirrel-cage motors: starting, plugging, inching Ballast Switching of electric discharge lamp controls Incandescent Switching of incandescent lamps Switching of transformers Switching of capacitor banks Slightly inductive loads in household appliances and similar applications Motor loads for household applications Hermetic refrigerant compressor motor control with manual resetting of overload releases Hermetic refrigerant compressor motor control with automatic resetting of overload releases

Additions and alterations A particular problem involving inappropriate assessment of automatic switching devices – that might lead to danger from fire – is where a contractor is requested to make an addition or alteration to an existing circuit containing an automatic switching device, and there is an absence of manufacturer’s information for the device. In such circumstances the contractor should consult the manufacturer (or their website) and/ or take account of labels attached to the device (if any), to ensure the switching capability of the device is adequate for the altered circumstances. If no information can be sourced, consideration should be given to replacing the device with a new device suitable to accommodate the existing load and additional load, to ensure compatilbility between device and load. Part of Regulation 132.16 requires those persons making an addition or alteration to an existing installation to assess the rating and condition of any existing equipment.

Fig 1 Example of a time switch switching an unsuitable load

As previously mentioned, failure to adequately assess the compatibility of an automatic switching device and the connected load might result in failure of the device or fire. Consider as an example, where a client requires the installation of two 2 kW storage heaters on separate circuits, contolled by a single time switch rated at 13 A. If it is not recognised that the total load is 4000 W and when both heaters are simultaneously in charge mode, a time switch that can switch about 18 A of resistive load is required. Fig 1 shows the results from such an inappropriate choice. Utilisation category The utilisation category for a switching device or fuse is defined in BS EN 60947-1 as, ‘… combination of specified requirements related to the conditions in which the switching device or the fuse fulfils its purpose, selected to represent a characteristic group of practical applications’. The specified requirements, for example, may concern the values of making and breaking capacities and other associated characteristics, as well as the relevant conditions of use and behaviour. An item of equipment, such as an automatic switching device, will be labelled in such a way as to enable the designer/installer to choose an appropriate device in the light of the nature of the load to be switched. Table 1 found in BS EN 60947-4-1 Low voltage switchgear and controlgear. Contactors and motor starters. Electromechanical contactors and motor starters applied to equipment such as a.c. and d.c. contactors lists the type of applications that would be applicable for particular utilisation categories. Summary The effects on an automatic switching device of switching a load greater than the manufacturer’s recommend rating, or where insufficient account has been taken of the nature of the connected load, can be more significant than just device failure; a risk of fire also exists. Contractors should always consult the manufacturer’s information or the manufacturer before carrying out electrical works that involve the use of automatic switching devices to ensure compatibility between device and connected load.

Summer 2014 Connections

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Thermal fluid filled for rapid and even en heat transfer ntrollable • 100% Efficient • 100% Controllable Our e-newsletters are a great way to keep up-to-date with latest industry news and developments as well as finding out about new products, services and great offers. To sign up now email newsletter@certsure.com and let us know if you would like to receive either the NICEIC or ELECSA version. Don’t forget you can also connect with what’s most important to your business and for instant industry news by following us on Twitter now @officialniceic and @officialelecsa.

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24/06/2014 10:33

Change. IT HAPPENS! Rotasoc® is widely considered to be the industry standard for customisable under desk power as it includes a comprehensive selection of multi-socket power and data modules.

Features 32A copper busbar

360° rotatable sockets

Integrated power and data

Quality manufacture and testing (Kite Mark & BSI certified to BS5733)

Standard, low noise / clean earth and dual circuit options

01709 829511 marketing@cmd-ltd.com www.cmd-ltd.com /cmdltd @cmdltd company/cmd-ltd

p56_CON.07.14.indd 5

25/06/2014 08:52

Ask the experts/Technical

Fully charged Non-armoured cables to BS 6004 or BS 7211

Avoiding damage to cables due to condensation or ingress of water Like any other part of a wiring system, cables are subject to Regulation 522.3.1 of BS 7671, which requires that ‘A wiring system shall be selected and erected so that no damage is caused by condensation or the ingress of water during installation, use or maintenance’.

reas where such condensation may occur or where water may gain access are varied, but condensation risks include any areas where warm air comes into contact with cold surfaces. Water can gain access to cables and conduit systems where cables are buried underground or in ducts or where there is insufficient sealing of conduit systems. This article gives guidance on avoiding such damage to cables where one of the more commonly used types of cable is being employed.

Electric cables – Guide to use for cables with a rated voltage not exceeding 450/750 V – Part 3: National standard cables not included in HD 21 and HD 22

Fig 1 Example of a drainage point in an accessory enclosure

Drainage hole at the lowest point of an accessory enclosure

BS 6004 covers pvc-insulated, non-armoured cables for voltages up to and including 450/750 V, for power and lighting. BS 7211 covers similar cables having thermosetting insulation with low emission of smoke and corrosive gases when affected by fire. For both these types of cable, BS 7540-3: 2005 1 states that “The presence of water in contact with this cable is not acceptable” (Tables 2A and 6A, respectively, refer). This does not mean that the cables must never be allowed to come into contact with water, but prolonged contact with water could lead to a reduction in the insulation resistance of the cables and their eventual deterioration. In particular, cables to BS 6004 or BS 7211 must not be installed in situations where they are liable to immersion in water or otherwise to be in contact with water constantly or for significant periods. Moreover, where cables to BS 7211 are to be installed in a conduit, trunking or other containment system where moisture or condensation may exist, the cables should be selected on the basis of the manufacturer’s particular advice in this respect. In any event, as with any other type of cable, where cables to BS 6004 or BS 7211 are to be installed in a containment system in which water may collect or condensation may form, such as outdoors or in an unheated location or embedded in a ‘cold’ structure, Regulation 522.3.2 requires that provision is made for the harmless escape of the water through suitably located drainage points. A drainage point for an accessory enclosure normally takes the form of a small hole (of at least 5 mm diameter or 20 mm2 in area with a minimum width or length of 3 mm BS EN 60670-1: 2005+A1:2013 Boxes and enclosures for electrical accessories for household and similar fixed electrical installations – Part 1: General requirements refers) at the lowest point, as illustrated in Fig 1. Such a hole may already be provided by the manufacturer or may be drilled on site at a point indicated in the manufacturer’s instructions or, for an enclosure into which the installer has mounted equipment, at a suitable position. For a conduit system, suitable drainage may be effected by providing a ‘fall’ on conduit runs and drilling small drainage holes at the lowest points of draw-in boxes, accessory boxes etc. Due consideration should be given to ensuring the drilling of holes does not cause damage to cables and to the IP ratings of the accessory. As ever, care should be taken when installing cables into conduit, trunking or ducting, as damage to the insulation or sheath (if any) Connections Summer 2014

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Ask the experts/Technical

Fully charged Fig 2 Typical arrangement for burying an armoured cable in the ground

when drawing in may lead to an increased risk of lower insulation resistance values caused by the presence of moisture. Armoured cables to BS 5467 or BS 6724 BS 5467 covers armoured cables having thermosetting insulation, and BS 6724 covers similar cables with low emission of smoke and corrosive gases when affected by fire. In both British Standards, there are common statements regarding moisture: • In Annex A of each standard, it is stated that cables are suitable for direct burial in free-draining soil conditions. • In Annex B of each standard, there is a requirement to avoid damage to the cable covering in wet or aggressive environments, and also to maintain the moisture seal via the end cap until the last possible moment before termination. • In clause 13 of each standard, it is stated that the manufacturer must seal the ends of the 58

cable to prevent the ingress of water during transportation and storage. In Annex B it is further stated that the protective cap should not be removed from the ends of the cable until immediately prior to termination or jointing, and that when the caps have been removed the unprotected ends of the cable should not be exposed to moisture. Ideally, where the armoured cables are to be buried in the ground, the location should be selected so that the soil or other suitable surrounding material is free-draining, and it is particularly important that the cable covering is free from damage, so that it will not allow water to enter the cable. Fig 2 shows how a cable may be buried directly in the ground. Armoured cables should not be installed in locations where they are liable to be immersed in water, such as on the floor of a crawl-way duct where water may collect in puddles. The ends of armoured cables should be kept sealed until ready for termination, to reduce the risk of water ingress.

Summer 2014 Connections

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THE POWER TO GET YOUR JOBS CERTIFIED AND NOTIFIED ON-SITE, ONLINE, IN MINUTES

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the power behind your business For specialist insurance cover built around your business, just ask for a quote on 0843 290 3519 or visit elecsainsurance.co.uk

ELECSA 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. ELECSA is a trading name of Certsure LLP, who are an Introducer Appointed Representative of Towergate Underwriting Group Limited.

p59_CON.07.14.indd 5

24/06/2014 09:42

Ask the experts/Technical

Fully charged Snags & Solutions A practical guide to everyday electrical problems Now updated to Amendment No 1 of BS 7671 and where appropriate BS 5266 and BS 5839 ‘Snags & Solutions’, NICEIC’s problem solving book, is now available in five parts, which cover many commonly-encountered electrical installation problems. All parts have been updated, where appropriate, to take account of the requirements of Amendment No 1 to BS 7671: 2008 (17th Edition of the IET Wiring Regulations), which was published on 1 July 2011 and came into full effect on 1 January 2012. 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 includes a snag from Part 3 ‘Test leads – insulation resistance testing’, which discusses why checking the continuity of test leads is an essential part of insulation resistance testing.

Test leads – insulation resistance testing Checking the continuity of test leads is essential before carrying out insulation resistance testing.

Snag 30 Failure to check that the instrument test leads are not open-circuited can result in the maximum possible value that can be indicated on the test instrument being unwittingly recorded as the insulation resistance value for the circuit (or group of circuits) under test. If the true value for the circuit(s) was below the minimum value

snags and solutions

A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO EVERYDAY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS

Part 2

wiring systems

Part 5

3rd Edition

Domestic fire f detection and fire alarm systems to BS 5839

Amd 1: 2011

Summer 2014 Connections

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permitted by BS 7671, a risk of electric shock, and possibly even fire, could remain undetected, posing a danger to users of the installation and surrounding areas.

Solution The insulation resistance measured in accordance with the method given in Regulation 612.3.2 is considered satisfactory if the insulation resistance is not less than the appropriate value given in Table 61 of that regulation. Checking test lead continuity can be achieved by shorting or connecting the test probes or clips together and measuring the resistance of the leads, using the low resistance setting or appropriate button on the test instrument. The resistance measured should be the resistance of the leads and connections and, therefore, will generally be less than 0.5 Ω. To ensure that the test leads are operating correctly, such continuity checks should ideally be undertaken immediately prior to carrying out insulation resistance measurements and again after the recording of a series of insulation resistance measurements. 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.

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 Justin Maltby-Smith, principal engineering manager Industry experience: Chartered electrical engineer, technical director, consultant, project manager, lecturer, NVQ assessor and internal verifier. Member of the joint IET/BSI technical committee for electrical installations JPEL/64 Panel A Alan Turvey, standards engineer Industry experience: Electrician, carrying out industrial, commercial, quarry and domestic installations, lecturer and deputy head of construction with further education college Clinton Thompson, standards engineer Industry experience: Electrician (domestic and industrial), electrical engineer (food industry, high-volume production and heavy press industry), college tutor, training centre tutor Stuart McHugh, technical helpline engineer Industry experience: More than 48 years in the electrical industry, including a six-year apprenticeship, industrial commercial domestic and street-lighting work Duncan McFarlane, technical helpline engineer Industry experience: Time-served electrician, working on domestic, commercial, industrial and petrochemical installations. Electrical clerk of works, electrical surveyor, lecturer and NVQ assessor Norman Bradshaw, technical helpline engineer Industry experience: Electrician for 23 years, working as an Approved Contractor, assisting new electricians in gaining Part P registration and working in partnership with local building control departments Geoff Brittain , technical helpline engineer (team leader) Industry experience: Full apprenticeship and further education. Worked in all aspects of the electrical industry. Became projects manager and subsequently ran his own company. Joined the ECA in 2007 and became team leader in 2010 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 Steve Hoult, technical helpline engineer Industry experience: Experienced in design and installation of systems to 11kV working in the coal-mining industry and then on industrial and construction electrical supply installations

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

Connections Summer 2014

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THE POWER TO DELIVER TECHNICAL ADVICE ACROSS THE UK the power behind your business Get the latest technical advice and ensure you are up-to-date with BS7671: Amendment 3 at a TechTalk near you!

30th September 2014 - London 9th October 2014

- Brighton

14th October 2014

- Belfast

21st October 2014

- Cornwall

12th November 2014 - Bristol 3rd February 2015

- Doncaster

11th February 2015

- Newmarket

24th February 2015

- Swansea

12th March 2015

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19th March 2015

- Sunderland

25th March 2015

- Warwickshire

Tickets: £25 (inc. VAT) per person

Call 0843 290 3456 to book your place or visit:

niceic.com

p62_CON.07.14.indd 5

elecsa.co.uk

25/06/2014 08:49

Product Focus Fluke

Danlers

The new Fluke Connect™ system allows maintenance technicians to wirelessly transmit measurement data from Fluke test tools to their smart phone for secure storage on the cloud, thus enabling access by any team member in the field. The Fluke Connect app can be downloaded free from the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. More than 20 Fluke tools connect wirelessly with the Connect app, including digital multimeters, thermal imagers, insulation testers, process meters and specific voltage, current and temperature meters.

DANLERS has extended its range of LED dimming solutions with a new range of Push and Rotary LED Dimmers available in 1, 2, 3 and 4 gang plated options – plus an additional module that is ideal for retrofitting onto many existing dimmer wall plates. These UK manufactured dimmers offer outstanding dimming at low levels, a smooth dimming cycle and are compatible with many dimmable LED lamps and fittings. A spindle on the back of the dimmers allows the minimum dimming level to be adjusted and therefore helps eliminate lamp instability.

020 7942 0700 (phone) 01603 256 606 (fax) industrial@uk.fluke.nl www.fluke.co.uk

Ideal

Scolmore

IDEAL NETWORKS launches its new data cable transmission tester, SignalTEK CT, designed with installers and network owners in mind who need to prove that copper cabling has been installed correctly and is capable of supporting Gigabit Ethernet applications to the international standard IEEE802.3ab. It carries out a wiremap test (displaying crossed pairs, opens, shorts and split pairs) and a data transmission test (performing at 100Mbit/s or 1000Mbit/s, providing 100% load on that link from both sides) via its Autotest function.

Scolmore Group has introduced an adaptor plate that will allow its Inceptor and Inceptor Micro LED downlight fittings to be retrofitted to existing downlight cut outs up to 120mm – opening up yet more application opportunities. The adaptor plate is ideal for replacing an older, bigger fitting, or suitable where the hole may have been cut too big. It is available in chrome, satin chrome and white to match the Inceptor fittings. Inceptor and Inceptor Micro are fire-rated, integrated LED downlights with a high-powered, compact, pre-wired driver and flow connector. The compact size of the driver means they can be fitted into a very shallow recess depth: 50mm for Inceptor Micro and 60mm for Inceptor.

01925 444 446 www.signaltekct

01827 63454 www.scolmore.com

Rolec EV Electric vehicle charging point manufacturer Rolec EV has confirmed the launch of a new range of heavy duty, hard wearing EV charging points, known as EV: SecuriCharge, which is designed specifically for public environments, such as offices, hotels, factories, car parks, retail outlets, etc. The new EV: SecuriCharge low-cost range of wall mountable charging points can be operated either as free-to use by security key switch, bespoke token or coins and includes a number of special features such as Type 2 lock-a-way charging sockets, charge time availability display and IEC 61851–1 charging communication. Rolec EV also confirmed that it has been awarded both the internationally coveted Renault ZE Ready 1.2 EV Charging Point Manufacturers Accreditation and the Charging Compatibility Recognition by Nissan Europe. 01205 724754 rolec@rolecserv.co.uk www.rolecserv.com

Connections Summer 2014

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

Scan QR code with your smart phone to visit our site

Marshall Tufflex Cable management specialist Marshall-Tufflex has produced new brochures aimed specifically at contractors and specifiers requiring high performance Cat 6 compliant trunking or steel cable management. The British manufacturer believes it has a well-designed, hardwearing and installer-friendly solution for almost any project. For Cat 6 installations Marshall-Tufflex has 10 marketleading products, all outlined in new brochure Cat 6 Compliant Trunking Systems, an easy to use guide with images, measurements, cable capacities and bend radius details for each of the profiles, including unique Odyssey all-curved profile, Twin 165 (which provides greater space for data cabling), to extra high capacity Sterling XL. marketing@marshall-tufflex.com 01424 856600

Fluke

Seaward

Fluke has introduced the new Fluke VT04A Visual Infrared Thermometer – a lower-priced version of the Fluke VT04 with a manufacturer’s recommended price of £495. While including all the features of the high-end VT04, it is powered by AA batteries offering flexibility to technicians who may wish to replace batteries in the field. The Fluke VT04A Visual Infrared (IR) Thermometer is a troubleshooting tool with an infrared heat map that offers high resolution as well as temperature alarms and time-lapse features. The VT04A has updated firmware that extends battery life by offering three screen brightness levels, automatic screen dimming, automatic time-off capability, and can save images in .bmp format.

Seaward has upgraded its PrimeTest 250 manual PAT with the introduction of a fast results downloading and easy label printing version of the tester. The new PrimeTest 250 Plus combines a comprehensive test capability with a number of added value features that make testing fast, simple and highly efficient. Importantly, the new handheld tester connects directly to a new Test n Tag Pro printer for the immediate, on-demand, production of test labels without any special set up procedures being required. The PrimeTest 250 Plus also comes with free test results data logger software to enable test data to be downloaded directly to PC records.

020 7942 0700 (phone) 01603 256 606 (fax) industrial@uk.fluke.nl www.fluke.co.uk

0191 586 3511 sales@seaward.co.uk www.seaward.co.uk

ESP

Ideal

Having successfully operated within the conventional fire systems market for 11 years, ESP has developed a comprehensive range of analogue addressable fire protection devices that takes the company into a brand-new sector of the fire protection industry. The new Fireline MagPro range brings to existing and potential ESP customers a comprehensive product line up that is fully compliant with the very latest Construction Products Regulation 2011 (CPR), which came into force on 1 July 2013.

IDEAL NETWORKS launches its new innovative range of voice, data and video cable testers that answer the challenges of today’s network installer or maintenance technician with features to match all levels of network installation or maintenance whether new build or MACs (moves, adds and changes). Its ability to quickly check the integrity of virtually any cable found in a domestic or commercial voice, data or video installation, including telephone wiring, data network cabling and video/security alarm wiring, makes it the must-have tester.

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

01925 444 446 www.vdvii.com

Summer 2014 NICEIC Connections

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www.niceic.com

25/06/2014 09:59

THE POWER TO CHECK ACCURATE PERFORMANCE WHENEVER, WHEREVER

the power behind your business The PowerCheck 1557 is a comprehensive PAT and installation veriﬁcation checkbox. It checks to ensure total accuracy in a rugged, drop-proof package. Tests to BS7671/EN 61577 Compatible with all installation and PAT testers Veriﬁes loop impedance or RCD testers on RCD protected circuits - without tripping the RCD

From £315.00 + VAT SAVE £60.00 (RRP: £375.00) Buy now from niceicdirect.com or call 0843 290 3474

p65_CON.07.14.indd 5

25/06/2014 08:50

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 Our latest crop of dangerous installations includes (1-4): dubious wiring in a loft; copper connections of a ceiling rose used to join cables below a floor; DIY outdoor electrics featuring an extension lead and half a plastic bottle; and an earth wire connected to an isolator serving as the neutral for the whole installation. This is followed by (5-7): an exposed live busbar complete with taped-up live cable found during an inspection; fuses extracted from a domestic consumer unit with additional wiring; and substandard wiring to a central heating system in a hotel.

Holiday blues Almost a third of people tackling DIY projects do so on the back of information they have gleaned from the internet, a survey shows. Research from insurance firm Zurich found almost half (48%) of homeowners would take on a project themselves, despite the fact that 58% of them have little or no experience of what they are doing. Zurich reports a rise in home insurance claims after Bank Holiday weekends, as people put their ill-thought-out plans into action. The average claim comes in at £181.90, the survey found, with one in four admitting to hurting themselves with hammers, nails and other tools. The most commonly botched jobs included grouting tiles, putting up shelves and hammering nails into walls. Presumably this results in an increased demand for qualified tradespeople – as well as a few red faces.

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Thanks to our contributors: Graham Spavin of Lancaster-based Graham Spavin Electrical Contractors /// David Dallas of Dallas Electrical Services in Bangor /// Paul Upstone of Warwick firm Paul Hunt Electrical Installations /// Carlo Jeffery of C7 Electrical in Brighton /// Richard Malkin of Malkin Electrical in Glossop /// John Richens of John Richens Electrician in Thetford, Norfolk /// and Mike Ford of Ford & Sons in Sidmouth.

Keep those shots coming in!

Charity challenge Staff from Cardiff-based Evans Electrical have taken part in two charity events to raise money for a local hospice, which cared for one of their colleagues during his battle with leukaemia. Lighting engineer Kerry Edwards sadly died in March this year, and his workmates wanted to undertake the challenges in his memory. Around 30 staff (pictured) took part in a 46-mile bike ride from Brecon to Caerleon in June and seven women staff undertook a 5km run at Bedwas Rugby 66

Club, to raise money for St David’s Hospice Care in Newport. “It hit us all quite badly so we decided we needed to do something,” says office manager Angela Dixon. “The whole firm participated in some way; either taking part in the events or cheerleading.”

The bike ride raised more than £6,000 and the run £2,500. The firm has also arranged a ball for Leukaemia Research later in the year, and intends to make the bike ride and run annual events. To make a donation to the hospice visit www.justgiving.com/evanselectricalltd

Summer 2014 Connections

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24/06/2014 08:41

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