Connections Spring 2014

Third-party inspection scheme rejected // page 6

connections THE MAGAZINE FOR NICEIC AND ELECSA REGISTERED CONTRACTORS

ADVICE P17 How to find the right finance package to meet your needs

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HEATING/AIR-CON P30 Demand for HVAC systems is picking up, creating new business opportunities

ÂŁ5.00

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SPRING 2014 | ISSUE 189

THERMAL IMAGING P34 Falling prices mean thermal imaging is within the reach of all electrical contractors

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LEADING LIGHTS Liverpool firm WT Jenkins has carved out a niche in street and public realm lighting

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The official fuel consumption figures in mpg (l/100km) and CO2 emissions (g/km) for the Bipper range are: Urban 49.6 (5.7) – 60.1 (4.7), Extra Urban 74.3 (3.8), Combined 62.8 (4.5) – 68.9 (4.1) and CO2 emissions 109-119, for the Partner range are: Urban 29.4 (9.6) – 55.4 (5.1), Extra Urban 49.6 (5.7) – 62.8 (4.5), Combined 39.8 (7.1) – 60.1 (4.7) and CO2 emissions 123-164, for the 308 range are: Urban 35.8 (7.9) – 80.7 (3.5), Extra Urban 61.4 (4.6) – 97.4 (2.9), Combined 48.7 (5.8) – 91.1 (3.1) and CO2 emissions 82-129, for the 508 SW range are: Urban 31 (9.1) – 61.4 (4.6), Extra Urban 58.9 (4.9) – 78.5 (3.6), Combined 44.8 (6.3) – 70.6 (4) and CO2 emissions 104-154. *Rate refers to the Bipper Pro HDi 75 ATV & New 308 Active 1.6 HDi 92. Rentals are subject to VAT. Prices stated are weekly equivalent but all rates are payable monthly. Business users only. A guarantee may be required. Over 18’s 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 Offers apply to eligible vehicles supplied and registered from 1st April 2014 until such time they are withdrawn by Peugeot Motor Company PLC. Rentals based on 10,000 miles per annum. Initial rental payable for all contracts and final rental payable for all van contracts. ^£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.

PEUGEOT CAR & VAN RANGE

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Spring 2014 | Issue 189

Contents Fighting your corner 4 Standing up for registered contractors

17

News Third-party inspection scheme rejected

6

NICEIC to launch new website

7

New guide book series tackles common problems

8

Renewables news First six Green Deal community schemes announced

10

Electrical Safety First news A new look, feel and name for the ESC

13

Further steps on product safety Product news The latest products on the market

Illustration: Cameron Law

Plugged in

30

13

15

26

34

Features

Live wire

Contractor profile 26 Liverpool-based WT Jenkins has carved out a niche in street and public realm lighting, discovers Nick Martindale

Advice 17 As the economy picks up, electrical organisations may need extra finance.

Choosing the right option is essential, says Carol Cheesman Opinion 18 New developments in LEDs can help ensure products live up to lifespan and payback expectations, says Paul Mettham Regions 20 Is the economic upturn filtering through to electrical firms in the West Midlands, asks Adrian Holliday

20

Fully charged

Air force 30 Thanks to legislative developments and the economic recovery, the air-conditioning sector is picking up.

Rob Shepherd reports

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

Safe and warm 34 Thermal imaging is another string for contractors’ bows, says David Adams

Technical Calculating voltage drop

42

Insight 22 The new TrustMark quality mark is designed to raise standards and safeguard consumers, writes Liz Male

Work at height

46

New edition of fire alarm code of practice BS 5839-6 issued

50

Case study 25 NICEIC’s new online certification and notification system is proving a hit for busy contractors

Classification codes for RCD related observations in an EICR

53

Charging systems for electric vehicles

56

Snags and solutions

60

Current affairs A likely story...

66

» Cover photo: Mike Poloway/UNP Connections Spring 2014

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03/04/2014 14:37

Comment EMMA CLANCY

First phase Fighting your corner Qualifications do not define a good electrician.

Competence is a mixture of skills, knowledge and up-to-date training

T

hank you to all those who wrote in to “Have your Say” following the recent Select Committee report. The response was great, with many good points being made by contractors.

Two significant factors particularly stood out: qualifications and retail outlets selling electrical equipment to all.

We firmly believe that while qualifications are important, they are not the defining element of a good electrician.

There are many good electricians who have older qualifications and are perfectly competent. Similarly, there are good electricians who have joined the domestic industry after completing a short course and developed their competence through the acquisition of other skills.

Competence requires a mixture of practical skills, knowledge and up-to-date training. Registered electricians also issue certificates, have insurance and provide guarantees for their work. This complete package is tested at the inspection process each year.

We have been assessing companies for over 50 years and we are very comfortable to stand behind them with a

Emma Clancy is chief executive officer, Certsure

badge of competence. To ask every electrician to go back to college and take more qualifications is impractical. It devalues the real-world experience these people have to offer in providing safe, compliant installations.

Furthermore, while we combine many elements to certify our registered contractors as competent, many retail outlets still sell electrical equipment to the public.

This seriously undermines the value of a competent electrician and, worryingly, implies that electrical work is within the ability of DIY. Installing items such as distribution boards, electric showers and outside sockets is, in our view, well beyond the competence of DIY-ers.

This situation is made much worse with the introduction of a third-party inspection scheme. This is a huge step backwards for Part P and electrical safety.

As one of our respected customers told me: “I make no claim to be perfect, only a fool would do that. But I do everything I can to ensure the safety of my customers, my colleagues and myself. The answer is to maintain the standards of assessment and target those working outside regulation and not tar everyone with the same brush.”

Please be assured we will do as you ask.

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 Patrick Lynn Display 020 7880 6206 Fax 020 7880 7553 Email darren.hale@redactive.co.uk

4

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

Spring 2014 Connections

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ch La a s BO nce t OK to

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Prices NICEIC, ELECSA and ECA Contractors

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Exhibition only and apprentice passes are available free of charge!

Keynote Speaker George Clarke Best known for his TV shows The Restoration Man and The Home Show, architect and writer George Clarke will share his insight and experience from his time working across high profile residential, cultural and urban projects.

Partner sponsors:

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Highlights Live is the must-attend technical conference and exhibition for the electrical industry.

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BOOK NOW at www.niceic-elecsalive.com or call 020 7880 7625

07/04/2014 10:38

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

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

Third-party inspection scheme rejected NICEIC and ELECSA will not be operating a third-party inspection scheme, amid fears that it will undermine the work of registered electricians.

In March, the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) announced amendments to the Building Regulations that set out the introduction of third-party certification schemes for electrical work in homes.

The scheme will form part of the amended regulations from 6 April.

However, NICEIC and ELECSA believe the final scheme announced by DCLG falls well short of the standards and safeguards that will enhance electrical safety and are unworkable for the trade.

“At the simplest level we do not wish to see DIY-ers carry out potentially dangerous electrical work,” said Emma Clancy, CEO of Certsure, which operates the NICEIC and ELECSA brands. “It should be left to competent electricians who will install and test their installations to the wiring regulations.”

Under the review of Part P in 2012, third-party inspectors were put forward as a way for DIY-ers and those not

registered with a competent persons’ scheme to have their work checked and certified. The inspectors will be registered on a scheme and assessed against published criteria, but the scheme will not be officially accredited.

“As competent person scheme operators, we are united in our belief that the third-party approved inspector scheme in its current guise is flawed.

The review of Part P in 2011 proposed the reduction of notifiable work in dwellings, which we believe has weakened the regulation. Now the third-party inspector scheme undermines the working domestic electrician,” said Clancy.

Electrical contractors are also concerned about who is responsible for an installation that has been checked, but wasn’t installed, by them.

Alamy

17TH EDITION THIRD AMENDMENT

6

The open consultation process for amendments to BS 7671: 2008 The IET Wiring Regulations has now closed. The IET and its committees will now be reviewing the comments with a view to implementing changes.

A new regulations book will be produced – BS 7671: 2008 Amendment 3, The Wiring Regulations, 17th Edition – and this is due to be published in January 2015. It will then be a requirement that all electrical installations carried out after 30 June 2015 comply with the updated regulations. The new book, which will be yellow in colour, is expected to include several regulation changes, including likely changes to the following parts: Section 442: Protection of low-voltage installations against temporary overvoltages due to earth faults in the high-voltage system and due to faults in the low-voltage system; Section 444: Measures against electromagnetic disturbances; Chapter 51: Selection and erection of electrical equipment, common rules; Section 559: Luminaires.

Certsure will keep you informed of all changes and updates.

A FRESH LOOK, AT YOU… Earlier this year NICEIC and ELECSA launched its “Take a Fresh Look” campaign featuring staff at Certsure who many of you will come into contact with each day.

The highly visual campaign was our way of opening up our doors and showing you how the business has changed since launching Certsure.

Now, for the next part of the campaign, we want to “Take A Fresh Look” at what you are up to. Launching in May, we want you to send in images of you and your work so we can build up a picture of all the great work NICEIC and ELECSA registered contractors are carrying out.

The competition will launch on Twitter and run throughout May, with great prizes up for grabs.

Follow @officialniceic or @officialelecsa on Twitter or check the websites for details.

LOCAL TRAINING FOR SOUTH-WEST FIRMS NICEIC has teamed up with DCET Training to enable contractors from the south-west to obtain NICEIC accredited training at its centres in Exeter, Plymouth and Redruth.

DCET Training, formerly Devon and Cornwall Electrical Training, is the first training provider in the UK to enter into such a partnership with NICEIC. All NICEIC approved courses will be available from DCET, including updates on 17th edition, PAT training, installation and maintenance of heat pumps, electric vehicle charging, fire alarms and more.

All training will be jointly branded as NICEIC and DCET and, where necessary, accredited by City & Guilds or EAL. Alan Charlton, head of training at NICEIC, said: “We are delighted to be working with DCET. As every electrical contractor in the south-west will know, its training is second to none.”

Spring 2014 Connections

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FEMALE APPRENTICE MAKES HER MARK Female electrician Stacey Moore (pictured left) has successfully completed her four-year advanced level apprenticeship in electrical installation building and structures.

Stacey, 23, was put through the apprenticeship by Hinkley-based Central Electrical Services, and is now employed by the firm.

“She adapted very well from the start, showing all the necessary qualities,” said Richard Tudge, company director. “The electrical industry is still very male-dominated and no allowance was made for Stacey, but she proved more than capable of keeping up with her male colleagues.”

NICEIC to launch new website Don’t forget to book your place at Live South, one of the highlights of the electrical industry calendar. Now in its fourth year, the event takes place at Epsom Downs racecourse on 15 May. Visitors will be able to hear about the latest developments in the industry, including the implications of the third amendment to BS 7671, due out in 2015, and the renewable heat incentive. There will be sessions by Aico, WF Senate and Electrical Safety First, and demonstrations from IVITI Lighting and Scolmore.

Prices have been held at last year’s rate of £29 plus VAT for NICEIC, ELECSA and ECA registered contractors and £49 plus VAT for non-registered contractors.

Apprentice and exhibition-only passes are available free of charge. To book your place, call Lois Hunt on 0207 880 7625 or visit www.niceic-elecsalive.com.

NICEIC is revamping its website, www.niceic.com. Set to launch in the next few weeks, the new site will have an improved look containing new features, imagery and refreshed copy. It will also encourage user interaction via an enhanced “My NICEIC” section.

“The site will be more user-friendly. It will help both contractors and consumers find the information they need faster and easier,” said Sarah Fry, Certsure’s business development manager.

“The website project developed from a survey we conducted last summer. We responded to contractors’ needs and built these demands into the new design. The site will also contain dedicated sections for the gas and renewables industries.

“The changes to the site will make www.niceic.com the one-stop shop for everyone seeking information about not only the electrical industry, but also the

ELECSA LAUNCHES NEW INSURANCE SITE

Domestic installer plans warning

Finding the right insurance deal can be a real headache for tradespeople, but ELECSA-registered contractors can now benefit from the launch of www.elecsainsurance.co.uk. insuranc ELECSA has teamed up with insurance u provider Towergate p tto create a range of policies and services p that can be tailored t to meet the needs of t all a businesses.

“We are delighted to t be working with ELECSA on this initiative that will deliver great savings to contractors,” said Andy Partridge, business development manager at Towergate. “By working closely with ELECSA we can offer policies suitable for each contractor’s specific requirements.”

For more details on ELECSA Insurance Services go to www.elecsainsurance.co.uk

Plans to overhaul the competent persons’ scheme for domestic installers could prove burdensome for electrical contracting firms.

That is the view of NICEIC and ELECSA in response to Parliamentary recommendations for all domestic electricians to have a qualification equivalent to NVQ Level 3 within the next five years.

“While we welcome many of the recommendations made by the committee, we believe the requirement on all individuals, irrespective of the size of the firm or the work the individual undertakes, to be fully qualified places a huge onus on firms,” said Emma Clancy, CEO of

Certsure, which operates the NICEIC and ELECSA brands.

“To have all employees up to a qualified supervisor (QS) level will push up costs and reduce the need for apprentices. The industry will suffer in the long term. It is also no guarantee of a rise in standards.”

Under the current QS system, which all competent person scheme operators use, a firm must employ at least one qualified supervisor with a qualification equivalent to NVQ Level 3. The QS is responsible for the final checking of work and the sign-off that it has been tested and inspected in accordance with the appropriate standards and regulations.

“The majority of electricians out there, working in people’s homes, are fully qualified and competent to carry out the work required of them,” added Clancy.

Connections Spring 2014

06-07_news.FINAL.indd 7

Alamy

BOOK NOW FOR LIVE SOUTH

wider building services sector.”

Much of the content has been rewritten, reorganised and built into an improved navigation system.

There will be new sections featuring videos, technical information and shortcuts through to publications such as Connections, as well as catalogues.

“An improved website is part of Certsure’s promise to provide contractors with access to the most up-to-date services and information,” added Fry. “More and more customer interaction is being carried out online and we want to reflect this change by improving our site.”

As the launch date approaches, contractors will be kept updated of the changes via email. Keep an eye out on www.niceic.com for the new-look site.

7

03/04/2014 14:39

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

Plugged in New guide book series tackles common issues NICEIC and ELECSA have produced a new series of short guides focusing on specific areas of electrical contracting work.

The short guides offer practical guidance for some of the most common problems electricians come across.

Drawing on a range of expertise and knowledge within each organisation, the books reflect the current requirements of BS 7671 and contain helpful diagrams and explanations that are easy to follow.

The books also highlight mandatory requirements, as well as those that are prohibited by current regulation.

“The guide book series is aimed at the electrical installer and attempts to cover some of the most common questions and subjects we get asked about on our technical helpline,” said Tim Benstead, principal technical author for NICEIC and ELECSA. “Some technical guides can be heavy, cumbersome and written in a language that is difficult to follow; they can also be expensive.

“These books are handy, sensibly priced, simple to follow and targeted at subjects we know are of interest. They are a welcome and useful addition to any toolbox.”

The first four guides cover rooms containing a bath or shower; swimming pools and saunas; construction and demolition sites; and Building Regulations in England and Wales.

Further books, which will be launched later in 2014, include RCDs; caravans and caravan sites; floor and ceiling heating installations; mains and sub-mains; and exhibition shows and stands.

The first four short guides are available now from www.niceicdirect.com, priced £5.99 each. To order your copy visit the website or call 0843 290 3501.

Meet NICEIC and ELECSA at ECA Electric NICEIC and ELECSA will be attending the upcoming ECA Electric event, giving contractors the chance to meet the team and find out about the latest training and products on offer. The event combines a conference, technical workshop and exhibition, as well as the ECA annual awards. It takes place at the ICC Birmingham on 28-30 May.

Contractor fined for logo misuse An electrical contractor has been sentenced for carrying out dangerous electrical work while fraudulently claiming to be registered with NICEIC. In January this year London-based David Taylor, who trades under the name of DT Property Maintenance and Electrical Contractors, was found guilty of leaving jobs unfinished and homes unfit for human habitation.

The action was taken by Hackney Council’s Trading Standards, which took Taylor to court after he left jobs with dangerous electrical rewiring that required urgent work to put right.

In addition to this, a roof that was leaking had to be replaced, and in all cases his efforts required other contractors to remedy the poor workmanship, costing the residents in excess of £10,000 on top of what they had paid Taylor.

Taylor pleaded guilty to 12 counts under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008, including the unauthorised use of the NICEIC, Trustmark and Part P logo.

He was sentenced to eight months for the Trading Standards offences, and a further 12 for an additional case brought by the Metropolitan Police for committing a fraud against his employer. Both were suspended for two years.

NICEIC’s CEO Emma Clancy said: “We take misuse of our logo very seriously and we welcome this latest prosecution. The NICEIC name is associated with quality and we must protect those contractors who are legitimately registered with us and have the quality of their work assessed on a regular basis.”

RAISING THE PROFILE OF REGISTERED CONTRACTORS NICEIC and ELECSA work hard to promote the brands to homeowners and specifiers and stress the importance of using registered contractors. Recent initiatives include: Tony Cable continues to travel around the country promoting NICEIC and ELECSA contractors to landlords.

Supporting the National Landlords Association, Tony delivered a presentation to more than 50 landlords in West Didsbury, Manchester, in January, and presented to 500 landlords at the Landlord Expo in Bristol in early April Approaching the end of the season NICEIC-sponsored Luton Town are in pole position to gain promotion to the Football League after a fantastic run of form. The NICEIC logo appears on the back of the players’ shirts and around the stadium, ensuring maximum coverage for the NICEIC brand Technical development manager Darren Staniforth has been filming for BBC TV’s How Safe is Your Home. His duties have included recommendations for a domestic rewire and experiments showing the dangers of faulty electrics. The programme is due to be aired in the summer Electrical Safety First has launched a video campaign warning of the dangers of cheap, knock-off electrical goods

8

Join NICEIC and ELECSA’s 6,500 followers on Twitter for industry updates @officialniceic and @officialelecsa

Spring 2014 Connections

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

Plugged in INDUSTRY // DIARY April 24–25 Elex Westpoint Arena, Exeter May 7–8 Greenbuild Manchester Central, Manchester

The government has announced six community development schemes that will be financed under the Green Deal.

The funding will go to projects in Cambridgeshire, Ashfield, Suffolk, Peterborough, Bracknell Forest and a consortium of six north London boroughs led by Haringey.

Together they represent a total spend of £19.5 million – out of an eventual allocation of £80 million – and aim to

deliver more than 5,500 Green Deal plans to over 7,000 households.

Energy minister Greg Barker said “street by street” schemes are a key driver for the delivery of Green Deal.

The government has been heavily pushing the Green Deal scheme in recent months, including the Snug and Save campaign, which has featured in many national magazines and on a number of TV channels.

STAY UP TO SPEED WITH TRAINING S NICEIC and ELECSA have launched a new training prospectus featuring a host of courses for all those working in the electrical, renewables, gas, water and w health and safety industries.

The 76-page booklet features our largest-ever collection of courses, including those offered by the Electrical Contactors’ Association (ECA) and leading certification body NQA. New sections include fire alarm and emergency lighting, business improvement and business support.

In addition, new courses such as electric vehicle charging and data cabling provide contractors with the opportunity to develop skills in new areas to expand their business offerings.

“The nature of electrical contracting has changed in recent years and more firms are looking to diversify their business into new areas,” said Alan Charlton, head of training.

“Whether it’s providing advice around renewable technologies, installing new, hi-tech gadgetry or just offering a range of sustainable solutions, there is a requirement for contractors to have the knowledge and skills to deliver these services.

“We have expanded our range of courses to mirror this change and have continued to develop more traditional electrical-based courses such as 17th edition and safe isolation.”

Many of the courses can now be accessed online or as part of a blended option combining online learning with classroom teaching and exams.

Electrical contractors registered with either NICEIC, ELECSA or the ECA can also benefit from exclusive discounts.

For more information and to request your copy of the latest prospectus email trainingprospectus@certsure.com or vist www.niceic.com/training/introduction to view a copy online.

10

20–21 PHEX Alexander Palace, London 28–30 The Electric Event ICC, Birmingham June 5 Northern Ireland Electrical Tradeshow Ramada Plaza Hotel, Belfast 19–20 Elex Event Centre, Manchester

MERTON RULING BOOST FOR RENEWABLES The government has opted to retain the Merton Rule, which allows local authorities to insist on the inclusion of renewable energy in new building projects.

Under the rule, which was developed by the London Borough of Merton, all new buildings – including homes, public and commercial premises – must generate at least 10 per cent of their total energy from renewable sources. The scheme has been particularly beneficial in ensuring the introduction of solar PV technology on new developments.

The legislation, which was included in the 2008 Planning Act, also allowed local authorities to insist on higher energy standards than those set out in national Building Regulations.

But while an amendment included in the Deregulation Bill currently going through Parliament removes the ability of authorities to set energy efficient standards in new buildings, the power for councils to demand on-site energy generation has been retained.

Mike Landy, head of on-site renewables at the Renewable Energy Association, said: “We very much welcome that government has listened to our concerns and retained the Merton Rule for renewable energy.

This is great news for green jobs and skills in the sector.”

Alamy/Shutterstock

First six Green Deal community schemes

15 Live South Epsom Racecourse

Spring 2014 Connections

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Plugged in NEW QUESTIONS ANSWERED The agreed answers to the following new questions have been added to the “Industry guidance on the Wiring Regulations” section of the Electrical Safety First website: • How close to a cooker hob can an accessory, such as a light switch or socket-outlet, be installed?

• How close to a sink or washbasin can an accessory, consumer unit or distribution board be installed to protect it from splashing?

• Where a cable is to be concealed in a sloping surface that could be considered to be either a wall or a ceiling (eg in a loft conversion), should the requirements of Regulation 522.6.100, relating to a cable installed under a floor or above a ceiling, be applied, or should Regulations 522.6.101 to 522.6.103, relating to a cable concealed in a wall or partition, be applied?

• I am installing a new circuit in an existing installation where there are exposed-conductive-parts and socket outlets that are not earthed. Would it be acceptable to leave those exposed conductive parts and socket outlets unearthed, and just provide earthing in the new circuit?

• While carrying out periodic inspection and testing of an electrical installation, a low resistance between neutral and earth (less than 1MΩ) is found on one of the final circuits. What classification code should be recorded on the electrical installation condition report?

Visit www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk for the answers.

ADVICE FOR HOMEOWNERS AFFECTED BY FLOODING Following the widespread flooding across the country at the turn of the year, Electrical Safety First was on hand to provide advice to consumers.

This included using a registered electrician to carry out an electrical installation condition report before using electrical installations after flooding.

The charity also advised homeowners whose homes needed rewiring to ask contractors about raising the height of newly installed electrical equipment above potential flood levels.

Electrical Safety First: raising electrical safety awareness, made possible by funding from Certsure.

To view Electrical Safety First’s Switched On magazine, visit www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk

A new look, feel and name for the ESC Some exciting changes have been happening at the Electrical Safety Council. Over the past 18 months the charity has carried out extensive research and consultation into the brand to find out what the public, industry, government and our other stakeholders thought or knew about the ESC. This highlighted a number of issues and, as a result, the ESC is no longer the ESC! The charity has changed its name to “Electrical Safety First”.

During the review, it became clear that many people were confused about what the charity does and where it fits in the industry. Some thought the charity was a trade association, while others thought it was a government body. Most didn’t realise that it is a consumer charity that aims to protect people, provide advice and information, and campaign for improvements in electrical safety.

In fact, at some of the consumer focus groups, people said that the word “council” in the name would actually

stop them from listening to campaign messages if they saw or heard the charity on TV or radio. After much consideration, the charity decided to change its name and adopt a fresh image.

The new brand has a slightly retro feel, which tested well across all stakeholder and consumer groups and a fresh range of brand colours. But, crucially, it will help to clearly position Electrical Safety First as a campaigning charity. This will assist both its engagement with consumers on key safety messages, such as the importance of using a registered electrician, and its lobbying of government on electrical safety legislation. Visit www.electricalsafetyfirst. org.uk to see what you think.

Further steps on product safety In early March, Electrical Safety First held a roundtable follow-up to last year’s highly successful product safety conference.

The meeting at Church House, Westminster, brought together senior industry figures to further discuss the key issues that emerged at the conference last May. “The primary focus for both the conference and the follow-up roundtable was on the ineffectiveness of product recall and traceability processes,” said Martyn Allen, head of the technical unit. “In recent years, high-profile product recalls have seriously impacted corporate reputations and consumer safety. Recall campaigns are only about 10-20 per cent effective, leaving millions of people at risk from fire or electrocution from faulty products.”

In addition to calling for greater clarity in the recall regulations, Electrical Safety First has been campaigning for a new, centralised product registration system.

Since the conference, the charity has been liaising with industry, the UK and EU governments, and various non-governmental organisations and trade bodies about establishing a database where consumers could register their purchases, which would help to ensure products are more easily traceable, enabling recalls to be targeted more effectively.

“Our research has shown that people would be more likely to register products with an independent body such as Electrical Safety First because there could then be an assurance that their details would be used for product recall purposes only,” said Allen.

“Only 5-10 per cent of consumers complete registration cards for new items because they fear their information will be used for marketing purposes.

“But for the creation of an effective centralised database we need industry backing, which was an important part of the roundtable discussion.”

Connections Spring 2014

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

Plugged in < FLIR’s testers and meters

FLIR’S SIX FOR STARTERS Thermal imaging specialist FLIR has expanded into the testing and measurement sector, with an initial launch of six products.

The introductory range – which is expected to increase over the coming months – includes three electrical meters. The DM93 is a digital multimeter with variable drive frequency that allows accurate analysis of non-sinusoidal waveforms and noisy signals found in VFD-controlled equipment.

The CM83 is an industrial-grade power clamp meter with power analysis and advanced VFD filtering for testing three-phase systems and VFD-controlled equipment, while the CM78 is a multifunctional clamp meter, designed to capture accurate AC/DC readings up to 1,000A or 1,000V on industrial equipment and complex machinery.

The other items in the range include the VP52 non-contact voltage detector, the MR77 moisture meter and the VS70 videoscope designed for industrial environments. www.flir.com

VAX POWER

NEW-LOOK PAT TESTERS

Megger’s new VAX020 high-voltage amplifier allows you to assess the condition of insulation using proven dynamic frequency response techniques, even in high-interference environments such as a sub-station.

The amplifier is compatible with all Megger’s IDAX and IDA instruments – although is designed primarily for use with the IDAX300 insulation diagnostic analyser – and extends the test voltage range of instruments from 200V to 2kV. The use of high-output voltage can reduce the influence of electromagnetic interference, leading to more accurate results. Two separate measurements down to 1 mHz on a three-winding transformer can be completed in about 35 minutes. www.megger. com/uk

Fluke has unveiled two new portable appliance testers to replace its 6200 and 6500 models.

The 6200-2 and 6500-2 testers include simplified controls and can carry out more < Fluke’s 6500-2 tests a day without compromising results. The 6200-2 is designed for lower-volume applications, while the 6500-2 is designed for heavier use.

As well as auto-test capabilities, the 6500-2 (pictured) also offers better display visibility, 250V insulation testing, a 110V test capability and RCD protected appliance testing.

Both models offer 25A and 200mA earth bond, insulation, touch current, substitute current, load/leakage, PELV and IEC lead tests, as well as extension lead testing. www.fluke.co.uk

< VAX020

NEW TRUNKS FROM TUFFLEX Marshall-Tufflex has redesigned its steel perimeter trunking solutions to make installation easier for contractors.

The System 130 and 170 products now feature a clip system that allows trunking to be divided into multiple compartments on-site.

On both systems the internal C rail has been replaced with a multipurpose clip that can be used to hold dividing fillets, transforming the trunking from a single channel to two or three compartments.

Both systems offer increased capacity for power and data, and include two standard mounting holes every 500mm. < System 130 www.marshall-tufflex.com

Connections Spring 2014

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PortHole III now includes the latest wireless charging technology and allows compatible devices to be charged without the use of a cable.

Elite+ has been redesigned to include a split back and lateral fuses to improve safety and provide an affordable power and data solution.

Contour is now available with a metal extruded body, improving the overall aesthetic of the module whilst providing unlimited length options.

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Advice/Opinion/Regions/Insight/Events/Case study/Customer care/Training FUNDING

Live wire Finding finance As the economy starts to pick up, electrical organisations may need extra finance to help them expand. Choosing the right option for your needs is essential, says Carol Cheesman

I

f you run a business then the chances are that at some point you are going to need funding, whether it’s in preparation for an upturn in the economy or in order to grow the business and move it to the next level. Before you start looking for any extra finance there are a number of steps you can take that will greatly increase your chances of successfully finding the funding you seek.

With an established business, focus on your track record because past experience and success helps to give the funder confidence. If you are a start-up, you need to convince potential lenders or investors that you will be able to repay any loans, offer a genuine return on investment or fulfil the conditions of the grant. Whether you are established or new, here are some tips to get started:

Produce accurate accounts Accounts should be both a factual document – prepared in accordance with the relevant legislation – and a sales document. They should be clear and explain in detail how the company has operated so far (if it has) and its plans for the future. If the accounts show a poor result or you haven’t yet started trading, explain this and how it will change in the future.

Have a plan Finance providers need to understand why you need the money, how it is going to be spent, what contribution you and the company are making and, most importantly, how they will be paid back and over what period.

The key issues you need to address are what you need the money for and how will it benefit the company, whether you can afford the capital and interest payments each month, what security is available and what other sources of finance also exist.

Illustration: Cameron Law

The right type of funding Decide what is the most appropriate form of finance for your business. For example, if it is to buy a piece of equipment that is going to be used in the business then consider a medium-term loan or hire purchase agreement.

If it is to fund a growing business – such as to buy stock – then an overdraft or even invoice discounting might be appropriate. If it is to develop a building project then project finance that can be drawn down at key stages of the project should be considered, while if you are undercapitalised then maybe a medium-term investor – perhaps through loan notes – may be worth considering.

Develop a business plan It is essential that you write a business plan when applying for funding. This should include the following: • What the company does; • Who owns it and what their expectations are; • Who runs it and what their experience and loyalty is; • Who the company’s main competitors are, including how you plan to become better or get a larger share of the market; • Any historical financial results; • The projected financial results; • How you are going to get to the projected results; • What could go wrong and what would be the effect if it did; • How you are planning to minimise this risk.

You must do this yourself – it is a hard, soul-searching exercise, but by the end of it you will know your business in more detail and, in particular, you’ll understand its strengths, weaknesses and their trigger points. This will help you when applying for funding and prepare you for the tough questions that funders so often ask.

Give confidence The key when seeking funding is to give the funder assurance. You need to show them why you need the money, what it will be used for, what benefits this will bring to the business and, most importantly, how they will get a return on their investment. They need to feel confident that the money is not going to disappear into a black hole.

Carol Cheesman is principal of Cheesmans Accountants, Islington, London

Connections Spring 2014

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

Email nick.martindale@ redactive.co.uk

Live wire

New lamps for old New developments in LED luminaires can help ensure products live up to customer expectations around lifespan and payback, says Paul Mettham

O

ne of the main selling points of an LED lamp or fixture is its long lifespan – often claimed to be 50,000 hours or more – which can help offset a high initial cost. However, to gain the full potential of this, maintaining running temperatures at optimum level is critical.

Over the past few years there have been many detailed studies of LED life reduction versus operating temperature, and a good rule of thumb is the 10 degree rule. This simply shows that with a 10 degree increase in the running temperature of the critical LED components, operating life is reduced by 30 per cent. This is why LED fixtures are tested within a surrounding ambient temperature of 25°c. Another reason to maintain LED fixtures at their optimum running temperature is to maximise the light output of the lamp, as we all know if the lamp runs hotter the light output falls.

Although LED manufacturers have gone to great lengths to control the running temperature of their products, and we at Ansell Lighting are no different, we have also tried to control the environment around

Paul Mettham is product development and marketing manager of Ansell Lighting

the LED luminaire. This has led us to develop a temperature equalising attachment, named the Ansell Equaliser, which can be used to maintain and increase LED performance.

Temperature equalising attachments regulate the running temperature of the LED unit when covered with loft insulation material, with temperatures in a loft space capable of reaching up to 55°c.

The products are pressure sensitive, so if the temperature inside the cover increases then the pressure increases, allowing the air flow to increase.

This means the ambient temperature around the actual LED fixture is stabilised and maintained at a low level.

This will, in turn, double the lifespan of an LED fixture, increase light output and result in CO2 savings due to reduced heat loss.

With the onset of government initiatives such as Green Deal, consumers now have increased access to funds for vital improvements. Electrical contractors need to make sure they can advise customers about how to use such equipment, which can also help to provide more realistic claims towards achieving the stated lifetime running hours.

IN FOCUS// KEN WILLIAMS

» Ken Williams is owner of Armadillo Electrics Ltd

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How did you get into contracting?

I was in IT recruitment until 2008. I didn’t enjoy it and had always been quite practical and technically minded so being an electrician seemed an obvious choice.

How has the business grown since then?

I started off doing smaller pieces of work and have built it up from there. For a number of years I worked as a sole trader, but I’m now a limited company.

This year I’m hoping to take someone on permanently, but it’s a big commitment.

What work do you do?

Everything from rewiring a house to fire alarm systems and emergency lighting.

We do public buildings, offices and shop refurbs.

Where do you cover?

We’re based in Wimbledon and cover south and central London and Surrey.

How would you like to develop the business?

I’d like it to grow to around six or seven people and take on mid-sized projects. The longer you’re in business the more clients you get and they expect you to always be

available. I’d like to take on commercial or newbuilds.

You were recently voted “most loved electrician 2013”. Tell us about that.

It was from a local website but it was a national award from customers submitting online feedback on my work. It took me by surprise, but anything you can use to stand out from the competition is useful.

What’s the hardest part of running own business?

Not knowing when to stop.

It’s about being disciplined enough to get the work/life balance right.

Illustration: Cameron Law

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

Spring 2014 Connections

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Advice/Opinion/Regions/Insight/Events/Case study/Customer care/Training WEST MIDLANDS

Live wire

Recovery position The West Midlands is benefiting from the country’s economic resurgence, with unemployment falling and confidence slowly rising. But is this filtering through to the region’s electrical businesses?

By Adrian Holliday

T

he average UK house price has sailed past the £250,000 mark and the National Institute of Social and Economic Research predicts the economy will grow 2.5 per cent this year. Spring green shoots, apparently, are sprouting everywhere. But is it a case of the south-east and London tapping the action first while the rest of the country waits in line for leftovers, before the real money arrives? Let’s get to the West Midlands to find out.

Green shoots Jon Potter is the Birmingham-based branch manager for R&R Group Services. The company has offices that spread from Hull to Poole to Ashford in Kent but opened in Birmingham in June last year. How’s business? “It’s going well,” he says. “We need to have a foothold in all the areas we have clients.”

These include a number of blue-chips retailers, but such clients increasingly want national capabilities along with local knowledge. That sounds like a worn advertising strapline, but there’s a real need attached to it, particularly on the “green” front. “Everyone is looking at carbon,” says Potter. “One of the first things they ask is how far you’ve travelled to get there.

It’s about true sustainability. The client often goes to their sub-contractors for help with their sustainability programme.”

In the West Midlands, R&R is increasingly looking at education opportunities; a sign that public sector money is starting to wash through after some hefty cuts. There’s

20

even some focus on long-term infrastructure spends up to 2030 and beyond.

There’s also more willingness to look at investing in control systems. “People are starting to realise that technology can give them a very good return on their money – in some cases an 18-month payback,” says Potter. “We are seeing some real wins.” Major Birmingham City Council regeneration plans also offer hope for the rest of the year.

Under the boot For Richard Davies, managing director of RMD Electrical Ltd in Birmingham, things remain tight. His operation employs 14, as well as three sub-contractors with a public-private sector work ratio of around 70:30. “We’ve gone backwards in terms of profit margins,” he says. “It’s the larger contractors with local authority partnerships that are hurting prices. You either do it at this price, or you don’t get the job. Most of our work is on a sub-contractor basis, so prices are driven by the partnerships.”

But because the larger contracts – big newbuilds, shopping centres, business centres – are not so frequent, the big boys

‘People are starting to realise that technology can give them a very good return on their money, in some cases an 18-month payback’

Spring 2014 Connections

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50,000: The amount unemployment fell by in the West Midlands in the six months to January 2014

Economic focus West Midlands To some extent the West Midlands is beginning to win back jobs from the Far East, as shipping and labour costs in countries such as China have climbed.

Recent Office of National Statistics data revealed that in the three months to January 2014 about 221,000 people were out of work in the region – down by 19,000 on the last count and by 50,000 in six months. But there’s still some way to go, especially in parts of the Black Country and North Staffordshire, where private sector job generation remains weak.

More broadly, rising house prices and rents alongside low wage rises are piling pressure on the region’s ability to attract and keep workers.

> The RMD Electrical team (above) and one of R&R Group Services’ fleet of vehicles (left)

are also entering RMD’s core market, making it doubly difficult.

But direct contracts with schools have helped to overcome this. Meanwhile Davies is looking at new media marketing techniques, but he’s cautious: “If you’re going to do it, it’s no good doing it half-heartedly.”

Further down the road, Coventry-based electrician John White says consumer confidence in his neck of the woods remains cautious, with people tending to focus on renovation rather than moving. But this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. “Over the past few months I have noticed people are going for consumer unit changes and I’ve also had a few re-wires,” he says.

Cashflow pressure “Very daunting” but also “brilliant”. That’s the verdict from Mark Bourne, managing director of Spa Solar PV Energy Electrical Contractors in Droitwich, on business over the past 18 months. “Daunting” applies to cashflow and capital equipment outlay; “brilliant” refers to the order book.

Bourne, who worked as an electrician from the age of 19 before going into further education teaching and then back into his old trade after redundancy, is quick to say profit margins remain tight, especially on the solar side. “Alongside solar we’ve been doing work for local industry, maintenance services and testing,” he says. He has a team of 10, including two admin staff.

Last year, Bourne was invited to tender for 65 solar installs for a Malvern-based housing association, Festival Housing.

“We’ve just four or five now left to do, but they’ve just extended

‘A few years ago a full system was the thick end of £14,000. But now it’s closer to £5,000 to £6,000’ the contract to include a further 20,” he says. There was some head scratching on the way, however, when the market for panels shifted from 230 Watts to 250 Watts, forcing Bourne to buy more expensive panels – a hit he’s absorbed.

China crisis Business has been fairly flat, although still reasonably profitable, for Adrian Williams, owner of Solar Technology International, based near Tewksbury in Gloucestershire. As the name of Williams’s business implies, much of it is about PV. But tariff uncertainty and consumer confusion have made it uphill work at times. “A lot of consumers are still concerned that they’ve missed the boat and think there’s no point in looking at solar,” says Williams. “A few years ago a full system was the thick end of £14,000. But now it’s closer to £5,000 to £6,000.” So far better value for money and, in real terms, a still-compelling cost proposition.

Trade bickering between China and the EU – the EU claimed Chinese PV panel players were being unfairly helped by government subsidies – has ebbed somewhat. But it meant some initial supply stress for Williams. “We were able to form some strategic alliances in Malaysia and India,” he says. “It’s taken a lot of time and resources to get those manufacturers up to the quality standards we expect. The reality is that while the majority of our competition is putting up prices, our costs are actually coming down by about 5 per cent. We’re expecting a very good year for 2014.” » Adrian Holliday is a freelance business journalist Connections Spring 2014

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Advice/Opinion/Regions/Insight/Events/Case study/Customer care/Training TRUSTMARK RELAUNCH

Live wire Raising the bar TrustMark – the government-backed quality mark for tradespeople – has relaunched, with a number of measures designed to raise standards and safeguard consumers, writes Liz Male

T

his month saw TrustMark relaunch its government-backed quality mark for reputable tradespeople. The relaunch is part of a long-term initiative to forge stronger links with government and scheme operators such as NICEIC and ELECSA, which we have successfully worked with for many years now.

Behind the relaunch are changes to the core criteria that will provide further confidence to consumers employing tradespeople in the domestic repairs, maintenance and improvement market. We believe the new, government-endorsed standards will bring about improvements in customer service, good trading practices and technical competence.

Some of the key changes to the TrustMark core criteria include: • More specific standards. For example, whereas before scheme operators had to have a general commitment to raising standards, now they need to show how they are raising standards to address identified areas of consumer detriment and other trade-specific issues; • More vetting of tradespeople, including specific checks that must be done on firms upon entry to the scheme, but also at renewal stage or on an ongoing basis; • More proactive use of complaints data by scheme operators, more reporting of that data and more transparency in the complaints process; • Changes to protect the brand and reduce misuse of the TrustMark logo; • A new requirement for scheme operators to develop ways to measure the effectiveness of their code of practice and how it reduces consumer detriment, and regularly review this in the light of changing customer expectations in their sector.

The new core criteria reflect the changes that have taken place within the industry since 2005, including new laws and much higher expectations and understanding of “what good looks like” by industry, consumers, government and all stakeholders. It will be reviewed and updated every year from now on to maintain the drive for higher standards.

We believe TrustMark provides the best tradespeople with the opportunity to thrive through reputational benefits. We can now show that TrustMark is truly fit for purpose in a modern market.

It captures best practice, gives trades a much clearer understanding of what’s expected, and aims to strike

22

Industry reaction “Certsure has been an advocate of TrustMark from the very start. The TrustMark badge reassures customers that they are choosing tradespeople with a reputation for excellent customer service and quality technical work, which makes it the perfect partner for Certsure. We look forward to continuing our work with TrustMark to provide greater recognition for reputable firms.”

Emma Clancy, CEO, Certsure “Consumers have the right to expect that any work undertaken in their home is done safely and to a high standard. TrustMark’s revised criteria are a big step towards achieving this state of affairs and it is therefore a step that we welcome. As a campaigning charity, consumer protection is our number one priority, so while we support TrustMark’s revised criteria, we are also aware that more needs to be done and we will continue to work on behalf of consumers to make them aware of the dangers of employing tradespeople who do not possess the necessary skills.”

Phil Buckle, director general, Electrical Safety First

‘The new, government-endorsed standards will bring about improvements in customer service, good trading practices and technical competence’ the right balance between light touch co-regulation and good consumer protection.

Most of all, the new TrustMark aims to increase confidence among consumers, which is at the heart of a successful and economically strong market.

The relaunch also marks the start of a sustained marketing campaign for TrustMark to raise consumer awareness of the benefits of using TrustMark-registered firms through major PR and social media campaigns.

This includes a communications and video programme, which has been developed around the theme of “tools to talk”, and a new weekly consumer advice blog written for TrustMark by Steve Playle, a well known and respected trading standards expert.

Liz Male is chairman of TrustMark For further information visit www.trustmark.org.uk

Spring 2014 Connections

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Advice/Opinion/Regions/Insight/Events/Case study/Customer care/Training CLOUD CERTIFICATION

Live wire Get online and get ahead NICEIC’s new online certification and notification system launched officially in January. After just three months, the service is already proving a hit for busy contractors looking to save both time and money

T

he rapid advance of technology over the past 20 years has brought about huge change in the way electrical contractors work. The nature of the job is ever-changing, and contractors have to be quick to keep up.

The latest technological advancement to make contractors’ lives easier is online certification and notification. After a soft launch last year, www.niceiconline.com was rolled out to all NICEIC customers in January after the BRCS website closed.

While paperless form-filling is nothing new, the one major difference with NICEIC’s cloud-based system is that contractors do not need to install any software.

They can simply log in to the portal with their NICEIC details to easily fill out all forms or notify work online.

There is no expensive upfront cost and contractors can trial the system to see if it fits their business.

Since January, more than 10,000 customers have started using the site. In fact, since its initial launch in October 2013, more than 30,000 certificates have been completed and 113,000 notifications made.

Mark Platten is the principal duty holder for Cilantro Engineering Ltd in London. The firm employs 150 staff and recently completed work transforming a section of the old Olympic village into luxury apartments.

“We were responsible for converting the athletes’ apartments into modern luxury homes,” he says. “We carried out all the domestic certification for that work along with the testing and certification for another project on the same site. Across the two projects we issued 2,384 certificates – all through NICEIC Online.”

Cilantro is now rolling out the system across the group. “I carried out a few test runs and it worked well so we decided to go for it,” says Platten. “It is great for multiple users. We can produce many certificates at the same time, cutting the time required to issue them, which is very important to our clients.”

The move to an online, cloud-based system was part of Certsure’s promise to provide contractors with access to the most up-to-date technical services. The project took more than a year to develop.

“We spent a lot of time talking to contractors about their needs and testing the service until it was robust enough to launch,” says Oscar Foster, project manager for Certsure. “The feedback has been very positive.

Many say it has transformed the way they work because of the convenience it offers. It means paperwork doesn’t have to be done at the end of a hard day’s work.”

‘Contractors do not need to install any software.

They simply log in with their NICEIC details to fill out forms or notify work with no upfront cost’

Forms can be completed either on-site or back in the office, and can be emailed or printed off for clients and personal record-keeping. Jobs can also be automatically notified to Building Control using the same information as on the electrical installation certificate.

Another firm currently using the system is Mouchel, the building maintenance division of Bournemouth Borough Council. Selim Hasan is the qualified supervisor and oversees a team of 15 electricians.

“We switched to the online system in January this year and all the team are now using it,” he says. “We mainly use it for certification as we carry out a lot of testing work on the current housing stock under Bournemouth Council. The main benefit I have as a QS is that I can see in live time the reports being filled out. It helps if there are any queries over what items need to be filled out on a report.”

The next stage for Certsure is to build on the service.

This year will see the project team roll out a wider range of certificates to include fire alarm and emergency lighting. There will also be an offline app created so that firms working in more remote areas do not continually need to have internet access.

An ELECSA version of the site will also be made available in June, providing ELECSA-registered contractors with the same, time-saving benefits.

“We are continually looking at ways to develop and improve the system,” says Foster. “More contractors are now using a laptop, smart phone or tablet computer in their everyday work and we want to ensure they have access to the latest developments out there.”

Connections Spring 2014

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CONTRACTOR PROFILE // WT JENKINS COMPANY: WT Jenkins BASED: Liverpool FOUNDED: 1971 MAJOR PROJECTS: Liverpool One shopping centre, Manchester Metrolink STAFF NUMBERS: 27 TURNOVER: £3 million

“We do what it says on the tin” Now under new ownership, Liverpool-based WT Jenkins has carved out a niche in street and public realm lighting, which has seen it take on a number of prominent projects in the north west

By Nick Martindale

O

n the northern edges of Liverpool, along the Liverpool-Leeds canal, lies the town of Maghull. It’s home to the high-security psychiatric Ashworth Hospital, and formerly to Frank Hornby, the man behind both Dinky Toys and Meccano. It’s also the base for WT Jenkins Ltd – an electrical contractor specialising in the supply, installation and maintenance of floodlighting, street lighting, traffic signage and public realm lighting – which is now run by Tony King and Steve Murray.

The joint ownership is a new departure, following a management buyout that was completed in 2013, and which saw founder Bill Jenkins leave the business he started up in 1971 as a conventional contractor. Neither owner, however, is new to the business; Tony has been with the firm since 1988 while Steve joined in 2000, with a remit to build up the firm’s health and safety credentials, having undertaken the Nebosh qualification. This remains an important aspect of the business today, with the company gaining a number of H&S qualifications, including NQA accreditation.

“Last year was my 25th anniversary,” says Tony. “I came in as a company supervisor working on the tools alongside three other guys and over the years that has increased to a staff of 27. In 2000 Steve joined us, as a go-between between myself and the managing director at the time, and in the long term that enabled the managing director to exit and myself and Steve to become a full partnership.”

26

Unusually, both owners are also time-served electricians; something that they believe is crucial to understanding the market in which they operate. “We’ve got Keith Martin and Mark Sherrington as contracts managers too, and between the four of us we’ve got over 100 years’ experience,” says Tony.

Specialist subject The business was originally based in retail premises in Anfield, but moved to Maghull in 1995 because, as it became more specialised in street lighting, it found it needed a yard to store lighting columns and lanterns. By that time the move into street lighting and traffic signage was already established. This specialism began in 1984 when the business secured contracts to floodlight the Pier Head buildings and Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral, as part of the city’s regeneration programme.

“We’ve actually lit the Anglican Cathedral twice,” says Tony.

“That kind of thing doesn’t happen very often.”

Today, WT Jenkins carries out a range of projects for its 35-strong client base, mainly through contractors such as Balfour Beatty, Carillion and Laing O’Rourke, focusing solely on street lighting and related works. It turns over £3 million a year.

Recent projects include a £1.5 million contract to light all public areas in the new Liverpool One shopping area, the Rocket flyover from the M62 to the city’s university district, the Churchill Way flyover in the city centre, and local landmark the Everton water tower.

“That was a fantastic achievement, purely because of the way it was lit and the access that we needed, because none of it could be done from the inside,” says Tony. The company is

Spring 2014 Connections

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02/04/2014 14:55

Tony King

Steve Murray

also carrying out NHS maintenance work at Alder Hey Hospital and Ormskirk District General Hospital.

A major focus for the past four years has been the Manchester Metrolink tramway, working with The M-Pact Thales (MPT) consortium consisting of Laing O’Rourke, VolkerRail and Thales UK. This has involved all electrical works on the new station platforms – including on the new line out to Manchester Airport – but also the regeneration of both Oldham and Rochdale town centres.

“It’s one word, but that doesn’t give you the whole picture,” says Steve, who has just taken over as Electrical Contractors’ Association regional chair for the north-west. “We’ve just done a line that had 14 stations and platforms. It’s a massive beast.

We’ve had to almost split the company in half. Mark is the project manager and half the crew are over there and Keith has a similar situation over here.”

The business has won 11 awards for its work on the scheme over the past four years, at MPT’s supply chain awards event, around quality, safety and innovation, as well as an individual contribution award for Mark.

Peaks and troughs The Manchester Metrolink project has been a welcome boost for the business in the wake of the economic downturn, which came hot on the heels of a record-breaking year in 2008.

Much of this was on the back of the Liverpool One project, which also played a part in helping the city’s successful bid to become the capital of culture for that year.

“We nearly doubled our turnover,” recalls Steve. “It was great; all local work and everyone was happy, and as such we had a bigger workforce with 30 staff. But all of a sudden we found ourselves struggling.” The company initially moved to a four-day week in a bid to avoid making redundancies, he says, but eventually had no choice but to do just that. “Over a Connections Spring 2014

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Photography: Mike Poloway/UNP

‘No one is saying we’re out of the woods, but things are markedly improved compared with how they were in October last year’

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02/04/2014 14:55

CONTRACTOR PROFILE // WT JENKINS > Projects manager Keith Martin has been with the business for nine years

11: The number of awards WT Jenkins has won in four years for its work on the Manchester Metrolink tram project

two-year period we lost six men,” he says. “But we kept 20-odd people employed throughout the recession.” The business has also remained Joint Industry Board (JIB)-affiliated throughout, paying its staff at or above the rates set out by the body, and company founder Bill Jenkins remains on the JIB council today.

The economic environment of the past few years has been tough, but there are now signs that things may be improving.

“The amount of work in the order book today is demonstrating that,” says Tony. “There are lots of possibilities of jobs that we’re in with a real shout of getting. No one is saying we’re out of the woods, but things are markedly improved compared with how they were in October last year.”

The infrastructure work in the roads building up to the Runcorn bridge over the River Mersey is one such possibility – the company has already picked up two sections – while the Wirral Waters project is again moving forward after years of delay, largely on the back of foreign investment.

Much of the company’s success is built on its reputation for getting the job done properly, says Steve. “We’re very much a people business,” he says. “We believe that people like to deal with people and if you gain their trust and do a quality job with minimal fuss, they will want to deal with you again. We don’t tell people one thing and do something else, we start from being honest. We do what it says on the tin.”

Both Steve and Tony are keen to stress the company’s openbook approach to pricing too. “We like to say to people ‘this will cost us X and we want this to do the job’,” says Tony. “Our competitors won’t do that; there’s a fear of doing that. But we don’t like to look for extras. For us, it’s all about repeat business and working with the same people, because people move from business to business. You can’t buy that.”

‘Metrolink is one word, but that doesn’t give you the whole picture.

We’ve just done a line that had 14 stations and platforms’ 28

Spring 2014 Connections

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‘We like to say to people “this will cost us X and we want this to do the job”. Our competitors won’t do that’ Recovery mode Today, the business employs 27 people, of which 21 are on the tools, including two apprentices – one undertaking a conventional electrical apprenticeship and the other, who will be joining in June, taking on the Highway Electrical NVQ Level 3 qualification in street lighting. This is a requirement for anyone working in the sector from later this year.

“It has been a slow burner for years and it’s now come to the point where you’ve got to have a certain number through the qualification by October,” says Steve. “We will put all our guys through it as of now, so in 12 months every operative will have a street lighting NVQ.” Having survived the economic downturn, neither Tony nor Steve is ready to get too excited about an upturn just yet.

“If the opportunity arose we would like to increase turnover to £4 million or £5 million, but we would want it to be gradual,” says Steve. “We wouldn’t want it to be too sudden because, more than anything else, this business needs to be sustainable.

I’m not sure we’ll ever get back to where we were in 2008, but if we get to half of that then I’d be happy.”

Caution aside, however, there is a growing belief that the economy in general is improving, and with it the prospects for future success.

“Recessions come in cycles so hopefully there will now be a period when the company thrives, particularly on roadways and regeneration of town centres,” says Tony. “We are getting more enquiries and more tenders out and there is a bit more money around. I can see an upward curve for the next five to seven years. If any company can plan further on than that, they’re doing better than us.” » Nick Martindale is editor of Connections www.electricalsafetyregister.com

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07/04/2014 10:50

HVAC

Air force The air-conditioning market has felt the squeeze during the economic downturn, but legislation and an economic recovery mean the sector is picking up

By Rob Shepherd

A

lthough air conditioning has long been a common feature of buildings located in warmer climes, the UK has been slow to catch on, not least in the domestic sector, where, according to a 2008 report by Mintel, only 0.5 per cent of houses and flats had any kind of air conditioning.

In contrast, nearly 100 million homes in the USA have it and it has been suggested that it accounts for as much as 15 per cent of the country’s energy consumption.

That’s all beginning to change, however, and, as the buildings we live and work in become ever smarter, the level of sophisticated technology used to make these environments as comfortable as possible is on the rise.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) estimates that the number of air-conditioning systems 30

in the UK will reach 1.5 million units by 2020 from only 280,000 in 1990.

Like many other sectors, the air-conditioning market has been hit by the economic downturn, as domestic and business users have been reluctant to shell out on new equipment. Things are starting to pick up, says Peter Verkempynck, managing director of Daikin UK, but remain tough. “The outlook for 2014 is conservative, with only 2-3 per cent growth anticipated in the air-conditioning market this year,” he says. “Competition is expected to be fierce, with continued pressure on margins for all participants.”

‘As our homes are becoming more airtight and thermally efficient it becomes increasingly important to ventilate effectively’

Sharon Oliver, marketing communications manager at Mitsubishi Electric Air Conditioning Systems, agrees. “Air-conditioning sales have almost mirrored the country’s economic fortunes over the past few years,” she says. “But we are now seeing growth in sales of units of all sizes.”

Trend setting Legislation has helped shift attention towards ventilation and air-conditioning systems, with Part F and all four sections of Part L – L1A, L2A, L1B and L2B – of the Building Regulations driving the demand for good indoor air quality and energy efficiency.

In the commercial sector many organisations are keen to demonstrate their environmental credentials and are demanding increasingly high Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) ratings.

This can only be achieved with high quality air-management systems.

In the domestic sector, energy efficiency is also a key concern. “As the efficiency of new homes improves,

Spring 2014 Connections

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1.5m: The number of air-conditioning units that will exist in the UK by 2020, according to DEFRA

> Clockwise from top left: Mitsubishi’s FDT100VT/FDC100VN 10kW ceiling cassette system; Vent-Axia’s Sentinel Kinetic system is ideal for lofts; Hitachi Air Conditioning Europe’s Hi Efficiency Set Free FSXNH is designed for medium to large-sized applications This is an important issue since a lack of proper ventilation can lead to a build-up of contaminants. “We need to raise awareness of this because many householders do not connect air quality with poor personal and building health,” says BEAMA marketing director Kelly Butler. “High humidity can lead to dust mites, mould and an increased likelihood of asthma.” it becomes more difficult to shave off extra points to improve a property’s dwelling emission rate (DER),” says Ian Mitchell, product marketing manager for newbuild residential at Vent-Axia. “Meanwhile, as our homes are becoming increasingly airtight and thermally efficient it becomes increasingly important to ventilate them effectively.”

Mechanical ventilation This requirement has led to one particular technology – mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) – becoming increasingly popular.

According to BEAMA, 24,000 MVHR systems were installed in the UK in 2012, and this trend is expected to continue.

A quarter of new homes now feature

MVHR and The Zero Carbon Hub VIAQ Task Group believes it will become the dominant form of ventilation in most new homes post-2016.

“The case for MVHR is now much stronger because it makes no sense to ‘throw away’ heated indoor air and replace it with colder fresh air,” says Oliver. “MVHR allows you to recover an average of up to 80 per cent or more of the energy from the outgoing air, so that the incoming air can be pre-heated and save overall energy consumption.

We are seeing increased interest in MVHR, both as a standalone ventilation system and used in partnership with air conditioning.”

The return on investment of these systems is impressive. “The combination of high energy costs plus modern high performance systems results in a rapid return on investment,” says Dave Dunn, general manager of Toshiba Air Conditioning. “Designed correctly, payback can be achieved within two years.”

The drive towards a cleaner, greener environment is set to have far-reaching implications for the air-conditioning sector during 2014, with the phase-out of the R22 refrigerant. R22 is a hydrofluorocarbon commonly used in these systems and studies have shown it has a detrimental effect on the ozone layer.

A ban on introducing new systems using R22 began in 2004, and from 2012 only recycled R22 could be used. From 1 January 2015 it will be illegal to use recycled or reclaimed R22 for maintenance and servicing, so users will need to consider alternative refrigerants, or buy new equipment.

While such units are currently being replaced, it is expected that late 2014 could see massive demand for the services of qualified air-conditioning engineers.

“With a large number of R22 systems still operational throughout the UK, the distress purchase of upgrades and replacement solutions could flood the market, reversing the previous sluggish conditions and signalling a major opportunity to boost order books,” suggests Verkempynck.

Connections Spring 2014

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HVAC

24,000: The number of MVHR systems installed in the UK in 2012

“The key to meeting this surge in demand will be having equipment readily available and enough skilled installation capacity to service this requirement.”

Advice line Given the amount of work that is likely to be available in this sector, electrical contractors looking for an additional revenue stream are advised to investigate it further. However, there are a number of important things to consider before taking the plunge.

“Contractors should study in detail the government legislation on carbon reduction and energy efficiency in buildings, and consider how intelligent heating, ventilation and air-conditioning solutions can satisfy the need to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions,” says Verkempynck.

Training and the correct qualifications and certifications are also necessary, points out Mitsubishi’s Oliver. “If contractors wish to become involved in air conditioning then they need to ensure they have the appropriate F-Gas qualifications to enable them to handle refrigerants,” she says.

For those looking at installing MVHR, Vent-Axia’s Mitchell suggests attending a suitable course. “We run BPEC courses on MVHR installation,” he says. “They are designed to meet the requirements in the Domestic Ventilation Compliance Guide 2010 for the installation, inspection, testing, commissioning and provision of information for fixed domestic systems, for both new and existing residential buildings.”

The quality of the air in our homes and workspaces has never been as high on the agenda and, as a result, the future for the ventilation and air-conditioning sectors looks positive.

While electrical contractors are in a great position to get involved, they have to make sure they are fully trained and aware of the relevant regulations if they are to reap the financial rewards of this fast-growing sector. » Rob Shepherd is a freelance business journalist who specialises in the building services industry

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Measham Heating and Air Conditioning has been operating since 1970

Case study: Measham Heating and Air Conditioning Since it first opened its doors back in 1970, Walsall based NICEIC Approved Contractor Measham Heating and Air Conditioning (MHAC) has seen and done it all within the sector. Originally the company focused on mechanical engineering, but moved into air-conditioning system design, servicing, installation and repair after recognising the growth potential for this technology.

Although the past few years have been tough, MHAC’s ability to retain long-term relationships stood it in good stead during the downturn, and there are signs that the worst is over. “Although we managed to maintain consistent levels of work during the recession, since the final quarter of 2013 we’ve noticed a sharp increase in the number of contracts available,” says Spencer Ward, MHAC’s air-conditioning manager. “There seems to be a lot more confidence within the building services industry.”

Technologies such as MVHR are in high demand and this is attracting more electrical contractors to the sector. But Ward has a few words of advice. “Choose projects carefully – the capital outlay on equipment is considerable and can have serious repercussions on cash flow,” he says. “And make sure you get the right training and the appropriate F-Gas qualifications – the ACRIB Refrigeration SKILLcard provides evidence of an operative’s refrigerant qualifications and indicates professionalism.”

Within Range Home, garden and leisure retailer The Range has opened a new store in Warrington, on the site of a former fitness centre. The 7,800m2 space required extensive refurbishment, including the filling in of four swimming pools to provide a retail floor.

An energy-efficient integrated solution from Daikin UK was installed to provide heating and cooling. A VRV III heat recovery system was fitted at the back of the shop, connected to a low-temperature hydrobox, a 200-litre hot water tank and VRV fan coil units serving the offices. Seven twin module VRV IV heat pump condensing units were fitted to the shop floor with 71 self-cleaning Roundflow cassettes. While air conditioning is often set to a nominal 21°C, the VRV IV heat pump is set to operate within a set temperature band to save energy. The self-cleaning Roundflow cassettes provide either heating or cooling with a 360-degree airflow and temperature distribution.

“It gives us a fully controllable system that operates according to requirements,” says Bradley Hurter, chief executive of the CDS Group, which owns The Range.

Spring 2014 Connections

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02/04/2014 14:56

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07/04/2014 10:53

THERMAL IMAGING

Safe and warm

Getty

By David Adams

34

‘Camera prices have gone from around £40,000 to under £1,000 in the past 20 years. Today £5,000-£8,000 buys a camera that cost £25,000 just 10 years ago’ Spring 2014 Connections

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03/04/2014 11:02

Thermal imaging offers another string to the bow of electrical contractors – identifying preventative work for clients and helping businesses meet insurance requirements

T

o the layperson there are some aspects of the electrician’s craft that seem almost magical – it’s easy to see why the first people to demonstrate the properties of electricity presented it in the form of entertainment. Using thermal imaging equipment doesn’t offer any kind of exciting spectacle at all, but it is a kind of magic, enabling the user to spot potential problems invisible to the naked eye that could lead to damaged equipment or a fire.

Perhaps most usefully of all, it allows identification of those problems while the equipment is in use. “Testing without having to shut things down is a huge boon for electrical contractors,” says Stewart Little, CEO at IRT Surveys, a thermal imaging services specialist that serves a range of clients, including companies in the construction, engineering and energy industries.

“The cameras provide a safe, clean, visual and simple way of assessing the temperature and condition of live electrical equipment. Poor connections, overloading circuits and so on can all be seen and addressed before they cause a failure or fire.”

Such problems are almost certainly impossible to spot any other way, says Vicente Sequeira Ribeiro, senior technical sales support at Fluke Thermography, one of the leading providers of the equipment. “There are always contact defects, loose contacts, wrongly dimensioned or damaged cables that electricians are not aware of because they can’t see the hot spots,” he says. “These faults can cause serious problems later on if not detected in time. If an installation has 10,000 contact points it’s not unusual

for 5 per cent of connections to be bad.

That would mean 500 points that are easy to identify with a camera, but are impossible to see with the naked eye.”

A company that takes advantage of the predictive capabilities of regular surveys should also go on to see the benefits in terms of reduced insurance premiums. A growing number of insurers are now asking many of their commercial and industrial customers to undertake regular thermal imaging surveys.

Little says one of IRT’s steady sources of revenue comes in the form of regular calls from small or medium-sized businesses that have been asked to conduct an annual thermal survey by their insurer. It charges £750 a day for this service, making it a much cheaper option for the client than spending several thousands of pounds on a camera of their own for this purpose – plus the cost of training a member of

Fluke’s Ti400 camera includes its LaserSharp auto-focus technology

staff to use it and then maybe having to train someone else to use it if the qualified person leaves.

Electrical opportunities This should increase the commercial opportunities for electrical contractors offering thermal imaging services. Any electrical contractor seeking to add such services to their portfolio may want to put some effort into raising awareness of the value of thermal surveys, says Simon Chapman, founder and managing director at Mace Electrical, an electrical contractor based in Burton upon Trent in Staffordshire (see case study, p36).

“It can save on downtime in industry because it allows you to see motors overheating, or weak points in the connectors or in the panels controlling production lines,” he says.

“If you find those things the firm can investigate it in their own downtime, rather than having to investigate when machinery breaks down. It’s very beneficial, but sometimes you do have to educate the client.”

Little believes the electrical services sector is now the biggest market for thermal cameras. “There is a small army of one-man companies providing a local service to factory and business owners,” he says.

“At the other end of the spectrum there are international companies offering maintenance contracts with infrared or thermal surveys as part of that contract. The largest companies tend to buy their own cameras and perform their own assessments.”

One smaller contractor that has recently started offering thermal imaging services is K A Goulden Electrical, which has 11 staff, including five electricians, and is based in Spalding, Lincolnshire. Director Kelvin Goulden says the company started offering these services simply Connections Spring 2014

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03/04/2014 11:02

THERMAL IMAGING

250 degrees: The temperature to which FLIR’s new Ex-Series thermal imaging cameras can measure up to

because an existing client, a local food manufacturer, asked for it. Goulden priced it, bought a camera, trained a member of staff to conduct the survey and is now offering the service to other clients. He says the company is already seeing a healthy level of interest.

K A Goulden is using a Fluke camera.

“It’s a very good piece of kit: it takes a normal photo and the thermal image and then you can compare and overlap the two, to see exactly where the fault is,” says Goulden. He says the camera’s ability to read the temperature of a hot spot is particularly useful: in some environments a 40-degree hot spot might be normal and represent no problem, but a reading over 60 degrees almost certainly spells trouble.

The price is right Some companies have been offering thermal imaging services since the early 1990s, but more recent advances in the cameras and dramatic reductions in price are making it viable for more companies than ever before. “Camera prices have gone from around £40,000 to under £1,000 in the last 20 years,” says Little. “Today £5,000-£8,000 buys a camera that cost £25,000 just 10 years ago.” It is worth paying for a more advanced camera, he adds: “The more money you spend the more detail and accuracy you get.” But perhaps the most important advantage of the latest thermal imaging equipment is that it is smaller, lighter and easier to handle.

Recent releases from Fluke include the VT04 visual infrared thermometer.

Images are saved to a micro-SD card and can then be imported into Fluke’s SmartView analysis and reporting software, to produce reports for the client. “Blending the two images helps the contractor to identify and report the problems,” says Fluke’s Sequeira Ribeiro.

In October 2013 FLIR released its Ex-Series thermal imaging cameras. They can also compare detailed temperature images with camera images to find even the smallest anomalies and can measure temperatures up to 250 degrees. Used with FLIR Tools software, pdf images and reports can be created for clients.

36

Mace has been providing thermal imaging sevices for five years and advises clients on a site-by-site basis

Case study: Mace Electrical Mace Electrical, based in Burton upon Trent in Staffordshire, was founded by Simon Chapman as a one-man band in 1985 and now employs 27 people. It has a range of commercial and industrial clients, including Palletforce, Blueberry Foods, Vodafone and Harvey Nichols.

Mace has been offering thermal imaging services for over five years. Much of this is for industrial companies that have been asked to conduct the surveys by their insurers.

There was a notable dip in the demand for these services during the recession, he says, but uptake has increased rapidly over the past six months.

“People don’t know that they have to have it done, but insurers drive it because it’s so preventative: it’s looking at what is going to cause a fault in the future,” says Chapman.

Surveys often form part of an electrical installation condition report (EICR), which should be done every three years for industrial installations, but could be completed more often where equipment is being worked particularly hard.

“We advise every client on a site-by-site basis,” says Chapman. “Over time, if you build up historical data as you build a relationship with a client, you get to know each site – which areas have the most potential to cause trouble, and others where there’s very little maintenance required. You can then tailor the service to the client.”

If a contractor is seeking to move into this area, says Little, one important factor to consider is the level of support offered by the manufacturer. “Other than price and reliability, the back-up you get from the manufacturer is very important,” he says. “We’ve all dropped a camera in the middle of a job. Only two or three companies can provide comprehensive back-up: FLIR is one, Fluke is another.”

He also emphasises the importance of buying equipment to suit your needs.

“Make sure it has the right temperature range,” he advises. “Some go down to minus 10 and up to 120 degrees. For a couple of hundred pounds some cameras can reach up to 500 degrees.”

But, above all, it is the way the equipment is deployed in the field that makes the difference. Cameras need to be used correctly, by people trained to use them, and most manufacturers offer device-specific training.

“The vast majority of cameras out there are decent, but set them incorrectly and you risk giving clients incorrect advice,” says Little.

“If you’re going to tell a factory to close everything down because something’s going to burst into flames, you need to be pretty sure you’re right about that.” » David Adams is a freelance business journalist

Spring 2014 Connections

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Ask the experts/Technical

Fully Charged From the helpline

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

QUESTION

ANSWER

Is it permissible to support a protective bonding conductor by securing it to associated installation pipework, such as by means of cable ties?

This would not be permissible unless it was unlikely that the pipework would be altered in the future (possibly resulting in damage to the bonding conductor or its connections or a bonding clamp) or cause a detrimental effect to the bonding conductor (such as from condensation or heat).

Where a bonding conductor or other electrical service is to be installed in proximity to a non-electrical service: • Regulation 528.3.3 requires that the electrical service shall be so arranged that any foreseeable operation carried out on the non-electrical service will not cause damage to the electrical service or vice versa, and • Regulation 528.3.4 requires that the electrical service shall be suitably protected from the hazards likely to arise from the other service in normal use.

QUESTION

ANSWER

Is it permitted to extend an existing protective bonding conductor connected to water installation pipework so that it will also provide protective bonding to the installation pipework of a new gas service?

Yes, provided the cross-sectional area of the both existing bonding conductor and the new length of bonding conductor meets the requirements of Regulation Group 544.1. Any joint between the new and existing lengths of bonding conductor needs to be made in a way that is considered to be permanent, such as by means of soldering or by means of a metallic ferrule applied by the use of a compression tool.

A permanent joint is necessary to meet the requirement of Regulation 528.3.3, mentioned in the answer to the question above. This is so that, if work were carried out on the water installation pipework in future, the bonding connection to the gas pipework would remain continuous. It would not be acceptable for the joint between the new and existing lengths of bonding conductor to rely on screwed terminals, such as at the terminal of the BS 951 clamp on the water pipework.

The recommendation of clause 6.4 of BS 7430: 2011 Code of practice for protective earthing of electrical installations is relevant: it states that where both main gas pipes and main water pipes enter a location, a common bonding conductor may be used, but in such cases that conductor should be continuous or should be permanently jointed (by soldering or crimping) in order to preserve continuity.

QUESTION

ANSWER

Is it permitted to use flexible cables for the wiring system of a temporary electrical installation on a stand that will be transported to exhibitions?

The use of flexible cables for fixed wiring is permitted by Regulation 521.9.1, provided the relevant provisions of the Regulations are met. The same regulation stipulates that the flexible cables shall be of the heavy-duty type unless certain conditions are met.

In any event, in any installation that will be subject to movement and vibration from transportation, the use of flexible cables is likely to be necessary. Indeed, in an installation in a mobile or transportable unit, the use of flexible cables is required by Regulation 717.52.2, and in an installation in a caravan or motor caravan, the use of either flexible cables or stranded conductors having at least seven strands is required by Regulation 721.521.2.

For temporary wiring systems in exhibitions, shows and stands, some specific requirements are given in Regulations 711.52 and 711.521.

Connections Spring 2014

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Ask the experts/Technical

Fully charged QUESTION

ANSWER

How can I test an RCD for a circuit fed from an ‘off peak’ consumer unit?

Two possible ways are: • make arrangements with the client for you to test the RCD during the hours when the ‘off peak’ supply is energised, or • make arrangements with the meter operator or energy supplier for them to temporarily energise the supply during the normal working day for you to test the RCD.

QUESTION

ANSWER

Does BS 7671 require a metal cable tray or basket to be earthed or bonded?

Normally not, unless there are specific circumstances, such as: • the installation designer has selected the cable tray or basket for use as a protective conductor as permitted by Regulation 543.2.1(vi), in which case the requirements of Regulation 543.2.5 relating to continuity and cross-sectional area would need to be met, and the tray or basket would need to be earthed, or • if the circumstances are such that the cable tray or basket meets the definition of an extraneous-conductive-part, then main protective bonding of the tray or basket will be required.

A cable tray, ladder rack or basket system designed to be used as a protective conductor in an electrical installation will be classified as having electrical continuity characteristics according to clause 6.3.2 of BS EN 61537: 2007 Cable management – Cable tray systems and cable ladder systems.

In practice, unless there are exceptional circumstances such as those indicated above, the conductive parts of a cable tray or basket will neither be exposed-conductive-parts nor extraneous-conductive-parts. Consequentially, neither cable tray nor cable basket need be intentionally earthed or bonded. The explanation is given below.

Turning first to earthing Cables installed on a metal cable tray or basket will normally either have exposed-conductive-parts, such as metallic armour, or have a non-metallic sheath or non-metallic enclosure.

Exposed-conductive-parts of a cable are required to be connected to the Main Earthing Terminal of the installation by a circuit protective conductor. The cable tray or basket on which the cable is installed is not itself an exposed-conductive-part and hence is not required to be earthed.

A cable that is rated at not less than 300/500 V and has a non-metallic sheath or a non-metallic enclosure is considered to meet the requirements of Regulation 412.2 for both basic protection and fault protection for the protective measure double or reinforced insulation, provided the wiring system is in accordance with Chapter 52 (Regulation 412.2.4.1 refers). Hence a metal cable tray or basket on which the non-metallic sheathed cable is installed is not required to be earthed.

Now considering bonding Unless a metal cable tray or basket will introduce a potential, generally Earth potential, that does not already exist in the location, it will not meet the definition of an extraneous-conductive-part. In normal circumstances, therefore, the tray or basket need not be connected to a main bonding conductor or a supplementary bonding conductor.

An example of where, exceptionally, a metal cable tray or basket would require main bonding is where it carries services into a building and is in contact with the ground outside the building.

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Fully charged 42 46 50 53

Calculating voltage drop Work at height New edition of fire alarm code of practice BS 5839-6 issued Classification codes for RCD-related observations in an electrical installation condition report

56 60

Charging systems for electric vehicles Snags and solutions: A practical guide to everyday electrical problems, now updated to Amendment No 1 of BS 7671 and where appropriate BS 5266-1 and BS 5839

Calculating voltage drop Meeting the voltage drop requirements of BS 7671 can be the main factor in determining the minimum size of conductors required for a particular circuit.

W

hen circuit conductors carry load current, a voltage drop is produced in them due to their impedance (z). This means that the voltage at the load end of the circuit will be less than at the supply end, as illustrated in Fig 1.

Section 525 of BS 7671 requires the voltage drop in the circuits of an installation to be limited so that the safe and satisfactory operation of current-using equipment is not impaired. To achieve this, circuit conductors larger than needed to carry the load current may have to be used in a circuit, depending on the load and the circuit length.

Methods of calculating voltage drop Whilst there are a variety of methods that may Fig 1 Voltage drop in conductors carrying load current

be used for calculating voltage drop, there are two methods in common use. These can be called the ‘basic’ method and the ‘more detailed’ method, for want of better expressions.

The ‘basic’ method is used in this article.

The more detailed method will be covered in a future issue of Connections.

In the basic method: • the circuit conductors are always assumed to be at their maximum permitted operating temperature, and no allowance is made for the conductors carrying less than their rated current and hence operating at a lower temperature; and • the load power factor is always assumed to be the worst possible value from the point of view of voltage drop, and the actual power factor is not taken into account.

This approach errs on the safe side and may lead to the selection of a larger conductor size or a shorter maximum allowable circuit length than if the more detailed method of calculation had been used.

The more detailed method (which is not covered in this article) includes corrections for conductor operating temperature and load power factor, in accordance with sections 6.2 and 6.3 of Appendix 4 of BS 7671.

Neither the basic method nor the more detailed method takes account of harmonic content, for which more detailed voltage drop calculations would be necessary.

Requirements relating to maximum permitted voltage drop Regulation 525.1 requires that, in the absence of any other considerations, under normal operating conditions: 1) the voltage at the terminals of fixed current-using equipment shall be greater than the lower limit corresponding to the product standard for the equipment, and 2) if the fixed current-using equipment is not subject to a product standard, the voltage

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at the terminals shall be such that the safe functioning of the equipment is not impaired.

It is often not clear what the lower limit of voltage mentioned in 1) is, as the product standard may not state this or link it to a standard test. Similarly, it is often not clear what the lowest voltage that will comply with 2) is.

However, a way of proceeding without the information needed to comply with 1) or 2) is given in Regulation 525.101. The regulation indicates that the requirements 1) or 2), as applicable, are deemed to be met if the voltage drop between the origin of the installation (usually the supply terminals) and the terminals of fixed current-using equipment or socket-outlets does not exceed that stated in section 6.4 of Appendix 4 of BS 7671.

For a low voltage installation supplied directly from a public low voltage distribution system, section 6.4 of Appendix 4 recommends that the voltage drop between the origin and any load point should not exceed: • 3 % for lighting, or • 5 % for other uses.

Different maximum percentage voltage drops are recommended by section 6.4 of Appendix 4 for an installation supplied from a low voltage private supply. These percentages are not discussed in this article.

Regulation 525.102 states that a greater voltage drop than stated in section 6.4 of Appendix 4 may be accepted for a motor during starting periods and for other equipment with high inrush currents, provided it is verified that the voltage

Fig 2 Circuit supplied from a distribution board not at the origin

drop will not be too great for the equipment. In practice, the safe functioning of equipment is unlikely to be an issue in most cases, although the adequacy of the starting torque of large motors deserves careful consideration.

Calculating the voltage drop For a.c. circuits having a nominal frequency of 50 Hz and for d.c. circuits, Appendix 4 of BS 7671 includes tables of voltage drop in mV/A/m (millivolts per ampere per metre). The tabulated voltage drop values are for a current of one ampere for a one metre run along the route taken by the cables, and represent the total of all the voltage drops of all the circuit conductors. For three-phase a.c. circuits, the tabulated values of voltage drop relate to the voltage between line conductors, and balanced three-phase conditions are assumed.

The values assume that all the conductors are at their maximum permitted normal operating temperature.

For a.c. circuits using conductor sizes up to and including 16 mm2 and for d.c circuits with conductors of any csa, inductance may be ignored and the tabulated voltage drop values take account of resistance only.

The voltage drop for a run of cable(s) is calculated using the following formula:

Where: mV/A/m is the tabulated mV/A/m value obtained from Appendix 4 L is the length of the run of the cables, in metres Ib is the design current, in amperes For cables having conductor sizes greater than 16 mm2, separate tabulated voltage drop values are given for the resistance, inductance and impedance of the conductors. These are identified in the tables by the symbols r, x and z, respectively.

For a.c. circuits using conductors of 25 mm2 or larger the value of mV/A/m to be used in the above equation is the ‘impedance’ (mV/A/m)z value. This is found under the heading ‘z’ in the (mV/A/m) column appropriate to the method of installation and type of circuit.

For single-core non-magnetic armoured cables, the voltage drop values apply where the armour of all the cables in the circuit is bonded to earth at both ends (solid bonding).

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Fully charged Calculating the total voltage drop if a circuit is NOT directly supplied from the origin of the installation In some cases a circuit may be supplied from a distribution board that is not at the origin of the installation, as shown in Fig 2. Where this is the case, the total voltage drop between the origin of the installation and the load end of the circuit is equal to the sum of the voltage drops in the distribution circuit and the circuit concerned (normally a final circuit).

Care is needed when adding together the voltage drop of a three-phase distribution circuit and a single-phase final circuit, as the former voltage drop relates to the line-to-line voltage and the latter relates to the line-to-neutral voltage.

A way of reducing the likelihood of errors is to express all the voltage drops to be added together as percentages (of the nominal line-to-line voltage or line-to-neutral voltage, as applicable).

This approach is used in the following worked example.

Worked example Problem. In a low voltage installation supplied directly from a public low voltage distribution system, a three-phase and neutral distribution board is supplied from the origin by a 50 m run of 4-core 25 mm2 thermosetting insulated armoured cable to BS 5467 having copper conductors.

Supplied from the distribution board is a single-phase circuit consisting of a 20 m run of 2-core 4 mm2 thermosetting insulated armoured cable to BS 5467 having copper conductors, supplying a machine with a load current of 21 A. Assuming that the nominal supply voltage is 400/230 V and the current in the distribution circuit is 80 A, determine: (a) the total voltage drop between the origin of the installation and the machine under normal operating conditions, expressed as a percentage of the nominal supply voltage, and (b) whether or not the total voltage drop is within the relevant maximum value given in section 6.4 of Appendix 4 of BS 7671, and (c) the total line-to-neutral voltage drop in volts.

Solution As the installation is supplied directly from a public low voltage distribution system, and the load supplied by the final circuit is not a lighting load, the applicable maximum value voltage drop given in section 6.4 of Appendix 4 is 5 %, as mentioned earlier.

44

The voltage drop (VD) in the distribution circuit cable is calculated using:

Where: • the tabulated (mV/A/m)z value for the 4-core 25 mm2 cable is 1.65 mV/A/m, as listed under ‘z’ in column 4 of Table 4E4B in Appendix 4, • L (the length of the cable) is 50 m, as given in the problem, and • Ib (the current carried by the cable) is 80 A, as given in the problem.

Substituting these values into the equation gives the voltage drop as:

The voltage drop of 6.6 V is equivalent to 1.65 % of the nominal line-to-line voltage of the supply (given by 100 % x 6.6 V ÷ 400 V = 1.65 %).

The voltage drop (VD) in the final circuit cable supplying the machine is calculated using:

Where: • the tabulated mV/A/m value for the 2-core 4.0 mm2 cable is 12 mV/A/m, obtained from column 3 of Table 4E4B in Appendix 4, • L (the length of the cable) is 20 m, as given in the problem, and • Ib (the current carried by the cable) is 21 A, as given in the problem Substituting these values into the equation gives the voltage drop as:

The voltage drop of 5.04 V is equivalent to 2.19 % of the nominal line-to-neutral voltage of the supply (given by 100 % x 5.04 V ÷ 230 V = 2.19 %).

Therefore, the total percentage voltage drop between the origin of the installation and the machine is equal to the sum of the voltage drop in the distribution circuit (1.65 %) and the voltage drop in the final circuit (2.19 %), which is 3.84 %.

(Answer (a)) The total voltage drop of 3.84 % falls within the applicable maximum of 5 % given in section 6.4 of Appendix 4. (Answer (b)) The total voltage drop expressed in volts, line-to-neutral, is 8.83 V (given by 3.84 % x 230 V ÷ 100 % = 8.83 V). (Answer (c))

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Fully charged Work at height Slips, trips and falls are, by far, the most common cause of injury in the workplace and for those who might be working on roofs and the like, such as PV installers, the consequences of such slips, trips and falls may be profound. In 2012/2013, statistics published by the HSE show that 46 people1 died from a fall from height and, in that same period, 2,522 serious injuries were caused to employees by falls from height. Such falls remain the most common kind of accident causing fatal injuries.

T

his article highlights many of the requirements of The Work at Height Regulations 2005 (WAHR) and how they apply to contractors and others whilst at work.

The reader is advised that more detailed guidance has been issued by the Health and Safety Executive for both employers and employees on working safely at height in INDG401 and INDG402. Both documents are freely downloadable and may be accessed from the HSE links at the end of this article.

What is working at height?

A workplace is considered to be ‘at height’ if a person could be injured by falling from it, even if it is below ground level. This will include working on step-ups, ladders, step-ladders, scaffolding and the like.

The WAHR apply to all work activity at height where there is a risk of a fall liable to cause personal injury. Common causes of falls include: • over-reaching by the user • slipping from a ladder • a ladder wobbles, slips and falls • a ladder breaks.

Application The WAHR (2005) came into force in April 2005 and place a duty on employers, the self-employed and any persons that control the work of others, such as facilities managers or building owners (commonly referred to as dutyholders), to assess the risks, plan and supervise all workers who work at height.

The WAHR require an employee or a person working under someone else’s control to: 46

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• report any safety hazard • use the equipment supplied properly (including safety devices) • follow any instructions and training (unless they think that would be unsafe, in which case further instructions should be sought before continuing).

Role of employer Regulation 6(3) of WAHR requires that a dutyholder must do all that is reasonably practicable to prevent anyone from falling.

To this end there is a simple hierarchy for managing and selecting equipment for working at height:

particularly apply to those working on roofs, for example.

Competent Those involved in work at height should be trained and competent or overseen by someone who is trained and competent. This requires a dutyholder to be involved in organisation, planning, supervision and the supply and maintenance of equipment. Where it is not possible to entirely eliminate the risk of falling, the dutyholder must train those who will be working at height how to avoid falling, and how to avoid or minimise injury to themselves should they fall.

Schedules

Avoid working at height Where working at height cannot be avoided, use appropriate work equipment or other measures to prevent falls; and Where the measures to prevent falls cannot eliminate the risk of a fall, use work equipment or other measures to minimise the distance and consequence of a fall, should one occur.

Dutyholders are required to ensure that all work at height is properly planned and organised.

This requires that: • no work is done at height if it is safe and reasonably practicable to do it other than at height • work is properly planned, appropriately supervised, and carried out in as safe a way as is reasonably practicable • there is a plan for emergencies and rescue • account is taken of an appropriate risk assessment carried out under regulation 3 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.

Weather Where it is planned to work at height, weather conditions that could endanger health or safety should be taken into account. This might mean, for example, that work is postponed until weather conditions improve. Such consideration would

Schedules 1 to 6 in WAHR detail the requirements for specific methods of working at height.

Schedule 7 details any particulars that should be included in an inspection report.

Schedule 1 of the WAHR details the requirements for existing places of work and means of access or egress at height. For example, Schedule 1 requires that every existing place of work or means of access or egress at height: • is stable and of sufficient strength and rigidity for the purpose for which it is intended • rests on a stable and sufficiently strong surface • is so constructed and used, and maintained in such condition, as to prevent, so far as is reasonably practicable, the risk of slipping or tripping.

Schedule 2 of the WAHR details the requirements for guardrails, toe boards, barriers and similar collective means of protection. For example, Schedule 2 requires, amongst other things, that guardrails and similar protection are positioned such that any gap between it and other protection does not exceed 470 mm.

Schedule 3 of the WAHR details the requirements for all working platforms. Part 1 lists the requirements for all working platforms and Part 2 lists the additional requirements for scaffolding. Specific requirements in the schedule relate to the stability of the supporting structure and working platforms, the requirements for safety on working platforms and the loading of such platforms.

Schedule 4 of the WAHR details the requirements for collective safeguards for arresting falls.

Schedule 5 of the WAHR details the requirements for personal fall protection systems.

Part 1 states the requirements for all personal protection systems, whilst Parts 2 to 5 detail the additional requirements for work positioning Connections Spring 2014

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Fully charged Table 1 Examples of the requirements of Schedule 6 of WAHR Surface

Stable, firm and of sufficient strength and suitable composition safely to support the ladder in such a way that the rungs or steps remain horizontal. Ladders should not be erected on a lean.

Position

In such a way that it is stable during use.

Suspended ladder

Attached in a secure manner so that it cannot be displaced.

Portable ladder

Stiles secured at either their upper or lower ends.

An effective anti-slip or other effective stability device, or any other arrangement of equivalent effectiveness.

Long enough

Shall be long enough to protrude sufficiently above the place of landing to which it provides access, unless other measures have been taken to ensure a firm handhold.

Interlocking ladders

Not to be used unless sections are prevented from moving relative to each other during use.

Mobile ladder

Prevented from moving before it is stepped on.

Ladders rising 9 m or more

Where practicable, suitable landing places are provided to provide rest points.

During use

Can maintain a hold when carrying a load unless, in the case of a stepladder, the maintenance of a handhold is not practicable when a load is carried, and a risk assessment has demonstrated that the use of a stepladder is justified because of the low risk and the short duration of use.

systems, rope access and positioning techniques, fall arrest systems and work restraint systems.

Schedule 6 of the WAHR details the requirements for ladders. Schedule 6 reinforces the requirement that ladders are used only after a suitable risk assessment has been carried out and it can be demonstrated that the use of more suitable means of access is not justified because of the low risk and either the short duration of use, or existing features on site which cannot be altered.

Inspection Generally, safety equipment, such as ladders and platforms, should be inspected prior to their installation and after they have been installed.

Regulation 12(2) of the WAHR requires that an employer ensures that, where the safety of work equipment depends on how it is installed 48

or assembled, it is not used after installation or assembly in any position unless it has been inspected in that position.

Furthermore, Regulation 12(3) of the WAHR requires, amongst other things, that every employer shall ensure that work equipment exposed to conditions causing ‘deterioration which is liable to result in dangerous situations’ is inspected at suitable intervals. Such conditions might include exposure to heavy use, or environmental conditions.

Regulation 12(7) requires that a person carrying out an inspection of work equipment shall prepare a report containing the particulars set out in Schedule 7, and within 24 hours of completing the inspection, provide the report or a copy thereof to the person on whose behalf the inspection was carried out.

Schedule 7 details the particulars to be included in a report of inspection. The particulars to be included are: • the name and address of the person for whom the inspection was carried out • the location of the work equipment inspected • a description of the work equipment inspected • the date and time of inspection • details of any matter identified that could give rise to the health or safety of any person • details of any action taken as a result of any matter identified • details of any further action considered necessary • the name and position of the person making the report.

Conclusion The reader is reminded that there is a simple hierarchy to be considered prior to any work at height taking place. This hierarchy is: • avoid work at height where possible; • where work at height cannot be avoided, work equipment or other measures to prevent falls must be used; and • where the risk of a fall cannot be eliminated, work equipment of other measures are used to minimise the distance and consequences of a fall.

Further information and guidance on working at height and WAHR may be found at www.hse. gov.uk/pubns/fallindx.htm and www.hse.gov. uk/pubns/indg401.pdf respectively. The Work at Height Regulations 2005 may be downloaded from www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/735/ contents/made 1 Statistics of workplace fatalities and injuries – Slips, trips and falls from height in Great Britain, 2013 (HSE)

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Fully charged New edition of fire alarm code of practice BS 5839-6 issued New editions of a number of parts of the code of practice for fire alarms, BS 5839, were issued in 2013. These included BS 5839-1, relating to non-domestic premises, BS 5839-6, relating to domestic premises, and BS 5839-8, relating to voice alarm systems.

I

n this article we look at the new edition of BS 5839-6, which was published on 31 May 2013. (We looked at the new edition of BS 5839-1 in Issue 187 of Connections.)

BS 5839-6: 2013 is not a full revision of the previous edition (BS 5839-6: 2004), which is now withdrawn. However, it does include a number of technical changes from that edition.

The most significant of the changes are outlined in this article.

Like previous editions of BS 5839-6, the 2013 edition provides guidance and recommendations for the planning, design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of fire detection and fire alarm systems in and around domestic premises. It should not be used as a specification and is not legislation; its clauses and commentary have the status of recommendations.

New title The word ‘Dwelling’ has been replaced by the words ‘domestic premises’ in the title of the standard.

This makes the full title ‘Fire detection and fire alarm systems for buildings – Part 6: Code of practice for design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of systems in domestic premises.’

Extension to scope The introduction of the common parts and facilities within buildings used for sheltered housing to the recommendations of BS 5839-6 is an important extension to the scope of the Standard. This brings the entire sheltered 50

housing area into BS 5839-6, whereas previously the common areas fell under BS 5839-1.

It is worth reminding the reader that the types of domestic premises that are covered by BS 5839-6 include: • domestic premises designed to accommodate a single family, • houses in multiple occupation that comprise a number of self-contained units, each designed to accommodate a single family, and • sheltered housing, including the dwelling units, common areas and facilities.

The standard does not cover: • hostels, • caravans, • boats, unless they are permanently moored and used solely for residential premises, • the communal parts of blocks of flats or maisonettes, or • any premises used for purposes other than as domestic premises, such as small shops, factories and the like.

New definition The following definition for competent person has been added to the standard: ‘person with the relevant current training and experience, and with access to the requisite tools, equipment and information, and capable of carrying out a defined task’.

This new definition aligns with the corresponding definition in BS 5839-1: 2013.

Detection in principal habitable room Note D of Table 1 (Minimum Grade and Category of fire detection and fire alarm system for protection of life in typical premises) recommends that a smoke detector, rather than a heat detector (as was recommended in the 2005 edition), is installed in the principal habitable room(s) of new premises. The note adds that the detector in the principal habitable room (but not the kitchen) may alternatively be a carbon monoxide fire detector.

However the note points out that consideration needs to be given to the potential for false alarms from a smoke detector in the lounge if a kitchen opens directly into it, or is combined with it. In this instance a heat detector may be used to limit false alarms.

Carbon monoxide fire detectors Clause 10.2h states that an appropriate carbon monoxide fire detector (conforming to clause 10.2e) may be installed as an alternative to a

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smoke detector within the principal habitable room(s).

Clause 10.2e indicates that carbon monoxide fire detectors should be used only where: â&#x20AC;˘ they are incorporated within a Grade A, B or C system and there is a high likelihood that the system will be subject to periodic maintenance by a competent person at periods not exceeding 12 months, or â&#x20AC;˘ a fault warning is given to indicate the need to replace the electrochemical cell of the detector before it reaches the end of its anticipated life.

In practice, manufacturers will combine carbon monoxide detectors with other forms of detection, such as smoke or heat, in a multisensor.

Sheltered housing The commentary in clause 9.1.5 states that measures are necessary to ensure that in sheltered housing, fire alarm signals transmitted to an alarm receiving centre via a social alarm system cannot be delayed by other alarm signals originating from the flat in which the fire originated or elsewhere.

Where detectors in dwellings are linked to the fire alarm system in common parts in sheltered housing, the commentary in clause 19.1 points out that it will be necessary to install an addressable system.

Readers should note that there are also recommendations relating to fire detection and alarm systems in residential buildings in clause 22 of BS 9991: 2011, Fire safety in the design, management and use of residential buildings â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Code of Practice. That standard supersedes BS 5588-1: 1990 Fire precautions in the design, construction and use of buildings. Code of practice for residential buildings.

Table 1 Table 1 (Minimum Grade and Category of fire detection and fire alarm system for protection of life in typical premises) of BS 5839-6: 2013 has been altered to reflect the extension of the scope relating to sheltered housing, mentioned earlier in this article. There have been other changes to the recommendations within Table 1. For example, for single-family dwellings and shared houses, with no floor greater than 200 m2 in area, the recommended Grade of system has changed

from Grade B to a Grade A for a four (or more) storey house.

A new section for communal areas of sheltered housing has been added within Table 1 to give recommendations for the common areas. This section recommends Grade A system in accordance with the recommendations of BS 5839-1 for a Category L4 or L5 system Sound frequency The recommendations on the frequency of the sound produced by the sounders in smoke alarms have been altered to expand the allowable range (Clause 13.1.3 refers). Research has shown that the most effective audible alarm signal to rouse hard of hearing people, children and intoxicated young adults from sleep is a 520 Hz square wave signal. The older person can hear the lower square wave frequency better than the high frequency.

However, BS 5839-6 also recognises that, as of 2013, equipment to produce a 520 Hz square wave alarm was not readily available in the UK. Visual alarm devices BS EN 54-23, the product standard for fire alarm visual alarm devices, has been added to the list of standards in clause 2 (Normative references) of BS 5839-6: 2013. The use of visual alarm devices can be necessary in some cases, such as for deaf and hard of hearing people (clause 15 refers). However, as with the 520 Hz square wave sounders mentioned earlier, there could be issues of availability for equipment that meets BS EN 54-23.

A new Annex F (informative), visual alarm device illumination characteristics has been added within BS 5839-1:2013. This contains information extracted from LPCB CoP 0001 with regard to the illumination requirements, patterns and the minimum rating required or achieved for the various mounting scenarios.

Conclusion Whilst the changes to BS 5839-6 are of a limited nature, there are important changes of emphasis.

Persons involved in the design, installation and commissioning of fire detection and fire alarm systems, particularly in sheltered housing, should make themselves aware of the alterations to this standard.

Connections Spring 2014

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Ask the experts/Technical

Fully charged Classification codes for RCD-related observations in an electrical installation condition report Queries received indicate that some contractors registered with NICEIC or ELECSA are unsure how to classify observations relating to RCD protection when compiling an Electrical Installation Condition Report on an existing electrical installation. This article provides guidance on the appropriate Classification Codes to use for such issues.

R

egulation 631.2 of BS 7671 requires that, upon the completion of the periodic inspection and testing of an existing installation, an Electrical Installation Condition Report based on the model form in Appendix 6 of BS 7671 shall be provided to the client.

A key feature of the EICR is that it requires that a Classification Code – C1, C2 or C3 – be given to each of the observed safety issues (damage, deterioration, defect, dangerous condition or non-compliance with the requirements of the current edition of BS 7671 that may give rise to danger) noted in the report. The purpose of the codes is to indicate to the client the degree of danger associated with each observation and the degree of urgency with which the recorded deficiency must be dealt.

Table 1 of this article provides an overview of the Classification Codes.

Technical expansion 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 over the phone or by email, with 95 per cent of calls answered first time around • In February alone the technical helpline answered 226 email enquiries and answered 5,334 technical queries over the phone • On one particular day in March 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 that the merger between NICEIC and ELECSA has brought to registered contractors.

Connections Spring 2014

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Fully charged Table 1 Meaning of classification code and recommended action Classification Code C1 C2 C3

Meaning of code Danger present – risk of injury Potentially dangerous Improvement recommended

Recommended action indicated by code Immediate remedial action required Urgent remedial action required The client should be advised that whilst the defect or non-compliance is not considered to be a source of immediate or potential danger, improvement would contribute to an enhancement of the safety of the installation

The Electrical Safety Council, in association with leading electrical installation industry bodies, produces a series of best practice guides, which are available as a free downloads from the ESC website. Best Practice Guide No 4, Issue 3, Electrical Installation Condition Reporting: Classification Codes for domestic and similar electrical installations, gives some examples of how the Classification Codes should be used for observations relating to RCD protection (or the absence of it) in an existing domestic or similar installation. A number of these examples are reproduced in Table 2 of this article.

Table 2 does not detail any C1 Classification Codes because, whilst within BS 7671 there are many situations where RCD protection is required, there are not any situations where, without another defect occurring, the absence of a RCD would result in real and immediate danger.

Table 2 Classification Codes attributable to RCD-related-observations (Note 1), according to the guidance in ESC Best Practice Guide No 4 Safety issue observed (Note 1 and Note 2)

(a) The main RCD or voltage-operated earth-leakage circuit-breaker (Note 4) in a TT system fails to operate when tested with an instrument or integral test button. (b) Absence of RCD protection for portable or mobile equipment that may reasonably be expected to be used outdoors. (c) Absence of RCD protection for socket-outlets in a location containing a bath or shower, other than for SELV or shaver socket-outlets. (d) Absence of fault protection (protection against indirect contact) by RCD where required, such as for a socket-outlet circuit in an installation forming part of a TT system. (e) Absence of RCD protection for a socket-outlet that is unlikely to supply portable or mobile equipment for use outdoors, does not serve a location containing a bath or shower and the use of which is otherwise not considered by the inspector to result in potential danger. (f) Absence of RCD protection for cables installed at a depth of less than 50 mm from a wall or partition where the cables do not incorporate an earthed metallic covering, are not enclosed in metalwork or are not mechanically protected against penetration by nails and the like. (g) Absence of RCD protection for circuits of a location containing a bath or a shower where satisfactory supplementary bonding is present. (h) Reliance on a voltage-operated earth-leakage circuit breaker for fault protection (protection against indirect contact), subject to the device being proved to operate correctly. (If the circuit-breaker relies on a water pipe not permitted by Regulation 542.2.6 as the means of earthing, this would attract a Code C2 Classification Code.) (i) Absence of a quarterly test notice for any RCD or voltage-operated earth-leakage circuit-breaker.

Applicable Classification Code (Note 3)

C2

C3

Notes to Table 2 1) Except in items (a) and (d), all references to RCD protection in the table mean additional protection by an RCD having a rated operating (tripping) current (IΔn) not greater than 30 mA and an operating time not exceeding 40 ms at a residual current of 5 IΔn.

2) The observations should be based on the requirements of the edition of BS 7671 current at the time of the inspection, not on the requirements of an earlier edition current at the time the installation was constructed.

3) It is entirely a matter for the competent person conducting the inspection to decide on the Classification Code to be attributed to an observation.

4) Prior to the 1985 amendment to the Fifteenth Edition, the IEE Wiring Regulations recognised two distinct types of circuit-breakers designed specifically to detect and interrupt faults to earth: (a) voltage-operated earth-leakage circuit-breakers, and (b) current-operated earth-leakage circuit-breakers (now known as RCDs). Many voltage-operated earth-leakage circuit-breakers are still in service.

54

Spring 2014 Connections

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Ask the experts/Technical

Fully charged Charging systems for electric vehicles As reported in an article in Issue 188 of Connections, a new Section 722 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Electric Vehicle Charging Installations, was published in August as part of Amendment 2 to BS 7671. In this present article we look in more detail at charging systems for electric vehicles.

T

o gain an overview of the operating characteristics of an electric-vehicle charging system it is useful to consider the charging of a 24 kWh electric vehicle battery from a 230 V single-phase supply using a charging cable connected to a 13 A socket-outlet. In this situation the maximum energy that can be supplied in one hour is slightly less than 3 kWh. At that rate, it will take a little over eight hours to fully charge the battery. Although an eight hour charging period may be acceptable to someone charging their vehicle overnight using their own dedicated charging point, such a long period would probably not be acceptable for a person using, say, a communal charging facility. Consequently, a

Fig 1 A Mode 2 charging cable

56

number of designs and ratings of charging system have been devised.

Four modes of operation for electric vehicle charging systems (summarised below) are described in BS EN 61851-1:2011 Electric Vehicle Conductive Charging System General Requirements and covered by the requirements of Section 722 of BS 7671.

Mode 1: uses a simple charging cable to connect the EV to a socket-outlet conforming to BS 1363-2* or BS EN 60309-2**, rated at no more than 16 A. Mode 2: uses a charging cable incorporating an RCD and control box to connect the EV to a socket-outlet conforming to BS 1363-2* or BS EN 60309-2**, rated at no more than 32 A. Mode 3: uses a charging cable incorporating dedicated control wires connecting the EV to a supply unit. The charging cable may either be permanently tethered to the supply unit or be connected to it by an electric vehicle plug and socket conforming to BS EN 62196.

Mode 4: to facilitate fast charging, the a.c. to d.c. converter is integrated into an off-board charging unit, and the charging cable that supplies d.c. to the vehicle contains dedicated control wires connecting the charging unit to the vehicle and is permanently tethered to the charging unit.

IEC 62196 is currently being extended to include requirements for d.c. vehicle couplers. *Where a 13A BS 1363-2 socket-outlet is being used, due to the likelihood of the device carrying significant current for long periods of time, Regulation 722.55.201.1 requires that the manufacturer Fig 2 A Mode 3 charging unit

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Table 1 Key aspects of the four modes of operation of electric vehicle charging systems

Socket-outlet or Charging unit

Vehicle inlet

Electric vehicle

Charging cable

Mode

Charging point/equipment

RCD protection

Communications Vehicle inlet

1

Socket-outlet to BS 1363-2 or BS EN 60309-2, rated at not more than 16 A and complying with Regulation 722.55.201.1, supplied by a dedicated circuit.

Socket-outlet to BS 1363-2 or BS EN 60309-2, rated at not more than 32 A and complying with Regulation 722.55.201, supplied by a dedicated circuit.

In the socket-outlet or the supply to it

None

Complying with BS EN 62196

In the socket-outlet or the supply to it, and in the cable control box in the charging cable In vehicle supply equipment

The electrical system in the cable control box monitors the connection to the vehicle The cable and connectors enable communication between the vehicle and the vehicle supply equipment

Complying with BS EN 62196

Slow charging (8-12 hours)

Complying with BS EN 62196

Fast charging (1-4 hours) Suitable for both private installations and public charging

In charging unit

Complying The cable and connectors enable with BS EN 62196 communication between the vehicle and the charging unit

2

3

4

Vehicle supply equipment and having either a BS EN 60309-2 socket-outlet complying with Regulation 722.55.201 or a Type 1, 2 or 3 vehicle connector to BS EN 62196-2, rated at up to 63 A three-phase or 70 A single-phase (depending on Type), supplied by a dedicated circuit Off-board charging unit supplying d.c. at, typically, 125 A at 500 V. Charging cable permanently attached to the charging point

Additional comments Slow charging (8-12 hours)

Rapid charging (approx.

20 mins) Suitable for public charging

Notes to Table 1 1. Regulation 722.311 requires that, irrespective of the mode, the charging system shall be connected to a dedicated circuit 2. For electric vehicle charging points used outdoors or that might reasonably be expected to be used to charge a vehicle located outdoors, Regulation 722.414.4.1 places requirements relating to the use of a PME earthing facility as the means of earthing.

3. Regulation 722.531.2.101 requires that every charging point shall be individually protected by an RCD having the characteristics specified by Regulation 415.1.1 (a rated residual operating current (IΔn) not exceeding 30 mA and an operating time not exceeding 40 ms at a residual current of 5 IΔn) that disconnects all live (line and neutral) conductors. The RCD must be at least ‘Type A’ (rather ‘Type AC’ RCD – the type usually used in electrical installations). Where the d.c. component of the charging current is known to exceed 6 mA, the regulation requires that a ‘Type B’ RCD complying with BS EN 62423 shall be used. The manufacturer of the electric vehicle/charging equipment should be able to advise on whether a Type B RCD is required.

of the socket-outlet approves its suitability for use in an electric vehicle charging system. **Where a BS EN 60309-2 socket-outlet is being used, to prevent contact with live parts of the socket contacts, Regulation 722.55.201.1 requires the socket-outlet to incorporate an interlock that complies with certain requirements, identified in the regulation.

Almost all today’s electric cars are designed for charging in Modes 2 or 3. Although some vehicle manufacturers may offer a Mode 2 charging cable at an entry level, most car manufacturers would recommend dedicated Mode 3 charging systems.

However, the ability to plug into any available

BS 1363-2 13 A socket-outlet means that some owners of electric vehicles use Mode 2 cables as standby equipment.

The majority of dedicated public electric vehicle charging points in the UK use Mode 3 charging with Type 2 socket-outlets.

Figures 1 and 2 show a Mode 2 charging cable and a Mode 3 charging unit, respectively.

Mode 2 charging cables are provided with an in-cable control box that includes an RCD and a system for detecting safety-specific issues, including that a vehicle is plugged in and the protective earth is connected.

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Ask the experts/Technical

Fully charged Table 2 Types of connectors used for the charging of electric vehicles Type 1: SAE J1772

A single-phase connector developed in the USA

Type 2: VDE-ARâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;E 2623-2-2

A single-phase or three-phase connector developed in Europe

Type 3 : EV Plug Alliance

An alternative single or three-phase connector developed in Europe.

Unlike Type 1 and Type 2 connectors this connector is provided with shutters

Mode 3 vehicle supply equipment provides for faster charging. Although one end of the charging cable may be permanently tethered to the charging point or vehicle, many use plugs and sockets specifically designed for use with electric vehicles and complying with BS EN 62196. The Mode 3 charging equipment includes an RCD and the electronics required to monitor safe operation.

To enable the equipment to communicate with the vehicle, the cable and its connectors are provided with additional cable cores. The communication between the electric vehicle and, in the longer term, a smart meter may enable special tariffs for EV charging to be offered.

Mode 4 charging units (not pictured) are intended for where a fast charge is essential, such as communal charging stations and motorway service stations. The units produce a d.c. supply at relatively high voltage and current. For safety, the charging cable is permanently attached to the charging point and RCD protection and the electronics required to monitor the connection to the vehicle are integrated into the charging unit.

When installing an electric vehicle charging point with a tethered cable, it is essential that the electrical contractor uses the guidance published by the manufacturer of the electric vehicle to ensure that the appropriate charging point is to be installed.

58

Table 1 summarises the main features of the different modes of charging.

The plugs, socket-outlets and connectors used to connect the charging cable to the electric vehicle and, for some Mode 3 systems, the charging cable to the charging unit, are manufactured to the requirements of BS EN 62196.

For a.c. charging (Modes 1 to 3) three alternative designs of connector, shown in Table 2, have been developed. These provide means for connecting live conductors, protective earth and two signal wires to the vehicle.

In addition to the connectors shown in Table 2, there have been proposals for connectors that include facilities for both a.c. and d.c. charging, to meet the requirement for vehicles to be charged from either Mode 3 (a.c.) or Mode 4 (d.c.) charging points. These Combo connectors add two additional d.c. pins to the Type 1 connector (for the USA) or the Type 2 connector (for Europe).

Alternatively there is a d.c-only connector defined as part of the CHAdeMO standard (CHAdeMO is the trade name of a quick charging method for battery electric vehicles). However, this uses different communications to Combo, so the two are not interchangeable.

A standard covering connectors suitable for d.c. charging (Mode 4) is expected in the near future.

Spring 2014 Connections

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Ask the experts/Technical

Fully charged +

Snags & Solutions A practical guide to everyday electrical problems

Landing

HA

Kitchen

Lounge

Consumer unit

Now updated to Amendment No 1 of BS 7671 and where appropriate BS 5266-1 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 emergency lighting and 48 problems relating to domestic fire detection and alarm systems, respectively.

The books are available from NICEIC Direct.

To give an indication of the value of these books, a snag and solution is being covered in each issue of Connections. This issue addresses a snag from Part 5 – Domestic fire detection and fire alarm systems – and considers the recommendation to interlink smoke alarms and heat alarms in domestic premises.

HA

Hall

HA

Heat alarm Smoke alarm

Mains power supply

Interlinking of smoke alarms and heat alarms The smoke alarms and heat alarms (if any) of a Grade D, E or F fire alarm system in a single-family dwelling should all be interlinked.

Snag 19 Dwellings fitted with fire alarm systems typically have more than one smoke alarm or heat alarm.

Where this is the case, the alarms should be interlinked, either by wiring or radio-links, to ensure that the earliest detection and audible warning of fire is provided to the occupants.

Solution Clause 13.2(c) of BS 5839-6 recommends that all smoke alarms and heat alarms (if provided) in a Grade D, E or F system should be interlinked so

snags and solutions

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A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO EVERYDAY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS

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Spring 2014 Connections

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that, when a fire is detected by any smoke alarm or heat alarm an audible fire alarm warning signal is given by all smoke alarms and heat alarms (if any), in the dwelling.

It should be noted that a dwelling may house persons who do not live together as a single-family, such as a house in multiple occupation (HMO).

Dwellings housing such persons may for fire safety reasons, such as limiting false alarms, contain a mixed fire alarm system*. Where a dwelling contains a mixture of fire alarm system Grades, the interlinking of smoke alarms or heat alarms (if provided) between the different Grades of system, may be omitted.

Where smoke alarms and any heat alarms are of the type that are interlinked by wiring, all such alarms should be connected to a single final circuit (clause 15.5(b) refers).

Information regarding the conductors used for interconnecting smoke alarms and heat alarms can be found in Snag 22. * Mixed fire alarm system: an arrangement of two different Grades of fire detection and fire alarm system provided within the same dwelling. For example, in a house of multiple occupation (HMO), to limit false alarms, it can be an advantage to have a Grade D system within the individual units and a Grade A system within the communal areas which incorporates a sounder mounted within the individual unit.

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.

Matt Darville, head of technical Industry experience: 30 yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; experience in most aspects of the electrical contracting industry, including 10 years lecturing and 13 years at NICEIC. Member of the joint IET/BSI technical committee for electrical installations JPEL/64 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

Standard applied BS 5839-6 Recommendations/Regulations referred to Clauses 13.2(c), 15.5(b)

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

Landing

HA

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HA

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Mains power and interconnecting* wiring Mains power supply

Mark Cooper, technical helpline engineer Industry experience: Approved electrician with over 30 yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; experience, mainly in heavy industrial and commercial installations. Also a qualified NVQ assessor Steve Hoult, technical helpline engineer Industry experience: Experienced in design and installation of systems to 11kV working in the coal-mining industry and then on industrial and construction electrical supply installations

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

Connections Spring 2014

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Product Focus Fluke Fluke has introduced two new portable appliance tester models, the Fluke 6200-2 and Fluke 6500-2 PAT Testers, to verify the electrical safety and operation of portable appliances in accordance with the latest relevant guidelines and regulations.

These units replace the Fluke 6200 and 6500 models. With powerful auto test capabilities (6500-2) and simplified controls, they increase the number of tests that can be performed per day without compromising results. The new 6500-2 offers better display visibility, 250V insulation testing, a 110V test capability and a new test capability for RCD protected appliances.

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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.

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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

Urmet

Rolec EV

One Tower Bridge is the epitome of five-star luxury living and one of Berkeley Homes’ finest riverside developments, situated directly adjacent to Tower Bridge and the Tower of London. Urmet is proud to have been selected to supply the door-entry panels for this prestigious high-end residential project. Berkeley Homes needed a full-IP solution for this development that was both aesthetically pleasing and also reflected the needs and requirements of the highly discerning individuals who will take up residency at this elegant development. London’s largest developers chose 52 Power over Ethernet (PoE) Elekta Glass Panels for all of the entrances at the eight blocks within the development, which comprises 350 apartments in total.

Rolec EV manufactures and supplies the largest and most comprehensive range of electric vehicle charging stations in the UK.

marketing@urmet.co.uk www.ipervoice.co.uk

01205 724754 rolec@rolecserv.co.uk www.rolecserv.com

• Domestic • Workplace •On Street • Car Parks Electric Vehicle Charging Points

Megger By using a user selectable test current from 80 A up to 1 kA, the new Megger NIM 1000 network impedance meter allows users to make accurate loop impedance and fault current measurements on live circuits, close to the source of supply, even in large electrical installations such as those found in major hospitals and on big industrial sites.

Depending on the earthing configuration of the network, the instrument also uses multiphase measurements to calculate the impedance of the neutral conductor, enabling it to reveal defects that could have major safety implications.

In addition, the NIM 1000 has a current ramp feature that can be used to trigger load-sensitive and neutral faults, thereby exposing weak points in the supply network. It can also analyse the complex impedance of the network up to the 10th harmonic to determine how it will perform with electronics loads, such as variable speed drives.

01304 502101 (phone) 01304 207342 (fax) uksales@megger.com www.megger.com

Fluke

Seaward

Fluke UK is offering, until 28 June 2014, a free voltage detector with one of three specific true-rms tester purchases.

Following the purchase, within the offer period, of a Fluke 115 compact, general purpose Multimeter, or a Fluke 117 Electrician’s Multimeter, or a Fluke 365 detachablejaw, AC/DC Clamp Meter, the purchaser can claim a free Fluke 2AC VoltAlert Voltage Detector by registering on the Fluke UK web site.

More information can be found at www.fluke.co.uk/Fluke-Specials

Seaward has upgraded its popular PrimeTest 250 manual PAT with the introduction of a special 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 new PrimeTest 250 Plus also comes with free PAT test results data logger software.

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

Connections Spring 2014

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Current affairs

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

Email nick.martindale@redactive.co.uk

CAUGHT ON CAMERA

Out of the light Staff from north-east contractor McNally and Thompson swapped live wires for the zip wire to raise money for two local charities.

A team of five – Fred Hood, Mike West, Dave Wealleans and Mark Taylor, plus Fred’s daughter Abbie – zipped 250 metres from the roof of the Stadium of Light, home of Sunderland AFC, to the Liebherr Cranes site on the opposite bank of the River Wear, reaching speeds of 25mph in the annual Zip Wear event.

The team raised more than £1,000 for the North East Autism Society and Sunderland AFC’s charity, the Foundation of Light, which aims to educate and inspire young people in the north-east.

“Every year we donate 20 per cent of what we get from our scrap cable to charity, which tends to be the Foundation of Light,” says Fred, pictured centre. “When this came up it seemed like a good opportunity to raise some cash and to get an adrenaline buzz.”

Sunderland firm McNally and Thompson takes on a wide range of commercial and industrial work. To donate visit www.justgiving.com/ McNally-and-ThompsonLtd.

The latest rendition of shoddy goings-on include (1-3): a spot of DIY electrics in a kitchen that failed a condition report; an old-style external fusebox that has seen better days; and live electrics found behind the tiles in a kitchen. It continues with (4-6): the cause of a faulty socket complaint in a kitchen; a case of unlucky drilling in a plastered wall; and a botched attempt at moving a switch in a brand new apartment.

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3

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1 5

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Thanks to our contributors: Dave Simcox of Customcall in Scarborough /// Derek Yearling of Derek Yearling Electrics in Bude /// Ian Moorcroft from Birmingham firm ECA Contracts /// Matthew Whate of Whate Electrical Services in Newark /// David Bowman of Bowmans Electrical Contractors in Sheffield /// Nick Howell from Tring firm Mackenzie Electrical Services.

Keep those shots coming in!

A likely story…

Trying to persuade customers to pay up after a job is the bane of many an electrical contractor’s life. Now a new survey has revealed some of the excuses people come up with to avoid parting with cash.

These include: “I dropped my wallet in the toilet and have to wait for the notes to dry out”, “I fell on the way to the bank and had to go to hospital” and “I dropped my house keys down a drain and couldn’t get inside for my cheque book.” But top marks surely go to: “A goat ate my cheque book and I couldn’t get to the bank for a replacement.”

The WorldPay survey found micro-businesses are owed an average of £800 at any one time and have to write off £770 a year.

A rock and a hard place An electrical contractor from Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk is riding 1,500 miles from Gibraltar to High Wycombe to raise money for the armed forces charity SSAFA. The Rockride2 cycle event will take Alan Kemp through Spain, across the Pyrenees and through France in the heat of June.

Alan has been training hard in the build-up to the event, before work and at weekends.

“There’s one day where we get off a bit lighter and only do 60 or 70 miles, but the day before and after that we’re doing 128 miles,” he says.

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Alan set up as an electrical contractor in 2005, working in domestic and light commercial, after leaving the army and only got into cycling after recovering from a hip replacement five years ago.

The returning riders are scheduled to finish at Adams Park – the ground of Wycombe Wanderers Football Club – on 14 June.

Alan is hoping to raise £10,000. To sponsor him visit www.virginmoneygiving.com/ alankemp2 and to find out more about the event see www.rockride2.com

Spring 2014 Connections

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Testing testing?

Find testing your installations testing?

You need a Megger MFT1700 series installation tester. There is a choice of three machines designed for the job you do.

Offering 2-wire high current, 3-wire non-trip and 2-wire non-trip loop testing for when there is no neutral

Auto start on many testing ranges, so you don’t have to grow a third arm

Dual display – earth loop and PFC are measured simultaneously without the need to null the leads

And there’s a life-time’s technical support here in the UK

See a demo now by scanning the QR code with your smart phone Call 01304 502 101 or go to www.megger.com for full details

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ENERGY COSTS

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

ENERGY AUDITS VOLTAGE OPTIMISATION ACCURATE DATA & LOW INVESTMENT

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

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