Promotion push for Electrical Safety Register // page 7
connections THE MAGAZINE FOR NICEIC AND ELECSA REGISTERED CONTRACTORS
CONTRACTOR PROFILE P26
RENEWABLES P30
A new era beckons for Essex Services Group as its founding director retires
Helped by new initiatives, the renewables market is heating up
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SUMMER 2013 | ISSUE 186
ENERGY EFFICIENCY P35 Advising customers on how to cut energy usage offers opportunities for contractors
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WAYNE HEMINGWAY Entrepreneur urges contractors to go for growth at NICEIC Live South // page 24
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Summer 2013 | Issue 186
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Contents Promoting your business Increasing awareness of the ESR
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Plugged in News Record visitors for NICEIC Live South
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Latest Electrical Safety Register campaign raises awareness
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Great offer on Peugeot vans
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Renewables news 500 firms sign up for Green Deal ESC news Campaign highlights landlords’ safety obligations Free app helps customers locate registered contractors Product news The latest testing products on the market
35 Illustration: Cameron Law
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15
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Live wire
Features
Advice 17 Marketing is vital for your business and new mobile technology means it can be easier and cheaper than you think, says Jo Behari Opinion The new DIM2 regulations will reassure contractors about the performance standards of LED lamps, says Duncan Chamberlain
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Regions 20 Adrian Holliday finds East Midlands contractors are finding ways to counteract tough economic times Training Darren Staniforth outlines the training options available for contractors looking to move into the renewables market
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Renewed vigour 30 The renewables sector offers a positive long-term outlook for contractors of all sizes
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Fully charged
Less is more 35 Contractors skilled in green energy technologies have much to offer both commercial and domestic customers
Ask the experts 39 Some of the technical helpline’s more frequently asked questions answered Technical Protective conductors
Epsom classic 24 Large numbers of contractors enjoyed a lively day out at NICEIC Live South, where the focus was on growing your business, reports Nick Martindale Current affairs Sparks fly on the job
Cover story: contractor profile 26 A new era beckons for Essex Services Group as its founding director retires
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The initial verification of a small- 44 scale solar PV system – Part 2 Part P of the building regulations 53 Safe isolation and borrowed neutrals
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Snags and solutions
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»Cover photography: Rafa Bastos Connections Summer 2013
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Comment
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EMMA CLANCY
First phase Promoting your business Recent campaigns by the ESC and Certsure have increased awareness of the Electrical Safety Register and the need to use registered contractors
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hen the Electrical Safety Council (ESC) and Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) announced they were to form a partnership, one of the key motivations was the belief that by working together more could be done to promote the use of registered electricians. There is strength in unity, and by pooling resources we can work more effectively towards the common goal of providing a consolidated voice to government and specifiers of electrical work. So it was pleasing to see the launch of two of the biggest PR and marketing campaigns ever witnessed in the electrical industry, which ultimately highlighted the importance of using a registered contractor and, more specifically, the benefits that employing a contractor listed on the Electrical Safety Register can bring. The ESC’s PR campaign targeted private landlords and outlined the financial risks they face if they fail to act on their
Emma Clancy is chief executive officer, Certsure
electrical safety obligations. With appearances on national television, radio and newspapers, the campaign was seen by millions and asked readers and listeners to visit the register to find their local contractor. In addition, a separate campaign promoting the Electrical Safety Register to local authorities, housing associations, architects and other specifiers of work shows how we are focusing our efforts on making the register the number-one stop for anyone ordering electrical work. This is a good indicator of what can be achieved from the new venture. Without partnership none of this work would have been achievable. We would have had too many organisations vying with each other and the message would have been lost. By coming together we are stronger in voice and there is clarity in our messages. Over the next 18 months we have a plan for further campaigns that will again see the Electrical Safety Register promoted to millions of people. We are proud of the work being done by our customers and we want to do everything we can to promote your business and help you win more work.
CONTACTS // CONNECTIONS Redactive Publishing Ltd, 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 Mike Clark 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
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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 2013 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 Wyndeham (Peterborough) 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 External affairs director Richard Pagett 01582 539020 richard.pagett@certsure.com Communications manager Paul Collins 01582 539148 paul.s.collins@certsure.com NICEIC Direct Mike Jackson 01582 539709 mike.jackson@certsure.com Twitter @ElecSafeReg Technical helpline 0870 013 0391 Customer services 0870 013 0382 Sales 0870 013 0458 Training 0870 013 0389
www.electricalsafetyregister.com
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News/Renewables news/ESC news/Product news
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Plugged in Need-to-know industry news for electrical installers
Record visitors for NICEIC Live South More than 700 visitors filled out Epsom Downs for one of the electrical industry’s premier conference and exhibition events at NICEIC Live South. Now in its third year at Epsom Downs Racecourse, this was the biggest show yet, with more seminars, presentations, exhibitors and visitors than ever before. Former fashion designer and current social housing guru Wayne Hemingway was the star attraction. He inspired delegates with his story of rising from market stall holder to fêted design expert. “In business you have to be brave and always try new things,” he said. “You just never know where it might take you. Growth is about identifying need and sustainability is pushing that need. We should be building things to last.” The crowd were also enthralled by a presentation from Atkins director Kelvin Freeman, who oversaw energy services for the London 2012 Olympic Games. A former apprentice electrician, he spoke about the detailed work carried out by engineers and electricians in the run-up to the Games.
In addition to the keynote speakers were seminars by NICEIC’s Tony Cable and Darren Staniforth; talks on the Green Deal, wiring regulation changes and online certification; and practical advice sessions on how to market your business. There were demonstrations on electric vehicle charging and home automation. Some great deals were on offer from lead sponsors WF Senate and Peugeot. Tickets are now on sale for Live North 2013, which will be held at Bolton Arena on 24 October, where the headline speaker will be England football legend Geoff Hurst. For more information or to book your tickets visit www.niceic-elecsalive.com
Shutterstock
ALARM BELLS RING OVER FALSE CALLOUTS
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False fire alarm activations are putting such a strain on cash-strapped county councils that tougher action needs to be taken to bring poor-quality installations to light. This is the argument of ELECSA, which now offers BAFE SP203-1 fire certification ass part of a broader strategy to bring tighter regulation to fire alarm installation market. Will Lloyd, ELECSA’s fire safety technical manager, argues that the regulations need d to tighten up on bogus callouts, often due to alarms being falsely triggered because they ey have been poorly fitted or have not been correctly maintained. He wants a system for the Chief Fire Officers Association based on that operated by the police, where each premises with automatic signalling is issued a unique reference number, and nd a number of false alarms results in a withdrawal of response until ntil the faulty equipment is replaced, correctly fitted and signed d off by a competent third-party certified company. “This would ld galvanise the industry to put its shop in order,” he said.
Summer 2013 Connections
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HONEYWELL MK SENTRY PRODUCT RECALL Honeywell has announced a product recall for a number of MK Sentry consumer units and switches that were on sale between 1 October 2012 and 26 January 2013, due to concerns that some 100A switch disconnectors could fail and overheat, causing a fire hazard. Any contractors who believe they may have purchased and installed any of the affected items should get in touch with Honeywell for an exchange. For more information on the products and how to proceed, visit www.switchexchange.co.uk
CITY RESPONSE APPOINTS FEMALE APPRENTICE Oldham-based property maintenance company City Response has appointed Lisa-Marie Wood (pictured below) as an apprentice electrician, after she successfully completed her level 2 and 3 certificate in electrotechnology and the BS 7671 electrical installation 17th edition wiring regulations qualification. After sending out many CVs and attending interviews without success, JTL Training put her in touch with City Response. “It is still harder for girls to get jobs in traditional male-dominated jobs,” said Wood. “But everyone at City Response, male and female, have welcomed me with open arms and they have judged me simply on my work, which is what I get paid for, after all.” Warren Goodall, head of business development at City Response, says he believes many women are still unaware of the opportunities open to them in and around the construction industry. “We need to inform young women that careers in this industry are accessible, highly rewarding and not just for men,” he said. The fi firm also offers work experience, apprenticeships, experie and op opportunities for schoolchildren to visit its new schoolc depot in Chesterfield. de NICEIC has llong championed opportunities for women in the electrical industry through its Jobs for the Girls campaign.
www.electricalsafetyregister.com ww w www ww w w.e .e ellect
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FREE POCKET GUIDE Inside this issue of Connections you will find Pocket Guide 31 – Part P – Notifiable or not, England. A printable version of each pocket guide is available on the NICEIC website. For further copies of this guide telephone 0870 0130382 or e-mail customerservice@ electricalsafetyregister.com
SCALING NEW HEIGHTS Three contractors from Dorset are hoping to raise thousands of pounds for the British Heart Foundation. The three will be taking on the Three Peaks challenge in August, hoping to scale Snowdon, Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis within 24 hours. The initiative has been inspired by Peter Walker (pictured, left), of Walker Electrical in Poole, after his own daughter Amelia underwent two heart operations in her first three years of life. Joining him will be fellow NICEIC Approved Contractors Vincent McConnell (pictured, centre) of Poole firm M. Electrical and Kevin Lever of Bournemouthbased P & K Electrical (Southern) (pictured, right), and six others. To donate visit www. justgiving.com/amelias-walkers or text TTPC77 £X (amount donating) to 70070.
EXCLUSIVE VIRGIN DEAL All contractors on the Electrical Safety Register can benefit from an exclusive 25 per cent off the cost of Virgin’s experience days, via these links: www.virginexperiencedays.co.uk/niceic www.virginexperiencedays.co.uk/elecsa ECA members can also access the deal. There is also a chance for one lucky contractor to win a supercar thrill ride in either an Aston Martin, Ferrari, Ariel Atom or a Porsche. To enter the competition email paul.s.collins@certsure.com with your name and contact details, with Supercar in the subject line.
ECA'S TRAINING CONCERNS The Electrical Contractors’ Association has taken its concerns over the use of apprentices in construction contracts direct to skills minister Matthew Hancock. Authorities can specify that a contractor must take on a certain number of local apprentices, but if the project finishes before their apprenticeship is finished they may be unable to qualify. The MP said local authorities need better guidance on apprenticeships and advised that the National Apprenticeship Service is developing guidelines in a bid to boost apprenticeship recruitment.
www.electricalsafetyregister.com
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ESR promotional push A campaign targeting landlords about their responsibilities surrounding electrics in rented properties saw the Electrical Safety Register promoted to millions of people in June. The story featured heavily in national newspapers and radio programmes, with Martyn Allen, head of technical development at the Electrical Safety Council (ESC), also appearing on Sky News. “Our research showed that nearly half of all landlords were unaware of their responsibilities with regard to electrical safety at properties they owned,” he said. “This campaign helped highlight the importance of the need to carry out regular checks and upgrades on a property and to use a registered electrician listed on the register.” Aided by the support of homeless charity Shelter, the campaign also appeared in The Times and on more than 150 regional radio stations, in addition to local and national newspaper websites. The Electrical Safety Register website saw a 600 per cent increase in visitors as a direct result of the campaign. Emma Clancy, CEO of Certsure, said:
“This campaign shows the hard work being done to make the Electrical Safety Register the numberone choice for specifiers off electrical work. We are committed to promoting our customers to as many people as possible.” Meanwhile, a separate marketing operation saw the register recommended to thousands of property surveyors. The downloadable pack, which included information about electrical safety and energy-saving options within domestic properties, was said to be a useful tool by a massive 97 per cent of respondents, with 93 per cent saying they are more likely to use an electrician from the register as a result. To view the Electrical Safety Register go to www.electricalsafetyregister.com
Top deals in new Direct catalogue C Contractors can now access an even greater array o kit and equipment at of d discounted prices via the la latest Direct catalogue. Formerly known as the N NICEIC Direct catalogue, t 2013-14 edition the n now features all of the merchandise available from sister brands ELECSA an the ECA, alongside a and specialist section of Gas Safe products. “The contracting industry is constantly evolving with tradespeople now offering a wider range of services across different
markets,” said Mike Jackson, head of group sales at Certsure. “The new catalogue reflects this change, with a wider range of tools, workwear and equipment, including sections on electric vehicle charging points, home automation and Gas Safe, which reflect the new areas contractors are moving into. We have worked hard with our suppliers to find the best products at the best prices.” The catalogue also offers the best in training, books, and certificates, all updated to the latest regulations. Got to www.niceicdirect.com or call 0843 290 3485 for a catalogue.
Connections Summer 2013
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News/Renewables news/ESC news/Product news
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Plugged in Discounted deals on Peugeot vehicles All NICEIC and ELECSA contractors can now access a wide range of Peugeot vehicles at discounted rates after Peugeot was named official vehicle supplier to members of both brands. Contractors can get lower rates on leasing agreements on all Peugeot vans, including the Peugeot Partner compact van, which is the most popular vehicle in the scheme among NICEIC and ELECSA contractors, and the best-selling compact van of the year in the UK. Family cars are also available at discounted rates for NICEIC and ELECSA customers, even if these are not used for work purposes, and an exclusive offer also gives contractors entering into leasing contracts £250 cash back that can be spent on products from the NICEIC Training or Direct websites. “We are delighted that Peugeot has agreed to be the official vehicle supplier to both NICEIC and ELECSA contractors,” said Mike Jackson, head of group sales at Certsure. “The discounted vehicle leasing scheme has proved very popular with many NICEIC contractors over the past three years, and these
exclusive rates are greater than could be arranged individually. “NICEIC and ELECSA now represent 80 per cent of the UK’s electrical contractors, which allows us to negotiate very competitive rates for all our customers,” he added. “The £250 cash back arrangement will be an immediate benefit to customers as they will be able to spend this in the Direct shop on publications, tools or equipment.” Gareth Foden, head of leasing and rental at Peugeot, said: “With exceptional payload and low CO2 emissions, our vans are a great choice for your business. As an NICEIC or ELECSA registered contractor we can now offer you an even better deal on a brand new Peugeot.” Vans are currently available for as little as £23 a week. For further information visit www.peugeotcontracthire.co.uk/ niceic-elecsa or for a personalised quote call 0845 313 3810.
Police role lands contractor MBE An NICEIC Approved Contractor and Domestic Installer from Market Rasen, Lincolnshire, has been awarded an MBE for services to policing. Brian Hunter, who runs his own electrical contracting business operating in the domestic, agricultural and industrial sectors, received the award after providing more than 33 years’ service as a special constable with Lincolnshire Police. “I started in June 1980 and I’ve worked more than 18,000 hours,” he says. “One of my main jobs is to take the prison vans out on a Friday night, but I get involved in everything. A special is required to do a minimum of four hours a week but I do at least eight or 12.” Hunter is also responsible for overseeing the paperwork and managing the schedules of other specials, which he says can eat into the time he can spend running his business. During his police career he’s also won a number of other awards, including the Lincolnshire Police annual recognition award for officer of the year in 2007-08 and 2008-09.
ELECTRICAL SAFETY REGISTER The Electrical Safety Council and Electrical Contractors’ Association have been working hard to promote the Electrical Safety Register (ESR) to consumers and specifiers, as part of the commitment made under the partnership between the two organisations. Recent campaigns include: Teaming up with the Association of British Insurers and the homeless charity Shelter to outline the financial risks private landlords face if they fail to act on their electrical safety obligations. Coverage to date includes: bulletins across more than 150 radio stations, including BBC Radio Wales, BBC Ulster, Classic FM and Capital Radio; online articles on Sky News, The Times Online, Yahoo and AOL Money; and regional newspapers including the London Evening Standard, Glasgow Evening Times and Yorkshire Evening Post A new direct mail campaign that will see specifiers targeted with information about the register. So far the campaign has reached over 4,000 property surveyors and valuers; all heads of estates and facilities managers in local government; and more than 30,000 primary and secondary school head teachers Adverts in Local Authority Building & Maintenance magazine and School Building magazine Exhibiting at the Electrical Safety Council’s Product Safety Conference, promoting the partnership between the ESC and the ECA to the rest of the industry
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News/Renewables news/ESC news/Product news
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Plugged in More than 500 firms sign up for Green Deal
10-11 The Renewables Event NEC, Birmingham 12 Energy Efficiency Exhibition (Midlands) Ricoh Arena, Coventry 17 Energy Efficiency Exhibition (North East) Metro Arena, Newcastle
Any business undertaking Green Deal work must have certification against the Green Deal installer standard PAS 2030: Improving the energy efficiency of existing buildings – specification for installation procedures, process management and service provision, even if they are already certified to another government scheme or register. For organisations accustomed to the requirements of the microgeneration certificate scheme, this will be familiar. For more on Green Deal opportunities visit www.niceic.com/join-us/green-dealinstaller or www.elecsa.co.uk
RENEWABLES TARIFFS REVIEWED IN BID TO BOOST UPTAKE The government has announced plans that would see tariffs paid out to businesses, factories and other non-domestic users installing some renewable technologies under the renewable heat incentive (RHI) increase. The proposals, which were outlined in a consultation that finished at the end of June, suggested doubling the tariff for large biomass boilers of 1MW or more to 2p/kWh and increasing the rate on both ground source heat pumps of all sizes and solar thermal installations up to 200kW. But medium commercial biomass tariffs were reduced by 5 per cent, affecting all new applicants from 1 July. The move follows a review of the number of installations and the impact of tariffs carried out earlier this year, and is designed to encourage greater uptake of technologies where take-up has so far been less than expected. “The RHI has been running for 18 months, so it is a timely moment to look at the tariffs,” said energy and climate change minister Greg Barker. “We need to ensure they continue bringing forward investment and growth while keeping taxpayer costs to a minimum.” Paul Barwell, chief executive of The Solar Trade Association, welcomed the decision to increase the solar thermal tariff. “Commercial solar thermal has had a very low uptake to date, mainly due to the low tariff, which was restricted by the methodology behind the ‘value for money’ cap,” he said. Simon Lomax, chairman of The Ground Source Heat Pump Association, said: “This is great news. Significantly increased tariffs are just the boost the ground source sector needs.”
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September 10 Energy Efficiency Exhibition (South West) Westpoint Arena, Exeter
Alamy
More than 500 companies have now signed up for Green Deal installer status with NICEIC and ELECSA. The Green Deal will provide an incentive for householders and businesses to install energy-efficient measures by offsetting the cost through savings in energy bills. It is designed to make energy efficiency easy and affordable, and aims to reach up to 14 million properties by 2020. “The Green Deal is an exciting new area for contractors of all trades,” said Nick Wright, Green Deal project manager at Certsure. “The government is committed to ensuring that all work undertaken via the Green Deal is carried out by registered firms, and with interest in the initiative now ramping up we are seeing more and more firms interested,” he said. Contractors with the skills to install energy-saving devices will be in great demand and NICEIC and ELECSA can provide the appropriate certification for most of these technologies.
INDUSTRY // DIARY
19 Energy Efficiency Exhibition (Scotland) Highland Centre, Edinburgh 19-20 ELEX Ricoh Arena, Coventry 24 Energy Efficiency Exhibition (South East) Sandown Park, Surrey 26 Energy Efficiency Exhibition (North West) Event City, Manchester
INCREASE IN GRANTS FOR DOMESTIC RENEWABLES Grants for householders installing some renewable technologies are set to double, after the Department of Energy and Climate Change announced changes to the renewable heat premium payment (RHPP) scheme. The amount customers can save through the use of money-off vouchers has risen from £950 to £2,000 for biomass boilers; £300 to £600 for solar thermal systems; £850 to £1,300 for air source heat pumps; and £1,250 to £2,300 for ground source heat pumps. The RHPP was introduced in 2011 as a prelude to the domestic renewable heat incentive programme, which is now scheduled to start in spring 2014. “That these grants are being continued and the levels increased is welcome,” said Gaynor Hartnell, chief executive of the Renewable Energy Association. “They need to stay in place until the proper heat payment scheme for householders commences. This has been delayed on a number of occasions and we hope this will be the last time this stop-gap measure is needed.”
www.electricalsafetyregister.com
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News/Renewables news/ESC news/Product news
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Plugged in Campaign highlights landlords’ duties An ESC media campaign in June to promote the Electrical Safety Register focused on landlords, highlighting the significant financial risks that they are taking by ignoring their electrical safety obligations. As well as exposing themselves to the possibility of fines or invalidated insurance, they are also putting millions of UK private tenants at risk of serious accident or fire. Research to support the campaign showed that 1.7 million private renters have reported electrical concerns that were either ignored by their landlord or acted on too slowly. More than two million private tenants have expressed concern about the electrical safety of their home. The campaign emphasised that, by law, landlords must ensure electrical installations and wiring are maintained in a safe condition throughout a tenancy. It stressed the ESC’s recommendation that landlords should have electrical appliances and installations checked at least every five years by a registered electrician. Phil Buckle, ESC director general, said: “We’ve found that many landlords are ignorant of their responsibilities. In the long term, we’d like to see tighter guidelines
for landlords on electrical safety, but with the number of non-professional landlords increasing every day, we also need to address this now.” Coverage was secured on Sky Sunrise, 100 Sky News radio stations, BBC local radio and commercial radio stations, and in The Times, The Evening Standard and regional papers. The ESC has produced a free guide for landlords and tenants, which is available at www.esc.org.uk/landlords
ESC BACKS BOUNTY SCHEME TO BOOST PRODUCT RECALL RATE Addressing the low success rate of product recalls is a high priority for the ESC. As such the organisation is supporting RecallUK, which has proposed a “bounty scheme” that depends on the support of professional tradespeople. As the current recall processes are not working, with letters to customers, press adverts and online notices failing to achieve acceptable levels of returns, RecallUK proposes to recruit engineers who regularly go into people’s homes and ask them to check for recalled products during their visits. They will then be paid a bounty by the manufacturer for every missing recalled appliance that they find. Certsure is happy to get behind this scheme, provided it has the support of its registered installers. If you would be happy to sign up to the bounty scheme, please register your interest by visiting http://volunteers.recalluk.com
SAFETY CONFERENCE SECURES TV COVERAGE
ESC patron raises Part P concerns The new amendment to Part P, which means a reduction in notifiable work, was recently the subject of a House of Lords “motion to regret” from Baroness Jenny Tonge, the patron of the Electrical Safety Council. She was joined by Baroness Smith of Basildon in challenging the changes to Part P. Both criticised the consultation process and questioned the accuracy of the government’s claim that 65 per cent of consultation respondents agreed to the reduction in notifiable work. Issues relating to the potential financial savings from the amendments to the regulations, and how these changes are being monitored and evaluated, were also raised.
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Further concerns were expressed about the government’s plans to measure the impact of the amendments to Part P in 2015, for which no indicators have yet been announced. In response, Baroness Hanham, the under-secretary of state for the Department of Communities and Local Government (CLG), stated that a Part P monitoring and evaluation strategy would be put in place. She also said CLG officials are w working with the ESC to promote c competent person schemes. The ESC is keen to gather iinformation and case studies o on the impact of the Part P a amendments. If you have a story to tell, please contact jamie.smith@esc.org.uk
The ESC’s third product safety conference, which recently took place in Westminster, attracted an array of delegates from across the supply chain, as well as significant media interest. With the issue of product recall climbing up the news agenda, the ESC’s product safety campaign had already gained extensive coverage on national TV and radio. This led to an ITN news team attending the conference to film background for a Tonight special, which is due to be broadcast in early July. MEP Malcolm Harbour CBE, chair of the European Parliament’s Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee, provided the keynote speech at the event. The event also allowed the ESC to call for manufacturers to face tougher penalties for inadequate or slow recalls and to outline its proposal for a new centralised product registration system. Such a database would make it easier for manufacturers to trace consumers with recalled products.
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The Electrical Safety Council: raising electrical safety awareness, made possible by funding from Certsure. To view the ESC’s Switched On magazine, visit www.esc.org.uk
ESC TARGETS HOME SAFETY IN SCOTLAND The ESC recently held a parliamentary roundtable on the theme of improving home safety in Scotland, hosted by Clare Adamson MSP at Holyrood. It debated compulsory electrical wiring checks by registered electricians in private rented accommodation. Three-quarters of respondents to the Scottish government’s recent consultation on sustainable housing supported the idea of a single minimum standard to cover the condition of all properties in all sectors. Standards for social housing are currently considerably more developed than those in the private sector. “With the rapid expansion in the private rented sector and research revealing that over a third of landlords have failed to carry out repairs or deal with poor conditions, we believe that everyone – regardless of their type of tenancy – should enjoy the same safety standards,” said Emma Apter, the ESC’s head of communications. Each year in the UK, 70 people are killed by an electrical accident in the home and 350,000 are seriously injured by electric shocks. Government data also shows that Scottish homes are at greater risk from electrical fires than the rest of Great Britain.
FUNDS HELP VULNERABLE ADDRESS SAFETY ISSUES As part of its ongoing commitment to help prevent deaths, injuries and damage caused by electricity, the ESC last year awarded a total of £240,000 to various community safety services through its home improvement grants scheme and electrical fire safety fund. These schemes, which are funded directly with money gift-aided by Certsure – and therefore you – provide opportunities for the ESC to work in partnership with organisations such as home improvement agencies, fire and rescue services, Trading Standards and other consumer safety organisations. There is a particular focus on supporting vulnerable people, including the elderly and children, and to raise awareness of potential dangers, such as buying substandard electrical products.
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Free app helps locate registered contractors The ESC’s free smartphone app, “Home Electrical Safety Checks”, has been updated to include a search facility for the Electrical Safety Register, enabling people to find a local registered electrician when they have identified, via the app, that they need one. The app, which was o originally launched in N November 2011, guides h householders through a range o of simple visual checks on the electrics in their homes, looking out for the basic hazards and mistakes that could easily be avoided, including overloading sockets, continuing to use products that have damaged leads and
cables, and storing flammable material near fuseboxes and electricity meters. Where more serious hazards are identified, users are advised to call a registered electrician to check and take appropriate action. They can also send a summary of the visual check to themselves, electrical contractors or, if tenants, directly to their landlord. Since its launch, over 30,000 people have downloaded the app and Fire and Rescue Services across the UK have recommended it on their home visits. The updated app is available now in the App Store or on Android devices. For people who do not use or have access to smartphones, paper copies of the checklist are being made available for download from www.esc.org.uk/visualchecks
Key industry views captured The ESC has published a white paper that will be submitted to relevant government departments and other key organisations, based on views expressed at its recent industry summit event. The production of this paper was a key ESC objective for the summit, which brought together a range of stakeholders to discuss consumer safety and the changing industry landscape. The document aims to give the industry one voice when addressing the impact of regulatory changes and emerging public policy programmes. “While we can’t dictate the political agenda, we may be able to influence it by offering expert comment that will help improve consumer safety and reinforce industry best practice,” said Phil Buckle, ESC director-general. The paper focuses on the changes to Part P and the ongoing review of the Building Regulations, what the Green Deal means for contractors and how smart metering is likely to affect the safety of electrical installations.
The paper emphasises the need for greater collaboration across the sector to increase consumer awareness of Part P. It also calls for further investigation on restricting third-party inspection and testing, as well as developing the smart meter rollout to ensure electrical safety for both consumers and contractors. The keynote speaker at the event was Don Foster MP, the minister for Building Regulations (pictured above, centre). “I was delighted to speak at the summit,” he said. “It allowed me to emphasise the importance of consumer education and awareness to ensure safety, and highlight the need for increased industry collaboration.”
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y pl Ap y da To
Certification Body Reg. No. 6017
Making the Green Deal a great deal for you
The complete package for Green Deal The Green Deal has provided me with new opportunities to grow my business and stay ahead of the competition. Luke Tomason, LDT Electrical.
NICEIC now offer Green Deal Installer and Green Deal Advisor certification. Register with us today and take advantage of the growing opportunities that Green Deal presents. Can your business afford not to be a part of the Green Deal revolution? To find out how you can join NICEIC call or click
0843 290 3402 join@niceic.com www.niceic.com
SureTrace™ Circuit Tracers
Refined performance, improved durability IDEAL’s new and improved family of SureTrace™ Circuit Tracers quickly locate hidden cables, pinpoint opens/shorts, trace circuits and accurately identify fuses and breakers on both live and dead circuits from 0-600 AC/DC. J
Numeric value and audible signal provide quick and easy-to-understand tracing feedback
J
CertainCircuit™ feature provides added confidence that the correct breaker has been de-energised
J
Receiver display rotates automatically for easy viewing
J
Handsets tuned to reduce false signalling on noisy circuits
J
Designed to withstand tough field use
www.idealindustries.co.uk For further details please call 01925 44 44 46 or email electrical.enquiries@idealnwd.com ©2013 IDEAL INDUSTRIES, Unit 3, Europa Court, Europa Boulevard, Westbrook, Warrington, WA5 7TN, England
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Innovation with a Purpose.
25/06/2013 14:42
News/Renewables news/ESC news/Product news
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Plugged in DETECTION MADE SIMPLE The new voltage detector from Wiha allows contractors to check for the presence of an AC current without having to disconnect cables, fuses and sockets, according to the manufacturer. Contractors needing to test for the presence of a current simply hold the detector against the application and the tip of the tool will light up if a current is found. The tool is designed to help electricians detect blown fuses, locate breaks in cables or bulbs in series, test for faulty grounding and inline switches, and verify the operation of circuit breakers. It comes with a range of 23V to 1,000V and can also be used to identify voltage carrying cable connections, plugs, < Voltage switches and junction boxes. detector www.brianhyde.co.uk
<Hager’s add-on RCD block
ADD-ON ACCESSORY Hager has designed an add-on RCD block module to allow three-phase earth leakage protection when paired with one of the company’s MCBs, up to 63A. The add-on block and MCB pairing requires four module widths and removes the need to wire between a DIN-mounted RCD and MCB, meaning quicker installation time and removing the need to install a bigger distribution board. The accessory will work with any combination of Hager 10kA MCB (B, C, or D curve) up to 63A, and is available in variants of 30mA, 100mA and 300mA. As an added safeguard, the “Type A” add-on block provides added protection against any pulsating DC component generating from loads such as power tools or motor speed controllers. www.hager.co.uk
ULTRA EFFICIENCY The Ultra mini-trunking system from Schneider Electric aims to help contractors cut down on fitting time by including an option for self-adhesive tape on its base. The range also comes with pre-punched holes located every 23cm, allowing contractors to make permanent fittings once the product has been held in place. Other features designed to save on installation time include a snap-in front cover and adjustable corners. It is available in four sizes from 16x16mm to 40x25mm, and in lengths of 2m and 3m. www.schneider-electric.com/uk
<Schneider trunking
TAKING THE STRAIN
NEW INDUSTRIAL SOCKET TESTERS
The latest flexible conduit fittings from Flexicon include integrated cable glands designed to offer cable strain relief when using non-metallic systems. Flexible conduit is installed by pushing it into place and twisting to secure, with the teeth able to withstand a pull of 70kg using 21mm FPAH cable. The new cable gland fittings for the FPAX system have an IP rating of IP68 or IP69, and IP66 for the FPA system. They can withstand temperature ranges of o o -40 C to 100 C for static applications o o and -20 C to 100 C for dynamic applications. They can be used with either fine or coarse pitch non-metallic flexible conduit, in diameters from 13mm to 54mm. Cable diameter clamping ranges are from 4.5mm to 35mm. www.flexicon. uk.com
Martindale Electric has announced two new additions to its range of three-phase industrial socket testers. The PC104 and PC105 are designed to allow contractors to instantly check sockets in factories and commercial premises for any wiring faults – with bright < Socket testers LEDs indicating any issues – and show the sequence of phase rotation. The new range includes four and five-pin socket configurations and comes in 16A, 32A and 63A versions. The devices are enclosed in a tough rubber holster to protect against accidents. www.martindale-electric.co.uk
<Flexicon fittings
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SURE THING FROM IDEAL
< Circuit tracer
The new circuit tracer from IDEAL identifies wires and cables behind walls, pinpoints open or short circuits and identifies fuses and breakers on both energised and de-energised circuits from 0-600V AC/DC. The SureTrace has four defined ranges to allow electricians to select the appropriate degree of sensitivity, and displays a value from between 0 and 99 and a variable pitch to indicate signal strength. It also features a rotating display to ensure the reading stays upright, regardless of the position the receiver is put in, making it useful in awkward spaces. The product also features IDEAL’s CertainCircuit detection technology, which sends a different signal back to the receiver once the correct breaker has been identified and broken. www.idealindustries.co.uk
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63
%
of 16-24 year old women are more interested in learning a skilled trade rather than a profession.
Supporting Jobs for the Girls As part of its Jobs for the Girls campaign we are looking for electrical contracting firms who might be able to help provide opportunities for females looking to gain valuable on-site experience. The Jobs for the Girls campaign was set up in 2011 to try and encourage more women into the sector and address the gender imbalance that exists. It is estimated that only 1 in every 1000 electrical contractors is female. As part of this initiative a noticed board has been set-up at www.jobsforthegirls.com which aims to put female contractors in touch with firms who might be able to offer some valuable work experience for those just starting out in the trade. If you have a vacancy or might be able to offer some valuable on the job training then send any information about your firm and the position available to: jftg@niceic.com
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Encouraging women into the construction industry
25/06/2013 15:53
Advice/Opinion/Regions/Insight/Events/Case study/Customer care/Training
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MARKETING YOUR BUSINESS
Live wire Promote yourself Marketing is an essential part of any business, and all the more so when times are tough. Modern technology means this doesn’t have to be a huge expense, says Jo Behari
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lmost every business will be feeling the pressure in today’s economic environment. It can be tough to prioritise when everything falls on your shoulders, but marketing is a key part of maintaining and growing a business of any size. Unfortunately, however, other responsibilities can often take precedent. Pitney Bowes recently conducted some research into more than 500 UK small and medium-sized businesses and found that many owner-managers are taking the brunt of the workload, juggling an average of seven roles a day. When asked about their priorities, many are focused on low-level tasks, with 35 per cent spending their time buying stationery, one in five helping repair the office and 16 per cent picking up the cleaning. As a result, business critical tasks such as marketing (32 per cent) and business strategy (25 per cent) are often overlooked. Marketing is a vital part of business strategy – without it you can’t reach the volume of customers required to keep afloat and profitable. Here are my top tips for streamlining your marketing strategy:
Get branding
Illustration: Cameron Law
First, you need to clarify your brand values. You need to provide a consistent brand image across all channels and every communication, from the logo design and colours you use on vans to the tone of voice you have. Also remember that a sales opportunity can arise at any time. When I first started my business I shied away from talking to others about it, especially at personal events. I soon learned that I was missing a trick and other people are interested in hearing more about what I do, even if they are gathered for a dinner party! Now I always make sure I have business cards on me and a short but strong elevator pitch.
Shout louder than bigger brands One benefit you have over big corporates is you can be quick and agile. You can spot marketing opportunities and gaps in the market and fill them almost there and then. To do this, you need to keep in the know – read your key industry press, keep an eye on social media, watch what your corporate rivals are doing and be willing to act fast. It is also important to make sure you are well recognised in your industry and
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are listed among competitors. For example, the Electrical Safety Register is available to registered contractors so make sure you’re on this so that customers can easily find you.
Embrace mobile technology By 2014 it’s expected that mobile phones and tablets will be the most common way to access the internet. While this may not be a surprise, you need to think about whether your business is easily accessible via these devices. For example, is your website mobile-optimised? There are ways to get your mobile site set up for less than £10 and you can optimise a couple of pages in 10 minutes. In fact, I’ve recently optimised my mobile site with pbSmart Mobile from Pitney Bowes and it is amazing to see how many people have accessed the site with iPhones and tablets. This number would have been much smaller if the site didn’t have this capability.
Get social Social media is a great way to build a following, as well as identify, prioritise and reward loyal customers. It can be a powerful tool, but you need to use it strategically. I only realised how valuable it was when we happened to see a negative tweet from a client. By asking what the problem was it became a case of miscommunication; we resolved the situation and she later posted an excellent review of us online. Rather than having a frustrated, disgruntled customer, who would have given negative feedback about us to others, we showed everyone we’re a responsible company that cares about our customers.
Measure your campaigns You can use free tools such as Google Analytics to see exactly how many visitors are accessing your website from a desktop or mobile device. Some tools will even let you know where they are located, so you can identify hot spots and target new customers that are nearby. Give different techniques a go and see what gives you the greatest success. You can also test your marketing skills at www.smallbizsuperhero.com
Jo Behari is a DIY expert, TV presenter and founder of Home Jane, an all-female home improvement and property maintenance company
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DIM2 REGULATIONS If you have an opinion about an issue concerning the electrical industry, let us know. Email editor@niceic connections.com
Live wire
Moment of clarity Many contractors are nervous of using LED light sources after bad experiences with poor-quality products. The new DIM2 regulations are designed to deliver peace of mind, says Duncan Chamberlain
T
here is no doubt that high-quality LED light sources have a lot to offer specifiers, installers and end-users in terms of energy efficiency, lighting quality and lifecycle costs. However, the uptake of LEDs has been somewhat blighted by a number of issues, including false claims by some manufacturers, inconsistent performance from poor-quality LEDs, inaccurate product information and a lack of regulation. But, with the introduction of DIM2 regulations in September 2013, this situation is about to change for the better. The DIM2 (domestic implementation measure 2) regulations set minimum performance standards for LED lamps (as well as directional halogen lamps) and will also make product information more accurate and transparent. Crucially, it will also harmonise these requirements across all suppliers so purchasers can make informed decisions. One source of disappointment for customers has been inconsistent colour appearance, resulting in an unsightly patchwork of different coloured light sources. Under the DIM2 regulations, any colour variation with
Duncan Chamberlain is director of trade at Philips Lighting
LEDs should be “hardly visible” to the human eye. That’s quite difficult to discern before they are installed, but a useful practical indicator is the information on the packaging. A precise colour temperature (eg 2,700K) indicates high levels of quality control, whereas a range (eg 4,000-4,500K) indicates poor quality control. DIM2 also sets minimum performance requirements for LED lamps. For example, directional lamps will need to meet a certain lumen level to be able to claim a certain wattage replacement. The criteria also state that 90 per cent of the lamps must survive and still have at least 80 per cent of their initial lumen output after 6,000 burning hours and that 95 per cent of the lamps must survive for at least 1,000 hours. Again, this will be reflected in the information on the packaging. Other key information that must be displayed includes beam angle for directional light sources, energy consumption in kWh, lifetime in hours and number of switching cycles. The DIM2 regulations will boost confidence in LED light sources and increase their use. Given their significant performance, cost and environmental benefits, this is a very welcome development.
What’s your main focus? Domestic – I have a lot of private contracts with estate agents and I do domestic installations for B&Q. I cover everything from the smallest callout to rewires.
If you are a small business or sole trader and would like to feature in In Focus, email editor@ niceicconnections.com » James MacFarlane is managing director of Jaymac Electrical, based in Crewe
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What’s your background? I couldn’t get an apprenticeship when I was younger – I’m 27 now – so I worked part-time for someone I knew and did my qualifications separately. I always wanted to work for myself; I work too hard so it doesn’t really make sense to work for someone else!
How does the ELECSA registration help? It’s part of everything I do; it’s on every quote, the van and the website – it gives clients reassurance.
Do you have plans to expand into other areas? No. A lot of people hate domestic but we’re so well suited to it. And I’m not keen to be VAT registered.
How did your South Cheshire Chamber’s young businessperson of the year award happen? A woman I did some work for put me forward for it. I went for an interview but didn’t realise I’d been shortlisted. At the awards there were only five people in the category and when they started speaking I knew I’d won. It’s part of my sales tool now.
How would you like to grow the business? I’ve got two full-time apprentices and I need to get them to the point where they can go out on their own so I can concentrate more on running the business. What about outside work? I love to be out on my motorbike when the weather’s good enough.
Illustration: Cameron Law
IN FOCUS// JAMES MACFARLANE
www.electricalsafetyregister.com
24/06/2013 15:51
The NEW Vanguard Range of Aluminium Electric Radiators
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Advice/Opinion/Regions/Insight/Events/Case study/Customer care/Training
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EAST MIDLANDS
Live wire
Go with the flow As with many UK regions, demand for large projects in the East Midlands has taken a hit. But contractors are proving adept at adapting and finding new opportunities By Adrian Holliday
A
ccording to government statisticians, the UK recently avoided a triple-dip recession. But for many electrical firms this is academic. Public sector spending remains paltry and consumer confidence is weak. How are things looking in the East Midlands, the focus of this feature? The region is not as affluent as the south-east, but neither does it suffer from the in-built economic vulnerability that the north of England has been exposed to. In reality, its economic health is akin to the south-west: good in parts and boosted by a strong manufacturing backbone (it’s home to the likes of Rolls-Royce, JCB and Siemens). Nottingham-based Simon Rathbone started trading as SR Electrical 230V just over a year ago. A one-man band, he describes business as “not bad”. In his mid-40s, he was in the printing industry for 20 years before retraining, thanks to a redundancy package, and picking up his Part P registration. Much of his day-to-day business comes from the local student market. “A lot of properties are student lets and the local council insists on electrical installation condition reports,” he says. “And all the letting agencies are insisting on them too.” He’s undertaken several partial re-wires, but business remains uneven. “It picked up last year from July to February and I was working at maximum capacity, but since then it’s been fairly dead, with about one job a week,” he says. “But things are picking up now and I’m getting repeat clients.”
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Domestic strength Conal Hatton runs Nottingham-based Icon Electrical Solutions. He has one full-time apprentice, but is supported by two other sub-contractors he pulls in on an ad hoc basis. “Things are going from strength to strength,” he says. “We’re quite flexible, and that’s helped. We’re very mindful of the decline in newbuild. A lot of people locally are consolidating; putting more time into extensions or improving existing properties. There’s a lot of opportunity for kitchen and bathroom work.” Hatton is careful to build bridges and alliances with local joiners and plumbers. He also pays attention to his own backyard. “The summer of 2011 was a lot quieter,” he recalls. “So we got going with flyers. We did the deliveries ourselves so we were sure they got delivered. People would call up, just from a street away, saying they’d got our card.” Although the margins for domestic work are often not as generous,
‘A lot of people locally are consolidating; putting more time into extensions or improving existing properties. There’s a lot of opportunity for kitchen and bathroom work’ www.electricalsafetyregister.com
24/06/2013 16:47
> Bakewell-based Lee Hodgkinson runs LH Electrical (main picture ); Icon Electrical Solutions’ Conal Hatton (inset, right) employs one full-time apprentice (inset, left)
7.8 per cent: The unemployment rate in the East Midlands in the first quarter of 2013
Economic outlook East Midlands Figures released for the first quarter of 2013 put the East Midlands unemployment rate at 7.8 per cent; exactly the same as the national average. The region has a surprisingly high number of international companies (2,100) with strong US ownership present. Indeed, the Office of National Statistics claims the region boasts a greater proportion of economic output from manufacturing than any other in the country. In many ways the local economy is thriving (there are around 230 rail engineering companies that support Derby alone). There’s also a strong pharmaceutical and biotechnology bent, thanks in part to BioCity – Europe’s biggest bioscience incubation facility, based in Nottingham. But there’s been a significant housebuilding fall-out, with a number of projects shelved, which has resulted in considerable job losses for local people.
they still supply a steady line of bread and butter – not to be ignored in a downturn. Hatton’s also put a lot of energy into local networking, particularly the Nottingham Network Group, a small, independent organisation. “It’s really about being receptive to doing lots of different things rather than relying on the same sources,” he says. Trading Standards’ Buy With Confidence scheme has also helped drive work his way. He also focuses on his website. “I’ve got lots of testimonials and references up there,” he says. “But the purpose of the site is not so much to drive new business as to act as a signpost for prospective customers. What are our values? Who are we? What are we about?” Hatton isn’t short of competition. There are around 60 direct competitors locally, he says, “and a lot of them have quite big budgets”. Cash concerns Bakewell-based Lee Hodgkinson runs LH Electrical. Another one-man band, Hodgkinson, in his late 30s, is supported by a contracting position as a mill engineer at poultry firm Moy Park. But two to three days a week he’s running his own operation. “Bakewell is an area of high-value property and it’s also a tourist hotspot,” he says. “Shops always need something done.” Like Hatton, Hodgkinson is seeing many people stay put, directing spare cash into extensions and lofts. He will travel up to 20 miles for a job and his work is a 50:50 mix of domestic and commercial, although there is no council or public-sector exposure. www.electricalsafetyregister.com
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While business is broadly positive, cash flow is always a worry. “People are more reluctant to pay on time; they need more of a nudge,” he says. “I generally give 10 days on the invoice, and then allow for another five.” Word of mouth Finally, we move 17 miles west to the tiny Derbyshire dales village of Flagg, home to the UK’s only point-to-point races run over natural hunting country. Paul Harris runs AJP Electrical Services and when we spoke to him we found him enjoying a brief quiet period. For the past couple of years business has been “absolutely stupidly busy”. “I don’t’ advertise at all,” he says. “It’s all word of mouth.” Indeed, regular work has been so strong he rarely has to bother with marketing, bar a £15-a-year ad in the local parish magazine. Like other contractors, Harris is seeing more of his clients staying put. He’s noticed an increased interest in remote Click Inels wireless controls systems for a variety of heating and lighting jobs. Until fairly recently he was helped by an apprentice, but Harris discovered the local college was somewhat remiss in the basics. “The college didn’t really explain why you test, for example,” he says. “I had to put things into practice for him. It made a big difference.” Harris is reluctant to splash out on a website just now, although greater Facebook exposure is on the cards. As is a looming, meat-processing plant job, plus a delayed barn conversion because of the prolonged winter weather. » Adrian Holliday is a freelance business journalist Connections Summer 2013
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RENEWABLES
Live wire Move with the times NICEIC Training
O
ver the past few years the renewables courses offered by NICEIC Training have evolved with the industry. About 18 months ago solar photovoltaic was the flagship course, and we would deliver five or six courses a month. Now, with the drop in the feed-in tariff, we’ve seen demand for this course reduce. However, the core elements of the course are still required by many contractors. NICEIC Training was asked by a number of large organisations if it could offer training to installers of PV panels only. This was because larger organisations were preferring to use roofing contractors for the roof work and electrical contractors only for the electrical components and wiring. The fitting of panel rails, anchors and panels was always part of the full qualification. To extract this part of the course for our client was easily done and NICEIC Training now offers a one-day panel-fitting course to the wider industry. It’s designed to give non-electrical competent persons the ability to work safely with DC producing equipment (PV panels) and install them to correctly installed retrofitted rail systems. This course has had great reviews and many local authorities have asked for it to be delivered at their location, which NICEIC can do with its mobile rigs. NICEIC Training was also asked if it could offer training to a team of engineers who look after the systems only. This team would never fit a full system, but would be required to understand how they were installed and how the components worked together in a fully working system. Again we went back to the full PV qualification and extracted the key parts to allow us to pull together another one-day course designed for electrical competent persons. This would give the maintenance team the skills needed to work safely with the DC side of the system and give them the knowledge to determine if the system was working correctly, in line with the design criteria. This course is also available to the wider industry from NICEIC Training and its popularity with large and small contractors is proving the PV industry is still alive; it has just shifted from installation to maintenance as there are now many installations in place throughout the UK. Recently we have moved our environmental courses over to our education partner EAL. This means anyone wishing to complete the full PV course with NICEIC
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‘NICEIC Training was asked by a number of large organisations if it could offer training to installers of PV panels only’
» Further information on NICEIC’s training courses can be found at www.niceic.com/ training, by emailing traininginfo@niceic.com or calling 0870 013 0389
Training will still receive the same high-spec course content, but the practical and online assessment will be via EAL, which will also issue the certificate for the successful completion of these assessments. EAL is one of the industry’s top awarding bodies in the renewable and building services sector and working together to develop courses to meet the ever-changing needs of the industry will benefit both organisations in the future. Another new course from NICEIC Training is the level 3 heat pump installation, commissioning and maintenance course. This is available at our Chesterfield training department, where we have a fully working air source heat pump and ground source system to allow candidates to gain hands-on knowledge and skills. This course is offered via EAL and each candidate will need to complete the EAL assessments to gain certification. There are two assessments for those candidates wishing to complete the installation course only – one practical and one online multiple choice. There are a further two assessments for those wishing to complete the additional commissioning and maintenance section. Finally, I would like to thank all those firms listed on the Electrical Safety Register that have taken up the offer of free training on the online environmental awareness course. This course was just one of the benefits created for all customers as a result of the new partnership between the Electrical Safety Council and the Electrical Contractors’ Association. It has proved a real success, with many of those that have completed the online learning asking if they can refer a friend or other colleagues to the material. If you haven’t taken the opportunity to add yourself to this online course, delivering understanding on all of the other renewable technologies, please email renewablestraining@certsure.com and we will add you to the course. Those that complete the online learning can download a CPD certificate to confirm they have completed this valuable course.
Darren Staniforth is technical training developer at NICEIC
Illustration: Cameron Law
has recently developed a number of courses designed to meet the specific requirements of customers moving into the renewables sector, says Darren Staniforth
www.electricalsafetyregister.com
24/06/2013 15:54
Get the BEST deals and new skills... ...just like Ian
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Advice/Opinion/Regions/Insight/Events/Case study/Customer care/Training
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NICEIC LIVE SOUTH
Live wire
Epsom classic In between enjoying the lovely weather, free bacon rolls and ice-cream, contractors attending NICEIC Live South were able to learn about how to grow their business and stay up to speed on industry developments By Nick Martindale
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There were also a number of sessions designed to help contractors and larger organisations with their day job. NICEIC’s renowned double act Tony Cable and Darren Staniforth outlined the technical legal requirements of a qualified supervisor and principal duty holder, stressing the need for qualifying supervisors to continually engage in site visits. In addition to this, the HSE’s John Chamberlain and Richard Hines spoke about the legal aspects of safe isolation and live working, and Mark Coles, technical regulations manager at the Institution of Engineering and Technology, outlined future amendments to BS 7671. Other sessions featured amendments to Part P, downlighter safety, the importance of adequate joints in installations and developments in emergency lighting. The keynote speech after lunch was given by Kelvin Freeman, associate director of Atkins, who was responsible for ensuring
Photography: Rafa Bastos
ay saw the third NICEIC Live South event, once again held in the luxurious surroundings – and glorious sunshine – of Epsom Racecourse. After the obligatory bacon roll, the day was kicked off by Certsure CEO Emma Clancy, who outlined the advantages for contractors of the creation of Certsure and the Electrical Safety Register, and introduced the theme of growing your business. This was followed by headline speaker and social housing guru Wayne Hemingway, who told a packed seminar hall about his own experiences running various enterprises, from the early days on Camden Market – where he made thousands re-selling old Dr Martens boots – to his vociferous criticism of a social housing estate in Swindon, which led to the opportunity to design the Staiths South Bank estate in Dunston, Gateshead. “Growth is about identifying needs and seeing opportunities,” he said. “Unless you are brave enough to try something you’ll never know where it can go.” The theme of growing your business was picked up by other speakers in various seminars throughout the day, including NICEIC’s Steve Davies, who spoke about the opportunities available to contractors and electrical businesses from the government’s Green Deal scheme.
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www.electricalsafetyregister.com
24/06/2013 15:55
‘We have listened to what contractors want from these events and supplied more seminars, technical talks and exhibitors than ever before’
What you thought of the event Richard Smith, AVW Electrical Services, High Wycombe “It’s been a great day and definitely something worth coming to. The seminars were very useful and the information from the stands on equipment and training a great help. Days like this help you top up your knowledge so you can be a better electrician.”
Matt Payne, Matt Payne Electrical, Salisbury the delivery and maintenance of power to the London Olympic Games. “The challenge was to ensure I wasn’t spoken about during the Games,” he said. He managed that, thanks to the talent he was able to rely on. “We were lucky that the UK has such a skilled workforce.” Delegates were also able to meet a wide range of industry bodies, including JTL, the Electrical Safety Council and NICEIC, and leading suppliers such as WF Senate, Anton, Martindale Electric, Dehn, Dimplex, Fluke, Mr Electric and Scolmore. “The event just seems to grow and grow and it was great to see such huge crowds,” said Mark Smith, NICEIC head of group marketing. “We look forward to putting on another great show at Live North 2013, later this year.” > Speakers included Wayne Hemingway (above, top left), Darren Staniforth (above, left), Tony Cable (below), Kelvin Freeman (left page, bottom left) and Emma Clancy (left page, top left). The ESC demonstrated the dangers of shoddy installations (left page, top right), while Freeman brought along an Olympic torch (above, top right)
» Live North 2013 will be held at Bolton Arena on 24 October, with England Word Cup winner Geoff Hurst talking about how to achieve success. Tickets cost £29 plus VAT for NICEIC and ELECSA contractors and £49 plus VAT for other delegates. Apprentices qualify for free admission and exhibition-only passes are available free of charge. For more information visit www.niceic-elecsalive.com
“I loved the talk by Wayne Hemingway. It was great to see how an innovative businessman seized on an opportunity and he really made me think about the opportunities out there. The talk on Green Deal was also very good; it wasn’t something I’d thought about but there are certainly opportunities there. I would definitely recommend the day to others. It’s a chance to get away, chat to other sparkies and catch up on the latest bits of equipment.”
Andy Dunn, lecturer and assessor, Farnborough College “I really enjoyed the day. It was great to catch up with some old friends. Keeping up with the latest regulations and thinking is really important to me and something I can go back and pass on to my students. I can arm them with the knowledge I have learned today and it’s just great to see so many names and faces from the industry come together like this.”
Paul Ashby, training director of electrical apprentices, JTL “It’s been a very successful day for us. We have spoken with lots of electricians who are keen to take on apprentices and they are really interested in the type of training they would receive. The electrical industry can be quite independent sometimes so it’s good to get together and have the opportunity to discuss all these issues.”
Lee Hill, First Light Electrical, Iver, Buckinghamshire “We are a fairly new firm, having been going 16 months now, and it’s great to have something like this in the industry. We are looking to take on an apprentice so it was good to speak with JTL and see the training opportunities on offer – they seem much better than when I took up my apprenticeship. It’s definitely worth a day off because you learn so much and just get to chat with other people in the trade.”
www.electricalsafetyregister.com
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Connections Summer 2013
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CONTRACTOR PROFILE // ESSEX SERVICES GROUP COMPANY: Essex Services Group BASED: Romford, Essex FOUNDED: 1975 MAJOR PROJECTS: Tesco, Westfield Shopping Centre, Chobham Academy STAFF NUMBERS: 120 TURNOVER: £50 million
Changing of the guard Set up in 1975, Essex Services Group is approaching the end of an era when the last of its founding directors retires in July. But with a new generation already established, it is well placed for future success By Nick Martindale
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or Romford-based Essex Services Group (ESG), the end of July will mark the closing stages of a process the business has been focusing on for some time. John Sampson, the last of the five original founders still involved with the business, will finally retire, and the future direction will be set by current managing director – and John’s son – Mark. The transition, however, has been long in the planning. Having served his time as an apprentice in another electrical firm, Mark has worked his way up through the business and became managing director as part of a management buyout in 2008, along with finance director James Hansford, mechanical director Erich Emrich, commercial director John Whitenstall and existing director Barry Quinnell, who oversees the retail operations. “It’s nice that my son is in the business and I like seeing these young people who are very enthusiastic and very good at what they do,” says John. “I’m not just running away and I’m quite happy to come in to meet clients or give information to anyone. But time is moving on and it’s necessary that I disappear off into the sunset.”
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Mark Sampson
‘We had aspirations five years ago when we did the management buyout to now be at £65 million, whereas we’ve actually stayed fairly level at about £45 million’ www.electricalsafetyregister.com
24/06/2013 15:58
£60 million: The amount the business hopes to be turning over by 2015
The business John leaves behind is a far cry from the start-up firm he created with four other electricians in 1975, when he decided to leave his previous employer after the company was sold. Essex Electrical – as it was then, and based in Ilford – initially picked up a number of jobs through contacts John had in the retail sector, but it was the intervention of his uncle – a self-made millionaire – that helped the business develop. “We were all good at screwing things on the ceiling, but we didn’t have much business sense,” he recalls. “He assisted us with the office set-up and the basics of purchasing. That lasted about two or three years and then we outgrew him.”
Branching out Away from retail, ESG now operates in many other areas, including undertaking a full refurbishment of the Royal Festival Hall in 2005. “It was a very complex job in a listed building,” says Mark. “That was probably one of the hardest jobs we’ll ever do.” More recent projects include implementing the biggest fire alarm system in Europe, at Westfield Shopping www.electricalsafetyregister.com
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Connections Summer 2013
Photography: Sam Kesteven
John Sampson
Cultural change Even in the early days the business turned over £300,000 a year, and started to expand into other areas, notably banking, on the back of the emerging Canary Wharf market. With this came a need to put in place more formal structures and processes, and to move responsibility away from the founders. “Ever since I’ve been in the business, over the last 15 years, we’ve seen a massive growth spurt and with that has come a complete step-change,” says Mark. “In the early days the directors used to be involved in everything. They would take care of estimating, winning work, securing the project and dealing with the money. But as we grew we had to expand those departments. It started off with one surveyor who became our commercial manager, and we’ve now got 15 surveyors, two commercial managers and a commercial director.” The nature of the work has changed too. In 2003 the company became Essex Electrical & Mechanical, adding a mechanical side in response to customer need. “We started off engaging sub-contractors, but that wasn’t very successful and the control wasn’t good so we decided to take on a mechanical director,” recalls John. “After that we started to engage our own engineers and designers and became a fully integrated services company.” Today, the business – which became Essex Services Group in 2008 – turns over in the region of £50 million and hopes to grow this further to £60 million over the next two years. Retail remains a core market; Tesco and Sainsbury’s are major clients, but others include Asda, John Lewis, Debenhams, Budgens and Marks & Spencer. “We have carried out various mixed developments with Tesco where they build a store and a few hundred apartments on top,” says Mark. “We have one at the moment at Woolwich Central, which is a £100 million project worth around £13 million for us. We’re responsible for the store, the car parks and 260 apartments.”
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CONTRACTOR PROFILE // ESSEX SERVICES GROUP
120: The number of people
> 3D modelling systems will play an important role in the future for ESG
employed by ESG
Centre, in partnership with specialist fire alarm business Gent. Other jobs involve working for main contractors such as Mace and Wates on housing schemes. Recent developments include St George’s Wharf in Vauxhall, luxury apartments in Baltimore Wharf at Crossharbour – on the site of the former London Arena – and Parkside in Cambridge, as well as a number of private houses in London’s Park Lane and Kensington. This, says Mark, has seen the company move into high-spec AV installations; it has just completed a residential fitout at Park House on Oxford Street for Mace and Land Securities. “We did everything, including all the M&E in all the apartments,” he says. “The AV systems that went in were so futuristic, and most of the high-end residential that we’re doing now have got quite complex AV systems in them. We tend to find it’s better partnering with someone with the skillset. We do the general wiring and they manage the project with us.” Based just a few miles from the main Olympic Park, the firm also took on the electrical installation on behalf of BAM Construction for the Chobham Academy – part of the Olympic Village site that was used to house police during the Games – although it steered away from other developments. “We were offered all sorts of student accommodation but people were putting in silly prices so we ducked out,” recalls John. “It would have been disastrous; a lot of people lost a lot of money there.” Confronting recession As with all businesses in and around construction, the economic downturn hit hard. “The biggest impact has been against our margin,” says Mark. “We’ve had to accept the fact that we have to go in keener. It’s made us level out. We had aspirations five years ago when we did the management buyout to be at £65 million by now, but we’ve stayed fairly level at about £45 million for the past three or four years. Like everyone in the market, we measure ourselves on growth yearon-year, but what we should probably be measuring ourselves on is staying consistent in a very challenging market.” Creating and maintaining a flexible workforce has helped; the company engages around 120 head office staff, supporting between 500 and 600 external engineers and supervisors. The business invests heavily in health and safety, ensuring all operatives carry construction skills certificate scheme cards, and it recently partnered with training organisation Human Focus to vet sub-contractor qualifications. ESG itself has achieved ISO9001 and 14001 with NQA, and is currently going
‘We model equipment on a 3D platform and prefabricate it off-site in a safer environment, and then take it to site with half the amount of labour’ 28
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through the assessment process for 18001. The business is also eyeing new technology and markets as sources of future growth. “The biggest development for us as a business at the moment is prefabrication of modular solutions,” says Mark. “We model equipment on a 3D platform and prefabricate it offsite in a safer environment, and then take it to site with half the amount of labour. But it means we have to be engaged earlier on in those jobs.” The use of building information management systems is critical to this, he adds, and many clients now expect ESG to be able to support their own design processes in this area. Data centres are also earmarked to play an important role in the company’s expansion, and a new team recruited over the past two years with this in mind has already secured five contracts in this space. “We see the main sectors of growth over the next three years as commercial fitouts and commercial data centres, both M&E,” says Mark. “We see the retail remaining fairly constant, but we think it will hop across different clients. Residential just seems to be growing year-on-year, but we temper how much of that we do because it’s very tricky work and very margin-conscious.” Going for growth The average project the company undertakes is between £3 and £5 million, says Mark, but it’s currently in the running for several projects worth considerably more. “Our order book includes projects in excess of £20 million, so we feel that 2014 is going to be quite a good year,” he says. “A lot of work that we secured as the recession hit has now come back, and Emcor and Mitie pulling out of the market has opened up a few doors.” But he admits that it can still take some time before a verbal agreement to take on work translates into a signed contract. Renewables is also a firm focus going forward – particularly in the areas of combined heat and power, woodchip boilers and PV – and here the business is hoping to apply some of its experience from the retail sector in other areas. “We’re trying to take some of the things that, while quite old-hat in retail, are still fairly innovative and fit them into commercial and educational environments,” says Mark. “We’re seeing a bit of geothermal and ground source heat pumps on the residential side, and we’ve just completed several air-source heat pump projects. Renewables form a massive part of everything we do these days.” For now, however, the immediate focus is on the final steps in the transition of power, and John’s retirement after almost four decades at the helm. “There is a step-change, but we’ve known about it for a while and planned for it,” says Mark. “The core business is still the same. We still have the same values yet we have to continually move with everything that changes outside. But we’ve held our head high in the past few years and I do believe we’ll be a force to be reckoned with in the future. We’ll be moving up while others move to the side.” » Nick Martindale is editor of Connections www.electricalsafetyregister.com
24/06/2013 16:00
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25/06/2013 14:47
RENEWABLES
The renewables sector has seen its fair share of highs and lows, but the direction of energy bills means the long-term outlook for contractors – large and small – is positive
By David Adams
‘Typically a 4kW PV system would now be installed for about £7,000. Five years ago that would have been £25,000’
Renewed
vigour 30
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www.electricalsafetyregister.com
24/06/2013 16:08
15 PER CENT: The amount of energy the UK is committed to sourcing from renewables by 2020
www.electricalsafetyregister.com
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installations. And this year has already seen increases in the value of renewable heat premium payment (RHPP) vouchers for domestic installations of ground and air source heat pumps, biomass boilers and solar thermal schemes. Solar flares In the solar PV market, the dust has settled after the traumas of 2012. “I’m still positive, but it’s harder than it was,” says Jonathan Bates, director and general manager at renewable specialist Photon Energy. “Companies that have ceased trading or laid off staff were those that had seen a bubble and jumped in. Our business is still growing.” But there are, he admits “a few clouds on the horizon”. At the time of writing, the European Commission has announced anti-dumping tariffs for Chinese solar panels, on the grounds that China has been undercutting European manufacturers by selling panels below cost. Levies of 11.8 per cent have been imposed, and these could increase to 47.6 per cent in August unless a compromise can be found. That would certainly have a substantial effect on UK solar installers, because Chinese panels dominate the European market – and it could also have much wider ramifications for trade between China and the EU. Europe may hurt the UK solar industry in other ways too – 15 years ago the UK government reduced VAT on domestic installations of solar PV to 5 per cent, an anomaly now challenged by the European Commission. “This will take a while to go through due process, but the VAT could go up to 20 per cent, which would be a big blow, especially for smaller companies,” says Bates. Domestic installations were most affected by the feed-in tariff (FIT) reductions. “That end of the market is still suffering,” says Bates. “Many people seem to think the scheme was actually scrapped. Yet financial returns on PV are better now than in April 2010. Some equipment prices have fallen by 75 per cent, while electricity bills have risen by 40 per cent. Typically a 4kW PV system would be installed now
for about £7,000. Five years ago that would have been £25,000.” The healthiest market sectors for solar are large-scale solar farms – systems between 5MW and 20MW – and also the 10kW to 250kW mid-range market. Bates reports plenty of installations on agricultural properties, in the newbuild sector and for public-sector organisations. For example, in April, Photon installed five 50kW systems for the East of England Ambulance Service Trust. By contrast, installations in the 250kW to 2MW range, for large-scale energy users such as factories or distribution centres, are thin on the ground. One reason is the uncertainty created by the tariff reduction mechanism. Even if FITs are not cut every quarter, the concern is they will be cut again after nine months. “Developers don’t know what the tariff is going to be, so it’s all very uncertain,” says Gaynor Hartnell, chief executive at the Renewable Energy Association. “But solar will come good in the long term. The cost trends are going downwards; even the anti-dumping tariff imposition will only have a short-term effect.” RHI heating up The repeated postponement of the domestic RHI has caused problems for heat pump manufacturers and distributors. “Companies have gone out of business waiting for RHI phase two,” says John Barker-Brown, special projects manager at Kensa Engineering, which manufactures and distributes ground source heat pumps. Nonetheless, the market continues to expand. There were about 3,000 ground source heat pumps installed in 2012, along with 15,000 air source heat pumps. Recent Kensa projects have included the installation of over 200 heat pumps for bungalows managed by the Yarlington Housing Group. But some property developers are putting investments on hold, awaiting the launch of the domestic RHI. “When you look at the government’s strategy, if you look at the number of hours of renewable energy required, the number of heat pumps that will Connections Summer 2013
Photo: Getty
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here have been some ups and downs in the renewables world over the past few years, but if electrical contractors can arm staff with the right skills and qualifications, and build relationships with other companies in this field, they could reap significant commercial rewards. The government is actively encouraging greater use of renewables as part of the UK’s commitment to reduce carbon emissions and source 15 per cent of its energy from renewable sources by 2020. The financial incentives for businesses and householders to invest in these technologies grow ever more compelling as equipment prices fall and energy bills rise – and someone’s got to install and maintain the equipment. So why not you? The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) must take some of the blame for the patchy development of parts of the market, particularly with its tariff cuts around solar power. But there is plenty of support within the renewables lobby for the Green Deal, finally launched this January, which offers financial assistance to householders and businesses seeking to improve energy efficiency; and for the renewable heat incentive (RHI). The first phase of the RHI, which began in November 2011, supports businesses using solar thermal heating systems, biomass or wood-burning boilers and heat pumps. Phase two will cover domestic installations. It has been delayed repeatedly, but a spokesperson for DECC now says details of how the RHI for householders will work, as well as the tariff levels, will be published this summer; and it expects “the scheme will be up and running by spring 2014”. In the meantime, however, DECC has proposed, in a review of the non-domestic RHI in May, to increase tariffs for ground source heat pump, large biomass and solar thermal
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RENEWABLES > Renewable Solutions preparing cable and fixing routes for a 50kW solar array at Huntapac Produce in Tarleton, Lancashire
11.8 PER CENT: The level of tariffs being imposed on Chinese solar panels by the European Commission need to be installed over the next 10, 15, 20 years quickly gets into the hundreds of thousands,” says John Kellett, general manager for the heat division, which includes air source heat pumps, at Mitsubishi Electrical. “So it’s crucial we get people the right training. The opportunities in the market are phenomenal, for domestic and commercial installations.” Further opportunities There has been steady progress within the parts of the wind sector where electrical contractors are most likely to get involved, says David Hunt, head of commercial at Renewable Solutions. His company installs 15m to 25m wind turbines, capable of producing roughly 6kW to 50kW of energy, at small to medium-sized sites, including farms. Recent installations have included an 11kW system built for an RSPCA centre in Somerset that uses a lot of energy heating its facilities. The turbine now saves the centre over £3,000 a year in energy costs, with almost £6,000 of income generated via FIT payments. There will also be opportunities in anaerobic digestion (AD) equipment installation and maintenance, at least for larger enterprises. The Anaerobic Digestion and Biogas Association (ADBA) claims there could be 1,000 AD plants operating in the UK by 2020, with companies and farms either building their own plants or forming consortia to build them. “We now have 108 AD plants, up from 74 a year ago,” says Matt Hindle, policy manager at the ADBA. “There are about 200 in the planning system, from very small units producing tens of kilowatts to multi-megawatt plants, typically treating waste from food processors or council contracts.” Then there is the Green Deal. NICEIC was one of the first organisations selected by the UK Accreditation Service to provide Green Deal certification services. More than 500 companies have signed up. “The Green Deal is an opportunity, but it’s early days and most contractors getting involved are heating engineers and installers on the domestic side,” says Nick Wright, Green Deal project manager at Certsure. “There are opportunities for domestic electrical 32
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Case study: Positive thinking Renewable Solutions presents itself as “the green energy specialist” and has enjoyed a successful decade designing and installing renewable technologies for the domestic and newbuild markets, as well as for manufacturing and other industrial companies, farms, local authorities and not-for-profit organisations. The company now has offices in Cheshire, Northern Ireland, Tyne & Wear and Wiltshire. Solar PV is a key part of the business. “From a series of peaks and troughs it’s growing at a steady pace,” says the company’s head of commercial, David Hunt. “The tariffs were cut quite significantly, but product costs have fallen too. That means the installation costs are much lower. Feed-in tariffs are still very attractive – a 10 to 15 per cent return over 20 years.” The company has also installed wind turbines ranging from about 15m to 25m in height, in small-scale configurations, often one or two turbines capable of generating 6kW to 50kW, on sites such as farms. Wind turbines are often installed alongside solar PV, meaning the customer can draw on renewable energy all year round. Hunt also believes companies such as his have much to offer as Green Deal installers because they can deliver more flexibility than the larger energy and utility providers. “With microgeneration, smaller companies punch above their weight,” he says. He is very confident about the future. “With energy price increases at double the rate of inflation, that’s going to hurt the bottom line for many companies,” he says. “If anything, I’m more positive now than ever.”
contractors, but I believe most will come in the commercial sector.” Partnership potential If smaller companies are to benefit from these opportunities they may need to develop working relationships with other companies, including larger domestic and commercial property services providers. John Swinney, business development director at the accredited Green Deal provider Carillion Energy Services, says the company will use local companies wherever possible. Euro Energy Services (EES) has been working for Carillion on renewables
projects for two years – installing commercial solar PV, ground and air source heat pumps and building management systems. Some staff have retrained as Green Deal energy assessors and the firm is now looking to expand its 80-strong workforce. “Becoming involved in this market has been hugely beneficial,” says Paul Maguire, managing director at EES. “Provided you’re prepared to put in the investment, in training and compliance, there are great opportunities.” » David Adams is a freelance business journalist www.electricalsafetyregister.com
24/06/2013 16:10
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25/06/2013 14:48
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25/06/2013 15:54
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Less is more Technologies that reduce energy consumption, lower carbon emissions and save money are in high demand from commercial and domestic consumers. Contractors offering both advice and an innovative product range stand to gain By Rob Shepherd
I
t’s no secret that the cost of energy will rise even higher over the next few years and for consumers of this increasingly precious resource monitoring and managing its use is a key priority. While numerous column inches have been dedicated to how renewable energy technologies can lower energy costs, there are plenty of other innovative products and systems that can achieve similar objectives, with potentially lower initial costs. The Earth Policy Institute estimates that lighting accounts for more than 19 per cent of the world’s total electricity consumption. In the UK, the Department of Energy and Climate Change believes a quarter of the potential energy savings in homes by 2030 could come from getting rid of incandescent lamps, while lighting could account for more than a third of savings in commercial properties and nearly half in the public sector. www.electricalsafetyregister.com
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At the forefront of making this target a reality is light emitting diode (LED) lighting. In recent years the full potential of LEDs has begun to be realised and they are now used in a wide range of everyday appliances, as well as streetlights, emergency lighting, floodlights and vehicles. Duncan Chamberlain, director of trade at Philips, is convinced of its benefits. “Highly efficient, long-lasting, environmentally friendly and controllable, LEDs have opened up a whole new world of possibilities for lighting,” he says. “The cost savings for an LED retrofit solution can be as much as 80 per cent compared with incandescent and halogen lamps.” The energy saving is, of course, dependent on the existing solution already in place. But even when the lighting is efficient to begin with, LEDs can still bring considerable energy savings due to a reduction in the number of light fittings used and, along with the effective use of an intelligent
controls system, the incorporation of presence detection and daylight harvesting. LEDs can also last up to 25 times longer than a standard incandescent bulb, at anywhere between 50,000 and 90,000 hours. “LED lamps can also be linked to dimming systems and presence detectors, enabling even further energy savings,” says Ian Major, product and marketing manager at Havells-Sylvania. “With conventional lamps this is not possible because the lamps take some time to warm up and their lifetime is greatly reduced by frequent switching.” Perhaps the biggest barrier to widespread adoption of LED lighting is its price. Although production costs have fallen dramatically in the past few years, it is still a major issue. Simon Fisher, general manager, EMEA, at indoor luminaire solutions at GE Lighting, believes that a long-term view is required. “There is no denying the cost penalty, but the brave leaders taking the plunge into LED technology Connections Summer 2013
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24/06/2013 16:12
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
19 per cent: The amount of the world’s total electricity consumption that is attributable to lighting, according to the Earth Policy Institute now will reap the rewards in future years,” he says. This is the message contractors need to get across to potential customers if they are to take advantage of this opportunity and assume a greater role in advising on energy efficiency in general. Reports such as the recent field trial of LED light fittings in social housing by the Energy Saving Trust (EST), which found that LED technology delivered huge energy savings, reduced costs and made residents feel safer, could help with this. “Some of the comments we had included that the light was fresher, brighter and more like daylight than other light sources,” says James Russill, the EST’s technical development manager. Command and control Yet managing energy consumption does not simply rely on installing low-energy products and systems, but also on controlling them properly. One of the main reasons for the growth of smart homes is a desire to adopt an energy-efficient approach to living. According to AMA Research in its report Home Automation Market Report – UK 2012-2016, the UK home automation market in 2011 saw a 12 per cent increase on the previous year. “As well as improving energy efficiency, products that control lighting, heating, air-conditioning and door-entry improve the functionality of the domestic environment,” says Richard Hayward, marketing manager at Legrand. Smart metering is also seeing a great deal of interest. It is estimated that the average household spends between £150 and £300 a year on energy that it doesn’t actually need, according to the EST, which also claims that trials in other countries show that simply having a smart meter in the home can cut energy bills by 5-10 per cent. It is hoped that smart meters will be installed in every home by 2020. Such desire for greater control is not restricted to domestic properties. Owners and occupiers of the nation’s 1.8 million non-domestic buildings are also looking to use their energy more 36
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Case study: Low-energy solutions NICEIC Approved Contractor AP Chant is West Dorset’s largest privately owned plumbing, heating and electrical specialist. It has been involved in the installation of low-energy solutions for many years and has witnessed growing interest in these technologies. “When we built our own house we incorporated a number of low-carbon systems and found we were regularly showing people around so they could find out more about how they worked,” says director Lucy Chant. “This prompted us to invest in a facility where we could showcase and explain the options available.” The result is AP Chant’s Centre of Renewable Energy (CORE), which features a wide range of renewable and low-carbon technologies, all fully working and interactive with trained personnel on hand to advise. “The motivation for investing in LEDs ranges from saving energy and money to protecting the environment for future generations,” says Chant. “But there nearly always has to be a sensible return on investment and we are able to help people calculate the financial payback they can expect.”
wisely, particularly with the introduction of the carbon reduction commitment levy in 2012. While LED lighting and natural ventilation is playing a part in this, the use of controls and a building energy management system (BEMS) is where real savings can be made. An evolution of the traditional building management system (BMS), a BEMS focuses specifically on energy-based building services. Nowadays, the desire for energy management is often the primary driver for having these systems in place and they are now able to monitor and manage all the components of a building’s infrastructure. The amount of energy that can actually be saved from a BEMS usually depends on how it is configured, but Andy Westmorland, technical consultant at Sontay, estimates typical energy savings can be anywhere between 10 and 30 per cent. “The cost savings that can be experienced as a result of investment in this technology are considerable,” adds Steve Browning, marketing manager at Trend Controls. “A fully integrated solution can have up to 84 per cent of a building’s energy-consuming devices directly under its control.”
Energy monitoring Yet the sophisticated technology offered by a BEMS comes at a cost. If a full system is not affordable or required, standalone energy-saving controls such as passive infrared occupancy switches, photocells, time-lag switches or daylight-linked dimming are an excellent alternative. John Woodhouse, marketing manager at Danlers, says a conservative estimate would be for reductions of 40 per cent of lighting consumption or 20 per cent of total electrical load in commercial premises through implementing such relatively simple measures. “Energy is saved by switching lighting, heating and other connected circuits off automatically when not required, particularly when no person is present in an area, or the ambient light level is sufficient to not require additional artificial lighting,” he says. “Often standalone controls can achieve the same results as complex systems at a much reduced cost through good wiring configuration.” » Rob Shepherd is a freelance business journalist who specialises in the building services industry www.electricalsafetyregister.com
24/06/2013 16:13
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CON.07.13.038.indd 1
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Ask the experts/Technical
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Fully Charged From the helpline
We continue with our series of answers to some of the more frequently asked questions put to the NICEIC Technical Helpline. Note: The first question and answer should be read in conjunction with the final question and answer of Ask the Experts on page 42 of Issue 185 (Spring 2013) of Connections, which was based solely on the requirements of BS 7671. QUESTION
ANSWER
Do the Building Regulations permit the installation of an electric floor or ceiling heating system without any form of temperature control/sensor in a dwelling?
No, not unless the electric heating system is controlled by separate temperature and time controls that meet the requirements of the Building Regulations. The following explanation relates to England and Wales, but the other UK jurisdictions have similar legal requirements. The installation of electric floor or ceiling heating systems in new dwellings and alterations and extensions in existing dwellings is subject to the energy-efficiency requirements in the Building Regulations, including Schedule 1, Part L (Conservation of fuel and power). One of the principal requirements, given in Part L1 (b) (ii), is that building services shall have energy-efficient controls to minimise fuel and power usage. Guidance on meeting the energy-efficiency requirements is given in Approved Document L1A, for new dwellings, and Approved Document L1B, for existing dwellings. The requirements of other parts of the Building Regulations can also be relevant to the electrical heating work. Guidance on meeting these other requirements is given in other Approved Documents. The series runs from Approved Document A (Structure) to Approved Document P (Electrical Safety). Approved Documents can be downloaded free of charge at www.planningportal.gov.uk/buildingregulations/approveddocuments
QUESTION
ANSWER
I’ve been asked to carry out periodic inspection and testing of the electrical installation in a residential park home on a caravan site. Should I apply the requirements of Section 717 (Mobile or transportable units) of BS 7671 or would the requirements of Section 721 (Electrical installations in caravans and motor caravans) be more appropriate?
Neither Section 717 nor Section 721 is appropriate to the installation in a residential park home. The requirements of Section 721 apply only to caravans as defined in Section 2 of BS 7671 (touring type caravans) and to motor caravans. Note 1 to Regulation 721.1 states that “for mobile homes and residential park homes the general requirements apply”. For a periodic inspection of the electrical installation in a residential park home, the requirements of Parts 1 to 6 of BS 7671 should be applied, together with the requirements of Section 701 (locations containing a bath or a shower), as appropriate.
www.electricalsafetyregister.com
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Fully charged
40
QUESTION
ANSWER
Is it permitted to install a socket-outlet or switch in zone 1 of a location containing a swimming pool (the zone that extends horizontally to a distance of 2m from outside the rim of the basin)?
It is not usually permitted to install a socket-outlet or switch in zone 1 of a location containing a swimming pool. However, where it is not possible to locate a socket-outlet or switch outside zone 1 (such as where the location does not have a zone 2), it is permitted to install one – preferably having a non-conductive cover or cover plate – in zone 1, provided it is: • Located at least 1.25m horizontally from the border of zone 0 and 0.3m above floor level, and • Protected by: • SELV at a nominal voltage not exceeding 25 V a.c. rms or 60 V ripple-free d.c., the source of SELV being installed outside zones 0, 1 and 2, or • an RCD having the characteristics specified in Regulation 415.1.1 (rated residual operating current (IΔn) not exceeding 30 mA and an operating time not exceeding 40 ms at 5 IΔn), or • electrical separation, the source for the electrical separation supplying a single fixed item of current-using equipment and being installed outside zones 0, 1 and 2. (Regulation 702.53 refers).
QUESTION
ANSWER
I’m planning to carry out electrical installation work in new dwellings in England and Wales. I’ve been asked to install the socket-outlets, switches and other accessories at heights of between 450 mm and 1,200 mm above finished floor level, as described in paragraph 8.3 of Approved Document M (Access to and use of buildings). Do I have to agree with this request, when no effort is being made to meet the recommendations of Approved Document M regarding means of access to and from the dwellings, and circulation space on the entrance storey of the dwellings?
Yes, you should meet any recommendations of Approved Document M (and other Approved Documents) applicable to the work you are performing in the new properties. It might be that measures to provide the necessary access will be provided at a later stage of the construction process when, for example, the driveway is installed. In any case, your prime concern regarding the Building Regulations is that the work you carry out complies. Following the guidance given in the Approved Documents will be deemed to be reasonable provision for compliance with the relevant requirements of the Building Regulations covered by those documents.
QUESTION
ANSWER
A client requires 12 additional emergency lighting luminaires to be added to an existing emergency lighting system. Can I use an emergency lighting small works certificate to cover this work?
That depends on whether you (or your organisation) are solely responsible for all aspects of the design, installation and verification of the emergency lighting work. If you are solely responsible, then the certificate entitled Emergency lighting completion certificate: for small installations and the verification of existing installations may be used for the installation of not more than 25 emergency luminaires. However, where more than one party/organisation is responsible, the four-part Emergency lighting certificate will need to be used, to enable individual declarations to be made for the design, installation and verification. In all cases, the relevant BS 7671 certification must also be issued to cover the electrical installation work associated with the emergency lighting work.
Summer 2013 Connections
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24/06/2013 16:15
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Fully charged 42 44 53 57 60
Protective conductors common to installations having separate earthing arrangements The initial verification of a small-scale solar PV system â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Part 2 Part P of the building regulations amended Safe isolation and borrowed neutrals Snags and solutions: A practical guide to everyday electrical problems, now updated to Amendment No 1 of BS 7671
Protective conductors common to installations having separate earthing arrangements There are cases where a number of installations in a building, or in separate buildings of a complex, have separate earthing arrangements. A protective conductor common to any of the installations is required to meet the requirements of Regulation 542.1.3.3, as explained in this article. This is necessary to protect persons and property against danger that might result from fault current flowing in the common protective conductor, such as danger from harmful thermal effects. The regulation does not state in detail how its requirements are to be met. This article provides some guidance on meeting the requirements.
R
egulation 542.1.3.3 requires that a protective conductor common to installations having separate earthing arrangements shall either be capable of carrying the maximum fault current likely to flow through it or be earthed within one installation only and insulated from the earthing arrangements of any other installation. In the latter circumstances, the regulation requires that if the protective conductor forms part of a cable, the protective conductor shall be earthed only in the installation containing the associated protective device. Fig 1 illustrates the requirements of the regulation.
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Examples of installations with separate earthing arrangements Examples of where a number of installations have separate earthing arrangements are: a) where an installation forms part of a TT system because the use of a PME earthing facility is not permitted for it (such as at a marina or a caravan park â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Sections 708 and 709 of BS 7671, respectively, refer) and there is also an installation forming part of a TN-C-S system (PME), such as in an amenity block; b) where an installation in one building supplies an installation in another building, the first forming part of a TN or TT system and the second forming part of a separate TT system; c) where a building or a complex of buildings has more than one supply from the Distribution Network Operator, each supply serving (and providing the earth for) a separate installation. Examples of protective conductors common to the installations An example of a protective conductor common to installations having separate earthing arrangements would be a protective conductor of a circuit running from the amenity block to a caravan pitch or pleasure craft mooring point in (a) above, or from one building to another in (b). Another example would be a protective conductor connecting together the earthing arrangements of different installations in the building in (c) above. The connection might be fortuitous, such as could happen where circuits that are connected to different earthing arrangements share a common earthed metallic wiring enclosure, or deliberate, such as to meet the requirement of Regulation 411.3.1.1 that simultaneously accessible exposed-conductive-parts shall be connected to the same earthing system. Yet another example of a protective conductor common to installations having separate earthing arrangements is a main equipotential bonding conductor that is run with (or as part of) a distribution circuit cable supplying a remote building, because there are www.electricalsafetyregister.com
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Fig 1 Diagram illustrating the requirements of Regulation 542.1.3.3
Where there is doubt that sizing by that method meets the above requirement of Regulation 542.1.3.3, the adequacy of the size of the protective conductor should be checked using the adiabatic equation of Regulation 543.1.3 (S = â&#x2C6;&#x161;I2t/k), taking into account the maximum fault current likely to flow through the circuit protective conductor. This might be necessary, for example, where the circuit protective conductor connects to the earthing arrangement of an installation having a significantly lower external earth fault loop impedance (Ze) or a significantly higher prospective or earth fault current than that of the installation containing the protective device of the circuit. Where the common protective conductor is a main bonding conductor, the above requirement of Regulation 542.1.3.3 will usually be met by virtue of sizing the conductor in the usual way in accordance with the requirements of Regulation Group 544.1 (Main protective bonding conductors). However, similar to with a circuit protective conductor, where there is doubt that sizing by that method meets the above requirement of Regulation 542.1.3.3, the adequacy of the size of the bonding conductor should be checked using the adiabatic equation. Protective conductor earthed within one installation only
extraneous-conductive-parts in that building. Similarly, where a common metallic pipe or structural steel frame is main bonded to the separate earthing arrangements of two or more installations, the bonding conductor is common to those installations. Checking whether a common protective conductor can withstand the maximum fault current Unless it is earthed within one installation only and insulated from the earthing arrangements of any other installation, a protective conductor that is common to installations having separate earthing arrangements is required by Regulation 542.1.3.3 to be capable of carrying the maximum fault current likely to flow through it. Where the common protective conductor is a circuit protective conductor, the above requirement of Regulation 542.1.3.3 will usually be met by virtue of sizing the protective conductor in accordance with requirements of Section 543 (Protective conductors) of BS 7671 as if it was earthed only in the installation containing the associated protective device. www.electricalsafetyregister.com
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Where the common protective conductor forms part of a cable and is to be earthed within one installation only and insulated from the earthing arrangements of any other installation, then, as required by Regulation 542.1.3.3, it must be earthed only in the installation containing the associated protective device. If the protective conductor is the armour or metallic sheath of a cable, an effective means of insulating this from the earthing arrangement of the installation that does not contain the cableâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s protective device is to terminate the cable by means of a non-metallic cable gland.
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Fully charged The initial verification of a small-scale solar PV system – part 2 This article is the second in a series that began in issue 185 of Connections, dealing with the initial verification of grid-connected, small-scale photovoltaic (PV) systems. Part 1 looked at the requirements relating to design, installation and initial verification. It also introduced the NICEIC Electrical Installation Certificate for Small-scale PV Systems and considered the procedures for conducting pre-installation checks and initial inspection. This second part considers the testing to be performed during the initial verification of a small-scale, single-string PV system. The procedure described assumes that the PV system under test is typical of those found in domestic premises, in that the protective measure employed in the d.c. section of the PV system is double or reinforced insulation, and the PV frame supporting the modules can be classified as isolated metalwork and not as an extraneous-conductive-part. The third and final article in the series, to be published in a future edition of Connections, will look at how to compare site measurements of open-circuit voltage and short-circuit current for PV modules with the corresponding values measured under standard test conditions and published by the manufacturer. PART 2 – TESTING Broadly speaking, the procedure for testing the a.c. cable connecting the inverter to the consumer unit is based on the requirements of BS 7671, and the procedure for testing the d.c. section of the PV system is based on the requirements of BS EN 62446. When carrying out the inspection and testing of a PV system, the following hazards will need to be addressed in addition to those usually present in an electrical installation. i. The PV modules and their associated cabling cannot be isolated from the voltage sources within the modules and, as long as daylight is present, are live. 44
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ii. Depending on the configuration used, PV module circuits may operate at a d.c. voltage in the order of several 100s of volts. iii. In the event of a short-circuit between the d.c. positive and negative conductors, arcing is likely to result. The d.c. current forming the arc does not pass through zero periodically, as is the case with a.c. current. Consequently the arc is difficult to extinguish, and significant heating can occur, which may lead to fires and burns. iv. The fault current that occurs during a short-circuit in the d.c. circuit, though large enough to cause significant burns, may be little more than the design current of the circuit, and therefore may not be sufficient to cause the operation of overcurrent devices such as fuses or circuit-breakers to interrupt the fault current. As the initial verification of the d.c. section of the PV system will involve working on or close to live parts, the requirements of regulation 14 of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 apply. These are reproduced below. No person shall be engaged in any work activity on or so near any live conductor (other than one suitably covered with insulating material so as to prevent danger) that danger may arise unless: a) it is unreasonable in all the circumstances for it to be dead, and b) it is reasonable in all the circumstances for him to be at work on or near it while it is live, and c) suitable precautions (including where necessary the provision of suitable protective equipment) are taken to prevent injury. Although conditions (a), (b) and (c) of the regulation must all be met before work is carried out on or near live conductors, it is worth noting that the precautions necessary to comply with (c) are likely to include: i. the work being carried out only by competent personnel, ii. restricting access to the area where live testing is being carried out, iii. the use of suitable cables and connectors, iv. following safe working procedures, which might include working on only one live conductor at a time, v. wearing appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and vi. using appropriate hand-tools and test equipment (including test leads). When interpreting the results of the testing carried out on the d.c. section, account needs to be taken of the operating characteristics of the PV modules. The current, and to a lesser extent the voltage, produced by PV modules is dependent upon the intensity of the solar irradiance falling on the modules, and upon the operating temperature of the modules. www.electricalsafetyregister.com
24/06/2013 16:18
Fig 1 Typical test instruments required for testing the d.c. section of the PV system
ISO 1000
1000 A
series, the person carrying out the verification should have completed up to Table J of the NICEIC Electrical Installation Certificate for a Small-scale PV System (or equivalent documentation). In order to carry out the electrical tests required by BS EN 62446, the electrician’s usual test kit will need to be supplemented by an irradiance meter and a d.c. clamp meter/multimeter (as depicted in Fig 1), or the equivalent features of a proprietary ‘PV test meter’. In either case, a selection of test leads with connectors matching those used in the PV system (i.e. MC3, MC4, Solarlok, Sunclix etc.) will be needed. Table K of the NICEIC Electrical Installation Certificate for a Small-scale PV System provides a facility for recording the instrument serial numbers, as shown in Fig 2. Tests on the a.c. side of the inverter
ST TE TTON BU
D AN ER ION TEST AT UL ITY INS TINU N CO
The electrical characteristics of PV modules quoted by the manufacturer relate to when the modules are operating under standard test conditions (abbreviated to STC). When, as part of the commissioning process, the modules are being tested on site, the conditions of irradiance and temperature experienced by the modules will almost certainly not be the same as the standard test conditions. To be able to compare measured values of current and voltage with the corresponding values given in manufacturer’s data, the measured values need to be corrected to take account of the actual conditions of irradiance and temperature. As mentioned earlier, the third article in this series will describe how this correction can be carried out and the impact of this process upon the interpretation of test results. After completing the inspection of the PV system as described in the first article in this Fig 2 Table K, used to record test instrument serial numbers
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The testing on the a.c. side of the inverter involves standard BS 7671 test procedures, which should be familiar to many electricians. However, when carrying out these tests, care should be taken to ensure that the electronics in the generation meter and the inverter are not damaged by any voltages or currents introduced during testing. Also, so that the test results are not affected by any parallel paths, it may be necessary to disconnect the generation meter before carrying out the tests on the a.c. section of the PV system. The results of the following tests 1-4 on the a.c. cable to the inverter are recorded in Table L of the NICEIC Electrical Installation Certificate for a Small-scale Photovoltaic System (PV EIC), depicted in Fig 3. 1. Protective measures on a.c. section of the system. Prior to terminating the respective ends of the a.c. cable supplying the inverter at the inverter and consumer unit, and with the a.c. isolator(s) in the ‘On’ position, the following procedures should be carried out: i. Carry out a R1 + R2 continuity test on a.c. cable. ii. The earth fault loop impedance Zs at the inverter should be calculated by adding the R1 + R2 value to the value of external earth loop impedance Ze previously measured at the consumer unit (assuming the unit is at the origin of the installation).
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Fully charged Fig 3 Table L, used to record test results on the a.c. side of the inverter L. SAFETY TESTS CIRCUIT DETAILS
(Ω)
Circuit impedances (Ω)
R2
(R1 + R2)
Insulation resistance
Zs
Line to Neutral
Line or + to Earth
Neutral or – to Earth
(MΩ)
(MΩ)
(MΩ)
Polarity
(mA)
Maximum Zs permitted by BS 7671
(kA)
Type
(A)
No. of poles
Operating current, I Δn
(s)
RCD
Short-circuit capacity
(mm2)
BS (EN) Type
(mm2)
cpc
Overcurrent protective devices
Rating
Live
Max. disconnection time permitted by BS 7671
Type of wiring (see code)
Reference method (see Appendix 4 of BS 7671)
Circuit designation
TEST RESULTS Circuit conductors: csa
(✓)
Maximum measured earth fault loop impedance, Zs (Ω)
RCD operating times at IΔn
(ms)
at 5 IΔn
Test button operation
(if applicable)
(ms)
(✓)
a.c. Power Bonding to array frame 1 (where required) Bonding to array frame 2 (where required)
2. Insulation resistance test of a.c. supply. With the inverter disconnected from the a.c. supply, and with all isolators in the ‘On’ position, carry out insulation resistance tests on the a.c. supply cable, measuring L-N, L-E and N-E. 3. Polarity of a.c. supply. After terminating the a.c. supply cable and making live, with the a.c. isolators in the ‘On’ position, the polarity of the a.c. supply at the inverter should be checked. 4. RCD testing. Where the PV a.c. circuit is protected by an RCD, then depending whether the RCD is provided for additional protection or fault protection the appropriate tests should be carried out and the results be recorded in Section L of the PV EIC. Tests on the d.c. side of the inverter The testing to be carried out on the d.c. side of the PV system are described in Clause 5.4 of BS EN 62446. These tests involve making and breaking connections in the permanently live Fig 4 Using the d.c. isolator to avoid arcing when carrying out a short-circuit test
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d.c. conductors. For safety reasons and to avoid damage to the connectors it is important that when making or breaking live conductors the method of work minimises arcing at the connections. For a single-string system, when connecting and disconnecting instruments, problems due to arcing can be avoided by connecting the test instruments to the consumer’s side of the d.c. isolator adjacent to the inverter. This enables the d.c. isolator to be used to make and break the d.c. current, as shown in Fig 4. If this is not possible, then as described in BS EN 62446, a ‘short-circuit switch test box’ can be used to make and break the current. This test box consists of a d.c. isolating switch mounted on a suitable box. Due to the lack of ready-made units, the test box is an item that is generally manufactured by the PV installer. The results for the following electrical tests 5-8 on the d.c. section of single-string PV systems should be recorded using the Array 1 section of Table M in the PV EIC, depicted in Fig 5. 5. Polarity of d.c. circuits. Using a suitable voltmeter, the polarity of all d.c. cables should be measured and the results recorded. Once correctness of polarity is established, the identification of cables should be checked to ensure they are correctly identified and correctly connected into devices such as switches and inverters. 6. PV string open-circuit voltage measurement. The open-circuit string voltage should be measured using an appropriate voltmeter and the measured values recorded. BS EN 62446 advises that the measured value should be compared with the expected value. Due to the temperature of the module under test being different from the 25˚C used for standard test conditions, there may be a small difference between the measured open-circuit voltage and V OC (stc) quoted by the module manufacturer. Where it is judged that the difference in temperatures should be investigated further, a thermal imaging camera may be used to measure www.electricalsafetyregister.com
24/06/2013 16:20
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CON.07.13.048.indd 1
25/06/2013 16:17
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Fully charged Fig 5 Table M of the NICEIC Electrical Installation Certificate for a Small-scale PV System
the module temperatures and the appropriate temperature coefficient used to correct the open-circuit voltages. 7. PV string current measurement. The purpose of the PV string current measurements is to verify that there are no major faults within the PV array wiring. Although BS EN 62446 permits either a PV string short-circuit test (see item 7a) or the PV string functional test (see item 7b) to be carried out, it advises that a PV string short-circuit test is preferred as the results will not be influenced by the inverter. For initial verification, as the PV string short-circuit test can be carried out before the inverter is energised, this test is the natural choice. a. PV string short-circuit test. Using the arrangement shown in Fig 4, the short-circuit current of the string should be measured and the reading obtained compared with the expected values. Due to the irradiance under test conditions being different from the 1,000 W/m2 used for standard test conditions there may be a significant difference between the measured short-circuit current and I SC (stc) quoted by the module manufacturer. Where it is judged that the difference www.electricalsafetyregister.com
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between measured current and I SC (stc) should be investigated, whilst measuring the short-circuit current, a pyrometer should be used to measure the irradiance, and the appropriate correction factor should be used to determine the predicted I SC (stc). b. PV string operational test. With the PV system switched on, and in normal operational mode, a clip-on ammeter is used to measure the current in the string, and the measured value should be compared with the expected value. 8. PV array - Insulation resistance test BS EN 62446 permits either of the two test methods described in Fig 6a and 6b to be used. However, irrespective of the test method used, BS EN 62446 stresses the importance of following safe working practices. The test(s) should be performed with the array disconnected from the inverter and any equipment that could influence the measured resistance or could be damaged by the test (i.e. overvoltage protection) disconnected. BS EN 62446 advises that when using Test Connections Summer 2013
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N
Fully charged Fig 6a Measuring insulation resistance of d.c. section. Test Method 1
the testing may choose to carry out two tests: a) between array cables and earth and an additional test b) between array cables and the frame. As shown by the following table, when conducting the insulation resistance test, the voltage used and the minimum permitted value of insulation resistance depends upon the system voltage. It should be noted that the system voltage is given by 1.25 x V OC (stc) of the string. Test Method
System voltage (VOC stc x 1.25)
Test voltage V
Minimum Insulation Resistance MΩ 0.5
Test Method 1 Separate tests to array positive and array negative
‹120
250
120-500
500
1
›500
1,000
1
Test Method 2 Array positive and negative shorted together
‹120
250
0.5
120-500
500
1
›500
1,000
1
The results of the insulation resistance test(s) should be recorded in the appropriate section of Table M of the NICEIC Electrical Installation Certificate for a Small-scale Photovoltaic System. Method 2, to minimise risks from arcs, the array should be short-circuited in a safe manner. Typically this would be achieved by using either an appropriate short-circuit switch box or the d.c. isolator. For installations where the array frame is not bonded to earth, the person carrying out Fig 6b Measuring insulation resistance of d.c. section. Test Method 2
50
Summer 2013 Connections
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Note: NICEIC has produced a Photovoltaic Learner’s Guide, which provides the electrical contractor with advice and guidance on the installation and maintenance of small-scale photovoltaic systems.
9. Functional tests The following functional tests should be performed: i. Switchgear and other control equipment should be tested to ensure correct operation and that they are properly mounted and connected. ii. All inverters forming part of the system shall be tested to ensure correct operation. The test procedure used should be the one defined by the inverter manufacturer. iii. A loss of mains test should be performed. With the system operating, the main a.c. isolator should be opened and it should be observed that the PV system ceases to generate. Following this, the a.c. isolator should be reclosed and the system should revert to its normal operation. BS EN 62446 advises that the completed Initial Verification Report (in this case the NICEIC Electrical Installation Certificate for a Small-scale Photovoltaic System) should form part of the Operations and Maintenance Manual, which upon completion of the commissioning process should be given to the client. NICEIC MCS Approved Installers (PV) can obtain copies of the NICEIC Electrical Installation Certificate for a Small-scale Photovoltaic System. Contact NICEIC in one of the following ways. Internet: niceicdirect.com Call: 0870 013 0458 E-mail: sales@niceic.com www.electricalsafetyregister.com
24/06/2013 16:22
CON.07.13.051.indd 1
25/06/2013 14:57
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CON_07_13_052.indd 1
26/06/2013 08:54
Ask the experts/Technical
N
Fully charged Part P of the building regulations amended Part P of the Building Regulations 2010 for England and Wales has been amended. The amendment applies to England but not to Wales (with one exception – see later).
A
s a result of the amendment, for work begun on or after 6 April 2013, the range of electrical work carried in and around dwellings in England that is notifiable is reduced. The pre-existing version of Part P continues to apply to work begun before 6 April 2013, or
to work subject to a building notice, full plans application or initial notice submitted before 6 April 2013. An updated (2013) edition of Approved Document P, Electrical Safety – Dwellings, has been published for use in England to give guidance on how to comply with the amended Building Regulations. This can be downloaded free at: www.planningportal.gov. uk/uploads/br/BR_PDF_AD_P_2013.pdf. The Approved Document specifies that electrical installations should be designed and installed in accordance with BS 7671: 2008, including Amendment No 1: 2011. A new version of the Pocket Guide Part P – Notifiable or not, for use in England, (Pocket Guide 31) is included with this issue of Connections. The old version of Part P – Notifiable or not (Pocket Guide 8, rev 1) may still be used in Wales and for work begun before 6 April 2013 in England.
Fig 1 The space surrounding a bath or shower within which a change to an existing circuit is notifiable
www.electricalsafetyregister.com
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Connections Summer 2013
53
24/06/2013 16:23
Ask the experts/Technical
N
Fully charged Non-notifiable work Scope of application of the amended Part P As already mentioned, the amended Part P applies in England. It does not apply in Wales apart from for ‘excepted energy buildings’. Broadly speaking, an excepted energy building is an energy infrastructure building (such as a generating station) that is not wholly used for residential purposes or as a shop, office, showroom or canteen. The legal definition is given in The Welsh Ministers (Transfer of Functions) (No. 2) Order 2009, a copy of which can be downloaded free at www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2009/3019/ schedule/made. As with the pre-existing version of Part P, the amended Part P applies only to electrical installations that are intended to operate at low or extra-low voltage and are: (a) in or attached to a dwelling, (b) in the common parts of a building serving one or more dwellings, but excluding power supplies to lifts, (c) in a building that receives its electricity from a source located within or shared with a dwelling, and (d) in a garden or in or on land associated with a building where the electricity is from a source located within or shared with a dwelling. Notifiable work The range of electrical work in England that is notifiable is reduced in the amended Part P, compared with in the pre-existing version of Part P. Notifiable electrical work now consists of: • the installation of a new circuit; • the replacement of a consumer unit; or • any addition or alteration to existing circuits in a special location. For the purposes of the third item above, a special location is a room containing a bath or shower, swimming pool or a sauna heater. For a room containing a bath or shower, an addition or alteration to an existing circuit is notifiable only where carried out in the space surrounding a bath or shower, as shown in Fig 1. As was the case with the pre-existing version of Part P, a company registered with a Part P self-certification scheme, such as those operated by ELECSA and NICEIC, is not required to notify a building control body prior to carrying out ‘notifiable work’. However, the Part P registered company must notify their relevant registration body following completion of the notifiable work, so that a copy of the Building Regulations compliance certificate will be issued to the occupier, and so that the certificate (or a copy of the information on it) will be issued to the building control body. 54
Summer 2013 Connections
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All electrical work that is not listed under ‘Notifiable work’ above need not be notified, namely: • additions or alterations to existing installations outside of special locations (but not including the provision of a new circuit), • replacements, repairs and maintenance anywhere, • installing fixed current-using equipment (provided the circuit protective device and current-carrying capacity of conductors are suitable). However, where any of the above types of work is carried out by a company registered with a Part P self-certification scheme, the Part P registered company may still voluntarily notify their relevant registration body regarding the work if they wish to do so, especially if they are in doubt as to whether the work is notifiable. Irrespective of whether an item of electrical installation work is notifiable or not, the requirements of the Building Regulations and the requirement to issue electrical installation certification apply. Third-party certifier In addition to the matters referred to above, the 2013 edition of Approved Document P refers to the use of a registered third-party certifier to confirm notifiable electrical installation work in England as compliant with the Building Regulations, as an alternative to self-certification by a registered competent person or certification by a building control body. The third-party procedure will not be available until the mechanism for approving individuals to carry out certification has been agreed and a form of condition report suitable for this purpose has been developed, and the relevant legislation is in place. The procedure was referred to in a written statement by Don Foster MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, in December, relating to the then forthcoming changes to Part P in England. The relevant part of the statement is reproduced below. ‘I will be bringing forward further regulations later next year that will introduce an alternative route to demonstrating compliance with Part P by allowing for third-party certification of electrical work. This will safeguard standards while providing a far cheaper way of verifying work is adequate particularly for those carrying out DIY work. These changes will be accompanied by simpler, clearer and shorter guidance in a new approved Document P that we will be publishing shortly.’ www.electricalsafetyregister.com
24/06/2013 16:25
Inspection made easy! NEW
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DC50 Borescope The camera image is displayed on the integrated TFT monitor and the brightness of the LED lighting in the tip of the camera can be adjusted, making it ideal for inspection of difficult to access locations. The DC50 Borescope is a visual aid for optical troubleshooting and inspection of systems and facilities as well as those hard to access areas in electrical building maintenance, automotive and industrial applications.
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CON.07.13.055.indd 1
25/06/2013 14:58
FormFill Version 10 BS7671 Inspection and certification software
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CON.07.13.056.indd 1
25/06/2013 15:07
Ask the experts/Technical
N
Fully charged Safe isolation and borrowed neutrals Those planning to safely isolate a final circuit generally approach the task assuming that the circuit has been correctly wired. However, this assumption can leave a person working on the supposedly isolated circuit exposed to danger, if the circuit shares its neutral with another final circuit. This condition is sometimes called a borrowed neutral.
F
or compliance with Regulation 314.4 of BS 7671, each final circuit of an installation should be connected to a separate way in a distribution board, and the wiring of each final circuit should be kept electrically separate from that of every other final circuit. This is essential to prevent a final circuit intended to be isolated from being indirectly energised. One of the most potentially dangerous errors an installer can make is to ‘borrow’ the neutral of another final circuit. ‘Borrow’ is a
Fig 1 Typical borrowed neutral condition
N 4
3
2
1
4
3
2
1
2
L
In this example, instead of running the neutral of circuit No. 1 back to the distribution board, a short cut has been taken and the neutral has been ‘borrowed’ from circuit No. 2.
www.electricalsafetyregister.com
42-61_technical.FINAL.indd 57
1
misnomer, as there is no intention to later disconnect (or ‘return’) the borrowed neutral. More accurately, the neutral is being ‘shared’ or ‘crossed’ (particularly in the case of adjacent ring final circuits). For example, NICEIC occasionally finds cases where a neutral conductor from an upstairs lighting circuit is ‘borrowed’ for a ground floor staircase luminaire, or vice versa. Similarly, where the wiring of two radial circuits supplying socket-outlets is installed in the same trunking or conduit systems, a neutral conductor is occasionally found to be ‘shared’ between the circuits. Fig 1 shows a diagrammatic representation of a typical borrowed neutral condition. Contractors should be aware of the dangers to electrically-skilled operatives of such malpractice. Borrowed neutrals create a dangerous trap for any operative carrying out maintenance work or other installation alteration or extension work in the future. Electricians have been electrocuted whilst working on circuits they believed to be completely isolated. In one such incident, having been engaged to carry out an extension to an existing electrical installation, an electrician carried out what he believed to be all the necessary isolation procedures and completed tests for voltage to prove dead that part of the installation on which he was about to work. However, he was unaware that the neutral conductor from another circuit was connected to the circuit he was working on. His work necessitated the disconnection of the circuit neutral conductor, which had been tested for voltage when connected to the switchboard and showed only a typically small voltage to earth – a not unusual circumstance. Having unbolted the neutral conductor, he proceeded to remove it from its termination and immediately received an electric shock from which he was unable to break contact: he had disconnected a neutral that was connected to two circuits, the second of which remained live. Fig 2 refers. As shown in Fig 3, a hazardous situation can also exist where two circuits share the same neutral where the line conductor of a seemingly isolated circuit remains live. A borrowed neutral discovered during periodic inspection and testing of an installation would warrant a Classification code C2 (potentially dangerous) being recorded in the Electrical Installation Condition Report. In such cases, the client should be advised of the danger that this defect presents to those working on the circuit. Provided the client is in agreement, the Connections Summer 2013
57
24/06/2013 16:26
Ask the experts/Technical
N
Fully charged faulty circuit should be isolated and secured in the OFF position and an advisory notice posted until the fault has been remedied. Further guidance on the use of classification codes can be found in the Electrical Safety Council’s Best Practice Guide 4, Electrical Installation Condition Reporting for Domestic and Similar Installations, which may be downloaded free-of-charge from the Electrical Safety Council’s website, at www.esc.org.uk/industry/ industry-guidance/best-practice-guides/
Fig 2 Neutral conductor remains energised due to a borrowed neutral Disconnected neutral
N 4
3
2
2
1
1
Making safe Shock current
L 4
3
2
1
Although circuit No. 2 in Fig 2 has been ‘de-energised’, if the neutral conductor of that circuit was disconnected it would be at a potential of 230 V with respect to Earth.
Fig 3 Circuit line conductor remains live due to a borrowed neutral conductor Disconnected neutral Shock current
N 4
3
2
1
4
3
2
1
2
1
L
The neutral conductor is by definition a live conductor. Consequently the neutral should always be treated as live until it is securely isolated, proved to be dead, and precautions taken to prevent it becoming live. Regulation 14 (Work on or near live conductors) and Regulation 13 (Precautions for work on equipment made dead) of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 refer. In an installation having only one source of supply and where all the final circuits are supplied through a single consumer unit, the only certain way to achieve complete isolation of a final circuit is to switch off the double-pole main switch of the consumer unit, thereby disconnecting all the final circuits from the supply. In an installation having more than one distribution board and/or source of supply, more complex procedures may be necessary to ensure complete isolation of a circuit. Where a borrowed neutral is identified on a circuit that is to be altered or extended, this potentially dangerous condition must be rectified prior to the alteration or addition taking place.
Although circuit No. 1 in Fig 3 has been ‘de-energised’, the line conductor of that circuit is at a potential of 230 V with respect to Earth.
58
Summer 2013 Connections
42-61_technical.FINAL.indd 58
www.electricalsafetyregister.com
24/06/2013 16:26
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CON_07_13_062.indd 1
25/06/2013 16:21
Ask the experts/Technical
N
Fully charged Snags & Solutions A practical guide to everyday electrical problems
Electric towel rails Supplementary bonding of an electric towel rail in a location containing a bath or shower may be provided by the circuit protective conductor in the flexible cord.
Snag 20
Now updated to Amendment No 1 of BS 7671 ‘Snags & Solutions’, NICEIC’s problem solving book, is now available in five parts, which cover many commonly-encountered electrical installation problems. All parts have been updated, where appropriate, to take account of the requirements of Amendment No 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 1 – Earthing and bonding, relating to the supplementary bonding of electric towel rails.
A householder complained about the unsightly appearance of many green-and- yellow protective conductors and BS 951 clamps in his bathroom. An unnecessary supplementary bonding connection had been made to the customer’s recently installed electric towel rail.
Solution It is usually not necessary to provide an additional supplementary bonding conductor connecting the metal body of the electric towel rail directly to the remainder of the extraneous-conductive-parts and exposed-conductive-parts in zones 1 or 2 of the bathroom, even though in many cases a lug is provided. Where the location containing a bath or shower is in a building with a protective equipotential bonding system in accordance with Regulation 411.3.1.2 and where all the requirements of Regulation 701.415.2 are met supplementary bonding may be omitted. Where supplementary bonding is required, the circuit
snags and solutions A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO EVERYDAY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS
Part 2
wiring systems 3rd Edition
Amd 1: 2011
60
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Amd 1: 2011
Amd 1: 2011
www.electricalsafetyregister.com
24/06/2013 16:27
protective conductor in the flexible cord often meets the requirements of BS 7671. Supplementary bonding may have to be provided from the earthing terminal in the connection unit to other circuits and extraneousconductive-parts in the bathroom if required by Regulation 701.415.2.
to the exposed-conductive-parts of the appliance, from the earthing terminal in the connection unit or other accessory. Regulation 701.415.2 (part of)
Regulation 544.2.5 Where supplementary bonding is to be applied to a fixed appliance which is supplied via a short length of flexible cable from an adjacent connection unit or other accessory, incorporating a flex outlet, the circuit protective conductor within the flexible cable shall be deemed to provide the supplementary bonding connection
Meet the helpline
Justin Maltby-Smith, NICEIC senior operations engineer Industry experience: Ran his own electrical company, lecturer, consultant/ project manager Interests: Kung-Fu and kickboxing, black-belt instructor
42-61_technical.FINAL.indd 61
If you have ever telephoned our technical helpline you may wonder who the voices are on the other end of the line. Well, meet the technical helpline team: all industry professionals with vast experience in the electrical industry and some interests outside of the day job too!
Alan Turvey, NICEIC operations engineer Industry experience: Electrician, carrying out industrial, commercial, quarry and domestic installations, lecturer and deputy head of construction with further education college Interests: Walking, bonsai cultivation and restoration of classic bicycles
www.electricalsafetyregister.com
Local supplementary equipotential bonding according to Regulation 415.2 shall be established connecting together the terminals of the protective conductor of each circuit supplying Class I and Class II equipment to the accessible extraneous- conductive-parts within a room containing a bath or shower. Supplementary equipotential bonding may be installed outside or inside rooms containing a bath or shower, preferably close to the point of entry of extraneousconductive parts into such rooms.
Stuart McHugh, senior technical helpline engineer Industry experience: More than 41 years in the electrical industry, including a six-year apprenticeship, industrial commercial domestic and street-lighting work Interests: Vintage aircraft, motoring
Clinton Thompson, NICEIC operations engineer Industry experience: Electrician (domestic and industrial), electrical engineer (food industry, high-volume production and heavy press industry), college tutor, training centre tutor Interests: Classic cars and bikes, music
Norman Bradshaw, NICEIC 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 Interests: Voluntary work, running
Duncan McFarlane NICEIC technical helpline engineer Time-served electrician, working on domestic, commercial, industrial and petrochemical installations. Electrical clerk of works, electrical surveyor, lecturer and NVQ assessor Interests: Travelling and motorcycling
Connections Summer 2013
61
24/06/2013 16:28
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27/06/2013 08:51
Product Focus Fluke Fluke is offering three new money-saving Temperature Combo Kits targeted at industrial, electrical and HVAC service and maintenance professionals. The kits are based around the latest Fluke 62 MAX+ IR thermometer, which is ideal for quick temperature scans of systems from a safe distance to look for anything from unusual hot spots that signal electrical and electro-mechanical malfunctions, to undesirable air intake/output patterns in the building envelope. Alongside the 62 MAX+, the kits include a true-rms clamp meter and voltage detector, or a laser distance meter, or an electrical tester and voltage detector, and offer savings of up to 20%.
Marshall Tufflex Domestic energy management specialist Marshall-Tufflex has launched an intelligent boiler control unit that can reduce boiler running costs by 20%. The Domestic Boiler Management unit, which is Energy Saving Trust Recommended and qualifies for the 5% VAT level if purchased direct from an installer, controls the firing cycle of gas, oil and LPG boilers, reducing unnecessary dry cycling. Not only does this, typically, cut boiler running costs by 20% (subject to usage pattern) it also prolongs boiler lifespan. Marshall-Tufflex believes the system is the only domestic unit available with the option of an external weather sensor, which further increases savings potential.
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Danlers has extended its range of cost-effective, energy- saving occupancy switches with three new “Passive” controls. Each control has a photocell override, so switching may be determined either by occupancy and lux level or alternatively by occupancy only. This is particularly useful in low light level environments. These UK manufactured IP53 rated controls can switch lighting loads of up to 10 amps and can be mounted onto the end of lighting battens. They detect movement of a warm body within their detection zones (either 5m or 10m variants) and include a photocell that can be set to between 100 lux and 3,000 lux. .
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ESP
Wiha has launched a new Voltage Detector, introduced to complement its existing range of VDE tools, which are all available in the UK through Hyde. Designed to help electricians save time whilst always putting safety first, Wiha’s Voltage Detector checks for the presence of an AC voltage without the need for disconnecting cables, fuses and sockets. In fact, no current flow is even required in order to ensure a correct reading; simply hold the detector against the application and the tip of the tool will light up should a current be found. This handy, pocket-sized tool has a variety of uses – it can be used to quickly and simply detect blown fuses, locate breaks in cables, test for faulty grounding, detect faulty inline switches, check the operation of circuit breakers and to localise defects in bulbs in series.
ESP has added a range of low-energy LED floodlights to its growing External Area Protection (EAP) portfolio. The high specification NighHawk NHF LED Floodlight collection provides a choice of units ranging from 10W to 140W – each boasting a superior quality build that will ensure the units have a long life expectancy with little or no maintenance required. Ultra reliable drivers and LEDs combined with a superb IP65-rated, weather resistant finish and stainless steel fixings make the NHF range the perfect choice for a range of floodlighting applications. The range offers an impressive lumen output to power usage ratio with an expected life of 50,000 hours.
0121 704 2324 www.brianhyde.co.uk
01527 515150 info@espuk.com www.espuk.com
Summer 2013 Connections
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www.electricalsafetyregister.com
26/06/2013 10:26
For great deals on products and services visit www.niceicdirect.com
Ideal SureTrace™, the next generation Circuit Tracer lets electricians quickly locate wires or cables behind walls, pinpoint opens/shorts, and identify fuses and breakers on both energised and de-energised circuits from 0-600V AC/DC. Designed to keep productivity high and operational costs low, SureTrace circuit tracers have four defined ranges to allow the electrician to select the proper sensitivity for a specific job. No circuit tracer has ever been so user friendly. Rather than annoying blinking lights and difficult-to-decipher beeps, SureTrace’s display provides a numeric value between 0 and 99 and a variable pitch/tone audible indication as fast-response tracing feedback, while its peak detector instantaneously registers signal strength.
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Manrose Manrose has added to its range of energyefficient showerlight fans. Manrose’s Part L compliant showerlight fan now comes with an LED lamp. Designed and developed with performance as a key consideration, the innovative LED Showerlite features LED technology which uses 3W of energy compared to standard dichroic lamps which use 35W. A distinctive showerlight incorporated into a circular diffuser, the LED Showerlite also boasts a low specific fan power of 0.43 w/l/s, providing an energy efficient fan. 01753 691399 www.manrose.co.uk
01952 444446 www. idealindustries.co.uk
Scolmore Scolmore Group continues to add to its Energetic low-energy SMD LED lighting range and recent additions include the 12W dimmable SMD LED lamp (available in E27 & B22 options) – a direct replacement for its 60W incandescent counterpart. Offering 806 lumens, excellent colour rendering and up to 40,000 hours lamp life, it offers superior performance with lower energy consumption and minimal radiated heat output. The Energetic 7.5W dimmable SMD LED lamp – also available in E27 & B22 options – provides a low-energy alternative to the 40W incandescent lamp version. It offers 470 lumens and the same 40,000 hours lamp life and low-energy qualities. SMDs are the new generation of LED lighting enabling manufacturers to produce lamps that offer a better quality light output, are more affordable and continue to offer the significant energy savings associated with LED technology. 01827 63454 www.scolmore.com
Makita
Hager
Makita has expanded its laser level and measurement range. The Makita range of intelligent measuring equipment includes rotating laser levels, cross line lasers and laser distance measures. The Makita SKR200Z is the most recent addition to the laser level range. It has an operating capacity up to 200 metres, with receiver, whilst three new models of laser distance measures, packed with useful facilities, are manufactured to the new and exacting standards of ISO16331-1. The new Makita SKR200 rotating self-levelling laser is a rugged unit ideally suited to all site work operations. With an operating capacity of up to 200 metres, with receiver, it has a remote control function for singlehanded work.
Hager has launched an easy-to-install One Module Add-on RCD Block, providing three-phase earth leakage protection when paired with any of the company’s MCBs, up to 63A. Available in variants of 30mA, 100mA and 300mA, the Add-on Block is suitable for use in any Hager distribution board and, when combined with an MCB, provides both over current and earth leakage protection for that circuit. Unlike many other devices, the Add-on Block and MCB pairing requires just four module widths and removes the need to wire between a DIN mounted RCD and MCB. This leads to a significant reduction in installation time and associated costs and, importantly, the size of the distribution board.
www.makitauk.com
01952 675689 info@hager.co.uk www.hager.co.uk
www.electricalsafetyregister.com
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Current affairs
Don’t forget to send Current Affairs any pictures that have made you smile and let us know of any hidden talents or charity initiatives. Email nick.martindale@ redactive.co.uk
CAUGHT ON CAMERA
Marathon feat of fundraising Liverpool-based A&B Engineering has completed its “year of pain”, with managing director Andy Stanley finishing one of the most extreme events known to man. Andy took part in the Marathon Des Sables event; a gruelling seven marathons in seven days in the Sahara desert that is billed as the “toughest footrace on earth”. “It was very tough,” he says. “I was two hours into stage one on day one and I started panicking, thinking how would I ever get to the end of seven days. But I crossed the finish line and I’ve got my medal and no one is taking it off me. My feet were in ribbons at the end.” Over the past year the company has taken part in a number of events to raise money for local children’s hospice Claire House, making a colossal £15,000 in the process.
Our latest selection of electrical misdemeanours includes (1-5): a case of earth overload; a rather over-crowded junction box; a live installation hidden away in a hallway; the consequences of a loose neutral in a housing association distribution board; and an attempt by tenants to bypass the electricity token meter. It continues with (6-10): a 1960s socket with one neutral ring conductor in the neutral terminal and the other in the earth; a rather busy three-phase contractor panel; an attempt to bypass a main fuse in a three-phase isolator; a metal light fitting missing an earth connection; and an odd place for a consumer unit.
1 2 3 4
7 8
5 9
6 10
Thanks to: Barrie Ashpole of Moolands in Kent /// Jason Hall of JH Electrical Contracting in Leicestershire /// Eric Halliday of Kingfisher Bedrooms in Preston /// Derek Horsburgh of Kelso firm John Rae Ltd /// Jim Martindale from Direct Electrical Services in Hull /// Keith Roberts of Roberts Electrical in Windsor /// Neil Sloan of NS Electrical from Essex /// Steve Wells from County Durham-based Billingham Fire & Electrical Services /// Andrew Leishenring of Ablelectrical in Birmingham /// Brian Coleman from Swanley firm Evergreen Electrical.
Keep those shots coming in!
Brace yourself, Rodney! Dangerous electrical liaisons When The Cutlers’ Hall in Sheffield was preparing for its annual feast it called on local contractor James Fulton & Son to clean and relamp its main chandelier. In scenes reminiscent of the famous Only Fools and Horses episode where Del Boy and Rodney send a priceless fitting crashing to the floor below, engineers Robert Araya-Munoz and Dave Knaggs carefully lowered the largest of the three fittings for a spot of care and attention, before slowly raising it back to the ceiling using a winch in the space above. “We often work at The Cutlers’ Hall, but it’s always nerve-wracking until the chandeliers are safely back in place,” said managing director Jim Fulton. Do you work in unusual places or on any nail-biting projects? Email nick.martindale@redactive.co.uk 66
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We all know electricians are a good-looking bunch, and it seems women think so too. According to a survey by Grime Boss Heavy Duty Hand Wipes, electricians are the most likely of all tradespeople to be accosted while on duty, with 29 per cent saying they have had customers attempt to seduce them, putting them ahead of gas-fitters (27 per cent) and builders (25 per cent). More than one in two (54 per cent) admit to having succumbed to temptation, the poll found. But it seems it really does pay to keep your mind on the job in hand; 40 per cent also said they had given a discount to attractive women.
www.electricalsafetyregister.com
24/06/2013 16:38
Have you seen it?
You have now! New Megger MFT1700 series, the shape of testing’s future. Now offering Q
2 and 3 wire non-tripping loop testing
Q
Loop and PFC displayed at the same time
Q
Phase sequence indication
Q
Rechargeable
Q
CAT IV 300 V safety rating
See the demo now by scanning the QR code on your smart phone or call 01304 502 101 or go to www.megger.com for full details The word ‘Megger’ is a registered trademark
CON.07.13.067.indd 1
Megger Limited Archcliffe Road Dover CT17 9EN UK T +44 (0) 1304 502 101 F +44 (0) 1304 207 342 E uksales@megger.com
25/06/2013 14:36
ENERGY ANALYSER
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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