ECN January 2023

Tested in accordance with BS EN 61439-3, including Annex ZB

Up

Hello and welcome to the first ECN of 2023 – a very Happy New Year to all of our readers!

This year promises to be a great one for ECN and our sister publications and events. Our plan for this year is to make ECN bigger and better, with new features planned to bring you all of the information you need. For those involved in the data centre sector, we are very excited to announce that Data Centre & Network News (DCNN) will be relaunched as a quarterly digital magazine, building on the hugely successful news website. More information on the launch will be available shortly, but if you would like to submit an

article for publication then please contact me at carly@allthingsmedialtd.com.

And All Things Media is thrilled to be launching EI Live! in Europe. EI Live! Europe is a brand-new residential-focused AV, automation, and home cinema event which takes place in Amsterdam on 14-15 June 2023. To get involved, please contact David Kitchener at david@allthingsmedialtd.com.

This issue brings you the latest from the Circuit Protection & Switchgear; EV Charging; and Emergency Lighting sectors, along with all of the regulars. There is also the chance to win a £200 Virgin Experience voucher, courtesy of Ovia, so don’t forget to enter!

Wishing you all the best for the year ahead –see you next month!

Carly Wills, Editor

Pluggable T-Connector for flexible cable

Designed to dramatically speed up lighting installation time

WINTER ENERGY CRISIS:

ECA’S ADVICE FOR MANAGING POWER CUTS

ECA has promised to support its members who may be asked to design and install emergency power systems in the event of emergency power cuts this winter.

Energy providers and National Grid have warned of potential power cuts caused by supply fears following the war in Ukraine. Worst-case government scenarios estimate that energy systems could be severely disrupted for up to a week.

ECA Senior Technical Manager, Gary Parker, says, “Because of an unprecedented combination of factors including surging demand, supply concerns, and a cost-of-living crisis, our members and their clients are facing a tough winter.

“ECA has seen an uptick in members asking for advice and help reviewing their clients’ systems and recovery plans. We are here to support members with advice and guidance on how to best design and install additional and stand-by systems that can meet their clients’ needs.

“It is important to remember that the UK’s electricity network is one of the most reliable in the world. However, we must be prepared for all eventualities, and the electrotechnical sector will be on the front line if emergency power cuts do occur.”

ECA, eca.co.uk

BEMS CONTROLS ENGINEER APPRENTICESHIP PASSES

100 REGISTRATIONS

Group Horizon has announced that more than 100 apprentices have now registered for the Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS) Controls Engineer Apprenticeship since it was first launched in April 2021.

The Apprenticeship was launched in partnership with the Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA) following a culmination of over four years of hard work by the Trailblazer Employer Group to address an industry-wide shortage of BEMS Controls Engineers. The seventh cohort of apprentices began their training in November 2022, taking the total number to 112.

LOOKING BACK ON A SUCCESSFUL YEAR

It has been a busy year for the Electrical Safety Roundtable (ESR), and the organisation has reflected on its achievements as it looks ahead to 2023.

The ESR’s biggest event of the year was its parliamentary reception, which took place on 16 November in celebration of the roundtable’s 10th anniversary. Over 70 participants made their way to the House of Commons to discuss enhancing standards of electrical safety across the UK.

The ESR: Electrical Safety in the Home group launched a tool to report unsafe electrical installations found in homes across Great Britain in collaboration with TrustMark, to help fill a data gap on the quality of electrical installations in homes. The group also published bilingual guidance for landlords in Wales on The Renting Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) (Wales) Regulations 2022 and provided support for the Domestic Premises (Electrical Safety Certificate) Bill.

The ESR: Electrical Safety in the Workplace group has also had a busy year, with the launch of the Above and Beyond Awards, which provide the chance to recognise and celebrate those individuals and organisations who go above and beyond their legal obligations to enhance and improve electrical safety within the workplace.

Finally, the Electrical Safety Roundtable Social Housing subgroup saw significant growth this year, contributed to the government consultation and call for evidence on electrical safety in social housing and updated two guidance documents; the ‘Code of Practice for the Management of Electrotechnical systems in Social Housing’ and ‘How to Manage Electrical Systems within Higher Risk Buildings’ which was shortlisted for two awards.

Electrical Safety Roundtable, electricalsafetyroundtable.co.uk

Building controls is a fast growing market with numerous opportunities for skilled engineers. The BEMS Controls Engineer Apprenticeship offers a balance of technical training and on the job assessments to match the needs and requirements of the apprentice’s employer.

Group Horizon, grouphorizon.co.uk

BUSINESSES CAN CONTINUE TO USE CE MARKINGS UNTIL

DECEMBER 2024

The government has announced it will continue to recognise the CE product marking in Great Britain for a further two years, says Nmi. Businesses may now continue to use CE markings until 31 December 2024. It provides an additional two years, from the current 31 December 2022 deadline, to apply the UKCA product marking.

The UKCA is the conformity mark implemented by the UK government following Brexit. For the GB market, it takes the place of the CE marking applied to products required by European directives and used across Europe. Measuring instrument type evaluation and manufacturing system certifications are covered by both CE and UKCA for the respective markets. Once certifications are issued, manufacturers can conduct the initial verification of their products.

Following the two-year extension, manufacturers wishing to retain access to the UK market for their products must still apply UKCA markings by 1 January 2025. EU certificates can be used as a basis for applying UKCA markings until 31 December 2027 (or earlier if the original certification is due to expire or requires significant revision).

NMi, nmi.nl

THE IMPORTANCE OF SKILLED WORKERS

IN A NET ZERO WORLD

JTL is raising awareness of the essential role apprenticeships play in achieving net zero, and how that relates to the government’s route out of the cost-of-living crisis.

Both the UK Chancellor’s autumn statement and the Prime Minister’s words at Cop27 have confirmed that net zero is essential to the government’s strategy of revitalising the British economy by becoming a ‘clean energy superpower.’ JTL is reminding the industry that this is a strategy dependent upon a generation of trained apprentices.

In order to become a net zero nation, an entirely new skills-based infrastructure must be developed to support it. This is an infrastructure that cannot be created without training providers such as JTL, which deliver industry standard courses to ensure apprentices are ready to meet the net zero requirements of the future.

Hayley Tabberer, Campaign Manager at JTL, says, “At JTL, we believe that training apprentices in greener technologies can support the country through the development of more efficient energy solutions, new industries, and, with them, a new workforce.”

JTL, jtltraining.com

RISING COST OF MATERIALS TO BE ELECTRICIANS’ BIGGEST CHALLENGE IN 2023

The rising cost of materials will continue to be the most significant challenge facing UK electricians in 2023, according to a new report assessing the confidence of the industry.

The study, conducted by ElectricalDirect, surveyed electricians about their views on the year ahead and found that, while there is a general acceptance that the landscape is difficult, many are cautiously optimistic.

Just over a quarter (26%) of UK electricians think their companies will be more successful next year than they were in 2022, and one in 10 (10%) believe the industry will grow stronger over the coming months.

Furthermore, more than a third (37%) of electricians think they’ll be better off financially in 2023, which could explain the planned recruitment drive. Just over one in six (17%) are looking to expand and hire new staff, representing a slight increase from last year (15%).

However, with widespread societal issues, such as the cost-of-living crisis, affecting most UK households, some electricians are naturally more wary about the next 12 months.

SELECT LOOKS FORWARD TO 2023 WITH ‘OPTIMISM AND CONFIDENCE’

SELECT says it is looking forward to 2023 with ‘renewed optimism and confidence’ after it ended the year on a positive note by reflecting on 12 months of significant milestones.

While continuing to focus on the welfare of its members and maintaining the momentum of its campaign for professional recognition for electricians, the association is also celebrating an impressive list of achievements in 2022, including:

• Ending the year with 1,260 member businesses – its highest number in 122 years

• Winning the Association Excellence Award 2022 for Best Membership Support Since COVID-19

• Celebrating record electrical apprentice numbers for the second year in a row

• Seeing apprentices from member firms take Gold and Silver at the recent SkillELECTRIC contest

• Rolling out successful training courses with Amendment 2 updates

• Welcoming record numbers to its Toolbox Talks events in May and June

• Adding more high-profile names to its Wall of Support for industry regulation

• Supporting the submission of a Members’ Bill calling for protection of title

• Attracting key manufacturers to its newly launched Associate Member scheme

• Contributing to the ongoing success of the Construction Industry Collective Voice

Alan Wilson, Managing Director of SELECT, says, “Despite constantly evolving challenges and an increasingly complex industry environment, SELECT has not only made solid progress over the course of the year but also recorded some impressive achievements which gives us renewed optimism and confidence for the next 12 months.”

Looking forward to the coming year, Alan adds, “The biggest change I’d like to see in 2023 would be for regulation of the electrical industry to finally become a reality. Protection of title for electricians is essential if we’re to have a competent, multi-skilled workforce, working safely on the next generation of technology and keeping consumers safe.”

SELECT, select.org.uk

All the respondents acknowledged that there will be challenges, and top of the list is the rising cost of materials (48%). This was also the number one concern in ElectricalDirect’s report last year, but the number of concerned electricians has more than doubled (from 23%), suggesting the problem is growing.

Simply getting hold of materials is also a worry (21%), as is the ability to recruit people to fill job vacancies (25%).

ElectricalDirect, electricaldirect.co.uk

ECA INDUSTRY AWARDS

NOW OPEN FOR ENTRIES

ECA has announced that its Industry Awards are open for entries. These awards recognise ECA member businesses who have excelled and delivered some of the most outstanding projects and initiatives across the UK’s electrotechnical and engineering services sector.

Award winners will be announced during the ECA’s 2023 Industry Awards dinner, which will be held on 9 June 2023 at the Hilton Bankside Hotel in London.

The full list of award categories is as follows:

• Large Contractor of the Year – over £60m turnover

• Contractor of the Year – up to £60m turnover

• Contractor of the Year – up to £15m turnover

• Contractor of the Year – up to £5m turnover

• Contractor of the Year – up to £1m turnover

• Excellence in Training and Development –over £15m turnover

• Excellence in Training and Development –up to £15m turnover

• Best Health and Safety Initiative

• Best Fire and Security Project

• Best Client/Partnership

• Best Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

• FSA Outstanding Contribution to Fire Detection and Alarm Industry

• FSA Outstanding Contribution to Security Systems Industry

ECA Director of Member Services, Helen Atkinson, comments, “ECA Award winners and runners up gain a huge sense of pride from having the opportunity to showcase their exceptional commitment to delivering excellence. In addition, they receive significant publicity for their businesses, which provides an ideal chance to promote their achievements to prospective clients.”

Entries for this year’s ECA Annual Awards close on 31 March 2023 and are open to all ECA registered members.

ECA, eca.co.uk

OCTOPUS ENERGY

SIGNS ENERGY

DEAL FROM WORLD’S LARGEST WIND FARM

Octopus Energy Group has signed a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Shell Energy Europe to receive energy generated by the Dogger Bank offshore wind farm project.

Dogger Bank, currently under construction off the North East coast of England, is a joint venture between SSE Renewables, Equinor and Vårgrønn. Once completed, it will be the world’s largest wind farm, generating 3.6GW of green energy, enough to power roughly six million homes a year.

Shell Energy Europe, which has signed agreements to offtake 20% of the energy produced by Dogger Bank, will supply Octopus Energy with up to 2.4TWh of wind energy each year from Dogger Bank once it is fully operational. This will be enough energy to power around 24% of Octopus’ current customer base, or around 800,000 households.

Matt Bunney, Head of Energy at Octopus Energy Group, comments, “If the energy crisis has taught us anything it is that we need to move fast to an energy system based on cheap renewables – and Dogger Bank will help to get us there.”

Octopus Energy Group, octopus.energy

UK POWER NETWORKS SPEEDS UP FORECOURT

Power workers from UK Power Networks are helping to fast-track EV charging in petrol stations, to support the government’s 10-point plan for net zero.

UK Power Networks has worked with Motor Fuel Group (MFG) to speed up the provision of public charge points while improving air quality. The firm has 900 sites and has recently connected eight new ultra-fast 150kW charge points at its Catford site in South East London.

The launch is supporting the pace of EV uptake, with more than three million EVs forecast to be on the road across London, the East and South East by 2030.

EV CHARGERS

Adam Lakey, Stakeholder Engagement Manager at UK Power Networks, says, “We want to help enable the UK’s transition to net zero by reducing the cost of connecting EV chargers for our customers through our Green Recovery scheme. People need to be able to choose to use new technologies as we all strive to address climate change – this project needed us to install new infrastructure to enable the new equipment to connect to our electricity network, which will help create a low carbon economy for the future of Catford and beyond.”

UK Power Networks,

THE WIRE MORE THAN DOUBLES ITS REACH IN 2022

THE WIRE, NICEIC‘s hit technical webinar programme, has smashed all previous records, more than doubling its reach in 2022.

Delivering 22 episodes between January to December, the season racked up an impressive 80,000 views through its live broadcasts and on-demand service.

Furthermore, audiences for the live broadcasts were up 50% when compared to the previous year, with average viewing numbers exceeding 1,300 per episode.

“We have identified a real winning formula with THE WIRE,” says Paul Collins, NICEIC’s Head of Technical Services. “The

feedback received shows we are consistently hitting 4.7 out of five stars, with comments indicating that the topics covered are both relevant and timely.

“Our Amendment 2 episode was a great example. Timed to coincide with the day the details were released, this episode has now been viewed over 10,000 times.”

Free and exclusive to NICEIC registered businesses, all episodes from the 2022 series are available to watch on-demand now.

NICEIC, niceic.com

If your project requires a fully customised solution or specific outgoing devices pre-fitted then this service will be of benefit. It enables a highly reduced labour time on site while also ensuring continuity across your project.

In a few easy steps, the Contactum team can help you to design and build the best, compliant configuration to suit your project. Using standard and non-standard Contactum devices and accessories, the company can supply your units fully assembled.

All you need to do is contact the dedicated contractor sales team via email at contractors@contactum.co.uk.

Discuss the requirement, agree a design configuration, and confirm the quantities*.

Contactum can then provide a unique quotation for your exact requirements.

Once agreed and an order is placed via one of the company’s selected distributor partners, Contactum will assemble and dispatch your boards ready for installation.

The design service is perfect for all project applications, and the company works closely with M&E consultants, electrical contractors, and housing developers for peace of mind guaranteed compliance and continuity across the project.

•

•

*Minimum

Contactum, contactum.co.uk

Introducing Three Phase range of Defender B Boards, complementing our Defender 1.0 & 2.0 Consumer Units.

Introducing Three Phase range of Defender B Boards, complementing our Defender 1.0 & 2.0 Consumer Units.

Introducing Three Phase range of Defender B Boards, complementing our Defender 1.0 & 2.0 Consumer Units.

• Tested in accordance with IEC 61439-3

• Tested in accordance with IEC 61439-3

• Extension enclosures, metering kits & surge protection available

• Tested in accordance with IEC 61439-3

• Extension enclosures, metering kits & surge protection available

• Tin plated busbar, improved connection, prevention of copper oxidisation

• Extension enclosures, metering kits & surge protection available

• Tin plated busbar, improved connection, prevention of copper oxidisation

• Fully shrouded neutral terminals

• Tin plated busbar, improved connection, prevention of copper oxidisation

• Fully shrouded neutral terminals

Tested by an independent reputable laboratory

• Fully shrouded neutral terminals

• 4 to 16 triple pole ways

• 4 to 16 triple pole ways

Tested by an independent reputable laboratory

• Single phase conversion kit

• 4 to 16 triple pole ways

• Single phase conversion kit

• Busbar short circuit withstand rating Icw 20ka 0.25s

• Single phase conversion kit

• Busbar short circuit withstand rating Icw 20ka 0.25s

• IP4X with door and DFC fitted

• Busbar short circuit withstand rating Icw 20ka 0.25s

• IP4X with door and DFC fitted

• IP2X with all devices and blanks fitted with covers off

• IP4X with door and DFC fitted

• IP2X with all devices and blanks fitted with covers off

• IP2X with all devices and blanks fitted with covers off

www.contactum.co.uk

NITTAN FIRE DETECTION SYSTEM INSTALLED IN IRELAND’S TALLEST COMMERCIAL BUILDING

Nittan Elite Partner, Fire Technology Ireland, has recently commissioned and supplied an L1 addressable fire detection system using Nittan Evolution fire detection devices at the EXO, the tallest commercial building in Ireland, located in Dublin.

The EXO building contains 16 floors over three basements. More than 1,350 Nittan Evolution Analogue Addressable devices were installed as the primary detection system throughout the building, along with Advanced Electronics MxPro 5 Series fire alarm panels and network – one loop panel per floor for tenant space, two eight loop panels for landlord space and a four loop panel for the basement.

The use of Nittan EV-PYS combined smoke detector sounders reduced the overall visual impact on the floors and common areas. The units have a 360-degree viewing angle Omniview ring to allow for quick location and identification of any problem which may arise.

Nittan, nittan.co.uk

BRITISH FRESH FRUIT PRODUCER GOES GREEN

Kent fresh fruit producer, Mansfields, has received a substantial funding package from HSBC UK to support the company’s future growth and sustainability initiatives.

Mansfields switched to banking with HSBC UK at the end of 2021, with the funding package including an asset finance loan, which has enabled the company to make significant investment into its fruit stores, packhouse, and cold store facility. As a result, Mansfields will maintain the fruit it grows in-house, preventing food wastage.

The business has used a Green Loan provided by HSBC Equipment Finance UK, to support the installation of 2,252 solar panels on roof space at its Nickle Farm near Chartham, taking the total number of solar panels on the farm to 6,600. Over 25 years, it is estimated that this will save 10,250 tonnes of CO2, the equivalent of planting 410,000 trees.

Lee Port, CEO of Mansfields, says, “The farming industry is changing significantly and as we look to the future – we must embrace new techniques and technological innovations, including significant plantings of Pink Lady and Jazz, that all extend the harvest period for our fruits and reduce our impact on the environment. The support from HSBC UK will allow us to invest in our facilities and remain competitive with consumers as we reduce our reliance on electricity.”

HSBC UK, hsbc.co.uk

UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK ROOTES

SOCIAL BUILDING COMPLETED

Briggs & Forrester Special Projects has completed the works on Rootes Social Building for Client University of Warwick. The building formed part of the Commonwealth Games Accreditation Zone, an exclusive zone for the athletes.

Working alongside M&E consultant Couch Perry Wilkes’ Birmingham team, Briggs & Forrester was responsible for the mechanical, electrical and associated builders work for a temporary heating and cooling system to the Chancellors and Panorama Suites on the second floor of the building.

Mechanical services included alterations to existing ductwork and ceiling bulkheads to create space for new installation of VRF/AC systems, including drainage. Electrical works included power supplies to mechanical items and upgrading of mains panel.

The successful completion of these works brings significant improvements to the environment in these important conferencing facilities.

Briggs & Forrester Special Projects, briggsandforrester.co.uk

THE FLEXIBLE, INCLUSIVE WORKPLACE OF THE FUTURE

Global real estate advisor JLL’s new Canary Wharf office is in one of the most sustainable buildings in the UK. It recently relocated some of its London-based teams to the second and third floors at 20 Water Street, Wood Wharf.

20 Water Street is an agile work environment that combines rich social experiences with flexible work zones and outside spaces, and offers over 170,000ft2 of future-ready workspace.

In the post-pandemic London landscape, it was critical for JLL to have cutting-edge spaces to encourage employees back into the office.

The brief was to create a collaborative, sustainable, inclusive, health-led, tech-smart, energy efficient, and flexible workplace, targeting WELL Platinum, SKA Gold and BREEAM Excellent.

Highly efficient and sustainable TRILUX luminaires helped meet the project’s sustainability goals and create JLL’s desired workspaces.

A mix of surface, suspended, and recessed Sonnos downlights in various configurations complement the interior design, including biophilic accents and features.

Striking circular and rectangular arrangements of the Finea 50 flexible, modular light channel system add aesthetic appeal in collaboration areas and its pure, high-quality white light aid communication.

Additional feature lighting is provided by the Canilio – a small but powerful suspended downlight colour matched to complement the scheme.

Trilux, trilux.com

SPIE COMPLETES FOR SACRED HEART PRIMARY SCHOOL

SPIE UK has recently completed a contract with Morrison Construction to deliver full mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) works to Sacred Heart Primary School for hub South West on behalf of South Ayrshire Council.

As part of the contract, SPIE UK was responsible for delivering the full MEP package, including state-of-the-art renewable energy heating and ventilation, photovoltaics solar system, LED lighting, sprinkler system and full fire and security package to protect the building and its occupants.

Built over two storeys, the seven-classroom building can accommodate up to 125 students. The semi open-plan design includes interactive learning areas, a nurture room, a general-purpose room, and a multi-use dining and hall. Renewable energy sources are also installed as part of the project which tap into SPIE UK’s ongoing commitment to driving the implementation of sustainable technologies in the built environment.

SPIE UK, spieuk.com

LIBERTY BEGINS £5.4M CONTRACT WITH SOVEREIGN HOUSING ASSOCIATION

Liberty will provide Sovereign Housing Association residents across the South West and Thames Valley with confidence in their electrical equipment for the next six years.

The business has secured the multi-million-pound contract to deliver Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) testing and remedial works to 5,500 Sovereign properties, including homes, offices, and commercial buildings.

“The tender was split into four lots, and we were pleased to be successful in securing all four,” says Chris Gilmore, Liberty’s Regional Director for the South West and Wales. “We’ll be looking after homes and properties from Exeter and Gloucester in the west to Christchurch, Poole and the Isle of Wight on the south coast and up to Berkshire, Oxford and Reading in the Thames Valley.

“It builds on the success of our existing electrical contracts in this vast geographical area and is testament to Liberty’s reputation for being smart and straightforward to work with.”

The contract, which is worth £900,000 per annum for six years will involve a rolling programme of EICR testing to ensure certificates are valid for five years. An inspection will also take place at each change of tenancy.

Liberty, liberty-group.co.uk

CRAIG FAIRWEATHER ANNOUNCED AS SKILLELECTRIC UK CHAMPION

Employed by McDonald & Munro in Moray, Scotland, and trained by Moray College and SECTT, Craig excelled in a complicated task to install a range of first and second fix items including PVC/PVC surface clipping, plastic conduit, trunking and fireproof cable.

Taking second place and a silver medal was Andrew Horne of A. Campbell Electrical Services, Lews Castle College and SECTT. Third place and a bronze medal was awarded to Tommy Adlam of MMES 2012 and Bridgwater and Taunton College. A special ‘Highly Commended’ mention went to Lyam Thorpe from the College of West Anglia and DJB Electrical Services for an excellent performance alongside the three medal winners.

In a first for this year, competitors were able to get hands-on with smart lighting and controls through wiring and operating Scolmore’s ClickSmart+ system, which allowed them to witness how future installations may look and the capabilities of smart systems.

Judges had to assess how well the competitors performed in areas such as measuring accuracy (within 2mm), horizontal and vertical alignment, electrical terminations, functionality, containment symmetry, inspection, testing and safe

working practices, including application of health and safety requirements.

All finalists received a range of prizes, including cable cutters and a keylight from CK Tools; a voltage tester and proving unit from Megger; a Wiring Regulations book, lock-off kit and DeWalt cordless drill from the NICEIC; and a Scolmore goodie bag containing various Click products from the Aquip, Deco, Polar and Metal Clad wiring accessories range, a Unicrimp product bundle, an ESP Fort Smart Security Kit and a variety of merchandise.

As the winner, Craig also received a Megger Multi-Function Tester, an iPad from the NICEIC and a prize bundle of a 10-piece Electricians Tool Kit with rucksack, MightyRod Pro Cable Rod Kit, automatic wire stripper, voltage detector and trimming knife from Electric Center, which also donated prizes for the second and third place winners.

SkillELECTRIC is organised by industry charity National Electrotechnical Training (NET) with support from Scolmore Group, Electric Center and the NICEIC.

Alex Robinson, NICEIC Technical Training Developer, judged competitors at the national heats and the UK final and says, “I think the old proverb ‘more haste, less speed’ can help to sum up Craig’s performance in the competition. He had a plan, which gave him a clear focus from the off. He executed his plan at a pace that allowed him to complete

the task within the time constraints without compromising the quality of his work.

“Craig was methodical in his approach, which led to fewer avoidable mistakes that can ultimately make a difference when competing against others who are also working to such a high standard.

“Overall, the calibre of competitors has been fantastic this year, especially when you consider the disruption they have had to their training during the pandemic, so to come out the other side with such a comprehensive skillset shows real resilience. From what I have seen, it is my belief that all the competitors will be an asset to the electrical industry.”

Craig received the good news after watching the WorldSkills UK live results broadcast. “It still hasn’t sunk in yet to be honest, it was very nerve-wracking waiting for the electrical results to come up, and when it eventually did I was even more nervous once the bronze and silver medals were ready out!” says Craig. “But I was over the moon when my name was read out for the gold medal, it’s a great honour to win the UK final.

“It’s definitely been a once-in-a-lifetime experience, everyone at home is extremely proud of the work I’ve done to get to this point and I couldn’t have done it without each and every one of them.”

SkillELECTRIC, skillelectric.org.uk

Craig Fairweather, 23, has been named 2022 SkillELECTRIC champion following a challenging two-day UK final event at Middlesbrough College.

DON’T WAIT TO ILLUMINATE PROPERLY

Accessing wires and cables in dark and confined spaces is a necessity for every electrician, and it becomes that little bit harder in the winter months when brighter, natural light is less abundant. But what many don’t consider is that the source of light is just as important as the tools being used on the job – if not more so.

Whether it’s a head torch, tripod, or portable work light, there’s more for electricians to consider than just having a reliable light source, and it can make the difference in making the right cut or connection in low light environments.

Artificial light sources are designed to reproduce the colours of natural daylight and therefore make objects appear the same colour. However, their ability to do so differs drastically. For example, an LED lamp and natural daylight might have the same colour temperature but depict an object in different colour tones because their spectral composition (the wavelengths of colour and their density coming from the light source) are different.

Why is this important? Well imagine shining an LED light into a dark cavity with a large number of multi coloured wires and struggling to determine which are the red wires and which are the brown wires –something which could be critical for the job, or critical for the safety of the electrician.

In natural light, a red wire would appear red because it reflects that colour and absorbs the rest of the colours in the spectrum. With an LED light, because the spectral composition is different to natural light (i.e., it could the lacking in red compared to the colour spectrum in natural light), the red wire may appear an orangey brown because different wavelengths of colour are being absorbed and reflected.

This is where electricians should be looking beyond just practical elements, such as the portability and price of their light choices. Instead, top of the list should be a light’s performance on the Colour Rendering Index (CRI), which measures and compares the reflected colour of an object under artificial lighting.

Electricians should be looking beyond just practical elements, such as the portability and price of their light choices

CRI is measured on a sliding scale where 100 is the maximum – the higher the score on the index, the better the light source is at producing a true reflection of the colours of an object, or in this case wires and cables. An optimised combination of CRI and Kelvin ratings delivers a better reproduction of colour, improving safety for electrical contractors.

Working with its panel of trade professionals to find the right solutions for on-the-job problems, C.K Tools has developed its new USB Re-chargeable Wide Field Head Light (T9630). Ideal for dark and confined spaces, the Head Light produces 400 lumens of light, with 5,700 kelvins on

colour temperature and a CRI of 80 – this means it’s like using a 40w LED bulb, with similar colour temperature to natural light and a strong ability to correctly reflect the actual colour of the object it’s being shone on. And with four modes of operation – spotlight, wide field, full beam, and dipped beam – it provides the versatility needed to suit all manner of environments electricians find themselves in.

With all this in mind, electrician’s need to be thinking that the lights they illuminate their jobs with are just as important as the lights they install.

C.K Tools, ck-tools.com

Why quality of light is paramount in dark and confined spaces, according to Paul Pugh, Head of Marketing at C.K Tools

LOW-ENERGY LED LUMINAIRES MEET RESIDENTIAL BUILDING REQUIREMENTS

The Cambridge University Lucy Cavendish College’s mission is to attract, support and unlock the potential of students from non-traditional and underrepresented backgrounds who are driven by a desire to make a difference. The University is also dedicated to building in a radical way to reduce its carbon emissions.

The new student accommodation near Lady Margaret Road reflects this. The latest eco-friendly and accessible facility comprises 72 student rooms and social spaces.

The lighting for the new building also had to help create a welcoming, inclusive environment

The scheme, designed by RH Partnership Architects, is developed to the Passivhaus standard to significantly reduce energy use, and ensure comfort for students and carers, using modern methods of construction and sustainable, robust materials to reduce embodied carbon.

The scheme is centred around large quantiles of natural daylight, so the role of artificial lighting is to supplement, and substitute come nightfall. To meet the Passivhaus requirements, LEDs’ low energy and low heat qualities were a natural choice. For a high-quality LED solution, electrical contractor Munro Building Services turned to its lighting partner, TRILUX.

Many of Lucy Cavendish College’s undergraduates will be living away from home for the first time. So, the lighting for the new building also had to help create a welcoming, inclusive environment to offer a sense of community where students can achieve the best academic outcomes in their home away from home.

Bedroom lighting

The bedrooms are designed to be comfortable, welcoming, and structured, enabling students to get to know each other in manageable groups. Here the wall mounted TRILUX LC60 aids the main aim. Its 3000K warm, welcoming light is easily

dimmable and creates a cosy, inviting atmosphere for students to retire to after a long day.

Common meeting places

A study café space on the ground floor includes a range of facilities, including study booths and intelligent screens, encouraging students to collaborate in the way that suits them best. TRILUX Limba pendants, in a gold and black finish, add striking appeal and help form the café setting. Its 3D faceted reflector and opal acrylic ring offer exceptional glare control, ideal for hi-tech working aids.

From the corridors and stairwells to the plant rooms and external stores, the TRILUX range has been utilised to provide optimum efficiency. The lighting design comprises SNC Point, LC60, 74RS, Amatris, Limba (White + Special Finish), Osram LED Tape, Skeo Q B1, LTX Z, Skeo Curv and Skeo Q. Grant Rigg, Electrical Project Manager, Munro comments, “Trilux have been incredibly proactive from the early design stage, liaising directly with the client’s team through to project delivery. Working with them on the scheme has been a pleasure, and they are always happy to help/find a solution.”

TRILUX, trilux.com

LIGHTING THE WAY TO Make contact with our experienced team and find out why Pulse Cinemas should be your first choice for Lutron Lighting. www.pulsecinemas.com

LIGHTING THE WAY TO Make contact with our experienced team and find out why Pulse Cinemas should be your first choice for Lutron Lighting. www.pulsecinemas.com www.pulsecinemas.com

LEADING FROM THE FRONT

Having worked extensively within the cable management sector for nearly 40 years, Simon Hudson-Smith has witnessed many changes. Carly Wills talks to him about his life and career, and the exciting developments at the Hudson Group

CW: Tell us about yourself and how you got into the sector

SHS: I was in the electrical wholesale industry in the late 80’s and early 90’s. I was working at a company called OLC Electrical in Maidenhead and I got to know Marc Swaffer, the Sales Manager at Arena Cable Management. We worked together on several projects and in 1993 we decided to set up in business together, and so RMS was born as a specialist cable management wholesaler. For the first few years we partnered with different suppliers across the industry, but we soon realised we needed a dedicated manufacturer for cable containment that could provide the support and flexibility for the projects we were involved with. So, in 1998 we set up Armorduct as our manufacturing facility for cable management products – initially trunking, tray, floor systems and bespoke

specials, with the later addition of cable basket. It was really our capability to produce ‘specials’ that made us stand out from our competitors as our customers were always asking for modifications to standard products, or needing specifically-designed solutions. We found that being able to complement our offer with an in-house design service really helped with the challenges faced by every project. 25 years later, we’re still doing exactly that – helping customers overcome problems, because, inevitably, every project has its own unique challenges! Sadly, Marc passed away in 2019 but I remain committed to driving and growing what we started together. This year we are launching Milton Cable Management Systems, as a specialist arm of our business, and we’ve also formed a new partnership with Wibe Group to help re-launch and support the much-respected Mita brand.

CW: For those who may not know, can you give us an overview of the work that Hudson Group does?

SHS: Hudson Group is one of the UK’s leading independent groups of cable management companies – RMS, Armorduct and Milton. Each business has its own specialism: RMS provides expert modular and offsite manufacturing services for high volume, fast install cable containment solutions. Armorduct designs and manufactures standard and bespoke steel cable management systems including cable trunking, tray, basket, and floor boxes, while Milton provides cable containment solutions for corrosive and hazardous environments.

CW: Tell us about your current role – what are you responsible for and what does the normal working day consist of?

SHS: I’m the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at the Hudson Group and still very much hands-on with each of the businesses. After 30 years it’s a hard habit to break!

As we expand, and the demands upon cable management systems evolve, a significant amount of my time is spent looking at the future direction of the Hudson Group, identifying new areas to move into and maximising the value we can bring to the industry. I’m also exploring new partnerships and building a strong leadership team, as this is the key to our future development.

CW: What are the best things about your role? What are the most challenging?

SHS: I’ve gained enormous satisfaction from seeing the businesses flourish. In many ways they feel very much like my ‘kids’, and with the right encouragement and direction I hope they’ll continue to go from strength to strength.

Every day presents new challenges and being in a position to address them and influence change is incredibly rewarding. However, the loss of Marc Swaffer was a huge blow – both personally and professionally. He is remembered fondly as a big character within our businesses, and in the electrical industry, and we’ve had to work hard to replace his influence and experience.

This has only been possible by colleagues from across the business stepping up and helping to move us forward. In particular,

Simon HudsonSmith with the 1959 Austin A35 raced by both Simon and his previous partner Marc Swaffer in the HRDC (Historic Racing Drivers Club) series

Pete Willsher (MD of RMS) and Alfie Rowe (MD of Armorduct) have both demonstrated great leadership and brought the best out of their teams. At Hudson Group it’s very much a team philosophy, which has been built on tackling challenges head-on, as a team with our customers. Every project has challenges and we become project-team partners with our customers to help solve them!

CW: How has COVID-19 affected the industry?

SHS: Aside from the lack of direct interaction with colleagues and customers, it obviously created a huge amount of uncertainty at first. Like many other businesses, we wondered how we’d survive. However, after the initial wobble, the industry seems to have recovered very strongly and we’re now seeing great momentum in projects across the board. As a company we learned a great deal during this time. We took the chance to re-structure, we put a defined corporate strategy in place and we are now seeing the benefits of these activities.

CW: Aside from COVID-19, what have been the biggest changes across the industry in recent times? What will be the biggest changes in the future?

SHS: Brexit has certainly given UK businesses a challenge in terms of dealing with European projects, particularly in the data centre world. UK contractors have had to find new ways of trading in Europe and suppliers like us have had to adapt to new ways of working to accommodate logistics and customs changes.

Likewise, the impending economic recession is causing a great deal of concern, along with supply chain and shipping challenges from China.

This is accelerating change across construction and, thanks to a forward thinking approach, the Hudson Group is able to be flexible and react positively. For example, modern methods of construction mean rising demand for modularisation, as not only have raw material costs increased dramatically, so too have labour costs.

The demand for on-site labour is outstripping supply and labour rates continue to increase – the more work you need to do on-site, the more people you need. This means more labour and management, more travel, more dependence on people, more training and skills required, and more equipment. This is not to mention the costs to cover CSCS and other qualifications, site inductions and toolbox training, which is mandatory for most sites.

CW: How is Hudson Group working to make construction more sustainable?

SHS: Every organisation I speak with is looking for new ways to ensure reliability, save time and money, and be more sustainable. Modular cable management is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint, as the delivered product contains less packaging than separate components, usually takes up less space and, as a result, requires less transportation. A specialist team will have assembled, tested, labelled and packaged the product, so when it arrives it’s ready to ‘plug and play’.

Modular systems also minimise material waste. Hudson Group companies also have a defined recycling policy, as we are ISO 14001 certified, to ensure that all waste packaging and other materials are segregated and recycled appropriately. Sustainability is a massive challenge for the construction industry – we’re playing our part now and investing in renewable energy to run our factories, plus monitoring systems to help optimise how we operate.

CW: What’s next for you and for the Hudson Group?

SHS: 2023 will see us celebrating 30 years in business for RMS and 25 years for Armorduct – quite a milestone year for both businesses.

And 2023 is going to be an important and exciting year for Hudson Group, as we develop our core strengths and values, and seek to grow our distributor base. I’m particularly looking forward to working in partnership with Wibe Group to promote the Mita brand.

Those of us that have worked in the cable management sector for some time will be familiar with Mita, and it has been much missed in recent years. It will also offer the opportunity to highlight the benefits of glass reinforced polyester (GRP) based products within various applications. GRP offers a robust and durable cable management solution that is fire and corrosion resistant, lighter than steel but equal in strength. It is also easy to handle, without adding unnecessary weight to an installation.

While we are proud to make our products in the UK, we also recognise that Brexit has fundamentally altered the trading landscape. Therefore, RMS is expanding into Europe – initially in Amsterdam and Frankfurt – so we can offer our UK partners better service and support for their data centre and modular work throughout the European Union.

CW: What do you think are the most exciting products or technologies coming to the market?

SHS: As well as modularisation, for the reasons explained above, 3D CAD software technologies are helping us work more effectively and precisely. Often used for our work in creating modular solutions, we can take building information modelling (BIM) and Revit files, extract the mechanical and electrical layers and work with contractors to develop the best solutions for their cable management needs.

The developments in smart buildings and data centres are also incredibly exciting. It’s no secret that demand for data is skyrocketing as our world becomes ever more connected with data intensive applications. In response, data centres must be capable of storing and managing massive amounts of information, while using the latest network cabling infrastructure. This is an area where we are seeing strong demand for our products.

CW: What are your interests away from work?

SHS: Power boating, car racing and travel!

Hudson Group, hudsoncmg.com

EXTERIOR LIGHTING SOLUTIONS FROM OVIA

As the dark evenings and mornings prevail, Ovia puts the spotlight on its exterior floodlighting offer, which comprises an extensive range of powerful and efficient flood, wall pack and street lighting.

Gator is a range of LED street lighting with CTA switch. With an IK10 housing and IP66 rating, Gator is ideal for lighting larger outdoor areas, such as car parks and walkways, and is designed to be quick and simple to install via toolless entry.

Inceptor Ace is a range of adjustable, LED asymmetric IP65 floodlights. They are suitable for lighting walkways and driveways, and for highlighting architecture or features. A photocell version allows for use with remote PIRs or microwave sensors. The photocell versions turn the light on when the light level drops under 10-20 lux and turns the light off once the light level is over 30-60 lux.

Inceptor Murus is a range of IP66 LED wall packs with CTA switch and a robust IK10 rated housing that makes them ideal in outdoor settings. They are designed to be

fast and simple to install, and are available in 15W and 25W options and in a choice of standard, photocell, and photocell and emergency versions.

November Competition

The winner of the November competition – a Rekor IP 24/7 2MP 4-Channel 4 Camera Kit – was Colin Legg.

CONSUMER UNITS — DOES YOURS MEET THE REQUIRED STANDARDS?

There has been a proliferation of consumer units and associated products hitting the UK electrical market in the last couple of years.

Jake Green, Head of Technical Engagement with Scolmore Group, looks at some of the factors that contractors should be considering when sourcing distribution boards.

As a sector, we are only too familiar with the pressures of tight margins and the need to complete projects on time, to shorter programmes and within restricted budgets.

Within these constraints, the appeal of a lower priced product, or more easily accessed product, may make sense in the short term, but can contractors afford to put themselves in a position where a product may fail to meet the requirements for which it has been specified, resulting in time lost, delays on site, or worst case scenario, injury to a person?

Elucian consumer units cover a broad range of installations and offer a number of features and benefits

It is more important than ever that contractors have the security of knowing that the suppliers and brands they are working with are rigorously tested, fully compliant, will help deliver faster installation and are backed up with reliable customer support service.

When Scolmore entered the consumer unit market in 2021, it did so from its position as a leading organisation in the UK wiring accessories market with a long standing reputation for quality, reliability and innovation. The launch of Elucian brought to the professional contractor a comprehensive consumer unit and circuit protection range that was designed with

the installer in mind. Compliant with all the latest regulations, the extensive collection of metal consumer units covers a broad range of installations and offers a number of features and benefits that enhance the products’ convenience, flexibility and safety properties.

Third party approvals

The consumer units in the Elucian by Click range are all tested, and third party approved to BS EN 61439-3 – Low-voltage switchgear and control gear assemblies –Distribution boards intended to be operated by ordinary persons (DBO).

DBOs have the following criteria:

• Intended to be operated by ordinary persons (e.g. switching operations and replacing fuse-links), e.g. in domestic (household) applications.

• Outgoing circuits contain protective devices, intended to be operated by ordinary persons, complying, for example, with BS EN 60898-1, BS EN 61008, BS EN 61009, BS EN 62423 and BS EN 60269-3. (All Elucian protective devices supplied by Click Scolmore are third party approved to the relevant product standard i.e. MCBs to BS EN 60898-1; RCBOs to BS EN 61009-1 and RCDs to BS EN 61008.)

• Rated voltage to earth does not exceed 300V a.c.

• Rated current (Inc) of the outgoing circuits does not exceed 125A and the rated current (InA) of the DBO does not exceed 250A.

• Intended for the distribution of electrical energy.

• Enclosed, stationary.

• For indoor or outdoor use.

Scolmore has a Declaration of Conformity to back up its third party testing. A Declaration of Conformity is a requirement for UKCA marking because it acts as signed proof that a product is safe to use. Scolmore’s Declaration of Conformity documentation is available on request.

AFFDS – the new kids on the block

Among the significant changes included in the Amendment 2 to BS 7671:2018 (18th Edition of the IET Wiring Regulations) is a requirement for Arc Fault Detection Devices (AFDDs) in AC final circuits supplying

socket-outlets in specific installations (detailed in Regulation 421.1.7).

An Arc Fault Detection Device (AFDD) is a safety device which activates in the presence of series and parallel arc faults by monitoring the waveform (signature) of an arc. It does this by electronically analysing the waveform and operates when the waveform falls outside of predetermined values. The standard required for arc fault devices is BS EN 62606. This provides the minimum safety and performance requirements AFDDs shall conform to.

BS EN 62606: 2013+A1: 2017 General requirements for arc fault detection devices states that the purpose of an AFDD is, ‘…to mitigate the risk of fire in final circuits of a fixed installation due to the effect of arc fault currents that pose a risk of fire ignition under certain conditions if the arcing persists’.

As a relatively new product to the UK, demand for AFDDs has been high. As a reputable manufacturer, Scolmore has applied the same rigorous tests and procedures to ensure its AFDD products are safe, reliable and suitable for the intended applications.

Causes of arc

Contact arcs can result from either direct or indirect contact between metal parts which are moving relative to one another or have little conductivity, such as a loose electrical connection or a break in conductor.

To generate an arc is a complicated process, but principally an arc fault is a function of the voltage and the distance between the two points of contact. Initially, an arc is composed of metallic vapours (for example, carbon) and current can flow through the damaged section. As the current flows through a material that is a relatively poor conductor, heat is built up due to the I2R heating effect.

Means of detection of arc faults

Manufacturers differ in how they choose to conform to the requirements of the Standard, however. Scolmore apply three characteristics in complex algorithms which, when taken together, will cause their AFDD to trip. These are:

• Noise – HF noise in the high kHz to the MHz region. This ‘noise’ is generated by the movement of the arc roots at the cathode. Whilst there are other sources of ‘noise’ which are naturally generated by electrical equipment operating normally, these are of a different nature and the algorithm filters them out.

• Continuous – ‘noise’ must not be of a brief duration or very intermittent. It is only a continuous process that will lead to the creation of a fire risk and, therefore, where ‘noise’ is intermittent this will not lead to the operation of the AFDD.

• Current variation – erratic variations in current and waveform distorting the typical sinusoidal waveform of the normal supply. A series arc will have an impact on the nature of the load current within a final circuit. At the point of arcing there will be an increase in heating with a corresponding variation in current. The AFDD algorithm will sense this changing current.

Unless all three elements are present the AFDD will not operate as it is unlikely a true series or parallel arc will be present.

Scolmore, scolmore.com

Protective Devices

Elucian AFDD unit

by Click®

CLEANING UP MOBILITY WITH GREEN ELECTRIC TECHNOLOGY

Renault Group’s goal is to achieve a negative carbon balance at Refactory by 2030 and to become fully carbon neutral in Europe by 2040. To meet this target, the group is deploying innovative solutions to eliminate SF6 from its medium-voltage switchgear at the Flins factory using Schneider Electric’s SM AirSeT MV switchgear. This sustainable MV equipment uses pure air and vacuum interruption technology instead of sulfur hexafluoride (SF6).

SF6 is commonly used in electric distribution equipment, but it is 25,200 times stronger than carbon dioxide (CO2) when it comes to global warming potential (GWP). SF6 is increasingly becoming the subject of climate-focused regulations and efforts.

Eliminating SF6 and replacing it with pure air offers the immediate benefit of removing a potent greenhouse gas from the equation, but it also simplifies the

installation, dismantling, and recycling of equipment while limiting costs. SM AirSeT’s reinforced design is used in combination with digital features to extend the switchgear’s operational life by over 30%.

The solution’s connected, digital capabilities also address Refactory’s wider concerns of cyber security, power reliability and maintenance.

AirSeT provides a solution for these three issues. The MV switchgear is cyber-secure and has integrated smart sensors that bring 24/7 connectivity. This allows Renault Group to remotely monitor the Refactory’s MV switchgear operations for condition-based maintenance and increased safety. The sensors’ data is fed to Refactory’s local field tools/apps and to sophisticated analytics tools such as those offered by Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure architecture and platform.

The full range of digitally native features unlocks the value of data for optimised operations and maintenance.

AirSeT technology is designed for secondary electrical distribution markets, such as industrial and commercial building applications and utilities. These sectors are increasingly challenged to reduce their environmental footprint in a bid to support climate action and speed up energy transition.

“In the fight against climate change, moving away from F-gases is imperative to accelerate decarbonisation,” comments Frederic Godemel, Executive Vice President of Power Systems at Schneider Electric.

“Green energy is about much more than renewable energy generation and efficient energy consumption. SM AirSeT fits in the crucial space in between, where significant environmental improvements are to be made.”

Schneider Electric’s SM AirSeT has been successfully piloted at numerous electric utilities, infrastructure and buildings, by customers such as GreenAlp in France, EEC Engie in New Caledonia, and Azienda Trasporti Milanesi in Italy.

Schneider Electric, se.com

“Green energy is about much more than renewable energy generation and efficient energy consumption”

AMENDMENT 2 — TAKING A VIEW FROM THE INDUSTRY

Following the introduction of Amendment 2 of the 18th Edition, understandably there have been a lot of questions surrounding the changes and what they mean for electrical contractors. With the latest regulations applying a strong focus on the use of circuit protection, Hager recently sat down with its Technical and Training Manager, Paul Collins, to learn more about the changes, and most importantly, how those working in our industry are navigating them.

QFollowing Amendment 2, what do you think the reception has been like from the industry?

A As with any changes, we’ve received a lot of questions from contractors looking for advice and technical support. To better understand the areas they wanted to know more about, we recently surveyed a select sample of members of the Hager Insight Team and contractors on social media. Encouragingly, a huge 96% of respondents said they were aware of the changes outlined in Amendment 2, while 100% said they felt confident about the changes and their responsibilities. This is testament to the hard work of the entire sector, from industry bodies, employers, and manufacturers in working to ensure the changes outlined in Amendment 2 were delivered successfully.

QWhen it comes to the changes, what areas are contractors most interested in learning more about?

A The main changes in Amendment 2 of interest to contractors were arc fault detection devices (AFDDs) and electric vehicle (EV) charging points, both of which were selected by over one-third (36%) of all respondents, followed closely by surge protection devices (SPDs) with 24% and, finally, the topic of documentation and identification, which was highlighted by just 4% of those polled.

At Hager, we’re continuously looking at how we can work to support those in the industry, providing access to relevant information, technical expertise and product guidance. For those looking to enhance their knowledge on Amendment 2 related information, our 18th Edition Amendment 2 Hub, which includes our handy 18th Edition Bitesize Guide, outlines all the major changes. We also have our experienced and dedicated national support system; from our field sales team,

telephone account managers and technical experts, electrical contractors can be assured they continue to comply with the regulations, benefiting from the expertise and guidance they receive from our teams.

Q What are the biggest challenges surrounding Amendment 2 and its implementation?

A This is an interesting question, as with any change, there of course will be challenges, but this is where the industry needs to work together to ensure electrical contractors are equipped with the confidence and knowledge to implement the changes outlined in Amendment 2. Confidence and knowledge are even more important when you consider that when we asked this question to our select group of contractors, the biggest challenge they identified was their clients’ understanding of the changes (44%). By investing in ongoing product and solution training and leaning on expert advice, from the likes of manufacturers, contractors will not only be ensuring their work remains compliant with the latest changes, but they’ll also be able to confidently explain the changes, and why they’re needed to their clients.

Q What solutions does Hager have that support contractors remaining compliant with the latest regulations?

A One of the notable changes in Amendment 2 is that arc fault detection devices are now mandatory for use in certain settings and our award-winning AFDD, that launched earlier this year, will really support contractors in meeting this regulation. Complete with ProTools diagnostic software, our AFDD solution ensures that unwanted or operational trips are quickly detected and easily identified, whilst the in-situ software upgrades allows the firmware within

Protective Devices

the device to be updated as and when required, reducing the time and effort spent conducting fault finding by the contractor.

With Amendment 2 also seeing an increased focus on equipment protection against surge transient voltages, the industry can further benefit from our factory-fitted and fully integrated SPD board. Benefitting from a number of features that include a patented bus bar connection system, our solution also removes the need to provide secondary upstream protection, alleviating the need to purchase and fit separate protection devices, so electrical contractors can be assured that fitting a Hager SPD consumer unit guarantees the very best surge protection.

For more information about Amendment 2 of the 18th Edition Wiring Regulations, or to download a digital copy of the Amendment 2 Bitesize guide, please visit hager.link/amendment-2-support.

Hager, hager.com

Our Elucian range of Protective Devices are easy to install, suitable for residential and light commercial environments, they provide protection against earth faults to ensure people’s safety against electrocution and fires. Now including AFDDs.

by Click®

A 101 ON WHAT THE NEW BUILDING REGULATION REFORMS MEAN FOR EV CHARGE POINT INSTALLERS

EVs have been a hot topic in recent years. With the 2030 UK ban on all new petrol and diesel cars edging closer, it is more important than ever to pay attention to goings on in the EV industry, writes Nick Woolley, CEO and co-founder of ev.energy

With uptake ramping up –nearly 400,000 EVs were registered last year; that’s a growth of 92% on 2020 – new laws, guidelines, and regulations are being introduced to ensure a smooth transition.

One such example is the new Part S of UK’s Building Regulations. Let’s explore what this means for EV charger installers.

An overview of the new building regulations

The new Part S regulation, which came into effect in June 2022, requires all new build and retrofit homes, plus commercial buildings with more than 10 parking spaces, to have a minimum of one charge point. The government hopes the regulation will lead to the installation of around 145,000 new EV chargers –helping it close the 15:1 EV to EV charger ratio goal.

Not only will the regulation help close this gap, but there’s also hope that it will trigger further investment into the EV sector. This is what is required if EVs are to play their necessary part in helping the UK get to net zero by 2050.

Opportunities for installers

Currently, much of the sector is privately funded, but the new regulation will have huge implications for property developers. Many will turn to EV charger installers to ensure that properties abide by the new requirements. EV charger installers will be working hard to keep up with increased demand from developers. Installers can leverage the Part S reform and secure more lucrative partnerships for themselves; however, they need to be sure they’re offering developers what they want.

What makes an EV installer attractive?

To stand out, EV charging firms need to forge a unique market position. What Car? recently revealed Britain’s best charging networks, rating them on their ease, cost, dependability and charging speeds. Installers need to consider what they want to offer developers and EVSE manufacturers – do they want to be associated with the most reliable EV charging network, or perhaps they want to team up with a brand that offers the best value for money? Once this has been established, installers can engage in strategic partnerships with key industry developers, such as Easee, waEV-charge and BriXcell, and potentially win huge commercial contracts, enabling installers to

rapidly expand their network across the UK. Installers could even consider offering profit share agreements to make partnerships even more attractive to EVSE manufacturers, landowners, and property developers.

Smart charging facilities represent another feature that will only make an EV charging firm more appealing to a residential developer. With EV charging units likely to add a layer of operational complexity to any property manager’s role, smart charging can help by offering comprehensive usage reports and billing options. What’s more, smart charging enables people to save money – sometimes hundreds of pounds – on their energy bills. ev.energy offers its customers incentives for not charging their cars during peak times. Offerings like this will only make a developer’s properties more appealing to buyers.

A final word

2030 is fast approaching and the new regulations are set to help the UK’s transition to EVs. Installers will play an integral part in the UK’s journey to net zero. The potential for the industry to grow and thrive is massive – but only if installers are on the front foot and are offering landowners and property developers the very best, future-proof charging technology.

ev.energy, ev.energy

“Installers will play an integral part in the UK’s journey to net zero”

WHY AFTERCARE SHOULD BE CONSIDERED AN INTEGRAL PART OF EV CHARGER INSTALLATIONS

EV charger installation, support and servicing company, Devitech, places aftercare at the forefront of its service. In this article, the company discusses the importance of aftercare when delivering an EV charger installation, and why installation is only the first step in your working relationship with an EV charger installer.

Most EV chargers are extremely reliable, but, like all types of electrical equipment, they can develop faults.

Whether you have a single charger or seven, it can be difficult to know what to do when something goes wrong. And that’s why providing aftercare should be considered an integral part of delivering an EV charger installation – not an optional extra.

A standard aftercare service should include a remote response to issues within two hours; on-site response to issues within 72 hours (if it can’t be rectified remotely); unlimited call outs for non-man-made issues; charger remote updates conducted remotely; and an annual service visit for electrical testing. As well as this, most standard packages include a monthly report on charger usage, analytics and faults, all aided by an intelligent backoffice management system.

Using an intelligent back-office system

For businesses looking to electrify their fleet, it goes without saying that an integrated, intelligent back-office management system plays a crucial role in controlling a location’s charging infrastructure after an installation has taken place. A back-office system allows you and your EV charger installer to monitor, troubleshoot and maintain EV chargers remotely.

Graham Rowlands, Managing Director at Devitech, comments, “The EV charger installation market doesn’t have a good reputation when it comes to aftercare and post-installation support. In most cases, any issues raised are categorised under ‘product warranty’, and installers then instruct clients to go through the tedious task of dealing with the manufacturer directly to deal with the problem.

“The core reason for installing EV charge points is to provide a faultless

Providing aftercare should be considered an integral part of delivering an EV charger installation

service to clients, staff and visitors with minimal disruptions. Installation is only the first step in your working relationship with an EV charger installer.”

Devitech, devitech.co.uk

2023 — THE ROAD TO ELECTRIFICATION CONTINUES

According to Sevadis, developer, supplier and installer of electric vehicle charging products, the direction towards electrification is only increasing, and the company says it expects the momentum to remain and accelerate in 2023.

It goes without saying that last year presented a wealth of opportunities for the EV industry and industries alike.

A diversification of the OZEV grant funding to accommodate numerous scenarios; the introduction of The Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge) Regulation; the implementation of mandatory requirements for EV charging points across new build domestic and commercial properties, as well as the launch of new EVs and charging equipment – it was quite the year for the ever-evolving industry.

Technological expansion

The electric vehicle industry is by no means new, however, it still remains in its infancy with scope for technological advancements, including the development of alternative ways to recharge a vehicle that doesn’t include a socket (though this will take time and significant levels of investment from both public and private stakeholders). In 2022 we saw EV charging software providers introduce smart features to their management portals, enabling businesses and electric vehicle drivers to charge their vehicles seamlessly.

One notable feature implemented by EV charging software provider, Monta, is the ability to instantly recharge vehicles without the requirement for providing login details, or the requirement for becoming a Monta member. Virtually any electric vehicle driver can pull-up to any public EV charging point integrated with Monta and charge their vehicle, saving time, and often the pain of signing-up to ‘yet another EV charging app.’ The development of this feature has been welcomed by many EV charging manufacturers, businesses and EV drivers due to its simple and straightforward approach to charging.

For Sevadis, whilst the company is collaborating with key EV charging software providers for both domestic and commercial requirements, the development of EV charging hardware that provides a smooth user experience remains fundamental to its 2023 agenda. Driven by demand and consumer research, in January, Sevadis, in partnership with Autel, will be introducing a new commercial EV charging point to the market, which incorporates technology that allows for a seamless charging experience for all, whether that be at a public or private location.

Introduction of safer EV charging

EV charging capabilities are undoubtedly set to widen within the next 12 months, however, one element of charging that will be immediately implemented (from 30 December) is the safety of an EV charger. In June 2022, the industry witnessed the introduction of The Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge) Regulations; a regulation that focused on how drivers can charge smarter to protect the grid. Understanding that the safety of EV drivers whilst charging is paramount, an extension to the regulations, Schedule 1, means that all private EV charging points must be complete with a tamper proof device (in the form of locking catch, or a secure seal), ensuring that the EV chargers cannot be tampered with. As part of Schedule 1, EV drivers must be provided with complete transparency over their EV charger’s activity, for example notification of unauthorised use of the device. A security

log must also exist, again, for protection and transparency. Schedule 1 is widely welcomed – user safety is absolutely essential within the charging experience and the implementation of Schedule 1 will create peace of mind for many, if not all, thus eliminating the concerns surrounding EV charger tamper, cyber attacks and uncertified use.

What does the new Schedule 1 mean for EV charging point installations? As seen from the implementation of the initial regulations last year, businesses and EV drivers requiring charging devices for private use will need to ensure that their chosen EV charging points are compliant with the regulations.

A nationwide roll-out

These next 12 months, like the previous year, will play a crucial role in the electrification of the UK, including reaching the nation’s net zero targets. Last year, the EV industry reached a significant milestone of over 500,000 electric vehicles now on the UK roads –this figure is expected to increase due to genuine interest in making the switch, the 2030 ICE ban and businesses seeking to electrify. A nationwide roll-out of EV charging infrastructures remains a core task to encourage uptake, but to also accommodate the growing number of EVs on the road.

With this in mind, 2023 presents ample opportunities for electrical contractors already specialising in EV charging installations, but also, for those who are seeking to diversify their portfolios.

Sevadis, sevadis.com

EMERGENCY LIGHTING LEGISLATION AND STANDARDS

The requirement for emergency lighting in non-domestic premises is laid out in legislation throughout the United Kingdom. Here Matt Tighe, Technical Service Manager with ESP, briefly considers the requirements of legislation and the British Standards and Codes of Practice that apply to the design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of emergency lighting systems.

Legislation

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO) in England and Wales, Fire (Scotland) Act 2005, Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations 2006, Fire and Rescue Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 and the Fire Safety Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 detail a series of legislative requirements for persons having responsibility for occupants of a building. The FSO uses the term ‘responsible person’ and ‘nominated person’ is used in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Legislation details the requirements for emergency escape lighting, however, it is the various British Standards and codes of practice that provide the necessary guidance on how emergency escape lighting systems should be designed and installed.

Guidance

The British Standards and codes of practice provide the necessary guidance on how emergency lighting systems should be installed

Under the FSO, the responsible person must take such general fire precautions as will ensure the safety of his employees and those persons who are not his employees but who are using his premises (clause 8 FSO).

Amongst other things, clause 14 of the FSO requires that:

• Emergency routes and exits must be indicated by signs

• Emergency routes and exits requiring illumination must be provided with emergency lighting of adequate intensity in the case of failure of their normal lighting

In addition to the requirements of the FSO and other legislation, Part B1 of the Building Regulations (England and Wales) requires that the building is designed to include, ‘…appropriate means of escape in case of fire…’ Similar requirements exist in Schedule 5, clause 2.10 of the Building (Scotland) Regulations.

The guidance available for those designing, installing and maintaining emergency lighting systems is varied. However, the primary guidance is found in three related British Standards:

• BS 5266-1: 2016 Emergency lighting

– Part 1: Code of practice for the emergency lighting of premises

• BS EN 50172: 2004/BS 5266-8: 2004 Emergency escape lighting systems

• BS EN 1838: 2013 Lighting applications –Emergency lighting

Additional guidance can also be found in:

• Health Technical Memorandum 05-02: Firecode (HTM 05-02)

• Health Technical Memorandum 06-01 –Electrical services: supply and distribution

• LG2: Lighting for healthcare premises (2019) – CIBSE

• LG12: Emergency lighting (2022) – CIBSE

BS 5266-1 – pre-design

BS 5266-1 is the principal code of practice for emergency lighting systems. The scope of BS 5266-1 is threefold:

Clause 4 of BS 5266-1 makes it clear about the need for consultation between the responsible person, the owner/developer (occupier), the architect, the lighting engineer, the installation contractor, the enforcing authorities, the electricity supplier/distributor, and any other relevant persons at an early stage.

The purpose of the consultation stage is to define the way in which the system is intended to operate.

Clause 4 of BS 5266-1 further recommends that plans of the premises are available early in the process to assist with the consultation stage. Clause 5.1 of BS EN 50172 details the plans should include escape routes, open areas, high risk task areas, safety equipment (e.g. fire safety equipment etc.), and details of normal lighting and its control systems.

Records of the emergency lighting system must be kept, including the location and type of system components, including luminaires, test devices, and any control power units (clause 4.3 BS 5266-1 and clause 6.1 BS EN 50172).

Conclusion

Legislation requires emergency lighting systems in non-domestic premises. The responsibility for such systems falls to the ‘responsible person’ (‘nominated person’).

Figure 1

• To assist occupants to leave a building during an emergency –escape route lighting

• To help protect occupants if they stay in a building during an emergency –emergency safety lighting

• To help occupants to continue normal operations in the event of failure of the supply to normal lighting –standby lighting

Figure 1 in BS 5266-1 highlights the types of emergency lighting systems and the associated activity(ies). It is important that the designer is aware of the specific nature of the emergency lighting system. There are, for example, differences in lighting levels and times associated with each of the arrangements detailed in the table.

The guidance issued under British Standards, HTMs and CIBSE give designers, installers, commissioning engineers and maintenance personnel help in ensuring that a suitable and sufficient system can be selected, erected and maintained.

ESP provides a design service for emergency lighting systems. However, it is important that any designers are part of the early consultation process to align with the recommendations of BS 5266-1 and other associated standards.

ESP can offer a team of dedicated design engineers who are fully trained and qualified in all relevant British Standards including BS 5266. They are able to provide an in-depth solution to any challenges a building offers, through a combination of site visits and the study of site drawings. All their Computer Aided Design (CAD) is carried out in house, which enables them to amend their designs as the job progresses.

ESP, espuk.com

EMERGENCY LIGHTING — WHAT YOU NEED FOR COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS

Ensuring that an emergency lighting system in a commercial or industrial building is fully operational is essential to keep staff safe in the event of an emergency. The legal requirement is that, in the UK, non-domestic buildings must be safe at all times, even if mains power failure occurs. Therefore, nearly all of these buildings must have emergency lighting fitted.

Emergency lighting is lighting that kicks in when there is a mains supply failure. Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, businesses must install emergency lighting in their premises by law. BS EN

1838 specifies escape and standby lighting requirements for businesses in the event of a power failure. This includes the lux values required, some of which are as follows:

• Escape routes: up to 2m in width need to be illuminated to 1lux in the centre, and equal to or above 50% of that level either side of the centre

• Open areas: 0.5lux or more

• High-risk task areas: 15lux or more

Emergency lighting illuminates areas that lead occupants to the nearest fire exit. In an outage, the lights should remain on for between one and three hours. This is to ensure that all occupants of the building can safely make their way to the exit and attending emergency services can access the building safely if necessary. Once power is restored to the building, the lights should then recharge.

Where to place emergency lighting

Where you place your emergency lighting matters – incorrect placement can lead to large risks.

Lighting and signs should be placed in such a way that clearly illuminates escape routes and exits from your premises.

Regulations state that you should use an illuminated sign instead of an emergency lighting luminaire when the final exit is not readily identifiable by occupants.

Problem areas also need to be appropriately illuminated, which may include:

• Stairwells

• Places where the floor level changes

• Toilet areas (greater than 8m2)

• Intersections in corridors

• Changes in the direction of the escape route

Your fire risk assessment will detail areas in your building that you need to provide emergency lighting for

Lighting doesn’t need to be provided for every area listed above, but all areas should receive sufficient lighting for people to navigate their way out of the building. Your fire risk assessment will detail areas in your building that you need to provide emergency lighting for.

The different types of emergency lighting

There are four types of emergency lighting, which include the following:

• Escape route lighting: this type of lighting illuminates routes to fire escapes and emergency exits, helping occupants avoid others as they leave the building.

• Open area emergency lighting: this is sometimes called ‘anti-panic’ lighting and also assists occupants when trying to find an escape from a building.

Organisations install these lights in open areas to provide enough light to be able to escape safely in the event of an emergency or fire.

• High-risk task area lighting: some workspaces play host to extremely high-risk tasks (such as working with tools or operating machinery). High-risk task area lighting needs to operate in the event of an emergency to keep them illuminated long enough for workers to cease working, switch machinery or cookers off, put down tools, and move to safety.

• Standby lighting: this type of lighting kicks in when the power goes out. But unlike the other types of emergency lighting, the law does not require it. Usually, power comes from a diesel generator and keeps the lights on until technicians restore mains power.

Aurora Lighting, auroralighting.com

EMERGENCY LIGHTING INSTALLATION CONSIDERATIONS

Supporting individuals to evacuate buildings safely in the event of an emergency, emergency lighting is a legal requirement in all public, commercial and high occupancy residential buildings. In this article, Chris Anderson, Technical Manager at Ansell Lighting, explores the many considerations of modern emergency lighting installations and their benefits.

Whether due to a fire, power cut or other circumstance, the main objective of any emergency lighting

system is to ensure occupants can safely evacuate or occupy a building when normal illumination fails.

A legal requirement under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, The Health and Safety at Work Act, Building Regulations, The EU Workplace Directive and the Fire Safety Regulations, the stringent luminous requirements for emergency escape and standby lighting are specified under the European Standard BS EN 1838.

High-risk task lighting is designed to allow those involved in a potentially dangerous process or situation to follow shut down procedures

Given the legal requirements in place, it is important that contractors consult the architect, designer and fire risk assessor for the building when embarking on an emergency lighting system installation. Every building will have its own specific requirements but there are four main stages to approach: planning and design, luminaire selection and positioning, installation, and finally, testing and maintenance.

In most buildings, emergency lighting systems should incorporate escape route lighting, open area lighting and high-risk task area lighting into its design.

Escape route lighting should provide sufficient illumination to keep exit routes lit, supporting individuals to safely leave a location, whereas open area lighting, or ‘anti-panic lighting’ as it is sometimes referred to, lights up spaces to allow occupants to both see and head to evacuation routes. High-risk task lighting is designed to allow those involved in a potentially dangerous process or situation to follow shut down procedures for the safety of the operator and other occupants of the premises.

Usually required to operate fully automatically, power source is another key consideration during the design and specification stage. Powered in two different ways, luminaires are either ‘self-contained’ which mean they are fitted with their own power supply or are powered by a ‘central battery source’ which means they are powered by a back-up source, such as a generator.

If cost is an influence in the overall design and operational objectives then a self-contained system is likely to be the most appropriate solution, with initial outlay, installation and maintenance both cheaper and faster than the alternatives. Self-contained systems also have the added benefit that they can be easily extended with additional luminaires as required.

Alternatively, emergency lighting systems operated from a central battery source can be easier to maintain as there is only one location to consider, eliminating the need to isolate and observe individual luminaries as is the norm with self-contained systems; battery life is also longer on these systems – anywhere between five and 25 years, compared with just a few years

for self-contained lights. Central battery source systems are also much less susceptible to ambient temperature and air conditions, as the battery supply is housed in a protective environment.

In most cases, a combination of the two is likely to be needed to provide complete protection during times of power failure.

In terms of selecting the right kind of luminaires and where to locate them, most installations will require a combination of bulkheads, downlights, twin spotlights and exit signs to effectively light the different spaces. Size and aesthetic of the building will play a role in the final choice of luminaire.

It is, of course, a requirement that, once installed, emergency lighting systems be tested and maintained at regular intervals in accordance with the latest regulations and to ensure it is fit for purpose. Many emergency products incorporate intelligent self-test emergency technology within the luminaire, eliminating the need for manual testing.

And prevention is definitely better than cure. On a large site there are many factors that can affect compliance – for example, when buildings are being renovated, frequent power shutdowns can drain batteries and compromise worker safety. Likewise, when buildings are empty, nobody knows if emergency lighting systems are up to code. Often the only way to check is to send a specialist to the site to test equipment manually.

By using a dashboard, lighting can be centrally monitored and tested wirelessly and automatically at the touch of a button. The dashboard is able to drill down and highlight if an individual luminaire or driver is outside of expected operational parameters. This indicates that the luminaire or driver may need attention to proactively repair or replace, rather than waiting for a failure.

With economic pressures being felt across the board and working practices changing, smart lighting and controls within the emergency lighting arena are the way forward for commercial premises – not only from a safety and legislative perspective but to optimise productivity and cost efficiency too.

Ansell Lighting, anselluk.com

SPONSORED STORIES FROM THE INDUSTRY

EASY-TO-INSTALL FIBRE OPTIC CABLES FROM LINDY

Lindy’s range of Fibre Optic Hybrid (copper and fibre optic) Mini DP 1.4 Cables with detachable connectors are the professional solution for extending both Mini DisplayPort and DisplayPort signals over longer distances, with no requirement for additional adapters. Combining the flexibility and high EMI and RFI resistance of fibre optic cable with standard copper cabling, these hybrid cables are ideal for use in critical AV setups or commercial installations.

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It also comes with a two-year warranty. Lindy, lindy.co.uk

SMART TECHNOLOGY JOINS THE BATTLE AGAINST TOOL THEFT

ARMD has launched the ARMD GUARD Smart Van Alarm, its ‘plug and play’ sensor which provides the ultimate tool protection package – combining smart technology with insurance.

Tested by the trade, the ARMD GUARD silently watches over your tools and in the event of a break-in the alarm triggers a phone call notification. This instant alert allows you to take immediate action by calling the police and catching them in the act while it locates and tracks your van, if it is stolen, with the inbuilt GPS.

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ARMD, armd.uk

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Hamilton, hamilton-litestat.com

MATT BLACK METAL COVER PLATES FOR CLICK DEFINITY RANGE

Scolmore ’s Matt Black Metal cover plates, part of the Click Definity screwless wiring accessories range, are perfect for contractors and installers looking for an alternative premium finish for interiors.

With no visible screws, the smooth, clean lines of Click Definity provide the ultimate finishing touch to a feature-packed range of decorative wiring accessories. The Matt Black Metal finish sits alongside the White Metal plates.

Each Definity product comprises an insert and a decorative cover plate. In addition to the two metal options, Definity is available in five different finishes – Red, White, Stainless Steel, Brushed Steel and Polished Chrome.

With the face plates supplied independently of the electrical inserts, initial installation of the product can be carried out and any subsequent maintenance or decoration completed before the final selection and fixing of the face plate. For the installer, this means a greater degree of flexibility in the timing of the installation of the insert and the wholesaler need not carry excessive levels of costly finished product. Scolmore, scolmore.com

LED WALL PACKS FROM OVIA

Inceptor Murus is a range of LED Wall Packs with CTA Switch and a robust IK10 rated housing that makes them ideal in outdoor settings. The range sits within Ovia’s floodlighting collection.

Designed to be fast and simple to install, the IP66-rated Inceptor Murus is available in 15W and 25W options and in a choice of standard, photocell, and photocell and emergency versions. The photocell version can assist with energy saving by allowing the light to turn on and off at set lux levels. Inceptor Murus will turn on when the lux level is below 10-30 lux.

Installation of the Murus is straightforward, thanks to the Push Fit/Piano Key Terminal Block and the fitting can be flush mounted on a Besa box for ease of installation. All models include a CTA switch, allowing the product to change colour temperature between Warm White 3000K, Cool White 4000K and Daylight 6000K. Ovia, oviauk.com

NEW LED CIRCULAR BULKHEADS AND SLIMLINE DOWNLIGHTS WITH CCT TECHNOLOGY

BY MERIDIAN

Meridian Lighting says it is delighted to announce the launch of these two new ranges, both featuring Colour Change Technology, delivering a cool, natural or warm white output, as well as Emergency options available on all fittings.

The Circular Bulkhead is a variable wattage fitting (9w, 14w and 18w) and comes as standard, with a Corridor Sensor or a Microwave Sensor or, finally, featuring both these added elements. IP65 rated for indoor or outdoor use, this slim design bulkhead has a white polycarbonate body and frosted opal diffuser, whilst fitted with a hinged gear tray for ease of installation.

The ultra slim flat downlights, which come in four sizes (6w, 9w, 12w and 18w), are recessed fittings manufactured with a die-cast aluminium body and finished in white with an opal polycarbonate diffuser.

Both ranges are flicker-free with beam angles of 120° and are ERP2 compliant, UK/CA and CE approved and backed with a five year guarantee.

CED Electrical, cedelectrical.co.uk

SUIT UP WITH SNICKERS WORKWEAR’S NEW WINTER JACKETS

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Snickers Workwear, snickersworkwear.com

GOODWE LAUNCHES SOLAR EV CHARGER

GoodWe is launching a new solar powered electric vehicle (EV) battery charger into the UK market to help homeowners further extend their energy independence from the grid.

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GoodWe, emea.goodwe.com

ESP ADDS WI-FI THERMOSTAT TO ITS FORT SMART RANGE

ESP continues to expand its Fort portfolio of smart products and has just added a smart thermostat to the range – offering installers the opportunity to easily add a smart control function to their customers’ home heating.

The Fort smart thermostat allows you to control and monitor the room temperature and thermostat activity from anywhere in the world, via a smart phone or tablet. It is controlled through the subscription-free ClickSmart+ app from Scolmore and can be voice controlled through Alexa and Google Assistant.

It has been designed to be straightforward to install and operate and is suitable for electric, gas or oil systems. A boiler can be controlled either by wiring into the Fort thermostat or the thermostat’s receiver – giving full installation flexibility.

Key features of the thermostat that will help with the control of energy usage include the optimal start function and the open window/door detection feature.

ESP, espuk.com

UNCRIMP SLEEVING SOLUTIONS

More toolbox essentials have been added to Unicrimp’s Q-Crimp fixings range, with Self-Amalgamating Tape and Multi-colour Heat Shrink Tubing now part of the collection. These products offer installers and wholesalers an even more comprehensive range of sleeving solutions.

Self-Amalgamating Tape is a non-tacky silicone-rubber tape which, when stretched and wrapped around cables, electrical joints, hoses and pipes, combines or unites itself into a strong, seamless, rubbery, waterproof, and electrically insulating layer. Unicrimp’s Self-Amalgamating Tape is available in black in a 19mm x 10mm roll.

The new Heat Shrink Tubing is available in multi-colour packs and in a variety of sizes – 4.8mm, 6.4mm, 9.5mm, 12.7mm and 19.1mm widths, and all in 225mm lengths. In general, heat shrink tubing is used to protect and insulate electrical components from external factors such as moisture, dust, abrasion, and sharp objects that might otherwise cause damage.

These products sit within Unicrimp’s existing insulating tapes range.

Unicrimp, unicrimp.com

CONSORT CLAUDGEN

LAUNCHES ENERGY-SAVING

AIR CURTAIN CONTROLLER

Consort Claudgen has launched an optional touchscreen controller for its CA Screenzone air curtains. The Air Curtain Master Controller (ACMC) is designed with energy-saving features to help minimise heat loss from a building by creating an effective barrier between indoor and outdoor environments.

The ACMC has four different modes to suit commercial or retail applications. Additionally, door contacts or occupancy sensors can be installed to further enhance the energy-saving function by enabling the air curtain only when the door is open and disabling it when the door is closed. The ACMC provides eight heat settings, eight fan speeds and can control up to seven air curtains with the same settings. It has a seven-day timer and displays energy usage of all connected air curtains. With proper installation and heating control, a comfortable and consistent indoor climate can be maintained while minimising heat loss, which can lead to significant cost savings.

Consort Claudgen, consortepl.com

CONNECTS SPEED WITH RELIABILITY

AND CONNECTS MIKE WITH AN EARLY FINISH

Switching to SpliceLine push in wire connectors save you time, money and hassle on installations. So, you can get the job done and get moving faster. Look out for Ideal connectors next time you stock up with any electrical retailer.

idealind.com