ECN June 2023

20 Training

Green apprenticeships celebrated in honour of the coronation; and ‘Ask NICEIC’ on the road

22 Key Issue

Growth of women in the electrical trade amongst the slowest of all the skilled occupations

24 Project

Aurora

26 Advertisement Feature

Introducing the Ei3030 – the next evolution in home life safety

28 Advertisement Feature

Sangamo timers and heating controls in three colours

30 Interview

Carly Wills speaks to Ian Johnston, Chair of ChargeUK and CEO of Osprey Charging Network, about life in the EV charging industry

34 Competition

Win a £200 multi-store voucher, courtesy of ESP

73 Company Showcase

Sponsored content from across the sector

EVS BRING OPPORTUNITIES FOR ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS

Hello and welcome to the June issue of ECN.

ElectricalDirect has recently urged electrical professionals to embrace the business opportunities offered by electric vehicle charge point installation. The growth in the use of electric vehicles will continue to expand as the UK drives forward with decarbonisation, presenting a new opportunity for electrical professionals to expand their businesses as the demand for EV charger installation grows rapidly in the coming years.

CTEK has also predicted that the rise of the two EV household will drive demand for home charging points with two outlets to charge two EVs at once.

More and more families with one EV have already bought a second EV – Zapmap’s annual survey of EV drivers in 2022 found 10% of EV drivers had two or more EVs, up from 7% in 2020 and 9% in 2021.

The increase in demand for EV charger installation is great for electrical professionals, giving them the opportunity to offer this additional service. But ElectricalDirect says that it is also important for installers looking to undertake this type of work to stay up-to-date with the current requirements and regulations. As a rapidly growing sector, the regulations are evolving, with several key changes in the last year alone.

In May, 19 of the UK’s largest companies installing the charge points needed to enable the UK’s switch to electric vehicles and the realisation of net zero came together to form a new trade association for the EV industry, ChargeUK. In this issue I speak to ChargeUK’s Chair, Ian Johnston, about the new association’s mission and working in the EV charging industry.

There is so much going on in this bumper issue! This month’s features are Smart Buildings; Test Equipment; and UPS, Energy and Power, and we’ve got all the regulars for you too. Plus, ESP is offering you the chance to win a £200 multi-store voucher, so don’t forget to enter!

I hope you enjoy the issue – see you next month!

Carly Wills, Editor

STUDIO: MARK WELLER

T: 01634 673163

E: mark@allthingsmedialtd.com

MANAGING DIRECTOR: DAVID KITCHENER

T: 01634 673163

E: david@allthingsmedialtd.com

ACCOUNTS

T: 01634 673163

E: susan@allthingsmedialtd.com

Defender Power & Lighting Distribution Boards

For compliance with Part L2 of the building regulations in non-domestic installations.

Our 125A Split Load Extension Enclosure allows our standard Defender B Board to be configured in a horizontal arrangement as a Dual Metered Power & Lighting Board which answers the needs for compliance with the latest building regulations sub-metering requirements.

We offer a comprehensive suite of products for a cost-effective solution including Single and Dual Channel Metering kit’s in standard or MID approved and Surge Protection kit for a fully configurable and flexible approach.

The Contactum Defender B Boards are perfect in size, the Split Load Power & Lighting Boards provide a great space saving solution for installations within service cupboards.

HAVE YOU ENTERED YET? YOU CONDUIT!

With the ECN Awards only five months away, it’s time to get your entries prepared! Read on for more information about the ECN Awards, plus five great reasons why you should enter and what a win could mean for your company.

It’s time to celebrate your company’s achievements and make sure your most innovative products get the recognition they deserve.

The ECN Awards is a brand-new event specifically designed to celebrate the best of the electrical contracting industry.

The electrical contracting industry is vast, and we believe that those who strive to make all sectors of the industry safer, more advanced, more efficient and more sustainable deserve recognition. Open to manufacturers, distributors, training professionals and electrical contractors alike, the ECN Awards celebrate the very latest innovations that the sector has to offer.

Held at the Heart of England Conference and Events Centre in Coventry on 30 November 2023, this event will help kick off the Christmas party season in style! The event will be a night of celebration, along with great food, dancing and entertainment.

Awards categories

Why should you enter?

1. Increased credibility – a win can give a seal of approval to your activities and is a sign of quality for potential customers, so can form part of your sales pitch.

2. Enhances business competitiveness – an award win can help cement your reputation in the industry and raise your profile head and shoulders above your competitors.

3. Reward and motivate your team –entering awards sends a message to your team that their achievements are worth shouting about and that their hard work is worthwhile.

4. Networking opportunities – as well as making new contacts on the night, winning an award can also give you a reason to communicate with your existing client database and let them know about your success.

5. Industry recognition – an award win isn’t just a popularity contest, it’s judged by an independent expert panel and therefore gives recognition for the great work that you do from the industry that you’re in.

Please enter as soon as you can so you don’t miss out on the chance to win a prestigious ECN Award and don’t forget that it’s FREE to enter! To enter, please visit electricalcontractingnews.com/ awards-entries.

For general enquiries please contact Carly Wills at carly@allthingsmedialtd.com and for sponsorship enquiries please contact Kelly Byne at kelly@allthingsmedialtd.com.

ECN Awards, electricalcontractingnews.com/awards

At the ECN Awards, 20 awards will be up for grabs within the following categories: Products, Sustainable Products, Projects, Training and Companies.

Products

• Wiring Accessories Product of the Year

• Cabling/Cable Management Product of the Year

• Circuit Protection Product of the Year

• Fire Safety Product of the Year

• HVAC product of the Year

• Lighting Product of the Year

• Security Product of the Year

• Tools/Testing Product of the Year

Sustainable Products

• Electric Vehicle Charging Product of the Year

• Power (including PV/Solar) Product of the Year

• Smart Buildings/Sustainability Product of the Year

Projects

• Best Sustainable Project of the Year

• Best Overall Project of the Year

Training

• Training Provider/Initiative of the Year

• Apprentice of the Year

Companies

• Manufacturer of the Year

• Independent Wholesaler/Distributor of the Year

• Chain Wholesaler/Distributor of the Year (three stores or more)

• Contractor of the Year (turnover under £5m)

• Contractor of the Year (turnover over £5m)

There are 20 awards up for grabs, covering all areas of the electrical contracting industry

AWARDs CATEGORIES

Products

• Wiring Accessories Product of the Year

• Cabling/Cable Management Product of the Year

• Circuit Protection Product of the Year

• Fire Safety Product of the Year

• HVAC product of the Year

• Lighting Product of the Year

• Security Product of the Year

• Tools/Testing Product of the Year

Sustainable Products

• Electric Vehicle Charging Product of the Year

• Power (including PV/Solar) Product of the Year

• Smart Buildings/Sustainability Product of the Year

Projects

• Best Sustainable Project of the Year

• Best Overall Project of the Year Training

• Training Provider/Initiative of the Year

• Apprentice of the Year Companies

• Manufacturer of the Year

• Independent Wholesaler/Distributor of the Year

• Chain Wholesaler/Distributor of the Year (three stores or more)

• Contractor of the Year (turnover over £5m)

• Contractor of the Year (turnover under £5m)

83% OF ELECTRICIANS EXPERIENCE MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS DUE TO WORK

83% of UK electricians experience mental health problems due to work-related issues, according to a new study commissioned by IronmongeryDirect and ElectricalDirect.

It found that 66% of electricians experience some form of mental health problem, such as stress, anxiety or depression every month, and sadly 20% feel symptoms every single week.

Furthermore, 76% say they do not feel comfortable talking about their mental health with others, and only 20% have spoken about it with their friends or family.

Across all trades, while financial worries remain among the leading causes of stress, the wider cost-of-living crisis is now the number one concern. Almost two in five (39%) workers are now doing extra shifts as a result, risking burnout.

The rising cost of materials is now also amongst the main stressors and tradespeople recently ranked the issue as the biggest challenge facing the industry in 2023.

Unfortunately, despite the benefits of doing so, more than four in five (84%) tradespeople don’t feel comfortable talking to others about their feelings. Just one in six (17%) have spoken to friends or family about their mental health.

As part of their campaign to raise awareness of mental health amongst tradespeople, IronmongeryDirect and ElectricalDirect are partnering with Basildon Mind, the mental health charity, and is donating over £3,000 to support its vital services.

Dominick Sandford, Managing Director at IronmongeryDirect and ElectricalDirect, says, “It’s been an incredibly difficult few years for the country, and the current cost-of-living crisis is certainly taking its toll on many people. Our research shows that the trade industry and its brilliant people have been hit hard, and mental health problems are common.

IMPACT OF LABOUR SHORTAGES WORSEN FOR ENGINEERING SERVICES

The latest engineering services industry survey, backed by trade bodies ECA, BESA, SELECT and SNIPEF, shows the growing impact rising labour shortages are having on business owners in the sector. This is having a clear knock-on effect on their business performance.

Almost half (42%) of respondents said labour shortages were the biggest concern for their businesses – up from a quarter (26%) in Q3 2022, and a third (32%) in Q4 2022.

Worries about cashflow and payment times persist – almost a quarter (23%) of respondents expect their turnover to decrease in Q2 2023, and 40% expect it to stagnate.

While many respondents’ businesses saw revenues rise over the winter, with 40% reporting an increase in turnover between Q4 2022 and Q1 2023, optimism may be offset by the fact that two thirds (59%) of SMEs said that between 1-5% of their turnover is currently being held in retentions – a notable increase from an already worrying 53% when last surveyed in January 2023.

142 engineering services businesses responded to the Q1 2023 Building Engineering Business Survey (BEBS), which asked about their business performance in Q1 2023 and their expectations for Q2 2023 and beyond. ECA, eca.co.uk

“As difficult as it might seem at first, it’s incredibly important that you talk to someone about your feelings, whether that’s your partner, a friend or family member, a colleague, or a professional. This can open the door to getting help and starting to address the problems you’re facing.”

IronmongeryDirect, ironmongerydirect.co.uk

OCTOPUS ENERGY AND LEGAL & GENERAL INVEST IN GROUND SOURCE HEAT PUMPS

Octopus Energy’s generation arm and Legal & General Capital are turbocharging Britain’s heat pump rollout by investing £70 million in the Kensa Group.

This marks the biggest investment ever made in ground source tech in Britain. It will allow Kensa to rapidly expand and install 50,000 ground source heat pumps a year by 2030. The move will drive down costs of heat pumps and reduce reliance on gas boilers.

The UK is targeting 600,000 heat pump installations a year by 2028 as part of wider efforts to decarbonise the economy. Unlocking investment through deals like this will help rapidly grow the country’s heat pump industry, meet net zero targets and deliver jobs. Kensa expects its growth to create over 7,000 green jobs in the UK by 2030.

By harnessing freely available heat energy in the ground or water, electrically powered ground source heat pumps work like a fridge in reverse. They produce around four units of clean heat for every one unit of electricity they consume, making them much more efficient than gas boilers. They’re recognised by the government as a key solution to tackling heating emissions and weaning the country off gas.

This investment will make heat pumps even more accessible to more properties, including retrofits for social housing, terraced housing and non-domestic buildings. Finance will also be provided for Kensa to offer house builders, housing associations and non-domestic customers their ‘Networked Heat Pumps’ solution at a lower cost. This effectively creates a new renewable asset class, kick-starting a sector that could exceed £1bn by 2030.

Octopus Energy, octopus.energy

WALES LEADS THE WAY FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY AND HEATING IN THE UK

The latest data from MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) shows that the number of small-scale renewable installations in homes and businesses in Wales in April saw the nation secure the highest uptake in the UK.

In recent years, Scotland has held on to the top spot as the UK nation with the highest proportion of installations per household. As Welsh homeowners continue to invest heavily in greener energy amidst the cost-of-living-crisis, they have overtaken Scotland in the league tables for the first time since 2021.

Scotland has roughly double the number of households as Wales, so whilst Wales has a smaller total installation count, there are more houses with installations according to MCS and housing data.

By the end of April 2023, all-time installation volumes reached 178,758 for Scotland and 97,537 for Wales. Using housing data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) to compare uptake volumes, Wales has 7.24% of homes with installations against Scotland’s 7.23%. England is third with 1,261,503 (5.52%) and Northern Ireland is fourth with 31,421 (4.19%).

Total installation volume and uptake is viewable in near-real-time by each home nation and also by local authority on the MCS Data Dashboard. Every certified installation is recorded in the MCS Installations Database, the most comprehensive database for small-scale renewable technology in the UK. The MCS Data Dashboard uses this data, updated every 24 hours, to paint a dynamic picture of the uptake of renewables across the country. MCS, mcscertified.com

JTL REGIONAL AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED

JTL has announced all of its winners for the JTL Regional Awards. The annual Regional Awards celebrate apprentices who demonstrate outstanding levels of achievement and commitment to learning throughout their apprenticeships.

The award winners were each presented with an engraved trophy and £100 in prize money. They now go head-to-head in the hope of being named JTL National Apprentice of the Year at the National Awards taking place in London on 28 June.

The awards winners are:

Northern

• Jared Bell (Electrical) – WBB Electrical Services – Training Officer, Ian Hay

• Martin Staples (Electrical) – Securlec – Training Officer, Anthony Lett

• Brandon Gallagher-Kenningham (MES) – Airco – Training Officer, John Wilkinson

Southern

• Sam Shepard (Electrical) – NRT Building Services Group – Training Officer, Dan Hatton

• Halil Yorgancioglu (Electrical) – A Y Electrical – Learner Assessment Manager, Paul Hughes

Eastern

• Jake Shaw (Electrical) – Voltec Electrical & Security – Training Officer, Pablo Parra

• Harry Armitage (MES) – CTD Plumbing & Heating – Training Officer, Chris Swales

• Craig Johnson (MES) – Phil France Plumbing & Heating – Training Officer, Chris Swales

Western

• Amy Lister (Electrical) – Goodridge Electrical – Training Officer, Oliver Schofield

• Harry Gough (Electrical) – Evans Electrical – Training Officer, Rhys Regan

• Jack Allward (MES) – Tilbury Douglas – Training Officer, Paul Walton

Judi Wheeler, National Delivery Director at JTL, says, “Our annual awards ceremony gives us a platform to celebrate the fantastic achievements of our apprentices. We’ve established a wide base of learners across the country over the years, and we’re incredibly proud of everything our recently announced regional winners have achieved in their apprenticeships so far.” JTL, jtltraining.com

2023 BCIA AWARDS WINNERS REVEALED

The winners of the 2023 Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA) Awards were announced at an exclusive ceremony and gala dinner on 4 May at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole.

The first award of the night went to Detail Design Engineering who claimed victory for Building Controls and BEMS Installer of the Year. George Smith of 3MSe took the honours in the Engineer of the Year Category, while Abbie Bewley from InTandem Systems took the coveted Young Engineer of the Year trophy.

New for 2023 was the Apprentice of the Year accolade, and it was Robert Drysdale of InTandem Systems who was victorious. Econowise Drives & Controls won the Energy Management Award for its work on Savills Energy Saving Project, with the Best Service and Maintenance Provider accolade awarded to Kendra Energy Solutions.

MK Electric scooped the prize for The Technical Innovation of the Year – Products Award for its innovative solution, Connected Power. Next, the Technical Innovation of the Year – Projects Award went to Siemens for its sterling work on the University of Birmingham – creating the world’s smartest campus, while Group Horizon was triumphant in the Contribution to Training Award.

Finally, the Outstanding Contribution Award was presented to Tracey Rushton-Thorpe of Keystone Communications for being an integral part of the BCIA for many years.

SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC ANNOUNCES WINNER OF SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT AWARDS

Schneider Electric has announced that Leicester-based Michael Smith Switchgear is a winner of the inaugural Schneider Electric Sustainability Impact Awards. The rapidly expanding electrical control and distribution engineering company is one of six winners drawn from 241 entries worldwide, distinguished by their pioneering decarbonisation efforts within and beyond their organisations.

Michael Smith Switchgear was recognised in the ‘Impact to My Company’ category based on its commitment to sustainability in all aspects of its business. The company was certified carbon neutral in 2022, having offset more than 137t of CO2e across its group activities in 2021. To reduce its energy consumption and use of raw materials, the company has digitised operations, adopted electric vehicles, and installed LED lighting and solar panels. It is continuing to work to align with the UN sustainability goals and is sourcing alternative materials for products and consolidating deliveries to reduce its carbon footprint. Other plans include a rainwater storage system and a ‘green’ roof.

“We are delighted to be a global winner of the Schneider Electric Sustainability Impact Awards. This award is a testament to our team’s dedication, hard work and unwavering commitment to decarbonising our operations. Sustainability is at the heart of our operations, and this is encouragement for us to build on our carbon neutral status and continue our good work,” says Sean Smith, Managing Director at Michael Smith Switchgear. Schneider Electric, se.com

BCIA, bcia.co.uk

SELECT LAUNCHES NEW MEMBERSHIP SUB-CATEGORY

SELECT has introduced a new sub-category of membership to reflect the growing demand for installation of electric vehicle (EV) charge points among its members.

Scotland’s largest construction trade association is rolling out the dedicated EV membership classification as an increasing number of electrical contractors carry out the work to help Scotland meet its net zero targets.

The association says the new classification will also help consumers find a suitably trained and competent electrician who is able to carry out the work safely and to the highest standards.

From 5 June 2023, three new sub-categories will be introduced specifically for SELECT members who undertake EV charge point installations:

• EV charging equipment installations (domestic)

• EV charging equipment installations (commercial)

• EV charging equipment installations (large scale)

Director of Technical Services, Bob Cairney says, “We are aware of the changes to the demands that many SELECT members encounter from consumers for certain types of electrical installation work to be carried out.

BEAMA LAUNCHES FUTURE HOMES STANDARD REPORT

The government’s commitment to regulate all new residential developments to be net zero ready from 2025 is fast approaching and has laid down a clear direction of travel for building design and construction. Through the second stage of its Future Homes Standard consultation – due to launch later this year – there will be a requirement to future-proof all new dwellings with low carbon heating, high performing fabric specification and a complementary ventilation strategy which will focus on the assured health and wellbeing of occupants.

BEAMA’s Future Homes Standard Phase 1 Impact Report lays out a framework to prepare for the changes coming through from 2025, focusing on a range of technology options best suited to a variety of dwelling and occupancy profiles. The report acknowledges that the majority of technology solutions already exist today and therefore focuses on the specific enablers that will support their inclusion within the homes of the future. Subjects such as design, installation and commissioning competency; the necessity to undertake a steep evolution in SAP’s building modelling capability; and the very real challenge of preparing consumers for a new way of living, are all covered within the report.

Commenting on the launch of the report, BEAMA CEO, Dr Howard Porter, says, “Through this report we are seeking to open a path towards collaborative discussion with not only government, but also the wider construction industry.

“Our efforts will not stop at today’s publication. This is the first phase of a two-step report focusing on new build compliance, with the second half of the report planned when we can complete BETA SAP 11 modelling. We have also recently become a Future Homes Hub partner, where we will be seeking to undertake a range of ‘task and finish’ projects in the coming two years to facilitate the new standard’s success.” BEAMA, beama.org.uk

“This includes the increased demand for the installation of EV charging equipment, which is being driven by climate change targets and the subsequent popularity in low and zero-emission vehicles.

“SELECT has therefore decided to expand its work categories to include this type of electrical installation work, with the introduction of new classifications and approvals recognising those members who are competent to undertake such work.”

SELECT, select.org.uk

WHOLESALERS RING THE BELL TO HELP MANUFACTURERS

EDATA now has an extra data quality feature built in. If wholesalers suspect an error in a manufacturer’s product data, they can use a new alarm bell icon to raise a query that pings straight to the manufacturer.

Richard Appleton, Head of Digitalisation at the Electrical Distributors’ Association, EDA, explains, “Manufacturers must be in full control of how their products are presented, and fresh eyes and a feedback facility from the wholesaler is extremely useful.

“We are constantly improving the user experience of the EDATA data pool and, as well as the bell feature, there are a number of other new benefits which help manufacturers when they are uploading and maintaining their product data. These include the option to search and filter their products by quality level – Gold, Silver, Bronze, or In Development – plus they can import data using BMECat 5.0.”

EDATA currently holds product information for 193,000 SKUs. Wholesalers can download product data in bulk to populate their websites and drive ecommerce and other business systems, or in individual Product Data Sheets which are generated on demand. To date, 65 leading electrotechnical brands have subscribed to EDATA to disseminate their product information with multiple wholesalers.

EDA, eda.org.uk

INDUSTRY WELCOMES NEW FIRE AND SECURITY APPRENTICESHIP FOR WALES

The Fire and Security Association (FSA) and the Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board (SSAIB) have welcomed the Welsh Government’s approval of a new Providing Electronic Fire and Security Systems apprenticeship framework.

This completes the mission of the fire, emergency and security systems (FESS) sector to make a specialist apprenticeship available to employers and learners in every part of the UK.

Development of this apprenticeship, which was jointly funded by FSA and SSAIB, has come as a direct response to employer demand in Wales. Employers were also closely involved in the steering group which oversaw the development process.

Welsh apprentices and employers will benefit from the curriculum aligned with UK-wide technical and occupational competence standards. The apprenticeship features two qualifications which have now been designated by Qualifications Wales: the EAL Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Providing Electronic Fire and Security Systems, and the EAL Level 3 Knowledge Diploma in Providing Electronic Fire and Security Systems. On completion, individuals will achieve UK FESS Technician status and entitlement to apply for a gold card under the Electrotechnical Certification Scheme (ECS).

Significantly, the establishment of this new benchmark also provides a route for the existing workforce in Wales to upskill from Operative to gold card Technician level when the FESS Experience Worker Assessment route becomes widely available later this year across the whole UK.

FSA, eca.co.uk/fsa

SAFER AND SMARTER HOME: A NEW CONSUMER GUIDE

Leading companies in the smart home technology sector have created their second in a series of guides, helping consumers in the UK when buying and using smart technology in their homes.

The new guide builds on its predecessor, Your Guide to a Safer, Smarter Home, to highlight to consumers examples of the benefits of smart home devices and to dispel some common myths that consumers may have. It was produced and published by The Smart Technology Product Safety Stakeholder Group, which was established by Electrical Safety First and DLA Piper in March 2019 to discuss topics that are relevant to product safety in the IoT or smart technology sector, and to develop and promote industry best practice. It is a multi-lateral group comprising a broad range of businesses and organisations operating in this space at all points in the supply chain.

“Many people would welcome the benefits from making their home ‘smarter’, but there is so much misinformation about smart products and how to get them installed correctly,” explains Martyn Allen, Technical Director at Electrical Safety First and Co-Chair of the group. “This new guide provides information and guidance, and busts a few of the common myths that may exist when buying and using smart home devices.”

The guide is available now and is free to download from the Electrical Safety First website.

Electrical Safety First, electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk

ECA WELCOMES CORRIGENDUM TO 18TH EDITION WIRING REGULATIONS

The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and BSI have published a new corrigendum to the 18th Edition Wiring Regulations (BS 7671:2018+A2:2022).

ECA has welcomed the changes and corrections in the corrigendum, which help to clarify the requirements of the 18th Edition and the intent behind the regulations.

The corrigendum makes changes to several areas of BS 7671 and comes into effect immediately.

ECA advises electrotechnical and engineering services contractors to note in any relevant documentation that they are completing projects to this corrigendum, to avoid any confusion going forward.

Areas of change include:

• Regulation 422.2 has been amended to clarify the scope of the provision.

• Indent (ii) of regulation 443.4.1 has been removed. The term safety service, formerly included in regulation 443.4.1 (ii), encompassed a wide range of systems. The provision, therefore, had unintended consequences for improvements to fire safety systems within installations.

• Table 443.2 and the note to regulation 534.4.1.1 have been amended to remove examples of equipment.

• Regulation 701.1 has been amended to remove the reference to birthing pools.

• A new regulation, 710.422.2.201, has been included in order to modify requirements in regulation group 422.2 for protected escape routes in healthcare facilities.

ECA, eca.co.uk

SCREWFIX SPRINT DELIVERS TRADE ESSENTIALS TO SITE IN 60 MINUTES OR LESS

Screwfix has launched a national campaign for its 60-minute delivery service, Screwfix Sprint. Sprint allows customers to have products delivered to home or site in 60 minutes or less, without breaking their stride.

The trade demands quick and easy access to a broad range of competitively priced products, and Screwfix Sprint provides another option for customers to get their job done quickly, affordably and right first time.

Jack Wallace, Marketing Director at Screwfix, comments, “With Sprint, Screwfix is meeting the growing demand from UK tradespeople for affordable, high-quality products in their hands quickly.

“For busy tradespeople, time is literally money and finding the time to pick up an essential and often unplanned item is an inconvenience that can also have an impact on project schedules. With Sprint available in over 320 Screwfix stores across the UK and just a £5 delivery charge, customers no longer need to sit in traffic when the unexpected happens, they can have it delivered in 60 minutes or less.”

Over 30,000 Screwfix customers have already utilised Sprint’s convenience, with up to 80% being tradespeople. Screwfix, screwfix.com

CEF ANNOUNCED AS THE SECOND ECN AWARDS SPONSOR

Electrical Contracting News is delighted to announce City Electrical Factors (CEF) as the second sponsor of the ECN Awards.

CEF will sponsor the Sustainable Products category, which comprises the Electrical Vehicle Charging Product of the Year, Power Product of the Year, and Smart Buildings/Sustainability Product of the Year awards. The ECN Awards are being held at the Heart of England Conference and Events Centre in Coventry on 30 November 2023.

CEF is the expert supplier of electrical products and services for professional buyers and installers all over the UK. CEF offers the largest range of products including leading brands and value alternatives, alongside specialist knowhow, friendly advice and support that’s the best in the industry.

Established in 1951, privately owned CEF has a UK national network of more than 390 stores and the business now extends to the USA, Canada, Ireland, Spain and Australia. Customers can place online orders for next working day delivery at cef.co.uk with access to more than 38,000 products from over 300 leading suppliers.

Sustainability and the environment is something CEF cares very deeply about, which is why the company is excited to be sponsoring the Sustainability Products category at the ECN Awards.

To find out more about the ECN Awards, please visit electricalcontractingnews.com/awards.

CEF, cef.co.uk

MOVERS & SHAKERS…

The new President of the ECA has been announced as business leader and electrical engineer, Sean Smyth. Sean recently celebrated 50 years in the electrical industry, having begun his career as a JIB apprentice in 1973 and progressing to become CEO of WT Parker Group.

Brett Smyth has been promoted to Managing Director of EMEA and APAC for IDEAL Electrical. Brett will retain his current responsibilities and now oversee IDEAL Australia and IDEAL Asia. Brett started with IDEAL Industries in January 2019 when he was brought in to lead the European Electrical Business.

BGEN has promoted Simon Clarkson to the newly created position of Chief Digital Officer (CDO). Simon will be tasked with driving digital transformation across the business, which will include its new sustainability offering.

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MID WALES DEVELOPMENTS FITTED WITH PASSIVHAUS VENTILATION SYSTEMS

Two new social housing developments in Mid Wales are set to benefit from energy-efficient, PassivHaus-compliant MVHR systems supplied by ventilation specialist EnviroVent

Croft Court is a brand-new complex consisting of 17 energy-efficient apartments, while William Ainge Court is an existing residential block which is being extended to offer a further 16 dwellings. Both of the affordable developments are situated in Welshpool, Mid Wales.

Two of EnviroVent’s innovative PassivHaus certified ventilation solutions were specified for these developments.

SL300 slimline units were specified for the Croft Court development, while energiSava 300 units were installed at William Ainge Court. The units were chosen because they achieved PassivHaus certification, as well as offering exceptionally low energy consumption, reduced noise levels and a range of innovative features.

The SL300 features ‘constant flow’ technology and wireless, remote-control options, as well as having a low profile and compact design. With a height of just 310mm, the SL300 is ideally suited to installations where space is at a premium. EnviroVent, envirovent.com

AURORA LIGHTING HIGHLIGHTS LUXURY HOSPITALITY

The Clayton Hotel Belfast is a four-star hotel located within the Linen Quarter of Belfast city centre. Host to 170 rooms, ranging from deluxe rooms to executive rooms and suites, The Clayton Hotel is ideal for visiting the sights of Belfast in luxury.

Aurora Lighting’s products were selected by Harcon Electrical to create an elegant atmosphere throughout the hotel whilst reducing energy costs.

Aurora products were used throughout the hotel to improve the overall aesthetics and consistency of fittings and colour temperature, and replace the mixture of fittings from years of maintenance with one sleek, seamless design.

The aim of the upgraded lighting was also to raise light levels in certain areas such as the back of house and plant rooms, and to increase the amount of emergency lighting to ensure the building is kept up to requirements.

A range of Aurora products were provided by wholesaler Electrical Equipment (EDM). These included the LinearPac, the R6 Fixed 6W Fire Rated Downlight, the BackLite Panel, EDLM Fixed White Baffled IP65 Downlight, Uni-Fit Downlight, Lumi-Fit Downlight, OrbitalCWS, BatPac, Proxima Adjustable IP65 LED Floodlight, LEDLine LED Strip and a range of emergency lighting.

The fittings achieved the desired effect of enhancing the lighting throughout the hotel, creating a uniform ambience and stylish aesthetic that promotes the elegant interiors. The new lighting scheme also met the key goal of reducing energy costs for the hotel. Significant energy savings of 426,220kW were achieved, compared to the original consumption of the building.

Aurora Lighting, auroralighting.com

EMPOWERING SCHOOLS TO ELECTRIFY WITH THE MAXICHARGER

After launching the MaxiCharger with LCD Screen in March, Sevadis has deployed a series of MaxiCharger Pillars at Parklands Academy in Chorley, in partnership with EV expert contractor, EVC Group.

Whilst providing EV driving teachers, support staff, parents and visitors with a seamless EV charging experience, the MaxiCharger with LCD Screen enables drivers to understand charging behaviour in real-time via its 5in touchscreen. Parklands Academy is also able to convey key messages to EV drivers via the screen, whether that be an official announcement, or reminders about the school that drivers need to take into consideration.

The school also benefits from the integration of industry-leading EV charging back-office provider, Monta, enabling the CPO (charge point operator) to monitor and manage its network of EV charging points. The integration of Monta also provides EV drivers with an easy charging experience, allowing them to recharge using their smartphone and/or allocated RFID card. Sevadis, sevadis.com

WIELAND GIVES POWER TO HEALTH AT BRIGHTON 3TS

Wieland Electric, along with Laing O’Rourke, recently delivered a fully pluggable modular wiring system to feed power and lighting throughout the new 11-storey Louisa Martindale Building at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton. The new building is the first of the three stage 3Ts Redevelopment programme that is replacing all the facilities on the front half of the hospital with two brand-new clinical buildings and a much-needed service yard.

Wieland’s armoured and unarmoured Metalynx2 system was specified by Laing O’Rourke to feed the lighting and power requirements on all eleven floors.

All Wieland products were delivered as a ‘plug and play’ system, pre-wired and pre-tested, reducing installation time and allowing for tight deadlines. Metalynx2 represents a new, smarter generation, helping to deliver even greater savings on costs and installation time, with structured wiring now firmly established as the norm for fast-track projects. As a result, it is suitable for power distribution and lighting control (including DALI and KNX), and the ability to customise Metalynx2 components for unique projects provides endless design flexibility.

Furthermore, Metalynx2’s inherent flexibility ensures that any changes to the system can be accommodated swiftly and with minimal downtime. The DALI lighting control also used Wieland’s popular gesis GST connectors to deliver power and control signals to the luminaires.

Wieland, wieland-electric.com

HAMWORTHY HEATING PROVIDES SHASTID ENERGY WITH A QUICK AND RELIABLE SOLUTION

Following a long and established relationship, Hamworthy Heating has supplied Shastid Energy with a Tyneham Air Source Heat Pump for installation at its premises in Cambridgeshire.

Familiar with delivering quick solutions to its own customers, Shastid Energy was confronted with an unusual dilemma when it came to maintaining its own commercial heating system. Faced with a fault on its existing heat pump and unable to source a company willing to provide a quote to repair it, Shastid Energy decided to replace its entire heat pump system. However, confronted with long expected delivery dates, John Atkinson from Shastid Energy turned to Hamworthy Heating for advice. Quick to resolve the issue, a new 14kW air source heat pump was delivered to the Shastid offices within three days, ready for installation straight out of the box.

Designed with installers in mind, Tyneham heat pump components are conveniently housed in the main unit which is compact and lightweight for ease of commission and installation.

Quickly and expertly installed by Shastid Energy’s very own Engineering Managers, Peter Millgate and Daniel Martin, the new system was successfully up and running within two days, restoring the building’s heat.

“We’ve been dealing with Hamworthy on a weekly basis for years on quotations for replacement boilers and spares and we’ve always received excellent service. Based on our personal experience of the Tyneham, we wouldn’t hesitate to use Hamworthy again for heat pumps,” concludes John. Hamworthy Heating, hamworthy-heating.com

BLACKHALL TRANSFORMS WITH BIGCHANGE

Blackhall Heating & Electrical, Edinburgh’s oldest family run provider of plumbing, heating and electrical services, has invested in a BigChange job management system to secure the next 100 years of business. Blackhall has transformed the management of its mobile operation with integrated CRM, tracking and reporting, resulting in better customer communications, fewer queries and more accurate on-site charging.

BigChange is also supporting Blackhall’s green ambitions with intelligent scheduling and routing of its fully electric fleet and its commitment to 100% paperless working.

Blackhall has diversified its service offering and was one of the first to specialise in renewable energy solutions in Edinburgh, and has more recently started to offer EV charger installation, service and maintenance. Blackhall selected BigChange to replace a previous scheduling system which it felt had not kept pace with technology or its changing requirements.

The cloud-based BigChange job management system, which incorporates customer relationship management (CRM), job scheduling, live tracking, resource management, job finance and business intelligence, in one simple to use and easy to integrate platform, was selected by Blackhall and is being used across the business. Customer enquiries, quotes and correspondence, created and stored within the CRM, together with automatically generated ETA notifications are boosting customer service levels without additional back-office resource. Customisable job sheets, complete with photographs and time and date stamps, are helping to manage customer queries and improve on-site charging. Blackhall, pblackhall.co.uk

GREEN APPRENTICESHIPS CELEBRATED IN HONOUR OF THE CORONATION

Six green apprenticeships have been hand-picked by industry experts to mark the coronation in recognition of their sustainability credentials.

In honour of His Majesty The King’s Coronation, the apprenticeships were selected for their contribution to creating a low carbon economy by ensuring the country’s workforce is equipped with the skills needed to support the transition to net zero.

The official coronation emblem will be used by employers and government to promote the six apprenticeships. The apprenticeships are the gold standard for green skills training, encouraging more people to take up the opportunity to gain the skills to build an exciting career in the green industry while meeting the skills needs of employers and boosting economic growth.

These gold standard, sustainable apprenticeships offer people the chance to embark on exciting new careers in industries from forestry to construction, and contribute to creating a more sustainable economy. The chosen apprenticeships relevant to the electrical contracting industry are Installation Electrician and Maintenance Electrician (level 3) and Low Carbon Heating Technician (level 3).

The six sustainable apprenticeships were designed by employers working with the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE), who considered the impact of each occupation on the environment and future workforce. They also reflect His Majesty’s longstanding commitment to ensuring natural assets endure for future generations, integrating renewable energy sources into our everyday lives, and applying sustainability into every aspect of our economy.

The Electrotechnical Skills Partnership (TESP) says that the electrotechnical

‘ASK NICEIC’ ON THE ROAD

NICEIC has announced the details of the first leg of its UK tour. Kicking off in June, the route will see the brand’s custom-built tour bus visit 11 locations across England, Wales and Scotland.

On board will be NICEIC’s top technical experts, who will be on hand to answer

questions on topics such as Amendment 2, coding, EV charging and much more. Plus, for those looking to join NICIEC, the team can provide details of the application and assessment process.

Designed with contractors in mind, all 11 stops are located at Rexel branches

industry has worked hard in recent years to develop formal green skills training routes, in recognition of that fact that many low and zero carbon technologies use the core competence of an electrician as the basis from which to upskill.

It says that both the revised Installation and Maintenance Electrician apprenticeship standard and the new Domestic Electrician apprenticeship standard equip apprentices with the skills to safely install and connect a range of low carbon technologies, with electric vehicle charging skills embedded into the qualification. Existing qualified electricians can readily upskill in

Details of the planned route:

9 June 2023 REXEL Maidstone, ME20 7XB

13 June 2023 REXEL Fareham, PO14 1TP

technologies such as EV charging point and solar PV installation.

Ruth Devine, Managing Director of SJD Electrical and Chair of TESP, says, “This regal symbol of approval highlights how important electrotechnical careers are to powering up our greener, energy-efficient future. This fantastic endorsement is testament to the hard work of the employers who recently revised the occupational standard with IfATE, and all those who support and champion apprentices.”

TESP, the-esp.org.uk

14 June 2023 REXEL Plymouth Phoenix, PL6 7PY

15 June 2023 REXEL Swansea, SA1 5JR

16 June 2023 REXEL Oxford Cowley, OX4 6NH

20 June 2023 REXEL Glasgow Devon Place, G41 1RB

21 June 2023 REXEL Stockton, Stockton-On-Tees, TS18 2QZ

22 June 2023 REXEL Leeds, LS12 6DN

5 July 2023 REXEL Derby, DE24 8JP

6 July 2023 REXEL Norwich Sweet Briar, NR3 2BT

7 July 2023 REXEL Barking, IG11 0AS

and will run from 08:00-11.30am, so participants can drop-in when it suits them. Breakfast will be provided, and prizes and exclusive discounts will be up for grabs too.

“We are really excited to be back on the road”, says NICEIC’s Marketing and Events Manager, Sarah Hunter. “This tour is all about bringing NICEIC directly to

contractors in a way which is convenient and accessible to them.

“The events will be informal and relaxed, providing an opportunity for our current and future customers to meet the team and ask any questions they may have.”

NICEIC, niceic.com

RO Installer -training from Kidde

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Domestic Fire Detection Training Course

Standards and Regulations

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UK(Reference to BS5839 Part 6)

GROWTH OF WOMEN IN THE ELECTRICAL TRADE AMONGST THE SLOWEST OF ALL OF THE SKILLED OCCUPATIONS

Having taken a deep dive into 15 years worth of data, electrical training provider Electrician Courses 4U has revealed the proportion of women working in the electrical trade has increased by a minor 1.38% since 2006.

The research, which aims to shine a light on the evolution of the trades over the past three decades, discovered that in 2006 there were 7,800 women working in the electrical and electronic trades, which equates to just 1.80% of the total workforce.

By 2021 the number of women working in the electrical and electronic trades had increased by 4,900 to 12,700 – but that means women still only make up 3.18% of the total workforce.

Looking at the overall picture of 29 skilled occupations, the electrical trade ranks in a dismal 22nd place when it comes to the trades which have seen the biggest increase in the proportion of women in their workforce over the last 15 years.

The occupation which has struggled the most when it comes to attracting and maintaining women in their workforce is chefs. The number of women working as chefs has actually decreased since 2006 –falling from 56,900 to 55,000.

Another occupation which has seen a decline of females in their workforce is tailors and dressmakers, who have seen a proportional loss of 4.20% women workers over the past 15 years. That said, women still make up over half of the workforce at 66.37%.

Although some trades are struggling to attract women, the research has also revealed the occupations which have been most successful in boosting the proportion of females in their workforce.

The skilled occupation which has seen the biggest increase in women workers is bakers and flour confectioners. The proportion of female workers has almost doubled since 2006 – rising from 28.83% to 56.29%.

Another occupation which has seen a substantial increase in women workers is cooks. Females now make up 66.62% of the workforce, as opposed to just 39.71% back in 2006.

Commenting on the research, Nigel Best, Director of Electrician Courses 4U, says, “By taking an in-depth look at the evolution of the skilled trades over the past 15 years we’ve been able to unearth some fascinating findings.

“Not only are the skilled trades finding it difficult to attract women into the industry, they’re finding it increasingly challenging to recruit new talent in general.

“It’s therefore imperative that these industries prioritise replacing and revamping an increasingly ageing workforce.

“Here at Electrician Courses 4U we’ve taken steps to make our training courses more accessible – carving an easier route into the electrical trade.

“Key to this has been the launch of our online courses, which allow new and existing electricians to develop their knowledge in a flexible and cost-effective way.”

The 10 skilled jobs which have seen the slowest growth in women workers over the past 15 years

Ei3030

Ei3030

MULTI-SENSOR FIRE & CO ALARM

MULTI-SENSOR FIRE & CO ALARM

The latest edition to the technologically advanced 30 0 0 Series, the Ei3030 combines individual Optical, Heat and CO sensors for the ultimate fire and CO response, while maintaining the simplicity that Installers love.

The latest edition to the technologically advanced 30 0 0 Series, the Ei3030 combines individual Optical, Heat and CO sensors for the ultimate fire and CO response, while maintaining the simplicity that Installers love.

Smart, connected an d future-proof.

Smart, connected an d future-proof.

Add the Ei300 0MRF for wireless interconnection and data extraction via the Ei1 00 0G Gateway

Add the Ei300 0MRF for wireless interconnection and data extraction via the Ei1 00 0G Gateway

HOSPITAL THEATRES BENEFIT FROM CLICK SCOLMORE MEDICAL SOLUTIONS

The total refurbishment of two UCV (Ultra Clean Ventilation) operating theatres at Conquest Hospital in St Leonards on Sea, East Sussex, was completed last year, with wiring accessories from Click Scolmore’s growing medical solutions range specified and installed.

Products from Scolmore’s Mode range of white moulded, antimicrobial wiring accessories, and the accompanying GridPro plates and modules range were chosen to provide the solution for this sensitive install project.

Infection control is one of the biggest challenges facing the healthcare sector. Concern regarding cleanliness and healthcare associated infections (HCAI) continues to get headlines in the media, with the result that anyone operating within and supplying to this sector is required to work with products that meet the demands for hygiene and safety, and that includes electrical products.

Preventing airborne infections during a surgical procedure is of paramount importance for effective and economical delivery of care, as well as for the health and wellbeing of patients. Ultra Clean Ventilation (UCV) systems, such as the ones featured in the Conquest Hospital theatres, are commonly used in operating theatres, in particular for orthopaedic surgery because of the higher risk of infection from exposed deep wounds.

Switch plates, such as light switches, dimmers and sockets, have one of the highest touch rates in any environment, so are likely to hold a significant number of microbes on their surfaces. Regular cleaning is essential but not always sufficient. By using products that inhibit bacterial and fungal organisms, it is possible to help prevent the spread of superbugs.

A number of double, unswitched Mode blue medical sockets, red outboard rocker sockets and white outboard rocket sockets have been installed in the walls around the theatre to accommodate the numerous devices and appliances that need to be powered.

In line with the requirements, the blue medical sockets feature laser-etched white lettering stating, ‘Medical Equipment Only’. Blue ‘Medical Equipment Only’ Sockets are designed to distinguish them from non-IPS electrical sockets. This helps ensure medical equipment is plugged into IPS sockets and non-medical equipment is plugged into non-IPS sockets.

Double supplementary equipotential bonding earth connection points were also installed. These products have recently been added to the Click Medical Solutions wiring accessories range, along with EBBs (Equipotential Bonding Busbars). EBBs

play a major role in ensuring patient and clinician safety. In accordance with the Requirements for Electrical Installations BS 7671:2018 AMD2 Section 710 (Medical Locations) and the Health Technical Memorandum HTM06 01:2017, all Group 1 and 2 Medical Locations are to have an Equipotential Bonding Busbar (EBB) and associated supplementary protective equipotential bonding installed.

The white moulded Mode wiring accessories specified for this project are manufactured using Urea Formaldehyde, which has similar inherent properties to antimicrobial additives that inhibit the growth of infectious diseases. All products independently tested achieved a 99.99% kill off rate across all four types of the strains of bacteria – MRSA, E-Coli, Salmonella and Klebsiella Pneumonia.

Responsible for specifying the Mode and GridPro products for the hospital theatres unit was Mark Sellens, Electrical Project Manager at electrical contracting firm, Booker & Best and he worked closely with the Project Manager for the Trust, John Harratt.

A time-served electrician, with more than 30 years’ experience within the electrical installation industry, Mark comments, “The Mode range really

was an obvious choice on a number of levels that were important for this particular project. It is a great quality range and represents very good value, which is essential in helping to meet budget commitments and it comes with a 20-year guarantee which is pretty unique in the industry. It also scored highly from an infection control point of view, with its antimicrobial properties. Plus, its smooth profile means there is a reduced risk of germs being harboured.

“The electricians on site were very impressed with the GridPro range used for the lighting controls. They found the yokeless design of the GridPro plates particularly great to work with. Unique to GridPro is the screw attachment feature, which means that no yoke is required for any modules when using one to four-gang plates – the modules can be simply screwed directly on to the plates. With some products on the market requiring yokes to be purchased as separate components, this will have implications when considering overall costs and labour requirements. So that was another particularly important consideration for this project.”

Scolmore, scolmore.com

By using products that inhibit bacterial and fungal organisms, it is possible to help prevent the spread of superbugs

•

• 2, 3, & 4 Pole versions

• IP65 Weatherproof

• Conforms to IEC 60947-3

• Earth & Neutral terminals

INTRODUCING THE EI3030 — THE NEXT EVOLUTION IN HOME LIFE SAFETY

Introducing the newest innovation in multi-sensor alarms from Aico – the Ei3030 Multi-Sensor Fire and Carbon Monoxide (CO) alarm. The flagship alarm in Aico’s technologically advanced 3000 Series, the Ei3030 combines individual optical, heat and CO sensors, for the ultimate fire and CO response.

Aico continues to evolve its offering to provide products that align with its customers’ requirements while maintaining the simplicity that installers love.

The Ei3030 multi-sensor fire and CO specifications include:

• Fire response – The device contains a Thermistor Heat Sensor and high-performance Optical Sensor that intelligently work together, but will also operate independently.

• CO response – The proven electrochemical CO Sensor provides an accurate CO response. The CO response is in line with BS EN 50291-1:2018.

• Visual indicators – The Ei3030 has visual fire and CO indicators. The relevant indicator flashes depending on what has triggered the alarm.

• Kitemarks – This device holds Kitemarks for British Standards BS EN 14604:2005, BS 5446-2:2003 and BS EN 50291-1:2018.

Michael Wright, Product Development Manager at Aico, comments, “The Ei3030 continues Aico’s pioneering development of multi-sensor fire and CO alarms for domestic properties by offering both multi-sensor fire detection and CO detection from one alarm. This maximises coverage whilst making installation simpler and easier. The alarm sits alongside the Ei3028 Multi-Sensor Heat and CO alarm, meaning users can achieve combined fire and CO coverage for all areas of the home from our flagship 3000 Series.”

The Ei3030 also has a range of additional benefits, including built-in dust compensation technology. The unique self-monitoring dust compensation mechanism reduces the risk of false alarms. The optical sensor chamber continually self-monitors minute changes in dust levels, automatically recalibrating the alarm’s trigger point when necessary to reduce false alarms. The Ei3030 can also be fitted in any room where both fire and CO protection is required (excluding the kitchen) meaning coverage can be provided with fewer alarms.

Like all alarms in the 3000 series, the Ei3030 utilises an easy-fit base, is mains powered, has a 10-year rechargeable lithium cell backup, and is compatible with other Aico mains-powered units. The device is also compatible with the Ei3000MRF Module for wireless interconnection and data extraction via the Ei1000G Gateway.

The Ei3030 also includes Aico’s award-winning AudioLINK+ technology, making it simple to gain data directly from the alarm head via the AudioLINK+ app, reporting on information such as alarm activations, sensor status and record of testing.

The Ei3030 is available to order now.

Aico, aico.co.uk

Aico’s new Ei3030 Multi-Sensor Fire and Carbon Monoxide (CO) alarm

SANGAMO TIMERS AND HEATING CONTROLS IN THREE COLOURS

The full range of Sangamo Timer Controllers, Thermostats, Programmable Thermostats and Programmers – which totals 30 individual products lines – is now available in a choice of silver, black, or white finish. Sangamo believes it is satisfying a fast growing demand among end users and building owners for a departure from the usual white finish to add a more stylish look to an interior setting.

With energy efficiency remaining at the top of the agenda for the economy, businesses and householders, the Sangamo range of heating controls offers features that will assist with efficiency and performance and will ultimately help drive down energy usage and costs.

The Sangamo offer can be broken down into four main product categories – Timer Controllers, Thermostats, Programmable Thermostats and Programmers – with a total of 15 products making up the comprehensive range.

The Timers collection of products is designed for simplistic ON/OFF manual or scheduled control for heating and lighting applications. The range has been expanded with a total of three new products, each one introducing the addition of a fused spur switch for additional protection for high loads.

The Thermostats range of products – designed for controlling the heating

system via an electronic sensor – now totals five products.

The Programmable Thermostat products are designed for controlling heating applications via an electronic sensor or programmed schedule, and ESP has added one new product to this range. All thermostat products have been upgraded and now offer TPI (Time Proportional and Integral) control for heating efficiency. In addition, the programable thermostats include an optimisation feature; Optimum

Start/Delay Start and Optimum Stop, for extra efficiency.

The Programmers are designed for heating and hot water controlled independently across separate channels via a programmed schedule. A total of three products make up this range, varying from 1-3 Channel options and including an optional service interval function to assist with Gas Safety Regulation compliance.

See more at youtu.be/kyFwUKgD-6Y.

ESP, espuk.com

Leading timers and heating controls supplier, Sangamo, is one of the only manufacturers to offer a choice of three colours across its traditional timers and controls product range.

The Sangamo range of heating controls offers features that will assist with efficiency and performance The full range totals 30 individual product lines

YOUR EV CHARGE POINT PARTNER

Easy to install

On-time deliveries

Flexible solutions for all

Industry-leading reliability

Trusted & credible experts

MOVING TOWARDS A CLEAN FUTURE

Carly Wills speaks to Ian Johnston, Chair of ChargeUK and CEO of Osprey Charging Network, about the newly formed trade

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

IJ: I started my career at Volkswagen Group on the grad scheme, initially in marketing and later becoming Operations Manager for 15 franchised retailers. I made the move into the renewables sector in 2011, joining Temporis Wind as their Chief Operating Officer. I was responsible for developing and installing over 100 grid-connected renewable energy projects, including the UK’s largest portfolio of onshore FIT wind farms.

In 2018 I was ready for a new challenge but wanted to remain in the renewable energy ecosystem, so becoming CEO of Osprey in 2018 was a brilliant opportunity to grow a young business. We’re now one of the largest and most popular UK rapid charging networks.

CW: ChargeUK has just launched as a new trade association for the EV industry – what

IJ: Charging operators have already invested billions of pounds in the UK’s EV infrastructure and will invest billions more in the years to come. So far, the industry has succeeded in making the UK one of the best places in the world to charge an EV.

Now we’re moving into the next stage of development as an industry and a sector –EV take up accelerates and net zero goals get more pressing from here on.

We need industry and government to work together to ensure we can get on and invest the billions of pounds necessary to maintain that position and to go further. We knew that many of the member organisations were talking to government and seeking to get our message out to the public and we were talking about the same things. It made sense to work together and speak with one voice. ChargeUK brings

association and working in the EV charging industry.

Ian Johnston, Chair of ChargeUK and CEO of Osprey Charging Network

together 19 of the largest companies installing the charge points needed to enable the UK’s switch to electric vehicles and the realisation of net zero.

By working together, we can ensure that this vital sector has the strongest possible voice and is able to engage as effectively as possible with government, helping us to move towards the clean future that we all want.

CW: What will the association be doing to accelerate the EV charging industry?

IJ: The UK already has over 40,000 public charge points, but to enable more and more people to switch to electric it’s imperative that the availability of infrastructure keeps ahead of demand.

As our members continue to scale their businesses and accelerate deployment to meet that demand, we need supportive regulation and public policy. We stand ready to work with the UK government and other stakeholders to remove barriers and identify enablers to help UK drivers to transition to cleaner transport.

Some policies that we’ll be looking at and seeking to work with the UK government on include ensuring there’s a strong ZEV mandate which will boost infrastructure investor confidence, making sure that the public subsidy programmes already announced – such as the Rapid Charging Fund and the Local EV Infrastructure Fund – are as effective and impactful as possible and collaborating to address delivery barriers such as grid connections and planning issues so that we can continue to deploy our infrastructure at speed.

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

IJ: No two days are the same, or normal! As CEO I’m responsible for the smooth running of the entire business, ensuring we are delivering against the KPIs that the board, our investors and management have agreed.

I’m also a public-facing representative of the brand and get involved with industry-wide bodies, such as chairing ChargeUK.

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

IJ: The best thing about my role with Osprey is undoubtedly hearing the feedback from drivers who are delighted with how easy public charging really is, especially those who were worried about this part of what life with an EV would be like.

The most challenging part right now is going further and faster at the pace that we want and can deploy at. Across the ChargeUK membership right now there are thousands of chargers that we’re trying to get live on the ground, which is what drivers want, businesses want, government wants, and we can’t get them live, because there are things in the system that are stopping us. What we all have in common is that the grid is not moving quick enough for any of us and the planning is not moving quick enough for any of us either.

The projects that our members are contracted to deliver alone will double the size of the network this year. Whether we can get those turned on by the end of the year will come back to those barriers in the system, but if there are drivers out there who have historically had concerns, they will see a vast change and improvement in infrastructure coming.

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?

IJ: What you see in the industry now is a basket of large, trusted nationwide charging networks installing reliable rapid charge points increasingly in hubs of six or more. This, and the pace at which these networks are installing infrastructure, is a change from a few years ago when public rapid charging was more fragmented and landowners more reluctant to open up their land to charging.

I think the industry has also improved hugely when it comes to customer experience, especially convenient ways to pay (such as contactless bank card), fleet solutions, and an emerging rewards and incentives scene. This is one area to expect more change in!

CW: What’s next for you and for ChargeUK?

IJ: Lots of hard work! Working with government to tackle those barriers and improve the deployment environment so we can get the charge points not just in the ground, but switched on and added to the network. We’re already making great strides on that front and ChargeUK has established a good relationship with the people and the departments that we need to be speaking to inside government.

We want to tackle the negative press that sometimes gets written around this sector and we’ll do that by getting more of the right charging infrastructure in the right places and by speaking with one voice as ChargeUK. The best way to counter the negative narrative will be by showing that the reliable, rapid charge point roll out is taking off at an exponential rate. As a sector we’ve got the capital, the expertise and the leases to make this happen so people can switch to electric with confidence that the UK is and will remain one of the best places to run and charge an electric vehicle.

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

IJ: Load-balancing rapid charging is a brilliant technology to ensure no power is wasted at rapid charging hubs. It sees the power modules housed in one central stack and only deployed via charger satellites as the cars plugged in demand the power, which changes in real time over the course of the charging session. This means no power is wasted and we can actually install more rapid chargers on the same grid connection versus a traditional charger set up, where power modules are tied to the individual charge points.

CW: What are your interests away from work?

IJ: Away from work I’m a busy father to two small girls (and a new dog), and try to get to my five-aside football games every week!

ChargeUK, chargeuk.org

By working together, we can ensure that the EV charging sector has the strongest possible voice

ALL YOUR FIRE PROTECTION SOLUTIONS UNDER ONE ROOF

Win

ESP’s extensive fire protection product range offers a solution to any size of project. The range is broadly divided into two categories; the MAGfire four-wire and the MAGDUO two-wire fire alarm systems are aimed at small to medium contractors, offering them a highly flexible and adaptable system that will save them time and money on the installation process. The MAGfire addressable systems are suitable for large commercial premises and more complex networked systems.

Design service

A dedicated ESP design service allows contractors to access a design facility that will cover fire systems as well as CCTV systems. Available to any size of business, from local electricians to national contracting companies, the aim is to provide expertise in choosing the right products and solutions to create a scheme that meets all the requirements and objectives of the project in question, and that is compliant with all the relevant regulations and standards.

Fire commissioning service

The commissioning service offered by ESP adds another dimension to the company’s fire protection offer. It is designed to ensure that all installed ESP systems operate correctly and are fully compliant with the latest BS 5839-1 regulations. A qualified engineer will confirm that the system has reached the relevant British Standard and will issue a certificate on completion of the project prior to system handover. Dedicated ESP commissioning engineers are located throughout the UK to provide access to this service to a wide-reaching audience.

For your chance to win a £200 multi-store voucher, simply answer the following questions correctly.

1.  ESP’s range of fire protection solutions is divided broadly into categories. What brand names do they come under?

a) MAGDUO AND FireMAG

b) MAGfire and MAGDUO

c) DUOfire and DUOMAG

2.  ESP’s design service covers which product category?

a) Fire systems

b) CCTV

c) Fire systems and CCTV

3.  The commissioning service offered by ESP is designed to ensure that all installed ESP systems operate correctly and are fully compliant with which regulations?

a) BS 5526-1

b) BS 5839-1

c) BS 5839-6

April Competition

The winner of the April competition – a £250 bundle from Hamilton’s Hartland collection –was Hazel Compton-Lowther.

Closing date

All entries must be returned by 30 June 2023. The editor’s decision is final. For the full terms and conditions, visit electricalcontractingnews.com/ competition-terms.

The name of the winner will be published in the August issue of ECN.

*Prize not exchangeable.

To enter, please complete the form below and post to: ECN Competition, All Things Media Ltd, Suite 14, 6-8 Revenge Road, Lordswood, Kent, ME5 8UD. Alternatively, you can enter online at electricalcontractingnews.com/competition or email your answers and contact details to: carly@allthingsmedialtd.com.

The answers to June’s competition are:

• Voice control via ZenVoice (requires remote control and voice control licenses)

• Installation in European, British, Australian, American, or Italian standard double back box

• 4 A/D inputs for presence detectors, temperature probe or dry contacts

• Luminosity and proximity sensor

SMART BUILDING TECHNOLOGY TO ENHANCE SUSTAINABILITY IN HOSPITALITY

Since the invention of electricity up until now, the answer to creating more efficient spaces lies in technology. To understand how the industry can optimise energy consumption and make operations run smoother, Vidar Thomassen, Director, Zennio, discusses how technology is enhancing sustainable hotel initiatives.

The last few years has been one of the hardest periods, if not the hardest, for the hospitality industry worldwide.

Lockdowns, staffing issues, war on the European continent and unprecedented energy costs have all put pressure on the industry.

When looking at reducing operating costs in a hotel, optimisation is a very handy word; optimise labour, optimise training, optimise energy, optimise maintenance…but many times

we fail to address the way of achieving this ‘optimisation’.

As in life, information is the starting point to approach the problems we aim to solve, so gathering information about what is going on in our building becomes essential when it comes to optimising the way the building – our hotel – works. Once we have the information, we need to control the variables to be able to change them, and this is where technology can really make a difference.

The first step to achieving sustainability via energy saving is monitoring how much you are using on a regular basis and

understanding where that consumption is coming from. Zennio has been leading the way in offering such solutions for residential and commercial properties, plus the hospitality industry.

Starting with the rooms, sharing information between the hotel PMS (such as if the room is booked for that day or if the guest has already checked-in) and the HVAC control system (room occupancy, for example) helps reduce energy waste to a minimum as the AC will only turn on when the room is occupied and the guest is checked-in, but not if hotel staff go into the room before the guest has arrived. This can be applied to all room controls (lighting, TV, sockets etc.) along with common areas. Bearing in mind that energy accounts for a significant proportion of a hotel’s running costs, eliminating energy waste can really make a difference.

Following on to hotel staff, housekeeping is often overlooked, with teams left to wander through the hotel looking for rooms to clean. Monitoring ‘Make Up Room’ and ‘Do Not Disturb’ signals (MUR/DND) in a centralised system help increase the overall efficiency, as teams can be assigned to those parts of the hotel that require more immediate attention. Combining this information with room occupancy and access controls enhance guest privacy and provide deeper knowledge of how hotels work, for example giving information on how much time it takes to clean each room.

Another big cost that centre control systems help drastically reduce is maintenance, as these solutions allow the use of predictive and preventive policies. Sorting issues before they become fatal or even before they appear decreases the amount spent in replacing broken units (for example, AC units) but also minimises the risk of refunds to guests because things are not working or because there has been an AC leak that nobody noticed before.

A robust long-lasting control system combined with a Building Management System (BMS) that integrates with a hotel’s PMS is vital to understand how the building operates to optimise all those little things that end up costing several thousands of pounds every year.

These are the type of solutions that Zennio develops and delivers in over 100 countries, helping hotels all around the world become more efficient and sustainable, and supporting all projects locally and remotely to make sure everything works every day.

Zennio history

Zennio was founded in 2004 with a vision to make the world ‘smarter’ by providing innovative solutions to the control automation industry – often referred to as smart buildings. Along the way it became more and more evident that many hotels were missing the benefits of those solutions and the company committed itself to providing them. Zennio GRMS solutions for hospitality are currently installed in more than 90,000 hotel rooms worldwide.

Zennio, zennio.co.uk

EMERGING FEATURES IN SMART LIGHTING CONTROL

The term ‘ecosystem’ refers to a collection of smart devices which can intercommunicate and perform a variety of operations.

A typical lighting product ecosystem could comprise a variety of light fittings, as well as lighting controls such as movement and daylight sensors.

Product ecosystems typically use Bluetooth communications (or similar) to send and receive data and instructions. Hence, no electrical cabling is required to carry power from a lighting control to a light fitting which is being controlled. Similarly, no bus wiring is normally required to transmit signals to light fittings.

This reduction in cabling requirements saves on installation time, cost and raw materials.

Smart controls can be re-programmed to operate differently, without having to physically rewire. The setup can be repurposed virtually.

Many types of product ecosystem form a meshed network of intercommunicating devices. Each device communicates with multiple other devices. Hence, if one device drops out of the network, the rest of the network can continue to operate.

Some of the more sophisticated product ecosystems do require specialist knowledge for commissioning programming. There are also, however, some smart products available which give many of the advantages associated with advanced product ecosystems, but which can be easily programmed without specialist knowledge.

The toolkit of functions which have become available in smart products is extensive and ever-growing.

Energy-saving automatic lighting control can be achieved by detecting whether people are present in an area and/or sensing the ambient light levels. Lights can then be automatically switched on or off, or dimmable loads can be dimmed, as required. This saves energy by limiting the lighting usage to the times and places where it is needed.

Lighting scenes can be set for mood lighting in applications such as hospitality venues. Lighting scenes can include

Z100 KNX Touch Panel

The new generation arrives

specific lighting levels and, in the case of colour-changeable LEDs, lighting colours. These scenes can be programmed to be activated at set times of the day or days of the week. Scenes can also be activated at the touch of a button by an authorised person managing the space within or outside a building.

Some smart lighting setups can include general lighting with changeable colour temperature (quality of the light) based on the time of day. For example, cooler, bluer light can be provided in the middle of the day and warmer, redder light in the evening – mimicking the cycle of natural daylight.

Lighting can be programmed to switch on at set times. Applications could include security lighting, retail displays, aviaries or automated farming facilities.

Some smart products and product ecosystems are capable of gathering data on energy usage, enabling informed decisions regarding energy efficiency.

One key function which is possible with some ecosystems is ‘asset tracking’. An appropriately electronically tagged asset can be traced and located within the

physical area of the ecosystem. This can be ideal for tracking pallets of goods in a warehouse or for tracking important pieces of medical equipment in a hospital. As light fittings and lighting controls, by their nature, are usually spread across the entire floor area of a building, the lighting system provides the ideal grid via which such assets can be detected and located.

Some smart products and ecosystems, with emerging technology, are able to count people in an area and monitor the direction in which people are walking. This can reveal how spaces are being used and the data gathered can be valuable for planning how circulation areas or retail spaces can best be arranged.

As the environmental control of buildings becomes more integrated, lighting control is beginning to be more commonly linked with other building electrical services, such as heating and cooling, CO2 level sensing, air quality management, and occupancy monitoring for security.

DANLERS, danlers.co.uk

The rise of smart lighting controls and product ecosystems has brought many advantages over conventional lighting control systems.

The toolkit of functions which have become available in smart products is extensive and ever-growing

Zennio helps create sustainable buildings

Having the ability to collect information and enable you to act upon it will be key to the design and construction of sustainable and energy efficient buildings of the future.

The Zennio KNX BMS covers all aspects of building automation

• Metering of electricity, water, and gas

• Consumption visualization enabling efficient use of energy

• Collection of energy consumption data and transfer to 3rd party for billing

• Automatic operation of systems based on energy consumption or presence

• HVAC control

• Lighting control (including human centric lighting)

• Blinds control

• Video door entry

• Access Control (NFC cards and/or Bluetooth)

• BMS Software with BACnet integration

• Remote support and updates

• Reports to enable preventative maintenance

• Limitless integration with 3rd party software and apps via API

Contact us and we will assist in designing the most suitable and cost-effective solution for your project.

Spaces, 100 Avebury Boulevard. Milton Keynes. MK9 1FH. United Kingdom

zennio.co.uk

CREATING A BRIGHTER FUTURE

It is estimated that we spend around 90% of our time indoors, so the environment we create in our buildings is an important factor for our wellbeing, especially in office spaces where comfort and productivity are vital. Lighting is part of the core infrastructure within a building and one of the first elements contractors should consider when installing smart technology. The need for sustainable and adaptable lighting and lighting control are two key factors driving current and future trends.

The topic of sustainability has become intertwined in many elements of our lives, and people are looking to companies to own their responsibility in making sure commercial buildings are meeting sustainability expectations.

The adoption of LED lamps and lighting control features such as occupancy detection demonstrates how the industry has progressed to be more energy efficient. However, sustainability, not just at the point of use, but across the entire life span of the products, is emerging as a key consideration for manufacturers, installers, and specifiers.

Lighting fixture manufacturers are focusing on modular products designed to be easily assembled, disassembled, and reconfigured. In turn the products open more opportunities to be repaired, reused and/or repurposed rather than being thrown away.

Mirroring this progress, lighting control has an increased focus on products designed for longevity. For example, Rako focuses on high quality products that will last. It’s products can be repaired, and the company offers repair services to support this. Backward compatibility is also offered on Rako products, meaning adding new components including dimmers, racks and keypads, both wired and wireless, to existing systems is possible without rendering older products obsolete. This extends the lifespan of existing systems and components and reduces the electronic waste that comes from discarding outdated products.

Movements in sustainable innovations are not slowing down any time soon. It is likely we will be seeing further

innovations considering new angles to making the lifecycle of lighting systems more sustainable.

Rako says that as it looks at making lighting systems better for the environment, it is also making lighting systems more attuned to the end users.

Discussions around the impact of light on our bodies are also growing across the lighting industry. The health benefits of light such as heightened concentration, better sleep and improving our general wellbeing have piqued the interest of end users and those designing lighting schemes for commercial environments. Since the introduction of LEDs, we are starting to see practical solutions to the idea of adapting lighting to people’s natural, circadian rhythms and it has become a key consideration for lighting designers and specifiers.

There is an emergence of circadian focused lighting products with features like tuneable colour temperature and control solutions that can build rhythms into lighting designs. Rako has incorporated these capabilities into its refreshed app. The Rako app allows quick and easy control of colour temperature and light intensity with touch sliders, enabling occupants to adjust lighting to suit their needs for a particular task or to set scenes by linking lighting with circadian rhythms.

The company says it has understood the effect of lighting on wellbeing for some time, however, it is only with these recent innovations it has had the ability to act. It says it is at the beginning stages with these types of smart technologies, with exciting prospects for what the company can do to better tailor its products holistically to those who use a Rako lighting control system. Lighting is not only about function – it is also about aesthetics. In a boutique hotel, for instance, there will be a bespoke décor that specifiers will want to enhance with complementary keypads and electrical accessories, as well as door and cabinet hardware. Rako has invested a lot of time to ensure specifiers and installers have a wide range of solutions to offer, allowing them to cater to these demands. The company has also recently introduced its EOS portrait keypads, giving orientation options and greater choice for use in any space.

Lighting is and always will be a fundamental part of a building. With the current trends in lighting and lighting control we are only just starting to push the boundaries to make this core infrastructure an elevated tool to improve the lives of end users. Lighting can have a significant impact on our health, wellbeing and the planet so let’s use it to its full potential.

Rako, rakocontrols.com

The current trends in lighting and lighting control are purpose driven – smart technology has the capability to provide healthy, sustainable and efficient buildings, as Peter Broome, Director at UK smart lighting controls manufacturer, Rako, explains.

The health benefits of light have piqued the interest of end users

Alana

Dura Toro

SHOWCASING THE LATEST SMART TECH

The Smart Buildings & Sustainability Leaders’ Forum is a unique networking event founded by industry stakeholders to showcase the very latest smart technologies set to play a crucial role in the global push to reduce carbon emissions.

The event brings together a broad spectrum of stakeholders from across the whole supply chain, including building owners and operators, who may not be fully aware of the potential benefits of smart building technologies and their ability to improve building performance, reduce energy consumption, enhance occupant comfort, and deliver long-term cost savings. The event was founded to address the barriers hampering the adoption of smart technologies, including concerns about the cost of implementation, return on

The new generation arrives

investment, privacy and data security, as well as integration challenges of disparate, legacy systems.

Geoff Archenhold, Co-Chair of SBS, comments, “Overcoming these barriers requires a combination of education, raising awareness, financial incentives, industry collaboration for standardisation and legislation, in addition to addressing end-user challenges. The conference line-up incorporates world-class experts providing a vision of the future of smart cities and new technologies, in addition to showcasing successful case studies and demonstrating the benefits of smart building technologies.”

The event has gathered significant pace since last year, attracting senior representatives from companies such as Arup, BT, Cisco, Microsoft, IBM, NatWest, Schneider, ISG, and many more. SBS says it is also delighted to announce a strategic partnership with CIBSE, whose Intelligent Building Group (IBG) will be hosting a parallel international plenary session to be live-streamed from the event.

Join SBS on 7 September at the Vox Conference Centre in Birmingham for an informative event offering unique networking opportunities with senior decision-makers, who share a passion for accelerating carbon reduction with smart technologies.

of

SBS EXHIBITOR SPOTLIGHT

iSpayce

iSpayce is a leading workspace management platform offering technology agnostic solutions to determine building occupancy, water leak detection and energy consumption within smart buildings, enabling rapid retro-fit roll-outs with minimal levels of skill or fuss to instantly upgrade your old buildings into an intelligent and dynamic client-centric estate.

Pressac

Pressac Communications believes that a smart building is, by its very nature, sustainable. IoT technology enables this to happen, and smart sensors provide the baseline information. Pressac offers robust, high-quality sensors manufactured in the UK with additional benefits in terms of connectivity. This allows organisations to use them with any on-premise or cloud-based system. With AWS, Microsoft Azure and IBM Watson-ready connections available, customers have multiple options. In addition, these small and discrete devices are perfect for retrofit, as they are easy to install.

Pressac’s comprehensive portfolio of sensors provides rich data to understand the utilisation of the building in terms of occupancy, resources, energy and environmental conditions. For example, depending on the selection of sensors, collected data could explain why employees prefer certain areas in the building to others. Or it could help to spot energy and heat wastage resulting from staff leaving equipment switched on. The data collected by the sensors is critical for businesses to make unbiased decisions and, ultimately, to hit their short or long-term sustainability targets.

Prysmian

Prysmian Group’s Digital Building Solution, OpenArch, offers a portfolio of smart building technologies and applications to create intuitive and secure facilities that help enhance health, safety and efficiencies in all kinds of industries and applications, for example, commercial, industrial, retail and residential.

PoE enables one single cable to provide both electrical power and data connection to many different devices, such as access points, IP cameras, VoIP phones, LED lighting, emergency lighting, IoT gateways and wellbeing sensors. PoE infrastructures communicate in a common language, so different types of systems and devices can be easily connected, configured and integrated.

Future-proofing buildings by integrating an open architecture with interoperable IoT platforms helps the easy adaptation to technological, social, environmental, regulatory and economic changes throughout their lifetime.

The smart building solutions offered by OpenArch, combined with Prysmian Group’s industry-leading cabling, collaborates with an ecosystem of partners to deliver future-proof, end-to-end facility solutions through Power Over Ethernet (PoE).

TCM

TCM IP Services works with large corporate real estate clients and its services have diversified into the intelligent buildings market, conjoining both IP solutions and building automation in a secure way.

As a business, TCM IP Services carries out consulting, design, configuration, installation and support services in both markets. Delivering services across significant clients and landmark buildings in London, TCM supports all aspects of smart building offerings.

From LED lighting upgrades with smart IoT technology, firewall deployments for remote access to a building management system, small cell deployments for mobile coverage to large scale network deployments using enterprise equipment, TCM IP Services is able to assist you in your journey.

Smart Buildings & Sustainability Leaders’ Forum, sbsleadersforum.com

ECN readers can claim 25% off with code: ECN25

WE ARE THE GLOBAL MEMBERSHIP ASSOCIATION THAT SERVES THE HOME TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY

ADVOCACY

We position the smart home industry as essential to homeowners, allied trades, and governments.

CONNECTION

We connect the professionals who connect our homes around the world.

EDUCATION

We develop content to share knowledge and raise the bar on industry best practice.

HOW TECHNOLOGY CAN HELP MAKE ENVIRONMENTS SAFER FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE AND OTHER VULNERABLE GROUPS

The 4th Industrial Revolution has improved the way many do business by consolidating and streamlining operations. We’re now starting to understand how the Internet of Things (IoT) is hugely beneficial for our home and work lives as well. But more than just a helpful addition to daily life, smart technology can drastically improve environments for the elderly and other vulnerable groups by improving safety.

There has been a vast development in smart technology innovation over the past few years – so much so that it’s been difficult to keep up with all the terminology.

• Digital twin technology: using sensors throughout the home, digital twins can collect real-time data about a physical item and then create a virtual duplicate as a way to test scenarios for future improvement. For building managers, digital twins can help identify and act on potential safety hazards for elderly and vulnerable citizens.

• Cybersecurity: the IoT has taken everything online, which means that there is a vast amount of personal data now available. In-built cyber security will protect this valuable information from outside attacks, which is especially important for the elderly community as they are often targeted by ruthless fraudsters.

• Data monitoring software: the gathering of home-based data through sensor technology is great, but this needs to be analysed and translated into something you can understand. Data monitoring software will do just this, while providing you with an easy-to-use dashboard for real-time access.

How can technology improve safety for vulnerable citizens? By incorporating smart technology in the care home or elderly care environment, you’re able to establish a smart home setup that maximises safety and security for the most vulnerable citizens. Here’s a look at some of the ways this can be achieved.

• Air quality monitoring: where homes have a gas supply, there is always the risk of leaks and harmful carbon dioxide putting lives at risk. Smart technology provides air quality monitoring to detect carbon dioxide levels and even pollution levels in city-based homes.

• Temperature and humidity control: the climate crisis leads to dangerously high summertime temperatures, with humidity levels creating additional health hazards. Elderly citizens have less temperature regulation control, placing them at a much higher risk of heatstroke and dehydration. Smart technology that includes sensors and thermostats will allow you to remotely monitor the temperature and humidity levels and adjust the internal environment accordingly. Some systems will even alert you when dangerous levels are detected.

• Fire safety: while fire is a significant risk for anyone in the home, elderly and vulnerable citizens are particularly high-risk because of the impact of medication or immobility. Smart technology can include fire sensor devices that improve your compliance with local regulations while better-protecting residents. These devices can monitor the fire doors, smoke detectors and fire extinguishers to alert you when maintenance and replacements are needed.

• Security solutions: one of the biggest assets of smart technology for protecting elderly and vulnerable citizens is its security features. A comprehensive security network will give you remote management of all doors, windows and other home vulnerabilities, as well as real-time access to the system.

• Health monitors: there are many ways that smart technology is improving access to health services, particularly for those who are immobile. Biomedical monitoring devices have sensors that provide 24-hour data on a person’s health. Real-time alerts can be sent if a person is struggling in any way, with telehealth services mitigating any need for patient transport. Doctors and nurses can attend to a patient from a distance, relying on the data being uploaded. You can also programme the smart home device to notify senior or vulnerable citizens when it’s time to take medication.

• Home automation: everything from television sets and kettles to lighting can be automated, making everyday tasks that much easier for elderly citizens. Automated lighting, in particular, is a major safety feature that decreases the likelihood of falls or injuries. These can all be voice-activated for ease of use.

What are the other benefits of smart technologies? Beyond the direct benefits of such technology for elderly and vulnerable citizens, these technologies are also beneficial for building managers. Some of these include:

• Energy management: digital twins of the building’s energy profile can be created to provide a comprehensive overview of where energy is being wasted, and how the building can be optimised. This not only puts you in line with green energy regulations, but it will also save you a lot of money over time.

• Building management: beyond energy use, digital twins can measure changes in aspects like temperature, movement, air quality, and more so that you’re constantly updated on the state of your building. Where maintenance and repairs are needed, you can attend to them before they become a costly problem later on.

Smarter Technologies, smartertechnologies.com

One of the biggest assets of smart technology for protecting elderly and vulnerable citizens is its security features

THE SMART TOOL FOR SMART HOME SETUPS

If you’re fitting high spec tech, you need cutting edge tools to get the job done properly. Our FT-45™ Crimping Tool makes accurately feeding, verifying, cutting and crimping wires easier than ever. Pick one up next time you stock up with any electrical wholesaler.

SMART BUILDINGS ARE HERE TO STAY AND THEY’RE COUNTING ON SOPHISTICATED DATA NETWORKS

The UK is ranked among the top five most innovative countries in the world, according to the Global Innovation Index, and when it comes to intelligent and sustainable buildings, we’re well-equipped to deliver efficient and responsive buildings that enhance the user experience. But with smart buildings come sophisticated data networks. Brett Smyth, Managing Director of IDEAL Industries EMEA and APAC, discusses the importance of consistent and compliant data network terminations.

Smart building technology has seen a significant shift. Previously considered an upgrade or specialist addition to residential, commercial and industrial buildings, smart solutions have quickly become standard spec.

Research[1] reveals the global smart building market is expected to hit a staggering $570.02 billion by 2030, expanding at a CAGR of 25.3% from 2022 to 2030. Growing demand for energy-efficient systems and the rise of Internet of Things enabled building management systems are cited as key factors driving the growth.

The construction industry in the UK is no stranger to smart buildings. In fact, benchmark-setting buildings that deliver outstanding innovation, ambition and contemporary design are becoming commonplace in many of the major cities – and particularly the capital. The striking, all-glass Crystal building in London, for example, has been described as one of the most efficient buildings in the world and was the first to achieve the highest sustainable building accolades – Platinum and Outstanding from LEED and BREEAM respectively. The sophisticated building management system covers lighting, windows, blinds and heating, allowing all elements to be monitored, benchmarked and fine-tuned to enhance comfort and reduce energy use.

Similarly, the Southworks seven-storey office building was the first building in the UK to achieve the Smart Building Certification Platinum certificate, and is only the second in the world to do so, and it also achieved a BREEAM Outstanding rating. It boasts a responsive and productive environment with smart sensors plugged into the HVAC system and lighting controls, and measures environmental variables such as density, occupancy, air quality and noise levels. Vodafone’s sleek Global Headquarters in London also makes smart use of data through a multi-sensor network, gathering information on the likes of air quality, energy use, occupant movement, noise levels and space utilisation.

Indeed, the scale and creativity of architecture here cannot be argued, however, with the smart building boom well underway, it is vital that the industry has the tools at its disposal to keep pace with staggering demand, be it new developments or retrofit projects. Key to this is the ability to install increasingly sophisticated data networks quickly, effectively and without error.

The more complex the network, the greater the number of RJ-45 assemblies and terminations required, which can inevitably result in consistency being compromised. Identifying faulty terminations on the system can be an onerous, costly and time-consuming task. As such, terminations must guarantee best practice and consistency every time. Whilst conventional installation methods require conductors to be trimmed to an exact length before the plug is placed onto the cable, IDEAL Industries’ FT-45 Feed-Thru Modular Plugs leave no such room for error. As single-piece connectors, there is no need for installers to assemble a three-piece connector, nor do conductor wires require precision trimming; instead, installers simply remove an appropriate section of jacket, remove the centre spline

(if present), untwist the pairs into the correct order, and trim the ends flat. The cable can then be slid into the connector until seated. The unit features open ends that allow conductors to be completely fed through the connector before crimping. The cable can be pushed into the connector to ensure the twisted pairs are as close to the pin contacts as possible, and that the jacket is seated beyond the primary strain relief for a secure connection.

The versatile FT-45 Crimp Tool further enhances this error-free approach; installers simply squeeze the handle to the closed position to cleanly shear the excess conductor wires and leave a smooth, flat finish – crimping and cutting the cable in a single action.

Used on installations around the world, IDEAL Industries’ FT-45 Feed-Thru data termination system ensures consistent, resilient and compliant data networks, regardless of the number of installers working on site, skill level or time pressures. If the industry is to keep up with demand for smart buildings, getting data networks right the first time, every time, is crucial.

IDEAL Industries, idealind.com

[1] https://www.bloomberg.com/press-releases/2022-09-15/smart-buildin g-market-to-hit-570-02-billion-by-2030-grand-view-research-inc

The FT-45 features open ends that allow conductors to be completely fed through the connector before crimping

The FT-45 Feed-Thru data termination system ensures consistent, resilient and compliant data networks

KNX SENSORS LIGHT THE WAY FOR NEW £300M HOSPITAL TO BECOME ‘GREENEST’ IN SWITZERLAND

The Bürgerspital Solothurn in Solothurn, which is situated in the north-west of the country, has been awarded the Minergie-Eco standard.

Minergie is a Swiss construction standard for new and refurbished low energy consumption buildings and combines high energy requirements with ecological construction and operation.

The new Bürgerspital Solothurn building is 62,800m2 and it was vital that it was built in an energy-efficient manner. In order to achieve the Minergie-Eco standard, proof of energy efficiency had to be provided for the lighting, so it was essential an effective lighting control strategy was implemented.

The hospital is equipped with a building management system, to which the lighting control was connected via KNX. The Bürgerspital Solothurn had been relying on high quality occupancy and motion detectors from lighting controls manufacturer, B.E.G., and advice from Swisslux for many years. Both were quickly selected as partners to work on the new refurbishment project which would incorporate KNX occupancy detectors as part of the energy-efficient building automation.

Swisslux, the exclusive distributor of B.E.G. products in Switzerland, has been assisting the commissioned electrical planner, Gode, with the planning since 2015. From 2019, Swisslux also supported the integrator in commissioning the KNX system.

Jannik Muhmenthaler, Head of Technical Services at the Bürgerspital Solothurn, says, “This is the first major KNX installation in our hospitals. Until now, we had only implemented small applications. However, the possibilities for energy savings and the flexibility of the B.E.G. KNX installation in the new hospital quickly convinced us this was the way forward.

“Swisslux helped us to achieve the Minergie-Eco standard specifications in the lighting design and, with B.E.G., provided us with a KNX system that gives our hospital long-term flexibility.”

Measurements in hospitals showed that the lighting in the traffic zones (staircases, corridors, etc.) accounted for the largest share of energy consumption for lighting, so emphasis was placed on an intelligent design of the lighting automation for these areas.

In the new hospital, demand-oriented lighting is ensured by suitable KNX occupancy detectors. The corridors are equipped with occupancy detectors which have a particularly large detection range of up to 24m. This meant that large areas can be covered cost-effectively with just a few detectors. In the staircases, indoor 180-KNX wall occupancy detectors were installed on each floor. The wall detectors were simply inserted into the selected switch range.

For safety reasons, the lights in the traffic zones are set to never switch off completely, even if they are little used at night. To minimise energy consumption, the lighting is reduced to an orientation light value of 30% at night when no movement is detected. This maintains the necessary safety in the traffic areas with efficient energy utilisation.

The staircases and corridors are operated in full-automatic mode, which means that the lighting is activated immediately when movement is detected. The side rooms, which are equipped with occupancy detectors, are also programmed in full-automatic mode.

Naturally, light plays a central role in the hospital’s treatment rooms and offices, which are equipped with large windows and all fitted with the most suitable and energy-efficient occupancy sensors.

Stefan Kull, Head of Business Development at Swisslux, says, “The occupancy detectors in the treatment and office rooms are operated in semi-automatic mode. This means that the light control must be activated via the light switch. From that moment on, the occupancy detector takes over the lighting control.

“When no more movements are detected, the room lighting is automatically switched off. By choosing KNX for lighting control, the system can be expanded or adapted at any time. New components can be easily integrated via the bus.”

The lighting control strategy was designed to be flexible so that if rooms are used differently in the future, the KNX occupancy detectors can be easily reprogrammed via the ETS programming software so that they are optimally aligned to the new requirements.

Paul Jones, Sales Director of UK & Ireland at B.E.G. UK, says, “This incredible project in Switzerland is another shining example of how B.E.G. and its global partners can help organisations make their buildings as energy efficient as possible, which is vitally important as the world looks to focus on its net zero goals.”

B.E.G., beg-luxomat.com

A new £300 million hospital in Switzerland has become the first in the country to be certified with the highest energy accreditation, thanks to integrating a range of KNX occupancy sectors from B.E.G. as part of the project.

The lighting control strategy was designed to be flexible The staircases and corridors are operated in full-automatic mode

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CEDIA TRAINING SUPPORTS ELECTRICIANS

According to the latest UK Integrated Home Market Analysis, powered by CEDIA, the estimated current size of the professional integrated home market is £1.2 billion and integrator companies are expecting continued growth, with 88% of companies forecasting revenue growth in the next 12 months, writes

This analysis also predicted that more and more electrical contractors will continue to enter the market in the years ahead. That should come as no surprise to ECN readers.

A professionally installed integrated system offers so many more lifestyle advantages to the homeowner. CEDIA members are adept at providing the right blend and balance of technology to deliver exceptional home entertainment, comfort, and security experiences for their customers, as well as providing the expert design, installation, and integration skills to create secure, robust, and functional environments to allow working from home.

However, with so much new technology, unfamiliar terminology and specialist integration skills needed to create such systems, it can be a daunting task entering the industry without the necessary training.

CEDIA is the industry association that can help electrical contractors make the successful transition into the professional home technology industry. The association recognises that the long-term success of the smart home sector is reliant upon a well-trained and professional workforce.

For this reason, CEDIA continues to focus on its educational pathways to ensure that industry professionals can always be at the top of their game.

It offers two fundamental education packages to help contractors on this

Matt Nimmons, Managing Director at CEDIA EMEA.

journey – Smart Home Technician

Essentials and Smart Home Technician

Further Skills.

The five-day Smart Home Technician Essentials pathway offers a solid foundation for electricians interested in starting their careers in the industry or supporting junior technicians in their journey towards CEDIA certification. The package covers essential topics such as audio and video fundamentals, best practice in structured cabling, smart home subsystems, as well as design and installation of AV racks. The last day of the programme also covers the UK’s electrical safety regulations.

The five-day Smart Home Technician Further Skills package is designed to enhance the knowledge and skills of individuals who already have some experience in the field or who have completed the Smart Home Technician Essentials package. This more advanced training equips learners with the expertise to handle more complex smart home systems. The package covers topics such as wired and wireless networking, lighting systems and control, fundamentals of home cinema design, as well as the principles of project and business processes.

The main advantage of CEDIA’s essential and further skills packages is that they are both comprised of standalone one-day courses that can be booked individually. This allows learners the flexibility to choose which courses to attend based on their individual needs and schedules.

Additionally, the format enables learners to fill specific knowledge gaps and acquire the skills and knowledge they need to become proficient in specific areas. Whether learners are new to the industry or looking to advance their skills, they can take advantage of the single day courses and customise their learning experience. The flexibility of these course is testament to CEDIA’s commitment to provide accessible and comprehensive training to learners of all levels.

The Smart Home Technician courses are only part of a tailored career journey. The skills covered in these courses align with CEDIA’s globally accredited certifications: Cabling and Infrastructure Technician (CIT) and Integrated Systems Technician (IST). These provide members with the opportunity to showcase credibility, development and differentiation.

CEDIA Academy

As well as running regular face-to-face courses at its HQ in the UK, CEDIA provides its global membership with access to hundreds of hours of self-paced education via the online CEDIA Academy. The investment in CEDIA’s online education has been and will continue to be substantial. This will ensure that no matter where the association’s members are located, they have direct access to the same comprehensive training courses and hundreds of hours of educational content. There has never been a better time for electricians to find out more about smart home technology, and make the transition to the professional home technology industry.

CEDIA, cedia.net

There has never been a better time for electricians to find out more about smart home technology

CEDIA can help electrical contractors make the transition into the professional home technology industry

SMART BUILDING TECH HELPS STREET FOOD VENUE TO EXPAND

Street food venue Bustler, based on Avenue E at Sneinton Market, says it plans to add more equipment to its existing IT monitoring system, which transmits operating data such as ambient temperature, air quality, light levels and numbers of people on site.

The company has operated its current outlet since October 2022 and is now expanding into a second unit next door, which will feature permanent kitchen space

for three independent operators as well as an intimate espresso and wine bar.

Ever since Bustler was established in Derby in 2013, it has pioneered the use of smart building technology in conjunction with fellow Derby IT firm Scenariio, with which it was recently shortlisted in the Best Use of Technology category of the Restaurant Marketer and Innovator Awards earlier this year.

Both of Bustler’s Nottingham and Derby venues are bristling with human movement sensors, intelligent lighting systems, temperature monitors and CCTV

cameras to give its operators an instant snapshot of what’s going on inside the venue at any one time.

It means that, just by looking at their phone, they know how many people are in the venue at one time, whether it is too cold or too hot and what the most popular areas within the venue are.

The lighting is also automatically adjusted to dim or switch off lights in areas that are not in use, or increased throughout the evening as the daylight outside fades.

Olivia Pritchard, Managing Director of Bustler, says the equipment helps her and her team to run a tight ship at both venues, adding that the lessons learned from the data in Derby have influenced the design and lay-out of Nottingham.

She says, “Running a venue like ours is a complex business and the data we receive from the technology is genuinely useful, not least because we don’t need a member of staff with a clicker on the door to monitor how many people are inside.

“That’s an instant saving, while it also ensures that no lights get left on overnight, so we save on energy as well. We will be installing mainly CCTV in the second phase, but there is no doubt that the operational data from Derby and Nottingham has helped us to imagine the new space and will help us when it’s up and running.”

Scenariio’s technology is increasingly in demand from companies looking to use smart technology to help reduce operating costs, and former clients include Gymshark, Severn Trent Water and Tarmac.

Tom Erskine, the company’s Business Development Manager, says, “The hospitality sector is undergoing big operating challenges at the moment and although the equipment we supply does require an investment, it pays dividends in the long run.

“Bustler is definitely one of our success stories. Olivia and her team have been able to use the technology to save money and energy, and to really understand their venues and how they are used from their customers’ point of view.”

Scenariio, scenariio.com

A pioneering Nottingham entertainment venue is set to extend its use of smart building technology to help it reduce operating costs and energy usage as it prepares to expand into a second unit.

Ever since Bustler was established in 2013, it has pioneered the use of smart building technology

THE DL9130EV — COMPLEX TESTING MADE EASY

During the design and development process, Di-LOG didn’t want to just add EV functionality to its existing MFT, the company wanted to create an MFT that assisted the electrical engineer. The new second-generation user interface has been meticulously designed to interact with the user on every function, whether that be to prompt the user to zero the test leads, indicate pre-programmed pass limits or to record maximum impedance or resistance values.

Here are just a few of the key features that the DL9130EV has to offer and why…

RCD-DD Protection

The 6mA RDC-DD test is a safety test conducted on electric vehicle (EV) chargers. It is used to detect and measure the level of residual direct current (DC) leakage present in the charging system.

Residual direct current refers to the small amount of DC electricity that may remain in the charging system even when the charger is not actively charging a vehicle. This residual current can be potentially hazardous if it exceeds certain thresholds, as it may cause electric shock or damage to the vehicle or charging infrastructure.

The 6mA RDC-DD test ensures that the EV charger meets safety standards by verifying that the residual direct current leakage does not exceed 6mA. The test is performed using the bespoke RDC-DD test feature added specifically to the DL9130EV multifunction tester that simulates the current flowing between the charger’s DC output and the ground and records the tripping time.

The 6mA RDC-DD test is an important part of ensuring the safety of EV chargers, as it helps prevent electrical hazards and protects both users and the charging infrastructure. It is typically conducted during the manufacturing process or as part of the installation, maintenance and inspection procedures for EV charging stations.

Auto EV RCD test

The auto EV RCD (Residual Current Device) test on the DL9130EV multifunction tester is a feature that allows for automatic testing of the RDC-DD and the RCD installed in an electric vehicle charging system.

An RCD, also known as a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI), is a safety device designed to quickly detect and interrupt electrical faults, such as leakage currents to earth, to prevent electric shock hazards. In an electric vehicle charging system, the RCD plays a crucial role in protecting users and preventing electrical accidents.

The DL9130EV multifunction tester, equipped with the auto EV RCD test feature, simplifies the process of testing the residual current-protecting devices in an electric vehicle charging system. Instead of manually adjusting settings and conducting multiple tests, the auto EV RCD test allows for a streamlined and automated testing procedure.

When performing the auto EV RCD test, the DL9130EV multifunction tester applies a controlled fault current to the charging system and monitors the response of the 6mA RDC-DD integrated protection within the charger initially before continuing to test the Type A RCD supplying the EVSE cable and equipment. The tester measures the time it takes for the RDC-DD and the RCD to trip or interrupt the fault current and evaluates its performance against the prescribed safety standards.

The auto EV RCD test on the DL9130EV multifunction tester provides a convenient and efficient way to assess the effectiveness and reliability of the current protection in the charging system. It ensures that the RCD is functioning properly, offering the necessary protection against electrical faults and minimising the risk of electric shock to users.

Rmax

When conducting a continuity test on an electrical circuit, the DL9130EV is used to check if there is a complete path for the electric current to flow. The tester applies a 200mA current to the circuit and measures the resistance. If the resistance is very low (close to zero), it indicates good continuity, meaning the circuit is complete and the current can flow through it.

In some cases, you might encounter a circuit with multiple resistive elements (R1, R2, etc.) in series or parallel. When measuring continuity in such a circuit, the R1R2 value represents the maximum total resistance you can expect to encounter. This means that the sum of all the resistances (R1 + R2) should not have an excessive value for the circuit to be considered continuous.

The British-made DL9100 Series Multifunction Tester from Di-LOG offers one of the most versatile MFT product ranges in the UK, covering all electrical installation applications. The flagship DL9130EV is not just any EV MFT, it is Di-LOG’s most intelligent tester to date, says David Sweetman, Marketing & Business Development Director for the Di-LOG Group.

DL9130EV in use

By measuring Rmax with the DL9130EV you can ensure that the overall resistance of the circuit is within an acceptable range, with the maximum measured reading being recorded on the secondary display. This is particularly important in various applications, including electrical wiring, circuit board testing, and troubleshooting, where identifying faulty connections or excessive resistances is crucial for the proper functioning and safety of the electrical system. Although in an ideal world all these values should be the same, you are permitted to record the highest measured value on your documentation.

Intelligent high current loop test

In electrical installations, a loop test, also known as an earth fault loop impedance test, is a method used by electricians to measure the impedance of the earth fault loop in a circuit. This test helps determine the effectiveness of the earth connection and the potential for fault currents to flow in the event of a fault.

The purpose of the earth fault loop impedance test is to ensure that the impedance of the loop (including the supply transformer, protective device, wiring, and earth connection) is within acceptable limits for the protective devices to operate correctly and provide effective fault current protection.

Typically, a traditional earth fault loop impedance test requires the use of three test leads: one connected to the live conductor, one connected to the earth, and one connected to the neutral conductor. However, the DL9130EV will allow for a simplified 2-wire loop test using only two test leads.

The intelligent high current loop test will automatically detect if the measurement can be safely undertaken when attempting to conduct either a 2-wire or 3-wire loop test, without the need to make any setting adjustments. The DL9130EV then measures the Ze loop impedance by injecting a known

test current into the circuit using two test leads connected between the live conductor and the earth. The instrument then measures the voltage drop caused by this test current, allowing the electrician to calculate the impedance of the earth fault loop.

The best of British

Di-LOG is proud to be designing, developing and manufacturing the DL9100 Series MFT in the UK – there are very few manufacturers of electrical installation safety equipment that can boast this ability. There are several advantages to buying British-manufactured electrical test equipment. Here are some key points to consider:

• Quality and reliability: Although it is not always possible to produce all test equipment in the UK, when it comes to electrical installation and portable safety equipment, British manufacturers often prioritise quality and adhere to strict manufacturing standards. Buying British means you can have confidence in the reliability and durability of the electrical installation equipment. Di-LOG’s UK manufacturing partner uses high-quality components, conduct rigorous testing procedures, and ensures that the company’s products meet or exceed industry standards.

• Compliance with standards: Di-LOG’s installation test equipment that is manufactured in Britain is designed to meet British and international standards. It can help you ensure that your testing procedures align with industry standards, making it easier to meet regulatory obligations.

• Local support and service: Purchasing from a British manufacturer often provides access to local support and service networks. This can be advantageous for after-sales support, warranty claims, repairs, and technical assistance. Having a local support network can help expedite the resolution of any issues that may arise with the equipment.

• Customisation and flexibility: Di-LOG, along with other British manufacturers, is often more responsive to customer needs and can offer customisation options to meet specific requirements. Whether it’s modifying a product’s features or providing tailored solutions, British manufacturers are known for their flexibility and willingness to work closely with customers to meet their unique testing needs.

• Supporting the economy and jobs: Buying British-manufactured electrical test equipment contributes to the local economy by supporting domestic manufacturing and creating job opportunities within the industry. It helps sustain a skilled workforce and can have a positive impact on the broader economy.

• Environmental considerations: The team at Di-LOG, along with most other British manufacturers, often prioritise environmentally friendly practices and sustainability. They may incorporate energy-efficient technologies, utilise eco-friendly materials, and implement responsible manufacturing processes. Buying from these manufacturers supports environmentally conscious practices and can align with your organisation’s sustainability goals.

It’s important to note that while there are advantages to buying British-manufactured electrical test equipment, it’s always recommended to assess individual products based on their specifications, performance, cost and your specific requirements.

The only MFT you need!

In summary, the DL9130EV offers everything an electrical engineer needs to verify the safety of an electrical installation – why make testing and inspecting complicated?

Di-LOG, dilog.co.uk

The DL9130EV will allow for a simplified 2-wire loop test using only two test leads

The DL9130EV is Di-LOG’s most intelligent tester to date

By measuring Rmax with the DL9130EV, you can ensure that the overall resistance of the circuit is within an acceptable range

CORRECTLY ASSESSING THE VIABILITY AND SAFETY OF SOLAR PV SYSTEMS BEGINS WITH AWARENESS OF WHAT TO TEST

hile generating increasing amounts of renewable energy is a welcome change from more polluting forms of energy generation, like any electrical system, a solar PV system carries the potential hazard of electric shock. The way to minimise this is to connect the metal parts of the solar PV system (including rails and frames) to ground. Once an entire system has been installed, it is vital to confirm that this grounding procedure has been conducted correctly. This straightforward process is nevertheless extremely important and cannot be overlooked.

The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) issued the standard IEC 62446-1 that recommends the tests be conducted when testing and commissioning a PV solar system. The standard consists of two categories: Category 1 which relates to safety and is applicable to all solar PV systems, and Category 2 that relates to the functionality of the installation and is applicable for larger and more complex systems.

As the world transitions towards renewable energy, the market for solar photovoltaic (PV) systems is growing at a rapid pace.

There are additional checks that need to be carried out on solar PV systems after installation

Lagging behind the market

These tests are not currently mandatory, and it may be several years before enforcement legislation is put in place. However, other parties such as insurance companies already stipulate that there must be documented proof that PV solar system electrical installations have been carried out by a qualified installer and checked by an independent inspector.

As well as grounding a PV installation, safety checks relate to the insulation of the copper wires, which are typically covered in rubber or plastic. There are large numbers of wires that must all be correctly insulated. If they are not, there is a risk of short circuits that can cause sparks, and sparks can cause fire.

Another key element that needs to be checked is polarity. Just like traditional batteries, it is important to connect positive to positive and negative to negative, which, if not done correctly, can also present a significant fire hazard.

Getting paid for the work

Importantly, these tests must be conducted as soon as a solar system is commissioned, and again as part of a site acceptance test. Only when these steps have been taken can installation of a solar PV system be certified as complete and safe. It is also the case that only when all checks have been completed and a

Solar multifunction tester

There are many different earth ground testers on the market and there are various tools for insulation and polarity testing. Rather than having to use several tools, installers can benefit from a single multifunction tool dedicated to these kinds of systems, specifically designed to facilitate compliance with the IEC 62446-1 standard.

For example, the SMFT-1000 solar multifunction tester from Fluke tests quality, performance and safety levels in solar PV systems and streamlines workflow when paired with Fluke’s TruTest documenting software. All data is saved automatically, and reports can be uploaded to a PC via a USB port, making compliance reports available to all parties, including insurance companies, if required.

Not mandatory, but strongly advised

confirmation report generated can an installer be paid. Therefore, it is in their interests to ensure everything is installed and correctly tested first time. Any delay in producing this information can result in a delay in payment.

There are additional checks that need to be carried out on solar PV systems after installation, including regular tests on basic earthing, insulation and polarity, but mainly these checks are to do with functionality, efficiency and troubleshooting. For example, electrical conductors that sit in the ground are prone to corrosion, which is one of the biggest enemies of effective conduction.

The market for solar photovoltaic (PV) systems is growing at a rapid pace

Even though many of these tests are currently not mandatory, they can play a vital role in ensuring a solar PV system does not pose any form of health risk. Insurance companies do not wait for legislation to be drawn up and they have safety at the front of their minds. Therefore, any installer who wants to work on such projects would benefit from making sure they can deliver systems without any doubts about their operational safety.

It is important to remember that there are usually several different parties that play a role when installing a solar PV system, so mistakes can be made. That is why it is imperative that an installer can prove through internationally recognised IEC certification that an installation meets all relevant criteria and is safe to operate. Not only will they minimise the chance of any issues arising later on, but they will also be able to accelerate the process by which they get paid.

Fluke, fluke.com

ALIVE: FIVE STEPS FOR SAFE ISOLATION

Despite advances in safety procedures, electrical accidents in the workplace continue to happen. Steve Dunning, Managing Director of Martindale Electric, explains ALIVE, the company’s safe isolation protocol that aims to reduce the number of electricity-related injuries and fatalities in the workplace.

It has been 18 years since electrician Michael Adamson’s tragic and preventable death on the job. While the world of electrical work has seen many advancements in safety procedures, the sad truth is that electrical accidents still occur, with an average of 1,000 accidents and 25 fatalities reported to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) every year.

Michael was a proficient and knowledgeable electrician. But his expertise and experience were not enough to protect him when he cut into a cable that was clearly marked ‘NOT IN USE’ and suffered a fatal electric shock. The cable was, in fact, wired into a distribution board and was not safely isolated. Although his employer’s method statement said all electrical equipment should be isolated and secured by means of a padlock before work commenced, they did not provide the devices for lock-off/tag-out. Instead, the practice on site was to use insulating tape.

The dangers of electrical work cannot be overstated and safe isolation is a fundamental skill everyone involved in electrical work must possess and incorporate into their work practices. While larger electrical installations, such as switchboards, receive more emphasis, it’s important to note that both a large switchboard and a small light switch can lead to electric shock if proper safety procedures are not followed. It is crucial

that dangerous and outdated methods of isolation, such as the insulation tape as in Michael’s case, are never used, although sadly there are still a number of cases where this continues to happen – an issue that has been a focus of HSE inspection targets and industry awareness campaigns.

According to the Electrical Safety Roundtable, statistics show that one in five installers do not carry a lock out kit and 25% of electricians rarely or never use a lock out kit to isolate the electrical supply they are working on. In response to this research and to promote awareness, the ESR collaborated with Louise Adamson, a prominent health and safety campaigner and Michael’s sister, to create a comprehensive guide emphasising the importance of safe isolation. This guide states that the use of lock-off kits should be the ‘sixth point of PPE’ for electrical workers.

Safe isolation is an issue that Martindale Electric also takes extremely seriously. In 2014, the company established a six-step protocol to safeguard anyone working on or near an electrical installation. This protocol has since been condensed into the simplified acronym ‘ALIVE’ to make it more accessible and help reduce the number of electricity-related injuries and fatalities in the workplace.

• A is for Approved kit. Before starting, make sure that the Voltage Indicators (VI) comply with BS EN61243-3, such as the VI13800 voltage indicator from Martindale Electric.

• L is for Lock Out. Identify the point of isolation – lock it off and place warning tags onto the equipment.

• I is for Initial Prove. After locking out the equipment, the next step is to test your VI against the proving unit to make sure it is working properly.

• V is for Voltage Test. The fourth step in the ALIVE procedure is to use your VI to make sure dangerous voltage levels are not in the circuit you are about to work on.

• E is for Ensure. Finally, prove the VI against the proving unit again before starting to work on the circuit.

For the full version of the ALIVE process, please visit the Martindale website. The tragic and preventable death of Michael Adamson serves as a reminder of the importance of safe isolation in electrical work and the need for continued emphasis on safe practices. With its ALIVE acronym, Martindale Electric continues to promote awareness and provide guidelines to ensure safe isolation remains a top priority and helps provide a safer work environment for all.

Martindale Electric, martindale-electric.co.uk

Statistics show that one in five installers do not carry a lock out kit

Secure Power launched in Sheffield back in 2010 and has since become one of the fastest-growing backup power suppliers in the UK, helping customers take a proactive approach to power management.

Their customer base is varied and includes electrical contractors, data centres, schools and universities, hospitals, councils, transport authorities, and telecoms.

They specialise in an entirely brand-agnostic approach and have strong links with a wide range of leading manufacturers including Riello UPS, APC, Eaton, Schneider Electric, Vertiv, and Socomec.

SECURE IN OUR HANDS

ECN: Can you briefly tell us about Secure Power and what you do?

JM: We specialise in emergency backup power equipment in the form of uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), providing a complete turnkey service of sales, technical advice, installation, commissioning, and ongoing maintenance.

Secure Power launched in Sheffield back in 2010 and has since become one of the fastest-growing backup power suppliers in the UK, helping customers take a proactive approach to power management.

Our customer base is varied and includes electrical contractors, data centres, schools and universities, hospitals, councils, transport authorities, and telecoms.

We specialise in an entirely brand-agnostic approach and have strong links with a wide range of leading manufacturers including Riello UPS, APC, Eaton, Schneider Electric, Vertiv, and Socomec.

ECN: And it’s fair to say the company is something of a family affair?

JM: You could say that! My brother Nick has worked with us for more than 10 years now. Earlier this year, he became Chief Operating Officer and took over the day-to-

day running of the business alongside another of our long-serving employees, Alicia Hewitt.

Many of our team have also been with us for several years. This gives us a level of expertise and enables us to build long-standing relationships with customers.

ECN: How much of your success is down to building those lasting connections?

JM: It’s absolutely crucial. Let me give you an example, our very first project from all the way back in 2010. It was for a Leeds-based health service charity needing a new UPS for their comms room.

We went in, provided a free site survey, and put forward our recommended range of options. The client was happy and placed an order. And now, all these years later, we still provide ongoing maintenance support for them.

The positive relationships we have with our clients will always remain at the forefront of everything we do, alongside our core values of reliability, honesty, integrity, and exceptional service.

ECN: Why did you choose to be vendor-neutral rather than align with a particular manufacturer?

JM: It enables us to provide customers with the best product for their specific needs. So, in terms of UPS, we offer the entire range of solutions, whether that’s single-phase or three-phase power, or freestanding, rack-mounted or modular configuration.

As we’re not locked into any single manufacturer, we’re one of the few companies around that truly understand the pros and cons of the many different products across the marketplace.

This transparent and unbiased approach enables our customers to make a more informed decision and choose the right technology at the right price to meet their own unique requirements.

ECN: Your work doesn’t stop once you’ve sold a UPS, though?

JM: Absolutely not. With a UPS, or generator for that matter, how well you maintain the equipment has a massive impact on its performance and efficiency. And of course, when it comes to power continuity, you always have to be prepared for the worst-case scenario. That’s where our 24/7/365 technical, maintenance and emergency response services come into their own.

With more than a decade’s experience in keeping the lights on for countless customers across the country, the CEO of Secure Power, Jonathan Morley, shares some of the secrets of the company’s success.

“When it comes to power continuity, you always have to be prepared for the worst-case scenario”

Unlike many of our competitors, we don’t outsource this support. We have our own highly experienced network of engineers located across the country, enabling us to provide the fastest possible response times.

Our in-house engineers are qualified to exceptionally high standards and receive ongoing training across the various makes and models of UPS technologies and generator engines we supply.

ECN: How have you tried to help customers during such challenging economic times?

JM: With first the COVID-19 pandemic and now sky-high energy costs and inflation, we appreciate it’s tough for many businesses. And we also know that while they are undoubtedly essential items of equipment, a UPS or generator can be expensive to buy and run.

That’s why we introduced our Finance Managed Services option, a flexible payment scheme enabling customers to ensure their vital backup power is always covered.

It’s a hassle-free way for customers to spread the cost of renting or purchasing new UPS and generator equipment over a fixed term, typically three or five years.

Customers have the added peace of mind that their equipment is always maintained and supported. Then, at the end of the lease period, they have the option to buy the equipment outright or swap out for new.

We’ve also invested in a custom-built demo room in our Sheffield office. It’s a great way to showcase the different UPS brands, automatic transfer switches, and a generator in a live environment, showing customers how the equipment works when there’s a mains failure. We also use it for training so that customers are fully up to speed with their product knowledge.

ECN: Finally, what are the main benefits for electrical contractors in working with a company like Secure Power?

JM: With there being so many different models and manufacturers of UPS, it’s understandable why contractors can often seem a little confused or even intimidated.

That’s where expert advice can go a long way, and with our vendor-neutral approach not only can we provide the widest possible choice, but also offer an honest, unbiased assessment of which solution works best for your customers’ needs and budget. We’ll

PARTNERSHIP OFFERS PERFECT PRESCRIPTION

One of the many vendors Secure Power has a long-standing relationship with is Riello UPS. Headquartered in North Wales, Riello UPS is part of the Riello Elettronica group, which has subsidiaries in 85 countries and is the second-largest UPS manufacturer in Europe.

Its award-winning range of standby power solutions spans from 400VA to 6.4MVA, while the company provides comprehensive installation, servicing, and maintenance support, along with a five-year warranty as standard on all UPS up to and including 3kVA.

Secure Power has been a Riello UPS authorised reseller and service partner for several years, with the two companies working on various projects for clients including Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council, Hunslet Moor Primary School in Leeds, and the Barnsley Schools Trust, which involved replacing legacy UPSs with 60 5kVA Sentinel Dual (SDU) units.

So, when a specialised NHS Children’s hospital in South Yorkshire was looking to replace its existing backup power solution, Secure Power and Riello UPS teamed up again to provide the perfect remedy.

The hospital’s two key UPS units had reached ‘end of life’ and were no longer reliable in providing the critical backup required. The replacement UPS needed to be capable of maintaining a continuous supply of power to support two operating theatres and an IPS system in the event of mains and secondary power failures.

Having sourced a competitive and ‘fit for purpose’ replacement UPS, Secure Power was awarded the contract for the

works and quickly began the process of decommissioning and removing the old units.

Once this was complete, the installation and commissioning of the new replacement system could begin. Secure Power identified the Sentryum range as the optimum solution.

As Riello UPS’s third generation of transformerless online UPS, Sentryum delivers outstanding performance and high efficiency of up to 96.5% in a compact footprint. The series also comes with a choice of three frames to optimise floor space and maximise battery runtime.

For the hospital upgrade, a pair of 10 kVA single-phase input and output Sentryums with two strings of internal batteries were selected. Designed to an N configuration, the UPS maximises availability, efficiency, and performance in critical applications, reaching approximately 27 minutes of battery runtime at a 10kW load.

To avoid any unnecessary downtime and mitigate all potential risks to patient safety, all works were conducted out of hours. Thanks to the expertise of its in-house engineering team, Secure Power completed the entire decommissioning, removal, installation, and commissioning process on time and to budget, allowing a seamless transition between the two sets of UPS.

Gary Candow, Engineering Supervisor for Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, comments, “Secure Power has delivered above and beyond all expectation on every aspect of this job. Their engineering team conducted themselves professionally and have done an excellent job on the UPS replacements.”

work with you from the initial site survey and can even offer same-day quotes.

Then once you’ve narrowed down your choice, our in-house team of engineers will assist with carrying out all aspects of UPS and generator installation in line with current industry legislation and equipment manufacturer requirements. In fact, most UPS vendors now insist on commissioning by a trained and approved engineer to validate the warranty.

And of course, once the equipment is up and running, we can provide the customer with a tailored maintenance support plan, ensuring optimal performance and continued reliability from start to finish.

Secure Power, securepower.com

Secure Power and Riello teamed up to replace the backup power solution for a children’s hospital in Sheffield

ASH SECURES KEY RENEWABLES CONTRACT FOR COMPLEX SOLAR PV WORK

Atherton-based Ash Integrated Services is installing more than 500 solar panels on behalf of Stockport Council at Endeavour House, a depot building on Bredbury Park Way, owned and operated by Totally Local Company.

The M+E firm is also installing 24 car ports, three electric vehicle charging points and battery storage, and it will also deliver associated civil engineering works and assist with the installation of a substation.

The project will generate approximately 230kWh and the energy will power Endeavour House directly, with any excess transferred to the battery.

A key challenge for Ash will be completing the scheme safely and on schedule while operating on a live site, with frequent waste vehicle movements as part of MOT, servicing, and repair work.

Stockport Council is seeking to become a carbon neutral city region by 2038 and appointed Ash to deliver the Endeavour House project following a competitive tender process.

Co-Founder and Co-Director at Ash Integrated Services, Antony Grace, says, “This complex scheme is ideal for our skillset and builds on our previous renewables projects on live sites.

“We will have a team of six, including an apprentice, working on the electricals side, with another five delivering the civils to lay cables.

“With the installation of the car ports as well as liaising closely with Electricity North West on the substation, there are many layers to this development, and we’re excited to have started on site.”

Antony adds, “We will be connecting the new substation to the workshop area as well as removing the existing supply and inserting a new panel.

“The latest infrastructure and technology is being used, including the use of larger cables to handle higher usage in the future, such as with the investment of electric waste vehicles.”

Endeavour House is one of two key schemes kick-started by Stockport Council this spring, with the view they will act as the blueprint that will help it and other local authorities to learn how best to retrofit renewables onto existing buildings.

Cllr Mark Roberts, Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Environment at Stockport Council, says, “In March 2019, Stockport Council declared a climate emergency and pledged support for the Greater Manchester Five Year Environment Plan.

“These two projects are just the start of fulfilling that commitment and this is a fantastic example of one of the many solutions available to organisations and businesses in the borough to decarbonise our society.”

Cllr Grace Baynham, Cabinet Member for Highways, Parks and Leisure Services, says, “This is very welcome news and it is so important that we make provision to decarbonise in order to future-proof our

services. This is another big step forward in our commitment to become a carbon neutral borough.”

David Hughes, CEO at Totally Local Company, which operates out of Endeavour House, says, “The introduction of solar panels at TLC’s site in Bredbury is a great step forward in our target to decarbonise our operations and, by adopting the latest technologies, builds on our current green agenda. We’re proud to support Stockport Council’s target to be carbon neutral by 2038.”

Supported by a capital grant from the European Regional Development Funding (ERDF), as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020, this funding has come about by working jointly as a consortium with five Greater Manchester authorities under the Unlocking Clean Energy in Greater Manchester (UCEGM) programme.

Ash Integrated Services, ashintegratedservices.co.uk

A mechanical and electrical contractor has started work on a key renewables project that will save more than 34,500kg of CO2 emissions.

Stockport Council is seeking to become a carbon neutral city region by 2038

Empowering the Future, Safeguarding the Present

Rewriting the concept of flexible power

Sentryum is Riello UPS’s third generation transformerless Online UPS designed to maximise availability, efficiency and performance in small data centres and similar critical applications. Delivers 96.6% efficiency and unity power.

Fantastic Flexibility

Choose from various power ranges and 3 cabinet sizes to optimise your valuable floor space and maximise battery runtime:

Compact (CPT) – 1 battery string in 0.25m2² footprint (not available for 30-40 kVA versions)

Active (ACT) – 2 battery strings in 0.35m2² footprint

Xtend (XTD) – 3 battery strings in 0.4m2² footprint

Enhanced Performance

Sentryum builds on previous transformerless series such as Multi Sentry with an optimised card layout that reduces the number of components, cables, and interconnections. This means your UPS needs less space and is far more cost-effective to maintain.

What makes Secure Powet the right choice for you?

Competitive prices

Same-day quotations

Free site surveys

Available UK stock

Expert technical advice

Installation & commissioning

UPS maintenance service

UPS removal & relocation

UPS & generator monitoring

ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING PREVENTS DOWNTIME AND SAVES ENERGY

The air conditioning industry started in 1902 when Willis Haviland Carrier designed a solution to solve humidity control problems in a New York printing works.

The principle task of air conditioners and cooling systems installed in today’s data centres and server room environments is the same – the management and control of temperature and humidity levels, which vary across the spaces they are installed within.

With a typical server rack generating 3-7kW of heat load, failure of any part of the cooling system can lead to downtime. Temperature levels can quickly rise to unsafe levels within 10-15 minutes, leading to server shutdowns and the risk of hot spots and potentially a fire incident.

Monitoring solutions

An environmental monitoring system centres around a base unit. This will have plug-in RJ-45 sensor ports and may also feature digital inputs and digital outputs (DI/DO) for connection to dry/volt-free contacts and third-party or BMS systems.

The base unit is installed as a 19in rackmount or shelf-mounted device, within a server rack. The unit requires an AC/DC power adaptor (preferably connected to an uninterruptible power supply) or PoE (power over ethernet) or both, with one acting as the backup source.

For data centres and server rooms, the most installed plug-in sensors are for temperature and humidity measurements, and for water leakage and airflow detection. The sensors and detectors can be cable up to 100m from the base unit, allowing placement close to where they are. Multiple base units can be daisy-chained for site-wide monitoring.

Environmental monitoring system manufacturers may also offer wireless sensor technologies; Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Zigbee or LoRa. Wireless is more appropriate for general buildings including warehouses, offices, and factories. Of the technologies, LoRa offers military grade security and a longer-range.

, President of AKCP

Air flow sensors are mounted close to the output of an air conditioner. Should the air flow drop or stop, an alarm is generated. Water leakage sensors include spot and rope sensors. Spot sensors are installed within an air conditioner’s drip tray. Water detection ropes are placed around the base of a server rack or in the space under a raised access floor. Any moisture or liquid hitting the spot sensor or rope generates an alarm.

Other sensors and detectors allow for AC and DC power monitoring, current measurement, door contacts, motion, smoke, light, air quality and even generator fuel tank levels.

Automated alert email or SMS

An environmental monitoring system acts as a data logger. This data is available for graphing and analysis through a manufacturer supplied software package; either for use locally on a PC or network or cloud based.

The software package is used to create alert triggers and notification distribution lists. These are sent via email. For SMS text messages, the base monitoring unit would have to include a modem (and client supplied SIM card) or the user subscribe to an email-to-SMS service.

For more monitoring systems, other communications protocols are available, including SNMP, MQQT, Modbus, Radius and TACACS. IP watchdog (heartbeat) monitoring and automated reports provide additional system availability checks.

Thermal cabinet maps

Most small server rooms will install one temperature sensor per server rack. The recommended practice is six, with three pairs. Two at the top, middle and bottom and at the front and rear of the cabinet. This allows for the monitoring of intake and exhaust air and Delta-T calculations.

The data from this level of monitoring can be used to create thermal cabinet maps in an appropriate software package. Traditional Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) relies on arbitrary numbers for the

Even a small 5-10 server rack data centre can benefit from the proper analysis of environmental performance data

total power dissipated per rack and rated BTUs of the cooling system.

Using live data allows for a comparison between the design and real-world operations and can help to identify areas for improvement. Typical problems can include the mixing of hot and chilled air returns, lowering cooling and energy usage efficiency. Plug-in current meters can provide overall cabinet power consumption to assist capacity planning.

Systems scalability

Raising room temperature can save energy but can lead to other issues. Low humidity increases the potential for electrostatic discharge. High humidity can increase

New data centre and server room refurbishment projects provide an ideal opportunity for electrical contractors to install environmental monitoring systems, with tailored sensor packages and real-time automated alerts, writes Nick Barrowclough

CHOOSING AND OPTIMISING YOUR UPS

hether it’s a hospital requiring always-on power supply to maintain critical equipment, or a data centre needing to protect valuable information, a reliable and efficient Uninterruptible Power System (UPS) is essential.

By preventing damage from power surges, fluctuations and outages, a UPS can help organisations avoid costly equipment replacements, lost productivity, and even safety risks in places like airports. Investing in the right UPS and staying on top of its maintenance can provide confidence that critical infrastructure is protected and operations will continue uninterrupted.

Choosing the right UPS

Choosing the right UPS system is crucial for ensuring uninterrupted power supply and protecting critical equipment. As every business has a unique set of needs based on its size, autonomy time constraints, and equipment types, it’s essential to select a UPS that can meet specific requirements such as the amount of power needed and the expected duration of potential power outages.

Various types of UPS systems are available on the market, ranging from basic standby systems to advanced double-conversion systems that provide the highest level of protection. Line-interactive UPS systems offer better voltage regulation, making them ideal for protecting sensitive electronics and scalable, modular UPS systems are another option that can grow with changing needs.

However, selecting the right UPS is just one piece of the puzzle. In fact, a broad variety of project services supporting the deployment at site – the proper installation and control settings, the start-up of the equipment and the testing of the application – are a prerequisite to maximise UPS performance. The UPS selection is as important as its start-up and testing, as these lay the foundations for optimal performance and operation throughout the life of the UPS.

WDevelopments in technology

Innovative technologies continue to emerge that can boost the performance and longevity of UPS systems. One example is advanced battery management that can prolong the lifespan of UPS batteries. Another is advanced power management control, which can improve UPS efficiency and reduce energy waste.

Innovations such as high frequency

Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors (IGBTs) and digital signal processing systems (DSPS) are also being developed to improve the speed and control of UPS systems. Not only do these technologies increase the quantity of power, but they also allow for faster switching between modes of operation. All of these technologies are currently being developed with the aim of including them in new-generation UPS’s together with direct digital controls and power metrics. They will provide significant benefits to maintaining optimal UPS operation and performance.

What’s more, as energy costs can fluctuate significantly throughout the day, a UPS with battery backup allows businesses to store energy when it is cheaper and use it when energy costs are higher. This can result in significant savings on energy bills and help mitigate the financial pressure caused by rising energy costs, which is especially useful whilst energy prices are high.

Ensuring adequate monitoring

One way to ensure that a UPS is functioning at its best is to monitor it regularly. By having your UPS monitored, it is possible to keep track of factors such as power usage, battery health, and overall system performance. Remote diagnostic and preventive monitoring can help identify potential issues and avoid downtime by taking proactive steps to maintain system availability. Additionally, monitoring can help optimise UPS performance so organisations can fine-tune their systems for maximum efficiency and cost savings. With remote monitoring and diagnostic capabilities, organisations can have their UPS systems monitored from anywhere in the world and respond quickly to any issues that may arise.

But monitoring is just part of the picture – it’s also vital to conduct regular maintenance. As a UPS comprises various components, some of them may age and need replacement over time. By conducting routine maintenance, companies can replace these components before they fail, reducing the risk of expensive downtime and maintaining UPS performance at optimal levels.

Remote monitoring and diagnostics are becoming increasingly relevant in UPS maintenance. Allowing businesses to keep their UPS monitored in real-time and having equipment data continuously analysed enables early detection of anomalies. Additionally, being connected can provide valuable data on how the UPS is being used, which can be leveraged to optimise its performance. Some UPS vendors offer service contracts to minimise downtime and maximise efficiency and total cost of ownership with direct field engineers and increasingly, services.

A holistic approach

Ensuring your critical equipment is up to the task is paramount, and a reliable UPS is essential in achieving that goal. To optimise performance, not only it is crucial to have the right UPS in place but also to leverage the latest technological innovations that promote maximum efficiency, support for the grid, lower energy costs, and increased load protection.

Managing a UPS is a holistic process that requires attention to detail, from initial purchase and installation to regular maintenance, repair and eventual decommissioning. A comprehensive approach to managing a UPS must also involve selecting the right provider or partner to work with. A reputable provider can help navigate the complex landscape of UPS solutions, from selecting the right system to configuring and maintaining it over time. By partnering with a provider who understands the unique needs of an operation and offers a range of services and support, businesses can ensure the ongoing health and performance of their UPS. Crucially, this can lead to increased uptime, reduced risk, and ultimately, better outcomes.

Vertiv, vertiv.com

As our world becomes more reliant on technology, the importance of safeguarding mission critical systems against power failures cannot be overstated, writes Giovanni Zanei, Senior Director AC Power Global Offering & EMEA Business Leader, and Flora Cavinato, Director, Global Service Product Portfolio, at Vertiv

ROOFTOP SOLAR SYSTEM SUPPORTS NET ZERO GOALS AT CORNWALL HOSPITAL

The DC-optimised PV system is forecast to produce 81,000kWh of reliable, clean energy per annum, providing a return on investment (ROI) in just five years.

The energy produced

by the system will mean more of the hospital’s power requirements can be generated by a sustainable source. It will also play a key role in the partnership’s wider decarbonisation strategy, which seeks to power heavy energy loads such as electronic vehicle charging points with sustainable energy.

to support

Alan Bean, Sustainability Programme Manager for Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, which runs St Austell Community Hospital, explains, “As an NHS Trust, our first priority is patient care, and caring for the environment we all thrive within follows on naturally from that. Hence, we are committed to achieving net zero and we also need to ensure we are carefully managing costs. By investing in solar energy at St Austell Community Hospital we can reduce our carbon emissions while ensuring we have an energy supply that is safeguarded against rising energy prices and volatility in the global energy market.”

The PV system comprises 199 solar modules, which have been upgraded to smart modules using SolarEdge Power Optimisers to increase energy production and to increase the number of modules in the array to further enhance energy yield. Controlling the system is a SolarEdge 82.8kW Three Phase Inverter with Synergy Technology. Synergy inverters

St Austell Community Hospital in Cornwall has installed a rooftop solar PV system

delivery of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Health and Care Partnership’s Green Plan. The Green Plan sets out targets to achieve net zero carbon emissions across the partnership’s operations by 2030 – a decade ahead of the NHS’s national target of net zero by 2040.

STYLISH DESIGN AND TOTAL COMPLIANCE

CircPro (UK) was established in 2020 as the sole licensee of the MK Sentry range of circuit protection products.

CircPro is the UK division of the Yihua Holding Group, which previously manufactured the MK Sentry Metal consumer unit boards for over 12 years. For CircPro to take on the licensee agreement was the ideal fit, continuing with a brand that is synonymous within the residential circuit protection market.

The company’s products have been stylishly designed and developed to incorporate curved lines and a slim appearance, enabling them to blend into any environment. They are manufactured in accordance to the relevant British standards, which gives the designer and the installer the assurance they need that they comply with BS 7671:2018 IET Wiring Regulations.

CircPro’s dedicated sales team can offer help and technical assistance on standard and custom made consumer units.

The MK Sentry range offers a range of pre-populated consumer units which offer an off-the-shelf board which is ready to install. The company also offers non-populated and part populated consumer units, which enable electricians to create custom made configurations using AFDDs, RCBOs and surge devices to meet the installation requirements. To provide greater design flexibility and installation wiring space, CircPro will soon be launching a range of compact RCBOs and a single module surge device.

The changes to the 18th Edition Wiring Regulations over the past few years have required development and investment into the range. With the introduction of arc fault detection devices and surge devices, total compliance with the regulations can be ensured while giving end users the confidence that they are protected from voltage spikes, for example, lighting strikes and accidental fires resulting from electrical faults in the home.

CricPro, mksentrycircuitprotection.co.uk

THE MK SENTRY RANGE OF EMPTY AND POPULATED UNITS

•Manufactured from corosion and fire resistant material

• Specific configurations to suit applications

•Curved Stylish Design

•Available as recessed and surface enclosures

• 5 different sizes - 4 to 21 way

18TH EDITION COMPLIANT FIRE-RATED ACCESSORIES FROM UNICRIMP

Unicrimp offers an extensive range of fire-rated cable accessories that are 18th Edition compliant and sit within the company’s growing Unicrimp Q-Fire fire-rated range.

The 18th Edition wiring regulations stipulate that cable support systems must be constructed with materials that will withstand premature collapse caused by direct exposure to heat. There are no applications excluded –trunking, conduit and cabling fixed to surfaces of the building or attached to cable support systems must all have fire-resistant supports in place.

Unicrimp’s Q-Fire range currently comprises:

• Fire-safe twin and earth cable clips

• Saddle clips and P clips

• Stainless steel mounts

• Metal cable cleats

• All-round banding

• Masonry screws

• Fire-resistant sealants and foam

The comprehensive range provides installers with an expanded choice of fixing solutions, suitable across a range of applications and environments – helping them to satisfy the latest wiring regulations. Unicrimp, unicrimp.com

GARDEN LIGHTING RANGE AVAILABLE FROM OVIA

Ovia has a range of garden lighting products to help your clients get their outdoors summer-ready.

A collection of wall lights, spike lights and bollards make up the range, which sits within Ovia’s Amenity Lighting category:

• Twist – an innovative IP65 11W up and down wall light.

• Verta – 6W and 12W options for this IP54 cylindrical up or down LED wall light.

• Centuri – 7W IP54 boxed LED wall light.

• Orna – 7W IP54 square, up and down LED wall light.

• Quadra – 10W IP54 rectangular LED backlit wall light.

• Avori – 15W max, IP54 boxed wall light.

The Spear spike light is a 7W IP65 LED in a grey finish, that can be easily positioned at various locations to highlight a feature or path.

The Tribus 7W IP54 LED bollard is available in a mini (350mm height) or maxi (750mm height) version to provide flexibility.

Ovia, oviauk.com

RANGE

ElectricalDirect

Knightsbridge range.

Installers can now choose from the comprehensive Knightsbridge portfolio that includes lighting, decorative sockets and switches, as well as grid wiring solutions.

Made in partnership with Knightsbridge, ElectricalDirect is introducing a new selection of elegant knurled dimmer knobs that are an ideal solution for retrofit projects, available in brushed chrome, antique brass and matt black finishes. Among the broad choice of decorative sockets and switches in stock is the popular screwless collection from Knightsbridge, offering an ultra slim profile design which is well suited for projects requiring a sleek, modern aesthetic. These are available in six finishes, so it’s easy to find a style that will add an elevating finishing touch to any room.

ElectricalDirect has added 500 new Knightsbridge lighting lines that include LED bulkhead lights, adjustable downlights, battens and more, ensuring customers have a wide choice to meet a variety of specification needs.

ElectricalDirect, electricaldirect.co.uk

MINI RCBOS 6KA FROM FUSEBOX – SMALLER AND SAFER!

The RTAM series of Mini RCBOs from FuseBox, with switches LIVE and NEUTRAL, provides the most comprehensive protection against overload, short circuit and earth leakage. Each Mini RCBO provides Type A – AC and pulsating DC protection up to 6mA.

Available in current ratings from 6A-40A, a short circuit capacity of 6kA, and in B and C type tripping curves.

It’s compact design, just 85mm high and 18mm wide, ensures plenty of space within the consumer unit for routing and connecting cables.

Final testing is quicker and easier as Line and Neutral conductors do not have to be disconnected for IR (insulation resistance) if the lever is in the OFF position. FuseBox, fusebox.co.uk

THE MK SENTRY SURGE DEVICE

•Fits into existing and new customer units

•Recomended for low voltage installations

• Prevents the impact of transient voltages

•Protects sensitive electrical and electronic equipment

ELECTRICALDIRECT IS BIG ON BRANDS WITH ITS EXTENDED KNIGHTSBRIDGE

NON-CORROSIVE BATTENS FROM KNIGHTSBRIDGE PROVIDE PERFORMANCE

The new Torlan suite of LED battens from Knightsbridge provide a non-corrosive, energy efficient and high performance lighting solution for a wide range of applications.

At the heart of the Torlan collection is TorlanComm. Suitable for indoor and outdoor commercial applications, TorlanComm comes in two versions, CCT adjustable and Digital Addressable Lightning Interface (DALI) CCT; three colour temperatures and a huge choice of wattages. Beyond ‘standard,’ self-test emergency, microwave and microwave self-test emergency options are also available. Wattages vary from 26W to 62W, outputs are from 3955lm to 9025lm, and colour temperatures offered are 3000K, 4000K and 5700K.

Either side of the TorlanComm sit the TorlanEco and the TorlanPro. TorlanEco is a cost-effective IP65 and IK06 rated budget LED batten suitable for indoor and outdoor applications. With tool-free cable termination and fast-fix fittings, it is easy to install on walls or ceilings, and comes in three lengths, three wattages (depending on length) and two colour temperatures.

Knightsbridge, mlaccessories.co.uk

ELECTRICALDIRECT’S NEW CATALOGUE IS BIG ON RANGE

ElectricalDirect has launched its latest catalogue featuring best-sellers from its huge range of over 12,000 products, plus a number of new additions.

The latest catalogue has been launched following various range reviews, with hundreds of new products added, including:

Strip lighting – a brand-new range of Neon Flex LED strip lights from Integral LED has been added to its lineup. Offering high quality, seamless and dot-free light output even when dimmed, these strip lights mimic Neon effect lighting and can be bent into any desired shape or space.

Touchpoint sockets and switches – from simple on/off switches and blank plates to USB sockets and fan isolators, ElectricalDirect’s exclusive Touchpoint range offers reliable solutions at a competitive price.

Altro Panel Heaters – also exclusive to ElectricalDirect.

Available in a number of sizes and wattages to suit both small and larger spaces, they’re ideal for improving energy efficiency thanks to the product’s advanced heating technology that ensures every watt of energy is used effectively.

ElectricalDirect, electricaldirect.co.uk

NEW ANSELL LIGHTING FLOODLIGHT DELIVERS VERSATILITY AND CONTROL

An extensive range of customisation options make Ansell Lighting’s new Kamar floodlight a great choice for any application.

With a sleek and modern die-cast design offering beam angles ranging from 8° to 60°, the floodlight is suitable for commercial, hospitality, retail and industrial settings and is also ideal for adding dramatic architectural impact to buildings such as church exteriors.

Multiple control functions including DALI as standard, DMX, and Casambi (on 35W and 100W versions) enable the Kamar to offer complete controllability.

A huge variety of CCT options can be selected – 2,000K, 2,200K, 2,700K, 3,000K, 4,000K, 5,000K, TW and RGWB – to create the optimum in visibility or mood, and accessories such as a low glare hood and honeycomb film provide the solution where applications require glare optimisation and upward lighting.

The Kamar is available in two sizes: 330mm x 219.5mm x 100mm and 452mm x 450mm x 160mm.

Ansell Lighting, ansell-lighting.com

GRIPPLE CELEBRATES ONE BILLIONTH FASTENER

Gripple is celebrating an incredible milestone – producing its one billionth fastener. A celebration event was held at Riverside, Sheffield, one of Gripple’s six manufacturing facilities in south Yorkshire to mark the milestone, which included current staff and retired employees who were involved with the manufacture of the first generation of Gripple fasteners.

With 85% of Gripple’s fasteners going to export markets, the company’s products have been used in a wide range of agricultural and construction applications since production started at the original factory in Sheffield 35 years ago.

Kevin St Clair, UK Managing Director for Gripple, says, “Our one billionth Gripple fastener is a truly remarkable achievement. Our fasteners are used in such a diverse range of applications and it is testament to their high-quality design and our reliable quality production that they are renowned throughout the world – many of the original Gripple fasteners are still in use today!”

Gripple, gripple.com

THE MK SENTRY RANGE OF RCBOs

•Current range 6A - 50A with a 6kA and 10kA breaking capacity

• Type A and AC

• Positive contact status

• Protection against electric shock

NEW VAN-FRIENDLY CONDUIT AND MINI TRUNKING LENGTHS FROM MARSHALL-TUFFLEX

As part of its continued drive for product improvements, manufacturer of cable management solutions, Marshall-Tufflex, is introducing van friendly 2.4m lengths of mini trunking and conduit, making it far easier for contractors to get lengths of product into the back of a small van.

Self fix mini trunking (MMT2 and MMT4)

The 25x16mm and 38x25mm self-fixing profiles, now available in 2.4m lengths, are a versatile and durable solution for the neat and safe containment of electrical cables. Made from high-quality, recycled PVC-U material, the product has a long service life, while the self-fixing feature enables quick and easy installation, saving time and effort for the installer.

Heavy gauge conduit

The heavy gauge conduit in 20mm and 25mm sizes is now also available in a shorter 2.4m length, providing greater convenience and flexibility. This is a robust and reliable solution for protecting electrical cables from damage. The heavy gauge design provides added strength and durability, making it ideal for industrial and commercial applications.

At standard ceiling height, the new size also limits the number of off cuts and, as a result, waste and costs are reduced.

Not only that, but all Marshall-Tufflex conduit and mini trunking is manufactured from between 80-100% recycled material. This is part of the manufacturer’s commitment to offering customers superior products whilst minimising the impact on the environment.

“We are delighted to introduce the new 2.4m sized trunking and conduit,” says Martin Russell, Marshall-Tufflex’s Group Product Manager. “This new van friendly size has been long awaited by our customers, and we are excited for them to try it out and experience another level of convenience and cost-effectiveness.”

Marshall-Tufflex, marshall-tufflex.com

MODULAR WIRING SOLUTIONS WITH CLICK MINIGRID

The extensive Minigrid range of mounting plates and modules from Click Scolmore provides installers with the opportunity to create a vast number of customised switching solutions on site.

With more than 175 unfurnished plates and in excess of 750 interchangeable modules available, there is the opportunity to create literally millions of combinations. All the Click Minigrid plates are modular as standard, so whether you are using the Click Mode white moulded plastic range or decorative metal plates such as Deco and Deco Plus, you can achieve any arrangement and finished look that best suits the project/application in hand.

The Minigrid range comprises one and two-gang unfurnished plates with a range of aperture configurations including 1, 2 x 2, 2 x 3 and 6-in-line apertures, plus 2 Tier Minigrid plates with 12 or 18 apertures and 3 Tier plates with 18 apertures. Scolmore, scolmore.com

VENT-AXIA PROVIDES VENTILATION FOR THE LATEST ON-TREND BATHROOMS

A recent survey has found that bathroom budgets have increased to roughly £7.5k. With this increased budget comes higher expectations so it’s important that electricians can offer customers what they want, and Vent-Axia is well equipped to provide on-trend fans that tick all the right boxes.

An increased focus on interior design is driving improved aesthetics of everything in the home, including the bathroom, with black interiors showing no sign of decreasing in popularity. Ventilation has traditionally been available in white but Vent-Axia’s Lo-Carbon Svara is available in black or white, meaning greater choice for the consumer.

Spa-inspired bathrooms are also an increasingly popular option. Vent-Axia’s whisper quiet Silent Fan offers ultra-low sounds levels from just 12dB(A). The range also offers electricians flexibility, making install a breeze, as it is available with 17 different models.

Health and wellbeing is also high up on many households’ agendas. While many fans effectively improve indoor air quality, Vent-Axia’s Lo-Carbon Svara and PureAir Sense feature app control, allowing households to control their ventilation from the comfort of their sofa.

Vent-Axia, vent-axia.com

THE MK SENTRY RANGE OF EMPTY AND POPULATED UNITS

•Manufactured from corosion and fire resistant material

• Specific configurations to suit applications

•Curved Stylish Design

•Available as recessed and surface enclosures

• 5 different sizes - 4 to 21 way

SANGAMO TIMERS AND HEATING CONTROLS IN THREE COLOURS

Sangamo is one of the only manufacturers to offer a choice of three colours across its traditional timers and controls product range.

The full range of Sangamo

Timer Controllers, Thermostats, Programmable Thermostats and Programmers –which totals 30 individual product lines – is now available in a choice of silver, black, or white finish.

The Timers collection of products is designed for simplistic ON/OFF manual or scheduled control for heating and lighting applications. The range has been expanded with a total of three new products, each one introducing the addition of a fused spur switch for additional protection for high loads.

The Thermostats range of products – designed for controlling heating system via an electronic sensor – now totals five products.

The Programmable Thermostat products are designed for controlling the heating applications via an electronic sensor or programmed schedule, and ESP has added one new product to this range. All thermostat products have been upgraded and now offer TPI control.

ESP, espuk.com

ELLIS PATENTS STRENGTHENS ITS QUAD SQUAD

Ellis Patents has extended the appeal of its best-selling Emperor cable cleats by launching Emperor Quad.

Initially designed as a bespoke solution for a defence project, the new variant was developed into a full addition in response to a growth in the number of installations requiring heavy-duty quad solutions.

The new Emperor Quad is available in seven sizes, covering cable diameters ranging from 19mm to 49mm. Its addition to the range means Emperor cable cleats are now available to suit single, trefoil and quad cable configurations – Ellis Patents can claim a solution readily available for every situation where a cable cleat needs to deliver the highest level of short circuit withstand.

Manufactured in type 316L stainless steel, Ellis’ Emperor cleats feature an integral LSF zero halogen polymeric liner and base pad that protects and cushions cables during short circuit conditions. In addition, they are quick and easy to install.

Ellis Patents,

ellispatents.co.uk

A HANDY LITTLE TOOL FROM MAKITA

Makita has added a handheld blower to its expanding LXT cordless collection. The versatile 18V DAS180 LXT Brushless Blower is the latest product from the power tool manufacturer that is also capable of inflating and deflating, simply by changing the nozzle tip.

The new 18V DAS180 LXT Blower is powered by a brushless motor with variable speed control. Suitable for a wide range of applications, from cleaning off workbenches, machinery and blocked filters, through to inflating inner tubes and play pools, this handy tool makes a useful companion to any kit bag.

The body is designed with an ergonomic rubberised grip and weighs only 1.7kg, making this tool easy to operate with one hand. Despite its compact size, the unit is extremely powerful and offers a maximum sealed suction of 10.3kPa. Its four-stage air volume settings deliver a blowing force of up to 2.8N with a maximum 200m/s air velocity and air volume of 1.1m3/min.

Makita, makitauk.com

AIRMASTER COOLING RANGE – NOW WITH PORTABLE AIR PURIFIER, DEHUMIDIFIER AND EVAPORATIVE COOLERS

Airmaster is long established as a key brand in air cooling, with comprehensive ranges of table and floor fans, encompassing both premium and economy options to key products.

Aircon units have been added in recent years, with 2023 enhancements to both 9,000 and 12,000 BTU units now with quieter operation and complete with WiFi app-controlled versions.

There are three further major additions for this year, starting with a Portable Air Purifier.

This 22W floor standing unit, for room sizes from 17 to 30m2, features a high efficiency filter and clear LED display. A similarly portable compact Dehumidifier is next. Designed for quiet operation, this 12l refrigerant and auto frost detector is fitted with omni-directional wheels for ease of movement.

And the final new addition is a floor standing Evaporation Cooling Tower, cooling air by water evaporation. With three fan speeds, this unit has a remote control seven-hour programmable timer, with an auto pump shutdown protection when waterless. CED Electrical, cedelectrical.co.uk

THE MK SENTRY SURGE DEVICE

•Fits into existing and new customer units

•Recomended for low voltage installations

• Prevents the impact of transient voltages

•Protects sensitive electrical and electronic equipment