Professional Electrician & Installer March 2022

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TO EE FR DE RA ET TH

PROFESSIONAL

ELECTRICIAN THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE FOR THE ELECTRICAL TRADE

& INSTALLER

MARCH 2022

BORN IN THE USA

WHY TOUGHBUILT IS AIMING TO TAKE THE UK TOOL MARKET BY STORM

ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES

HOW TO GET THE MOST FROM THOSE LITTLE EXTRAS ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: TECHNICAL ADVICE ● PRODUCT REVIEWS ● CAUGHT ON CAMERA ● PRIZE DRAWS AND MORE...

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Total Average Net Distribution: 68,683 Certification period 1 January 2020 - 31 December 2020

March 2022 Volume 38 No.3

Regulars 5

VIEWPOINT

9

NEWS

15

20 THE DRIVE TO NET ZERO 22 CODEBREAKERS 30 MADE 2 MEASURE 61 BUSINESS MATTERS NEW 72 PRODUCTS IN PRACTICE 79 CAPTAIN C-TEC 80 CAUGHT ON CAMERA

News & Views 17

Why accuracy is more important than speed when carrying out EICRs Electrify your working future with this awesome C.K Tools prize draw

Technical & Training 25 How voltages, currents and power are affected by series-connected loads 29 Have we found the ideal supplement to FESS apprenticeships?

32 A closer look at some of the important design considerations for cable ladder and tray systems 35 Should every downlight be fire-rated?

38 Getting up to speed with Part F of the Building Regulations Learning more about the FESS EWA

Electrical Accessories

Products & Business Solutions

41 What exactly is an accessory?

44 How to fit MK’s Rapid Fix switchsocket in six simple steps

62 We find out why a US manufacturer of tools and accessories is taking the UK market by storm

47 Why it pays to check what virus protection your accessories offer

64 What’s in the finer print of a lighting warranty?

51 Is it time to make the switch from terminal strips?

66 Why improved collaboration between electrical contractors and panel builders can benefit all parties

52 What do IP ratings really mean?

54 The proposed update to the BS 6396 standard and what it will mean for future installs 57 BG Electrical's Wi-Fi range extender socket is put to the test 58 Peter Monfort tries out the Back Box Repair Clip

47 29

69 We find out more about the launch of two major new brands of test equipment 70 Key features you should be looking for in your choice of weatherproof workwear 74 Rounding-up the latest products, tools and equipment to help you in your work

Prize Draws 15 WIN! Take home a new C.K Tools EV kit this month

What virus protection do accessories offer?

18 WIN! Get your hands on a Unilite bundle and Solid Gear trainers

PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN March 2022 3

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@proelectrician

professionalelectrician

Meet the team Editor RICHARD BOWLER email: pe@hamerville.co.uk Digital Manager REBECCA MCGEOCH email: rmcgeoch@hamerville.co.uk Digital Assistant ADAM ROBERTS email: aroberts@hamerville.co.uk Advertisement Manager ANTHONY SCOTT email: ascott@hamerville.co.uk Assistant Advertisement Manager IAN TURNER email: ianturner@hamerville.co.uk Design ADEEL QADRI Production Assistant KERRI SMITH Group Production Manager CAROL PADGETT Distribution Manager KARL CLARK Managing Editor TERRY SMITH Printed by: WALSTEAD PETERBOROUGH Published by: HAMERVILLE MEDIA GROUP Regal House, Regal Way, Watford, Herts, WD24 4YF Tel: 01923 237799 Fax: 01923 246901 Email: pe@hamerville.co.uk PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN is the business journal for the electrical contracting industry. It is available to the trade at leading electrical wholesalers throughout the UK. © 2022

Subscriptions to PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN are available. Please contact us for rates.

Image References (Adobe Stock): Pg 17 Stop watch © BillionPhotos.com Pg 18 Checking list © Motortion Pg 54 Home working © SodaWhiskey Pg 64 Reading small print © Ronstik

pe@hamerville.co.uk

Professional Electrician, Regal House, Regal Way, Watford, Herts, WD24 4YF

Editor’s Viewpoint

Short supplies require a long-term fix A recent report from Simply Business has revealed that nine in 10 UK-based tradespeople are being forced to delay projects due to the ongoing supplies shortage, potentially costing over £3.5bn in lost earnings.

The survey of 250 self-employed trade professionals showed that over a quarter (27%) of respondents had no choice but to delay projects by a minimum of four to eight weeks.

Nearly one in five (16%) had to delay projects by eight to 12 weeks, and a further one in six (13%) have had to delay projects by three months or more.

The materials shortage, caused by a damaging combination of unprecedented demand, tighter restrictions on imports after Brexit, and rising costs of materials, has left many trades in a situation where costs are being passed down the chain, ultimately affecting the end customer.

Indeed, it's predicted that trade professionals have lost an average of £5,598 each as a result of rising material costs and a drop in earnings from turning down work, with 79% of the UK's 801,000 self-employed tradespeople likely to be affected by the shortages.

Alan Thomas, UK CEO at Simply Business, commented: “This is a huge blow to the livelihoods and dreams of so many tradespeople across the country, but the ongoing situation should concern us all – small businesses are crucial to the UK, contributing trillions of pounds each year in turnover.

“A £3.5 billion hole in the books of selfemployed tradespeople damages the wider economy, and it’s vital that they’re given the support they need to navigate this period of uncertainty.”

Interestingly, the report has landed at the same time as a second study, which has highlighted the massive shortage of skilled trade workers across the UK. Carried out by business comparison experts, Bionic, the study shows that (at the time of writing) there are currently over 2,500 jobs available for electricians in the UK, with building and construction vacancies seeing the

biggest supply shortage with nearly 18,500 vacancies waiting to be filled.

So, not only are the key materials that professionals require to complete projects in short supply, but so too are the skilled workers who will be fitting and using them.

It's long been recognised that a serious injection of new blood is required across all of our construction sectors as the years of neglect in bringing young, bright and enthusiastic individuals into key trades continues to bite.

That is something that can only be addressed through long-term planning and a concerted, creative effort at targeting young people in a way that makes them excited for, and committed to, a career in our essential trades.

The material supply shortage, however, is something that needs sorting in the much shorter term, especially when we consider the strain the economy is under. The £3.5bn that it's estimated to have cost trades to this point would have no doubt helped to soften the blow enormously when the Chancellor was working out how much of a tax rise to hit us all with.

And just think about the £9bn that our government very kindly wasted on unused PPE and the infrastructure that cash could have helped us build so that our country has the means and capability to source our own materials and actually return to being a producer of things.

As it is, those in charge seem more concerned about lobbying for their position at the top table when Boris eventually falls on his sword than actually proposing any ideas that can enthuse our country and give us the reassurance that the current dearth in both key materials and skilled professionals will be very much a short-term concern.

The UK desperately needs a shot in the arm, delivered by individuals who have the country's very best interests at heart. And that's the long and the short of it...

Have a good month.

Richard B owler PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN March 2022 5

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news @proelectrician

For the latest electrical news visit www.professional-electrician.com

professionalelectrician

pe@hamerville.co.uk

Professional Electrician, Regal House, Regal Way, Watford, Herts, WD24 4YF

Amendment 2 published and supporting events announced The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and BSI have signed off the content for Amendment 2 to BS 7671:2018 (18th Edition of the IET Wiring Regulations).

The amendment introduces a new requirement for Arc Fault Detection Devices (AFDDs), updated requirements for the fire safety design for buildings and a new chapter on Prosumer’s Low Voltage Electrical Installations.

Amendment 2 comes into effect immediately when published on 28th March and the previous version, BS 7671:2018+A1:2020, will be withdrawn six months later.

This essential update to the IET Wiring Regulations will form the national standard to which all new electrical installations and additions, and alterations to existing electrical installations in the UK are to comply.

The IET and BSI are now urging all electrical professionals to ensure they become familiar with the changes.

Significant changes include: ● a new requirement for Arc Fault Detection Devices (AFDDs) in some AC final circuits for installations in some types of higher risk residential buildings; ● the requirement for the fire safety

design of buildings to be documented where specific conditions of external influence exist, such as protected escape routes and locations with risk of fire; ● method for determining the requirement to provide overvoltage protection; ● changes to identification, labels and notices, such as for consumer units, affecting how safety information is provided to the user of the electrical installation; ● a chapter on Prosumer’s Low Voltage Electrical Installations, in a new part, Part 8.

Members of the committee responsible for the technical content of BS 7671, JPEL/64, are not permitted to release any further information before the publication date.

Further changes are included throughout all parts of BS 7671, including the incorporation of Amendment 1:2020 to BS 7671:2018 as part of the main document.

Post Brexit, this Amendment sees the further adoption of CENELEC Harmonized Documents as the UK continues the inclusion of standards for new and developing technologies.

BS 7671 AMENDMENT 2 UPDATE BE THE BEST NAPIT gears up for changes In preparation for the release of Amendment 2, NAPIT is ensuring members have everything they need to get up to speed, including: ● Pre-orders for updated NAPIT and IET publications are now live on NAPIT Direct. ● Hosting a range of CPD webinars to provide an overview of the amendment and what it means to members. The webinars will take place on 1st March, 5th April and 3rd May at 6pm with a live Q&A with JPEL Committee representatives Frank Bertie, Paul

Chaffers and Richard Townsend. ● Launching a new set of NAPIT EXPO Technical Roadshows with Amendment 2 CPD masterclasses, starting in April.

These will be open to all with locations to be confirmed soon. Here you’ll have access to face-to-face technical training and membership advice, as well as free gifts, discounts, and refreshments.

Get more details at: www.napit.org Live and kicking for NICEIC members NICEIC has announced a series of events designed to ensure its 38,000 registrants are first in line when it comes to receiving details relating to Amendment 2 of BS 7671:2018 (BS 7671:2018+A2:2022).

Timed to coincide with the release of the 2nd Amendment, the CPD Certified events will be offered free and exclusive to NICEIC and ELECSA contractors as part of their registration.

Delivering both face-to-face and virtual options, the events will include two live ‘special broadcasts’ of NICEIC’s hit technical webinar series THE WIRE and 31 face-to-face regional activities where contractors will be invited to view the broadcast alongside their peers, NICEIC Assessors and Technical Experts.

For those unable to tune into the live events, recordings of the session will also be available via NICEIC’s THE WIRE on – demand.

Get more details at: www.niceic.com/18th-part-2 FIND OUT HOW TO PRE-ORDER BS 7671:2018+A2:2022 AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EAE001

PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN March 2022 9

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news @proelectrician

For the latest electrical news visit www.professional-electrician.com

professionalelectrician

pe@hamerville.co.uk

Professional Electrician, Regal House, Regal Way, Watford, Herts, WD24 4YF

Reporting tool launched to highlight unsafe installations The Electrical Safety Roundtable and TrustMark have collaborated to create a new reporting tool to monitor levels of unsafe and non-compliant electrical installations in homes.

Taking inspiration from the Health and Safety Executive’s tool for reporting of injuries, diseases, and dangerous occurrences (RIDDOR) and the tool for Collaborative Reporting for Safer Structures (CROSS), the two organisations have created a tool to help to monitor the levels of unsafe and non-compliant electrical installations in homes within Great Britain.

With recent Regulations putting a greater emphasis on mandatory electrical safety checks, the industry expects more instances

of unsafe and non-compliant electrical installations to be uncovered in homes, yet this information is currently not being tracked or monitored centrally. This poses a challenge to getting a true understanding of the risks posed by electrical installations in homes throughout Great Britain and therefore makes it challenging to consider whether policy or industry intervention is needed to mitigate the risk.

The data collected will be analysed regularly, and the results will be made public.

In addition to improving the electrical safety of homeowners and tenants, it is hoped that the data gathered will help shape policy discussions and industry initiatives.

Similarly, if successful, this provision could be applied in other industries.

Dashboard shows value of electrical industry

Alongside the reporting tool, a new webpage on the Electrical Safety Roundtable website has been created to provide consumers with guidance on how to seek redress and rectification of unsafe or non-compliant electrical work.

ACCESS THE NEW REPORTING TOOL AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EAE002

Make it a date with DoorBird webinars

The Electrotechnical Skills Partnership (TESP) has launched an innovative Data Dashboard that shows the significant contribution made by the electrical sector to the UK economy.

The animated online tool provides instant facts and figures about the industry, including the number of businesses and people employed, collective turnover and how the UK electrical sector is split in terms of types work carried out. Highlights include:

Bird Home Automation is hosting a series of live webinars for electricians, installers, architects, and designers.

The webinars provide insights into the wide range of applications and use cases for DoorBird door stations.

Webinar participants will get an overview of the DoorBird product portfolio and its specifications, in addition to learning about the various possibilities for integrating DoorBird into multi-tenant buildings and office complexes as well as telephone systems.

DoorBird will also show delegates how to design custom intercoms with individual dimensions and features using the 3D online configurator. Forthcoming webinar dates include:

● More than 47,000 businesses, 99% of which are ‘small’ (fewer than 50 staff) ● More than 340,000 individuals employed: a 17% increase since 2015 ● More than 26,000 electrical apprentices currently in training

March 1 – DoorBird Custom Solutions and 3D Configurator March 29 – DoorBird and SIP – Integration into phone system

Hosted on the TESP website, it also shows regional statistics for England, Scotland and Wales, as well as apprentices and adult trainees recruited and currently in training across the UK. The dashboard also reveals the growth in workforce, turnover and businesses that the sector has enjoyed since 2015 and is designed to be updated to reflect ongoing activity.

It was developed by Scotland’s largest trade association, SELECT, with input from fellow TESP partners ECA, JIB, National Electrotechnical Training and Unite, utilising research with industry employers.

VIEW THE TESP DATA DASHBOARD AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EAE003 10 March 2022 PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN

REGISTER FOR THE FREE WEBINARS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EAE004

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news

For the latest electrical news visit www.professional-electrician.com

CTEK lights the Fuuse for integrated EV solutions CTEK has extended the software integration options available with its electric vehicle (EV) chargers to include the flexible charge point management, payment and billing platform Fuuse.

This latest integration will help customers looking to generate revenue from their EV chargers by integrating the CTEK Chargestorm Connected 2 (CC2) EV charger with sophisticated payment management software Fuuse Billing.

This is a simple way to provide charging, payment and billing facilities in a single installation − and it’s fully scalable too, from a single charger to much larger networks.

Both CTEK and Fuuse products and solutions are fully OCPP (open charge point protocol) compliant, meaning they will integrate seamlessly with other manufacturer’s hardware and software, as well as with each other.

Fuuse Billing is a fully secure, PCI (payment card industry) compliant system that’s available on a per charger licence or a percentage of revenue – whatever suits customers best. The system offers a complete range of services for payment and tariff management. Payment management features include collecting payments from drivers, automated invoicing, secure storage of drivers’ card and payment details and full financial reporting.

Operators can also see financial data about specific chargers on their network in real time. Tariff management allows operators to charge drivers by the kWh, by the minute, or a mixture of both, and

allows different tariffs to be applied for different times and days. Operators also have the option to customise the pre-authorisation amount required from different groups of drivers.

GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EAE005

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@proelectrician

professionalelectrician

pe@hamerville.co.uk

Professional Electrician, Regal House, Regal Way, Watford, Herts, WD24 4YF

Schneider and Which? form Trusted partnership Schneider Electric has partnered with Which? to enable electrical professionals to become a Which? Trusted Trader more cheaply and quickly, helping them to generate more business.

Which? Trusted Traders is an endorsement scheme that recognises trustworthy traders. The company has been helping consumers for over 60 years, assessing and endorsing traders who meet its high standards. The Trusted Traders accolade provides customers with the confidence that they are dealing with experienced and qualified professionals.

As well as being able to display the icon, endorsed professionals are given a profile on the Which? website, access to industry news and a dedicated account manager to help with customers.

Members of mySchneider will now be able to become a Which? Trusted Trader

with a discount of 50% off the first six months.

“We are constantly striving to support the electrical industry and provide electricians with the tools for success,” said Nico van der Merwe, Vice President of Home and Distribution, Schneider Electric UK & Ireland.

“The parternship with Which? is another element of that commitment and we will continue to roll out new promotions. We want to offer a full spectrum of support, and alongside mySchneider, the podcast series and our

competitions, we understand the need to open up new sales channels. Working with Which? does just that.”

VISIT THE MYSCHNEIDER PORTAL AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EAE006

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PRIZE DRAW

MAKE YOUR FUTURE ELECTRIC WITH C.K!

W IN

Following the launch of two EV specific kits to the C.K Tools range, we have an EV PTA Kit up for grabs this month.

a

s the demand for electric vehicles continues to rapidly grow, the subsequent need for EV charger equipment installation has also become a thriving industry, with a number of electrical colleges offering access courses and tuition for non-electrical professionals.

What can you win?

To celebrate the launch of the range we’re giving one lucky reader the chance to win an EV PTA Kit worth over £230, providing the perfect all-in-one kit solution when installing EV charger equipment.

Full contents include: C.K SDS Concrete Drill Bit Set of 7; Masonry 1m SDS Drill Bit Set – 3 Piece Set; C.K Multi-Purpose Drill Set Of 5; C.K Flat Wood Bit Set/6; C.K Pro Cobalt Sheet Steel Hole Saw 20mm; C.K Pro Cobalt Sheet Steel Hole Saw 25mm; C.K Pro Cobalt Sheet Steel Hole Saw 32mm; and C.K Blue Steel Impact Screwdriver Bit – PZ Set of 10

Leading electrical specialist C.K Tools is addressing this need by launching two high quality EV specific kits for both existing and newly qualified installers – an EV Hand Tool Kit and EV PTA Kit, the perfect all-in-one kit solution, configured for EV charger equipment installation.

A new code of practice has been introduced specifically for EV charge equipment installation and C.K has worked alongside its panel of trade professionals to fully understand the process of EV installation work, ensuring that the kits are fully comprehensive and consider all the steps involved to complete an installation from start to finish.

Terminating to MCB; Fitting an earthing rod; and Re-assembling the charge point.

C.K EV Hand Tool Kit (T5984) This fantastic collection of premium hand tools provides everything needed to get the job done efficiently and professionally, including a state-of-the-art C.K Magma Technician’s Wheeled Case packed full of 25 premium C.K hand tools and designed to complete the stages of Inspection and Quotation; Routing the cable from MCB to charger; Mounting the charge point; Fitting the cable to the charger point;

TO ENTER THE FREE PRIZE DRAW TO WIN A C.K TOOLS EV PTA KIT SIMPLY FILL OUT THE CONTACT FORM AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EAE007

C.K PTA Kit (T5985) This excellent kit – which can be purchased separately – provides a great range of power tool accessories including quality drill bits, driver bits and hole saws to help complete the installation for EV chargers with the minimum of fuss.

The new C.K EV specific kits offer everything needed to complete the steps involved to complete an installation effectively and professionally.

HOW TO ENTER

Deadline for entries: 10/04/2022.

Usual T&Cs apply.

GET MORE DETAILS ABOUT THE NEW C.K EV KITS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EAE008

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COMMENT

“SAVE LIVES, NOT TIME”

John O'Neill, Director of Technical Excellence at NICEIC, looks at why timing is not everything when electrical professionals are carrying out an EICR.

P

ropelled into the spotlight in recent years, EICRs have become a significant topic of conversation as electrical safety legislation in the PRS has been rolled out at a varying pace across the UK, starting in Scotland (2015), followed by England (2020) and, more recently, Wales (2022).

At the core of the new legal requirements, the EICR is the chosen control mechanism. Used to confirm the suitability of the installation for continued use, noting where that is not the case, the risk presented to the installation user; the EICR also identifies where remedial works may be needed to comply with legislation.

It's essential then that those completing EICRs do so correctly and thoroughly, a task which should only ever be undertaken by a competent person that is skilled in such work.

New pressures and challenges While the recent legislation introductions are both welcomed and needed, new requirements always bring new pressures.

We believe the vast amount of landlords and contractors are doing the right thing, complying with the law responsibly and ethically. However, there will be a small minority who will be looking for ways to cut corners when it comes to compliance.

To this group, we would simply say: 'don’t’! The risks are grave, and as has been seen in recent cases, you'll be prosecuted if you're found to be breaking the rules.

There are a couple of common questions in relation to EICRs in the PRS, which I'll answer in two parts: 1. How long should a typical EICR take?

The answer here falls in the realms of the old saying: 'how long is a piece of string?’

We cannot tell you how long a 'typical'

EICR should take as, quite frankly, there is no such thing. Every installation is potentially unique and should be viewed as such.

What we can say with absolute certainty is the extent of the inspection should be decided as part of a process that initially sees the inspector familiarise themselves with the installation.

Using that knowledge, the inspector can then estimate the time needed, including any specific requirements the person ordering the work may have. In this way, all parties should agree on the extent and scope of the inspection before work begins.

With so much riding on EICRs, technical precision is an absolute must, as is employing the right contractors and allowing them the time they need to complete the job correctly.

When completed correctly and thoroughly, EICRs should identify safety issues, where present, that could result in disastrous outcomes if left unchecked. On

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COMMENT

the other hand, if the work is rushed or misreported, then the report potentially isn’t worth the paper it is written on.

In this scenario, there could be multiple risks at play. First and foremost, the risk of harm, injury or even loss of life.

Furthermore, the associated risks include loss or damage to buildings, damage to reputations, loss of livelihood and the threat of prosecution.

With the stakes so high, landlords must think carefully about the contractors they employ to undertake EICRs. Considerations must also be given to the pressures surrounding timing expectations for completing projects.

Landlords should ask: 'is it wise to impose unreasonable deadlines, or should I allow my chosen contractor to use their expertise to the best of their ability to protect my tenants and my investment?'

Contractors also need to be mindful. Do you take the job knowing you will not be able to complete it correctly in the timeframe specified by the client? Is it worth risking your reputation, putting others at risk, and the possibility of prosecution should something go wrong?

2. Who can undertake EICRs? The PRS rules state the EICRs must be completed by a competent person. To help source a suitable contractor in England, the government has signposted the Competent Persons Register of contractors – a list that many reading this publication will appear on.

The rules do also state that a landlord can use a contractor NOT shown on this list. However, it is then the sole responsibility of that landlord to check and verify competence by following online government guidance.

Home office statistics show that in In England, 53% of all accidental dwelling fires are caused by an electrical source of ignition, with many resulting from domestic installation faults.

Accidents do happen, but there are steps that can be taken to mitigate risk. Competent, qualified electricians should always feel confident of reminding landlords of this fact when discussing EICRs.

18 March 2022 PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN

S Y A W ] A E V I G [ 1

to win

SOLID GEAR 1 X PAIR OF REVOLUTION 2 GTX SAFETY TRAINERS Solid Gear’s fastest safety shoe is designed for performance and safety to keep you going for longer at work. The GTX’s hi-tech, lightweight construction is a giant leap forward from the look and feel of ordinary safety shoes. It combines a high-performance blend of ergonomic design, athletic comfort and S3 protection. The waterproof GORE-TEX upper delivers constant dryness while the locking drawstring ensures the shoe fits like a glove. Combined with its E-TPU midsole and the ‘bounce back’ technology, foot and knee fatigue after a hard day’s work could be a thing of the past.

The New Revolution 2 GTX is more than just a safety trainer, it’s a workmate that will keep your feet fresh, safe and dry – all day long.

ENTER THE FREE PRIZE DRAW AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EAE009

UNILITE

1

1X PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN to win BUNDLE Unilite is a UK company that has been manufacturing high quality portable LED lighting for the last 40 years.

These lights are perfectly optimised for the tough and unpredictable life of an electrician.

Up for grabs in this month's prize draw, this specially put together Professional Electrician bundle features two highly desirable prizes – the IL-375R and UR4.5 Tool Bag – a folding magnetic worklight with three separate work lights built-in and a heavy-duty work bag.

We'll also be running a giveaway on PE's Instagram page, so make sure you're following us for another chance to win a bundle!

ENTER THE FREE PRIZE DRAW AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EAE010

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THE ROAD TO NET ZERO

By Tom Gillam, Electrician Programme Manager at Schneider Electric

Can Net Zero homes improve our well-being and that of the planet?

O

ver the past two years, home has become a sanctuary from an ever-changing world. It’s somewhere we experienced in every aspect of our lives – work, exercise, schooling, entertainment, and everything in between.

We've now come to expect a lot more from our dwellings — a carefully calibrated balance between productivity and relaxation. Home needs to provide the quiet and calmness for work, but also sustain and enable the excitement that comes with get-togethers with family and friends.

We want our homes to keep us connected with the wider world, while allowing us to disconnect when we need to recharge. It’s also the place where we must be empowered to live a smart, sustainable and Net Zero life.

Homes need to be flexible Our home design often fits our personalities and nurtures our habits. Like their residents, no two homes are the same, since everyone has their own idea of what a living space should be.

Yet residents shouldn’t have to choose between efficiency and comfort – our homes need to be optimal in terms of function and feel. As our lives and tastes evolve, our homes must evolve in harmony with our needs.

This is where smart and sustainable home technology comes in. It gives us the opportunity to flex our energy needs while ensuring that our power-hungry devices aren’t all charging at one, never exceed the limit of the utility contract, or result in a bill shock.

Smart home technology can also calculate optimum timescales for all the energy needs of your home through the power of data, AI and the tariff rates offered by your energy provider. This allows you to make sure you're getting as much flexibility as possible within the realities of your home and life. This is how we want to feel more empowered and in control.

Homes need to be sustainable More of us want to reduce our environmental footprint and diminishing our home’s impact on the planet goes a long way to achieving this. Unfortunately, not all homes were created equal, and some aren’t quite as energy efficient as they could be.

Thankfully, most existing homes can be digitally retrofitted with intuitive easy-to-install energy management solutions. Homeowners can also generate renewable energy and use it at maximum capacity when the sun is shining.

Equally, smart and sustainable home technology allows us to make homes more energy efficient, minimising energy waste.

Smart solutions also help us to live at peace with nature, knowing that the technology is doing the heavy lifting and monitoring to ensure that our homes are emitting as little CO2 as possible, eventually becoming Net Zero.

Homes are at the heart of the carbon neutral transformation. Far more than places of mere habitation, they must evolve to encompass smart and sustainable Net Zero living, forming the basis of our health and well-being and advancing that of the planet in the process. After all, this planet is the only home we have.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT SCHNEIDER'S DRIVE TO NET ZERO AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EAE011

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THE

CODEBREAKERS DANNY: THIS SOLAR INSTALLER TAPPED OFF THE POWER FROM THE MK MAIN SWITCH (80 A RCD RCCB 100 MILLIAMP) USING 2.5MM TWIN AND EARTH PVC CABLE STRAIGHT OFF THE MAIN 16MM TAILS! Regardless of cost, it is never acceptable to connect to a CU in this way, through lack of spare ways.

There should have been a CU upgrade, to ensure the PV array could be correctly connected.

Even though the PV circuit feeds into the outgoing side of a device, in a properly installed system, it is also considered a circuit and needs to be adequately protected against overcurrent and requires adequate isolation for maintenance.

Overcurrent protective devices are usually sized in accordance with the instructions provided by the inverter manufacturer.

In this case, the PV array is connected to the incoming supply side of the ELCB isolator (see image, right) so there may not be any overcurrent, or fault protection, as the photos we have are limiting the information we can use.

If used as an isolator (as the label suggests), the ELCB won’t isolate the PV array circuit. The cables between the PV isolator (see image, below right) and the ELCB incoming terminals, will be constantly Live with no way to isolate, or make safe for maintenance.

There is a potential for both shock and fire damage in this installation as it stands and can only be coded one way. Without further information on the complete install, its difficult to see just how poor this workmanship is.

That’s the rub though, it’s a poorly installed system, with a likely potential for danger, and needs to be remedied before it causes harm.

The Observations, Regulation infringements and Codes applicable to this observation would be: No apparent overcurrent or fault protection for PV array circuit

131.2.2, 131.4, 712.434.1

FI

No apparent method of isolation for the PV circuit

132.15.201, 132.10, 134.1.1, 712.513.1

FI

Incorrect and misleading labelling, with the potential to lead to harm (Fig 1)

514.11.1

C2

Installation may not take account of inverter manufacturers instructions

134.1.1, 510.3

FI

GET THE BOOK AND CRACK THOSE CODES! Updated for BS 7671:2018, NAPIT’s EICR Codebreakers publication is purpose-written to aid contractors, inspectors and clients, and now includes updates to align with the 18th Edition of the wiring regulations. A 2018 Professional Electrician & Installer ‘Top Product’ award winner, the book is the perfect technical aid for electrical professionals and their customers.

22 March 2022 PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN

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Need help with cracking those all-important EICR codes? Every month the technical team at NAPIT will be studying your latest ‘Caught on Camera’ photos and offering advice on the next steps, should you find a similar installation. If you want the team at NAPIT to help crack your codes then send your pictures through to us at: pe@hamerville.co.uk

MIKE JOSEPH: I RECENTLY FOUND THIS IN MY OWN HOUSE, HAVING LIVED THERE FOR 31 YEARS. THIS LOOKS LIKE IT WAS DOWN TO THE PREVIOUS OWNER. I TOOK OFF THE PLATES TO REPLACE THEM AND FOUND NO OUTER SHEATH ON TWO OF THE CABLES AND THEY WOULD NOT MOVE. I THEN FOUND THE PICTURED ITEM BETWEEN THEM – PLASTERED IN. THE WHITE ITEM ABOVE IS PART OF A SHELF BRACKET THAT IS JUST MISSING THE BOX. These types of things are often seen in either historic DIY alterations, or where a non-electrically trained builder may have done some work.

It doesn’t make it any less dangerous and, in this case, it was a close-run thing that the bracket fixing didn’t clip the conductors.

The bracket I feel is a red herring, however, as the conductors are inside a safe wiring zone, and the bracket fixing is technically outside of the safe zone as specified by Regulation 522.6.202.

The biggest issue here is the use of uninsulated non-maintenance free connectors, which have then been buried in the wall. I say un-insulated because the terminal screw is exposed and not encased.

There are numerous cases of walls becoming live when they are damp or wet in some way, such as steam in a kitchen or damp from exterior wall integrity issues. This,

in some cases, could leave an entire wall as an exposed-conductive-part.

All terminations in conductors, and basic insulated and non-sheathed cables, must be taken into an adequate enclosure.

We can add the unsheathed cables from the old back box to the new one (albeit it approx.

30 years old) in that observation as well.

Where a connector is not a maintenance-free type, it must be accessible for periodic inspection and testing, or maintenance.

There are ways of adequately extending cables for this kind of modification, this isn’t

one of them.

If damp or condensation were present in this area, there could be a very real chance of receiving an electric shock.

The Observations, Regulation infringements and Codes applicable to this observation would be: Possible access to a live structure, from condensation or damp, due to exposed connector terminals

134.1.1, 416, 533.3.1

Single insulation not taken inside an adequate enclosure

134.1.1, 526.5, 626.8

C2

Non maintenance free connections, not made inside an adequate enclosure

132.12(ii), 134.1.1, 134.1.4, 526.3, 526.5

C2

The 18th Edition Codebreakers publication is priced at £17.99* (members) or £19.99* (non-members). Hard copies and digital issues are available. * Prices exclude VAT, postage and packaging

ORDER YOUR COPY OF NAPIT CODEBREAKERS BY VISITING: WWW.RDR.LINK/EAE012

FI C2

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TECHNICAL & TRAINING

RESISTORS CONNECTED IN SERIES

I

t may be considered that the resistance of a material is dependent upon conductor material (resistivity), length, cross-sectional area and temperature.

Within this article it will be shown that the way in which loads are connected can affect the current drawn from the supply, the voltage lost due to circuit resistance and the power available at the load. Only resistive loads shall be considered in this article.

It may be useful to refer to the Site Guide produced by Certsure when dealing with resistivity and temperature coefficients considered in this article.

This article from the technical team at NICEIC will consider how voltages, currents and power are affected by seriesconnected loads. This will be complemented using an example and a typical scenario.

Fig. 1: Series circuit

Current drawn from the supply: I =

U Rt

Voltage drop across a resistor: U1 = I x R1 , U2 = I x R2 and U3 = I x R3 The power consumed by each resistor in a purely resistive circuit can be found by one of three methods: ● Method 1, using the supply current and the resistance: P = I 2 x R ● Method 2, using the supply current and the voltage dropped across a resistor: P=UxI ● Method 3, using the voltage dropped across a resistor and the resistance: U2 P= R

Series connected resistors For series connected resistors as shown in Fig 1, the total resistance is the sum of all individual resistors: Rt = R1 + R2 + R3 + ... Rn The current drawn from the supply will pass through each resistor equally and will therefore be a constant value (Remember – current is constant in a series circuit)1. There will be a voltage drop across each resistor which, when added together, will equal the supply voltage2.

Methods 1 and 2 are the expressions most frequently used in electrical work when power lost or consumed is to be determined. It is worth noting that power is proportional to the current squared and the voltage squared.

Since the current is constant in a series circuit, the voltage is divided across the number of resistive elements in the circuit. The voltage dropped across a resistor in a series circuit is equal to the value of that resistor divided by the total circuit resistance and multiplied by the supply voltage.

For example, the voltage across R1 can be found from: U1 = Us x

R1 where Us is the R1 + R2 + R3 supply voltage.

Note: It is useful to use subscripts to denote the element being determined as it makes it easy to follow the working out process.

Example A radial circuit wired in PVC/PVC flat twin and earth cable fed from a 230 V supply has three resistive loads connected as shown in Fig 2. What will be the volt-drop in each section and the voltage at each load?

2 1

Kirchhoff’s current law – the algebraic sum of the currents at a junction in a network is zero.

Kirchhoff’s voltage law – in a closed loop, the algebraic sum of the emfs acting round the loop is equal to the algebraic sum of the potential difference in the loop.

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TECHNICAL & TRAINING

Fig. 2: Radial circuit

The resistance of the circuit cable can be found in one of two ways. Table A1 of Appendix C of the Site Guide (published by Certsure LLP) shows that for 6 mm2 copper conductor has a resistance of 3.08 mΩ/m (per conductor line or neutral) at 20˚C. Alternatively, from table 4D5 of Appendix 4 of BS 7671, a 6 mm2 cable has a mV/A/m value of 7.3 at 70˚C (in effect mΩ/m). When either value is adjusted to the other temperature, the values are almost identical.

For example, converting 7.3 mV/A/m from 70˚C to 20˚C: Using R70 = R20 [1 + α (T70 – T20)] 7.3 = R20 [1 + 0.004 (70 – 20) and transposing gives 7.3 R20 = = 6.08 mΩ per metre 1.2 Note: the value 0.004 is the approximate resistance temperature coefficient, in this case for the copper conductors.

This compares very closely with the value from Table A1 of the Site Guide: 2 x 3.08 = 6.16 mΩ per metre.

Volt-drop in section A – B: UAB = I x R = 22 x (2 x 7.41 x 10-3 x 12) = 3.91 V Voltage at B: UB = UA – UAB = 226.12 – 3.91 = 222.21 V Volt-drop in section B – C: UBC = I x R = 10 x (2 x 12.1 x 10-3 x 5) = 1.21 V Voltage at C: UC = UB – UBC = 222.21 – 1.21 = 221 V Total voltage dropped due to cable resistance is 9 V.

Fig. 4: Simplified diagram

From Table 4Ab of Appendix 4 of BS 7671 the maximum allowed voltage drop for a radial circuit other than for lighting is 5 % (11.5 V), therefore this circuit satisfies the volt-drop constraints.

Typical scenario A customer complains that their electric shower doesn’t heat the water sufficiently.

The shower nameplate shows the shower is rated at 8 kW at 240 V. The shower circuit has a length of run 26 m in total and is wired in 6 mm2 and installed to reference method C. The supply voltage is

Fig. 3: Shower circuit

Then, calculating the voltage-drop in each section and voltage at each load as shown in Fig 2, using the resistance values from Table A1 of Appendix C of the Site Guide: Volt-drop in section O – A: UOA = I x R = 42 x (2 x 3.08 x 10-3 x 15) = 3.88 V

Voltage at A: UA = U –UOA = 230 – 3.88 = 226.12 V 3

Strictly speaking, the element resistance will vary slightly with temperature.

26 March 2022 PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN

A different approach is required which is to consider the shower forming a series circuit and to use Ohm’s law.

Using the resistance values from Table A1 of Appendix C of the Site Guide.

Cable resistance from supply to isolator: R1 = 2 x 3.08 x 10-3 x 20 = 0.1232 Ω Cable resistance from isolator to shower: R2 = 2 x 3.08 x 10-3 x 6 = 0.037 Ω Resistance of shower element: U2Shower U2Shower 2402 ∴ R3 = P= = = 7.2 Ω 3 R3 P 8x103

measured to be 223 V. What is the actual power the shower is able to deliver?

The circuit arrangement is shown in Fig 3 and the simplified circuit is shown in Fig 4.

To calculate the voltage at the shower terminals would normally involve determining the design current (Ib), which is then used in the volt-drop equation (mV/A/m x Ib x l x 103). However, in this instance this method is not ideal since the shower rating is at a non-standard voltage.

Voltage at the shower terminals: U3 = Ux

R3 7.2 = 223x =218V 0.1232+0.037+7.2 R1 + R2 + R3

It was mentioned earlier that power is proportional to the voltage squared therefore, power available from the shower: U3 2 218 2 Pout = Pshower =8x = 6.6kW Ushower 240

(

)

( )

The voltage at the supply and hence at the load appears low in value reducing the available power at the shower. However, they are within the tolerance permitted by clause 27(3) of the Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations which is 230 V -6% +10% giving a range of 216.2 V and 253 V. Summary This article has considered resistive loads and that the way in which such loads are connected can affect the current drawn from the supply, the voltage lost due to circuit resistance and the available power at the connected load.

GET MORE DETAILS ABOUT NICEIC REGISTRATION AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EAE013

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TECHNICAL & TRAINING

A NEW WAY WITH THE EWA Pat Allen, FSA Vice Chair and Former Managing Director at Abel Alarm Company, discusses why the introduction of the Experienced Worker Assessment is an ideal supplement to FESS apprenticeships.

I

n the five years since the FESS Apprenticeship standard launched there have been around 1,000 registrations for the apprenticeship – a great start to a new and consistent approach to training across the fire and security sector.

Following the development of the apprenticeship standard, the next key step has been to look at how to qualify existing workers to the same standard, so that the whole workforce could be assessed and accredited against the same benchmark.

The output of this work is the FESS Experienced Worker Assessment (EWA) which is now available from National Electrotechnical Training (NET).

Developed by industry bodies To develop the assessment, NET worked with a group of industry bodies that included FSA, BSIA, FIA and SSAIB. Currently the EWA route is available for fire industry technicians who have typically been working with active fire systems for five years or more.

There are different pathways to choose from to reflect the day-to-day work the technician carries out on-site: installation; commissioning; maintenance; installation and commissioning combined; or a full pathway covering all routes.

For fire technicians, the new EWA assessment involves several elements

which must be completed within 12 months.

Candidates will need to carry out and record a range of specified tasks in their workplace (covering health and safety, plus activities from their chosen pathway) and upload the evidence to the ‘NET assess’ system.

These tasks will be verified by an authorised person to ensure it’s the candidate’s own work, then independently assessed and marked by a NET assessor to confirm they’ve met the Level 3 industry

The Fire, Emergency and Security Systems (FESS) Apprenticeship Trailblazer standard was developed by an employer group with the support of the Fire and Security Association (FSA), the Fire Industry Association (FIA), the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) and other industry stakeholders as part of the government’s Trailblazer initiative. standard. NET will also carry out quality assurance audits after marking is completed. Then, in a NET-licensed centre, candidates will be required to complete safe isolation of a single-phase circuit, under observation.

Finally, unless the candidate can show they have already achieved a recognised qualification, they’ll undertake a 60 or 90-minute online knowledge assessment (dependant on pathway) in a NET centre, under controlled conditions.

The Experienced Worker Assessment is another important milestone in the development of the fire and security sector.

Successful completion is recognised by the Electrotechnical Certification Scheme and can be used towards a FESS ECS Card application.

GET MORE INFORMATION ON THE FESS EXPERIENCED WORKER ASSESSMENT AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EAE014

PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN March 2022 29

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Working on your own? Need some technical advice? Don’t know where to turn? Ask Megger. What it doesn’t know about installing and testing electrical systems isn’t worth knowing. Every question will be answered by the Megger Technical Team, and the best will be published in Professional Electrician. So, take advantage of the ‘every question answered’ guarantee today. email your questions to: meggermeasures@hamerville.co.uk

You asked: FOR YEARS I’VE BEEN USING AN OLD MULTIMETER FOR BASIC TESTING BUT IT DOESN’T REALLY DO EVERYTHING I WANT, LIKE MEASURING VOLTAGES HIGHER THAN 600 V AND CURRENT UP TO 100 A. CAN YOU SUGGEST A REPLACEMENT?

Megger says: It sounds like the new Megger MET1000 multitester is just what you need. It measures AC and DC voltages of up to 1000 V and offers non-contact AC current measurement up to 200 A. It will also check resistance/continuity up to 50 kΩ. A great safety feature is that it will warn you of dangerous test voltages, even if its batteries are worn out or not fitted. Other features include single-pole testing, in-rush current measurement and phase rotation indication. It provides true RMS readings and, if you use it on a circuit protected by an RCD or RCBO, it won’t trip the device. It’s got a large clear digital display for results along with a separate bargraph, and there’s a data-hold option which is very convenient when you’re working on cables that are hard to access. The main display is backlit and there’s even a bright built-in torch to help you work more safely in dark locations. If you want even more, the MET1000 has replaceable test leads, a CAT IV 600 V safety rating, and it comes with a handy belt pouch. You’ll wonder how you ever managed without it!

VIEW THE MEGGER MET1000 MULTITESTER PRODUCT DATA SHEET AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EAE015

30 March 2022 PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN

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TECHNICAL & TRAINING

SNAKES AND LADDERS: PART 2

In the second of this two-part series, Paul Chaffers, Technical Events Manager and Technical Author of NAPIT On-site Solutions, takes a closer look at some of the important design considerations for cable ladder and tray systems.

I

n the previous article that ran in last month’s edition of Professional Electrician, I introduced the requirements for cable ladder systems and cable tray systems.

As discussed, the differences between the wiring containment of cable ladder and tray systems and other forms such as conduit and trunking systems is that they are not enclosures.

They are in use for the support of cables,

32 March 2022 PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN

which already have the additional insulating sheath or forms of mechanical protection.

As highlighted in the first article, the requirements of Regulation 521.10.1 would be breached if non-sheathed conductors were installed in cable ladder or tray systems as these cables have to be contained in an enclosure.

Consequently, only cables where mechanical protection is provided by a

suitable sheath, for example, PVC sheathing, MICC, fire resistant cables to BS 7629-1 or steel wire armouring, can be used in conjunction with ladder and tray systems.

Site modifications Many contractors will be familiar with the joys of fabricating tray work on-site.

Fortunately, most components these days are factory-made and widely available, such as the example in Fig 1, showing a curved divide to segregate the cables installed on the cable ladder.

However, where modifications are made on-site, including simple operations such as cutting and drilling, any bare or sharp edges must be dealt with to avoid abrasion

032_PE_MAR22_Layout 1 06/02/2022 20:56 Page 33

construction (insulated and sheathed), or they may be Class I bare copper MICC. In any case, earthing is not required because the sheath is providing fault protection.

to the cables or injury to those involved in installing the cable and it must be sealed appropriately to prevent corrosion.

Manufacturers will be able to advise which products should be used. For example, repairing the galvanized finish on a section of the tray must be carried out in accordance with BS EN ISO 1461.

This type of repair is generally carried out using zinc-enriched touch-up paint.

Protection against corrosion can be addressed by using alternative materials, such as zinc aluminium alloy components rather than using traditional hot dip galvanisation. Fig 2 shows an example of a steel wire cable tray/basket arrangement with a range of accessories available for site alterations to allow for installation in all manner of building types.

The steel of the cable tray can be cut and shaped to route the cables as required. The example demonstrates the use of purpose-built accessories to connect the cable tray into the desired configuration. Note the reference to hand protection as the edges of the cable tray can have a sharp edge after cutting.

Protective earthing and bonding A question that is often asked is: does a cable ladder or tray system need to be earthed or bonded?

Unfortunately, there is not a straightforward 'yes' or 'no' answer to this one. Every installation is different, so this question needs to be further broken down into the following questions: Is the ladder or tray system being used as a protective conductor?

Regulation 543.2.1(vi) permits metallic cable management systems to be used as protective conductors. Designers are unlikely to select or use a ladder or tray for a protective conductor, and therefore, it would not require earthing, but depending on the environment, risk of damage to cables, and fault current levels, designers may decide to connect it to earth.

Is the ladder or tray system deemed to be an exposed-conductive-part?

As previously mentioned in this article, cables generally need to be Class II

Is the ladder or tray system deemed to be an extraneous-conductive-part?

It is unlikely that a ladder or tray system would introduce a different potential into a building and, therefore, not require protective bonding. However, where containment traverses multiple buildings, equipotential zones, or is in contact with the general mass of Earth externally to the installation, it could be deemed to be an extraneous-conductive-part. In these cases, protective bonding may be required in accordance with Regulation 411.3.1.2.

Electrical continuity Where electrical continuity is required, manufacturers will be able to advise on which systems are classified as having electrical continuity in accordance with BS EN 61537:2007, which is the international standard specifying requirements and tests for cable ladder and cable tray systems.

Common practice will be to fit additional copper earth straps in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. For clarification, see Fig 3, showing an example from the Legrand Swifts cable tray range of accessories.

Conclusion Hopefully, this series of articles has highlighted a few areas of design and installation that require care and attention to get right.

Considering the sheer weight and complexity of cable ladder and tray systems, it is recommended to consult directly with manufacturers' technical guides to obtain the required information to complete a safe and satisfactory installation. *NAPIT would like to thank Legrand for the source material used in this article

Fig 3: Example of Legrand Swifts Tray Earth Braid

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON NAPIT SCHEME REGISTRATION, VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EAE016

PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN March 2022 33

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TECHNICAL & TRAINING

BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY

T

Should every downlight be fire-rated? Mike Collins, Sales Director at Ovia, provides the answer. he simple answer to the question of whether every downlight should be fire rated is no, they do not. It all depends on the overall construction of the building and the ceiling into which the downlight is to be installed.

However, for all downlights installed into a ceiling Electrical Safety First recommends the use of ‘fire-rated’ downlights fitted with aluminium reflector lamps to ensure fire and excessive heat are kept out of cavities.

Legally, any building worked carried out in England and Wales must adhere to the Building Regulations. Fire safety is covered

by Approved Document and Part B. Let’s examine the whole area of fire rating, when and why it is required and what the testing requirements are.

Why is fire rating required?

A standard house in the UK usually has

two floors, and where there is living space above, the wooden floor construction with plasterboard ceiling must pass stringent fire tests.

In these properties, the complete floor/ceiling construction between the two floors must withstand a minimum of 30 minutes of fire to a) prevent rapid fire spread which could entrap occupants of the building, and b) to reduce the chance of fires becoming large, on the basis that large fires are more dangerous, not only to occupants, fire and rescue service personnel, but also to people in the vicinity of the building.

Where there is no living space above, for example loft space, no fire rating is required. However, we would still recommend fire-rated downlights in the event the fire was to spread and affect the roof structure and the safety of the building.

The more floors in a building, the longer the fire protection/

compartmentation has to last.

In a three-story building with the loft converted to a bedroom, for example, the complete ceiling/floor constructions must comply with a minimum of a 60-minute fire rating to give enough time for the occupants to evacuate in the event of a fire occuring.

Downlights and fire rating The floors and ceilings will have passed fire testing as a complete structure, but once an aperture for a downlight is made, the fire barrier is compromised.

A standard open back downlight allows the fire, vapours and heat to penetrate the floor space and can lead to potential collapse before the required times of 30, 60 or 90 minutes.

A fire-rated downlight uses a sealed steel body, together with an exterior intumescent strip around the unit. In the case of a fire, these elements separate the room from the

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TECHNICAL & TRAINING

ceiling void, preventing the spread of fire for a period of time. The intumescent material helps stop the fire, heat and vapours from spreading into the void.

Downlights and fire testing Testing for Ovia products is carried out to strict British Standards and there are a number of building regulations that also cover the testing of downlights.

Recently, NHBC has also required additional testing of all downlights in conjunction with different joist construction types: BS 476: Part 21: 1987 – Fire tests on building materials and structures. Methods for determination of the fire resistance of loadbearing elements of construction. ●

BS EN 1365-2: 2014 – Fire resistance tests for loadbearing elements. Floors and roofs. ●

● BS EN 1363-1: 2012 – Fire resistance tests. General requirements.

All our fire tests are carried out by independent testing specialists BRE (Building Research Establishment).

BRE Global is a UKAS accredited testing laboratory. They can comprehensively test, predict and assess the fire performance of products and materials to British, European, Marine and International fire-test standards.

BRE Global operates one of the largest fire research and testing laboratories in Europe. Their facilities include a state-of-the-art Burn Hall (one of the

36 March 2022 PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN

largest in Europe) capable of staging 10 MW (9m x 9m hood) calorimeter fire tests, and a large custom-built facility for fire resistance tests of floors, walls, beams and columns.

BRE tests our fire-rated downlights under real world conditions. This starts with the construction of the floor to fit the furnace (4.5m x 3.5 m approx.) whilst following the material manufacturer’s construction guidelines for the fire rating required.

The joists, floor board and plasterboard are assembled, with the apertures then cut and the downlights fitted. The downlights have to be spaced at recommended distances to give an account of real-life installations in a worst-case scenario.

Temperature monitoring and regulation Once constructed, weights are added to the floor to simulate the weight of furniture, etc. The floor is lifted into place on the furnace, with the heat thermocouples added to the required elements. The furnace is heated by gas burners, to over 1,000˚C and the furnace temperature is regulated and monitored during the testing. The temperate during the test can exceed 1,000˚C. If more than one layer of plasterboard is fitted (e.g. the 90-minute fire test), the first layer can fall without being deemed a failure. The main contribution to an early failure is a hot joint on the floorboards.

This is mainly due to vapours and heat build-up within the floor void exceeding 300˚C where ignition is only required.

The test can stop in the event of earlier failure – whether the required time has elapsed or until the floor construction collapses.

Guidelines from NHBC on recessed light fittings have provided the industry with one of its most recent challenges.

With the increasing use of I-joists and metal web joists as part of floor construction – around 70% of new build homes feature engineered timbers joists, as opposed to solid timber joists which dominated the market 20 years ago – the National Housebuilding Council (NHBC) updated its technical guidance on recessed light fittings in ceilings to

intermediate floors in houses.

As a result, the NHBC now requires test evidence showing that recessed downlights are suitable for a similar I-joists/web joists and plasterboard combination.

For many years the market for fire-rated downlights has been the cause of some confusion, with many manufacturers making claims but not always having the technical data to back up these claims. The NHBC guidance on the use of fire-rated downlights makes it very clear that only correctly tested products can be used in the type of floor construction in which they are being fitted.

At Ovia we design our products to withstand the rigorous testing that is necessary to meet the requirements of the British Standard governing their safety.

Some manufacturers will state that their products have a 90-minute fire rating.

However, that doesn’t always mean that they will meet the requirement for 30 or 60 minute ratings. Each rating has its own test, so they should have passed all three tests to ensure the full rating requirement.

CPD Training To help contractors understand the issues around testing, Ovia has produced a CPD training module – Downlights and Testing for Fire Rating – which is available for delivery on request. Ovia also has a 20 minute technical Q&A on this subject, available via Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

VIEW THE OVIA TECHNICAL Q&A VIDEO AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EAE017

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TECHNICAL & TRAINING

Natasha King, Product Manager at Vent-Axia, gets us up to speed with Part F of the Building Regulations and explains more about the opportunities this presents to electricians.

LEARNING THE 'F' WORD

A

s buildings become more airtight to improve efficiency, it’s essential to consider indoor air quality (IAQ) to protect health and wellbeing.

The new Part F therefore sets out significant changes, which will drive adoption of low carbon ventilation as an industry standard. The Regulations come into force in June 2022 and will impact anything without planning from that date. Anything which already has planning has until June 2023.

A key addition to the Regulations is a new sub section ‘Installing Energy Efficiency Measures’ in existing properties.

Here it sets out that: “When carrying out energy efficiency measures to an existing dwelling, an assessment should determine what, if any, additional ventilation provision is needed, based on the estimated impact of the work.”

This is important since previously many homes have suffered from condensation, mould and poor IAQ following energy efficiency measures. This move will help protect health and wellbeing of households and protect buildings from damp, condensation and mould caused by moisture being unable to escape. It will also provide an opportunity for electricians to offer additional ventilation to customers.

Calculating ventilation Part F provides two options for calculating the new ventilation requirements when energy efficiency measures are added:

38 March 2022 PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN

a) a simplified method which looks at what energy efficiency measures have been added and whether they are minor (e.g. roof insulation, cavity wall insulation) or major (e.g. installing external or internal wall insulation over 50% of external wall area, replacing more than 30% of windows and doors) and then it works out if more ventilation is needed. This method should be appropriate for the majority of existing dwellings. b) provides the alternative of expert advice. This is most suited if a property is significantly different from its original construction when it comes to energy efficiency measures.

With the simplified method a home that falls under Category A (a maximum of two

minor changes and no major changes) is likely to need no additional ventilation.

However, for Categories B and C, more than three minor changes, and/or one or more major measures, it is likely that additional ventilation will be required.

This could be provided by the inclusion of either intermittent extract fans to wet areas and trickle vents that meet Part F; continuous mechanical extract with smaller trickle vents in habitable rooms only; or balanced supply and extract (normally heat recovery) without trickle vents.

This, along with Appendix D in Part F, provides an excellent tool for electricians to use where they can easily show customers whether they need to add more ventilation.

Around 85% of homes in the UK have double glazing so in most existing

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properties where energy efficient measures have been applied an upgrade in ventilation is needed. For electricians working in homes that already have energy efficiency measures added, or are in the process of adding them, this is the ideal opportunity to easily upsell ventilation measures.

What are the ventilation options for existing homes?

There are a wide range of extractor fans available to help provide effective ventilation and comply with Part F. For

example, Vent-Axia’s Lo-Carbon Svara offers condensation control (to avoid mould) which helps improve IAQ and is backed up by easy installation, quiet operation and is controllable via a smartphone.

Meanwhile, Vent-Axia’s Silent Fan range boasts 17 models, very low sound levels and a raft of new features, including IPX5-rating (for Zone 1) making installation easier and safer. And the Vent-Axia PureAir Sense features Odour Sense technology that increases airflow when the air is poor, helping ensure a comfortable living environment.

What about existing homes that require whole house ventilation?

It’s very difficult to retrofit a whole house system but fortunately there is a new type of decentralised heat recovery ventilation

(dMVHR) that is ideal for retrofitting to provide a whole-house system. This innovative concept is Alternate Flow Heat Recovery which offers a balanced modular customisable ventilation system.

This type of technology, such as Vent-Axia’s Lo-Carbon Heat Save, uses two or more fans in habitable rooms.

The units use a reversible fan that alternates between supply and extract fan modes to extract dirty air from the room and replace it with filtered outside air. It’s easy to expand as needed for a whole house solution, all controllable from one controller.

Achieving up to 84% heat recovery, dMVHR uses the warmth from outgoing air to heat incoming air to avoid heat loss, reducing a home’s carbon footprint and energy bills.

BROWSE VENT-AXIA'S FULL RANGE OF PRODUCTS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EAE018

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Jake Green, Technical Engagement Manager at Scolmore, briefly discusses two simple terms defined in Part 2: ‘wiring system’ and ‘accessory’ as they are to be understood within BS 7671.

WHAT IS AN ACCESSORY?

t

he use of language when describing electrical terms matters. Confusion over terms has been the cause of many errors as people seek to interpret what a word or phrase could mean.

Part 2 of BS 7671 is an essential read insofar as understanding what a specific regulation means. It details the specific definitions to be used within the Standard and provides clarity of meaning to ensure that all those involved in electrical installation work are ‘singing from the same song sheet’.

system designed to provide mechanical flexibility in use without degradation of the electrical components.’

A prefabricated wiring system is, ‘a wiring system consisting of wiring sections incorporating the means of interconnection designed to allow sections

to be connected together to form a given system and incorporating installation couplers conforming to BS EN 61535.’

A wiring system is, therefore, by definition, a combination of elements that when taken together form a wiring system, and it is within that context that any

Wiring system A wiring system is described within Part 2 as: ‘an assembly made up of cable or busbars and parts which secure and, if necessary, enclose the cable or busbars.’

There are other definitions detailed within Part 2 for: ● ●

Flexible wiring systems Prefabricated wiring systems

A flexible wiring system is, ‘a wiring

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regulation referencing wiring systems must be considered. This combination might be, for example, a sheathed and insulated cable clipped directly to a surface or single-insulated conductors within conduit or trunking.

Chapter 52 covers the selection and erection of wiring systems. In addition to any external influences and installation methods, the designer and installer should consider the following: Cables and conductors Connections, terminations, and jointing ● Associated supports or suspensions ● The enclosures or methods of protection against external influences.

(Regulation 520.4) ● ●

It is clear therefore, that it is essential for any wiring system to be adequately supported. This will include support for any trunking/conduit systems along with clips and cleats for cables.

Regulation 521.10.202 is a particular example worth considering. This regulation is relatively new and requires wiring systems to be supported ‘such that they will not be liable to premature collapse’. This requirement came about to limit the risk to firefighters from entanglement as they entered premises.

To address the requirement of Regulation 521.10.202, Unicrimp has a range of products that are fully capable of supporting wiring systems and cables.

These include all-round banding, fire safe cable clips, stainless steel roller ball cable ties and metal LSF cable clips.

Accessories An accessory is defined in Part 2 of BS 7671 as: ‘a device, other than current-using equipment, associated with such equipment or with the wiring of an installation.’

An accessory, therefore, does not require current to function. Examples of accessories are commonplace and include amongst others: Switches Socket-outlets ● Fused connection units ● Connection units ● Cooker control units and the like. ● ●

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There are several regulations that relate specifically to accessories that a designer and installer should be conscious of.

These include: ●

●

Regulation 522.2.201 requires that parts of a cable within an accessory is suitable for the likely temperatures to be encountered. This requires the designer and installer to be conscious of where a rise in temperature may exist and to provide protective measures to mitigate their effects.

Manufacturers have data sheets detailing the temperature operating ranges of their products.

Regulation 526.3 requires every connection to be accessible for inspection, testing and maintenance, with certain exceptions. One such exception is for maintenance-free accessories suitably marked, conforming to BS 5733, and installed in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions.

It is important that the designer and installer selects those accessories which are suitable for the environment within which they are to be installed. Therefore, as with wiring systems, the factors to consider will include, amongst other things, temperature, humidity, the presence of dust and the aesthetics required.

Consider Scolmore’s Click Definity 20 A Control Switch. This range has

interchangeable faceplates and comes in a series of double-pole switches with or without neon indication.

The technical guidance issued by Scolmore details critical factors that should be adhered to. These are detailed such that the products conform to the relevant Standard. Included amongst them are: – – – – – – –

Voltage/frequency Current rating Terminal size Torque value Cable size IP rating Operational temperature

240 V / 50 Hz 20 A 5 mm diameter 1.8 Nm 4 x 2.5 mm2 IP20 -5˚C to +40˚C

No accessory should be installed outside of the technical specification of the manufacturer.

Conclusion The selection and erection of wiring systems and accessories are the ‘nuts and bolts’ of electrical installation work. The designer and installer should be constantly aware of the requirements of BS 7671 regarding both. Furthermore, manufacturer’s guidance should always be considered and care given to ensure that they are suitable for their environment.

BROWSE UNICRIMP'S Q-FIRE RANGE OF PRODUCTS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EAE019

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IT'S A RAPID FIX IN SIX!

Amy Burley, Offering Manager at MK Electric, explains how the unique design of Rapid Fix helps with ‘right first time’ installation – in six simple steps.

M

any installers are familiar with screwing multiple cable terminations when wiring sockets. It’s a cumbersome and time-intensive task, made even more difficult in tight spaces such as corners and under cupboards.

Taking too much time over socket installations can have a bigger impact on the overall project, becoming a real issue when demands from clients to maximise margins get bigger and project timelines get tighter.

This problem is a thing of the past when using MK Logic Plus Rapid Fix. The first-of-its-kind design delivers installation ease and efficiency, using levers instead of screwing connectors to keep cables in place.

These spring-loaded cable clamp terminations provide safe, secure wiring connections that won’t degrade over time, are easy to install, and offer substantial time-saving opportunities over traditional screw connections –

cutting installation time by up to 45%.

Care has also been taken to enable the product to fit into a standard 25mm depth back box making it suitable for all projects, new and retrofit.

The Rapid Fix switchsocket comes with a 30-year product guarantee. It also has antibacterial and antiviral properties with kill rates of over 99.99%, and features a 3-pin operated ‘child resistant shutter system’ and double-pole switching for user safety.

HOW TO FIT THE RAPID FIX SWITCHSOCKET IN SIX SIMPLE STEPS Step 1 PREPARATION Ensure the back box is firmly fixed to the wall and remove the fixing screws clipped to the rear of the product. Rapid Fix is suitable for mounting on a 25mm deep box; and for extra wiring space, a 35mm deep box can be used.

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Step 2 STRIP THE WIRE Strip back the outer sheath and trim the wires to length, allowing slack for cable ends to reach the terminals.

Carefully strip back the inner insulation to expose 10mm of conductor. A handy strip length ruler is incorporated into the socket design to allow wires to be stripped to the correct length and checked easily.

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Step 3 OPEN THE LEVER A completely tool-less operation, just make sure to fully open the lever before inserting the wire.

Due to the spring-loaded clamps this may take a little force but is an important step for a strong connection.

Step 4 INSERT THE CABLE The Rapid Fix design also features individual, colour-coded terminals to not only further improve installation efficiency but also provide even greater advantage where access or a clear line of sight is limited. Each terminal accepts one rigid (solid or stranded) cable up to 4mm2.

Step 5 CLOSE THE LEVER Close each lever independently before moving to the next cable. The springloaded clamps will snap shut and keep them in place with the right amount of pressure. This prevents over or under tightening and degradation of the connection over time, making for a smoother job all round.

Step 6 TEST AND MOUNT Carefully push the wired socket back into the back box, taking care to make sure the cables are not trapped or pinched and use the fixing screws to mount the socket.

Rapid Fix features top entry access points so you can easily test the socket, if required, in the future.

GET MORE DETAILS ABOUT THE RANGE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EAE020

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Paul Dawson, Commercial Director at Niglon, explains why he believes the education message around the use of electrical accessories to protect operators needs to go viral.

SAFE IN THE KNOWLEDGE

W

hat does the phrase ‘antiviral’ mean to you?

Just think about it for a moment.

Now, did you realise there are materials being marketed as antiviral right now which are actually effective against a type of virus which isn’t necessarily harmful to humans? Or that ‘kill rates’ of different viruses can vary significantly, even when placed on the exact same product surface?

The team here at Niglon isn’t prepared to take the ‘antiviral’ messaging that we’re all currently being bombarded with at face value. And we won’t risk our name and reputation up-selling a product which purports a tangible user benefit, if it is in fact questionable. That wouldn’t be genuine or responsible, and it’s not how we conduct business.

That’s why we’ve engaged with leading experts from the University of Manchester to further our knowledge about how viruses act on surfaces, and commissioned testing on our own products as well as some other manufacturers’ within our market.

We want to uncover the truth behind these claims while educating ourselves and like-minded customers on this topic, for the greater good of the industry.

When ‘antiviral’ and similar buzzwords started popping up within industry advertising, inferring that products such as light switches can actually help reduce virus transmission, I wanted us to understand the science behind those claims.

We needed to explore whether individuals are being misled and potentially put at risk, because the ‘antiviral’ message some companies promote doesn’t always perfectly reflect the scientific reality.

Opaqueness does not breed reassurance and naturally a lot of the public do not understand or appreciate this area; virology is a field of study all of its own for good reason.

Concerning results What’s clear is that there is the possibility that contractors who’ve worked on projects where ‘antiviral’ products have been specified and installed to keep users safe, may not have been provided with sufficient detail by manufacturers to enable them to make informed purchasing decisions. And as we know, the devil is always in the detail.

A switch plate which is deemed ‘antiviral’ might suggest to some that you can’t pick up any type of virus from touching it. Others may instantly equate antiviral to anti-Covid19, given the history

of recent events. In reality the situation is far more nuanced, with those outside of a science background unlikely to be well enough informed and at greater risk of being misled.

Or maybe some manufacturers don’t even know the science themselves. Now there’s a sobering thought!

Where’s your proof?

Through our research and expert consultations, we’ve learned there are different types of viruses (enveloped and non-enveloped): those that use human cells as their host and those that affect bacteria.

The ones that use bacteria as their hosts are known as bacteriophages, or phages, and they actually live harmlessly within most of our guts. In fact, there are trials across the world where they’re being used to target drug-resistant bacteria as an alternative to antibiotics – showing they’re not only harmless to humans, but

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believe our customers would understand from the term, and the action they would expect any responsible and trustworthy company to take.

We’re continuing our investigative work focused on potential modifications to materials or coatings, which could lead to that outcome, so it may be something we’re able to bring to the industry in the near future.

And when we get to that point, we’ll be sure to include all the specifics, including which mammalian viruses that product is effective against (such as Covid-19), and even why we have sought to test against those particular virus strains.

in some cases can actually be beneficial.

ISO21702:2019 is the standard recognised for testing antiviral efficacy on plastic and other non-porous products, like electric light switches and socket plates. This testing regime allows for substitute viruses like phages to be used (perfectly legitimately, we must add), instead of the really harmful viruses, which can spread easily.

Indeed, their structure often emulates a human virus very well, which is another reason why they are used as substitutes.

But our test results showed a notable difference in the rate at which a virus is neutralised from a surface (the aforementioned ‘kill rate’) depending on whether a phage or mammalian virus (which impacts us humans) was used.

Some products may significantly reduce the transmission of a phage but not a mammalian virus. So, they’re ‘antiviral’ when it comes to phage, but not when it comes to viruses that impact mammals.

Technically these products may be legitimately described as antiviral, but are they going to stop you or me getting a form of human-transmissible Coronavirus?

The answer is to always ask that question; otherwise, it may be wiser to assume not.

Another key point to make from our

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research is that there is no silver bullet when it comes to antiviral efficacy. One virus can be affected very differently to the next, so do treat any such overarching claim with extreme caution.

Also be sure to check the contact time (how long the test was conducted over) and consider if that will be suitable for the application you had in mind; a 24-hour contact time may be suitable in an outbuilding or less trafficked area, but in areas of high footfall with the potential for high virus transmissions you may want to opt for a product that will reduce virus efficacy over a much shorter period, for instance four hours, or even less.

We believe all antiviral claims should be accompanied by specifics; which particular virus strains have been tested, on what product, for how long, and under what test conditions. Nothing less than total transparency will do, especially when it’s people’s health at stake.

What does this mean for us?

We've made the decision that we are categorically not going to state our products are ‘antiviral’ until we are truly confident that they actively reduce transmission of certain viruses that cause illness to human beings. This is what we

What does this mean for you?

If you’re considering installing a product based on the claim it is ‘antiviral’ then I’d strongly encourage you to do some research into exactly what this means. Gen up, and ask questions.

Some points you may wish to clarify with the product manufacturer include: ●

●

●

●

●

Do they list the test standard and virus type tested against?

What is the percentage kill rate, and over what timeframe?

Which (if any) substitute/phage viruses were used in testing, and are they effective against limiting human virus transmission?

Are their products specifically effective against Covid-19?

Will they share with you their test reports?

Don’t be afraid to ask as many questions as you feel you need. And if the manufacturer is unable or unwilling to back up their claims, consider just how honest and open they’re being in using the ‘antiviral’ label in their advertising, product literature, or packaging.

Niglon has produced a free guide based on its research and testing, to help explain some of the key terms around the subject.

BROWSE THE FREE NIGLON GUIDE ONLINE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EAE021

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TIME TO MAKE THE SWITCH? Brett Smyth of IDEAL Industries discusses the benefits that electricians can experience by switching from terminal strips to lever or push-in connectors.

T

erminal strips have become a default setting for many electricians, mainly because they’re the method they’ve always used.

But it’s our view that switching to lever or push-in connectors could help electricians save man hours and achieve more consistent and compliant installations.

Loyal subjects One of the challenges we've found is that electricians can have a tendency to remain loyal to the installation techniques they used when they trained.

Of course, expecting experienced professionals to adapt habits that have been ingrained in them over decades is like asking someone to ditch the sugar in their tea overnight.

That’s why we’re working with colleges to support training of the next generation of electricians using lever and push-in connectors by offering complimentary products so that they can practice using consumables that are faster, easier and more consistent.

We continue to believe, however, that there are also benefits for more experienced electricians willing to make the change.

Cost considerations The other barrier to change is perceptions of cost. The unit

price of connectors is slightly more than terminal strips, but the time savings they offer electricians should easily offset any additional costs.

Indeed, connectors not only help to keep the job within programme, but can also reduce labour costs over the length of the project.

Furthermore, making the switch removes any inconsistency associated with the tightening of terminal strip screws, thereby building value into the cost of the connectors by reducing the need for checks or call backs.

Advantages for electricians Switching to connectors ensures that installations are consistently safe and compliant with current wiring regulations.

The 18th Edition requires that traditional terminal strip connections should be accessible for annual inspections in compliance with BS EN

60670-22, which makes it difficult to select a suitable location for terminal strip connections, potentially leading to non-compliance for many projects.

Conversely, lever and push-in connectors are classified as maintenance-free when used in conjunction with an approved enclosure box, so can be part of a compliant installation anywhere within the property.

Using connectors rather than terminal strips also ensures every connection is consistent because there is no variation in the tightening of the fixing screw that fastens the cable in place.

IDEAL Industries’ Connectors even include a stripping guide to aid consistently accurate stripping of the cable prior to connection, along with a CPC port for relevant testing.

Developing opportunity To further enhance these opportunities, IDEAL Industries has introduced the In-Sure Gen II Lever Connector.

Robust and well-designed, it offers a user-friendly, cost-effective and quality-led alternative to terminal strips, enabling electricians to save time and improve quality on-site.

BROWSE IDEAL'S RANGE OF LEVER AND PUSH-IN CONNECTORS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EAE022

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WET IN THE WILD Scott Brewer, Head of Technical at Knightsbridge, considers the details of IP ratings, and what they mean for lighting and wiring devices in the wild.

I

ngress Protection ratings – based on BS EN 60529:1992 – provide classification of a device in terms of the level of protection provided against the insertion of solid objects (for example, fingers or dust) or water into electrical equipment.

The intention is to provide users with details of performance, rather than vague descriptions such as waterproof or splashproof.

An IP rating consists of two digits: the

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first from zero to six and the second from zero to nine – the highest only being encountered in specialist applications.

What do they represent?

The first number refers to the size of object that could enter an enclosure and compromise any device within. The second indicates the level of protection afforded against liquids.

Where a device is referred to by a rating for either dust or water, but not both, the rating is expressed as, for example, IPX5 or IP6X. The tables (pictured left) detail the actual ratings and what they protect against: IPX7 and IPX8 are encountered less often and refer to a product’s capacity for immersion – up to 1m in the case of the former, and beyond 1m as stated by the manufacturer in the case of the latter.

Most commonly encountered will be connectors and accessories which allow for installations in flowerbeds or water

features, such as ponds and fountains.

Different testing regimes It should be noted that the testing regime for IPX7 and IPX8 is different from IPX6 and below and while such products might be submersible, they are not, surprisingly, necessarily protected against splashes and water jets.

In respect of immersion of IPX7 and IPX8 items, performance varies from manufacturer to manufacturer and one would normally need to check with them for actual time limits for immersion and at what depths.

Knightsbridge offers an innovative range of weatherproof and outdoor wiring accessory and lighting products to suit the needs of electricians and their customers.

BROWSE THE FULL KNIGHTSBRIDGE CATALOGUE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EAE023

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Neil Smith, Technical Manager at CMD and member of the BSI committee, discusses the proposed update to the BS 6396 standard and what it will mean for future electrical installations.

PART OF THE FURNITURE?

O

ver the past two years, employers and employees have achieved something that neither believed would ever happen: they've made working from home a reality for anyone with an office-based role.

Initially, there was a make-doand-mend approach to home-office set-up, in terms of both resilience and safety.

That was fine in response to the Covid-19 crisis, but, as we move to more permanent work routines, the new appetite for working from home needs to be reflected in the standards and compliance requirements designed to make work environments safe.

An update to BS 6396 will consider those who have become permanently home-based, those mix-and-matching home and office, and those hot desking in office environments to ensure consistent safety and resilience across all work environments.

Extended working environments As homeworking is now mandated by many employers, the home workstation has become an extension of the work environment and the due diligence required for the office should be extended to the home.

BS 6396 has been under review during the pandemic and the public consultation

54 March 2022 PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN

on the proposed revised standard closed on 21st December 2021. The revised BS 6396 is expected to be published soon and the electrical supply chain will be able to scrutinise the detail of the new requirements when they are confirmed.

It is already clear, however, that the revised standard will apply to all furniture with integral electric sockets, as opposed to only items of furniture specifically located in office or education environments.

We can expect enhanced clarity and a focus on both safety and resilience as compliance keeps step with the very altered face of work environments in the post-Covid era.

Why do we have BS 6396?

BS 6396 is a British Standard that ensures electrical power, data and telecommunications systems in office furniture, office screens and educational furniture are designed, tested and installed in a way that is safe and complies with all relevant laws and regulations, in particular, the Electricity at Work Regulations and the Health & Safety at Work Act. The current standard stipulates that workstations in offices and educational settings should only incorporate electrical equipment with a fuse rating of no more than 5 A, which can be configured as six individually fused sockets rated at 3.15 A each, or four individually fused sockets

rated at 5 A each, fed from one 13 A BS 1363 UK plug.

It describes procedures for testing the electrical installations on reconfigured desks and screens, as well as new installations, along with the need to repeat the tests periodically.

What can we expect from the revised BS 6396?

The final detail of the revised BS 6396 standard will not be known until it is published, but it seems clear that the standard will apply to all furniture with integral power distribution, including that used in domestic settings.

The difficulty for the employer is that they have less control over the electrical services in the home environment than they do in the office. Consequently, it makes sense for them to build as much

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safety, resilience and convenience into the workstation as possible.

Circuit protection is an obvious way of achieving both safety and ease of re-setting should there be a spike in current.

Circuit breakers have always been permitted and, while the safety levels of an installation protected by a fuse and a circuit breaker are comparable, a circuit breaker is much more convenient for the end user because it can be reset easily.

The other major safety consideration for employers is the safety of electrical supply, because they cannot know whether there is RCD protection at the wall socket.

Without RCD protection, damaged wires could become a safety hazard, especially if wires become trapped in the mechanism of sit/stand desks and are chewed by a pet, for example. The best way to avoid this risk is by including a 30mA RCD protection on the primary side (under desk) of the furniture distribution.

Finally, we can also expect to see the changing way people use tech while working, and the devices they use, reflected in the revised BS 6396.

The pandemic has prompted a revolution in the way we communicate over video calling and shared workstream platforms, and many employees now need to power and charge multiple devices.

Meanwhile, more devices are suitable for USB charging so the mix of sockets, USB chargers and A/V outlets needed at the workstation has changed too.

BROWSE CMD'S FULL RANGE OF PRODUCTS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EAE024

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Electrician Dave Hutchence explains how he helped solve Wi-Fi connectivity issues in his customer’s new outbuilding through the use of the BG Electrical Wi-Fi range extender socket.

SAVE THE MANCAVE a s seems to have been the trend throughout the pandemic that we’ve all endured over the last couple of years, many homeowners have decided to upgrade their existing properties to suit the lifestyle changes that we've all had to make. This has resulted in an explosion of outbuildings and home-offices, including the rise of every geezer’s oasis – the ‘mancave’.

A customer of mine finished off his own mancave build at the end of last summer, complete with working bar, pool table and dart board. One of the key elements that he wanted to build in was the ability to stream his satellite feed from the house to a TV in one of the corners of the mancave, along with the capability to play music from Spotify etc.

With a distance of around 50m from where the original Wi-Fi router is situated inside the main house, my customer was experiencing complete dead spots in the outbuilding, which meant that Wi-Fi coverage was virtually nil. To try and find a solution to this issue, I recommended trying the BG Electrical Wi-Fi range extender socket.

This simplistic yet stylish double power socket has a Wi-Fi repeater – enabling

improved Wi-Fi coverage throughout the home. Easy to install and set up with one touch WPS (Wi-Fi protected setup), the unit doesn’t require any plug-in adaptors, allowing the user to plug in electrical devices without having to sacrifice the power sockets.

Easy setup and fitment We opted to use two of the BG Electrical Wi-Fi range extender sockets – one positioned to the front right of the mancave as you enter, and a second positioned in the far corner of the structure – an area which had complete dead spots throughout. For best coverage, the ideal positioning is mid-point between the router and a dead spot.

Fitment was very easy indeed, simply a case of isolating the power, removing the old socket, connecting the new Wi-Fi socket and screwing to the wall to reinstate the power.

Once installed, the user simply presses the WPS button on their home router, followed by the little reset button on the socket. This will turn orange for a spell and will then blink blue; once you have a solid blue colour you are then connected.

The whole process literally took a couple of minutes.

With its square edge finish, the white moulded wall plate will seamlessly fit with any style or décor in your premises, and with the backbox included with a minimum mounting depth of 25mm, it's ideal for retrofit.

The end result is that my customer finally has a strong Wi-Fi signal into his pride and joy, and has spent many a happy evening enjoying the fruits of his labours.

Having checked in with him a few weeks after install, he's been thrilled with the performance and is surprised that there have been no intermittent Wi-Fi issues, especially when the weather has been windy or during key times when Wi-Fi usage locally is at its greatest.

As well as being a handy Wi-Fi repeater, it also includes two power sockets and a USB charging port with smart technology, ensuring phones can be charged while frames of pool are being racked up.

With a 10-year guarantee, this really is a cracking solution to a very common problem that most installers (and their customers) will face.

GET MORE DETAILS ABOUT THE WI-FI RANGE EXTENDER SOCKET BY VISITING: WWW.RDR.LINK/EAE025

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BOX OF TRICKS

Eager to find a quick fix to a common problem, Pete ‘Monty’ Monfort, Director at Arena Training Centre and Monty Electrics, reviews the Back Box Repair Clip.

I

recently undertook an EICR at a property where I removed a socket front in the kitchen and, in doing so, discovered the threaded lug at the side of the metal back box had sheared off.

I was faced with digging the back box out and damaging the expensive glass tiles on the kitchen splash back or coming up with a method of repairing the box.

Time-consuming repair I opted for the latter, drilling a small hole in the back box, threading it and using a long 3.5mm threaded screw. A functional but fiddly repair which was time-consuming and, as is often the case, the damaged socket was the one in the least accessible position.

Now a new product has arrived to offer

58 March 2022 PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN

a welcome tonic to this common issue.

The Back Box Repair Clip, a product that won a PE 2021 Top Product Award, is a simple invention that clips on to the side of the back box, replacing the damaged lug.

As I'll often do with new products before actual use, I bench tested some samples in our workshop and discovered that it really is as simple as pushing the clip on to the side of the back box. That's it!

I'll admit to being slightly dubious about whether a clip of this size would be able to take any load. After all, a big oven switch, for example, can take some pressure, so I was sure the clip would just slip off eventually.

We set our appentices the task of lashing some wire to the clip and tied it to

a heavy chair to see if it was able to take the load. We were all surprised to see that it passed the test with flying colours.

Now, a broken lug takes 20 seconds to fix and this little packet of life-savers is in my screwbox for good!

GET MORE DETAILS ABOUT THE BACK BOX REPAIR CLIP AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EAE026

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BUSINESS MATTERS In this regular column, Emerson Patton, founder of Bright Business Advice, creator of the ‘Bright 7-Sector Orbit’ business model and author of Bright Business Transformation for Contractors, shares his advice for building a better business.

“PLAN? WHAT PLAN? I JUST LIKE TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS…” Do you want to know something crazy?

At least 80% of the business owners I talk to don’t have a business plan of any kind.

Now consider whether you would ever tender for or begin an install on a big job without a set of plans or drawings. Just seeing what happens as you go along would almost certainly result in a disaster.

And yet I see so many times a business is being built without a plan, or a basic plan gets written and is then shoved in a drawer and not looked at again. Our most successful clients follow their plan so that they are working ON their business and not just IN the business..

I've spent years helping contracting businesses (both in the M&E and Fire & Security sectors) by using the ‘Bright 7-Sector Orbit’ model to improve structures and systems in their company that will help them manage, control and grow more effectively.

Let’s be honest, more revenue isn’t always the answer – it can cause major headaches in terms of resourcing and systems – but every business wants to be more profitable and organised so they can deliver to higher standards.

So, where to start?

A business plan should be a living, breathing document and, using the 'Bright 7-Sector Orbit' model, you can put an effective, well-rounded plan in place across each of the key business sectors we use.

Over the next 12 months, I'll drill down into each of the individual elements that can improve your business, but first its important to understand what each represents. To make it easier to understand, we use the human body as a system, with each piece working together to create an effective machine: Leadership: is like the head (or specifically the right side of the brain), focusing on developing knowledge, engaging people, and understanding their emotions. Creating your vision and strategy is where winning mindsets and attitudes are formed.

Management: the left side of the brain is concerned with logic, writing plans, regularly reviewing, monitoring, and improving your business structure. This is the ‘who does what and by when’.

Finance: is the torso of the body, focused on turning food into energy. Our finance operation converts work into cash. Cashflow is the energy and lifeblood of your business and without it, the business dies. You must control your numbers.

Operations: is the right leg. It helps to power the business forwards by following systems and completing works to high standards. Mo Farah didn’t win a

gold medal by luck. He had a coach, a team, and a system in place for success.

HR: is the left leg. It’s about developing higher performance teams with a positive culture. Creating job descriptions, appraisals, performance management processes and recruitment systems.

Marketing: is the left arm of the business, creating an opportunities pipeline with new leads or with existing customers. It’s 6-7 times cheaper to work with existing customers than it is to attract new ones. By building solid relationships with existing customers, they will buy more.

Sales: is the right arm. By developing your sales processes effectively, you will generate sales much more consistently. When you combine focused marketing with a sales funnel to motivated and interested people, you’ll have a higher conversion rate.

WANT TO POWER UP YOUR BUSINESS IN 2022? FIND OUT MORE ABOUT UPCOMING FREE BRIGHT BUSINESS ADVICE ONLINE WORKSHOPS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EAE027

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PRODUCTS & BUSINESS SOLUTIONS

TOUGH LOVE!

Professional Electrician catches up with the team at ToughBuilt to find out why the US manufacturer of tools and accessories is taking the UK market by storm.

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ll of us will remember 2021 for different reasons, and for ToughBuilt it will go down as the year the company launched its European operation.

In its native North America, the extensive range of products enjoy near iconic status amongst trade professionals and have a huge following thanks to their levels of innovation and their ability to help make common trade tasks quicker, easier and, ultimately, more productive.

Right from the get-go, the manufacturer was able to offer electricians revolutionary products designed and engineered by trade professionals for trade professionals.

The business’ strapline ‘We Don’t Build Ordinary’ is truly reflected in ToughBuilt’s unique range of products, which includes sawhorses, knee pads, massive mouth tool bags, totes, mitre saw stands, roller stands, hand tools as well as its unique ClipTech system of belts and pouches.

Each product is backed with a 25-year guarantee if users register their purchase within 30 days.

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New products and innovations The start of 2021 also saw multiple product launches, extending the range with knives and shears, which all stay sharp for twice as long as other comparable knives, and the Pro Grade Aviation Snips, which deliver ten times more cuts than regular snips.

The release of the range of rugged Massive Mouth Hard Body Rolling Bags followed in mid-2021, complete with wide openings, providing what is described as exceptional accessibility and storage capability. The material is hardwearing, with heavy-duty rivet reinforcement rivets to withstand the most challenging job site demands. Furthermore, they’re compatible with the attachable ClipTech pouches Then, in October, the tools and accessories expert brought us its Scraper Utility Knife which allows trade professionals to seamlessly transform from a utility knife to a scraper.

“The Scraper Utility Knife combines two frequently used tools in one handy product,” comments ToughBuilt’s Matthew

Handley. “It can be used as a utility knife to cut all manner of materials or as a scraper to remove paint, sealants, putty, adhesives and labels from surfaces like windows, mirrors and tiles. What’s more, switching between these two functions is as simple as pressing a button.” #KneelSmartKneelSafe As well as new products and choices, the manufacturer also introduced a safety initiative to the professional market in 2021. Given its position as one of the world’s leading manufacturers of knee pads, ToughBuilt knows more than most about knee safety and the damage that can be caused if knees aren’t afforded the correct levels of protection.

Indeed, the company is so passionate about this subject that it launched its #KneelSmartKneelSafe campaign last year in Europe, which aims to raise awareness of the need for greater knee protection.

As Matthew explains: “ToughBuilt would like to see knee pads treated with the same importance as hard hats or eye

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protection when it comes to personal protective equipment. After all, the consequences of not using them can be every bit as devastating.”

ToughBuilt on the Road 2021 also enabled the manufacturer to take to the road and to make its UK debut at exhibitions. One of the most important and successful events was the ELEX and ToolFair exhibition at Sandown in Surrey, where product demonstrations, a free ClipTech pouch to every visitor and the chance to win a ToughBuilt XL Rolling Massive Mouth bag in a head-to-head foot-golf challenge were just some of the

attractions on offer.

To cap the year off, a '12 Days of Christmas' promotion was staged in December where €20,000 worth of products from across the entire range were given away.

Going one further No matter how impressive 2021 was, the brand intends to go one better in 2022, as Matthew explains: “ToughBuilt’s European presence continues to grow all the time and an increasing number of trade professionals are beginning to appreciate why we are the category leader for products like sawhorses, knee pads and

hand tools in the US and further afield.

“Ambitious plans for 2022 include many more innovative product launches and appearances at various nationwide shows. Given our flair for intelligent product design, it’s safe to say that any new launches will feature ground-breaking technology and patent-pending innovation.”

He concludes: “We don’t want to reveal too much at this time but what I will say is it’s definitely worth watching this space.”

BROWSE THE FULL TOUGHBUILT RANGE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EAE028

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PRODUCTS & BUSINESS SOLUTIONS

WHAT'S IN THE WARRANTY? Product warranties – a true case of caveat emptor? So says Phil Brown, Director of Product & Marketing at NVC Lighting.

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customer focussed and fair warranty protects the end user for a reasonable period from the date of installation, assuming the product purchased is fit for purpose and has been installed properly by a qualified professional.

At face value many warranty policies look the same, but even experienced buyers know it can be dangerous to assume they are. Small print should always be carefully checked to make sure you're actually getting what you think you are.

Electrical specifiers or installers who are also qualified lawyers are rare, making it hard for most to really understand the policy they might be signing up to.

More or less?

Small print is quite often not there for the installers or your customers’ benefit.

Indeed, a good rule of thumb I’ve learnt over my many years in the lighting industry is that the more small print there is, the less cover you're likely to be getting!

Another key aspect of the warranty is what you actually get if you make a claim – you need to ask whether the supplier will ensure the issue is resolved quickly and will cover all reasonable associated costs without fuss.

Blue chip suppliers can offer fair warranties with confidence and limited small print, knowing they have quality in

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their products and their processes so that failures are rare.

Some low tier suppliers may not have a policy and will instead just commit to trying to pass on the benefit of any warranty given by the originally manufacturer – not exactly certain or giving confidence to anyone.

It's always puzzled me as to how a supplier can talk about offering quality, product reassurance, customer service etc. in their marketing messages and then fail to back that up with a warranty.

Final word of warning A long warranty is great in principle, but the company offering it needs to still be trading when you make the warranty claim for it to have any value. This could be several years down the line, so buying from a reputable and established business, even at a slightly higher price, will often offer better overall value.

So let the buyer beware and, to borrow a phrase from a famous 1990s advertising campaign, make sure “it does exactly what it says on the tin”.

TERMS TO LOOK OUT FOR IN THE SMALL PRINT ● Warranty period starting from the date of manufacture or the date of sale to the distributor rather than to you. This could easily turn what you think is a two-year warranty into one-year instead, given lengthy supply chains. ● Unrealistic restriction on the number of hours of usage of the product effectively making it unusable in many commercial environments, schools or other public buildings. ● Requirement to register the product with the supplier at the time of purchase, which is not usually discovered until it’s too late. ● Component exclusions or variations again making it effectively useless as a guarantee for a light fitting.

BROWSE THE LATEST NVC LIGHTING BROCHURE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EAE029

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PRODUCTS & BUSINESS SOLUTIONS

Stewart Gregory, VP Power Products at Schneider Electric, looks at the reasons why improved collaboration between electrical contractors and panel builders can benefit all parties.

PULLING IN THE SAME DIRECTION

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nabling smart power infrastructure is vital as we move into an increasingly all-electric era. This is only possible by propelling forward electrical innovation and efficiency – and this requires effective collaboration. Too often, however, outdated and siloed technology makes this almost impossible.

Electrical contractors and panel builders have to meet and exceed the growing levels of speed, reach and agility that the power industry requires. To achieve this, open partnerships must be created, in order for digital transformation to be seized.

As a common feature of many modern business ecosystems, closed or proprietary platforms prevent organisations from opening up to and working efficiently with each other.

Contractors and suppliers often lack the accessible platforms, interoperable architectures and open partnerships that spark innovation in the sector, and this needs to change.

Open collaboration starts with open partnerships Giving your organisation the digital tools to work effectively with partners and contractors is crucial. The first step towards a more collaborative future is to make openness your digital priority.

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Since electrical contractors and panel builders often have a natural relationship when it comes to low- and medium-voltage projects, it is vital for them to collaborate easily and answer emerging customer demands for more digital and sustainable solutions.

Since few, if any, ground-breaking developments ever emerged from a silo mentality, contractors and partners must acquire the digital know-how and interoperability required to create meaningful collaborative business relationships.

Wherever an organisation’s emphasis lies, be it safety, availability, reliability or cyber security, finding the right solution is paramount. Technical support and advanced tools should be available anytime, anywhere, to create an open, sustainable, and resilient digital ecosystem.

The limitless opportunities of digital Digital tools like assistance portals, online forums and mobile Apps must be engineered with openness and accessibility as a top priority.

Tapping into open, flexible platforms to obtain support, facilitate engagements, exchange ideas, and foster new business opportunities is essential for electrical contractors and panel builders to stay ahead of the curve.

Put simply, open systems are about

choice and flexibility.

Digital technology excels when openness is applied to system architectures, software, and protocols, offering interoperability to customers, developers, and integrators alike.

It allows for more cost-effective development and support, while lessening the risk of painful disruptions, and gives organisations the tools to scale and evolve according to changing business needs.

Deadlines are becoming shorter, and projects require multiple stakeholders, so connectivity and collaboration is simply good for business.

Being able to think digitally and sustainably is now a requirement for success, and organisations need to have easy access to relevant expertise and shared resources to future-proof operations.

However, you must remain mindful that partners may be at different stages of their digital transformation journey. Having the ability to answer learning curve challenges at a pace that is right for teams, customers and projects is a must.

Building meaningful professional bonds Smart digital technology allows us to unlock the true power of openness for our industry. It brings everyone into a more diverse, knowledgeable, and rewarding business network than was ever possible

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before, through digital forums and meaningful collaboration.

In the coming years, partners and manufacturers will have to work together to adapt and answer the challenges of the new electric world. Partnerships of the future go beyond solutions, technologies, and training. They provide you with future-facing opportunities to better

navigate new challenges and collaborate to win more business.

Supporting the entire value chain with shared knowledge Creating a dialogue, not just between electrical contractors and panel builders, but consulting engineers, distributors, and other digital innovators and experts, is

crucial. Connecting the right technology partners across diverse projects and multiple regions, in online spaces like the Schneider Exchange Forum, offers the opportunity to promote business innovation and solve energy and automation challenges across the entire value chain.

The whole industry can benefit greatly from shared expertise, whether that be by showcasing business success at product, solution, and marketplace levels, or by disclosing experience-led knowledge to overcome common pain points and meet wider-industry needs.

Being part of a space to share go-to-market strategies that have paid off helps to create commercial agility, as well as promoting yourself as an innovative service provider to grow your business.

VISIT THE SCHNEIDER EXCHANGE FORUM AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EAE030

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PRODUCTS & BUSINESS SOLUTIONS

MEASURING SUCCESS

We put the questions to the team at MGL International Group, to find out more about why the launch of two major new brands into the test equipment market spells good news for electricians.

Tell us a little bit about MGL and the company's history?

MGL International Group boasts more than 30 years of experience dedicated to testing and measuring instrument manufacturing, focusing on quality and innovative products, along with the best service to customers.

In 2021 MGL International Group partnered with ATE International in the UK – a move that would help provide world class distribution support to MGL’s UK customer base. ATE International is a team that boasts a long history in both the electrical and automotive markets, along with a wealth of experience in distribution and supply chain logistics.

The combination of MGL’s product range and ATE’s experience with markets and distribution make this a perfect partnership that will enable wholesalers and end users to get their hands on what we believe to be some of the best electrical test and measuring tools on the market.

Q

Why is the company targeting the electrical industry?

MGL International Group has long been established in the electrical test and measurement manufacturing industry, so this is not a new venture. It will, however, be the first time that end users can access our KPS, C-Logic and Mastech ranges.

Q

How does each brand in the MGL range serve the electrical market?

KPS designs, manufactures and sells products and solutions for the professional electrical repair market, and always with the highest levels of quality and competitiveness.

The C-Logic and Mastech brands are focused on providing high quality and innovative measuring instruments to the DIY and household electrical user market, along with quality customer service.

Q

Give us a couple of examples of 'hero' products in the range that electrical professionals should be looking out for.

There are some great products in the range, with the KPS POWERCOMPACT3020 Power Quality Analyser offering a powerful, portable network analyser developed for professional analysis of consumption and power quality of the most complex electrical networks. The KPS MT720 TRMS

Q

Low Impedance Digital Multimeter and KPS MA100 Insulation Tester are two other products we believe will be a big hit with end users.

Why is it important for electricians to have good quality test equipment that they can trust?

Using high quality equipment, such as those units available from KPS and CLogic, not only delivers more quality and consistency, but will also ensure high safety standards.

The market has been crying out for a high quality range of test and measurement equipment that combines reliable safety and consistency with affordability, along with advanced technology.

Q

What support and infrastructure does MGL International Group offer in the UK? As mentioned previously, MGL International Group is partnered in the UK with ATE International who are the UK master distributors for the KPS and C-Logic brands.

ATE International provides distribution support to MGL’s UK customers, with stock available for immediate dispatch and twoworking day delivery times.

Q

BROWSE THE FULL RANGE OF PRODUCTS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EAE031

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PRODUCTS & BUSINESS SOLUTIONS

WEATHERPROOF YOUR WORKDAY

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t’s said that rain can have a negative impact on your health and wellbeing and, if you haven’t got particularly effective rainwear, your mid-and base-layer clothes could get damp and uncomfortable which will affect your body’s own in-built climate control system.

Rain can be a pain Apart from wet clothes getting heavy, it’s also possible that you could get a rash from simple irritation through friction and then, moving around becomes much more tiring.

Your body can also lose heat – probably faster than you can generate it to dry your clothes out. That’s fine if you’ve been drenched by a sun shower when it’s warm, but if it’s cooler or even cold on-site, your body temperature is going to drop.

Not only can stewing in your wet clothes chafe and irritate your skin, if you’re wearing damp or wet clothes for too long, bacteria and fungus from the air can multiply and then run rampant on your skin, causing rashes and irritation.

Having the ability to stay dry and comfortable on-site is all about choosing the right type of rainwear for the job. Your

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choice depends on a variety of factors – from the type of rainfall to how intensely you're working and how many hours you spend outside.

It also depends on whether or not the clothing you wear can to combine to create its own climate control system for your comfort and wellbeing.

For high intensity work, make sure your base-layer clothes are made of breathable fibres and fabrics that keep you dry and ventilated by wicking moisture away from your body.

For optimum comfort and performance, you’ll then need a mid-layer fleece or gilet made from knitted or quilted materials to provide comfortable insulation by creating a pocket of air around your body.

Then top it off with a third and final outer layer jacket to protect you from the elements like rain, hail, snow, wind, or cold.

What’s most important is that layering your working clothes properly will ensure that your energy and performance levels are as weatherproofed as you are.

The difference between ‘waterproof’ and ‘water-repellent’ When it comes to ‘water protected’ workwear it’s important to know what’s

Peter Dumigan, MD of the Hultafors Group UK, explores the features you should be looking for if you require garments that keep you comfortable on cold and wet workdays.

behind each of the terms. They are different.

A waterproof garment, like our GORE-TEX jackets, offers the most effective protection in rainy weather. This kind of waterproof fabric consists of an outer layer called ‘the face fabric’, usually made of polyester with a laminated membrane or a coating that prevents water penetration.

It’s achieved by sealing the internal fabrics completely from external conditions. All seams and cut lines are

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taped or sealed to stop the water coming through the stitched areas of the fabric.

Water-repellent garments only offer basic protection against the effects of water, but at the same time can provide great breathability to ventilate your body when you’re active.

Water-repellent protection is achieved by using a hydrophobic fabric, which means that the water is repelled on contact. The fabric is treated with a DWR (Durable Water Repellent) finish that causes the water to form drops on the surface of the fabric that run off or can be

brushed off easily.

For longer exposure or, if you need 100% protection on-site in the rain, our GORE-TEX jackets are extremely durable with a membrane that has over 1.4 billion pores per square cm. They’re waterproof to keep you dry, windproof to keep you warm, and breathable to keep you comfortable.

Accredited performance For quick and reliable protection when its raining or if your work is less active, choose our PU garments which, along

with our other rainwear clothing, have EN 343 certification for Protection against Foul Weather. This accreditation validates the garment’s performance in the rain through independent testing.

Also, don’t forget about ventilation.

Your clothes’ breathability is as crucial for your comfort as the outer-layer protection against water, especially when you’re working really hard.

So, make a habit of checking the breathability features of the garments you buy in future.

Breathability comes in two forms: a) the breathability of the fabric itself, such as our 37.5 sports fabric, or b) built-in ventilation functionality, such as zippers or meshed fabric areas at the sides and back of the garments.

BROWSE THE SNICKERS WEATHERPROOF RANGE OF PROFESSIONAL WORKWEAR AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EAE032

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PRODUCTS in practice

VEGAS is no gamble for Irish hotel When the Kilmore Hotel in County Cavan was looking to improve the décor in many areas of the hotel the upgrade included a retrofit of ROBUS VEGAS Strip lights.

The hotel chose ROBUS for the unrivalled support and knowledge provided by the Area Sales Manager, Paddy Dunne, and the ROBUS Conversions team. Paddy was able to advise on the product and installation, including the value of utilising the 'cut to length' service provided by the Conversions team. Availing of this excellent service, the team worked on every aspect of this project, from design to installation, in minute detail to bring it to completion.

The project was completed using: 551 metres of the ROBUS VEGAS LED Strip 12 W RGBW + White 4000K; 188 cuts and link leads; 12 VEGAS Drivers; 12 VEGAS 768W Controllers; 66 metres

of the ROBUS VEGAS 12 W RGBW + White 3000K; and 51 cuts.

The Customised Conversions Technicians worked closely with the contractor to provide accurate cut lengths, lead lengths, drivers and controllers for the project. Utilising this service meant the project could be delivered more quickly and reduced the hassle involved with measuring and installation for the contractor.

Installing the VEGAS Strip light range means the hotel can select the colouring of lighting to suit the atmosphere of each room in various parts of the hotel.

GET MORE DETAILS ON THE VEGAS LED FLEXI-STRIP AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EAE033

ESP has Treetops Trails course covered Lightwater Valley theme park in North Stainley, North Yorkshire is home to the UK’s biggest Treetop Trails course – covering over 2,000 square metres of beautiful woodland.

Recently the park has been investing in a number of new rides and attractions to enhance the overall experience for the visitor.

At the same time, the owners have taken the opportunity to upgrade the CCTV systems which provide security throughout the grounds.

With around 30 different rides and attractions in total, the number and type of CCTV systems required is both extensive and varied and a mixture of wire-free and hard wired systems from across ESP’s CCTV ranges have been installed.

There are two main functions for the CCTV installations – one is the evidence based collection of footage to help identify any potential breaches in security. The other is to provide the ride 72 March 2022 PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN

operator with a clear view of all aspects of the rides, to ensure the safety of those taking part.

The installer responsible for fitting the systems has been using ESP’s CCTV for a number of years and commented: “It was great to be able to get a broad range of CCTV solutions from one supplier and the quality is excellent.

“I like how easy the wire-free systems are to install and we've been able to spread the coverage across a decent amount of space. As we continue to update the rides and facilities at the park, we'll continue to update the CCTV systems to incorporate the best products from ESP.” BROWSE THE ESP CCTV RANGE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EAE034

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sponsored by www.electricalcharity.org

Galliard Homes finds a friend in Bead

An Interior finishing product manufacturer is supplying its game-changing products to a residential-led development on Oxford Street.

Specified by Galliard Homes, BeadMaster’s cover plates will be fitted throughout TCRW SOHO, which will provide 92 luxury apartments and 9,939 sq ft of retail space.

The property developer selected BeadMaster’s Rectangle, Square and Circle cover plates to create a superior interior finish throughout its West End project.

Aaron O'Reilly, Project Manager at Galliard Homes, explains: “BeadMaster will allow us to deliver an even higher standard of finish to our Oxford Street apartments by producing a crisp

surface around our sockets, switches and lights.”

BeadMaster’s cover plates will be installed throughout TCRW SOHO’s 81 studio, one, two and three-bedroom apartments and 11 one, two and three-bedroom penthouses.

Scheduled to be completed in summer 2023, the scheme will be located above the new station entrance for the Elizabeth Line at Tottenham Court Road.

Anthony Chadley, Director at BeadMaster, said: “We are delighted our products were chosen by Galliard Homes for its latest London-based project.

“Ideal for high-end developments that demand attention to detail, BeadMaster will create a smooth, clean finish throughout the two buildings by protecting its back boxes from plaster.

“We look forward to supporting Galliard Homes and AJS Contracts, the construction company installing our products, and cannot wait to see the completed project.”

GET MORE PRODUCT DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EAE035

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Products round up

WISKA COMBI Junction Box

ROBUS 2022 Catalogue The highly anticipated ROBUS 2022 catalogue is now available. The arrival of the new catalogue includes some of the most popular products in the ROBUS range, including the VEGAS FLEXI-STRIP range and the ROBUS CONNECT range.

Along with that you can find some exciting new products including extensions to existing ranges such as the brand-new flexi-strip, the ATLANTIC AC strip, and the new and improved GOLF MODULAR fitting. The range boasts 13 different categories of lights – from commercial to downlights and smart lights – and, as the catalogue features full page comparisons, you’ll be able to pinpoint the specific product you are looking for. The extensive range of lights available in the catalogue are all designed for optimal performance and reliability.

BROWSE THE CATALOGUE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EAE036

Designed, engineered, tested, and manufactured to the highest standard, WISKA’s COMBI Junction Box range consists of nine different sizes, across three colours and special types for other markets. Offering IP66/67 protection as well as threaded membrane entries (on selected models), its robust design and easy to use features have made it a market leader and the accepted standard when it comes to junction boxes. In recent years, through continued investment, WISKA has produced the COMBI 407, 304, 206 and 1610 models. Since its launch in 2018/19 the COMBI 206 has taken the industry by storm. The smaller design was the result of listening and speaking with contractors who were after a discreet enclosure to place behind LED lighting, CCTV systems and general outside use. The success of the 206 has only further cemented the COMBI’s place as the junction box of choice for electricians across the UK. GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EAE037

CED ELECTRICAL Meridian Outdoor Lighting Meridian has introduced a wide new range of decorative outdoor lighting, all with CE and UK/CA approvals. Starting with polycarbonate wall-mounted step lights, there are square, round and rectangular/horizontal options. Built with ABS housing and PVC diffusers, this IP65 range with up to 7W LEDs, is finished in light grey and boasts colour change technology to offer warm, cool or daylight output. A second range of aluminium step lights comprises wall-mounted and built-in fittings, with rectangular/vertical or square versions of each. Available in anthracite grey with up to 4W LEDs, this IP44 range delivers a 3000k warm white output. Additionally, new stainless steel bollards include IP54 rated slatted or black 650mm bollards and a mini twin IP65 option designed for GU10 LED lamps, plus a 1.1m black bollard taking A60 or 12W LED lamps. With die-cast tubular bodies and clear glass diffusers, the bollards also include base anchoring plates.

GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EAE038

UNICRIMP Cable Accessories Catalogue Available to download now from the Unicrimp website or via the Scolmore Group App, this full colour, A4 catalogue brings together recently-launched and existing Q-Crimp cable accessories to provide a comprehensive and valuable resource for wholesalers, specifiers, contractors and procurement professionals. The product offering comprises an extensive range of cable management consumables, including stainless steel cable ties, nylon cable ties, crimp terminals, PVC tape, copper tube terminals, cable clips, and brass and nylon glands. Recent launches included in the latest catalogue are three new Q-Crimp Tradesmen Tubs, as well as a new Earth Electrode Box which has been added to the Earth Rods and Components range.

BROWSE THE UNICRIMP CABLE ACCESSORIES CATALOGUE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EAE039

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Products round up

NVC LIGHTING Updated Catalogue NVC’s new catalogue includes more than 500 units, plus innovative product and service improvements. In fact, NVC has had to bring forward production of its latest catalogue because of all the important changes that the company has made over the past six months, including: a) new extended seven-year warranty on all Contractor range products that applies from the date of installation as long as the products are appropriate for the intended use and professionally installed; b) extended warranty covering the lithium batteries in Contractor emergency lighting products; c) the introduction of JUPITER, the new high performance high-bay fitting which comes with energy saving programmable sensors and emergency variants; d) data and products that make NVC’s emergency self-test versions a 'must-fit' solution; and e) ICEL endorsement on all its Contractor range dedicated emergency products.

BROWSE NVC'S NEW CATALOGUE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EAE040

XCITE UNI Downlight

DRAPER TOOLS XP1000 Range Already known for its popular VDE hand tools range, Draper Tools has been hard at work over the last two years to build on this, with several brand new and improved electrician’s essentials. The latest launch is the XP1000 range, a comprehensive collection of VDE hand tools featuring 21 new VDE pliers with tethered options and 55 VDE screwdrivers, including slimline. The range also includes must-have sets of pliers and screwdrivers. Tested to 10,000V and suitable for use on AC circuits up to 1,000V and DC circuits up to 1,500V, XP1000 is fully compliant with EN60900 standards – living up to the message “Always use protection”. This is a high quality series of hand tools designed to see you through a variety of jobs throughout your electrical career.

GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EAE041 76 March 2022 PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN

With an adjustable fixing bracket, the xcite UNI Downlight puts an end to searching for the right downlight to fit existing installations.

The fixing bracket allows the downlight to be retro-fitted into any cut-out from 65mm to 205mm, ensuring an entire retro-fit project can be carried out using this single luminaire. This makes things simpler for installers who can implement a consistent luminaire style throughout a building, regardless of the existing cut-outs. The downlight is then held in position by two powerful spring clips. The product is supplied with a choice of three power settings (10, 13 and 16W), adjustable via a switch on the luminaire which can be selected on installation. This allows the customer to choose the lumen output that suits the location. In addition, the colour temperature can be selected on installation, with three options (3000K, 4000K and 6000K), affording more flexibility to customers. This level of customisation is what makes the unit truly universal. The fitting is supported by a three-year warranty to give an assurance of quality.

BROWSE THE PRODUCT LEAFLET AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EAE042

SCOLMORE New RCD Sockets Scolmore has added three new RCD socket outlets to its wiring accessories range – a 13A 2-gang Type A passive RCD switched socket outlet, a 13A 2 gang IP66 weatherproof Type A passive RCD switched socket outlet and a 13A 2-gang metal clad Type A passive RCD switched socket outlet. The sockets are essentially socket-outlets with an RCD built into them which can be used in place of a standard socket-outlet. The 13A 2-gang Type A passive RCD switched socket outlet can provide a retro-fit solution for those domestic dwellings with no RCD devices, while the 13A 2 gang double IP66 weatherproof Type A passive RCD switched socket outlet, which comes under the company’s Aquip66 weatherproof range, is suitable for outdoor use.

The new sockets are manufactured using Urea Formaldehyde.

GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EAE043

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SNICKERS WORKWEAR ISO Compliant High-Vis Workwear Snickers Workwear offers an extensive range of high-vis men’s and women’s workwear for all kinds of working environments and light conditions. With jackets, trousers, shorts, toolvests, shirts and fleeces from Snickers’ LITEWork, FLEXIWork and ALLROUNDWORK families to choose from, there’s a host of different garments in the range to satisfy the specific requirements of Classes 1, 2 and 3 protection levels. These products combine with Snickers Workwear’s hallmarks of functionality and comfort to satisfy the ISO 20471:2013 standard for high visibility warning clothes.

GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EAE044

MAKITA Cordless Screwdriver Makita UK has introduced the DFR551 18V LXT Brushless Auto Feed Screwdriver to its leading LXT platform.

Powered by the innovative 18V LXT battery platform, the DFR551 delivers on both output and ease of use, helping to maximise on-site efficiency. With extreme speed and precision, the DFR551 is ideal for repetitive fixing and rapid screw driving tasks. Trigger activated for easy use and complete control, it offers a no load speed of up to 6,000rpm and the screw feeding mechanism has been designed to reduce screw fall and ensure durability. With no power lead restricting movement, operators have maximum flexibility to use the DFR551 anywhere on-site.

GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EAE045

METREL EV Testing Kit “Finally the law is changing this year to require new builds and major renovations to include vehicle charging points to be installed,” says Brendan Beaver, Manager of Metrel UK. “So how are you going to test these installations once you have completed them? Or are you going to walk away leaving them untested? I doubt it.”

How to test the system “We know that there has to be some DC protection at 6 mA and some AC protection at 30 mA, but how can we test them both?”

Brendan asks.

“It is not really a problem. There are a number of systems, consisting of an adapter and multi-function tester, on the market that will test chargers.”

He concludes: “Metrel’s MI3125 multi-function tester and A 1532 EVSE adapter are tough and will help you enter the EVSE testing market without spending an arm and a leg!”

DOWNLOAD A PRODUCT BROCHURE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EAE046

NEW STYLE ELEX MAG AD 285 PE_Layout 1 06/01/2022 10:44 Page 1

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GET MORE DETAILS ABOUT C-TEC’S PRODUCTS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EAE047

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CAUGHT ON

C A M E R A SOCIAL SNAPS! JOHN DAY SERVICES: This was found on a brand new installation of a ventilation system. Spurred off the shower switch on the live side, so a 2.5mm on a 32 A plug-in MCB connected with a 6mm shower cable.

LLOYD VERCOE: I came across this lovely connection that was running six fryers simultaneously!

AC ELECTRICS: The meter company came out and discovered this beauty with no cover and loose neutral. Another Saturday morning, another consumer unit that needs sorting...

JC ELECTRICAL: I visited a brand new install that was completed three months previous and found some interesting sights. The photo here is taken behind an LED panel in a surface mount kit.

LUKE AARON BERRY: I found this beauty while carrying out an EICR...

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PETER BAPTISTE: Nice job here to remove a pull switch in a bathroom and fit a double 20 A switch-in-speaker cable. At least they extended the earth too I guess...

ANDY KEEP: I found this in a rental property recently – the earth wire was connected to the permanent live wires which made the big metal light fitting live!

SUSAN ROBERTSON: When you realise your day is not going too well!

SPUD HEWISH: Here’s one for you – cleaner's socket in a block of flats, still live when found on an EICR!

And one to proud of from VOLT ELECTRICAL SOLUTIONS...

We installed these wooden pendants as part of the final touches at a recent rewire job. The first picture is the ‘skipper’ and the second is the ‘urchin’.

They’re both individually hand-shaped and made from real wood!

Get your regular fix of CAUGHT ON CAMERA! PE’s website includes weekly Caught on Camera ‘Exclusives’, featuring the best (and worst) of the shocking snaps that readers have posted to our Twitter, Facebook and Instagram pages. Don’t forget to tag us in on your tweets, or DM us your pictures and caption directly on Facebook, and you may just see your pictures featured on these pages or our site.

PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN March 2022 81

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ADVERTISER INDEX Here is a useful summary of all the adverts that appear in this issue of Professional Electrician.

Each is listed with its page number and a direct URL that will get you straight to the relevant online information.

Aurora Ltd....................................................................................... Page 67 www.rdr.link/EAE100 Back Box Repair Clip .................................................................. Page 53 www.rdr.link/EAE101 Bird Home Automation Group................................................. Page 45 www.rdr.link/EAE102 Carl Kammerling International Ltd ......................................... Page 53 www.rdr.link/EAE103 Castline Systems .......................................................................... Page 75 www.rdr.link/EAE104 CED .................................................................................................... Page 71 www.rdr.link/EAE105 CEENorm U.K. Ltd........................................................................ Page 50 www.rdr.link/EAE106 CHAUVIN ARNOUX UK Ltd...................................................... Page 59 www.rdr.link/EAE107 CMD Ltd .......................................................................................... Page 49 www.rdr.link/EAE108 Consort Equipment Products Ltd............................................ Page 75 www.rdr.link/EAE109 C-TEC Ltd ........................................................................................ Page 73 www.rdr.link/EAE110 DETA Electrical Company Ltd................................................... Page 19 www.rdr.link/EAE111 DEWALT............................................................................................. Page 4 www.rdr.link/EAE112 Draper Tools Ltd........................................................................... Page 60 www.rdr.link/EAE113 Electrical Industries Charity...................................................... Page 75 www.rdr.link/EAE114 Electrorad U.K. Ltd......................................................................... Page 11 www.rdr.link/EAE115 ELEX.................................................................................................. Page 78 www.rdr.link/EAE116 Elite Security Products Ltd ....................................................... Page 65 www.rdr.link/EAE117 Forum Lighting Solutions ....................................... Inside Front Cover www.rdr.link/EAE118 Hamilton Litestat.......................................................................... Page 55 www.rdr.link/EAE119 Hudson Lighting Ltd .................................................................... Page 77 www.rdr.link/EAE120 LED Group ...................................................................................... Page 24 www.rdr.link/EAE121 LEDVANCE Ltd.............................................................................. Page 59 www.rdr.link/EAE122 Live Electrical Distribution UK Ltd ............................................ Page 8 www.rdr.link/EAE123 Megger Ltd ...................................................................................... Page 16 www.rdr.link/EAE124

Metrel UK Ltd................................................................................. Page 34 www.rdr.link/EAE125 MGL International Group........................................................... Page 65 www.rdr.link/EAE126 NICEIC & ELECSA......................................................................... Page 37 www.rdr.link/EAE127 Niglon Ltd ................................................................................ Pages 12, 13 www.rdr.link/EAE128 NVC Lighting ................................................................................. Page 40 www.rdr.link/EAE129 Orcomm Ltd ............................................................. Outside Back Cover www.rdr.link/EAE130 Ovia Lighting ................................................................................. Page 68 www.rdr.link/EAE131 Prefect Controls Ltd .................................................................... Page 53 www.rdr.link/EAE132 Ring................................................................................................... Page 68 www.rdr.link/EAE133 Saxby Lighting................................................................................ Page 31 www.rdr.link/EAE134 Schneider Electric .................................................................... Pages 6, 7 www.rdr.link/EAE135 Scolmore International Ltd ....................................................... Page 60 www.rdr.link/EAE136 Selectric........................................................................................... Page 39 www.rdr.link/EAE137 Stiebel Eltron UK Ltd................................................................... Page 75 www.rdr.link/EAE138 Tesco Mobile Ltd ........................................................................... Page 14 www.rdr.link/EAE139 Test Instrument Solutions Ltd.................................................. Page 27 www.rdr.link/EAE140 The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) ....... Page 21 www.rdr.link/EAE141 Timeguard Ltd ............................................................................... Page 46 www.rdr.link/EAE142 ToughBuilt ................................................................... Inside Back Cover www.rdr.link/EAE143 UNICRIMP Ltd ............................................................................... Page 56 www.rdr.link/EAE144 WAGO Ltd....................................................................................... Page 56 www.rdr.link/EAE145 Wise Controls................................................................................. Page 77 www.rdr.link/EAE146 WISKA UK Ltd................................................................................ Page 43 www.rdr.link/EAE147 Zzeus Training Ltd ....................................................................... Page 28 www.rdr.link/EAE148

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