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PROFESSIONAL
ELECTRICIANS WHOLESALER THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE FOR ELECTRICAL WHOLESALERS
JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2022
WIRING ACCESSORIES How accessories with advanced hygiene properties can benefit the healthcare sector
FIRE & SAFETY Protection against carbon monoxide poisoning
EDA INSIGHT Test your Lighting knowledge with the EDA quiz
Plus: News, industry comment, sales support, display solutions and more
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CONTENTS
This issue
PEW JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2022 VOLUME 5 NUMBER 1
14 EDA INSIGHT Test your knowledge of Lighting in this month’s quiz
Regulars 5
VIEWPOINT
8
NEWS
11
WHOLESALER NEWS
COMPETITION
12 MOVERS AND SHAKERS 15 CHARITY UPDATE 17 FACE TO FACE
18 WIN LOVE2SHOP VOUCHERS Your chance to win £300 worth of Love2Shop vouchers courtesy of Ansell Lighting
38 PRODUCTS 44 PRODUCTS IN DEMAND
Special Report
46 CAMPAIGN NEWS 48 POINT OF SALE
20 LIGHTING CATALOGUE A look at Ovia’s new bumper lighting catalogue
49 SOAPBOX
25 Changes to BS 6396
WIRING ACCESSORIES 22 A CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH The supply of electrical products to the healthcare sector 25 STANDARD PRACTICE The proposed update to the BS 6396 standard 30 A detailed look at commissioning 28 ONWARDS AND UPWARDS Challenges and opportunities in the electrical sector
FIRE & SAFETY 30 COMMISSION ACCOMPLISHED The commissioning process and BS5839 32 PROPERLY PROTECTED Adequately protecting against CO
TOOLS 35 TAKING THE TIME TO GET IT RIGHT The hand tools made for electricians
35 Brand-new essentials for electricians
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VIEWPOINT
Editor Tracey Rushton-Thorpe tracey@pewholesaler.co.uk Advertising Manager Anthony Scott ascott@hamerville.co.uk Assistant Advertising Manager Ian Turner Ianturner@hamerville.co.uk Designer Gemma Watson Group Production Manager Carol Padgett Production Assistant Claire Thwaites Circulation Manager Kirstie Day Managing Editor Terry Smith Professional Electricians Wholesaler is an essential business magazine for those with decision-making responsibilities within electrical wholesalers To be removed from this magazine’s circulation please call 01923 237799 or email: circulation@hamerville.co.uk Printed by Walstead Roche Ltd Published by
HAMERVILLE MEDIA GROUP Regal House, Regal Way, Watford, Herts WD24 4YF. Tel: (01923) 237799 Fax: (01923) 246901 Copyright © 2022
4,695 (Certificate of Average Distribution for the issues distributed between January and December 2020) Image References (Adobe Stock): Page 25 - Engineering Construction Concept © howtogoto Page 26 - Compliance rule © song_about_summer
STUMBLING INTO 2022 BLINDFOLDED
T
hroughout most of 2021 we looked forward to 2022 thinking ‘it can only get better’ but as we head firmly into the New Year I can’t help thinking that we still have a way to go before we hit those ‘better times’. Granted we are in a better position than we were last January – we are allowed out for a start! But I think we all still feel like we have stumbled into the New Year blindfolded. If we set aside the issue of parties (was it or wasn’t it) and whether we do or don’t need to have wine and a cheeseboard at every work meeting (it gets my vote by the way) there are some rather more worrying headlines around soaring energy prices. Chris O'Shea, Chief Executive of British Gas owner Centrica, has gone on record to say that soaring energy prices could last up to two years and he “saw no reason to expect that gas prices would come down any time soon”. The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) also recently highlighted the fact that households with typical energy usage face a £600-700 rise in annual bills without government intervention. That would put a typical annual energy bill close to £2,000. This has led to a lot of advice about how to save energy over the coldest months of the year. Some of this advice has been somewhat dubious with (a now very apologetic) OVO Energy boss, Stephen Fitzpatrick suggesting you cuddle your pet. Other advice has been somewhat more useful with replacing lamps with LEDs high on the list of energy savers, alongside turning your thermostat down a couple of degrees and draught proofing your home. But it isn’t just homeowners who are affected and major news sources are highlighting the warning signs from industry about the effects of price rises on businesses of all sizes. As wholesalers you are going to be affected because you are now faced with a rise in energy costs on top of Brexit, the global supply chain issues and a rise in product costs – some of you may be at the point where you’re wondering if it is all worth it. But don’t be too despondent because you are also in a position to help and take advantage of the increased focus on energy efficiency – after all you are the ones at the sharp end with the most knowledge about which products will help to save energy and which won’t…..and you are the ones with the stock on your shelves. There is a lot of uncertainty in the industry at the moment, but one thing which I think we can guarantee is that energy prices are not going to drop in the near future. It is therefore up to you to guide your customers in the direction of the products which will prove to be the most energy efficient option both now and in the future. After all – if we are to make a difference then this is the route we must take and you are in a prime position to lead the way. See you next month
Tracey Rushton-Thorpe
Tracey Rushton-Thorpe Editor
PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIANS WHOLESALER JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2022 5
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NEWS & VIEWS IDEAL SPONSOR SPARKS CONTEST
IDEAL SET TO SPONSOR LEARNER OF THE YEAR COMPETITION IDEAL Industries is continuing its commitment to nurturing new talent in the UK electrical sector by sponsoring the SPARKS Learner of the Year contest. The move is part of a wide-ranging programme of product development and partnerships from IDEAL Industries aimed at supporting electrical students and apprentices. The SPARKS Learner of the Year contest is a national competition, with six regional events culminating in a grand final. Around 10-14 contestants will battle
it out for each regional accolade, with the regional winners going forward to compete in the final. With regional heats due to take place in January and February 2022, and the grand final scheduled to take place over two days during April, the competition involves a six-hour practical test, judged by NAPIT. Brett Smyth, general manager of IDEAL Industries EMEA, comments: “Our focus as a business is on developing
CMD SUPPLIES BIRMINGHAM’S NEW SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING CMD has supplied the power distribution and workstation power modules for the University of Birmingham’s £47m School of Engineering.
The showpiece development will create a centre of engineering excellence for the university, with pioneering facilities that will drive interdisciplinary study and collaboration between the university and private sector companies. The facilities include an anechoic chamber for specialist experiments, and a laboratory environment designed for research into digital railway engineering, complete with a rail cab and hydrogen powered train track. CMD has supplied more than 1km of its ‘plug and play’ Betatrak busbar powertrack system to enable the installation of an agile power distribution
products that make electrical installations faster, safer and more consistent. Working with trainee and apprentice electricians enables us to highlight the innovative new approaches we have developed and support them with contemporary installation techniques as they begin their careers. We’re proud to sponsor this award and wish all the contestants the very best of luck.”
network throughout the building. The 63 amp Standard Earth Betatrak system offers effective futureproofing for the state-of-the-art facilities, with ease of reconfiguration and the capacity to add or alter the position of tap offs every 30cm. Alongside the Betatrak system, CMD has also supplied more than 1,000 of the company’s Conti under desk workstation power modules and the same number of 210mm grommets, enabling the workstations to connect to the underfloor power distribution network. Working with the client to tailor the under-desk workstation units to the requirements of different areas of the building, CMD provided more than 20 Conti configurations.
MIDLANDS BUSINESS AWARDS SUCCESS FOR NIGLON Niglon has been shortlisted in the Family Business of the Year category at the 15th annual Midlands Business Awards. Commercial Director Paul Dawson said: “With the ceremony set to take place next March, it’ll be a while before we find out if we’ve won – but being named as a finalist is a fantastic honour which is all down to the hard work of our team. “Niglon’s history dates back to the 1940s and we currently have the third
and fourth generation of the Hinley family working within the business – as well as having had the pleasure of having two generations of multiple other families working for us. “We’re looking forward to the ceremony in March, and until then a huge thank you to not only the Niglon team – but of course our customers too, as we simply wouldn’t be where we are today without each one of you.”
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EDA HOSTS DIGITALISATION EVENT
SUPPLY CHAIN LOOKS TO THE FUTURE AT THE EDA’S DIGITALISATION FORUM The EDA’s 3rd Digitalisation Forum and 1st Digitalisation Awards, celebrating excellence in product data, took place recently in the City of London, attended by over 100 delegates from UK wholesalers, manufacturers, and solution providers. The event is designed to help UK wholesalers’ future-proof their businesses by sharing the latest thinking on the ecommerce landscape, their customers’ buying habits, and their options for digital systems that will improve and automate their operations. From internal business systems through to full-service ecommerce websites, delegates had access to open sessions designed to provide clarity in a non-proprietary format.
The event also focused on the importance of working with manufacturers to obtain the highest quality product data to drive sales and how electrical wholesalers can learn from best practice in other sectors when creating their digital strategies. Margaret Fitzsimons, CEO at the EDA, who opened the Forum, said: “Since the
onset of the pandemic, ecommerce has boomed in every sector and electrotechnical is no exception but B2B is, for the most part, some way behind the B2C sectors. There was no shortage of inspiration from our speakers who shared their experiences of best practice. We were delighted to secure James Hardy, a speaker of international renown on ecommerce and online growth strategies, plus delegates heard from the UK’s retail grocery sector about the bar code revolution and how the electrotechnical sector could benefit too.” The event also included the presentation of the inaugural EDA Digitalisation Awards, celebrating the 12 manufacturers whose product data has achieved the highest quality Gold Standard.
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NEWS & VIEWS LOYALTY SCHEME REACHES MILESTONE
DELIGO LOYALTY SCHEME PASSES 1 MILLION POINTS MARK Following the launch of its loyalty point scheme last year, Deligo has announced that points earned by customers have now totalled over 1 million, with £15,000 worth redeemed on future purchases or rewards such as games consoles and vouchers. The loyalty points scheme rewards customers with points for each purchase and all customers are initially enrolled in
the scheme when creating a web account. Wholesalers earn points by ordering qualifying products such as those associated with the Deligo brands - Sprint, Xiphos, Hangtyte and Megabuckets. Due to the success of the scheme, Deligo has taken the decision to extend the promotion into 2022 and will also carry over any unredeemed points from 2021 for customers aiming for bigger prizes this year.
ESP AWARDED BAFE ACCREDITATION ESP has been awarded BAFE (British Approvals for Fire Equipment) accreditation for its fire design service. BAFE is the independent registration body for Third Party Certified fire safety service providers across the UK, and ESP now appears on the National BAFE Fire Safety Register. BAFE manages and maintains a Scheme called BAFE SP203-1 which covers Fire Detection and Alarm
Systems. This Scheme exists to deliver quality, independent evidence that providers – like ESP - are competent to deliver fire system designs for its fire detection and alarm systems. Matt Tighe, Technical Services Manager with ESP, had a key role to play in facilitating the accreditation and commented: “The BAFE Scheme is a set of comprehensive competency requirements that have been developed
to incorporate the high-quality standards and best working practice for services within the fire safety industry. At ESP we strongly recommend using an appropriate Third Party Certificated provider. This demonstrates that the person or team appointed to be responsible for fire safety in a building has acted with due diligence to source a competent provider for any design, install, commissioning and maintenance works.”
FIREANGEL SUPPORTS PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO SMOKE AND CARBON MONOXIDE ALARM REGULATIONS
We are pleased with the “proposed expansion of the recommendations for all types of rental properties throughout England.
”
FireAngel is backing the government’s response regarding the findings of its domestic smoke and carbon monoxide alarm consultation. Aiming to achieve greater consistency with regard to the level of protection provided throughout rental properties, the amendments to the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015 and Approved Document J will now also include socially rented properties, in addition to privately rented homes. Steve Boggis, Trade Business Unit Director for FireAngel, said: “As one of the UK’s leading providers of smoke, heat and CO alarms, we are committed to ensuring every type of residential property, whether
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privately or socially rented, or owned, has the highest possible levels of protection. We supported the government’s consultation on Domestic smoke and CO alarms and we are pleased with the proposed expansion of the recommendations for all types of rental properties throughout England. “However, whilst the consultation recommends much needed changes with regard to the regulation of smoke and CO alarms in private and rented properties, we feel the recommendations of the updated Scottish Tolerable Standard, which comes into force February 2022, should also be applied to England and Wales to ensure the highest possible standards.”
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WHOLESALER NEWS
In association with Scolmore
YESSS OPENS NEW STORE
YESSS ELECTRICAL OPENS NEW STORE AHEAD OF 10TH ANNIVERSARY YESSS Electrical is opening its 98th store in Lewisham, ahead of the company’s 10th anniversary this February. The company has invested £180,000 into the site, preparing a 5,500 sq ft floor and five members of staff for high quality service to the SE postcode. YESSS Electrical supplies a wide range of electrical components and items to tradespeople, companies purchasing in bulk, and budding DIYers who want to purchase new lights, switches, or even smart CCTV at wholesale price. All branch teams have regular product training, delivering a highly knowledgeable service across the four YESSS sectors – Lighting, Security, EV &
The new branch will offer a “wide variety of great value brands and products to both residential and commercial customers looking for electricals.
”
Energy, and Industrial. Mike Cronin, Branch Manager at YESSS Electrical Lewisham, says: “We’re thrilled to open our new wholesale branch in Lewisham this month. “The new branch will offer a wide variety of great value brands and products to both residential and commercial customers looking for electricals. “Our range of products and expertise stretches from light bulbs, switches and light fittings, to smart homes, EV chargers and accessories. “We pride ourselves on delivering regular training to all staff members, so that customers visiting our stores always receive professional advice and support.”
NEW GRANT & STONE ELECTRICAL WHOLESALER OPENS IN LUTON IBMG’s electrical division has opened a new Grant & Stone electrical wholesaler in Luton, Bedfordshire. The 5,500ft site includes a lighting design service, EV chargers and a wide range of products to meet the needs of domestic and commercial electricians. The Luton branch increases the division's geographic reach to 19 across the south of England, and forms part of an expansion plan designed to complete gaps in its branch network, with further branch openings planned throughout 2022. Branch Manager Wayne Harron said: “Our main objective
is to make Grant & Stone Luton the best specialist electrical wholesaler in Bedfordshire based on our philosophy of understanding customer needs in terms of choice, quality and service. “We are committed to creating a great work environment for our new team to grow and take advantage of the many career opportunities within our business, ensuring that we retain the very best specialist skills and people.”
The 5,500ft site includes a “lighting design service, EV chargers and a wide range of products.
”
MOVERS AND SHAKERS It’s been a busy few months in the electrical industry, with new appointments and shake-ups across different sectors. Keep up to date with the latest movements here, as we detail who has gone where.
Jamie Cox & Jonny North CMD CMD has made two significant internal promotions to prepare the business for delivery of an ambitious growth plan. The CMD leadership team has been strengthened by the promotion of former Internal Sales Manager Jamie Cox to the new role of Head of Operations. His new role includes warehouse management and regulatory compliance. Jamie has responsibility to support the delivery of the company’s strategy by developing CMD’s supply into new and existing markets, whilst updating CMD’s structures and processes. Former Design Engineer Jonny North has been promoted to the new role of Design Manager at CMD, with responsibility for driving new product development and ensuring both customer feedback and commercial considerations are embedded in the product development journey. His new role is part of wider changes for CMD’s design and innovation capability, bringing together the bespoke solutions and new product development expertise in a single team.
Andrew Ferney HYLEC Hylec-APL has announced the appointment of Andrew Ferney as Wholesale Director. Andrew will spearhead a drive to heighten the company’s presence in the wholesale electrical trade and increase sales of Hylec’s comprehensive range of electrical products, including its Debox in line junction box range, ABS enclosures, filter fans, control stations, weatherproof connectors and many others. Ferney has spent 35 years working in the electrical industry, having held senior sales and management positions within the electrical wholesale, manufacturing and lighting sectors. “Hylec manufactures a great range of products which have been thoughtfully designed to offer better features than competitive products to the electrical professional at an attractive price point” said Andrew. “While Hylec’s unique patented Debox range is well-known with sales of millions of units to date, other Hylec products should also be garnering more significant share of the wholesale market. Hylec is very established in the OEM market and our plans for 2022 are to replicate this success in the wholesale trade by revamping our wholesale pricing structure and establishing stronger relationships with national buying groups and organisations.”
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MOVERS & SHAKERS
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Jon Chamberlain MARSHALL-TUFFLEX Marshall-Tufflex is pleased to announce the appointment of Jon Chamberlain as Managing Director (Designate) from 1st January 2022, with full responsibility commencing from 9th June 2022. Jon’s appointment as Managing Director (Designate) follows Paul Mitchell’s planned retirement at the beginning of June, when Jon will take over the full Managing Director function. Jon joined Marshall-Tufflex in 2016 and has been instrumental in leading the sales operation and driving business growth, most recently as its Commercial Director. With over 35 years’ experience in the electrical manufacturing industry, Jon is a well-respected and wellknown figure and his knowledge and understanding of the cable management sector and its customers will be key in shaping the future of the business. Paul joined the company in 1990 as a toolmaker and progressed through the business to Operations Director and recently to his current position as Managing Director. Paul’s dedicated service of over 30 years has contributed greatly to the success of the British based manufacturer as it marks its 80th anniversary.
Dr Justin Maltby-Smith BAFE FIRE SAFETY REGISTER Following a thorough recruitment drive, the BAFE Fire Safety Register has announced the appointment of its new Managing Director, Dr Justin Maltby-Smith CEng FIET CMgr FCMI. Since BAFE’s establishment in 1984, and subsequently going fully independent in 2009, the registration body continues to have a core role in establishing methods to evidence competency within the fire safety arena. Justin joins the BAFE Fire Safety Register from his most recent roles as Technical Scheme Development Manager at NAPIT and before this a long tenure at Certsure/NICEIC leaving as Head of Schemes and Operations. On his appointment, Justin commented “This is a great time to be joining such a highly respected organisation. I, alongside the quality BAFE team, will work on further development of quantifying competency. I am excited for the next chapter of BAFE’s growth, knowing we already have robust and longstanding foundations to build upon.”
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EDA INSIGHT An update from the Electrical Distributors’ Association
SHED LIGHT ON YOUR NEW YEAR SALES TARGETS Lighting is a big part of your world and probably accounts for a high proportion of your sales, but could you generate more business from it? It’s probably why the Lighting Introduction training module is the second most popular amongst EDA businesses after Introduction to the Principles of Electricity.
● ● ● ● ●
Fundamentals of lighting Basics of lighting design Safety considerations Maintenance considerations Environmental considerations
Double accreditation for your peace of mind A City & Guilds Accredited Programme, it harnesses decades of combined expertise from product experts at EDA manufacturers and allied trade associations to create accessible and practical training for you and your team. EDA Product Knowledge modules are also approved for Continuing Professional Development by The CPD Certification Service.
Have a go at this quiz and check your answers below – but no peeking. If the results show that you need to boost your team’s know-how, talk to the EDA today. Q1: Q2: Q3: Q4: Q5: Q6:
How does the IP rating help when using the correct luminaire? What is uniformity of light output? What is a good figure for CRI in LED lamps? Identify 4 emergency lighting categories. What is motion detection? Why is Part L of the Building Regulations an important document?
ANSWERS:
Improving your team’s technical know-how through the EDA’s training could unlock additional revenue for your business. The Lighting Introduction trains you in:
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE
Q1: The IP rating describes how well protected a luminaire is against the ingress of dust and water. Q2: Uniformity describes how evenly spread the light output is in a space. Q3: CRI is the Colour Rendering Index, and an LED will usually have a CRI of 80 - 85 Q4: Emergency lighting; stand-by lighting; emergency escape lighting; escape route lighting; open area lighting; high risk task lighting Q5: Motion detection is the switching of lighting on or off in response to movement. Q6: Part L is concerned with the design assessment and subsequent verification of power consumption in lighting circuits.
The Lighting Introduction training module has just been refreshed to keep the information right up to date. This second edition is one of the EDA’s Product Knowledge Programme, a suite of 12 high-quality distance-learning professional training courses created specifically for EDA businesses. Lighting Introduction is the ideal starting point for anyone who wants to build their confidence to cross-sell and up-sell. Plus, there’s a perfect next step in the Lighting Systems and Controls module.
HOW DID YOU DO? Full marks: Fantastic, your sales must be looking very healthy. 3 - 5 out of 6: Not bad. Could the EDA training help you to fill in any gaps in your knowledge? Less than 3: The EDA Product Knowledge Programme could be just what you need to boost sales.
DOWNLOAD THE COURSE DIRECTORY THERE’S PLENTY OF INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT WWW.EDA.ORG.UK, INCLUDING A DOWNLOADABLE COURSE DIRECTORY, GIVING YOU A SUMMARY OF WHAT’S COVERED IN EACH OF THE 12 TRAINING MODULES. WWW.RDR.LINK/WD001
If you’re a manager looking for a flexible and convenient way to train your team to drive sales, get in touch on: 020 3141 7350 or email: training@eda.org.uk
ELECTRICALDA
www.eda.org.uk
D
Electrical Distributors’ Association
@eda_uk
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CHARITY UPDATE
STAYING WARM THIS WINTER – HELPING THE EIC TO HELP OTHERS As we come into January, with the warmth of the festive season behind us and the coldest winter months ahead, our minds are no doubt turning to our fuel bills. With more of us working from home, and energy price hikes across the board, it’s likely we’ll all be feeling the pinch over the coming months. This winter, the EIC wants to help our industry colleagues stay warm.
2
5.9% of people now work from home with electricity consumption in the UK rising by around £70 a month on average. It’s estimated that already 13% of households are living in fuel poverty in England with 25% in Scotland, 12% in Wales and 18% in Northern Ireland. Add skyrocketing energy prices from suppliers and the cost of staying warm can be daunting, especially to those vulnerable or already in financial difficulty. This was especially true for James, who lived with his mum Kathy and was in the first year of his apprenticeship.
Recovering from debilitating chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer, Kathy was a single parent with little financial resource. As a result of her illness and treatment, she’d taken early retirement and received only a small pension. The next five years were crucial to her health outcome. James was carer to his mum and the main breadwinner in the house. His salary paid household bills and the cost of his apprenticeship equipment. To help with rent and expenses, he worked a night job, but was exhausted. His mental health was
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CHARITY UPDATE
deteriorating from lack of sleep and the potential of failing at his apprenticeship. Trying to hold it together for his mum caused James deep anxiety. Around this time, James contacted the EIC for mental health support. He engaged with his therapist well, and after twelve CBT sessions, he felt better able to cope with supporting his mum. The EIC helped him to apply for the first Apprenticeship Bursary, and he was granted emergency financial support for the broken boiler at home. Having a long-term health condition, Kathy was particularly vulnerable to the effects of cold weather. Other vulnerable groups include people over the age of 65, children under 5, pregnant women, and those with disabilities and mental health conditions.
The EIC helped him to apply for the first Apprenticeship “Bursary, and he was granted emergency financial support for the broken boiler at home. ” Can You Help Someone Stay Warm this Winter? The Apprenticeship Bursary programme is for instances just like James’s. We want our young apprentices to get the support they need when they need it. The help James accessed was due to the EIC and the powerLottery. Through us, James got the financial and medical support required to keep his mum warm and get back on his feet. Without powerLottery, EIC wouldn’t be able to support people like James. That’s why we need you to become a powerLottery player – to help EIC continue supporting our industry members.
powerLottery is the only lottery made for our industry by our industry. It gives players 40 chances to win cash prizes ranging from £50 to £1,000 every single month. A £10,000 draw bi-yearly gives you even more opportunity to win BIG. A new car, a holiday in the sun, a kitchen re-fit or a brand-new wardrobe - think of all the different ways you could spend £10,000.
TO SIGN UP TO PLAY THE POWERLOTTERY, VISIT: WWW.ELECTRICALCHARITY.ORG/LOT TERY OR WWW.RDR.LINK/WD002
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FACE TO FACE
PEW caught up with Paul Dawson, Commercial Director at Niglon, to discuss the history of the company and current industry trends.
FACE TO FACE NIGLON Q
When and how was Niglon established?
A. We can trace our roots back to the 1940s when Stanley Douglas Hinley began working as a manufacturer’s agent, later taking on his son John, and securing premises in Birmingham (Niglon is still proudly based in the Midlands today). By the 60s we’d adopted the Niglon name and begun establishing a sales team – initially just John who used to sleep in his car when travelling round the country. Simon, the third generation of the Hinley family (and current Managing Director), joined in the late 70s. We moved to our purpose-built headquarters six years ago, and we’ve also been joined by the fourth generation of Hinleys.
Q
How have increased component costs impacted on the sector?
A. The costs, particularly associated with shipments coming from abroad, have no doubt risen sharply in the last year or so. Luckily, something we’d already made a decision on was increasing our stock reserves by 30%. That meant we were able to keep supplying products to our customers through the various challenges the electrical sector (and the globe) has faced – whether through Covid, Chinese electricity restrictions, increased shipping times, or Brexit. Though we couldn’t have known what was to come when we made that investment, it’s definitely stood us in good stead, and meant we could continue operating and retain our team at a time when sadly others in the sector were having to make very difficult decisions.
ranges – and our newest socket and switch range Median has attracted lots of interest for its sleek, modern looks. However, there’s still definitely a place for the more traditional switches and sockets.
Q Q
What products categories are generating the highest levels of interest at the moment? A. We’ve seen a 62% increase in circuit protection sales over the past few months – I believe partly due to the new landlord regulations which have required more stringent checks on their properties – potentially highlighting more faults and thus generating the need for new circuit protection devices. The upcoming second amendments to the 18th Edition Wiring Regulations are having an effect as the industry adapts to ensure it’s ready ahead of time. And lifestyle changes have also had an impact: more people than ever are purchasing electric vehicles and hot tubs, alongside other items which are likely to see them needing an electrical check and potentially new circuit protection equipment too.
Q
Are you seeing a move away from traditional switches and sockets in favour of more stylised offerings or products with additional functionality such as inbuilt USB sockets? A. There’s definitely an increased call for functionality in addition to aesthetics, quality and of course a fairly priced product. We’ve had great success with the USB-C sockets we’ve introduced into our
How did Niglon get involved with the Electrical Industries Charity?
A. Going through the pandemic, we felt incredibly lucky that we were able to retain all of our staff and the disruption to our business wasn’t insurmountable. But of course, we all had our own personal sadness in that time whether it was illness, grief or the emotional impact of multiple lockdowns – and we could also see others in the industry going through incredibly tough times. So, when we heard that the Electrical Industries Charity was launching its corporate partner scheme, Niglon was the first to sign up. Their work is inspirational: ensuring anyone who works or has worked within the electrical industry is supported through physical or mental ill health, bereavement, financial struggles or any other problems they may have.
Q
Are there any specific industry trends you expect to gather momentum in 2022? A. The introduction of app-based products and being able to control IOT products through your phone is something I’ve had my eye on for quite a while, and I believe it’s technology which is becoming more important every year. I wouldn’t be surprised to see this become a real industry trend in 2022. TO LEARN MORE ABOUT NIGLON VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WD003
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COMPETITION
WIN LO V E2 SH OP VO UCH ER S, CO U R T ES Y OF ANSELL LI GH T IN G 2022 is destined to be a big year for leading lighting designer and manufacturer Ansell Lighting as it celebrates its 30th birthday – and to mark the occasion it is giving you the chance to win £300 of Love2Shop vouchers. Ansell, which is headquartered in Warrington and operates across Europe, recently opening a new showroom in Madrid and is planning a whole year of events and launches to celebrate reaching its milestone 30th birthday. As part of the celebrations, Ansell will be launching 30 innovative new products across the year to underline its commitment to developing and producing high quality luminaires for the commercial, domestic, industrial and architectural markets. Throughout 2022 Ansell will be supporting Our Blue Light – a charity that provides mental health and wellbeing support to emergency services and essential services workers. There will be a number of fundraising events
throughout the year with staff pledging to help the charity reach its fundraising target of £30k for the year. In addition, Ansell will be sponsoring a number of high profile music events. The business will be providing the lighting at six Classic Ibiza concerts at stately homes across the country in July and August, showcasing its product range. There will be a community campaign which will enable wholesalers and installers to nominate deserving causes for some lighting support, and, in order to recognise the great work done by its partners, the #AwesomeAnsell campaign, which celebrates great projects completed by installers using Ansell products, will be extended. Mark Abbott, Managing Director of Ansell Lighting, said: “It is a real achievement to reach our 30th birthday. The business has grown phenomenally over this time but we still have strong growth ambitions. We are keen to share the celebrations with our wholesale customers, installers, colleagues and friends throughout the year.”
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HOW TO ENTER To be in with a chance of winning the Love2Shop vouchers, simply choose the correct answer from the following choices:
In which European city did Ansell recently open a showroom? ● Paris ● Rome ● Madrid
SIMPLY VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/WD004 TO ENTER YOUR ANSWER Deadline for entries 28/02/22 Usual T&Cs apply.
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BUMPER LIGHTING CATALOGUE FROM OVIA Now entering its third year of trading as an independent lighting organisation, Ovia continues to invest in new products and solutions for the professional electrical contract market and has launched its third and biggest catalogue of products to date.
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t over 400 pages the Ovia issue 3 catalogue boasts an additional 100 pages on the previous edition and brings to designers, contractors and wholesalers a comprehensive product guide that covers the entire range on offer. It includes a raft of new additions as well as some improved products, and they are brought to market on the back of continual engagement with contractors to ensure that the products and solutions they seek are developed and available through the wholesale channel. Shining lights for 2022 An impressive 900 individual product lines are featured in Ovia’s latest catalogue, installers can have confidence that there is a lighting product or solution to meet their every requirement. The comprehensive Ovia range covers a wide range of applications and includes domestic,
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amenity, controls, commercial, industrial, utility, floodlighting, and emergency lighting. With the aim of filling any gaps in the product portfolio and in response to direct feedback Ovia has had from contractors, the company has added a raft of new, as well as improved products to a number of existing categories. There are new additions to the domestic, amenity, commercial and utility ranges and Ovia has expanded its floodlighting offer to include two brand new product ranges – LED Wall Packs and LED Street Lighting. Here the company highlights some of the new products it believes will be star performers during 2022. New Floodlighting additions Inceptor Ace is a range of adjustable, LED asymmetric floodlights. Asymmetric floodlights are superior in concentrating light where it is needed by using reflectors
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to direct light in front of the fixture where illuminance is required. With symmetric floodlights, on the other hand, the light is distributed evenly in all directions. The Inceptor Ace floodlights are IP65 rated and are available in a black finish, in 50W, 100W, 150W, 200W and 300W versions, with 4000K cool white LEDs. They are supplied with a 2M pre-wired cable flex for quick and easy installation, and a fully adjustable aluminium mounting bracket, which allows full control of the projection angle. Photocell versions are also available, offering all the features and benefits of the standard fitting described above. The photocell versions turn the light on when the light level drops under 10-20 lux and turns the light off once the light level is over 30-60 lux. Inceptor Murus is an LED Wall Pack with CTA Switch and a robust IK10 rated housing that makes it ideal in outdoor settings. The IP-66 rated fitting is designed to be fast and simple to install and is available in 15W and 25W options and in a choice of standard, photocell and emergency versions. The photocell version can assist with energy saving by allowing the light to turn on and off at set lux levels. Inceptor Murus will turn on when the lux level is below 10-30 lux. Installation of the Murus is quick and easy, thanks to the Push Fit/Piano Key Terminal Block and the floodlight can be Besa box or trunking mounted. All models include a CTA switch allowing the product to change colour temperature between Warm White 3000K, Cool White 4000K and Daylight 6000K. It is available in anthracite grey or light grey and comes with a five year warranty. The Gator LED Street Lighting range with CTA Switch and IK10 housing is ideal for lighting larger outdoor areas, such as car parks. They are designed to be easy to install via toolless entry and offer 50,000 hour lifetime, 85⁰ x 150⁰ beam angle and IP66 ingress protection. The shorting cap can be replaced with a photocell sensor to
offer an energy saving feature. Gator is available in a grey finish and comes with a five year warranty. New Commercial Products Added to the Commercial offer is the Sprite range of recessed TRIAC dimmable LED downlights with CTA switch. These IP54-rated aluminium downlights are supplied with TRIAC dimmable drivers which are pre-wired with a Fast Fit Flow connector or 3-in-1 multi-function dimming option for quick and easier installation. There are four sizes available; 3 inch, 5 inch, 6 inch and 8 inch diameter – and a choice of 13W, 18W, 25W and 35W versions, to cover a wide range of
A dedicated Ovia “lighting design service is available, giving contractors access to free lighting design schemes for their commercial projects.
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installation types and requirements. E-Sprite is a range of recessed LED downlights with CTA switch. These eco commercial downlights are available in 9W, 15W, 25W or 30W. They are supplied with a CTA switch as standard and are prewired with a Fast Fit Flow connector or 3-in-1 multi-function dimming option for quick and easier installation. There have also been new additions to the Amenity products section, including a range of new wall lights and ground lights. Within the Domestic section, new and improved versions of the popular Nano compact fire-rated LED adjustable and fixed downlight and the Inceptor Omni fire-rated tricolour dimmable downlight have been added. The new Nano V2 and Omni V2 are supplied with push-fit Flow connectors which feature push-in, low maintenance
terminals to offer a time-saving benefit for installers. With the driver now incorporated into the Flow connector, this means that insulation can be laid over the fitting. Both also benefit from an improved lumen output. Free Lighting Design Service As part of Ovia’s commitment to deliver a first class service, a dedicated Ovia lighting design service is available, giving contractors access to free lighting design schemes for their commercial projects. The aim of the free service is to provide expertise in choosing the right products and solutions to create a scheme that meets all the requirements and objectives of the project in question, and that is compliant with all the relevant regulations and standards. With all the information gathered, including drawings and specifications, a Lighting Design Proposal will be prepared. A schedule of lighting and lighting controls will be shared with the Ovia internal and external sales team who will prepare a quotation. The Lighting Design Proposal and prepared quotation will be sent back to the Ovia sales team member, and the quote will then either go through the wholesaler of choice, or the enquiry will be directed through one of Ovia’s supporting Elite stockists. If drawings are not available, Ovia do offer site surveys through its external sales team.
FOR MORE INFORMATION BY VISITING WWW.RDR.LINK/WD005
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A CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH Scolmore’s Click Mode wiring accessories have recently undergone further independent testing and have achieved a 99.98% kill off rate against Influenza A (H1N1). Here, Katie Plumstead, Marketing Manager, Scolmore Group, looks at some of the issues surrounding the supply of electrical products to the healthcare sector.
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nfection control is one of the biggest challenges facing the healthcare sector and as the fight to overcome new variants of the COVID-19 virus continues there is an increasing emphasis on infection control and building cleanliness. Healthcare associated infections (HCAI) arise across a wide range of clinical conditions and can affect people of all ages. They can exacerbate existing or underlying conditions, delay recovery and adversely affect quality of life. A number of factors can increase the risk of acquiring an infection, but high standards of infection prevention and control practice, including providing clean environments, can minimise the risk. The question for our industry is; what are the issues and requirements surrounding the supply and installation of electrical equipment? Anyone operating within and supplying to this sector is required to work with products that meet the demands for hygiene and safety, and that includes electrical products. Switch plates, such as light switches, dimmers and sockets, have one of the highest touch rates in any environment, so are likely to hold a significant number of microbes on their surfaces. Whilst regular and rigorous cleaning of these settings is essential, the use of products with antimicrobial properties will also have a part to play to help inhibit the spread of infection.
plates, such as “lightSwitch switches, dimmers and sockets, have one of the highest touch rates in any environment.
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For contractors and installers working within a healthcare setting, they will seek the reassurance from manufacturers that the products they are specifying and installing meet the required standards and that they are able to supply the test certificates to prove it. Advanced hygiene properties Scolmore continues to invest to ensure that its wiring accessory products offer enhanced hygiene properties. The company’s Mode, Mode Part M and Polar plates have recently undergone further independent testing and have achieved a 99.98% kill off rate against Influenza A (H1N1) after a 24 hour period. This latest testing further boosts the range’s hygiene credentials. Independent testing previously undertaken has also
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shown the products to have anti-viral properties against enveloped and nonenveloped viruses. After a contact period of four hours, all tested plates were shown to have a 99.9% kill off rate against enveloped viruses and a 92% kill off rate against nonenveloped viruses. This anti-viral testing is in addition to the anti-bacterial testing already carried out. Mode, Mode Part M and Polar ranges are all manufactured using Urea Formaldehyde, which has similar inherent properties to antimicrobial additives that inhibit the growth of infectious diseases. When independently tested, all products achieved a 99.99% kill off rate across all four types of the strains of bacteria – MRSA, EColi, Salmonella and Klebsiella Pneumonia. The standard used to qualify Scolmore’s products is ISO22196. The standard ISO22916 test method is designed to test
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the ability of plastics and other similar materials to kill or prevent the growth of microorganisms over a 24 hour period of contact. ISO22196 is one of the most commonly requested antimicrobial surface test methods for evaluating the antimicrobial activity of antibacterial treated plastic products. Contractors will have the additional reassurance that all Scolmore BS1363 products – in particular socket outlets – are third party approved and bear the BSI Kitemark logo. With such a vast range of antimicrobial electrical accessories to call on from one supplier, contractors are guaranteed the consistency of quality and compliance across the whole range of products they specify.
Medical solutions These antibacterial and antiviral certified switches and sockets are part of Scolmore’s Medical Solutions range, which also includes blue ‘Medial Equipment Only’ sockets; red and green outboard rocker switched socket outlets, key lockable switches and sockets; locating sockets; wide rocker switches; Part M visually contrasting wiring accessories and the IEC Lock unique lockable connectors. This comprehensive range of medical solutions means that specifiers, contractors and installers can provide healthcare establishments with products that meet the requirements of BS7671 (IET wiring regulations). They are intended to be used by healthcare organisations and medical
device suppliers responsible for permanent electrical installation of medical devices and associated equipment. Scolmore’s Medical Solutions brochure brings all these products into one place to provide a comprehensive guide for contractors, specifiers and designers working on projects involving NHS hospitals, health centres, care homes and GP practices. The brochure can be downloaded from the Scolmore Group marketing hub. Products from the Mode, Mode Part M and Polar ranges have been specified and installed across a huge range of applications including hospitals, care homes, schools, hotels, offices and leisure complexes. Dedicated wiring solutions Mode is a range of smooth profiled, contemporary, white wiring accessories and is the company’s best-selling wiring accessories collection to date. A key selling point for the range is that it provides a high quality, flexible and modern solution for a wide range of wiring requirements. Mode Part M is a range of visually contrasting wiring accessories, in anthracite grey, that comply with current Building Regulations Part M. Polar is a premium range of bright white electrical accessories, which was developed to meet the demand for a different accessory colour. As with Mode, the Polar range is modular in design and allows installers unprecedented flexibility in creating dedicated wiring solutions. TO SEE SCOLMORE’S FULL COLLECTION OF ANTIMICROBIAL PRODUCTS - MODE, MODE PART M AND POLAR - VISIT MODE: WWW.RDR.LINK/WD006 MODE PART M: WWW.RDR.LINK/WD007 POLAR: WWW.RDR.LINK/WD008 WATCH A SHORT VIDEO HERE WWW.RDR.LINK/WD009
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STANDARD
PRACTICE Neil Smith, technical manager at CMD Ltd and member of the BSI committee, discusses the proposed update to the BS 6396 standard.
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hange is constant, particularly in the electrical sector where emerging technologies and innovation result in new products - and even new categories - on a yearly basis. But the change we have experienced recently has not just affected the products being specified, but also what the end-user needs and expects from them. New routines Over the past two years, employers and employees have achieved something that neither believed would ever happen: they have made working from home a reality, not just for senior execs but for anyone with an office-based role. The transition was rapid and unplanned, which meant that there was a make-do-and-mend approach to home-office set-up, in terms of both resilience and safety. That was fine in response to the COVID19 crisis, but, as we move into a new phase of more permanent work routines, how can we ensure that the influence of our new appetite for working from home is reflected in the standards and compliance requirements designed to make our work environments safe? The answer is a revision of BS 6396.
While many office workers may become permanently home-based following the pandemic, others are likely to mix and match working from home with the office, while some will hot desk in office environments. An updated BS 6396 needs to consider all of these groups and make provision for consistent safety and resilience across all work environments. Homeworking is no longer the choice – and the risk – of the individual; it is mandated by many employers so the home workstation has become an extension of the work environment and the due diligence required for the office should now also be extended to the home. BS 6396 has been under review during the pandemic and the public consultation on the proposed revised standard closed on the 21st December 2021. The revised BS 6396 is expected to be published in early in 2022 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
can we ensure that “theHow influence of our new appetite for working from home is reflected in the standards and compliance requirements designed to make our work environments safe?
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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
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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 Amps, which can be configured as six individually fused sockets rated at 3.15 Amps each, or four individually fused sockets rated at 5 Amps each, fed from one 13 Amp 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 to fulfil the requirements of BS 6396 and the Electricity at Work Regulations 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. Where workstation furniture is installed in the home for work use, the responsibility to ensure the safety of the employee while they are working remains with the employer. 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 safety, resilience and convenience into the workstation as possible. Circuit protection is an obvious way of achieving both safety and ease of resetting should there be a spike in current. Historically, specifiers have interpreted BS 6396 differently when it comes to circuit protection, with an assumption from some that electrical services installed in workstations should be fused for safety. In fact, however, circuit breakers have always been permitted, and many desks have been fused unnecessarily where circuit breakers could have been specified. 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. A circuit breaker allows an easy fix, enabling people to get back to working much quicker, and this is even more useful for those working from home, where there is no maintenance provision on site to change a fuse. The other major safety consideration for employers allowing or mandating employees to work from home is the safety of electrical supply, because they cannot know whether there is RCD protection at
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the wall socket. Without RCD protection, damaged wires could become a safety hazard, and this can happen very easily in the home, if wires become trapped in the mechanism of sit/stand desks, for example or are chewed by a pet. The best way to avoid this risk is by including a 30mA RCD protection on the primary side (under desk) of the furniture distribution. The other key area we can expect to see reflected in the revised BS 6396 is the changing way people use tech while working and the devices they use. 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. Flexibility is therefore part of the drivers for change underpinning revisions to the standard too, and we are likely to see new guidance in this regard, alongside safety and resilience. As always, when the new standard is published, CMD will be on hand to advise and inform customers across the delivery chain.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WD010
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ONWARDS AND
UPWARDS
Brett Smyth, general manager of IDEAL Industries EMEA, discusses the challenges and opportunities the company has responded to in 2021 and predictions for 2022.
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hile 2020 will always be remembered as a year when everything suddenly stopped for a while, 2021 has been a year characterised by frenetic activity as we responded to substantial and rapid demand as the world came out of hibernation. Sites that were paused due to the pandemic were on catch-up programmes to complete, if not on time, then at least something close to on budget, which meant even tighter deadlines for electrical contractors.
Keeping pace Against that backdrop, contracting companies were still battling staff shortages due to COVID-19 and selfisolation regimes, alongside the loss of skilled EU operatives, which made catching up even harder. As a company that has always invested in product development that aims to enable faster, easier and more consistent electrical installations, at IDEAL Industries, we saw demand for our products rocket. If 2020 was a roller coaster, then 2021 was a high-speed bullet
train, and I am really proud of how our team has managed customer service and order fulfilment to keep pace with the market. It seems likely that skill shortages will continue into 2022 and beyond, and our approach to this at IDEAL Industries is not only to provide products that allow faster and more consistent installation, such as our FT-45 Feed-Thru modular plug system for data terminations and our new Gen II Wire Termination Connectors, but also to contribute to nurturing the next generation of talent. Over the past year, we have extended our partnerships with FE colleges and sponsored social media influencer, Amy Barrett-Singh, as part of our commitment to supporting trainee electricians and encouraging greater diversity in the sector. With face-to-face meetings now returning, we hope to introduce product demos and business coaching into this developing academy initiative. Supply chain challenges have been another characteristic of the electrical marketplace in 2021 and this also looks set to continue. At IDEAL Industries, we have excellent UK stockholding capabilities and
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have re-shored our packaging production to the UK to reduce lead times, control costs and cut our carbon footprint. We have also invested in stockholding in the Middle East to enable smaller orders and faster fulfilment from a dedicated facility in the region. Meeting challenges It is clear that 2022 will continue to be busy for the electrical contracting sector as people invest in their homes, kick start capex projects again and rise to the challenge of adapting commercial environments to agile working models. Our goal is to help customers deliver projects on time by ensuring good availability across our range through both traditional wholesale and trade retail channels. TO FIND OUT MORE VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WD011
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FIRE & SAFETY
COMMISSION ACCOMPLISHED Having launched its own fire systems commissioning service last year, ESP’s Managing Director, Neil Baldwin, provides a more detailed look at the area of commissioning, as outlined in the BS5839 standard documentation.
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he process of commissioning involves thorough testing of the installed system to ensure that it operates correctly in accordance with the recommendations of this standard and with the purchasing specification. At completion of commissioning, it also needs to be confirmed that all relevant documentation has been handed over to the user. The organisation responsible for commissioning the system might, or might not, be the same organisation that designed and/or installed the system, but the responsibility for commissioning needs to be clearly defined prior to the start of the installation work.
Responsibility It is not, in general, the responsibility of the commissioning engineer to verify conformity of the design, or of the installation work, to this part of BS 5839 (i.e., with Section 2 and Section 4 of the standard). In general, the responsibility of the commissioning engineer is to verify that the system operates correctly in the manner designed and that the installation workmanship is generally of an adequate standard. However, in practice, it might be difficult to ensure that the system complies in full with all recommendations of Section 2 until the time of commissioning. For example, commissioning might represent the first (and only) opportunity to determine whether the number and distribution of fire alarm sounders is sufficient to enable compliance with ‘clause 16.2’ in respect of sound pressure levels. Similarly, commissioning presents an opportunity to ensure that structural features of the building, of which the designer might have been unaware, do not compromise the effectiveness of the system as it was originally designed. Accordingly, it is necessary for anyone responsible for commissioning a fire detection and fire alarm system to possess at
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least a basic knowledge of fire alarm design practices and of the recommendations of Section 2 and Section 4 of the standard. It is also necessary for the commissioning engineer to be provided with the specification for the system. In view of the importance now attached to the avoidance of false alarms, it is also essential that the commissioning engineer is able to verify compliance with, at least, the principles discussed in Section 3 of the standard. ESP already offers a comprehensive range of fire protection systems for the professional electrical contract market, and by providing its own commissioning service it means that all installed ESP systems operate correctly and are fully compliant with the latest BS5839 regulations. This latest development means that ESP now offers a full fire alarms systems package, with access to a free design service, a vast choice of products including the latest twowire systems, the commissioning service, plus technical support from a team of qualified and experienced engineers. There is much more to commissioning a fire protection system than simply turning it on and setting detector addresses. It involves going through a comprehensive step-by-step checklist to ensure full compliance with the correct British Standard and carrying out a range of tests to ensure reliable and trouble-free operation. ESP’s commissioning service ensures that a qualified engineer will confirm that the system has reached the relevant British
Standard, and they will issue a certificate on completion of the project prior to system handover. Dedicated ESP commissioning engineers are located throughout the UK to provide access to this valuable service to a wide-reaching audience. BAFE Accreditation for ESP At the end of 2021, ESP added another string to its credentials bow, with the announcement that the company had been awarded BAFE (British Approvals for Fire Equipment) accreditation for its fire design service. BAFE is the independent registration body for Third Party Certified fire safety service providers across the UK, and ESP now appears on the National BAFE Fire Safety Register. BAFE manages and maintains a Scheme called BAFE SP203-1, which covers Fire Detection and Alarm Systems. This Scheme exists to deliver quality, independent evidence that providers – like ESP - are competent to deliver fire system designs for its fire detection and alarm systems. ESP is only permitted to become BAFE Registered and appear on the national
BAFE Fire Safety Register once the company holds the appropriate/valid ThirdParty Certification. ESP continues to meet the criteria of the relevant BAFE Scheme. This establishes robust evidence of competency requirements that demonstrates the provider’s commitment to quality. It also provides assurances to ESP’s customers that the company will deliver a fire system design that complies with all the relevant British Standards. Matt Tighe, Technical Services Manager with ESP, had a key role to play in facilitating the accreditation and commented: “The BAFE Scheme is a set of comprehensive competency requirements that have been developed to incorporate the high-quality standards and best working practice for services within the fire safety industry. It is a legal requirement for all nondomestic/commercial properties to be equipped with fire detectors and fire alarms. It is also part of these requirements to ensure they are designed, installed and maintained appropriately, and ready to activate in the event of a fire. At ESP we strongly recommend using an appropriate Third Party Certificated provider. This demonstrates that the person or team appointed to be responsible for fire safety in a building has acted with due diligence to source a competent provider for any design, install, commissioning and maintenance works.” FOR FURTHER INFORMATION VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WD012
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It’s estimated there are around 50 deaths due to accidental carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning throughout England and Wales each year. As the winter season quickly approaches and individuals increase their use of solid fuel burning appliances, Steve Boggis, Trade Business Unit Director for FireAngel, discusses how wholesalers can support electrical contractors in ensuring residential properties are adequately protected against CO.
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larms provide the only method of detecting the presence of CO, due to the poisonous gas being tasteless, odourless and colourless. However, in 2018, the English Housing Survey evidenced only 42% of dwellings had a CO alarm, with owner-occupied and social rented homes more likely to have a CO alarm installed than private rental sector dwellings. Due to the impact of COVID-19, the installation of a CO alarm throughout all types of residential properties is more important than ever, as many individuals delayed the annual servicing of their appliances, including boilers. Here are the key considerations wholesalers should address when recommending CO alarms for installation throughout residential properties this winter season: Placement In accordance with European Standard EN 50292, CO alarms should be fitted in the same room as fuel-burning appliances,
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such as an open fire, gas cooker or boiler, and can be either wall or ceiling mounted. It is advised that additional alarms should be located in bedrooms relatively close to the breathing zone of the occupants, whilst alarms should also be installed in any room where there is a flue running through it. For ceiling mounted installations, the alarms should be at least 300mm away from any wall. For wall mounted alarms, they should be at least 150mm from the ceiling and above the height of any door or window. For both types of installations, the alarms should be between one and three metres away from the potential source of CO, to ensure the highest standards of detection. CO alarms should not be installed within enclosed spaces, directly above sinks or next to a source of ventilation, such as a door, window, extractor fan or air vent. It is also important to ensure the alarm is not installed in a location where the temperature may exceed 40˚C or drop below -10˚C.
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Certification With the continued rise in ecommerce, some online resellers may be supplying devices that only display the CE mark. Wholesalers should communicate to installers the importance to ensure that CO alarms are approved to European standard EN 50291-1 and carry a third party approval mark, such as the BSI Kitemark to demonstrate independent testing and certification to the standard. Regulations CO regulations currently vary throughout the UK, with the main legislation applying to England and Wales included throughout the Smoke And Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015 and Building Regulations Document J. These regulations require CO alarms to be fitted when any new or replacement solid fuel burning appliance is installed, in addition to all rooms where there is a solid fuel burning appliance throughout private residential properties. The alarm must be either mainspowered or battery powered, with the battery designed to operate for the working life of the alarm. Both power types should also feature a warning device to alert users when the working life of the
To achieve best practice “installations, wholesalers should advise installers to fit CO alarms that meet current regulations.
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alarm is due to pass, or in the event of a sensor failure warning. However, the latest government consultation: Domestic Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms: Proposals to extend regulations, is calling for amendments to be made to the statutory guidance (Approved Document J), which supports Part J of the Building Regulations, requiring CO alarms to be fitted alongside the installation of fixed combustion appliances of any fuel type, excluding gas cookers. It is also requesting the amendment of the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015, requiring private and social landlords to install a CO alarm in any room used as living accommodation where a fixed combustion appliance is used. It also proposes the requirement for landlords to ensure appropriate checks are made to ensure each prescribed alarm is in proper working order.
Interlinked technologies To achieve best practice installations, wholesalers should advise installers to fit CO alarms that meet current regulations. This includes FireAngel’s Specification Range FS1326-T Wireless Interlink Carbon Monoxide Alarm, which features a 10-year sealed for life lithium battery, combined with advanced electrochemical sensors and intelligence diagnostics. Smart RF Ready for enhanced protection, the device can be wirelessly interlinked with additional FireAngel Smart RF enabled smoke and heat alarms to form a private network. This means when one alarm sounds, they all sound, providing the earliest possible warning of the presence of CO, in addition to fire. To create a wireless interlinked network, installers simply fit a Smart RF Radio module into the alarm, either upon initial installation, or at a later date, and interlink multiple smoke, heat and CO alarms together onto a hybrid network. The CO alarm is supplied with a five year warranty and is suitable for use in any room with a fuel burning appliance e.g living room, kitchen, bedrooms and garage. The alarm’s unique diagnostic capability also provides a report that details the time, date and level of CO within the property to provide the highest standards of protection and compliance. FireAngel’s enhanced Specification Range, featuring Smart RF technology, has been designed to provide installers and their clients with a cost-effective, energy efficient solution that can be easily and instantly upgraded to ensure complete compliance and provide the highest standards in CO and fire safety. It is also proactively supporting wholesalers in educating customers on the benefits of interlinked systems, regardless of property type or size, through the supply of dedicated sales support and guidance. This includes bespoke point of sale and FSDUs, combined with specific sales and training collateral. FOR MORE DETAILS ON THE SPECIFICATION RANGE VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WD013
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TOOLS
TAKING THE TIME TO
GET IT RIGHT PEW hears from Draper Tools, a family owned and run tool firm, that has been supplying quality tools for more than a century.
I
t all started with Bert Draper selling tools at markets in Kingston-uponThames in 1919. Today, the company has over 560,000 sq ft of space packed with the latest tools and more than 11,000 product lines. It’s fair to say that taking the time to get a product range right and carefully listening to feedback is something the company takes pride in. Already known for its popular VDE hand tools range, Draper has been hard at work on several brand-new essentials for electricians. In addition to the product development, Draper took the time to get to know the sector - and the people in it with a survey of the UK’s electricians. The study looked at everything from tool buying habits to job satisfaction levels and what motivates people in this unique trade.
Introducing XP1000 Draper is proud to unveil the XP1000 range, the culmination of two years of research and development. Tested to 10,000V, it's suitable for use on AC circuits up to 1,000V and DC circuits up to 1,500V. Fully compliant to EN60900 standards, the range features 21 new VDE pliers and 55 VDE screwdrivers, with tethered options on all pliers. This is a comprehensive series of hand tools designed to see electricians through a range of jobs throughout their careers. XP1000 also includes five handy sets of pliers and screwdrivers – designed to appeal to the tool-loving electrician. Speaking about the launch, Phil Rowley, Sales Director at Draper Tools, commented: “Our VDE range of hand tools is important to us as a business. We’ve
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TOOLS
is the latest addition to our Draper Expert series of tools for professionals, so we’re keen to get this range into the hands of the expert electricians out there. We will always listen to what they have to say and use this to help us keep on innovating.”
offered a good solid range for many years, but we were keen to up our game and hone in on what electricians really needed from us. We knew there was more we could offer. So we listened to feedback, worked with key figures in the industry and spent a long time researching and developing XP1000. It’s been a big investment for us, but we’re confident this is a range electricians will love. It’s reliable, comfortable, safe and comes with our Draper Expert Lifetime Warranty too.” Tools for success According to the survey results, the love UK electricians have for their tools is very real. In fact, “getting to use tools every day” was voted one of the top three parts of the job. A quarter of the electricians said they get a sense of satisfaction from adding to their tool collection. And around one in six admitted they get enjoyment from simply sitting back and admiring their tools, making the tools of the trade a key appeal of the job. There are several impressive features in Draper’s new range that electricians will really like. Both the screwdrivers and pliers feature TPE extra-comfort handles and chemically blackened anti-glare finish. The slim screwdrivers are excellent for getting to hard-to-reach areas and make a very handy addition to an electrician’s tool kit. They also feature a dual-layer “insulation warning” blade sheath for safety and peace of mind. The tethered range, in particular, is set to be one of the biggest ranges of tethered VDE hand tools on the market. These feature a convenient loop on each tool that
allows for quick and easy attachment to a lanyard, making them well-suited to those working at height. Listening to the experts Keeping the importance of industry feedback in mind, Draper carried out prelaunch testing of the XP1000 range with a small but diverse panel of electricians. They put the range to the test on various real-life jobs over a two-week period and reported their findings. The results were encouraging, with over 85% of them saying they’d recommend XP1000 to others in the trade. Three quarters of the testers said XP1000 was a range they’d buy more from in the future and all agreed Draper Tools was a brand they trusted. But Draper’s test and listen approach doesn’t end there. The company also has plans to work with readers of Professional Electrician to get further in-depth feedback on how the tools perform, and the results will be published in a future edition. Phil Rowley explained why this process is such a key part of launching the range: “XP1000
36 JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2022 PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIANS WHOLESALER
A sales surge for electrical wholesalers Draper will be supporting its retail partners in a number of ways, including competitive pricing on the XP1000 range to allow for strong margins. The company is also working with several high-profile influencers and investing in widespread advertising to build awareness of XP1000 and drive demand to stockists. And there will be bright and bold merchandising options for stores, with something to suit all display formats and spaces. XP1000 completes Draper’s existing range of essentials for electricians, which includes cable knives, crimping tools, pipe cutters, plasterboard saws, plunge cutting blades, hacksaws and even a Wi-Fi endoscope. But the company isn’t stopping there. Draper’s Phil Rowley explained: “We will be continually adding to XP1000 with high-quality tools designed specifically for the sector. We’re focusing on what electricians need more than ever before, with a lot of big plans in the pipeline. We’ve already got several new ideas under development and for later this year. Watch this space!” FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE XP1000 RANGE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WD014
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PRODUCTS & EQUIPMENT
THORN LIGHTING
NATIONAL VENTILATION BATHROOM FAN
Thorn Lighting has introduced the new Cetus range which provides increased flexibility and performance. Alongside the Lumen Colour Select (LCS) feature, there’s also a greater focus on sustainability. With the Lumen Colour Select (LCS) feature, colour temperatures and lumen outputs can be chosen after the luminaire has been installed. This means that with Cetus, the use of a space can be defined last-minute, or even changed over time. This is done simply and quickly by using a screwdriver to rotate an inner plate which features embossed preset values. When doing this, there are two lumen outputs to choose from (800lm and 1500lm for the small variant, or 2000lm and 3400lm for the medium and large versions) and three colour temperatures (3000K, 3500K and 4000K). Available in three different recess sizes (small, medium or large), the Cetus downlight range is extremely flexible.
National Ventilation has launched its Monsoon Energysaver IntelliSense i7 fan. A clever multi-function fan, the 7 in 1 IntelliSense i7 bathroom fan is the intelligent choice for wholesalers, electricians and households alike. With a choice of intermittent or continuous running, this ultra-quiet, ultra-modern, smart bathroom fan runs extremely quietly at low speed at just 17dB(A). The ingenious fan also offers an intelligent humidity sensor, a useful overrun timer and presence sensor, an airing function to avoid stuffy odours in the bathroom, while offering a high performance of up to 110m3/hr. Versatile enough to ventilate bathrooms, toilets and utility areas, the 7 in 1 IntelliSense i7 boasts six core ventilation modes including: three continuous ventilation modes; three intermittent modes; plus, one heat mover mode that allows the fan to transfer surplus heat to an adjacent room.
DISCOVER MORE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WD015
DISCOVER MORE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WD016
DOWNLIGHT RANGE
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PRODUCTS & EQUIPMENT
AIRMASTER HEATERS For many years the Airmaster Brand has been a major player in the space heating market, but the range available for winter 2021/22 has been substantially strengthened in three sectors – Panel, Infrared and Tubular Heaters. In Panel heaters the standard and slim ranges have gained both new aluminium remote control options as well as state of the art smart free-standing Wi-Fi enabled heaters, including a glass panel option. In contrast, the Infrared range of aluminium wall, pedestal and tower products has been completely replaced by a new improved range. Similarly, the old Tubular range has been succeeded by 1ft to 6ft heaters with significantly enhanced wattages – now from 60W for the 2ft up to 360W for the 6ft. Naturally, the best-selling Convector, Fan and Oil filled ranges plus some specialist heaters such as Screen door, Quartz Bathroom and Frost Protection convectors, complete the Airmaster range. DISCOVER MORE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WD017
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PRODUCTS & EQUIPMENT
NIGLON CONNECTION BOXES
OVIA CATALOGUE
When it comes to connection boxes, there are now even more options to choose from. Niglon has launched its IP66 Membrane Moulded Boxes, available in black, grey or white, which are weatherproof and UV resistant, meaning they’re ideal for use outdoors. An integrated gasket to ensure the perfect seal, dual option cable entry, and quick fixings mean the product couldn’t be simpler to install. Niglon’s Commercial Director Paul Dawson said: “We’re committed to extending our ranges to ensure we’ve got the right products for every installation. And we’re also committed to thoroughly researching and testing each new launch, so we can be proud to put the Niglon name on every single product.”
At over 400 pages, the new Ovia catalogue boasts an additional 100 pages on the previous edition and will bring to designers, contractors and specifiers a comprehensive product guide covering the entire range on offer. It includes a raft of brand new additions as well as some improved products, and they are being brought to market on the back of continual engagement with contractors to ensure that the products and solutions they seek are developed and available through the wholesaler. With the aim of filling any gaps in its portfolio and in response to direct feedback Ovia has had from contractors, the company has added new and improved products to existing categories and introduced some new categories. There are new additions to the domestic, amenity, commercial and utility ranges and Ovia has expanded its floodlighting range to include two new product categories – LED Wall Packs and LED Street Lighting.
DISCOVER MORE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WD018
DISCOVER MORE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WD019
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PRODUCTS & EQUIPMENT
ANSELL LIGHTING STREET LIGHTING Robust, reliable and high performing, Ansell Lighting’s Magna LED Street Light is the ultimate streetlight, providing powerful illumination in open outdoor spaces. Ideal for both street and area lighting and in spaces such as pedestrian zones or car parks, the Magna LED Street Light incorporates advanced lens technology for optimum performance and control, delivering an evenly distributed, cool white light alongside an extremely low ‘G3’ level of glare. Available in 30w, 50w and 70w outputs, the pole and spigot mountable street light is highly durable, achieving IP66 and IK09 ratings thanks to its UV stabilized polycarbonate cover and robust die-cast aluminium housing. Low maintenance, the Magna LED Street Light has an LED lifespan of L80 B10 54,000 hours and comes with a five year warranty for added peace of mind. It has also been designed with toolless gear tray removal to make it easy to maintain, has built-in surge protection and an anti-tamper isolation facility. DISCOVER MORE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WD020
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PRODUCTS & EQUIPMENT
WIELAND ELECTRIC WATERPROOF CONNECTOR Wieland Electric has introduced the RST Micro, a compact waterproof connector with a diameter of less than 15mm that meets the highest design and flexibility criteria. The plug is in high demand anywhere technology is getting smaller and smaller, necessitating smaller and smaller electrical connections The 2 to 3 pole connector with a diameter of less than 15mm is designed specifically for connecting voltage or current sources to LED modules. Additionally, it is well-suited for use in an industrial setting. Network applications are also no difficulty due to the rated values. Four mechanically separated and colour-coded connectors allow the safe separation of various applications. Particularly small and unobtrusive, simple to work without any disruptive locking geometries, strain-resistant, and sealed to IP66, 68 & 69, the RST Micro is a connector that is unique on the market due to its compact design and functionality. The latest addition to the modular RST system are the new distribution blocks for the RST Micro. The distributors are available for all common codings and the internal wiring offers a serial or a parallel option. The addition of the distributors rounds off the system to a large extent, as the distributors occupy a central position in the electrical infrastructure of the RST system. DISCOVER MORE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WD021
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PRODUCTS & EQUIPMENT
VIESSMANN ELECTRIC HEATING Viessmann has launched a range of electric heating products to the UK. A new 4-24 kW Vitotron electric system boiler, three Vitotherm direct hot water heaters and three Vitoplanar electric space heaters can be purchased from various merchants in the UK, building on Viessmann’s longestablished range of electric heat pumps. Viessmann’s Vitotron 100 boiler system is equipped with a five litre expansion vessel. It is available as a 4-8 kW model for single phase power and up to 24 kW with three phase and has 99.4% efficiency. Viessmann is also introducing three Vitotherm hot water heaters that only consume electricity when hot water is needed, ideal for homes and offices. The ES4 model is available as an under or over sink heater in five or 10 litre versions; the Vitotherm EI5 is tankless. The Vitoplanar range of space heaters includes the EC4 model, a slimline wall-mounted convector heater with 500-2000W output; the EI2 and EI6 infrared panel heaters, available in mirrored glass or white steel finishes with outputs from 325-900 W; and the Vitoplanar EF2 electric underfloor heating mats with outputs from 150-1275 W for installation in screed or tile cement type floors. DISCOVER MORE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WD022
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PRODUCTS IN DEMAND PEW takes a look at the most sought-after products from recent issues of Professional Electrician & Installer magazine to give you an insight into your key customers’ buying behaviour.
XCITE EXIT BOX S
LIGHTWAVE
A new emergency lighting solution from xcite LED Lighting, Exit Box S offers reduced maintenance and highperformance emergency lighting, with a slimline appearance to provide a discreet but effective look. With the Exit Box S, contractors and tradesmen can fit modern, slimline (only 30mm depth) emergency lighting, compliant to all the most recent standards – supplied with the EURO4 running man legend. Ideal for retrofit of existing T5 fixtures or completely new applications, the unit comes with a dual LED array for internal illumination and downward distribution – providing great levels of visibility for any emergency lighting installation. With a rear BESA fix and three additional rear fixing points, this module offers safety, security, and reliability. The Exit Box S is also built with a hinged front lid for easy installation and an underside test switch for easy testing.
SMART HEATING SWITCH
GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WD023
GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WD024
With rising gas prices and consumption, there has never been a better time for Lightwave's new Smart Heating Switch, which allows universal switching of any load up to 3680W (16A) rating and can gain smart control of domestic panel heaters, hot water cylinders, boilers, towel rails or electric radiators. Energy monitoring is built into the device and displayed within the Lightwave App. It has output terminals for Normally Open, Normally Closed and Common, which allows it to switch most types of boilers. Built-in temperature and humidity sensors are ideal for controlling the ventilation of a utility room while specific energy tariffs can be entered into the App to provide the representational cost of the energy used. This can be useful when applying the Smart Switch to monitor an electric car charging point, for example.
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PRODUCTS IN DEMAND
TUNGSRAM
HIGHBAY RANGE
UNILITE
Whether using a ladder or scissor lift, mounting heavy luminaires above your head is difficult. The new Highbays from Tungsram are extremely lightweight when compared to the light output. Up to 60K lumens can be produced from a single fixture coming in at less than 5kg. These highbays have all unnecessary weight stripped out whilst maintaining the required amount of heat dissipation to ensure a long life. With energy savings at the top of most customer’s agendas, the Auriso and Duros models have on-board sensors that control lighting based on motion (SN), daylight harvesting and motion sensing (RFM) or simply on/off (RFS). These features avoid electricians having to install secondary sensors, saving time and money. Typically, brackets are an add-on accessory that are often forgotten when ordering. Highbays turn up on-site and there is no way to mount them. The Duros and Auriso have brackets built into the fixture. If suspension is required, Y-cables or pendant mounting options are also available.
WCHT5 HEADTORCH
VIEW THE LATEST TUNGSRAM E-CATALOGUE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WD025
GET MORE PRODUCT DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WD026
Unilite is continuing to innovate with the WCHT5 – its first wireless charging headtorch for specialised professionals. The unit is designed with super tough polycarbonate construction and an adjustable, silicone lined headband, making it perfect for comfort and mobility. It has an ultra bright 550 Lumen COB LED and an additional 450 Lumen spot beam CREE LED, reaching an impressive beam distance of 84m. The WCHT5 also features a memory switch that remembers the last lighting mode that was used. With a powerful 3.7V 1500mAh Li-polymer rechargeable battery, the WCHT5 is capable of a fast three-hour charge time and 4-21 hour run time. This product can be charged using the Unilite wireless charging pads (WCSGL or WCDBL) and features a handy red-green charging indicator.
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PEW looks at some of the latest advertising campaigns featured in recent issues of Professional Electrician & Installer magazine which are helping to create awareness and pull-through sales opportunities at your trade counter.
CAMPAIGN NEWS RING
ROBUS
LEGRAND
ESP
With the help of its wholesale and electrical professional customers, Ring is helping to create better neighbourhoods and better places to live, as highlighted by this series of adverts. The Ring Professional Programme is designed to educate installers on Ring's entire range of whole-home security products, how to install them and the overall benefits for customers. Those signing up to the programme will also get access to exclusive updates and training materials.
To help wholesalers and electrical contractors light the way for their customers in 2022, Robus has introduced its latest product catalogue, which is the focus of the brand's latest advertising campaign. The catalogue sees the launch of lots of exciting new products including extensions to the Robus Connect smart lighting range, along with Robus' human centric lighting portfolio. Now including QR codes to make it easier to select and order products, the catalogue is sure to be a hit with end users.
Encouraging end users to get closer to the expertise that the brand has to offer, Legrand's latest advertising campaign continues to create traction. Indeed, there's more to the organisation than will often meet the eye, with teams specialising in the research and development of leading solutions. Around 80% of Legrand's sales come from products manufactured in the UK – a message that will become even more important in the future.
Launched at the beginning of the year, and offering an exciting new addition to the ESP range of products, the Fort smart security solution is the focus of this new advertising campaign. Featuring alarm kits, cameras, sensors and much more, end users can now protect everything that matters to them with the help of this great new product. Offering customers total flexibility, Fort allows every device to be controlled from anywhere in the world by using the Click Smart + App.
GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WD027
GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WD028
GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WD029
GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WD030
INTRODUCING THE RING PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMME
PRODUCT CATALOGUE 2022
46 JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2022 PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIANS WHOLESALER
STEP BACK, GET CLOSER
UPGRADE YOUR FORT
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A look at the latest display solutions to help you increase your in-store purchases.
MANROSE’S QUIET FAN X5 POS GETS A HIGH FIVE!
M
anrose is offering electrical wholesalers a choice of point of sale display units for its new stylish Quiet Fan X5 range. Designed to help wholesalers with sales, the attractive units are available as either a free-standing or counter top unit and are backed up with support and training from Manrose. The free-standing unit has enough space to hold 18 fans and takes up minimal floor space. Meanwhile, the counter top unit holds six fans and can be put on a shelf or counter. Both units have an eye-catching image of a Manrose representative in a branded t-shirt offering a high five to the electrician alongside an image of the Quiet Fan X5. The units also highlight the fan’s features including being ultra-quiet and suitable for install in Zone 1, while having a space for wholesalers to add the sale price. In addition, the units assure electricians of the fan’s reliability, with a clear message: “Get a high five on your next job with the Manrose Quiet Fan X5. Build on your reputation with happy customers and no call backs!” To further help with sales, any wholesaler stocking the new Quiet Fan X5 range is offered staff training on the features and benefits of the fan, and also how to upsell the X5 range to their electricians so they in turn can upsell the range to the end user. To further support customers, the fan range is listed on LUCKINS Live, the UK building services industry’s number one source of product information.
“The Quiet Fan X5 has been really well received by both wholesalers and electricians and the free-standing display unit is proving particularly popular. Wholesalers have told us that they look really good and are making sales a lot easier,” said Lee Warren, Sales Director at Manrose. “The X5 is a great product, it is easy to install and promises great reliability that is sure to keep customers happy. In fact, it’s so reliable, we’re sure that delighted customers will want to give their electrician a high 5!” The Quiet Fan X5 bathroom fan ticks all the right boxes, promising ultra-low sound levels, as well as being IPX5 compliant so offering simple and flexible installation. Boasting Manrose’s renowned reliability, while providing effective and efficient ventilation, the Quiet Fan X5 is set to prove popular with households, who will be impressed by both its performance and good looks, since it is available with an attractive new tile-like façade. As a result, electricians are set to benefit from more happy customers and
48 JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2022 PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIANS WHOLESALER
improved 5-star review ratings. Offering an ideal upsell for electricians, the Quiet Fan X5 range offers an impressively high extraction rate of 90m³/hr, while maintaining an incredibly quiet running volume as low as just 25dB(A). With all models offering ultralow sound levels, the Manrose Quiet Fan X5 will allow households to relax in comfort, free from noise-related stress and so help to avoid callbacks. Add to that the fan’s IPX5 rating that means it can be safely installed within Zone 1 without the need for a low voltage transformer, and it’s the ideal choice for a small bathroom, shower room or toilet, where space is at a premium. Available with a range of control options including Basic, Timer, Humidistat and PIR, the Quiet Fan X5 is suitable for both wall and ceiling mounting offering install flexibility. Manrose prides itself on offering high quality, reliable, British-made products and is at the forefront of the ventilation and fan equipment market, offering cost-effective, innovative products to suit any requirement. The company has been manufacturing practical, reliable ventilation equipment for over 30 years with an R&D team who consistently produce products that meet the needs of customers and are fully compliant with the latest legislation. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON ALL PRODUCTS AND SERVICES OFFERED BY MANROSE TELEPHONE 01753 691399 OR VISIT WWW.MANROSE.CO.UK / WWW.RDR.LINK/WD031
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Nigel Harvey is CEO of Recolight, the WEEE compliance and collection scheme for the lighting industry. Nigel outlines initiatives undertaken by Recolight to help the lighting industry adopt circular economy principles, and explains what wholesalers can do to support this response to the climate crisis.
W
e are all aware of the huge challenge the climate crisis presents to us all. The biggest changes needed are undoubtedly at Governmental levels, but there is a lot that can be done by businesses to make a difference. One crucial change that is needed is to fully embrace and adopt circular economy principles. In short, we need to keep products in use for longer, rather than simply discarding them, or needlessly recycling them. That improves resource efficiency, and saves the embedded carbon footprint associated with making new products. A vital way of achieving this in the lighting sector is to make used fittings available for remanufacture when they are replaced. Re-use like this has much better environmental outcomes than recycling – the body of the fitting is retained, and the light source or control gear can be checked or upgraded. Clearly for this to happen successfully in the UK, we need a number of changes: ● Customers and specifiers need to
start to request used fittings. Pleasingly, we are already beginning to see examples of this. ● Manufacturers, or their subcontractors, need to develop the competencies needed to remanufacture fittings, and ensure they are still compliant with relevant legislation. Again, this is starting to happen. At Recolight, we are already
aware of several members of our WEEE scheme, and other companies, that now see remanufacture as a viable business opportunity. ● Wholesalers can be a vital part of this process, by partnering with companies involved in reuse, and offering reused product for sale. As a WEEE scheme, Recolight now collects additional information regarding used fittings that are being removed whenever one of our members is supplying LED luminaires to new projects. We will make that information available to companies that could remanufacture or upgrade the fittings and, upon request, will deliver the used fittings to the remanufacturer. A number of specifications are being developed to facilitate the transformation to a circular economy. A BSI committee is working on a lighting version of BS8887, a standard for the remanufacture of luminaires. This standard will help companies remanufacture in a way that applies realistic approaches to product compliance, and will give end users the
confidence that the product is suitable for use. The Society of Light & Lighting and CIBSE have developed TM 66, a process to help producers of new lighting equipment demonstrate the extent to which they have taken circular economy principles into account in product design. The Lighting Industry Association has issued Technical Statement LIA TS41, The Circular Economy: an interim guide, intended to help LIA members adopt circular economy principles. And Recolight has launched new services to whenever possible redirect the used lighting equipment the company collects on behalf of its members away from recycling, and towards repair and remanufacture. This year we can expect to see further growth in circular economy approaches in the lighting industry. We will see more companies designing lighting products for a circular economy. But it will also mean more end users willing to consider product re-use, remanufacture and upgrades, rather than complete product replacements. Some companies will also start remanufacturing operations – taking in used product and upgrading it ready for resale. The climate crisis is, without doubt, the biggest challenge humanity has ever faced. Facilitating the re-use of used luminaires is one small way in which our industry can respond to this challenge. FIND OUT MORE BY VISITING: WWW.RDR.LINK/WD032
PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIANS WHOLESALER JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2022 49
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ADVERTISEMENT INDEX Here is a useful summary of all the adverts that appear in this issue of Professional Electricians Wholesaler. Each is listed with its page number and a direct URL that will get you straight to the relevant online information
Aico Ltd ................................................................... (page 2/IFC)
Ideal Industries ........................................................... (page 27)
www.rdr.link/WD100
www.rdr.link/WD113
Carl Kammerling ......................................................... (page 41)
Intalite .......................................................................... (page 34)
www.rdr.link/WD101
www.rdr.link/WD114
Clynder Cables Ltd ....................................................... (page 9)
Metrel UK .................................................................... (page 38)
www.rdr.link/WD102
www.rdr.link/WD115
Consort ........................................................................ (page 47)
Ovia Lighting ....................................................... (page 51/IBC)
www.rdr.link/WD103
www.rdr.link/WD116
CED .............................................................................. (page 40)
Scolmore ....................................................................... (page 4)
www.rdr.link/WD104
www.rdr.link/WD117
C-Tec Ltd ..................................................................... (page 45)
SEVADIS ................................................................. (page 6 & 7)
www.rdr.link/WD105
www.rdr.link/WD118
CTEK ............................................................................. (page 16)
Stearn Electric Co Ltd ................................................. (page 19)
www.rdr.link/WD106
www.rdr.link/WD119
Deligo Limited ............................................................... (page 3)
Switchtec Ltd .............................................................. (page 43)
www.rdr.link/WD107
www.rdr.link/WD120
Di-Log Test Equipment .............................................. (page 29)
Timeguard Ltd ............................................................ (page 24)
www.rdr.link/WD108
www.rdr.link/WD121
Draper Tools Limited .................................................. (page 13)
Unicrimp Ltd ............................................................... (page 42)
www.rdr.link/WD109
www.rdr.link/WD122
Elex ............................................................................... (page 37)
Wago ............................................................................ (page 47)
www.rdr.link/WD110
www.rdr.link/WD123
Elite Security Products Ltd ........................................ (page 44)
Wiska UK Ltd .............................................................. (page 39)
www.rdr.link/WD111
www.rdr.link/WD124
Forum Lighting Solutions Ltd ........................... (page52/OBC) www.rdr.link/WD112
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