Professional Electricians Wholesaler November/December 2022

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

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LIGHT UP THE STREETS (WHERE FINANCIALLY VIABLE)

Is it just me or has Christmas come around even quicker this year? It barely seems a week ago that I was reviewing 2021 for this column. However, it is great to be able to look back on a year in which there was little to no talk of lockdowns, bubbles or social distancing. While the various Covid variants are still out there, we do seem to be getting a grip on how to live with it and life has pretty much returned to normal. This has meant a return to live tradeshows, enabling us to meet manufacturers again and see the latest products and innovations on the electrical market, which of course you will be able to read all about on these pages.

September marked the very sad passing of Her Majesty the Queen Elizabeth II. Coming in the year in which we also celebrated her Platinum Jubilee it really marked the end of an era as, whether or not you’re a staunch Royalist, she was a constant presence in so many of our lives. The warm tributes paid to the Queen and video clips from her life shown across news channels all around the world gave us a trip down memory lane and got me thinking of all the changes through time that she saw in her life. The scientific advancements, space exploration and moon landings, fashions, politicians, Prime Ministers…..

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….Ah yes, Prime Ministers. Just seven weeks into his reign, his majesty King Charles III formally appointed Rishi Sunak as Prime Minister – the UK’s third in 2022! There is not enough room here for me to try and make sense of all that has gone on so all I think we can hope for is that we get some sort of political stability in 2023.

Finally, it is the time of year when retailers might see a surge in sales of Christmas lights. When homes, businesses and streets are lit up with decorative lights it does give everybody a little boost. Even the households who go totally over the top with huge garden reindeer and snowmen and enough lighting to rival Times Square bring a smile to my face - even if don’t share their particular taste in decorations. But with the worrying surge in energy bills it will be interesting to see if the number of Christmas displays in town centres and housing estates around the country is adversely affected. There will be some cutting back I’m sure, as heating our homes on the coldest days will obviously take priority over sparkly lights. From what I have seen so far, though, there will be enough Christmas displays to keep our eyes dazzled through to January. See you next year!

Tracey Rushton-Thorpe

Tracey Rushton-Thorpe Editor

“ A return to live tradeshows has enabled us to meet manufacturers again and see the latest products and innovations on the electrical market.”

NEWS & VIEWS

Over two-thirds (68.5%) of Brits are likely to purchase a smart home product in the next two years, and almost half (45.6%) would be more likely to purchase a home with smart technology installed, research has revealed.

In a survey of 1,000 UK consumers by Legrand, smart heating and energy controls, security, and gate/door entry technology are perceived to add most value to a home. Detailed in an industry report – Connecting the UK’s Homes – the survey results show a number of opportunities for those working across the electrical industry.

Despite demand increasing – and consumers recognising the value of introducing smart home devices to the home – the research shows that lack of product knowledge is a key barrier to homeowners purchasing technology. Other barriers outlined in the report include installation costs and ongoing subscriptions, to which the majority of respondents (85.4%) said they would prefer a one-off package with no subscriptions.

The survey also revealed only 10% would go to an industry professional for information or advice, indicating an opportunity for contractors and electrical installers to become their customers’

Rubicon Partners, a London based investment partnership, has acquired 100% of the share capital of CMD Limited from Ideal Industries. This is the sixth investment made by Rubicon through its Fund V.

CMD is one of the UK’s leading designers and manufacturers of power distribution systems; personal power solutions and ergonomic solutions for the office and commercial fit-out markets. The company employs 158 people from

smart home advisor. Ahead of an anticipated connected home boom, Legrand’s report guides electrical professionals and housebuilders through the opportunities open to them.

Pascal Stutz, CEO at Legrand UK & Ireland, explains: “There is more pressure than ever on electrical contractors, consultants and housebuilders to produce

homes up to the high standards that consumers expect. Our latest research shows there is an opportunity for professionals, which is why we have created this report. We outline the barriers facing installers and housebuilders alike, as well as outline ways to overcome them.”

Visit: WWW.RDR.LINK/WAE001

its manufacturing unit in Rotherham and showroom in London and has been a market leader of award-winning products and solutions since 1988. The existing management team, led by Jon Holding, will continue to lead the business. CMD was previously owned by Rubicon, who created the business in 2001 by integrating three separate companies.

Andrew Fischer, Founder/Owner of Rubicon, commented: “CMD has always been a business close to my heart and to

have the opportunity to help its evolution is both exciting and rewarding for me personally. CMD is a great UK business with a local heritage and true manufacturing credentials - we are confident that with Jon Holding as Managing Director and the existing management team remaining in place, we are well placed to continue to serve our customer base to the highest of standards while at the same time drive market innovation and developments further.”

Smart home opportunities on the increase

RETROFIT LIGHTING KEY TO ENERGY SAVING SAYS TAMLITE

Businesses must use the next six months to identify energy efficiency measures, including LED Lighting upgrades, to protect themselves against soaring operational costs.

This is the message from Tamlite Lighting and, with many organisations looking to reduce energy demand, the UK lighting manufacturer says retrofitting outdated lighting control systems will be key to reducing their usage and improving energy efficiency.

It believes that whilst historically the emphasis has been on innovative energy efficient technologies, many will have forgotten the impact simple building system upgrades can have in terms of reducing demand and operational costs. By replacing outdated lighting with modern LED systems, coupled with intelligent control systems, buildings can be made more efficient, generating savings of between 60% to 80%.

Tamlite Lighting’s comments come at a time when a new report by PwC UK suggests companies will experience the impact of the volatile energy market for at least the next two years.

Debbie-Sue Farrell at Tamlite Lighting commented: “Lighting is one of the single biggest energy expenses that a business will face, yet small changes can make a big difference. Whilst the Energy Bill Relief Scheme will provide vital support over the next six months, there is a very clear message; all but the most vulnerable businesses must use the next six months to identify measures which improve energy efficiency and reduce consumption.

“Replacing outdated lighting with modern LED systems is a cost-effective way to reduce energy use, as well as carbon emissions. Such upgrades are easy to do and should be seen as a key component of any energy saving plan over the next six months, and beyond.”

Tamlite urges businesses to consider retrofits

NEWS & VIEWS

LEADING APPRENTICEWINS 2022 ECA EDMUNDSON AWARD

Veronica Jennings has been recognised as one of the country’s leading electrotechnical and engineering services apprentices, after winning the coveted 2022 ECA Edmundson Apprentice of the Year Award during a ceremony held at the Royal Society in London.

Veronica, who works for ECA memberfirm Imtech Engineering Services in Nottingham, was trained by leading apprenticeships provider JTL. After overcoming fierce competition from two other finalists, Veronica won prizes including £1,500 and an overseas study tour sponsored by industry manufacturer Thorn Lighting. The two runners-up, who each won £750 and a state-of-the-art toolkit, are:

● James Stanford of Gilbert & Stamper Ltd ● Charlie Ewing of The Rosebery Group Ltd

Veronica said: “I feel delighted and privileged to be recognised as ECA Edmundson Apprentice of the Year, and I am honoured to represent Imtech Engineering Services. I would especially like to thank my tutor Neil from JTL and my employers, who have been fantastic mentors and provided me with the best start to my career I could have wished for.”

ECA Head of Education & Training Carolyn Mason commented: “I’m pleased to offer our congratulations to Veronica Jennings for deservedly winning this year’s ECA Edmundson Apprentice of the Year Award. The quality of the finalists this year

“ Veronica won prizes including £1,500 and an overseas study tour sponsored by Thorn Lighting.”

is a real indication of the talent that exists in our industry, not to mention the exemplary way in which they have overcome the challenges of the past two years.”

ECA Edmundson Apprentice of the Year announced

IDEAL SPONSORS LEARNER OF THE YEAR COMPETITION

IDEAL Industries is sponsoring the SPARKS Learner of the Year competition for the second year running.

Following the success of last year’s competition, IDEAL Industries has continued to support electrical students and apprentices, championing safety-first practices for all trainee electricians. For this year’s contest, IDEAL Industries has supplied a range of products to be used in the competition and will offer the winner a day’s training.

The SPARKS Learner of the Year contest is a national competition with six regional events across England and Wales. Each participating college can enter one student, ensuring the competition features the very best up-and-coming talent to inspire others. Each regional contest will see 10 to 14 trainee electricians battle it out to secure a regional accolade, each winner will then move forward to compete in a grand finale.

With regional heats due to take place in January and February 2023, and the grand final scheduled to take place over two days during April, the competition involves a six-hour practical test, judged by NAPIT. As a sponsor, IDEAL Industries will be present on the day to support and encourage everyone using its products during each installation.

Brett Smyth, general manager of IDEAL Industries EMEA comments: “It is so important to encourage the next generation of electrical talent. As a business, it is our responsibility to engage with trainee electricians and develop

products that will enable faster, safer and more consistent electrical installation.

“By working closely with trainees and apprentices, it enables us to highlight some of the new, innovative approaches we have developed, and support them with installation techniques suitable for the more contemporary, modern projects. Once again, we are very proud to be sponsoring this event and we wish each contestant the very best of luck.”

OVIA LANDS AIRPORT HANGAR LIGHTING SCHEME

A recent project to deliver a major refurbishment and new build of a hangar at London Southend Airport included a lighting scheme provision, and Ovia was the number one choice of the contractor leading the works. The company responsible for the electrical installation was Kent-based Prowired Electrical Contractors, which offers a wide range of electrical services throughout the southeast region.

A range of lighting solutions from Ovia’s extensive portfolio were selected. In the hangar itself a selection of highbays and emergency LED signs provided the lighting solution. The Highbay fitting selected was the black Ovia Grus and a total of 17 of the 100W LED 1-10V Dimmable Highbays along with six emergency versions have been fitted. The Grus Highbays were fixed to the ceiling using the surface brackets to provide the finished look required by the client. For the emergency lighting provision, two of the 4W emergency LED Maintained Box Exit Signs in white were chosen.

For the office area Ovia specified the Inceptor Slate Low Glare LED Backlit Panels, with 35 of the fittings installed to meet the requirements. The Inceptor Slate Backlit Panel is a range of TP(a) rated

backlit panel lights with a low, <19 UGR diffuser, making them suitable for a range of installations and working environments.

In the staff room two of the Jura 30W LED Panels, featuring cool white colour temperature, were chosen, along with four of the three hour emergency conversion packs. Lighting requirements for the WC facility on the site were catered for with one of the 24W IP44 recessed AluPanel downlights in the 300m diameter option, as well as three EVO Slim 16W IP65 Bulkheads.

Finally, to provide security lighting for the exterior of the hangar and surrounding area, seven of Ovia’s 50W IP44 LED Pathfinder Floodlights with PIR sensor have been installed.

IDEAL supports Learner of the Year competition

“ The SPARKS Learner of the Year contest is a national competition with six regional events across England and Wales.”

WHOLESALER NEWS

RDCP ACQUIRESWORCESTER ELECTRICALDISTRIBUTORS

London-based investment firm RDCP Group has acquired Midlands-based Worcester Electrical Distributors, one of the UK’s largest independent electrical wholesalers, for an undisclosed sum.

Headquartered in Worcester, the firm was established in 1987 by Neville Butler and Bob Rushton and today employs 80 staff, with an annual turnover of £24m and an average annual revenue growth rate of 20%. Worcester Electrical operates from six branches offering over 18,000 stocked items and is a stockist for leading automation products from ABB, Telemecanique and Weidmuller. It also stocks quality lighting products from Ansell Lighting, and accessories and

switchgear from all the leading brands. The company offers a range of other services including lamp and tube recycling, energy saving surveys for lighting and power and personalised workwear. It is also now a major stockist

of EV chargers for home and business.

The firm’s branches are all conveniently located down the M5 corridor, servicing the Birmingham area, through Worcestershire, Warwickshire, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, and into the South Wales valleys.

Paul Clunn, managing director of Worcester Electrical, said: “We look forward to this next chapter, working with Sameer and Iryna to increase Worcester Electrical’s value over time. Together we form a strong team to take the business to the next stage in its journey and continue to deliver and build on the extensive and quality range of products and services available to our customers.”

LEW ELECTRICAL OPENSSTOCKTON BRANCH

Stockton has become the home of LEW Electrical Distributors 16th branch. The new store is led by Graham Cousins and Mike Waggott who have a wealth of experience and expertise in the local area.

LEW has branches across Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, the North West, Cambridgeshire and Leicestershire and stocks items relating to lighting, home security and much more.

“We are really excited by the opening of our Stockton branch. These are exciting times for us as an organisation, and we are looking forward to expanding to fit our customer’s requirements. We are already developing key relationships in the area, so we are confident, along with the LEW difference that we offer, that this new

branch will become a key branch in the LEW portfolio,” said John Potter, group manager. There are going to be both weekly and monthly raffles where you spend over £100 to be entered in the

weekly raffle and £250 for the monthly raffle. Prizes include a Virgin Experience Day and a brand new PS5. In addition to this, the weekly prizes are three Love2Shop vouchers worth £50.

In association with Scolmore

RDCP purchases Worcester Electrical

BUYINGGROUPS UPDATE

IBA CELEBRATESBEST OFTHE BESTAT ANNUAL TRADE SHOW ANDAWARDS

The IBA recently gathered at Whittlebury Hall for its quarterly meeting - ‘The Pursuit’ trade show and awards dinner. Attended by 200 delegates over two days, including 47 supplier exhibitors, the event was a lively meeting of ‘the great and the good’.

IBA members enjoy equal decision-making rights and transparency in deal voting, through to rebate generation.

Russ Gratton, IBA chairperson/Recon Electrical, commented: “In order to meet our goal of being the go-to buying group for independent electrical wholesalers we are continually encouraging feedback from our entire membership so we can shape

the group to best serve their needs.”

At this year’s awards Scolmore scooped IBA Supplier of the Year 2022as voted for by members. Paul Jenner, IBA CEO, reflected: “Scolmore is always seeking to innovate and develop. They put real focus on supporting the independent wholesaler and are worthy winners.” Kevin Beech, Group Sales Director, Scolmore Group, said: “Everyone at Scolmore is delighted that we’ve been voted this year’s IBA Supplier of the Year. These awards are held in high regard across the industry for their recognition of excellence and it is an honour for us to receive this accolade. We share a passion with the IBA

for quality, service and reliability and we work collaboratively to ensure relationships at all levels within both businesses remain strong and focussed on delivering the best experience for the electrical wholesaler.”

Suppliers also voted on IBA member engagement, with IBA Member of the Year 2022 titles going to AA Jones, Single Branch North & East Midlands; ZLT Electrical, Single Branch South & West Midlands; EDS Electrical, Two to Three Branches National; and 7Core, Four or More Branches National.

IBA comes together for trade show and awards evening

EDA INSIGHT

HOT SALES FOR COOL CUSTOMERS

The EDA’s Product Knowledge Modules help businesses like yours create cross-selling and up-selling opportunities by building knowledge and confidence. What’s more, these training modules have recently won a Princess Royal Training Award 2022 so you can be assured of their value.

Heating and Ventilation is one of 12 training courses in the programme. The EDA modules are completely flexible and can be studied in any order or combination. You choose only the training your team needs.

Professional know-how to drive sales

Improving your team’s technical know-how through the EDA’s training could unlock additional revenue for your business. This training course will help your team understand which types of heating, cooling, ventilation and water systems suit the different spaces in our homes or businesses and why, covering:

● The principles of heat

● Heating – elements, controls and types of heaters

● The principles of hot water

● Types of water heaters

● The principles of ventilation

● Ventilation applications

Years of knowledge to give your team a commercial edge

City & Guilds accredited, this training programme harnesses decades of combined expertise from product experts at EDA manufacturers and allied trade associations to create an accessible and practical training opportunity for you and your team. EDA Product Knowledge modules are also approved for Continuing Professional Development.

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE

Have a go at this quiz sampled from the Heating and Ventilation module. Then check your answers below. If the results show that you need to boost your team’s know-how, talk to the EDA today.

Q1: Which fan type is the most common?

Q2: A PIV system should have the fan located where?

Q3: On the Kelvin scale, what does 18 degrees C equate to?

Q4: True or false: the hotter the object the more radiation it gives off.

Q5: What does MVHR stand for?

Q6: What is another name for a plinth heater?

ANSWERS: Q1: Axial Q2: Centrally or in the hallway/landing Q3: 291 Q4: True Q5: Mechanical ventilation and heat recovery Q6: A kick space heater.

HOW DID YOU DO?

Full marks: Well done!

3 - 5 out of 6: Not bad. Could the EDA training help you to fill in any gaps in your knowledge and help you progress in your career?

Less than 3: The EDA Product Knowledge Programme could be just what you need to boost sales.

BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH: SUPPORT FROM THE EIC

October was Breast Cancer Awareness Month, when people all over the world show their support for those affected. There are around 55,900 new breast cancer cases in the UK every year, with women over the age of 50 affected the most. It’s the most common cancer in the UK and accounts for 15% of all new cancer cases. Men can also get breast cancer, but it is much rarer.

John had been a self-employed electrician for 10 years and living in Scotland. His partner Kate had been undergoing treatment for breast cancer for the previous two years and was now in recovery. As part of her treatment regimen, Kate had gone through a gruelling course of chemotherapy, and this had negatively affected her energy levels. Due to the long-term side effects of her treatment, she often had days where she was entirely bed bound.

John and Kate had two young children, but Kate struggled to look after them during times when she was on her own and John was away from the house working. As a result, John felt compelled to make the decision to stop working. His reasoning was that not working would give him the ability to stay at home and support the family in whatever way they needed.

The thinking today is that breast cancer is likely caused by a combination of genes, environment and lifestyle. While one in every seven women in the UK will go on to develop breast cancer at some point in their lifetime, the survival rate beyond ten years is now at 76%. As a society, we need to get this higher.

Currently, John is hoping he will be able to complete the 18th Edition wiring regulations and get back to work as a selfemployed electrician. Self-employment would give him the flexibility his family needs and enable him to begin financially supporting his family once again.

Since John had stopped working, Universal Credit had become the family’s main source of income. However, it didn’t cover all their household outgoings. John reckoned he was 'a few hundred' behind on the rent payments and he was also struggling to pay back a loan. The family were struggling financially. The EIC

The help John was able to access is due to the support of the EIC and the powerLottery meant his family got the financial support they needed to get on top of their bills and remain in their rented home. Without powerLottery, the EIC would not be able to offer support to people like John and his family. That’s why we need you to become a powerLottery player to help EIC to 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.

“ The help John was able to access is due to the support of the EIC and the powerlottery.”

FACE TO FACE

HYDRA EVC

QHow was the Hydra EVC brand formed?

A. We have other companies which specialise in supplying MID electric meters: Smart Process & Control Ltd and JSG Metering solutions Ltd were founded on two main principles, delivering high quality products to the industry whilst providing excellent customer service which is second to none. Over the past few years we noticed an increasing demand from the EV sector buying our MID meters for installation into EV chargepoints.

After looking into the market and the existing chargers on offer we decided to pool our combined 25 years experience in the electrical industry and apply our market-leading reputation for great service to tackle this aggressively expanding arena.

QWhat’s the difference between a charger and charge point?

A. The terms charger and chargepoint have become interchangeable but people seem to have adopted ‘charger’ as a catch-all term for anything that you connect an EV to whereas charge point is usually referring to a public access point such as a service station.

Technically this is incorrect. Every electric vehicle has an onboard charger which takes the AC feed, converts it to DC and recharges the batteries. So if the ‘charger’ outputs AC then it is really a charge point, it simply provides a point where the EV can connect to. Although it has pretty sophisticated systems built in for metering and monitoring the electricity and for communicating with the vehicle, a smart-phone app and possibly a cloudbased management facility, all of the

charging is handled by the EV itself.

If the charger outputs a DC current –like the rapid chargers seen at motorway services – then the onboard charger is bypassed and the charger connects directly to the battery. So, in reality, only DC charge points are ‘chargers’.

If it isn’t on the shelf they cannot sell it.

Another consideration is a streamlined range: tethered (complete with charging cable) or socket-only should be the only choice. A product with 12 different variations is not very helpful in a wholesale environment.

Technical support is paramount, with a growing and fast-changing sector like EV charging the wholesaler needs to be able to depend on support from the supplier.

And then there’s the legal aspect to it, all charging products have to conform to Government regulations and these are being constantly updated, so a unit that was OK to sell back in April 2022 may no longer have been compliant in July and there’s more regulations coming into force in December ’22, so wholesalers need to ensure they are not left with redundant stock.

At Hydra we have deliberately kept things simple. For the domestic Hydra Zodiac we offer three colour options in tethered or socket only. We also keep a good level of stock in our warehouse in Essex available for next day delivery.

Q Does the installation of EV charging infrastructure require specialist knowledge and how do electricians go about becoming recognised installers?

A. There certainly is no shortage of available products on the market, with new manufacturers and updated models being added all the time. For wholesalers the main considerations are obviously price and availability. Features, specification, aesthetics and attractive packaging are all part of the mix but availability is everything.

A. Obviously the installer needs to be a qualified electrician. There is legislation on the horizon that will require that the installer is qualified to 18th Edition. For domestic, residential and workplace installations it is sufficient for a qualified electrician to have taken an additional course about installing EV charge points. Organisation such as NAPIT offer these as

PEW sat down with Steven South of Hydra EVC to discuss EV charging infrastructure and the future of the industry.

Q With so many charging products now on the market, what advice would you give to wholesalers when deciding on the best options to stock?

well as other further education centres. It is usually just a one or two day course.

While installation is straightforward, the installer needs to be familiar with issues such as load-balancing and communications so that the charge point can connect to wi-fi and Bluetooth or be connected via RJ-45 Ethernet.

Integration with solar panels or domestic battery storage units is another area where training may be required.

QAs the number of electric vehicles on our roads continues to grow, can the UK’s existing charging infrastructure cope with a significant uptick in demand?

A. It is estimated that there are currently over half-a-million pure EVs on the roads and 800,000 plug-in hybrids. This is only going to grow with an increase of EV sales as prices come down.

The current public charging infrastructure works well in most areas but is non-existent

in others. The government and several of the larger national Charge Point Operators (CPO) have big plans to roll out more chargepoints across the country. Supply must keep up with demand and the government is offering generous grants to subsidise costs for a wide variety of installations.

Installation of home-charging units is an obvious growth area – especially now that all new build homes must include an EV chargepoint - but there is also a growing demand for workplace charging which would allow people can recharge while at work and ‘destination charging’ which refers to people being able to recharge

when they visit restaurants, hotels, theme parks and other tourist attractions.

Q

business goals for the year ahead?

A. Our first year in the EV sector has been successful for us and if nothing else has shown the massive potential for growth into areas that we had not even considered. So, while our best-selling Hydra Zodiac continues to be the main focus for residential and domestic charging the markets for our other specialist commercial chargers is growing. Luckily, we offer a wide range of solutions so have been able to cater to all demands.

We have ambitious plans for 2023 including new products and several national and international projects in development, and our team is ready to deliver results.

TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT HYDRA EVC VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WAE004

What are your

“ Installation of homecharging units is an obvious growth area – especially now that all new build homes must include an EV chargepoint.”

THEARTOF SMART

The home automation market is growing at a rapid pace and the demand for smarter homes is growing significantly. Holly Pulham of Securi-Flex discusses the cables making it all possible.

Asmart home refers to an accessible home setup which allows homeowners to control appliances, thermostats, lights, and other devices remotely using a smartphone or tablet through an internet connection. For example, you can even use voice commands through Google Home or Amazon Alexa to complete basic tasks in your smart home.

What is the difference between ‘home automation’ and ‘smart home’?

Home automation is a system that allows your smart home to run automated services you may have set up. They will be pre-programmed by the user to deliver pre-defined preferences. The idea behind this is that some things which you may do all the time on a routine basis should and can be fully automated. For example, with certain lighting you might like it set to a preferred state which adjusts automatically to how you want it each time.

A smart home on the other hand, as mentioned, can be controlled by the user via an app on their phone or by using an internet connection to connect to these devices, which in this context could be smart or dimmable bulbs.

Why are smart homes becoming more desirable?

An automated home, either fully or in part, provides numerous benefits to its user. This includes enhanced security for the protection of theft, protection from unauthorised access to the user’s home and the evolving need for energy efficient solutions. For these reasons it’s no surprise that the market is gaining traction, particularly in the residential and commercial sectors in order to protect both personal and business-related assets.

Did you know?

There are approximately 2.22 million smart homes in the UK. Calculated by the number of households in the UK – 27.8 million – alongside the percentage of homes that own at least two smart devices, which is 8%, according to YouGov.

There’s been an increase in demand for home monitoring from remote locations. In line with technological advancements, the adoption of smart devices and growing number of smartphone and Internet users worldwide are all contributing factors.

Smart home statistics show that the global household penetration of products stood at 7.2% in 2019, according to Statista. This figure is reportedly set to increase to 16.7% by 2023, which is more than double and there’s certainly room for further growth.

What is the most common smart home product in Britain?

According to YouGov, smart meters are the most commonly used smart home product in Britain. However as these are free, it is noted that smart speakers are the most popular smart home device by physical purchase, with 11% of consumers owning one. Among them, 69% chose the Amazon Echo, while a comparatively small 19% opted for Google Home.

The key role specially developed cabling can play

This leads us to discuss smart home cabling and the options available. Securi-Flex stocks a vast range of cables suitable for smart homes, which includes but not limited to: audio speaker cables, smart lighting, blind control, access control (Purple Pipe), networking and high-speed data, home surveillance, fire alarm, security alarm, HVAC control, Belden and KNX equivalents (also known as EIB cable), which is ideal for smart buildings and building utility systems.

Cable options

Let’s take a closer look at some of these cables. Securi-Flex stocks a composite access control cable, also known as Purple Pipe. Specifically designed for proprietary access control systems, these cables are broadly used in public buildings where security and safety are important. It’s a cost-effective security solution that’s less labour-intensive and provides easyidentification features for a new level of ease and convenience to any installation.

Commonly known as KNX cable, SecuriFlex also stocks an EIB Bus equivalent which features two twisted pairs of solid conductors with a foil screen and tinned copper drain

wire. This cable has a distinctive sheath which is green in colour and is Low Smoke Zero Halogen. The KNX/EIB cable has exceptional capabilities for electrical and shielded communication performance, which enables use for intelligent building control, lighting, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, blinds, time management and locking systems. This is used to build intelligent building control solutions for domestic and commercial applications resulting in control of the users everyday working or living environment.

The Securi-Flex home automation range also includes structured data networking cables, which enable multiple devices to share connection of internet and media over Category 5e, Category 6, Category 6A, Category 7A and even Category 8. Streaming HD for example requires cabling that can provide fast and accurate data transmission. Using a high-quality, highperforming data cable is vital.

“ Using a high-quality, high-performing data cable is vital.”

DALI (Digital Addressable Lighting Interface) is a standard international Communication Protocol, a global standard for dimming and digital lighting control. DALI cables are versatile, easy to install and a cost-effective lighting control solution. LonWorks (Local Operating Network) is regarded as the world’s Leading technology for building services devices. Devices are installed in a variety of sectors including motorway lighting, lighting control, HVAC systems, security systems and many more. The ‘SFX/USP1-16’ for example is available in LSZH GREY and Black PE Duct Grade – It has two 16 AWG cores and unscreened composition. Hybrid data, communication & control cables work with speciality

lighting systems for efficient control of artificial light. Often referred to as 1502R or Lutron equivalent, we can offer our ‘SFX/USP16-OSP22-LSZH’ from stock, which is the ideal solution to these systems to allow custom configuration by the owner to create their own lighting settings. Whereas lighting control bus cables are intended for communications between the lighting distribution board, lighting control modules and luminaire plug wiring. Colour coded sheath compounds are provided for the ease of identification between lighting control wiring and Dali Bus Installation. These are often referred to as E-BUS, MBUS, O-BUS and T-BUS.

TO VIEW THE FULL RANGE OF CABLES VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WAE005

MOVERS ANDSHAKERS

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.

Paul Pugh

CARL KAMMERLING INTERNATIONAL

Carl Kammerling International, the home of C.K Tools, has announced Paul Pugh as its new Head of Marketing. Mr Pugh comes with a wealth of UK and international experience, including 23 years in the power tools sector and as a partner in an electrical contracting business.

As well as responsibility for the full marketing mix, range management and brand development, Mr Pugh will also be taking a senior lead on new product excellence as well as ensuring closer customer and end user alignment in the business’ activity. On his appointment, Mr Pugh said: “Carl Kammerling International has such strong heritage and it’s a real pleasure to now be part of the family.”

Micaela Abbott

MEGAMAN

Megaman has announced the promotion of Micaela Abbott to Sales Director. This move is testament to her integral role within the company and her valuable experience. It also comes at the same time as several new appointments that will strengthen the existing sales team even further.   Micaela has had an extensive and positive impact in her 19 years with Megaman in a number of roles including Business Development Manager, National Accounts Manager and National Sales Manager.

Luke Smith

OVIA

Ovia is delighted to announce the appointment of Luke Smith to the position of Ovia’s Area Sales Manager for the mid-Wales region. Luke brings a wealth of experience to his new role having worked with a lighting manufacturer for more than eight years. In his role with Ovia, he will be responsible for developing new and existing customer relationships at an independent and national level, as well as engaging with contractors and specifiers to grow brand and product awareness and to assist where lighting design and specifications are required.

COMPETITION

WINAPIRLIGHT PRODUCT BUNDLE COURTESY OF TIMEGUARD

No matter how many times Timeguard tells people how small its compact Nighteye automatic PIR lights are, they are still surprised when they take one out of the box. So, Timeguard is going to give this month’s winner a bundle to try out. You can install them alone, in parallel or in master/slave configuration. You decide.

Compact, controllable, complete systems: outdoor lighting doesn’t get any more convenient than this.

Timeguard has upgraded the popular LED100/200 series of LED Energy Saving PIR Floodlights for the coming season and the company’s new opal diffusers ensure an even light distribution, which is now even brighter at lower Wattage (only 8.5W per floodlight delivering 1000 lumen).

With Timeguard’s Fast-Fix pin connection for quick installation, the

HOW TO ENTER

new LED100/200 range is a quality choice for new and existing installations. They are available with single or twin floodlights and in black or white to suit any décor and come either with or without PIR detection. A slave terminal and parallel switching facility mean these powerful devices can be the control hub of a larger lighting system.

To view the full range of products and options available, please visit: www.timeguard.com

SHINEA LIGHT

As the nights draw in and we move into the darker months, using the right light source becomes increasingly important.

PEW hears from CK Tools on what to look for when considering artificial light sources to stock.

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

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

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

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

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

This is where wholesalers should be looking beyond just practical elements, such as the portability, price, and margin of their light offerings. A light’s performance on the Colour Rendering Index (CRI), which measures and compares the reflected colour of an object under artificial lighting, should be equally as important and promoted.

CRI is measured on a sliding scale where 100 is the maximum – the higher the score on the index, the better the light

source is at producing a true reflection of the colours of an object, or in this case wires and cables. An optimised combination of CRI and Kelvin ratings delivers a better reproduction of colour, improving safety for electricians.

Working with our panel of trade professionals to find the right solutions for on-the-job problems, we’ve developed C.K Tools’ new USB Re-chargeable Wide Field Head Light (T9630). Ideal for dark and confined spaces, the head light produces 400 lumens of light, with 5,700 kelvins on colour temperature and a CRI of 80 – this means it’s like using a 40w LED bulb, with similar colour temperature to natural light and a strong ability to correctly reflect the actual colour of the object it’s being shone on. And with four modes of operation –spotlight, wide field, full beam, and dipped beam – it provides the versatility needed to suit all manner of environments electricians find themselves in.

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

TO DISCOVER MORE VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WAE007

A SECURE FUTURE

ESP was founded in 1992 as Electronics Line UK, with a small team distributing wireless intruder alarm systems to wholesalers before expanding into the CCTV market. In 1996 the company was officially launched to the electrical wholesale market as ESP (Elite Security Products) Ltd. Following a number of years of growth, the business was relocated in 2009 to a larger, purposedesigned head office and warehouse space in Redditch, Worcestershire.

In 2011, ESP was acquired by Scolmore Group in what was seen as the coming together of two companies with a focus on innovative product development and excellent customer service. ESP continues to operate as an independent business within Scolmore Group, which also includes Click wiring accessories, Ovia lighting and Unicrimp cable accessories.

Over the ensuing years, ESP continued to expand the business and develop its product portfolio, which included CCTV, fire protection, security floodlighting and access control. In 2014 a brand new product category was added to the ESP line up with the launch of the Duceri emergency lighting range. This brought to the professional electrical contractor a range of emergency exit signs and bulkheads, with a range of self-test fittings subsequently added.

Hotting up

As the parent company, Scolmore Group continued to flourish and expand. The acquisition of Sangamo, the specialist supplier of time switches and heating controls, was completed, with the new range sitting under the ESP umbrella of products. Established since 1921 and based in Glasgow, Sangamo has built up an excellent reputation and an extensive product range which were an ideal fit within the Scolmore Group portfolio, enabling the company to bring an even more comprehensive range of products and solutions to installers.

Sangamo’s location in Glasgow gives the company the perfect manufacturing base and regional office to service customers all over Scotland and the north.

ESP is constantly looking at ways to improve both its product offer and its service to customers. Last year the company revamped its Sangamo Choice Plus and Powersaver Plus heating and timer controls range, with the main aim of introducing features that assist with efficiency and performance and that ultimately drive down energy usage and costs.

Smart technology

At the same time as the company developed new and upgraded products for existing ranges, there was also a keen focus on expanding into other categories that complemented the portfolio. This led to the launch in 2021 of Fort Smart Security - a complete range of smart security products, including intruder alarms, video doorbells, video security lights, sensors

and a selection of HD cameras. They all operate under a single app – the ‘Click Smart+’ app – which is completely subscription-free, with no additional fees incurred. By bringing the operation of the Fort range under the well-established, tried and tested Click Smart+ app from Scolmore, users will have control of a raft of connected home and security products all from one secure, easy to access platform.

A beacon of assistance

In recent years, ESP has been taking on an increasing number of larger, specification type projects and identified an opportunity to expand its product portfolio to offer a comprehensive disabled refuge range that meets the requirements of BS9999:2017 and Building Regulations Approved Document B.

Marketed under the name Beacon, the new Disabled Refuge range was launched earlier this year and comprises a variety of products that are specifically designed to assist emergency evacuation situations in a wide range of buildings and venues –with the aim of helping people with limited mobility to safely exit the building.

The Beacon ‘Master Stations’ are the central point of the disabled refuge system, which combines Fire Telephone Handsets, Disabled Refuge Outstations and Emergency Alarms to form one fully integrated system.

Celebrating 30 years in business in 2022, ESP has enjoyed another record year with major new product developments and expansion plans coming to fruition.

Glorious 24/7 technicolour

In September the result of a significant investment by ESP in its growing CCTV portfolio was unveiled, with the launch of a new 24/7 Colour IP CCTV range.

When it comes to CCTV security, colour-related information can play a vital role in identifying the detail of activities particularly in the hours of darkness. Conventional cameras with infrared lighting will only provide black and white images for night-time monitoring. ESP’s new 24/7 colour CCTV range will provide sharp detail, in colour, day or night.

The range is designed to offer superior, reliable and straightforward installation solutions for a range of applications from domestic through to larger and more complex commercial projects. The range will sit alongside ESP’s established CCTV offer which comprises the HDView IP PoE 5MP range, designed for larger and more complex commercial projects, and the Rekor IP PoE 2MP range, which is tailored for the domestic market.

There are 18 individual products that make up the new 24/7 Colour CCTV range. This includes 12 cameras offering 2MP, 5MP and 8MP resolutions and each one is available in a choice of dome or bullet camera designs and in a white or grey finish. There are six different NVRs available including a 4 channel NVR in the Rekor IP collection.

Installer training

Installers and wholesalers alike can take advantage of a raft of additional services and benefits to help them make the most of the products and solutions that the company offers. There are currently two separate training programmes that are offered free of charge – a one-day ESP Product Overview of the company’s core product categories – and the ESP Addressable Fire System Programming, which is aimed at competent contractors, that already have a good knowledge of installation and regulatory requirements, when it comes to fire system installation.

Supplying a comprehensive range of products is just part of what ESP can offer. Across the CCTV and fire protection ranges, for example, the company also offers free design services. The aim is to provide installers with expertise in choosing the right products and solutions to create a scheme that meets the requirements of the project in question and is compliant with all the relevant regulations and standards. The addition of a fire commissioning service last year 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 two-wire systems, the commissioning service, plus technical support from a team of qualified and experienced engineers.

SENSE AND SENSE ABILITY

Installers are looking for more from their PIRs, according to Timeguard.

Automatic PIR switching will be in demand more than ever with the way energy prices are going, with timely switching OFF as important as ON! The installers our tech team talk to every day are telling us that people are willing to invest more in energy saving, so they will be expecting you to be offer new features.

Profiting from PIRs should be low hanging fruit for everyone in the channel this year, and if you stock a full range of options that enables installers to tailor installations and upsell, then everyone can enjoy healthier margins.

And yes, there really are differences between one PIR and another. They are not just commodity products, and the bottom line is that cheap ‘white label’ PIR detectors delivered by the container load are always going to be a false economy.

The measure of a PIR’s ultimate value is price vs performance: is the specification good, do the devices really meet it, are the prices fair, and is the manufacturer’s guarantee worth having? No surprise then that the best outcomes still come from the brands. Branded quality is an assurance that these devices, by definition, never the easiest for installers to get at and replace if they fail, will perform to specification and

last the course. Healthy market competition works in your favour and means that the brands are forever refining and improving their designs.

Master slave options and DALI control are increasingly in demand and here, again, trust and branded quality assurance are a big consideration for installers.

Brands add value. Timeguard, for instance, promises branded quality, easy installation, easy setup and high product performance and great technical back-up. It has a genuine focus on quality too: Timeguard even has dedicated production facilities with fulltime staff on site in its factories.

All this gives installers the confidence to use these devices in so many applications, including using (and trusting!) a single PIR switch (single or dual channel) as the control hub for multiple lights up to a total of 600W or a 250W HVAC fan. Optional IR remote control makes custom set up easy too.

Looks matter too and, flush or surface mounted, PIRs ought to be

Your PIR checklist:

Easy set up and reconfiguration should rank high on your list. Time is money for installers.

Ratings everyone can really trust, especially if the manufacturers are claiming to be able to switch bigger loads.

Good looks are important. Office rents and interior fit outs aren’t cheap. People won’t appreciate ugly accessories!

Functionality: Be sure to cater for both presence and absence detection.

Will there be a clear ‘view’ of the detection area? Do stock HF microwave detectors that ‘see’ through partitions as well.

able to blend into the décor. New flat-lens designs certainly take aesthetics to the next level.

Accurate controls determine detection fields and lux levels to avoid nuisance switching, as well as determining how long lights stay on when rooms are emptied, but no-one wants to look at them after the device is set up. So, clip-on covers are a thoughtful detail to camouflage the controls on surface mounted devices.

“ Cheap white label PIR detectors delivered by the container load are always going to be a false economy.”

Presence and absence explained Today’s users expect the accuracy of presence detection and, increasingly, the extra option of absence detection. As you’d expect, Timeguard’s range makes it easy.

Presence detection is fully automated: Switching on and off are both done without user intervention. They will be mainly installed/used in areas that are likely to have regular and/or high people traffic, and most likelihood of lighting or HVAC otherwise being left on in empty spaces.

Presence detection, once only affordable for prestige projects, provides that extra level of sensitivity that will sense someone who is hardly moving at all – the most common example probably being someone sitting at an office desk making only small hand movements. The accuracy of presence detection means that lighting and HVAC are switched off only when users are really gone, with users choosing

how long after people vacate the area the light and/or heating go off.

As soon as this extra presence sensitivity technology became commercially affordable, Timeguard was quick off the mark to add it to its mainstream wholesaler channel offer.

Absence detection is semi-automated: People still need to switch the light on manually at the wall switch and then, as with presence detection, the lights turn off automatically when the area is vacated. So, for instance, lights in classrooms, in

meeting rooms or break out areas in open plan spaces won’t switch on just because someone walked by or popped in just to pick something up from the desk.

Combining presence and absence detection in one device, as Timeguard has done, enables contractors to design a really flexible set up to match the changing ways people occupy and use their premises.

SHORT SHRIFT

Aconsumer unit is the electrical heart of the home and its vital responsibilities are often overlooked. The devices fitted within a consumer unit can help protect against electrical faults, such as overloads, short circuits, earth leakage, and arc faults. Without this protection, it could result in electric shocks and damage to the cable installation. Arcing can potentially damage cables over time, which leads to an increased risk of fire.

However, having a consumer unit doesn’t guarantee comprehensive protection for customers. Compliance with relevant standards and regulations, whilst considering the type and age of devices inside the unit, is key. Not only is compliance essential for the safety of the home in which the units are installed, the reputation of the businesses that sold, supplied, and installed them is at high risk of being tarnished too.

This highlights the importance of creating a thorough vetting process for consumer unit procurement, as well as checking compliance with the latest standards and getting regular checks of installations. As the consumer unit is the heart of everyone’s home, it is paramount that all the necessary steps are taken to ensure it is as safe as possible.

Don’t just go with the flow, go for those in the know

While there is a vast array of brands out there all vying to secure that position on a shelf within your branch, opting for the right manufacturer is critical not only for the safety of your customers and end users, but also for the reputation of your business. Compromising on quality could cause serious repercussions.

When making that decision on which manufacturer's product you are going to stock, the quality of the product, the reputation of the manufacturer, as well as the availability of future support should all be considered before making your selection. Doing this will give you peace of mind that you have done as much as you can to ensure the safety of your customers and the end users.

When it comes to circuit protection, cutting corners can lead to serious consequences. Nico van der Merwe, VP Home & Distribution UK & Ireland at Schneider Electric, discusses the shortcuts that can lead to short-circuits and how you can avoid them.

“ Arcing can potentially damage cables over time, which leads to an increased risk of fire.”

So, what are the key things to look out for when selecting a manufacturer?

Go for those in the know – Looking for a manufacturer that specialises in circuit protection is maybe the most obvious tip, but it is the clearest way of knowing that the products they supply are high-spec and built to the latest industry standards.

BEAMA Membership – You would be surprised at the number of manufacturers that are not members of BEAMA, the UK’s trade association for electrical manufacturers and providers of energy infrastructure technologies and systems. Members of BEAMA are committed to building products in line with their high standards, allowing you to buy with added confidence.

Future Ready – Consumer units aren’t something that you rip out and replace every 2-3 years, they are a mainstay of a household’s electrical system. If an older unit needs to be repaired, your customers may need access to spare parts for products that may be 10-15 years old. In the same vein, a company that innovates its products to factor in potential future changes is one that you know has the market knowledge and experience to depend upon.

Taking these steps to assess your manufacturer of choice will not only give you clarity of choice in the short term, but it will enable you longer, healthier relationships with customers who experience fewer faults as a result of safer, more reliable equipment. A little knowledge and effort go a long way toward making sure your customers’ (and their customers’) needs are met.

TO LEARN MORE GO TO: WWW.RDR.LINK/WAE010

STAY PROTECTED

Hager outlines some of the ways it is remaining compliant with new regulations and transforming the future of protection devices for the electrician.

September 28th saw the previous amendment withdrawn and the changes outlined in Amendment 2 of the 18th Edition Wiring Regulations implemented. The new regulations further strengthen previous rules and include an increased focus on the use of Arc Fault Detection Devices and Surge Protection Devices.

SURGE PROTECTION DEVICES

(SPD)

With an increased focus on equipment protection against surge transient voltages, the latest regulations now require protection against transient overvoltages to be provided where the consequence caused by the overvoltage could result in:

(i) serious injury to, or loss of, human life

(ii) failure of a safety service, as defined in Part 2

(iii) significant financial or data loss

To support electrical contractors to reduce installation times, meet compliance responsibilities, and alleviate the need to purchase and fit separate protection devices for consumer units, the industry can benefit from Hager’s factory fitted and fully integrated SPD board to provide optimum surge protection performance.

Patented connection

Benefitting from a number of features to improve surge protection effectiveness, including a patented busbar connection system, installers can be assured that fitting a Hager consumer unit with integrated surge protection guarantees the very best protection.

Fully integrated

Eliminating the need to purchase and fit separate protection devices for consumer units, with Hager’s factory-fitted and fully integrated SPD board no secondary

upstream protection devices are required. Whilst surge protection devices previously required an MCB or fuses in the consumer unit to provide backup protection using one of the outgoing ways, Hager’s integrated solution removes this requirement, freeing up space in the consumer unit.

Additionally, Hager’s solution has CT2 construction type arrangements, ensuring that SPD devices are applicable for all common UK earthing arrangements such as TN-C-S (PME), TN-S and TT earthing systems, removing the risk of incorrect selection.

ARC FAULT DETECTION DEVICES (AFDD)

Another notable change to the regulations is that AFDDs are now mandatory for use in certain settings; higher risk residential buildings, houses of multiple occupation, purpose-built student accommodation and care homes. For all other premises, the use of AFDDs is recommended for singlephase AC final circuits supplying socket outlets not exceeding 32A.

Hager’s latest AFDD with ProTools is ideally placed to support installers in shaping the electrical world of tomorrow, offering tangible installation benefits, as well as providing peace of mind for installers and end users seeking the best protection with this game changing device.

In-situ software upgrades

The new advanced ProTools diagnostic software offers superior safety protection levels, minimising time spent conducting fault finding. The ability to perform in-situ software updates via Bluetooth connectivity eliminates the need to remove or replace the device in the future and overcomes the traditional difficulty of diagnosing and resolving unwanted or operational trips manually. Thanks to additional safety aspects, the AFDD does not need the circuit to be re-energised when tripped to be able to identify the cause of the fault and leaves the consumer unit in a safe condition as fault finding occurs.

Onboard diagnostics

In the scenario that the Hager device trips, the cause for the disconnected circuit can be identified at the push of a button on the front of the device. With the ability to confirm eight statuses, the device can instantly detect if a series arc, parallel arc, overvoltage, residual current fault, overload, short circuit, AFDD failure or manual trip has occurred, saving time for installers, and improving overall diagnostic ability.

Backwards compatibility

Where AFDD devices were previously two modules wide in construction, Hager’s latest generation of AFDD has evolved, taking on the form of a single module wide device, available in both RCBO/AFDD and MCB/AFDD configurations and is a key part of Hager’s strategy to ensure devices are in many cases backwards compatible. In addition to the RCBO/AFDD, the MCB/AFDD solution also enables Hager installers to upgrade existing MCB installations to AFDD on the appropriate circuits, without having to upgrade the whole installation to RCBO configuration, providing minimal disruption.

Future proofing

With the rapid advancement of new technologies, it is possible that an electrical goods manufacturer of tomorrow may create an electrical device or appliance with a different waveform signature, thus creating a new signature and causing unwanted tripping. In anticipation of this, with ProTools In-Situ Software Upgrades, Hager’s AFDD solution can be intelligently modified to update the algorithm to accommodate new product signatures. These updates can be sent directly to mobile devices via the Hager Pilot app, allowing connection to the AFDD through Bluetooth technology to perform a software upgrade remotely. The ability to upgrade AFDD software in this way is a game changer for the industry.

As the reality of the Amendment 2 changes set in, Hager is committed to supporting the industry and has developed numerous resources to assist contractors with the transition, including the launch of the dedicated Amendment 2 Hub. Following the regulation changes, electrical contractors need to be mindful of the best practice solutions to ensure mandated and recommended responsibilities are met where the use of protection devices are concerned. Hager’s range of AFDD and SPD solutions, coupled with industry leading technical expertise, can fully support the attainment of these important regulation changes and help transform the future protection devices. TO ACCESS THE HUB AND DOWNLOAD SUPPORTING MATERIALS RELATING TO THE LATEST REGULATIONS, PLEASE VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WAE011

“ It is possible that an electrical goods manufacturer of tomorrow may create an electrical device or appliance with a different waveform signature.”

WHOSE FAULT IS IT?

AFDDs have been getting a lot of attention following the publication in March of Amendment 2 to BS7671:2018 (18th Edition of the IET Wiring Regulations). Jake Green, Technical Engagement Manager with Scolmore, looks at the technologies associated with AFDDs.

An arc fault detection device (AFDD) is a safety device which activates in the presence of series and parallel arc faults by monitoring the waveform (signature) of an arc. It does this by electronically analysing the waveform and ‘trips’ when the waveform falls outside of predetermined values.

The first Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) was patented in the US in 1980 and was described for use in the US National Electric Code (NEC) in 2008. In 2013 the Product Standard IEC 62606 was introduced and became a UK Standard that same year.

BS EN62606: 2013+A1: 2017 General requirements for arc fault detection devices states that the purpose of an AFDD is, ‘…to mitigate the risk of fire in final circuits of a fixed installation due to the effect of arc fault currents that pose a risk of fire ignition under certain conditions if the arcing persists’.

Electric arcs

The phenomena of electric arcing were first demonstrated to the Royal Society in London by the chemist and inventor Sir Humphrey Davy in 1801. Other studies followed and an electric arc can be considered to be:

‘An electrical breakdown of a gas that produces a prolonged discharge between two means of conduction.’

There are instances where arcing is a desired effect, such as when welding or plasma cutting. However, uncontrolled arcing due to a fault is undesirable.

Causes of arc

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

To generate an arc is a complicated process, but principally an arc fault is a function of the voltage and the distance

between the two points of contact. Initially, an arc is composed of metallic vapours (for example, carbon) and current can flow through the damaged section (Fig 1). As the current flows through a material that is a relatively poor conductor, heat is built up due to the I 2R heating effect.

Series arc

Whilst it is possible for a stable arc to be formed with low currents, say less than 2A, there is insufficient energy to ignite the cable and hence, the probability of ignition is severely limited.

Most arcing faults detected by an AFDD exist in currents ranging from 3A to 10A, and these values reflect normal operating currents in domestic installation circuits.

Parallel arc

In a parallel arc, insulation breaks down between two or more conductive parts that are normally separated: line to neutral, line to earth and neutral to earth. It is more likely that a parallel arc fault will operate a typical overcurrent protective device, such as a circuit-breaker or fuse than a series arc.

Means of detection of arc faults

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

Fig 1: The heat generated by arcing can rapidly increase and create a fire.

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

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

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

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

Conclusion

Fig 2: Causes of series arc faults vary but include damaged conductor cores and loose connections.

It is well recognised that arcing can, and will, lead to fire. An AFDD provides additional protection against fire and is particularly beneficial when protecting final circuits supplying socket-outlets. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/ WAE012

Fig 3: Parallel arcs may be formed by tight bending radius of cables, twisting and bending of flex (perhaps by being trapped under door), crushing, other mechanical damage and tracking.

THE PERFECT PARTNERSHIP

Construction output remains strong and this is continuing to drive demand for cable management products that can meet customers’ needs –whatever they might be. The ability to react quickly to specific requirements relies on close cooperation between a manufacturer and wholesaler, and this relationship can provide peace of mind that the right products will get to an electrical contractor on time and to the right specifications.

Sense check

On the face of it, manufacturers and wholesalers should be a match made in heaven. Without distributors, manufacturers would struggle to get their products to customers and without manufacturers, wholesalers would have nothing to sell. Given that they are mutually reliant upon one another, it makes sense for both parties to forge a relationship that is as close and cooperative as possible. This is especially the case since getting the right products and solutions to contractors quickly and efficiently will ensure repeat custom. In short, everyone’s a winner!

It is therefore a mystery why some manufacturers and wholesalers continue to

operate in separate silos, don’t support each other, decline to strategise together and fail to provide a better customer experience. While every company has its own unique corporate ethos, objectives and goals, it is the responsibility of both parties to work together to understand their respective needs and overcome any challenges in their trading relationship. At the end of the day, a strong relationship improves performance for both partners through providing a better customer experience and more successful support for projects.

Two-way street

A key part in ensuring a more productive relationship is to understand how the roles of manufacturers and wholesalers differ

but also how they can complement each other. Far from being the ‘middle men’, wholesalers are the customerfacing experts, while manufacturers are focused on designing, developing and producing products that meet the needs of end users.

There is no substitute for a genuine, responsive and personal service. Effective communication between suppliers, wholesalers and contractors has never been more important and being able to contact design engineers, technical experts and sales teams who can promptly answer questions and address any issues helps ensure that a project is completed on time.

Manufacturers and wholesalers should adopt an inclusive approach toward each other, exchanging knowledge and information wherever and whenever possible. By sharing mutual goals, they are more likely to be motivated to help each other and create a lasting collaboration that will be mutually beneficial for both parties. Ultimately, the goal should be to transform a purely transactional relationship into one of trusted partnership, which reduces risk for the parties involved and gives them peace of mind that they won’t be let down or have any unwelcome surprises.

Alfie Rowe, managing director at Armorduct Systems, explains how by working closely together a manufacturer and wholesaler can become an integral part of an overall project team.

Speculate to accumulate

Although forging closer business relationships can certainly make the route to market smoother, the importance of providing electrical contractors with innovative solutions that meet an increasingly diverse range of applications should not be underestimated.

Manufacturers that continually invest in their production facilities are able not only to produce bespoke products but engineer offthe-shelf solutions that provide added value.

Leading cable management manufacturers are responding to this demand by setting up major projects teams that liaise with all parties and provide a personal service. Electrical contractors working in a wide variety of sectors, whether data centres, the Ministry of Defence, healthcare, education or distribution hubs, are benefitting from this approach, which offers a ready source of help and advice. This builds trust, makes the life of the wholesaler easier and guides the project more successfully.

Being flexible and responsive can also pay huge dividends. For example, Armorduct has created a specialist section within its manufacturing plant that is dedicated to producing bespoke items. This means that lead times on these products has been dramatically reduced, as it does not rely on interrupting the manufacture of the company’s off-the-shelf ranges. It also means that dedicated experts from the computer aided design (CAD) team are available to work on bespoke solutions and even value-engineer standard production items to provide greater value.

Get serious

With growing awareness of climate change, end users are asking electrical contractors to source products from manufacturers and wholesalers that operate sustainability. This means they go beyond simply using more environmentally friendly materials here and there, and consider sustainability throughout the product lifecycle – in design, manufacture,

packaging and delivery. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link, so manufacturer and wholesaler partners must be aligned in their net-zero commitments.

The time is now

There is a real need for manufacturers and wholesalers to reimagine how they can better work together. At its core, every manufacturer and wholesaler relationship should be a partnership and in order to get the most out it, both parties must be in alignment. Manufacturers must be proactive in developing customer relationships, offering innovative solutions and adding value through knowledge and service, while wholesalers must offer speed of response along with technical knowledge and a proactive approach to sales that provides genuine solutions for the entire supply chain.

FOR FURTHER

INFORMATION

VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/ WAE013

ACLEAR SIGNAL

In any electrical installation, it is necessary to give adequate support to cables. The reasons for this are twofold:

Maintenance of the signal pathway Reduce the risk of premature collapse to protect firefighters accessing a premises during fire. Three specific life safety standards to be considered are:

BS5266-1: 2016 Emergency lighting – Part 1: Code of practice for the emergency lighting of premises;

BS5839-1: 2017 Fire detection and fire alarm systems for buildings Part 1: Code of practice for design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of systems in non-domestic premises; and

BS8519: 2020 Selection and installation of fire-resistant power and control cable systems for life safety, fire-fighting and other critical applications – Code of practice.

Other relevant references will be made to the requirements of BS7671: 2018 Amd 2: Requirements for Electrical Installations.

Emergency lighting

Emergency lighting systems require installed cables to be able to withstand the effects of fire as well as remain in-situ for a period necessary to ensure safe egress of persons. To address these issues, Clause 8 of BS5266-1 covers wiring systems and circuits in general.

For self-contained emergency luminaires, there is no recommendation for fire-protected cables (clause 8.1), and the general requirements of BS7671 will apply. These include the need to support the wiring system in such a way that it is not liable to premature collapse (521.10.202).

However, where the emergency lighting system consists of a central battery, it is of critical importance that the quality of the installation, the fire-integrity of the cables and their supports is maintained. The risk of a loss of signal, and hence illuminance, is increased where poor installation practices are carried out (Note 1 Clause 8.2.1).

Clause 8.22 of BS5266-1 details the nature of cable types recognised as being acceptable. This clause details minimum cable survival times ranging from 60 minutes to 120 minutes.

Without suitable survival times for the support of such cables, it will be impossible to ensure circuit integrity. The methods of cable support and fixings should be non-combustible and such that circuit integrity will not be reduced below that afforded by the cable used (Clause 8.2.3). This means, for example, that where a cable is rated as ‘enhanced emergency lighting cables with inherently high resistance to attach by fire’, the support means should also be capable of performing its function for 120 minutes.

Furthermore, where cable management system support is provided by drop rods, the drop rod size should be calculated in accordance with the recommendations of BS8519.

Fire detection and fire alarm systems

The commentary to clause 26 of BS5839-1 recognises that all interconnections must

Jake Green, Head of Technical Engagement with Scolmore Group, considers the necessity of maintaining signal integrity for life safety services such as fire alarm systems and emergency lighting systems.

operate correctly at the time of a fire. Clause 26.2 recommends that cables forming part of the critical path conform to certain standards. These include mineral insulated copper sheathed cables, cables conforming to BS7629-1, and the like.

Like the recommendations of BS5266-1, clause 26.2f) of BS5839-1 recommends that methods of cable support should be non-combustible and such that circuit integrity is not reduced below that afforded by the cable used, and that they should be able to withstand a similar temperature to that of the cable being supported. This recommendation, in effect, precludes the use of plastic cable clips, ties and trunking as means of cable support.

Fire-resistant power and control cable systems

As with both emergency lighting systems and fire detection and fire alarm systems, BS8519: 2020 addresses the need to ensure cable support systems are adequate to meet the fire survival times of the cables they support.

The recommendations found in BS8519 are like those detailed in both BS5266-1 and BS5839-1. However, additional guidance is provided where a bracket and rod system is used to support safety critical cable systems. Clause 16 of BS8519 recognises that the strength of steel is adversely affected by fire such that great care should be taken in determining the cross-sectional area of the steel rod drops.

Conclusion

It is essential that great care is taken when installing cables supplying life safety systems, such as fire detection and fire alarm systems, emergency lighting systems and fire-fighting lifts. The installer must use appropriate cables and support systems to ensure that critical systems continue to function during fire.

“

BS8519: 2020 addresses the need to ensure cable support systems are adequate to meet the fire survival times of the cables they support”

BEST OF THE TEST

When properly specified, socket testers provide a fast and effective solution to identifying potentially unsafe installation and wiring faults, particularly prior to installing new plant and equipment. Clearly, socket testers are not an alternative to the formal verification of wiring installations; nonetheless, as a first line indicator, they are an essential tool.

All socket testers on the market check that the earth, live and neutral are the right way round but with such a large number of proprietary plugin devices available on the market, functions can vary considerably. With this in mind, when selecting a socket tester, it’s important to understand the different types available and their capabilities and limitations.

Essentially there are three main categories of socket testers, simple, advanced and professional, with the key differentiator being the ability to measure and display either ranges or numerical values for earth fault loop impedance.

It is also worth bearing in mind that although many of these devices will indicate some of the basic electrical faults that may be found in socket-outlet circuits, some of the simpler versions cannot be relied on to indicate more advanced faults, some of which can be potentially dangerous.

Feel the buzz

When it comes to features, whilst some test devices will offer a visual indication, in the form of LEDs, other additional features may include a buzzer, to indicate a good socket; to a combination of indicators to identify which particular fault type is present. However, it could be argued that in an industrial setting, less is more? After all, how reliable is an audible warning in a busy factory or plant setting?

Many socket testers on the market, such as the comprehensive CP series from Martindale Electric, provide a quick and easy way of confirming 16 and 32 Amp (A) sockets are wired correctly using three bright illuminated LEDs and feature

an on-tester look up chart for fast and simple fault diagnosis.

Fitted with a 250V 16A plug, which meets BS4343/IEC309 standards, the CP201 (like many other Martindale socket testers) can identify 28 fault conditions. Wiring faults are instantly indicated by one or more of the LEDs failing to illuminate, with the pattern of lit LEDs indicating the type of fault detected. For checking industrial sockets on 100V centre tapped circuits, the CP301, which is fitted with a distinctive yellow 110V 16A plug (also to BS4343/IEC309), uses three bright LEDs to provide fail-safe fault indication. Furthermore, fault indications include Line 1, Line 2 and centre tap faults, plus Line 1 or 2 centre tap reversal. The CP201 is also available as a 32A version.

Steve Dunning, Managing Director of Martindale Electric, looks at industrial and three-phase socket testers and what wholesalers need to know to help customers choose the right tester for the job in hand.

In an instant

For larger industrial installations and when it comes to testing three-phase sockets and confirming the phase rotation sequence, three-phase industrial socket testers, such as the PC104 and PC105, range can be used for instantly checking sockets in factories and commercial installations for potential wiring faults, prior to connection and maintenance of plant and equipment.

For three-phase socket outlets, the PC104 and PC105 will instantly prove connection of all three lines, identify any incorrect wiring and show the sequence of phase rotation, whilst bright LEDs clearly display any faults. Covering four (CP104) and five (CP105) pin socket configurations, 16, 32 and 63 Amp versions are also available.

When it comes to the design of a socket tester, quality and durability should also be a key consideration. Testers should also ideally feature a tough sculpted design for

easy removal and be durable enough to withstand the roughest of handling, thus providing many years of performance.

However, it’s important to appreciate that although socket testers can be used for detecting first line fault conditions, they are not an alternative to full verification of wiring installations. For full verification it’s necessary to follow the inspection and testing procedures set out in Part 6 of

BS7671, using a full set of test instruments complying with the relevant parts of BS EN61557, typically with a multifunction electrical tester such as Martindale ET4000.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND GUIDANCE ON CHOOSING THE RIGHT SOCKET TESTER PLEASE VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/ WAE015

MARTINDALE ELECTRIC CLAMP METERS

The CM Series range of professional clamp meters from Martindale Electric makes it easy to choose the right tool for the job every time. Whether it’s low current AC, or DC for solar PV and battery systems, the equipment gets the job done.

The pocket-sized clamp range includes the CM55 AC Clamp, CM57 TRMS AC Smart Clamp and the CM79 TRMS AC/DC Clamp, combining outstanding specification and measuring capabilities with reliability and ease of use. The clamps meet the exacting requirements of electricians and service teams working on both AC and DC systems, from basic AC measurements through to min/max monitoring of start-up and charging currents. All the clamps are autoranging and measure current to better than 2% accuracy.

The entry level CM55 is a high-performance AC clamp meter which measures AC current up to 400A, AC/DC voltage and resistance with continuity test. The compact design also enables accurate and reliable current measurement down to 10mA resolution without the need to break into the circuit.

Following on from the CM55, is the CM57 TRMS Smart Clamp Multimeter which measures AC current up to 600A, AC/DC voltage, resistance with continuity test plus capacitance, frequency and diode test making it well suited to HVAC applications.

The CM79 TRMS Clamp meter features AC and DC current measurement up to 600A with Min/Max for monitoring maximum loads, start up and charging currents. The professional clamp is ideal for applications involving PV installations, battery monitoring, UPS systems and electric vehicles.

TO FIND OUT MORE VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WAE016

NIGLON CATALOGUE

They say the best things come in small packages – and Niglon is hoping this is true as it launches its new catalogue. Niglon, which supplies more than 4,500 products to suppliers across the UK, has reduced the size of the booklet and changed the layout to make it even easier to navigate. Commercial Director Paul Dawson explains: “We want to make it as simple as possible for wholesalers and contractors to see our extensive range of electrical products. There are just as many items featured in this new catalogue but we’ve given it a fresh new look and a more compact size.”

TO FIND OUT MORE VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WAE017

ANSELL LIGHTING SUSPENDED LINEAR LIGHT

The ideal solution for modern and design-led settings, Marlo is a brand new suspended linear light from Ansell Lighting. Innovatively designed, the bi-directional luminaire emits light at a 90°angle, yet features advanced lens technology that ensures optimum glare control and comfort. UGR<19 rated, Marlo is the perfect fitting for commercial, retail and educational applications and features a discreet internal switch for settings where directional lighting is required.

Constructed from a robust black-coated aluminium, Marlo is available in 1200mm and 1500mm lengths. Both sizes are available in either 3000k or 4000k colour temperature. Easy to install, Marlo has adjustable suspension points and is pre-wired with 2m cable length, giving plenty of scope for hanging heights.

TO FIND OUT MORE VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WAE018

FIRST MATS

ANTI-STATIC MATS

When working with sensitive electrical equipment, it’s essential to reduce the chances of it being critically damaged by a sudden electrostatic discharge (ESD). A great way to do this is with an Anti-Static Floor Mat, and a new model is now available from First Mats.

The primary job of an Anti-Static Mat is to protect workers and equipment by safely dissipating static electricity, preventing it from building up and discharging, which can damage circuit boards and other sensitive equipment. However, the new ESD Deck-Mat from First Mats also makes for a great anti-fatigue mat. Workers who spend most of their working day on their feet will be all too familiar with the aches and pains caused by long periods of being stationary on their feet, but anti-fatigue mats can make their work significantly more comfortable, leading to better well-being and productivity. The new deck-mat features a soft, foam-based centre that helps relieve discomfort from standing, whilst a conductive vinyl top surface provides durability and protection for operatives and components from static discharges.

The ESD Deck-Mat is available in full 18.3m long rolls in widths of 90cm or 120cm or in custom lengths, which are cut from the roll and professionally finished with ramped edges and a 10mm male stud for earth wire connection.

FOR MORE ON THE RANGE VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WAE019

SIGNIFY LED LIGHTING

Signify has launched its Ultra Efficient product lineup featuring its most energy-efficient LED lighting solutions to date. The products launched include a range of Aclass MASTER LEDbulbs and MASTER LEDtubes. The Ultra Efficient product line up is top of the class in relation to the stricter energy labelling under the Ecodesign Regulation, and the Energy Labelling Regulation, which have recently come into play.

Thanks to this technological breakthrough, the new products are the first in a range of new Philips lighting, meeting the highest level in the new energy labelling legislation. Also, with energy savings of up to 60% compared with standard LED lamps and up to 3.5x longer lifetime, the Ultra Efficiency range is the perfect choice to help customers tackle the mounting pressure to lower carbon footprint in the global energy crisis.

With the previous energy labelling, just 120lm/W would achieve A++ efficiency. Under the new ratings, 120/lm would achieve an E-rating. For an A-class rating under the new regulations, lighting products must reach an energy efficiency of 210lm/W. Signify has developed and designed a range of lamps that meet these criteria, meaning they consume 60% less power to achieve the same light output as standard LED lighting. The Ultra-Efficient range are more cost-effective in the long run, thanks to their lower energy consumption and longer lifetime. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WAE020

AXIOM

WEATHERPROOF SWITCHES & SOCKETS

Axiom Wiring Accessories has launched a new range of weatherproof switches and sockets. These IP66 rated products comprise one and two gang options for 13A three pin switched sockets, two way switches with neon and for empty enclosures. In addition, there is a two gang unswitched socket and a one gang connection unit.

Robustly built for heavy duty use, quality features include brass earth terminals, stainless steel self-retaining screws and efficient gaskets for water protection. Installation is made easier with simple push out knockouts and space allowed for extra terminals, whilst in use benefits of the new sockets include positive switch contacts and the ease by which lids can be opened.

Finished in grey, this new Axiom range has full BSEN1363 approval for sockets plus BS EN0669 for switches and comes with a one year guarantee.

TO FIND OUT MORE VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WAE021

OVIA LINEAR LUMINAIRES

Among the latest additions to Ovia’s growing premium lighting portfolio is Inceptor Duo - a sleek up and down dimmable linear luminaire.

Inceptor Duo offers installers and their clients a complete custom dual lighting solution and is perfect for accentuating design features both high and low. It is available in two lengths – 1200mm and 1500mm – and two wattages – 42W and 56W. There are three colour options to cover all décor requirements – black, grey and white.

The luminaire features a dual CTA switch - OFF, cool white, warm white and day light and the up and down lights can be controlled separately. Inceptor Duo is dimmable and emergency versions are available. Watch the Inceptor Duo video here –WWW.RDR.LINK/WAE023

THE FULL RANGE CAN BE SEEN IN THE NEW OVIA ISSUE 4 CATALOGUE WHICH CAN BE DOWNLOADED FROM THE OVIA WEBSITE – WWW.RDR.LINK/WAE024

TIMEGUARD PIR DETECTORS

New flatter lenses make the new PIR occupancy detectors from Timeguard as attractive to interior designers as they are to contractors. With Timeguard’s trusted brand assurance, these stylish, energy saving devices are easy to install, can be relied on to perform to specification, and will give many years of trouble-free service. Motion is detected over a 10m field with more-sensitive presence detection over a 3m diameter. Adjusting time on, sensitivity and lux level is straightforward and the new flat lens design is available for flush or ceiling mounting. They will switch up to 600W LED lighting or a 250W fan and can be wired in parallel to tailor coverage for individual spaces.

TO FIND OUT MORE VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WAE022

KNIPEX

MULTITOOLS

The new KNIPEX NexStrip (12 72 190) is a must-have multi-tool for all electricians. This versatile tool cuts, strips and crimps - three crucial applications all at the same time. It isolates flexible and solid conductors from 0.03 to 10mm² with automatic adaptation to the cable crosssections; it self-adjusts wire end sleeves between 0.25 to 4mm² /2 x 2.5mm²; and cuts flexible conductors up to 10mm². The KNIPEX NexStrip is perfect for domestic installations and helps save valuable time.

As stripping pliers, the KNIPEX NexStrip works precisely, automatically adapting to each cable diameter, ensuring consistent stripping lengths thanks to the adjustable length stop, making it ideal for repetitive work. The fine adjustment enables reliable stripping of flexible and solid conductors between 0.03–10mm² even under special operating conditions, such as special insulating materials or extreme temperatures.

The KNIPEX NexStrip, is also the perfect tool for crimping. The ratchet crimping mechanism guarantees the exact crimping pressure so you can expect a consistently high crimp quality. It offers fast and even square crimping for individual wire ferrules in accordance with DIN 46228 Parts 1 and 4. It is self-adjusting between 0.25–4mm² /2 x 2.5mm² and allows for quick crimping between different sizes.

TO FIND OUT MORE VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WAE025

4LITE

LED BATTENS

Durability and energy efficiency are key features of 4Lite’s new additions to its battens range. Manufactured from hardwearing polycarbonate, the LED weatherproof batten is waterproof, dust proof and corrosion proof and can withstand operating temperatures ranging from -20°C to 50°C. It is ideally suited to car parks, factories, warehouses and garages.

Delivering an energy efficient 120lm/W and a performance of up to 6,500 lumens, it has an LED lifespan of L70 30,000 hours, supported by a four year warranty. The weatherproof batten’s slimline design includes easy wiring connectors which require no screwdriver, enabling quick and simple installation. It is available in four lengths – 600mm, 1,200mm, 1,500mm and 1,800mm. The versatile IP20 rated LED batten, designed to withstand temperatures between -10° and 40°, is the solution of choice for utility rooms, garages and corridors, and is perfectly suited to schools and commercial and industrial applications.

With an energy efficient performance offering up to 4,400 lumens and an LED lifespan of L70 54,000 hours, this batten also comes with a four year warranty for added peace of mind. Its slimline design delivers a minimal aesthetic and easy installation is in-built thanks to metal clips which attach to the body of the batten.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WAE026

MEGAMAN

LED DOWNLIGHTS

Megaman continues to offer the complete lighting solution when it comes to fire rated integrated LED downlights. To complement its existing application rich TEGO 2, Megaman has launched its economy TEGO Slim, which harnesses many of the same benefits but at an extremely cost-effective price point. Ideal for applications with a limited ceiling depth, TEGO Slim is suitable for a range of applications, including kitchens, bathrooms, offices, retail, hotels and restaurants.

Weighing just 160g, TEGO Slim is a compact, slimline iteration of the TEGO and TEGO 2 LED downlight with a 90° beam angle. It comes with smooth performance triac dimming (U-dim) and offers an energy efficient lumen output of 450lm at 5.5W and a 4000K colour temperature. Tested to provide fire protection for 30, 60, 90-minute ceiling constructions and IP65 rated, TEGO Slim is ideal for environments with higher moisture levels, such as kitchens and bathrooms.

Installation is simple with no tools required due to loop in/loop out functionality and a flexible cord between the luminaire and the terminal block. An optional thermal insulation guard is available for use under thermal ceiling installations and there is a brushed nickel as well as the standard matt white finish.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WAE027

PHAROS

LIGHTING CONTROLS

Pharos Architectural Controls has unveiled Expert, a new lighting control solution.

Expert is an all new, innovative and straightforward control solution centred around a single, reliable, set-andforget controller. A lighting control system that behaves the way you work, with expertly designed hardware that simplifies installation, and commissioning software that makes programming easy. Expert guides users through setting up their system and creating their lighting design with clear, easy to follow helpers and walkthroughs.

Expert offers effortless control of decorative and functional lighting, while bringing artistic and dynamic control to even the most complex of lighting designs. Beautiful architecture can be accentuated, welcoming ambient spaces can be created, and stunning colours and movement can dazzle. Expert makes light of it.

Benefiting from all the expertise Pharos has in dynamic lighting for architecture, the Expert range - comprising of Control, Touch, Repeat and Switch - is designed and built to the same standard of quality and reliability for which Pharos is renowned.

Expert Control is a compact DIN rail enclosure with solidstate hardware for 24-7 operation and reliability. With up to 1024 channels of eDMX, two local DMX ports, a DALI port and two pairs of IO onboard, combined with simple networking for programming, installation-friendly connectors and test mode options, it's a practical solution for dynamic architectural lighting. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WAE028

CK TOOLS HEAD TORCH

C.K Tools has launched a brand-new Wide Field Head Light (T9630) to ensure greater visibility and safety when accessing wires or cables in dark and confined spaces.

The COB LED head light comes with an RRP of £39.00 and four modes of operation – spotlight, wide field, full beam, and dipped beam – providing the versatility needed to suit all manner of environments electricians find themselves in.

More importantly, the head light performs at a high CRI (Colour Rendering Index) rating of 80, which when optimised with a combination of 400 lumens of brightness (equivalent to a 40w LED bulb) and 5,700 kelvins of colour temperature (similar to natural light) means it can more closely project the true colour of the object it is shining on – critical when working with coloured electrical wires in dark spaces.

For extra portability, the head light is charged via USB, with six hours of runtime, three hours of charge time, and a charging indicator. To withstand the variety of environments and spaces it will be used in, the head light also comes with an IK-07 impact rating and IP54 ingress protection from limited dust and water spray, for extra durability.

FOR MORE ON THE RANGE VISIT:

WWW.RDR.LINK/WAE029

SCOLMORE SMART SOCKET KITS

Scolmore continues to develop its ClickSmart+ home automation range and its latest additions will bring even more accessible smart technology solutions to market. A range of new ClickSmart+ Smart Socket Kits have been launched, bringing together essential components in one handy box allowing users to maximise and simplify connected products in all areas of their homes.

One of the most popular uses for a smart plug is to control lighting as a visual deterrent for intruders. The scheduling feature available on the new Click Smart+ Smart Sockets, allows devices to be turned on or off at certain times to suit, for example, while the house is empty. Other uses can include operating devices such as electric heaters, fans and radios to name just a few.

Available in Scolmore’s popular Mode white finish, the range comprises a 13A 2 Gang Smart Socket Kit, a 13A Plug-in Wi-Fi Smart Socket Kit, and the Aquip66 13A 2 Gang Outdoor Smart Socket Kit. These smart products can be controlled through the ClickSmart+ app and can also be controlled through voice control via an Amazon Alexa or Google Home speaker.

NVC LIGHTING

2022/23 CATALOGUE

NVC Lighting’s latest catalogue includes hundreds of highperformance, value delivering LED lighting solutions for commercial, industrial, and residential applications. It also launches NVC’s new Pro range of high performing products that are all L80, 100,000 hours rated. NVC’s Pro range comes with a comprehensive seven-year warranty that not only applies to all fittings, but also to emergency batteries, something NVC believes to be unique among UK lighting suppliers. New products include three ranges of downlights for commercial, social housing and student accommodation projects called MIAMI, VENUS and MERCURY where toolless terminals and plug/socket mains disconnect allow for rapid installation and quick testing. Other features include: selectable colour temperature, fire-rated, mains dimmable and a choice of bezel finishes.

DOWNLOAD THE CATALOGUE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WAE031

MARLEC

VEVA EV CHARGERS

MAKITA

8.0AH BL4080F BATTERY

Makita has launched its largest capacity battery to date with an impressive 288 watthours of energy. The 8.0Ah BL4080F offers the longest runtime for its XGT products, meaning less downtime and improved productivity. Especially useful when used on higher drain XGT machines, this new battery pushes performance even harder. The 40VMax XGT BL4080F 8.0Ah battery has been designed to be both robust and highly intelligent. Equipped with 20 cells, it has a higher power output that enables Makita’s XGT tools to be pushed even harder and perform heavy duty, continuous operation over extended periods. Thanks to its heavy-duty and durable outer and cell casing, this product has a significantly improved impact resistance. The BL4080F is also IPX4 rated with a water and dust-resistant triple layer structure and an enhanced terminal structure to handle any job site condition.

GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WAE033

VEVA is the new 7KW tethered or untethered EV charger that’s backed by Marlec, one of the UK’s longest established renewable energy companies.

During the past four years Marlec has been patiently observing the EV charging market to gather information on what exactly installers, homeowners and businesses want from an EV charger and the answer was clear: a car charger that is simple, beautiful, and affordable. In a competitive market like EV charging, Marlec quickly identified that there are EV chargers that are beautiful, there are some that are easier to install than others and there are entry level models that are affordable - but not one that ticked all three boxes sufficiently. This is where VEVA comes in.

VEVA runs on a completely app-controlled eco-system that enables homeowners to customise and specify scheduled charging times as well as mirroring the charger’s status in real-time all at the click of a button. The VEVA also offers additional features such as automatic load balancing to prevent the property load exceeding its fuse rating, LED indicators to signify different operations and charging modes and a customisable front facia, giving the homeowner the ability to personalise their VEVA’s aesthetic.

As well as being technologically advanced VEVA has been designed and engineered with ease of installation and simplicity of operation, with its built-in earthing, RCD protection, built-in spirit level and no need for an external type A being installed - just an MCB. Thanks to VEVA utilising state of the art components, it has allowed for more internal room, making accessing the terminals easier than other EV chargers. This is an EV charger that’s certain to be an ideal choice for installers.

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.

CAMPAIGN NEWS

METREL WORK SMARTER, NOT HARDER

The latest innovation from the team at Metrel is the focus of this new advertising campaign which is sure to send sales at the trade counter soaring. The new Ring Continuity Adapter speeds up the measurement of r1, rn, r2 and R1 + RN, R1 + R2 by automating the process for the end user. Other benefits include the ability to measure line, neutral and PE resistance at the press of a button, plus the product significantly speeds up the process of ring final circuit testing.

GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WAE035

PROTEUS SWITCHGEAR DISTRIBUTION UNITS FOR EV CHARGERS

Featured as part of the brand’s current marketing campaign, Proteus Switchgear offers an extensive range of single and three phase EV distribution units, incorporating loss of neutral protection and O-PEN protection for 3-phase applications. These striking adverts, which are sure to catch the attention of electricians, offer more details about the features and benefits of the range, plus details of the bespoke services available for specific project requirements.

GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WAE036

ISM EUROPA SAFETY FOOTWEAR UNVEILED

Two ranges of safety footwear are featured in the latest adverts from ISM Europa – the Albatros range of safety shoes, and the Puma Safety offering. Albatros offers dynamic, comfortable and uncompromising safety for end users, while Puma Safety trainers provide complete comfort, a precision fit and responsive cushioning. With strong photography and a clear distinction between the two products, these adverts are sure to grab the attention of your customers.

GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WAE037

LIVE ELECTRICAL RCBO WITH ARC FAULT PROTECTION

Featuring a close up shot of the product, plus all the details that potential end user customers would need to know, this marketing campaign from Live Electrical will certainly catch the eye. The Live AFD range of arc fault detection devices utilise Live’s single module RC frame with neutral flying lead and additional RCBO protection. They feature an arc fault indication window so that professionals can distinguish which fault mode has triggered the device.

GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WAE038

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.

THE FAMILY WAY

Founded over 30 years ago, DANLERS is a leading manufacturer of lighting and HVAC controls. Based in Chippenham, Wiltshire, the family run company designs and manufactures all products in house with premium quality. With DANLERS being a UK manufacturer, it means that it can maintain its reputation for quality and innovation.

From dimmers to smart sensors, DANLERS prides itself on first class customer service and quality of products,

ensuring that they are easy to install and reliable, equipped with the latest technology for fast, efficient and reliable electronics production and testing.

There are many pointof-sale items available for the trade counter, such as a countertop dispenser which is neat and compact, featuring DANLERS’ up-todate catalogues which can be replenished. There are also display boards for slat walls with images of the products and a pocket for the catalogues, as well as a new display board with a fresh, eye catching and aesthetically

pleasing design; matching the new product boxes – this has two hooks in it so you can hang DANLERS products, and a QR code which will take you to the website and images of products.

ENQUIRE TODAY TO SEE HOW DANLERS CAN HELP, OR TO REQUEST POINT-OF-SALE INFORMATION.

WWW.RDR.LINK/ WAE039

2022 has been an important year for Ansell Lighting. We have celebrated our 30th birthday with a host of events and fundraising – and of course quite a significant number of product launches.

Underlining our commitment to developing and producing high quality products we have launched innovative luminaires such as Z LED Plus – a powerful addition to the highbay lighting range; the unique Adler LED Exit Sign which features fully rotatable legends to allow the direction of the arrow indicators to be changed as required and the Prism Pro High Output and Prism Pro Mini CCT Fire Rated Downlights that are fully compliant in all ceiling types.

But we also took a step back to consider how we, as a growing, successful and ambitious business, could give something back to the people and organisations that not only support our business but those that have played such an important role in sustaining their own communities over the difficult last few years.

Blue is the colour

One of the first ways we did that was to pledge our support for the charity Our Blue Light, which provides mental health and wellbeing support to emergency services and essential services workers.

In the midst of the pandemic, emergency services workers worked tirelessly, putting themselves at the forefront of the fight against Covid. Our Blue Light provides support and respite from those relentless demands of working in hospitals and other emergency services. It provides physical and mental support in the shape of organised activities such as family peer support camps, walks, challenges and the opportunity to swim with Newfoundland dogs – something a number of our Ansell colleagues took the opportunity to join in with.

And then we decided to do

something that feeds into what we do best – lighting! The Ansell Shine A Light campaign was designed to highlight projects and initiatives that have provided vital support and services to their communities in the last couple of years, with the winner receiving a lighting installation worth up to £5,000 to help them improve their facilities and therefore the services they provide.

We engaged with our customers and partners, from wholesalers to installers and end-users, via social media, direct marketing and POS, asking them to support the campaign by nominating their local projects and spreading the word about the competition.

Entries came in from across the country – from community gardens to brass bands; junior sports clubs to cafes and social support hubs; Scout groups to sensory rooms. Our final shortlist of four projects included:

Mark Abbott, Managing Director of Ansell Lighting, explains why giving back to the communities that support your business has never been more important.

Spark Community Space in Southsea, Portsmouth - a charity and safe space that offers access to support and services to people who feel like they don’t ‘fit in’, so they can ‘Spark’ back into life – that wanted to improve the lighting in its new ‘forever’ home.

Cleethorpes Band – a 140-year-old brass band in North East Lincolnshire that is an important part of the community, performing regularly and encouraging people to learn a new skill – but that needed better lighting to enable players to more easily see their sheet music, and to make the building more welcoming.

From Tiny Seeds Community Interest Company in Holmfirth, Huddersfield, which provides free parenting, baby and childcare support to local families and

wanted to develop a sensory room to support families with additional needs.

Stable and safe

All very worthy projects. But the eventual winner was Elmbridge Community Eco Hub, in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, which provides a multifunctional safe space and range of community minded activities, including a community fridge; a ‘Library of Things’, regular repair café, seed bank, book, boardgame and jigsaw swaps, skill share and litter picking sessions, and a huge community garden. The Hub is housed in a 200-year-old former stable block but the lighting is old and ineffective.

Founder and director Mick Tumilty said: “After almost two years of isolation

due to lockdowns, local people wanted to feel part of something, needed a focus and a reason to recreate that sense of community and we have been blown away at how the Hub took off and how many people use it. Winning this lighting installation from Ansell will really help us to achieve our plans, to do more evening activities and to do so much more for the community.”

The Shine A Light campaign genuinely did just that – it shone a light on the efforts and commitment of normal people who go the extra mile to help others and make their communities a better place. With the UK facing a tough winter and many challenges it was heartwarming to hear from these amazing projects and we are looking forward to seeing the transformation of the Elmbridge Community Eco Hub when its new lighting is in place.

What a way to round off our 30th year.

“ The campaign shone a light on the efforts and commitment of normal people who go the extra mile to help others and make their communities a better place.”

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 ..............................................................................(page 43) www.rdr.link/WAE100

C-Tec Ltd .....................................................................(page 50) www.rdr.link/WAE101

CED ...............................................................................(page 17) www.rdr.link/WAE102

Clynder Cabels ltd .....................................................(page 23) www.rdr.link/WAE103

Deligo Ltd ......................................................................(page 3) www.rdr.link/WAE104

Deta .............................................................................(page 55) www.rdr.link/WAE105

Duracell Professional Europe ...................................(page 40) www.rdr.link/WAE106

Electro Replacement Ltd ...........................................(page 35) www.rdr.link/WAE107

Electro-Wind ...............................................................(page 33) www.rdr.link/WAE108

ELEX (in house) ..........................................................(page 53) www.rdr.link/WAE109

Elite Security Products/ESP ......................................(page 45) www.rdr.link/WAE110

Forum Lighting Solutions Ltd ..............................(page 2/IFC) www.rdr.link/WAE111

Hydra EVC Ltd ............................................................(page 25) www.rdr.link/WAE112

Intalite ..........................................................................(page 48) www.rdr.link/WAE113

JCC Lighting Products Ltd ..............................(page 60/OBC) www.rdr.link/WAE114

Linkedin .......................................................................(page 54) www.rdr.link/WAE115

LGA Europe Ltd ..........................................................(page 39) www.rdr.link/WAE116

Martindale Electric Co ...............................................(page 37) www.rdr.link/WAE117

Metrel UK .....................................................................(page 12) www.rdr.link/WAE118

Ovia Lighting ...............................................................(page 19) www.rdr.link/WAE119

Schneider Electric ........................................................(page 4) www.rdr.link/WAE120

Scolmore International ..............................................(page 46) www.rdr.link/WAE121

Securi-Flex Ltd ............................................................(page 54) www.rdr.link/WAE122

Sevadis ...........................................................................(page 7) www.rdr.link/WAE123

Stearn Electric Co Ltd .................................................(page 11) www.rdr.link/WAE124

Stearn Electric Co Ltd .................................................(page 13) www.rdr.link/WAE125

Switchtec Ltd ..............................................................(page 27) www.rdr.link/WAE126

The IBA ................................................................(page 59/IBC) www.rdr.link/WAE127

Unicrimp ......................................................................(page 29) www.rdr.link/WAE128

Wiska UK Ltd .................................................................(page 8) www.rdr.link/WAE129