Professional Electrician & Installer April 2020

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TO EE FR DE RA ET TH

PROFESSIONAL

ELECTRICIAN THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE FOR THE ELECTRICAL TRADE

& INSTALLER APRIL 2020

PRODUCT REVIEWS

WE GET THE VERDICT ON NAPIT’S ON-SITE SOLUTIONS PUBLICATION

MENTAL HEALTH SPECIAL A DAY IN THE LIFE OF AN ANXIOUS ENGINEER

BUSINESS ADVICE HOW WILL THE IR35 TAX LAWS AFFECT YOU?

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: CAUGHT ON CAMERA ● NEW PRODUCTS ● TECHNICAL & TRAINING ● ASK OVIA AND MORE…

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Total Average Net Distribution: 71,632 Certification period 1 January 2018 - 31 December 2018

April 2020 Volume 36 No.4

Regulars 5 9 21 22 30 32 39 51 66 92

VIEWPOINT NEWS LETTERS ELEX EXETER PREVIEW MK ELECTRIC INSIGHTS NEW THE CODEBREAKERS ASK OVIA NEW MADE 2 MEASURE PRODUCTS IN PRACTICE CAPTAIN C-TEC

57

News & Views 17

What does the IR35 tax law mean for contractors?

25 A day in the life of an anxious electrician

Technical & Training

Do you need to re-consider your choice of switches?

35 Armouring of a cable as a protective conductor 38 Where should you use SPD devices?

41 TV aerial systems: what electricians need to know 44 How to apply Table 54.8, following amendments to the 18th Edition 47 Understanding new NHBC guidance for recessed light fittings 48 Wiring Regulations: what are the labelling requirements?

52 We check out the latest training courses for electricians Aerial systems: an electrician’s guide

Products & Business Solutions

58 Why LED floodlights represent the future 61 How Doncaster Cables’ latest product development is helping users to save time and money when installing EV charging stations

EV charging cables: two becomes one

Digital Digest 93 Profiling the latest App and website developments

65 Can thermal imaging help to diagnose substation failures?

96 The newest videos to hit the small screen

68 Pete Monfort gets stuck into NAPIT’s On-site Solutions publication

97 An extra helping of Caught on Camera from PE’s social channels

71

Competitions & Giveaways

Howard Mitchell tries the latest CK toolbelt for size

74 Steve Hewish reviews a host of solutions from IDEAL Industries

41

61

57 Do you need to switch-up your choice of switches?

77 Rounding-up the latest new products and additions to the electrical market

18 WIN C.K Insulated T-handle Hex Keys sets up for grabs

29 WIN Get your hands on an Ariston Velis Evo Wi-Fi water heater

55 WIN Loads of great freebies and goodies to be won

PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN April 2020 3

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@proelectrician

professionalelectrician

Editorial Assistant PATRICK SWAN email: pswan@hamerville.co.uk Digital Manager REBECCA MCGEOCH email: rmcgeoch@hamerville.co.uk Advertisement Manager ANTHONY SCOTT email: ascott@hamerville.co.uk Assistant Advertisement Manager IAN TURNER Design ADEEL QADRI Production Assistant KERRI SMITH Group Production Manager CAROL PADGETT Distribution Manager KARL CLARK Managing Editor TERRY SMITH Publisher BRYAN SHANNON Printed by: WALSTEAD PETERBOROUGH Published by: HAMERVILLE MEDIA GROUP Regal House, Regal Way, Watford, Herts, WD24 4YF Tel: 01923 237799 Fax: 01923 246901 Email: pe@hamerville.co.uk PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN is the business journal for the electrical contracting industry. It is available to the trade at leading electrical wholesalers throughout the UK. © 2020

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

Image References (Adobe Stock): Pg 9 Money worries © VisualYouNeed Pg 17 Tax calculator © Memed Ozaslan Pg 25 Lonely © Photographeeu Pg 26 Mental health © Olivier Le Moal Pg 27 Brain overload © Tadamichi Pg 38 Stormy skies © Standret Pg 44 Checking documents © Auremar Pg 52 EV car © Napong Pg 58 Future © Jurgen Falchle Pg 61 EV plug-in © Virojt Pg 84 Blister © MonkeyBusiness

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

Editor’s Viewpoint

Meet the team Editor RICHARD BOWLER email: pe@hamerville.co.uk

pe@hamerville.co.uk

You’ll gain from joining the training ride

A

friend in the military once told me his mantra is ‘train hard, fight easy’.

Training is at the core of the armed forces – some in the services spend their whole lives training for roles they may never actually undertake.

The same cannot be said for the busy professional electrician, who is operating on the home front six or even seven days a week.

For some, the last training session may be the day they left college – although it is certainly the case that there is also much to be learned by simply doing the job on a day-to-day basis.

However, it remains important to keep skills to the highest standards possible. We all recognise that much is likely to have changed since an electrician was last at college, and with Regulations and standards evolving constantly, it’s imperative that a commitment to CPD (Continuing Professional Development) is at the forefront of an electrician’s mind.

What we also know, however, is that training can be both costly and time-consuming: taking time off from the day-job will often mean that the individual is not earning that day (certainly in the financial sense anyway). Unlike soldiers, electricians do not get paid to go off on a training exercise.

Fortunately, there is help at hand wherever you look in this industry. Whether it’s the growing levels of support and communities online, the assistance on offer from professional institutes and product manufacturers, or the many trade shows and training events (which are often free to attend), the tools and information are there to help you to improve your CPD constantly. Indeed, as you read through this issue of PE you’ll be

contributing to your CPD development with each article you consume.

In this issue alone you’ll find details of some great events and training courses that are well worth taking advantage of in the near future, including our own ELEX show which heads to Exeter later this month (see page 22). Regular training top-ups are one of the best methods of staying ahead of the game, enabling installers to ensure they’re in the best possible position to offer customers a trusted, professional service.

It’s good to talk As Mental Health Awareness month takes place in May, we’ll be discussing this previously ‘taboo’ subject in more detail in the next issue’s Viewpoint column. That said, mental health awareness is an all-year-round discussion, as you’ll discover later in this issue when we diarise a day in the life of an anxious electrician (starts on page 25).

Though the contributor’s struggles may prove uncomfortable reading for some, it really provides a telling insight into the ways that mental health issues can affect an individual’s personal and working lives, so it’s well worth a look.

Elsewhere, many electricians and contractors are concerned whether the IR35 taxation laws – which come into play this month – are relevant to them as an individual or a business. We hope to clear up some of the confusion with the help of one of the country’s leading tax specialists (see page 17).

Have a good month and we’ll look forward to seeing some of you at the Exeter ELEX show in a few weeks.

Richard B owler PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN April 2020 5

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RDR.LINK

WWW. RDR.LINK: how to use pe’s ENQUIRY SERVICE

Never ones to rest on our laurels, we've updated our reader enquiry service to help you to get to the product, business or technical information you require, quickly and efficiently.

LOST YOUR BACK ISSUE OF PE? FEAR NOT! Introduced on the PROFESSIONAL back of long-term ELECTRICIAN & INSTALLER public demand, and ensuring that there's no need to panic if you've HEALTH & SAFETY misplaced a recent NEWS issue, you can now SPECIAL access a digital copy of your favourite magazine directly from our website. All you need to do is click on the 'Magazine' tab on our website, and you can view the past month's issue in digital format, complete with clickable links to take you to further information about products and articles you're interested in.

Don't forget to also sign up for our FREE weekly e-newsletter while you're there, delivering the latest stories from www.professional-electrician.com directly to your inbox every week.

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6 April 2020 PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN

How to use rdr.link On certain pages you may read: “To download a technical data sheet for this product, visit: www.rdr.link/EP001” (or similar).

Simply enter www.rdr.link/ with the unique 5 digit code into a browser and it will take you directly to the mentioned resource – in this case the product data sheet.

Alternatively, you can log directly on to www.rdr.link and type in any of the codes from the magazine into the main search box. You’ll then be directed to the supporting content or resource that you’re looking for.

There's a tremendous array of online supporting aids out there for electricians, so our aim is to help to point you in the direction of the best ones without making you do the thinking yourselves.

To that end we hope the new system will prove popular.

But don’t just take our word for it; give it a try for yourself this month!

EE FR

What is rdr.link?

With a wide array of online resources supporting the latest solutions – from videos to technical guides, PDFs to podcasts – it can be a challenge to locate what you need quickly and efficiently.

To ensure you don’t miss out on those valuable resources, we’ve introduced rdr.link – a new, rapid service to transport you immediately to the online resources mentioned in our stories.

Replacing our traditional paper ‘Readerlink’ enquiry card, all readers have to do is type the call-to-action codes located on each page into their web browser and they’ll be taken directly to useful online content – whether that be supporting videos, further product information, white papers, technical downloads and more.

It’s a simple, direct route to the relevant information online, as an alternative to searching around and trying to find out more via a search engine.

THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE FOR

THE ELECTRICAL TRADE

MARCH 2020

WHY IT’S VITAL TO ISOLATE LIVE CIRCUITS WHEN YOU’RE WORKING

MANDATORY ELECTRICAL CHECKS IN THE PRS ARE ON THEIR WAY

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: TECHNICAL &

TRAINING ● CAUGHT ON CAMERA

● NEW PRODUCTS ● GIVEAWAYS

AND MORE…..

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news @proelectrician

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

professionalelectrician

pe@hamerville.co.uk

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

SMEs suffer mental health problems due to pay issues Almost four in 10 small and medium-sized businesses across all industry sectors are encountering mental health issues among staff due to unfair payment practices, according to a new YouGov poll.

The survey, commissioned by engineering services bodies ECA and BESA, identified mental health issues in SME staff due to late or unfair payments including: stress (29%), depression (14%), extreme anger (9%) and suicidal feelings (3%), directly resulting from late or unfair payment. Other major findings included: ● More than 2 in 10 (22%) SME owners have had to reduce their salary or stop taking a salary for a period of time, as a result of late or unfair payment. ● Those working for SME businesses in London reported the highest number of mental health issues among staff due to late or unfair payment (42%).

Businesses in the North and East reported the smallest number of mental health issues (34% each). ● Compared to over 55s, under 35s were eight times more likely to say someone at their business had experienced suicidal feelings (8% vs 1%), and four times more likely to recognise self-harm among staff from unfair payment (4% vs 1%).

ECA Director of Legal and Commercial, Rob Driscoll commented: “These shocking new findings show how late and unfair payment is causing a wave of mental health issues right across the economy and society. With mental health now rightly in the spotlight, it’s beyond the pale that large businesses continue to impose such issues on SMEs across industry.”

Overall, just over seven in 10 SMEs (71%) across the entire economy are paid late. The worst affected sectors were legal (90%) and construction (82%).

The construction sector, which faces the additional burden of cash retentions that other sectors do not encounter, also fared poorly among mental health issues from unfair payment.

ECA and BESA are calling on the Government to give the Small Business Commissioner tougher powers to sanction late payers across every sector, as well as to legislating for a retentions deposit scheme to protect construction SMEs from systemic abuse of cash retentions and upstream insolvency.

Hultafors Group adds EMMA Safety Footwear As customer demands for accreditation, safety, quality and value increase, the Hultafors Group has added EMMA Safety Footwear to its portfolio.

The company’s PPE collection already includes tools, workwear and protective wear brands such as Snickers Workwear, Solid Gear and Toe Guard safety footwear, Hellberg Safety and Hultafors Tools.

The acquisition of EMMA Safety Footwear considerably enhances the range of safety shoes and boots with fully accredited, excellent value footwear to

satisfy a wide range of user needs and working environments, including light and heavy industry sectors, plus office and retail environments.

“Delivering this new safety footwear brand to the UK market is a natural step for us to become the leading company in the UK for safety footwear, workwear and hand tools”, said Peter Dumigan, MD of the Hultafors Group UK.

“Adding EMMA to the Solid Gear and Toe Guard footwear ranges extends our offer of premium quality, high value brands that are the natural fit for discerning professional craftsmen and women”.

PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN April 2020 9

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news

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

Unitrunk opens Yorkshire distribution depot Cable management specialist, Unitrunk, has added to its extensive distribution network with the opening of a new depot in Yorkshire.

The latest depot will bring the Unitrunk Group to a total of 10 locations throughout the UK and Ireland, including two manufacturing sites, located in Warrington and Lisburn, the company’s HQ in Northern Ireland.

Unitrunk has spent over nine months locating and fitting out the premises, which is predominantly warehousing space. The impressive storage capacity means many products are immediately available to customers facing tight deadlines. The Yorkshire facility also boasts newly renovated office space and dedicated conference facilities which will

be used to train customers on how to get the most from the current Unitrunk product range, as well as to introduce the various new ranges that the company will be releasing later this year.

Unitrunk’s Managing Director, David Morrow said: “The new depot means that we are now within five minutes to 1½ hours reach of all our customers.

“We have a fantastic team in place and we’re excited about bringing our unique product range, which focuses on

ease of use and speedy installation, to new customers in the area, as well as being that bit closer to current customers who are already aware of the time saving benefits the Unitrunk product range can bring to their cable management project.”

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professionalelectrician

pe@hamerville.co.uk

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

NAPIT hosts Northern Ireland technical seminars NAPIT has hosted three successful CPD seminars to members, electrical contractors and other organisations in Northern Ireland.

The seminars took place in Omagh and Belfast and covered the latest changes to the Regulations, including Amendment 1 to BS 7671 Electrical Vehicle Charging, Surge Protection and Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) coding. Frank Bertie, NAPIT Chief Technical Officer along with other NAPIT technical experts, Paul Chaffers and Richard Townsend, provided the free CPD sessions.

The events were split into two sessions; one for electricians and electrical contractors, and a second one aimed more for Local Authorities and the

education, health, water and transport sectors.

Garo and Megger supported the events and provided visitors with advice and demonstrations of the latest products and solutions.

Mike Andrews, NAPIT Chief Executive Officer, said: “I’m really pleased with the reception we received at our technical seminars in Northern Ireland. There were engaging conversations and participation from visitors, and it was great to provide technical content which promotes electrical competence to support

contractors within the UK. These events form part of our objectives of raising standards and promoting technical excellence within the electrical industry”.

VIEW NAPIT’S UPCOMING EVENTS CALENDAR AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EP001

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news

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

NICEIC/ELECSA LIVE SOUTH Expo details announced NICEIC and ELECSA have confirmed that the LIVE SOUTH Expo will return to Epsom Downs Racecourse on Thursday, May 21st.

Established as a must-attend event for anyone working in the electrical contracting industry, LIVE SOUTH is set to pack a punch as it delivers in-depth technical seminars, expert high-profile speakers, great networking opportunities and much more.

“We’re excited to be returning to Epsom for what promises to be our biggest and best LIVE SOUTH event to date,” said NICEIC & ELECSA Events & Marketing Manager, Michaela Keates.

“Core to these events is our commitment to promoting technical excellence and raising standards across

our industry. As such, we have designed an event which we believe delivers vital education and practical learning in an informative yet engaging manner.”

She continues: “Our seminar programme, which is CPD accredited, will deal with the most relevant factors facing our industry, with topics such as Amendment 1, upcoming changes to legislation within the Private Rental Sector, Surge Protection Devices and RCD Types and Testing.

“Our leading experts will host live Q&A sessions and will be on hand to answer questions throughout the day, while our

exhibition hall will be packed with top brands offering advice on the latest products.”

Tickets are priced at £29 (ex VAT) for NICEIC & ELECSA members, £49 for non-members (ex VAT) and apprentices can attend free-of-charge.

GET MORE DETAILS AND SECURE TICKETS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EP002

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pe@hamerville.co.uk

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

Weston College receives major Schneider Easy9 donation Schneider Electric has donated Easy9 products to Weston College in Weston-Super-Mare, to support the training of the next generation of electricians.

With over 150 electrical students ranging from full-time level one to level three apprenticeships, the college runs multiple electrical courses that allow students to gain the hands-on skills and knowledge needed to open up career opportunities.

The donation of five Easy9 pallets will allow the college to stop using outdated 16th edition boards and improve the quality of student learning and the delivery of qualifications moving forward.

“As we move to a more energy focused future, it’s vital that we train our

next generation of electricians with the skills they’ll need. With increasing budget cuts to education, we feel it’s our duty to help electrical engineers in their careers by providing contemporary equipment,” said Sean Miller, Electrician Programme Manager at Schneider Electric.

“We’re passionate about working with the electrical community, such as those at Weston College. We’re delighted to provide our solutions to these students and make a difference to their training. Technology and training must to go hand-in-hand if we’re to futureproof the industry.”

Christopher Simpson, Weston College’s Building Engineering Services

& Environmental Technology Manager, said: “An enormous thank you on behalf of our learners and the College for the extremely generous and considerate donation of Schneider products that will help greatly with the training of our full-time learners and apprentices.”

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news @proelectrician

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

professionalelectrician

pe@hamerville.co.uk

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

Enhance your knowledge of security and fire systems Professionals working in the security and fire systems sectors are being encouraged to attend the forthcoming IFSEC and FIREX International show(s), which take place from 19-21 May at ExCel London.

Europe’s largest and most comprehensive event for the global integrated security and industry will connect over 34,000 visitors from 113 countries with over 400 exhibitors showcasing some of the most innovative products and solutions on the market, as well as a full seminar programme, legislation updates, guidance and best practice.

Installers can source everything from access control, video surveillance and intruder alarms to cyber security solutions, perimeter protection and integrated security products from global industry leaders such as Abloy, Dahua, Avigilon, CLD Fencing Systems, IDIS and many more security exhibitors.

Crucially, electricians can get hands-on experience of the products in on-stand demonstrations and see perimeter defences put to the test at the

LPCB Attack Testing Zone, so they can make informed purchasing decisions.

Exhibitors will have technical experts on hand, to ensure visitors can get the best practice advice on installation guidelines.

And, for those installers who also fit fire safety systems and devices, FIREX International is co-located alongside IFSEC. The show will help you to stay up-to-date with the latest technologies and legislation within the fire and life safety industry, and join the community to source hundreds of solutions across passive fire protection, fire prevention and detection, sprinkler and suppression systems, emergency lighting and more.

You’ll have access to an extensive programme of free seminars, presentations and keynote speeches designed to help you increase your knowledge, boost your career, stay aligned with legislation and embrace best practice. You’ll also hear from some of the

industry’s top thinkers and business leaders at the Keynote Arena.

The exhibition is completely free to attend for all visitors.

REGISTER FOR YOUR FREE IFSEC/FIREX 2020 TICKET AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EP003

Trades fall behind on home improvements A new study by Draper Tools has revealed that the average tradesperson has more than double the household repairs and home improvement jobs on their list than the rest of the UK population.

The survey of 2,000 people found that those who worked in a trade such as construction, plumbing or electrics had, on average, 18 DIY and maintenance jobs currently on their list to do at home. By comparison the average person had just eight.

Furthermore, tradespeople will spend an average of five weeks each year on their own home improvements, whereas the rest of the public will spend around three weeks a year getting their DIY jobs done.

14 April 2020 PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN

Draper’s ‘Job Done’ study looked at the nation’s attitudes to some of life’s essential but often put off jobs. The research revealed a staggering number of unfinished jobs on UK tradespeople’s to do lists.

Among the most common tasks needing to be done were cleaning the car, painting walls, bleeding the radiator and cleaning the patio. Other neglected jobs included checking tyre pressures, building flat pack furniture, hanging a picture frame, weeding and clearing out the shed.

It seems hectic lifestyles and busy work schedules are mainly to blame for

tradespeople having so many jobs left undone at home, with over a third of trades saying they just never have the time. A quarter of tradespeople said they often made a mental note to fix something around the home but ultimately went on to forget it, while 1 in 5 admitted they didn’t have the right tools for the jobs on their list.

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NEWS SPECIAL

David Redfern, Director of DSR Tax Claims, takes a more in-depth look at this month’s changes to the IR35 tax rules and how they could potentially affect electrical contractors.

IR35 TAX LAWS: WHAT DO THEY MEAN FOR CONTRACTORS?

A

fter months of delay, changes to IR35 – otherwise known as off-payroll working rules – are being rolled out to the private sector this month.

These regulations, which determine how a worker should be treated for tax purposes, have been dogged by controversy and accused of taking a wrecking ball to the contracting industry. So, what are the IR35 changes and will they apply to you or your business?

What is IR35?

These regulations were intended to prevent tax avoidance by contractors who HMRC suspected of being employees in

all but name. Where contractors use an umbrella company or PSC (personal service company), they’re able to take advantage of the more favourable taxation rules which apply to companies rather than sole traders or employees who are taxed through the PAYE system. HMRC was concerned that many of these contractors were working in ways which made them indistinguishable from PAYE employees while paying less tax.

Since its introduction in 2000, the off-payroll working rules have undergone a number of revisions over the years and in 2018, HMRC moved the responsibility for determining a contractor’s employment status for taxation purposes from the contractor to the client for all contractors

working within the public sector. From this month, this change is rolled out for contractors working on contracts for large private sector companies. HMRC estimates that this will bring an additional £3.1 billion in tax revenues between 2020 and 2024.

Who will it affect and how?

These changes will affect contractors working on contracts for large private sector clients. HMRC defines a large private company as one with a turnover greater than £10.2 million per annum, or balance sheet assets of more than £51 million with more than 50 employees.

Smaller private companies which don’t meet this threshold will be unaffected by this most recent change.

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NEWS SPECIAL

PRIZE DRAW

If the client is classed as a large private company under the aforementioned criteria, then the responsibility for determining the employment status shifts to the end client.

Sole traders are unaffected by the changes as they don’t operate through the company structure and instead are taxed through Self Assessment.

What determines employment status for tax?

End clients can use the HMRC tool CEST (Check Employment Status for Tax) to help determine how a contractor should be treated. The tool looks at the working practices of the contractor to determine whether the contractor is in disguised employment.

If you carry out work for a fixed fee, are paid at the end of a project, have control over how, when and where you work and can work for a number of different companies, you’re unlikely to fall under IR35. However, if your working hours are determined by your client and they control how, where and when you work, it is likely that HMRC will determine that you’re in disguised employment.

What’s the potential impact of the latest roll-out?

To say that this latest roll-out has been controversial is an understatement. Various contractor groups have accused HMRC of destroying the contracting industry, with reports that swathes of large private companies are laying off contractors rather than dealing with the potential fall-out of incorrectly determining the employment status of their contractors.

Otherwise, they’re making a blanket decision to class all contractors as ‘employees’ for tax purposes, rather than looking at each case on an individual basis. Contractor groups have also warned that companies are likely to offshore large projects rather than deal with the complexities of the off-payroll working rules. It could also lead to the booming of a large unregulated or non-compliant market. In addition, CEST has been criticised as a crude tool for determining employment status.

In order to attempt to ease the looming situation HMRC has stated that these rules will now only apply to services provided after 6th April 2020, rather than all payments made after that date, irrespective of when the services were provided. However, there are concerns that this will not be sufficient to offset the potential chaos from the start of the new tax year.

The new Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, has stated that HMRC will not apply the regulations in a heavy-handed way, for the first year at least – however, how this will actually play out for contractors is yet to be seen.

GET MORE TAXATION ADVICE AND SUPPORT FROM DSR TAX CLAIMS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EP004

18 April 2020 PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN

WIN A C.K HEX KEYS SET! We have eight Insulated T-handle Hex Keys sets up for grabs.

A good quality set of T-handle Hex Keys can make all the difference when it comes to completing a whole range of tasks quickly and easily.

Following recent market research and valuable feedback from professionals, C.K has introduced more product sizes to its already popular Insulated T-Handle Hex Key (4mm).

These include the innovative C.K 5-piece Insulated T-handle Hex Keys Set (T4422 SET – 3, 3.5. 4, 5 and 6mm), plus two of the most frequently used T-handle Hex Key sizes – 3mm (T4422 03) and 3.5mm (T4422 035), which can be purchased separately.

C.K 5-piece Insulated T-handle Hex Keys Set (T4422 SET) This set comprises the most requested T-handle hex key sizes in one handy set (3, 3.5, 4, 5 and 6mm). Ideal for those needing a range of sizes to complete their work, the set is VDE approved – individually tested to 10,000V for safe working up to 1,000V – and features premium quality S2 steel blades, tempered and hardened for exceptional strength and durability. A dual component, ergonomic handle is also provided for ease of use.

C.K Insulated T-handle Hex Key 3mm (T4422 03) and 3.5mm (T4422 035) These are two of the most commonly used T-handle hex keys and feature the same C.K quality specifications. Perfect for a range of applications, such as Henley blocks and meter box cut-outs, these versatile T-handle hex keys provide the best hassle-free solution around.

ENTER THE FREE PRIZE DRAW AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EP005 Deadline for entries: 10/05/2020. Usual T&Cs apply.

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@proelectrician

professionalelectrician

pe@hamerville.co.uk

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

Letters PE readers share their thoughts on the big industry-related issues.

Will PRS checks create a ‘race to the bottom’?

Dear PE I always pick up a copy of your magazine every month but have never felt compelled to write in until now.

I was recently approached by a large local estate agent with regards to doing their Electrical Installation Condition Reports. As you’ve recently reported, it will soon be mandatory to have these undertaken for all rented accommodation.

The estate agent in question told me they’d pay me £120 for a 1-2 bedroom flat or bedsit and £150 for a 3-4 bed house or larger. These prices include VAT and they will take 10% for themselves as administration. This effectively means £84 and £105 respectively to do the tests. I live and work in Buckinghamshire and charge £35 per hour, which I think is a reasonable hourly rate. I ordinarily charge £20 per circuit tested for EICRs and, once again, I feel this is a fair price.

Of course I have turned down the work from the estate agent at these rates as it pretty much means I have two hours to undertake a bedsit/flat EICR and three hours for a 2-3 bed house or larger. I’ve been to some four bedroom houses that have two consumer units and 20 circuits, so simply cannot complete what I feel is an adequate assessment of electrical safety at these timescales. In fact, I’m sceptical that

any ‘competent’ electrician can, especially when one of the prominent CPS organisations states that it should take 10 minutes to 40 minutes per circuit on one of their videos that I’ve seen online.

What is worrying me is that I feel the introduction of mandatory testing for rented accommodation will create a situation (much like PAT testing) where it will become a race to the bottom and non-qualified people will be undertaking the work. I once followed a PAT tester who had pumped 500V down all the computer power supply leads while they were still connected to the workstations. Needless to say many of the computers failed to boot back up.

How can a qualified inspection and testing electrician even be employed at these rates? Some contractor will surely take this work at these prices but can't possibly be doing the inspection and testing properly, which renders the certificate virtually worthless with, I would imagine, pages after pages of limitations.

It's a shame that the importance of regular inspection and testing is deemed so insignificant as to not warrant even a reasonable amount of time and money to be completed satisfactorily. Once again I feel that those administering the industry (and others) should be leading the way on

this with advice to estate agents and landlords as to the time and skills needed to assess an electrical installation properly.

I recently completed an EICR for a dentist surgery. The owner complained initially about the need to have it done as it was just the insurance company that needed it.

When I gave him the unsatisfactory report and a cost for remedial work, which included three fuse board changes, he complained again about it costing money and not adding value to his business – never mind the safety of his staff!

This was also before I pointed out that hardly any of his emergency lighting worked as he had no regular testing schedule in place and his fire alarm system hadn't been checked for years. This is the world we are operating in unfortunately.

I get the feeling that many companies will be over the moon with the new mandatory testing laws they’ve been lobbying for but the value in having this type of process can only come from the work being done correctly. It would be interesting to hear other electricians’ views on this matter.

Kind regards, Tony Shirley, Plugs Electrical Services

PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN April 2020 21

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PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN

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READER COMMENT

“I’LL TALK ABOUT ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING, I WANT TO BE FIXED.” With mental health discussion no longer seen as a ‘taboo’ subject for individuals, this month’s guest columnist lets us climb inside the mind of an anxious electrician.

M

ental health. Even just reading those words can be enough to make some people feel uncomfortable.

Unfortunately, the stigma surrounding mental health is a major problem in opening up the conversation about the subject, and a true obstacle to helping sufferers from overcoming their issues.

In recent times, however, the conversation around mental health has opened up. More individuals are finding it easier to talk about their issues and slowly the stigma is falling away. Such a trend can only be positive, as talking to someone – whether family, friends or a professional – is the first step in helping yourself.

Mental health issues can affect anybody, it doesn’t discriminate.

Importantly, it can strike without warning and at any time. Understanding this fact can go a long way in removing the stigma

surrounding mental health.

The Anxious Engineer What you’re about to read is a diary entry sent into PE by an electrical engineer.

Written over the course of one day, the entry details the author’s struggle with anxiety, providing an insight into the mind of someone struggling with such issues: DAY 1 I had a restless night’s sleep. I was in bed at 11pm; calm, relaxed and in control.

01:30 ‘Stumpy’ #2 is up and breaching the door. Sub-consciously I can hear it all. My ‘Mrs’ hates that I will sleep through anything.

05:30 I’m up now. Is that a poo I need or is that anxiety? Okay, a bit of both.

Butterflies are on. In my head, in that deep dark box, locked away, right away, I am laughing at myself for allowing this to

happen! Ironic. Station run completed.

Nursery run done.

06:30 We’re rocking. I opened up to all of my family yesterday, and even received a packed lunch from my 71-year-old mother today. She’s worried I’m not eating! Yeah, I’ve had my moments of zero appetite and I know I’ve lost a lot of weight. It’s the depression and anxiety causing this, not me – I couldn’t diet if I was paid! Can I motivate myself to capitalise on being lighter and start running?

Ahh, the drive in to work. I’m not happy with work. I am happy at work but not happy with being unaware of my cause, unaware of my goals and basically feeling kept behind the locked door.

On the journey in I’m thinking about lots of random stuff, all ‘sight’ triggered. I am anxious of what awaits, I’m controlling my breathing trying to stop my face feeling tingly. I still need a poo... or do I? It’s that physical feeling (if you’ve ever had

PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN April 2020 25

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READER COMMENT

the pleasure) you get when you know the school bully will definitely be waiting for you after school.

I love singing. I sing whilst driving, usually! It just makes me tear up now, which is totally messed up. Eight months ago a doctor told me my blood pressure was through the roof – how wrong he was.

It’s amazing how driving past a random brick wall, for instance, can make you recall getting kicked in the nether regions while tying your shoe lace with your leg on the wall some 26 years ago. Why?!

Who knows, honestly?! And then the thoughts that come from that...

10:45 Three poos in. Sorry not sorry.

Just thinking about the above has made the ‘tummy train’ go. I clear my mind of all thoughts and I’m just left with that feeling in my gut, like the world is about to end. An impending doom. Honestly it can just do one! Well it will, just who knows when.

11:11 I receive a phone call from mental health charity, Mind. I know that I can be a bit of a joker at times, but this is something that is no laughing matter. As soon as I knew what was going on, I dealt with it. I couldn’t care less what anyone’s opinion is, I have zero to hide. I will talk about anything and everything, I want to be fixed.

In a few days’ time I get to talk to a senior therapist. This is good, as I was told it would be ten months before Christmas. I can feel a layer of dread disappear, it is temporary, for a few minutes. I know I will win, I’m just unable to update the programme at the moment.

12.03 Turkey and cranberry sauce sandwich. Gone. I ate it, no problem. It’s sitting funny in there, but it’s in there.

Thanks Mum! Am I selfish because I just want to deal with me? It’s taking so much energy just trying to control anxiety attacks that I’m not sure I can deal with everything at home as I used to. I feel like I’m ‘winging’ home life. It won’t be forever, just until this has gone.

13:36 I had a coffee! Eight months ago I

26 April 2020

PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN

stopped drinking caffeine; it’s really bad for high blood pressure, you know.

Does ‘she’ think I am a complete and utter idiot? I will sit here and run it through my head, kicking myself just that little bit more. Does it matter to me? Does my eldest get it? Does she even know? Is this going to affect her?

She saw the state I was in on Christmas day, I couldn’t cope. It’s just another day, but I think of my friends that died too young and all the rubbish in the world and I just cannot feel ‘Christmassy’. I’m the same on birthdays: “Who the hell am I to celebrate this, when X, Y and Z haven’t got that choice?”

I celebrated by sitting and staring at four walls for 18 hours trying to act normal whilst I burnt up and tried to remain ‘not light headed’. There’s no hiding any of it, it’s all there. I’d look at me and think “forget trying to talk to that angry bloke”.

In reality, that ‘look’ is the face of someone that knows what is going on (I do!), is in his mind fighting to find the cause, hasn’t got a single clue whatsoever of the cause, and feels like he permanently needs a poo. So it isn’t an angry face at all. Honestly, who on top of all of this decided to make your face look angry?

Picked the kids up from nursery. The tummy felt a bit better as I drove off down the road from work, but it was still there.

Had a sing on the trip up, which was all good until Oasis comes on – boom! – have some of that fella (the song reminds

me of somebody, but what can you do, eh?). ‘Black Velvet’ is on now, that’s better.

I’ll have a sing to that.

The A12. It’s really, really, really bad.

I’m thinking about how if it were three lanes it would stay at 70mph and we’d instantly have lower carbon emissions.

Crazy. I picked the three- and one-year old up, intact. I glow like a tomato as I press the still broken doorbell (I’m no doorbell expert, but I actually feel like fixing it for free).

Myself and the three-year-old talk constantly on the way home. I don’t want her falling asleep. Who knows what kids get up to at nursery nowadays, but I could walk her through the woods and valleys all day and she would still be bouncing off the walls at 9pm.

She’s amazing though, and if given the correct guidance and education I’m 100% assured she could be anything she wants to be. She’s able to hold her own with an adult in a conversation, if not take control of that conversation and the unsuspecting adult. Queues are long, a 10 minute journey will take 40. I hate it. I used to love driving, now it’s just more time to think.

Eight months ago I left a doctor’s surgery thinking a stroke or heart attack was coming sooner rather than later. I altered my entire lifestyle to counteract this high blood pressure. Any sane human being would. So, I’ve had eight months of being ‘good’. Well done me.

Perspective is fantastic.

We’re home now and I’ve burnt the

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oven chips, described as ‘rather dry’. I figured they usually come out looking pale yellow – wedges are rubbish (apparently) so these chips it is. I added another 10 minutes to counteract the pale yellow and think upon igniting these, they could potentially be a good wood burner alternative. They are hard-ish.

I’ve not said a word to my partner since she came in at 18:32.

I read back through this and it makes me feel more relaxed. I neglected her for a while, to sort me out. Now I feel better.

Kids have a shower every night. Done.

21.01 I can sit down and not just think about me, but do things for me as well. No butterflies.

21.05 I think about others who may be out working still. The ‘there’s always someone worse off than me’ thought kicks in. I feel Ok. 21.06 Putting the kids to bed has become ‘her’ task.

21.16 Butterflies start again. One of my kids asked what was in the bag that I was holding, so I told her “not a lot”. She knows it’s got Xmas chocolates in it.

Great, now the three-year old knows I didn’t quite tell her the truth.

MENTAL HEALTH – DON’T SUFFER IN SILENCE

21:40 I work my way through two bags of beef Hula Hoops.

22:11 Just loading a game and I feel chilled. No butterflies but a tiny amount of ‘doomy doubt’ feeling is lurking.

22:49 She’s reading her kindle. It’s windy outside, gusty. I love it, nature and the outdoors. It’s actually raining and the gusts are blowing the rain against the wall. Or is it the window? It doesn’t sound like the window. Anyway, you’re only hearing the rain because of the gusts. She exhales. I hope it made her feel relaxed.

I’m in bed now, the Xbox is off.

If you’re suffering from anxiety, depression or any mental health issue, it’s recommended that you seek help and support. You can contact Mind, the mental health charity, on: 0300 123 3393 or by text to: 86463. Alternatively, our own Electrical Industries Charity can be contacted on: 0800 652 1618 or you can email: contact@electricalcharity.org

PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN April 2020 27

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PRIZE DRAW

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Designed for use in residential apartments, studios, holiday homes and glamping pods, the water heaters are the perfect combination of comfort and premium Italian design, while they offer rapid reheat times and are shower ready in less than 30 minutes (applies to Velis Evo Wi-Fi model only).

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Aqua Ariston Net App. The App enables users to shuffle through modes and turn the unit on remotely for a hot shower at the perfect time. Shower-ready alerts are also displayed in the App, whereas Velis Evo units indicate this on a built-in touchscreen.

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ENTER THE FREE PRIZE DRAW AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EP007 Deadline for entries: 10/05/2020. Usual T&Cs apply.

PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN April 2020 29

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NSIGHTS INSTALLATION EFFICIENCY To help avoid delays and additional costs incurred because of goods being lost or damaged, manufacturers have devised solutions to help prevent this. Emma Segelov, EMEA Marketing Operations Manager at MK Electric, explains more.

Being on-site at a new build property or home renovation with lots of different trades can often create a busy and chaotic working environment.

As a result, fittings and fixtures such as electrical wiring devices can be delivered but are then nowhere to be seen or are found damaged once they’re required.

For manufacturers, these two issues – product loss and damage – pose a real challenge in meeting the needs of their customers.

While there is only so much a manufacturer can do once their product has left the factory floor, the significance of these concerns means that there is considerable thought given to what can be done to minimise the risks once it reaches the site.

Of course, the client always wants these items to look flawless, yet sockets and switches are inherently prone to damage during building or renovations.

For this reason, the MK Dimensions range of wiring devices is available as a two-part solution – a functional module and clip-on frontplate – which can be ordered and installed

mkelectric.co.uk

separately to fit in with your project schedule, as well as reducing the risk of frontplate loss prior to fitting.

The functional module, available in black or white, comes with a robust and recyclable protective clear cover plate to safeguard the final frontplate against on-site damage like paint splatter, abrasions from plaster sanding or knocks and scrapes from tools or ladders.

What’s more, the protective cover ensures the device meets British Standards and therefore the functional module is fully operational, providing on-site electrical power for charging tools, mobile phones and other equipment, which allows work to continue as usual.

When you’re ready, simply clip on the final frontplate to create a flawless finish.

The potential for the part being mislaid while it’s awaiting installation is also minimised, reducing time wasted on-site and ensuring contractors are equipped to hit completion deadlines.

The two-part installation also offers a high level of flexibility to the

customer, allowing them to upgrade and interchange frontplates as the design and décor inside the building changes over time. The final frontplates are easily removable with just a screwdriver, and as they’re not connected to the mains power, they can be fitted quickly and simply by a less experienced worker and with minimal disruption to the client.

As an added benefit, MK Dimensions USB integrated sockets have been engineered to fit into a standard 25mm back box, allowing for a quick and easy installation – perfect for both construction and refurbishment projects.

For busy professionals, part loss and damage can be an ongoing headache. By choosing solutions which address these issues, electricians can save themselves time and help keep a build to budget.

For more information, visit: www.mkelectric.co.uk

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THE

CODEBREAKERS P FRIEND: WHAT A GREAT START TO THIS EICR! THE CUPBOARD WAS BUILT AROUND THE DB AND I HAD TO DRILL A SECTION OUT TO ACCESS THE COVER SCREWS. THE COVER WAS ALSO SILICONED TO THE WALL, COS WHY NOT, EH? When the 18th Edition of BS 7671 was introduced, there was a subtle change to Reg 132.12, which required that electrical equipment shall be installed to ensure access for replacement of parts and inspection and testing, etc.

Regardless of the previous requirements, we must Code to the current version of BS 7671, even though earlier versions of BS 7671 only stated ‘where necessary’ in this Regulation.

This consumer unit (CU) may well have been installed quite correctly and even conformed with the latest Regulation when it was commissioned; however, the placement of the kitchen units has diminished the correct access to it without extensive modifications.

As we look at the picture, we can see a large gap between the cover and the devices which could indicate damage and/or access to live parts, which would attract an immediate C1.

As the inspector has highlighted the work done to access the board and that it was siliconed in, I am going to assume that they have begun removal of the front cover to access the CU internals.

If the devices themselves were accessible to isolate and reset, there were no signs of mechanical damage, IP infringements, or thermal damage; I would see this as a C3. There is no potential threat to life in this scenario, however, there is room for improvement.

As I said earlier, if the board is in this state before removal of the front cover, then the potential damage and misalignment could give access to live parts, which is a C1, especially if someone were to try and switch off or reset the circuit breaker.

If the inspector is removing the front cover and has caused the misalignment, I’d be concerned that the devices and CU were still live as both the main switch and circuit breaker are indicating the ‘on’ position. They may well be isolated elsewhere, which we can't tell from this picture. Safe isolation is of paramount importance and can't be stressed enough.

The Observations, Regulation infringements and Codes applicable to this observation would be.

CU cover misaligned access to live parts

416.2.1, 651.2(v)

C1

Access to electrical equipment for replacement, maintenance and inspection and testing, not acceptable

132.12

C3

GET THE BOOK AND CRACK THOSE CODES!

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

32 April 2020 PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN

032_PE_APR20_Layout 1 05/03/2020 13:13 Page 33

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

ASHLEY CLEGG: HERE’S WHAT I FOUND WHEN I TOOK OFF THIS SINGLE SOCKET OUTLET 55MM FROM THE WALL TO THE PLASTERBOARD. THE SINGLE BOX IS 25MM DEEP, AND THE TERMINALS ARE NOT PROTECTED FROM THE PLASTERBOARD OR FROM OTHER ELEMENTS FROM THE AIR GAP. As we look at this, it may seem there is an issue – some may say the cpc’s sharing the same sleeve is an issue, but in reality, it isn’t a problem, as they aren’t twisted together. Even from a periodic testing perspective, they’re very unlikely to cause a problem.

As the reader points out, there is a large gap between the rear of the finish plasterboard and the back box. We require specific IP ratings for enclosures, those being IP2X on all sides (416.2.1) and IP4X on the horizontal top surface, where it is readily accessible (416.2.2).

That said, in this instance, we need to look at the likelihood that the conductors are accessible during normal service.

When the installer first-fixed the back box, they may not have known the finish plaster depth, and so it’s a general practice to fit a 25mm box as standard and expect the plasterboard to be not too far away unless a deeper box is required for bulky conductors/second fix accessories etc.

The keywords here are “readily accessible” – are the conductors readily accessible during normal service? The answer can only be given by the client and the inspector; however, we can be reasonably sure that there is a very limited likelihood of an ordinary person coming into contact with the conductors with the accessory in place, so there is no problem there.

Is there a likelihood that foreign objects and wildlife can access the rear of the accessory? This is a possibility, however even an IP4X requirement would not stop the onslaught of insects that may cause a problem in a very extreme case. If we look at larger wildlife, the general rule of thumb is that a mouse can squeeze through a hole the diameter of a standard pen, so that rules out any protection afforded from the IP2X requirement.

The prospect of anything larger being there would need a call to pest control and not anything the electrical designer could foresee in a general installation. Things become a little more in-depth with thatched roofs, farms and remote installations, but the considerations here are generally confined to conductor and cable damage from wildlife.

Although at first glance this may seem to be a problem installation practice, in reality, there is unlikely to be a problem, and I don’t see that it needs to be coded; indeed, I’d struggle to

find a Regulation that it directly infringes. There is also the reality that to remedy it would be impractical as the wall structure coverings would need to be removed entirely and replaced, which isn’t likely to happen.

So, for this observation, I feel no code can be given.

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

VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EP008

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Technical & training

TAKING YOU STEP BY STEP THROUGH PROCEDURES AND REQUIREMENTS FOR ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS

Armouring of a cable as a PROTECTIVE conductor

T

he aim of this article is to provide guidance to the contractor when utilising the metallic armouring of a cable as a circuit protective conductor (cpc), main protective bonding conductor, or where practicable, an earthing conductor.

Introduction

Although the main purpose of the metallic armouring is to provide mechanical protection, it may also be used as a protective conductor if all the relevant requirements of BS 7671 for such use are satisfied.

Use as a circuit protective conductor (cpc)

Where the armouring of a cable is used as a cpc it is likely to experience some thermal stress (heating effects) when subjected to earth fault current. The ability to withstand such stress safely will depend upon the cross-sectional area (csa) of the armouring used as a cpc, which must not be less than that determined by one of the two methods referred to in Regulation 543.1.1 of BS 7671, either by calculation or selection.

•

‘k’ value for both the line and cpc conductors, providing the minimum csa required for the cpc. However, where the line conductors are sized only by considerations of short-circuit current or where the earth fault current is expected to be less than the short-circuit current the method of selection must not be used (543.1.1).

Where the armouring of the cable is to be used as a cpc, careful consideration must be given to its end-to-end impedance as this will contribute to the earth fault loop impedance (Zs) at the exposed-conductiveparts of all Class I electrical equipment connected to the circuit. As such, the value of Z s at all relevant parts, including the cable armouring, glands and terminations, need to be sufficiently low

to satisfy the requirements of BS 7671 for fault protection.

Use as a main protective bonding conductor

The armouring of a cable may be used as a main protective bonding conductor. With reference to Fig 1, the distribution board is supplied from the main switchgear at the origin of the installation by an armoured cable. In addition, an extraneous-conductive-part is bonded to the main earthing terminal (MET) of the distribution board. The armouring is therefore both the circuit protective conductor for the circuit supplying the distribution board and the main protective bonding conductor between the distribution board and the main switchgear.

Final circuits

Distribution board

Using the formula given in Regulation 543.1.3 based on the adiabatic expression. This provides a more accurate method of determining the minimum csa required for the cpc.

Armouring of a distribution circuit cable used as the main protective bonding conductor between a distribution board and the main switchgear

2

S= •

It mm2 k

Extraneous-conductive-part (e.g. incoming metallic service pipe) bonded to the earthing terminal of the distribution board

Using Table 54.7 of BS 7671 for selection, when permitted, and as an alternative to calculation.

This will consequently produce a larger required minimum csa.

Where the application of Table 54.7 produces a non-standard size it will be necessary to select a conductor with a larger csa.

Selection is dependent on the csa of the line conductor and the associated

Main switchgear at the origin of the installation

Earthing conductor

Means of earthing

Fig 1

Armouring used as a main protective bonding conductor

PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN April 2020 35

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Technical & training In an installation where Protective Multiple Earthing (PME) conditions apply, also known as a TN-C-S, the main protective bonding conductors may have to carry sustained ‘diverted neutral’ currents in the event of an open PEN (protective and neutral combined) conductor. This may result in the heating of bonding conductors in the installation, including the armouring. For this reason, the armouring of a cable should not be used as a main protective bonding conductor unless it has been determined by the installation designer that under such circumstances, the heat produced in the armouring is not liable to cause overheating of the live conductors or cause damage to conductor insulation.

Where PME conditions apply and the armouring is to be used as a main protective bonding conductor, it must be selected in relation to the PEN conductor of the supply and have a csa of not less than the minimum required by Table 54.8 of Regulation 544.1.1.

Note: Where steel armouring is used for the main protective bonding conductor its csa would typically be required to be 8.0 times that of copper in order to afford an equivalent conductance.

Use as an earthing conductor

The earthing conductor is defined as a protective conductor connecting the main earthing terminal of an installation

to an earth electrode or to other means of earthing. Armouring is not commonly used as an earthing conductor based on the sizing practicality issues, although BS 7671 does not preclude such use.

Every earthing conductor is required to have a csa not less than that given by one of the two methods referred to in Regulation 543.1.1. In addition, where PME conditions apply, the csa of the armouring must also be sufficient to meet the requirements for a main protective bonding conductor (Regulation 542.3.1 refers).

It is a requirement of Regulation 543.3.1 that all protective conductors should be provided with suitable protection against: Mechanical damage and vibration,

•

Chemical deterioration and corrosion, and

•

Electrodynamics effects (mechanical forces experienced during fault currents).

Summary

When using the armouring as a protective conductor its csa must satisfy the minimum size required for the application, using either the method of calculation or selection as Table 54.7.

The continuity of the armouring must be assured for its method of installation while using suitable cable glands and installation methods. Were necessary protection must be provided against the risk of deterioration as a result from mechanical, chemical or electrochemical effects.

In addition to those requirements mentioned above, Regulation 543.2.5 states where the metallic covering including, armouring, is used as a cpc for the associated circuit it must satisfy both requirements (i) (ii) of Regulation 543.2.2, including:

Metallic enclosure coated with epoxy resin

ii. The cross-sectional-area shall be at least equal to that resulting from the application of Regulation 543.1 or be verified by test.

Where the armouring is used as a protective conductor suitable cable glands must be used, as shown in Fig 2, for terminating cable ends. Furthermore, electrical joints such as those between the armouring, cable glands and earthing terminals, must be soundly made (mechanically and electrically), and where necessary, suitably protected.

Preservation of electrical continuity

•

i. The need to ensure electrical continuity, either by its construction or suitable connection, and

Cable lug (bolted to gland earth tag washer)

Equipment earthing terminal

cpc

Gland lock nut Gland earth tag washer Gland lock nut Cable gland

Fig 2

Suitable terminations maintaining earth continuity Armoured cable

• •

For other guidance and publications please see the NICEIC and ELECSA website.

For information about the NICEIC and ELECSA Approved Contractor or Domestic Installers schemes, visit www.niceic.com, www.elecsa.com or call 0333 015 6626

www.niceic.com | www.elecsa.com 36 April 2020 PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN

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TECHNICAL & TRAINING

WHERE SHOULD SPD TECHNOLOGY ECA’s Technical Manager, Gary Parker comments on the Regulations around surge protection in the 18th Edition.

S

ince their invention in the 1970s (initially patented as the delightfully named Zap Trap), surge protection devices (SPDs) have become essential in many lightning protection systems (LPS).

Nowadays, SPDs are used in electrical installation systems to protect against transient overvoltages (also called voltage spikes) that can damage electrical equipment and sensitive components.

All electrical components are susceptible to surges, and these can be natural (from lightning) or man-made (from overloading or switching).

The function of the modern SPD is threefold. They: 1. Provide equipotential bonding to the services, reducing the risk of flashovers when current is injected into the ground, 2. Reduce transient energy entering into a facility from a direct or indirect flash to the service, 3. Protect internal electrical and

38 April 2020 PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN

electronic equipment.

An easy way to remember these functions is to recall that SPDs protect equipment, whereas RCDs protect people.

When should they be used?

As mentioned previously, SPDs are not new, and neither is the concept of lightning protection.

The 18th Edition of the IET Wiring Regulations (BS 7671:2018), which has been in effect for over a year now, has highlighted some important points to consider regarding SPDs and their use in today’s world. But does it demand their use on all installations?

While BS 7671 now has a much stronger focus on the use of SPDs, it would be wrong to say that some 27 million installations in the UK are suddenly at risk. First and foremost, a designer or installer should consider if protection against transient overvoltage is needed.

Installations should be functional, useful and always safe. SPDs are not the

be-all and end-all of safety, but any decision to use them should be based on thorough, fact-based risk assessment.

If in doubt, calculator out!

While not all installations require SPDs, a risk assessment should always be considered.

This involves a calculation based on the Calculated Risk Level. This requires knowledge of figures, including environmental factor (fenv), risk assessment length in km (LP), and lightning ground flash density (Ng).

If all the required data is at hand, the calculation is simple enough – ECA members can even use our handy SPD calculator to do so.

CRL = fenv / (LP x Ng) Exceptions to the Regs These Regulations also allow for SPDs to be omitted from a so-called single dwelling, where ‘The total value of an installation and the equipment therein does not justify such protection’.

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ASK O OVIA V VIA

®

BE USED?

GARY’S 18TH EDITION NOTES What the regulations say: Protection against overvoltages shall be provided where the consequences could result in serious injury to, or loss of, human life.

Gary’s note: Where an overvoltage poses a risk to life, they must be fitted. However, hospitals have a lot of protection and supplies in place. It is not the case that simply all systems must have SPDs. What the regulations say: Protection against overvoltages shall be provided where the consequences could result in interruption of public services and/or damage to cultural heritage.

Gary’s note: Safety-critical or relevant parts of museums etc. would require protection. However, not all public services are critical.

THE COL COLUMN UMN WHERE Y YOU OU GET TO PUT Y YOUR OUR LIGHTING QUESTIONS TO THE HEAD OF THE OVIA LIGHTING BUSINES BUSINESS, S, MIKE COLLINS, AND HIS TEAM OF TECHNICAL EXPERTS. It goes without saying that the lighting sector has undergone something of a transformation in recent years. While we all welcome the progress that new products and technologies are bringing to our everyday lives, for the installer it brings its own set of challenges.

We spent a lot of time talking to installers and contractors while we carried out research for the launch of Ovia because we wanted to make sure that the products we were developing were the ones they wanted. They told us about some of the challenges they encounter in their working environments and our aim is to continue to come up with solutions that address specific needs and issues.

As a business, Scolmore has been trading in lighting since 1994 and we want to put that knowledge and experience to good use, so we’re here to answer your questions and offer advice on some of the challenges you face.

Ask Ovia will be featured in PE magazine every other month and we’lll be selecting some of your questions to be answered through the column. To get things moving, we thought we’d ask you some questions: • • • •

Are you working on a project that you need some advice on?

Are you aware of all the emergency lighting regulations?

Do you have any questions about the Ovia product portfolio?

Do you have a product requirement or development ideas?

There’s an Ovia Travel Mug up for grabs for the sender of each question featured.

PUT YOUR QUESTION TO THE ASK OVIA TEAM AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EP071 VISIT THE ASK OVIA MICROSITE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EP072

What the regulations say: Protection against overvoltages shall be provided where the consequences could result in interruption of commercial or industrial activity.

Gary’s note: The risk is different in various commercial sites; some have a tolerable risk.

What the regulations say: Protection against overvoltages shall be provided where the consequences could affect a large number of co-located individuals.

Gary’s note: This is covered by the notes above.

This does not mean that simply adding up the cost of equipment is the way to calculate the benefit of SPDs. A ‘single dwelling’ can be a one bedroom flat, a part of a tower block or a country mansion – the risks are highly variable and should be considered carefully in each case.

ACCESS THE ECA SPD CALCULATOR AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EP009

01827 300 640 www .oviaUK.com www.oviaUK.com 01827 300 640 www .oviaUK.com www.oviaUK.com

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TECHNICAL & TRAINING

Ellena O’Sullivan of AWS Tel Sec offers some basic guidance on the key things electricians need to know when working with TV aerial systems in the digital age.

IRS (Integrated Reception Systems) – Sky Q Networks Apartment blocks utilise the integrated reception system (IRS), while hotels use the SMATV (Satellite Master Antenna Television) networks to provide television signals to residents. The reason there are different systems used is down to how the subscription bill is paid – in an apartment each flat chooses whether to subscribe to satellite TV or Sky, whereas a hotel will contract to satellite providers for all rooms.

TV signals are transmitted from both satellite transponders and terrestrial muxes. These signals are collected by the antenna hardware distributed through a network to the required room or flat and then fed to the TV outlets.

Sky Q IRS has a different configuration to the original Sky or Sky Plus services.

The Sky Q uses DSCR (Digital Single Cable Router) switches and requires a single cable per apartment. Sky Q uses WiFi capabilities to feed other rooms and points in the apartment. A physical connection is not required in additional rooms, which isn’t the case for terrestrial TV, as this needs a physical connection to feed the TV demand in bedrooms or additional rooms.

DSCR switches are expensive – often double or quadruple the price of a network. Due to Sky Q’s WiFi capabilities, it makes financial sense to have the IRS network supporting the main living area of a flat, with a MATV (Master Antenna TV)

TV AERIAL SYSTEMS: AN ELECTRICIAN’S GUIDE network alongside supporting additional rooms/bedrooms to provide the required Freeview points.

Things to know when installing cables for TV Digital TV has changed the way antenna hardware collects a signal and delivers it to a TV point. Cheap ‘contract’ aerials and ‘low loss cables’ are no longer sufficient. The signal is now much more sensitive and can only be maintained using good quality aerials and good quality, double screened cables terminated at screened outlets.

Historically, cable used in single domestic houses was ironically called ‘low loss’ – a misnomer as the only screening is a thin braid and the loss is higher in comparison to that which is installed

today. This type of cable, although still available, should never be used; not only does it lose signal, but more problematic is that it allows the ingress of other signals – interference which kills the digital signal.

Good quality double screened cables will have both a copper braid and copper tape for the screen. This enables the required signal to be contained and keeps unwanted signals and interference at bay. Aluminium foil and copper or tinned braid are available, but they can lead to an unreliable reception and can cause problems. Some copper-on-copper solutions are also not good enough, so the most reliable way of sourcing product is to use a CAI (Confederation of Aerial Installers) benchmarked cable. These have been independently tested to ensure that the tape thickness, number

PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN April 2020 41

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TECHNICAL & TRAINING

etc.) is designed so that a touch current of 0.5mA can be present on exposed metal work. A single item of such equipment would not be a problem, but seven items or more together would produce 3.5mA – dangerous at the safe let go current limit.

Electronic equipment joined via aerials and scart leads through to different rooms could put a touch current on the coaxial cable. On new builds and when rewiring, it is therefore useful to leave a verified cable next to the distribution point to take care of this potential hazard.

and gauge of the braid strands is what they are claimed to be.

Another area of issue can be the outlet plate. A bare copper wire on an exposed plate on the back of a socket acts as an aerial picking up interference and radiating signal. For this reason outlet plates must be fully screened. Screened modules can be clipped into plastic/chrome frames provided by the electrical contractor so they match the rest of the sockets and light switches etc.

It is important that the cable is fitted correctly into the socket. Most sockets show the length of the centre core and screen that must be left exposed. Use a coaxial cable stripping tool to guarantee the dimensions, making sure not to bend/kink the cable or over-tighten the connection, as this can cause mismatch

42 April 2020 PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN

and signal reflection back up the coax, resulting in reception problems.

Safety A hazardous voltage must not be present on the outer conductor of any cable, or accessible metal work of any equipment of the aerial system. All communal systems within blocks of flats and commercial premises must be equipotentially bonded to the Mains Earth Terminal (MET) of the building.

A verified, continuous and robust connection needs to be provided from the distribution equipment to the buildings’ MET. Regulations state that a minimum CSA (cross sectional area) of this connection should be 4mm² copper.

Class II electronic equipment (TVs, DVDs, set top boxes, audio equipment

Contact the professionals AWS Tel Sec specialises in installing and maintaining television and security networks in apartment blocks and hotels.

Our TV department is accredited by the CAI and our security installers work to NSI standards. Areas of expertise include, TV, CCTV, intercom and access control.

Our Technical Director has been in TV since it was black and white, and our senior engineers have over 25 years’ individual experience in the industry, supported by enthusiastic trainees.

AWS Tel Sec is happy to work alongside electrical contractors in planning, installing and supporting customer networks, so please get in touch or submit your drawings for your latest projects.

EMAIL: ELLENA@AWS-ACCESS.COM OR CALL: 01582 730241

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TECHNICAL & TRAINING

TABLE 54.8 AND PEN CONDUCTORS NAPIT’s Bill Allan investigates two examples regarding the application of Table 54.8 within the 18th Edition.

T

he 18th Edition of BS 7671 introduced a small but significant change to Table 54.8 which has caused some to question how the table is to be applied.

In the 17th Edition of BS 7671, Table 54.8 stated that the minimum cross-sectional-area (csa) of the main bonding conductors must be related to the neutral of the incoming supply. Now in the 18th Edition, Table 54.8 requires the main bonding to be related to the PEN conductor of the supply.

This article will deal with two questions relating to this change.

A typical scenario An electrical contractor is responsible for the design and installation of the

44 April 2020 PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN

electricity supply within a block containing 20 flats. The supply is TN-C-S (PME) and the incoming cable enters the building on the ground floor. The line and neutral conductors of the main tails from the cut-out to the meter each have a cross-sectional area (csa) of 70 mm2.

At the intake position on the ground floor, the contractor can see the 70mm2 neutral conductor of the main tail coming out of the cut-out but, as the PEN conductor is not visible, the contractor cannot tell what size it is.

Each flat is supplied by a rising main with separate neutral and protective conductors (SNE). The line and neutral conductors have a csa of 25 mm2 and the protective conductor has a csa of 16 mm2.

Question 1 Is the contractor to assume that the PEN conductor has the same csa as the neutral conductor in the main tail or must they enquire with the Distribution Network Operator (DNO) to ascertain the csa of the PEN conductor?

Question 2 Should the main bonding within each flat have a csa which is related to the csa of the PEN conductor (as Table 54.8 appears to require) or to the csa of the neutral in the rising main?

A few general remarks The current which each main protective bonding conductor will have to carry in the event of a fault – whether a line to Earth fault or a broken PEN conductor –

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cannot be known, except in the unlikely case of the relative impedances of all the paths to Earth being known. This means that the sizes for the main bonding conductors given in Table 54.8 are somewhat arbitrary.

However, due to the low earth fault loop impedance path of TN-C-S systems, any fault current is likely to be substantial and for this reason, Regulation 544.1.1 of BS 7671 requires a larger cross-sectional area for main bonding conductors in PME installations, compared to TN-S and TT installations. Consequently, main bonding conductors must be sized in accordance with the PEN conductor of the supply in PME installations.

Question 1: The answer The best advice is to contact the local Distribution Network Operator (DNO) as only they can know the csa of the PEN conductor. Besides, local network conditions may require larger conductors than those in Table 54.8 of BS 7671. For the telephone numbers of DNOs in your area, consult the article, Generation and Supply by Donald Holmes which was in Issue 3, 2017 of The Competent Person magazine.

Guidance on the sizing of main bonding conductors in PME supply systems is given in Table 4.9a of The Energy Networks Association (ENA) publication, Engineering Recommendation G12, Issue 4, Amendment 1, 2015 -

Requirements for the Application of Protective Multiple Earthing to Low Voltage Networks. This table is reproduced above as Table 1.

Table 1 – Typical DNO incoming cable conductor sizes In addition, we would make the following general comments. The PEN conductor is unlikely to be visible and, even if it was, it could be difficult to establish its cross-sectional area (csa) by visual inspection alone. However, as the meter tails are visible, the csa of each tail may be able to be determined by visual examination. If so, it would seem reasonable to assume that the neutral conductor meter tail has the same csa as the PEN conductor (in this case, 70 mm2).

If we were to make the assumption then by using Table 54.8, this would give us a csa of 25 mm2 for the main bonding conductors.

Nevertheless, the importance of consulting the DNO bears repetition as only they are in a position to be able to confirm whether the above premise is correct in this case.

Question 2: The answer Where a DNO has provided a multi-occupancy domestic block with a TN-C-S system (PME) and a different company, such as a Building Network Operator (BNO), is responsible for the

rising mains, that company is not permitted to extend the PME system, except where one of the three conditions in Regulation 543.4.2 has been complied with.

Assuming that the PME system cannot be extended, each rising main would consist of a line conductor, a neutral conductor and a protective conductor. In this case, the csa of the live conductors in the rising main to each flat is 25 mm2 and the earthing conductor in the rising main is 16 mm2.

As each flat is considered to be an, ‘installation’ by Regulation 411.3.1.2, main bonding is required within each flat. With Table 54.8 in mind, the question then arises – what size should these main bonding conductors be? To require that the main bonding at each flat be sized in accordance with the PEN conductor of the incoming supply to the building would mean installing main bonding conductors with a csa of 25 mm2.

In our view, the main bonding conductors in each flat should be sized according to the neutral conductor of the rising main which, in this case, is 25 mm2.

Referring to Table 54.8 would mean main bonding conductors with a csa of 10 mm2.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON NAPIT SCHEME REGISTRATION, VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EP011

PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN April 2020 45

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TECHNICAL & TRAINING

When installing downlights into fire rated ceilings, make sure that you follow the latest NHBC guidance. The team at Tenmat explain why.

RECESSED LIGHT FITTINGS: NEW GUIDANCE

D

id you know that there is new NHBC (National House Building Council) guidance on recessed light fittings?

When installing downlights in houses and dwellings, special attention needs to be given to the critical fire protection of these downlights as they represent an open path for the passage of fire and smoke.

Recent changes in construction methods from solid timber joists to light weight joists, which are more fragile when exposed to fire, has made the fire protection of modern ceiling constructions much more critical to avoid premature collapse and vertical fire spread.

The correct fire testing of downlight products is a complex, expensive and lengthy process which can often be misunderstood within the lighting industry.

This has led to many non-compliant products needing to be removed from ceilings, resulting in wasted time and money.

The latest NHBC guidance requires testing on each joist type to reflect the actual construction in which the product is being used, especially for joist types for 30 minute ceilings which are most likely to be either metal web joists or I-beam joists. Fire test data is only acceptable when it is from a full scale loaded test and is supplied from a UKAS approved test house.

The correct choice of protection Lighting and LED technology is moving at a fast pace, and end-users are often changing their light fittings on a regular

basis to improve energy efficiency and/or light output, meaning that products rapidly become obsolete.

The constant changing and updating of light fittings can lead to mistakes being made when it comes to the choice of product to provide the correct level of fire protection for that particular ceiling construction.

Fitting Tenmat Downlight Covers solves this problem as, once installed, the product remains in the ceiling no matter what light fitting is installed or how often it is changed, providing 100% fire protection all of the time.

The Tenmat solution provides constant fire protection independently of the light fitting, which allows customers a much greater choice of fitting. The hoods don’t have to be fire rated and so will also save costs with every subsequent lighting change, as well as providing complete peace of mind.

It’s important that downlight covers are also compatible with modern LED light fittings and don’t overheat them, which will reduce the life of the lamp. Tenmat’s products have been tested to the most onerous BS EN60598 thermal build-up test and are approved for all fittings up to 50W.

A downlight cover only performs properly when it is correctly fitted. Tenmat covers are fully pre-formed and are simply passed through the hole and clipped in place, ensuring they’re always quickly and correctly installed.

In addition to providing fire protection, the covers reinstate the acoustic performance of a ceiling, which is lost when ceiling penetrations are made.

They’ve also been tested by BRE Acoustics Laboratory to the BS EN ISO 140 parts 5 and 6 standard and show that full acoustic performance is restored by the covers.

Tenmat’s Downlight Covers are backed by an impressive array of testing and approvals obtained over the past 20 years, with the FF109 Downlight Cover range fully tested in metal web joists, I-beam and solid timber joists.

DOWNLOAD A FF109 PRODUCT TECHNICAL DATA SHEET AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EP012

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TECHNICAL & TRAINING

WIRING REGULATIONS: LABELLING REQUIREMENTS Getting important labelling right leaves a lasting impression and helps you remain compliant, as the team at Epson explains.

W

hat you leave behind after an installation speaks volumes. While electrical labelling is most importantly about safety, it should also be convenient, professional and time-saving, leaving a lasting impression with your customers.

In fact, it is so important that an entire section of the Wiring Regulations is dedicated to it. Section 514, entitled ‘Identification and Notices’, provides clear instruction, with label illustrations, that are supported by UK health and safety law.

A correctly labelled installation looks more professional and helps to comply with these Regulations, while the customer benefits from easy identification of well-labelled switchgear that makes circuit isolation and protection both quick and accurate.

Traditional methods Historically, label creation has been a time-consuming and arduous task. It used to involve a labeller, a pair of scissors, a great deal of wasted tape off-cuts and no small amount of frustration to make labels fit distribution boards, sockets, switches, trunking, conduit and equipment.

48 April 2020 PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN

As technology developed things became easier with semi-automated labellers sizing text to fit distribution boards, cables and pattress boxes. While these printing devices made life easier, they tended to demand multi-step button pushing processes to achieve the desired result. So, while you could create and print on-site, using earlier electronic labellers would still require more time and effort compared to today’s portable label makers.

With correct identification potentially saving injury or, in serious cases, life, the scope of labelling within the Wiring Regulations goes beyond Section 514. For example, the introduction of the 18th Edition, Section 534.4.1.7, states that the presence of Surge Protection Devices (SPDs) installed downstream of a distribution board (e.g. in a socket-outlet) shall be permanently indicated at, or near, the distribution board.

Subsequently the client needs to check the SPD periodically, in a similar fashion to the periodic RCD test, to ensure the device is still effective. While a label isn’t

specifically required by this Regulation, an easy, clear and professional way to indicate the periodic check would be to place a durable label on or near to the board.

Using an intuitive smart-phone App with your labelling device, connected using seamless Bluetooth, allows you to quickly create new labels, store them and recall for future editing and printing. Seeing a life-sized image of the label before printing eliminates extra tape waste, saves time and helps to ensure the label meets current Regulations, while also being easy and convenient to complete.

Epson LabelWorks printers have been specifically designed for electrical applications such as those described in this article.

DOWNLOAD A EPSON LABELWORKS PRINTER RANGE PRODUCT DATA SHEET AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EP013

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

You asked: WHEN I WAS CARRYING OUT LOOP IMPEDANCE TESTS ON A RECENT JOB, I GOT HIGH ZS READINGS ON RCD PROTECTED CIRCUITS, EVEN THOUGH THE ZE AND R1+R2 READINGS WERE AS EXPECTED. WHAT’S THE REASON FOR THIS?

We say: RCDs and RCBOs usually incorporate a tiny transformer with a winding connected in series with the live conductor, and another winding in series with the neutral conductor. This transformer detects the difference between the currents in the live and neutral conductors, which indicates the presence of earth leakage. As the transformer windings are in series with the supply, most loop impedance testers can sometimes include this impedance of the windings in the loop impedance result. This is called “RCD uplift” and with a 30mA RCD or RCBO, it can increase your ZS reading by as much as 0.5 Ω compared with the expected or calculated value. Fortunately, there’s now an easy solution to this problem. Megger’s latest MFT1741 multifunction installation tester uses a new loop test technique that is immune to the effects of RCD uplift. The MFT1741 also has a unique new confidence display that helps to reduce the time needed for loop tests on electrically quiet circuits, as well as making life much easier when you’re carrying out loop tests on noisy circuits.

MEGGER HAS PRODUCED A TECHNICAL GUIDE ON HOW TO ELIMINATE RCD IMPEDANCE UPLIFT. DOWNLOAD IT AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EP014 PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN April 2020 51

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TRAINING ROUND UP

TWO’S UP FOR EV TRAINING

T

o meet the increasing consumer demand for Electric Vehicle (EV) charge installation points, Premier Training Academy offers two training options to help installers make the most of this popular technology.

Over the last year, significant changes have been made within the plug-in EV market. Restrictions have been put into place for the future sale of fossil-fuelled vehicles by the Government, proposing that the sale of new diesel and petrol cars be banned in the UK from 2040, along with a release of new policies regarding urban air quality.

The Level 3 Award in Domestic, Commercial & Industrial Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment Installation provides knowledge to help make the most of the expansion for low-cost alternatives to conventional fuel, as well as being one of the requirements that allows access to the Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) register and incentives that going electric can provide.

There are two course options available:

1. Two-day guided learning (inc practical assessment and online theory exam) This City & Guilds course is covered over two days at a Premier Training Academy venue. It is tutor-led and gives technology-specific knowledge that is required to install EV charging points with confidence.

2. Home learning and one-day assessment This course can be undertaken in the comfort of your own home via an online learning platform where the underpinning knowledge is gained, along with completing a series of question and answers to reinforce this knowledge. The course aims to help installers take as little time away from planned work schedules, with only one day required at an assessment centre for the practical assessment and City & Guilds online theory examination.

Designed for experienced electricians both courses cover: Introduction, BS 7671 Section 722 and the IET EV Code of Practice; modes of charging, EVSE and restrictions; installation practices, risk assessment, earthing, protection and labelling; on street, commercial and industrial locations; inspection, testing, fault finding and maintenance; certification & notification to DNO; practical assessment and online examination.

FIND OUT TRAINING DATES & LOCATIONS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EP015

TECH SUMMITS ANNOUNCED

C

EDIA has announced details of its UK Tech Summits programme, with two events still to take place this year. These free, must-attend events will combine educational sessions, practical business developments, product displays, keynote speakers, and networking, bringing together professionals from across the industry.

All events will include training sessions presented by trade supplier members and visitors will also have the opportunity to network with manufacturers and

52 April 2020 PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN

distributors inbetween the presentations.

Sponsors and partners include Amina, AWE, Blustream, CIE, Control4, DbM, Faradite, EventSeries, Gecko Home Cinema, Habitech, Invision, Kordz, L-Acoustics, Linn, Lithe Audio, Lutron, OneAV, Penn Elcom, PMC, Pulse Cinemas, and Videotree.

The two remaining events are: Edinburgh: GTG Training Centre – 2nd June Leeds: Leeds United FC – 15th October

TO GET MORE DETAILS AND TO REGISTER FOR A FUTURE CEDIA TECH SUMMIT VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EP016

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S Y A W ] A E V I G [

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GIVEAWAYS

BOSCH

1 X GMS 120 PROFESSIONAL DETECTOR TO BE WON!

This is the perfect detection tool for electricians and installers, or for anyone who wants to boost their day-to-day efficiency while reducing the risk associated with drilling into unknown areas. With three surface material modes – Drywall, Metal and Live wire – switching between these, depending on the wall material, will optimise your detection results. The GMS 120 has a maximum detection depth of 120mm and can detect ferrous and non-ferrous metals, wooden studs and even live wires hidden behind walls.

ENTER THE FREE DRAW AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EP017

HULTAFORS TOOLS

HUDSON LIGHTING 1 X WISKA MOUNTING ACCESSORIES PACK TO BE WON!

Hudson Lighting’s range of mounting accessories is perfect for securing WISKA’s line of external boxes.

Designed with different cables and techniques in mind, they’re produced in black plastic to blend in with their environment.

Hudson lighting has recently expanded its range for a specific mount for SWA connections to 308 boxes along with new adaptor plates for 407 and 607 boxes. A range of inexpensive WAGO holders are also available.

This month’s lucky winner will receive a prize pack containing: WISKA Spikes – 5 x Horizontal standard; 5 x Horizontal long; 5 x Vertical standard; 5 x Vertical long; 3 x Hudson’s SWA mounting topper, pre-fitted with Horizontal spikes; 1 x Hudson’s WISKA 407 Adaptor plate; 1 x Hudson’s WISKA 607 Adaptor plate; plus a mix of the new WAGO holders, designed for WISKA boxes.

ENTER THE FREE DRAW AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EP019

4 X TOOL SPIRIT LEVEL SETS TO BE WON! Hultafors Tools’ high-quality spirit levels have been redesigned to perform at a higher level than other similar products. This set of four spirit levels has a new, modern design and includes an upgraded crush-proof vial with an improved focus for easier reading. A handy 250mm TVP level, plus a 400mm, 800mm and even a 2m spirit level for the biggest tasks ensure you’ll be covered for a wide range of jobs on-site.

ENTER THE FREE DRAW AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EP018

RATED PEOPLE 4 X £420 IN ‘RATED PEOPLE CREDIT’ TO BE WON! Rated People is the UK’s leading marketplace that matches homeowners with tradespeople.

Its tradespeople members have over 1 million homeowner job leads at their fingertips each year, in the trades, skills and locations that they want to cover. You buy the leads you’re interested in and then quote.

Leads are never sold more than three times, and include the pictures, time period that the homeowner’s looking to get the job done, ENTER THE FREE DRAW AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EP020 and other details – so you’re not wasting time, money and effort. Once the job’s done, watch your reputation grow as the homeowner’s rating of your work is added to your online profile page. Membership even earns you money when you’re not looking for work, thanks to discounts and offers worth £800 a year on fuel, tools and more.

New members of Rated People’s tradespeople community (as long as they pass the vetting requirements!) have the chance to win £420 credit, to spend on new job leads and start winning work. That £420 credit could soon turn into a whole lot more!

By entering you agree to Rated People’s terms of service and Privacy Policy that can be found at www.ratedpeople.com.

PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN April 2020 55

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PRODUCTS & BUSINESS SOLUTIONS

TIME TO SWITCH YOUR SWITCH?

Louisa Buckley, Residential Segment Marketing Manager at Schneider Electric, looks at the creative ways you can use electrical accessories if your client is in need of a style upgrade.

W

hen designing a room, the details can make all the difference – from the perfect paint colour to that dreamy flooring. It can, therefore, be frustrating when essential fixtures and fittings, such as plastic light switches, affect the end result. Wouldn’t it be great if these electrical fittings were part of a solution and not the problem?

Step forward innovative stylish switches that stand out for all the right reasons. But how can you use these to turn what may appear a simple electrical accessory into a cool interior ‘must-have’?

Go for a classic chic vibe Often overlooked as a significant part of a room scheme, designers are now rethinking the role of the light switch as a stand-alone interior feature thanks to the many new styles and finishes available.

If you’re looking to complement a classic, high-end interior, then an elegantly designed switch is a sleek and sophisticated solution. Featuring a chic metallic finish, a charcoal steel frame combines perfectly with dark tones and raw textures, while its simplicity will ensure it blends into the backdrop.

Be creative with colour Busy family homes are often packed full of colour, which changes on a daily basis depending on what toys are being played with or the latest craft project on display. So, wouldn’t it be great if you had versatile electrical switches that could mirror this playful vibe?

Opt for a light switch that has interchangeable cover plates and you’ll be able to change up the look every time the surroundings evolve.

Embrace the simplicity For added efficiency, look for a switch that features a simple push-button operation for an extra streamlined finish.

Make it a feature Turn a colourful switch into part of the backdrop by giving it a role in an exciting gallery wall display of prints and photographs.

Choose a design that blends in, yet also stands out Whether you choose to make a feature of an elegant switch, or give it a quieter role in your scheme, it will still make a design statement in any space.

Take a super-sleek and simplistic design, for example. With clean lines, matt finish and LED-lit push buttons, it will fade into the backdrop of a soothing living space, yet will bring a designer elegance that a basic plastic switch just couldn’t match.

Show it off in a prominent position Forget having to hide switches behind doors or curtains where they won’t be seen. With a sophisticated collection, you’ll be encouraged to fit them in eye-catching spots that not only pull focus but are also convenient to use.

Encourage some coastal calm The laidback look of a simple switch fits in with a neutral palette of weathered timbers, natural linens and calming greys – perfect for a coastal interior.

And to encourage that easy-living vibe further, the switch could feature pictograms that clearly indicate each operation.

Design a bespoke switch layout Before choosing any electrical accessories, consider how you use each room so you can pick the right combination of switches to suit the function of the space. For example, dimmer switches are great for living spaces where you may want mood lighting, while USB chargers are going to be essential in study spaces, bedrooms and above kitchen benches.

DOWNLOAD SCHNEIDER’S LATEST WIRING ACCESSORIES CATALOGUE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EP021

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WATT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD? The team at V-TAC looks at why LED floodlights represent the future for electrical installers.

S

ince its inception in 2009, V-TAC has been steadily making LED lighting solutions more accessible.

In 2016, the company debuted LED floodlights that featured 80 Lm/W. In 2017, as part of its sustainability goals, V-TAC unveiled solar floodlights for the EU and UK markets.

The following year, it further improved on its product range with the Samsung sports floodlights (120Lm/W), whilst the Super Bright series (160Lm/W) and updated models of the Solar floodlights were introduced last year.

Watt’s the difference?

You may have noticed the use of Lumens per Watt (Lm/W) instead of just Watts (W).

That’s because Watts is no longer an accurate measure of brightness.

In the days of incandescent lighting, bulbs came in standard 16 Lm/W, hence the unit ‘Watt’ indicated the brightness.

Today, with the emergence of LED floodlights, companies like V-TAC now produce 160 Lm/W products, with Metal Halide floodlights producing 75-100 Lm/W and Halogen and High Pressure Sodium floodlights having their own Lm/W range.

A higher wattage no longer means brighter light, making the unit ‘Watt’ a redundant measurement of brightness.

However, with the Lumens per Watt measurement, all you need to know is that a floodlight with a higher Lm/W value requires lesser energy to produce bright light, making it more energy efficient.

So why is V-TAC convinced that LED floodlights are the future?

LED vs Halogen Halogen lights are terribly inefficient.

Estimates suggest that swapping an existing halogen floodlight with an LED counterpart could cut energy consumption by up to 65%.

Additionally, 80% of the energy consumed by a halogen floodlight is dissipated as heat. This presents a safety hazard. LED floodlights, on the other hand, produce 80% less heat.

They also last up to 30,000 hours – requiring little maintenance – while a halogen floodlight may last 15,000 hours if maintained regularly.

Another point in favour of LED floodlights is that they dissipate light less than halogen floodlights, making them

brighter and better at concentrating light in a single direction.

LED vs High Pressure Sodium High Pressure Sodium floodlights are the closest rivals to LED floodlights in terms of efficiency. A good HPS floodlight can offer the same Lm/W as an LED floodlight.

However, LEDs last longer: 30,000 hours vs 24,000 hours.

An important factor is that HPS floodlights can be slow to switch on, often taking as long as ten minutes while LEDs light up in a fraction of a second.

HPS also requires frequent monitoring and regular maintenance for top performance while LED floodlights require little or no maintenance.

LED vs Metal Halide LED floodlights are twice as efficient as Metal Halide variants. A 100W V-TAC LED floodlight can offer 120 Lm/W while Metal Halide floodlights require 200W for the same output.

Moreover, Metal Halides will last for around 15,000 hours and blown bulbs are very common during the lifespan of this type of lamp. Similar to HPS floodlights, Metal Halide floodlights take 10-15 minutes to start up while LEDs reach maximum brightness in less than a second.

The bottom line?

By modernising floodlight systems with high-efficiency industrial LED floodlights, companies could see energy savings of up to 90% over conventional systems.

DOWNLOAD V-TAC’S LED FLOODLIGHT CATALOGUE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EP022

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TWO BECOMES ONE

T

he global market of electric vehicles continues to demonstrate rapid growth, with the number of electric passenger cars surpassing the 5 million mark in 2018 – a 63% increase on the previous year.

Market experts expect the growth of electric vehicles to continue with best estimates showing in excess of 20 million vehicles globally by the end of 2020, 100 million by the end of 2025, and over 250 million by 2030.

To date predictions have fallen closely in line with realised figures which explains why the necessity of suitable and comprehensive charging networks has been realised by companies, industries and governments alike.

To date, the installation of LDV charge units has closely matched the number of electric vehicles on the road, with 5.2 million chargers installed globally by the end of 2018.

It can be assumed that the demand for charging units will continue to follow the predicted increase in electric vehicles.

What is ‘smart’ charging?

Smart charging refers to a charging system that accommodates a shared data connection between the electric vehicle, charging station and user. Smart charging allows energy consumption to be monitored, managed and restricted to optimise energy consumption in terms of both cost and practicality of use.

The benefits of smart charging are so prevalent that the Government OLEV grant was amended on 1st July 2019, resulting in smart chargers only being eligible to receive it. Accompanied with user benefits such as reduced running costs, scheduled off-peak tariff usage and the avoidance of nuisance tripping via load management, smart chargers are now most commonly installed.

However, while smart charging offers inherent benefits, it does create installation problems for electricians.

While some chargers have adopted Wi-Fi connectivity to establish data connections, many charger manufacturers identify the issues associated with Wi-Fi (such as range and signal loss due to structures) and have opted to use ‘hard

The team at Doncaster Cables looks at the requirements for ‘smart’ EV charging installations and how its latest product development is helping electricians to save time, hassle and money. wired’ data connections which increase reliability and user experience.

This means that electricians commonly need to install two cables – one for power and one for data – which results in more effort, longer installation times, having to carry more stock and often having to navigate two cables through difficult routes into the building.

Fortunately, Doncaster Cables identified this problem and has developed a solution to help electricians.

Power and data – in just one cable The Doncaster Cables EV-Ultra range combines power and data in one cable, resulting in a faster, neater and easier installation for electricians.

EV-Ultra provides reliable hard-wired data connectivity in the form of either a 2 core or a Cat5e data cable and is available in both a steel wire armoured or Tuff-Sheath version.

The range has been developed with quality in mind and incorporates the highest quality materials to achieve a cable that is both thermally and UV stable, and capable of operating at higher current

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ratings than the alternative NYY cables – often meaning that a smaller cable size can be used.

Running data and power in a single cable is a concern for many electricians, with most believing that segregation of power (Band II) and data (Band I) is always required. It is, however, already common to find power and data inside one cable in many existing applications. An example of this is DALI networks which incorporate data within a 5 core power cable. Another example appears not too far away from EV chargers and is evident in the lead that connects many cars to the charging unit itself.

What do the Regulations say?

Proximity of electrical services (extract from 528.1) – Except where one of the following methods is adopted, neither a Band I nor a Band II circuit shall be contained in the same wiring system as a circuit of nominal voltage exceeding that of low voltage, and a Band I circuit shall not be contained in the same wiring system as a Band II circuit. (i) – Every cable or conductor is insulated for the highest voltage present.

EV-Ultra consists of power conductors and data cables that are rated to the same nominal voltage – therefore segregation of power and data isn’t required.

Proximity of communications cables (extract from 528.2) – Special considerations of electrical interference, both electromagnetic and electrostatic, may apply to telecommunication circuits, data transfer circuits and the like.

EV-Ultra has been designed with these considerations in mind, as it incorporates screened, twisted pair data cables and is constructed with a lay length that reduces interference. Laboratory and on-site installation tests have also been conducted and no interference or degradation of signal was recorded.

EV-Ultra also comes with the added reassurance of being manufactured by Doncaster Cables. The company firmly believes that UK manufacturing is the best way to achieve its core values of safety, quality, reliability and trust.

DOWNLOAD THE EV-ULTRA RANGE TECHNICAL DATA SHEET AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EP023

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WHAT ABOUT TESTING?

When it comes to testing EV charge points a multi-function tester like the Metrel MI3152 must be capable of testing the complete electrical system, including the disconnection time of a breaker operating at 6 mA DC. Equally, it needs to be capable of completing a loop test through both a Type A 30 mA AC breaker and the 6 mA DC breaker without tripping either of them; no mean feat. Metrel’s unit can also string together tests in an auto-sequence, making testing around 40% faster.

Brendan Beaver, Manager of Metrel UK, says: “With millions of chargers to be installed, there’s plenty of work promised in this area. However, testing and certifying each installation could drown the industry in paperwork; and that’s not mentioning the on-going task of checking that those installed on the side of carriageways, in all weathers, are safe and unvandalised.

“Because it’s designed like a computer that can do electrical testing, the Metrel MI3152 really scores in this area, as it’s simple to store the results on-board. Additionally, charger serial numbers can be added by hand using the QUERTY key pad or by scanning the barcode with an optional reader.”

The file and folder structure is very much what the user is accustomed to and the data can then either be sent to a mobile phone for onward transmission to the office, or downloaded into a report. The report won’t just record on the measured values of the installation but list the functional tests ‘pass’ or ‘failed’ status and the test parameters that were used.

This makes it easy to repeat the test using the same conditions.

DOWNLOAD A MI3152 PRODUCT FLYER AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EP024

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SUBSTATION MASTERS

T

he risk of blackouts and brownouts (a fall in voltage, typically causing lights to dim) are increasing on the power distribution grid due to ageing infrastructure and a lack of automation systems that monitor the condition of critical equipment at substations and elsewhere on the grid.

Whatever the cause, a critical substation failure may cascade into a series of failures and impact massively on banking facilities, security systems, manufacturing plants, food refrigeration, communication networks and traffic control systems. Of course, the electric utility also stands to lose huge amounts of revenue and incur high costs in getting its systems up and running again.

Although electric utilities have, for many years, used hand-held thermal imaging cameras to monitor substation equipment, the adoption of permanently installed systems are relatively new but certainly on the increase. These provide continuous early warning of impending equipment failures.

These systems employ advanced sensing and measurement technology control methods and digital communications. They anticipate, detect and respond rapidly to problems, thereby reducing maintenance costs, the chance of failure, a blackout and lost productivity.

Typical substation components whose thermal signatures are precursors to failure include power transformers (oil levels and pump operation); load tap changers (oil levels, other internal problems); insulator bushings (oil levels

Andrew Baker, Sales Director North Europe at FLIR Systems, looks at how thermal imaging can play a key role in predicting substation failures.

and bad connections); stand-off insulators (moisture, contamination, degradation); lightning arrestors (degradation of metal oxide disks); circuit breakers (oil or SF6 leakage); mechanical disconnects (bad connections and contamination); control cabinets (wear and tear on fans, pumps and other components) and batteries.

What is thermal imaging?

The principle of thermal imaging is ‘many components heat up before they fail’.

Secondly, all objects emit thermal radiation in the infrared spectrum that isn’t seen by the human eye.

Thermal imaging cameras convert that radiation into crisp images from which temperatures can be read.

This non-contact temperature data can be displayed on a monitor in real time and sent to a digital storage device for analysis.

The cameras don’t require light to produce images and can see hot spots well before excessive heat or loss of insulation leads to failure. They can be mounted in all-weather housings and placed on pan/tilt drive mechanisms to survey large areas of a substation.

Differences in the heat signatures of electrical components and their surrounding background are recognised and compared to temperatures of similar components in close proximity.

Built-in logic, memory and data communications allow the cameras to evaluate the temperatures in the images with user-defined settings and send that data to a central monitoring station for trend analysis, alarm triggering and the generation of reports.

The diagram shows a typical substation monitoring system that uses FLIR A310 thermal imaging cameras. Systems of this type have been installed in substations worldwide.

Typical system configuration In co-operation with automation system suppliers, a quality camera manufacturer can create customised thermal imaging and non-contact temperature measurement systems for substations.

They can automatically perform site patrols and monitor equipment temperatures without human supervision.

The video images and temperature data are carried over Ethernet, wireless or over fibreoptic cables to an appropriate interface that communicates this data to the central monitoring location.

A GOOD EXAMPLE One large utility discovered a hot bushing rod in a substation transformer and repaired it at a cost of only £11,000. A similar problem that occurred before the company instituted its thermal imaging programme resulted in a catastrophic failure that cost more than £2 million.

GET MORE DETAILS ON FLIR’S FULL RANGE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EP025

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Products IN PRACTICE

Hylec’s solution ticks Debox Jamie O’Sullivan, an Electrician at Oakleaf Group, has recently installed a number of Hylec’s Debox junction boxes on a care home project.

Describing the challenge and process involved, Jamie states: “While working on a particularly difficult rewiring job in one of our care homes, I was struggling to access and connect the cables in the attic space and under the floorboards. Trying to balance screwdrivers, screws, a torch, connectors and a fiddly connection box at an awkward angle didn’t help and a workmate, who overheard my frustrations, came to investigate.

“When he saw what the problem was, he dug into his toolbox and handed me a few junction boxes, stating that I should try them instead. I wasn’t convinced, but minutes later I had connected up several of the boxes in no time at all!”

He continues: “The junction boxes in question were from Hylec and were called Debox, coming complete with their terminals and built-in sealing clips. What’s more they didn’t use screws, either to connect the cable or anchor the cables either.

You simply feed the wires into the terminal block, snap the levers down and push the cable housings into the cable clamps.

“To finish the job you snap the lid shut and stick in a locking clip to create a maintenance-free connection. There’s even a couple of built-in fixing lugs so the box can be secured in place, if required. It’s safe to say that I’m definitely a convert!”

There is a range of Debox junction boxes from Hylec-APL, available from most electrical wholesalers. Each is designed to create a professional, fully compliant connection while saving time and money.

VIEW THE ENTIRE DEBOX RANGE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EP026

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sponsored by www.electricalcharity.org

VENT-AXIA CLIPPERS QUAY

C-TEC CROFT HOUSE CARE HOME C-TEC’s powerful new Quantec Surveyor2 Cloud-based data management software has been installed at Croft House Care Home in Yorkshire. With its capacity to generate reports on the busiest of shifts, call response times, most frequently visited rooms and more, the software has revolutionised operations at the care home. A secure Cloud-based system, Surveyor2 also allows email notifications to be sent to Croft House’s management team so they can monitor response times when they’re not on-site. As the system has remote access capabilities and displays ‘real-time’ call, reset and room occupancy information, the senior member of staff on shift can view the status of all current calls and respond accordingly should a call take too long to be answered. Surveyor2 is designed to work with Quantec, C-TEC’s powerful yet easy-to-use addressable call system.

GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EP027

ESP STIRLING COUNCIL Stirling Council is in the process of installing security measures in its housing developments, selecting products from ESP’s Aperta access control range for a number of domestic properties. Liam Wilkie, Electrical Specialist for Stirling Council, has been utilising products from across the Scolmore Group of companies for a variety of recent projects and had no hesitation in choosing the Aperta video door entry systems for this particular scheme, due to the ease of installation and operation. Two products from the Aperta range are being installed – the colour video door entry system and the colour video door entry system with record facility. As well as general installation in domestic properties, the door access kits have been utilised as part of the council’s care crime scheme to cater for the urgent need to provide security for a particular tenant who may need the reassurance of checking who is at the door before they open it.

WATCH A SUPPORTING VIDEO AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EP028

Vent-Axia has supplied ventilation to the impressive Clippers Quay in Salford. Vent-Axia ventilation systems were specified to provide good indoor air quality (IAQ) for all 614 apartments.

The largest build-to-rent development outside of London, the scheme comprises 614 apartments and is set to be home to more than 1,200 residents and seven new retail businesses. HE Simm, one of the UK’s largest providers of mechanical, electrical and public health services, specified and installed the ventilation for Grainger, the UK’s largest listed professional landlord, who owns and manages the property. At the project, 550 Lo-Carbon Sentinel Kinetic Cooker Hoods and 64 Lo-Carbon Sentinel Advance mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) units were specified to provide ventilation.

GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EP029

SCOLMORE DUNEDIN CANMORE HOUSING ASSOCIATION Responsible for over 5,000 properties across Edinburgh, the Lothians and Fife as well as a further 600 rental properties through Lowther Homes – its sister organisation – Dunedin Canmore Housing Association has a five-year investment plan in place to improve, repair and upgrade its tenants’ homes. As part of this upgrade, they’ll be installing over 300 kitchens and 200 bathrooms per year and undertaking LD2 smoke detection upgrades to 100% of its properties over a 12 month period. Scolmore was appointed following a competitive tendering exercise to provide a range of products including the new Click Smart Switch Supply to Permanent Conversion Pack, as well as USB sockets, light switches and pendants from the Click Mode wiring accessories range. The installation of Click Smart conversion kits will allow speedy and damage-free installation of smoke detectors to the new LD2 standard within dwellings. The conversion kits provide a retrofit smart solution to allow independent control of the lighting circuit, while still supplying a smoke detector with constant power.

VIEW MORE SCOLMORE CASE STUDIES AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EP030

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For the layperson it may not be as captivating as the next best-selling novel, but NAPIT’s On-site Solutions publication offers a whole host of important and essential pieces of advice and guidance. Pete Monfort, Director at Monty Electrics and Arena Training Centre, reviews the book many electricians have been longing for.

circles) such as Sparky Ninja, Ryan Dempsey and other prominent e5 Group members, along with a host of other professionals, are all in there.

IT’LL BE ALRIGHT ON THE SITE

I

often get asked which books I have read and people roll their eyes when I reel off a load of technical titles, but as an instructor at a successful electrical training centre I think it is important to stay abreast of technical requirements. It goes with the terrain.

When I’m not instructing I’m ‘on the tools’ and although technical knowledge is essential, there is the added requirement to actually apply the technical requirements in the real world of wires, terminations and enclosures. While BS 7671 is a useful resource it isn’t exactly

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bedtime reading and it certainly offers little in the way of guidance on how to actually do the job practically.

I was therefore excited to receive a copy of the NAPIT On-site Solutions publication which promised (on page 4) ‘good and proper solutions to the everyday problems electricians encounter on-site.’

The first thing I noticed was the list of contributors and cooperating individuals which included those with a proven track record and experience in the industry. Household names (in electrical

Content is key The content was well laid out and I have to say that it is an attractive looking book with clear print and colour diagrams. Section 1 provides a useful breakdown of important legislation and would support anyone due to undertake a CPS assessment since it would remind them of the extensive legislation that they should be complying with in terms of health and safety.

It is refreshing to see the reminder about the use of lock-off kits being a part of an electrician’s PPE since I must be going blue in the face from telling sparks to lock off – I’m still surprised by how many fail to apply these principles. Even better is chapter 5, entirely dedicated to this important procedure.

Chapter 2 covers many of the required definitions in common use, while chapter 3 is a good read and covers a plethora of issues surrounding installation including types of supply, a breakdown of the key issues to consider when selecting consumer units such as protective devices, RCD types, selectivity, and newer topics such as AFDD and SPD selection, plus many other installation considerations that changed recently in the 18th Edition.

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Having just led a C&G 2396 Level 4 course I’ve particularly enjoyed chapter 4 which gives some super examples of design calculations and also looks at circuit details for lighting, sockets and issues to do with wiring kitchens and outbuildings. It’s nice to see an explanation for the oft misunderstood issue of perceived shock for cabling outside.

The section on heating controls will support those newer sparks who are perhaps less familiar with the complexities of wiring control centres, given that many homes now simply have a fused spur for combi boilers.

Chapter 6 covers inspection and testing. Identification of metal work as being extraneous (or not) was cleared up with a worked calculation and the myth that bonding conductors should be 0.05ohms or less was also addressed; of course, the resistance should be commensurate with the csa selected in accordance with BS 7671 and the length of conductor. The mention of an R1RN test made me smile – I often do this myself as it confirms the neutral return path.

The diagrams showing how to carry out tests are excellent and the problems that we all come across with insulation resistance testing are discussed in detail with examples for how to overcome such issues as USB sockets and SPDs. The chapter finishes with some excellent advice on periodic inspection frequencies.

Chapters 7-10 cover documentation, PV generation, electric vehicle charging and smart homes. Again these explained, with the help of useful diagrams, some of the issues installers face and offers workable solutions.

In conclusion Overall I think this book is an excellent read. It is well suited to electricians who are ‘on the tools’ and the numerous examples with clear illustrations will improve the readers’ understanding of ‘how to do it’ whilst securely linking this to the concept of ‘why we do it’. Highly recommended.

ORDER YOUR COPY OF NAPIT’S ON-SITE SOLUTIONS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EP031

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SAVED BY THE BELT

Making his debut outing as part of the PE product review team, Howard Mitchell puts the C.K Magma tool belt and pouches to the test.

W

hen it comes to tool belts there aren’t many features that separate one from another. Screwdriver slots, a tape measure and hammer bracket, numerous pouches and holsters, a handy chain for your tape – these are the essentials you come to expect.

It’s therefore nice to find a tool belt that incorporates the old tried and tested features and toughens them up a bit. C.K seems to have done exactly this,

designing a substantial tool belt that is very well constructed and thought out.

The first thing you notice is the belt’s comprehensive mesh-lined padding and enlarged back support which is particularly useful when you’re carrying heavier items. Constructed using thick tear-resistant polyester fabric, a row of sturdy metal eyelets and a double metal clasp, it’s like something you’d expect to see a bodybuilder wearing in the gym, though it shouldn’t matter whether you’re built like a strongman or on the slim side,

as C.K have provided ample dual metal eyelets for various waist sizes.

If you’re looking for even more support, the tool belt can be used in conjunction with the C.K Magma braces which hook onto four triangular metal belt loops.

Sturdy and spacious Supplied with a detachable drill holster and tool pouch, the latter even features its own handle for use as a mini standalone tool bag. This proves useful if you need to hop from job-to-job with minimal tools.

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There are three oversized deep pockets which are fantastic for safely holding tools and those fiddly items like cable clips and screws. They can also be a hindrance if you’re the type of person who ends up with more ‘stuff’ in their pockets than in their tool bag by the end of the day.

The tool pouch is also capable of holding a tape measure and hammer, with a removable metal hammer loop and a tape chain which is capable of holding around three or four rolls of insulating tape.

One thing I would be keen to see in a future version is a distinct and suitably sized pouch for holding a pair of side cutters. C.K markets the detachable pouch as a ‘tool pouch’ which has five clearly defined slots for screwdrivers, but a pair of commonly used side cutters can easily get lost in those deep pockets leaving you rummaging around when you need them.

The drill holster is able to securely retain either a drill or impact driver using the Velcro strap, with the extra weight having little effect on the shape and comfort of the belt, whereas others may sag and distort. C.K has even added a row of small elasticated slots which are useful for a variety of drill bits, pens and pencils.

Comfort is key Importantly the belt is very comfortable to use, even when working at height, and is able to carry everything I need. For example, when undertaking a floodlight replacement I was able to fit a drill and the floodlight itself in the largest of the three pouches. This means it’s not only safer and

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easier on the back, but it’s also a time saver that prevents the need for several trips up and down a ladder with tools and parts.

It’s the little things Finally, who would have thought a simple thing as a chain with a toothed metal clip on the end of it would be so useful? I’m not sure what C.K originally intended it to be designed for but have found myself using it as a convenient clip for holding earth sleeving or holding a wiring diagram.

If you’re in need of some additional tool belt storage, or simply just need somewhere to store those ‘bits and bobs’, C.K Magma has also designed a set of three colour coded zip-able pouch bags – small, medium and large – with the largest measuring 230x175x10mm.

These are ideal for housing a ready supply of essentials such as screws, wall plugs, cable clips and Wago connectors without needing to carry in a whole box of fixings and connectors. You can attach them to either the C.K tool belt or to your tool bag using the metal carabiners for versatility.

Each pouch is constructed of tough polyester on one side and a heavy duty transparent rear panel so you can effortlessly see the contents of each one without having to unzip them all individually – a nice touch.

In the past I’ve been guilty of using other brands of pouches, but found that I

was let down eventually by the durability of the zippers. C.K Magma has tried to overcome this problem by using what appears to be fairly robust zips on each pouch, so I’m hoping these should stand the test of time.

In conclusion Overall the C.K Magma tool belt and pouches are extremely durable and should stand up to challenging site conditions, whatever your trade. When used in combination they allow you to have most of your essential tools and fixings comfortably with you on the move without needing to make several trips back to your tool bags or the van, which ultimately saves you time.

VIEW THE FULL C.K MAGMA RANGE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EP032

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CONNECT MORE

In-Sure Push-In Wire Connectors These connectors are an easy product to use, making maintenance-free connections a breeze. They have an ergonomic design which makes your connections look neat and tidy, so if your client is watching over your shoulder – which is not uncommon – it gives a slightly more professional look.

They come in various sizes, designed for different numbers of cores, and are colour-coded for ease of selection. Once cables have been pushed into these connectors, they feel very secure and are easily inspected, due to the clear casing.

The only thing I would have found slightly more useful is if the installer case was stocked with 100 of each connector.

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In-Sure Lever Wire Connectors Another product I was given to test is a re-usable version of the IDEAL push-in connectors with a lever, thus meaning each termination can be released and re-terminated. These connectors still have the clear casing to show that the cable is pushed in far enough and won't come loose.

The levers can be a little bit fiddly to begin with, which I guess is a result of maintaining the ergonomics of the connector, so they may take some getting used to, but once you do get used to them, they will help you make faster, more consistent connections.

SpliceLine In-Line Wire Connectors These connectors are an innovative change to using an insulated through

For this review Steve Hewish gets his hands on a selection of solutions from IDEAL Industries EMEA.

crimp and they save so much time – it’s just a case of stripping the cable and pushing in and, with no crimp tool required, productivity is increased. Another plus point for me is they’re rated at 32A so that they can be used to extend cables for lots of different purposes, including extending ring circuits. This means that when you’re on jobs like a consumer unit re-location you can save plenty of time by not having to tighten terminal blocks.

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In-Sure Enclosure IDEAL enclosures are a great accompaniment to the push-in and lever connectors as they have a multitude of uses. I have used these mostly for downlight joints, or as a replacement for conventional joint boxes, and they’re very easy to use with the snap lid cover. The bright colour also makes them easily visible.

Wire Armour Premium Vinyl Tape This tape is a pleasant change to the widely stocked cheaper alternative which has the age-old issue of splitting in cold weather, so you’re forever trying to keep it warm in your pocket or in the van on top of the heater. The IDEAL tape has been designed to remain malleable and will not split – even in the coldest of temperatures. I’ve tried this tape out at freezing temperatures (the lowest was -1˚C) and I found that it coped well with every situation I needed it to.

DOWNLOAD THE IDEAL WIRE CONNECTORS CATALOGUE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EP033

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Products round up

XCITE FRD MINI Downlight

SNICKERS WORKWEAR LITEWork Range A change of season means a change of focus on what you wear on-site. That’s why Snickers’ new LITEWork clothing can help you keep cool when you’re working in sunny, warm and humid environments.

The ergonomic, body-mapping trousers, shirts, shorts, mid-layer jackets and windproof jackets have all the comfort and functionality of other Snickers Workwear stretch garments but give extra freedom of movement on-site. Just like high performance sportswear, they’re super-light, quick-drying garments, with ventilation and moisture transport features that keep you looking smart and feeling cool whenever you’re in warm weather.

After all, keeping a balanced work temperature is not just about staying cool; it’s a matter of your wellbeing and job safety.

DOWNLOAD THE 2020 SNICKERS CATALOGUE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EP034

The latest product offering from xcite boasts excellent energy savings, exceptional customisation and, when installed, it provides outstanding uniform light levels. The new FRD MINI complements the existing downlight range and carries all the key features which you would expect to find on a fire rated downlight. These include a dimming function with a larger-than-ever range of compatible dimmers, a wide 60˚ beam angle distribution and IP65 protection. Ideal for both residential and commercial spaces the FRD MINI is fully fire rated to 30/60/90 minute certification. Featuring a large loop in/out mains connection, combined with being fully insulation coverable, this quick and easy-to-fit recessed fitting is built with installers in mind. The FRD MINI is available in a choice of two colour temperatures: warm white (3000K) and neutral white (4000K). In addition, it is available with a choice of three fixed coloured bezels – white, polished chrome and satin nickel. The FRD MINI achieves a lumen efficacy of up to 90lm/W and a lifetime of 30,000 hours, backed with a three-year warranty.

DOWNLOAD A PRODUCT LEAFLET AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EP035

CED Meridian UFO LED Fittings The Meridian LED range boasts a comprehensive industrial sector, including high and low bay fittings designed for corn lamps, plus an IP54 range pre-fitted with LEDs. Anti-corrosives follow with options for LED tubes or with built-in LEDs. Two ranges of IP65 industrial floodlights up to 200W – plus emergency twin spots and exit boxes – complete the current offering. Boosting the high bay sector are new LED UFO fittings available in 100W, 150W and 200W sizes. Manufactured with aluminium heatsink bodies, these recessed fittings are black with clear glass diffusers, providing a colour temperature of 5700k and delivering a lifespan of 40,000 hours. Backed by a full five-year warranty, UFO fittings are IP65 rated, CE marked, and RoHS compliant.

VIEW THE FULL RANGE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EP036

MARTINDALE ELECTRIC Latest Catalogue Martindale’s latest catalogue includes many new products and useful guides to finding the best tools and accessories for electrical safety, fault finding and certifying installations.

It’s the essential reference for all electricians and maintenance personnel working on electrical equipment and installations with simple solutions to stay safe and work smarter.

Containing more information than ever before, the new catalogue is organised into 12 comprehensive categories and includes a wealth of essential information on safe isolation and useful selection tables for a wide range of test tools, making it easy to identify the best product for the job. Featuring nearly 300 items of electrical and environmental test equipment and accessories, the latest catalogue includes 24 extra pages of over 35 brand new products offering great value and complete solutions to many applications, from safe isolation through voltage and magnetic field detection to PAT testing.

DOWNLOAD THE CATALOGUE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EP037

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Products round up

Help save lives with Safe Isolation Kits IDEAL Industries EMEA is helping to make isolations safer for electrical professionals, other trades on-site and building occupiers with its Safe Isolation Kits.

Designed to ensure isolated circuits, machinery or equipment are never inadvertently switched back to live while an electrician is still working on the network, the Safe Isolation Kits are an essential component of any electrician’s tool bag.

IDEAL Industries’ Contractor PRO Lockout/Tagout Kit and Contractor Lockout/Tagout Kits are designed for contractors working on industrial, commercial and domestic installations and contain a broad range of devices to enable sale isolation by locking out virtually any type of breaker. Supplied in a handy zipped pouch, they include various universal lockout devices and MCB lockout equipment, along with wipe clean labels and a pen.

Also supplied in a convenient zipped pouch, the company’s Domestic Installer Lockout/Tagout Kit is ideal for use by domestic installers and contains devices for use on breakers that are typically used in domestic installations, along with wipe-clean labels and a pen.

For a low-cost option or a simple way to equip a whole team with basic safety safe isolation equipment, IDEAL Industries’ Personal Lockout/Tagout Kit is a perfect starter kit. It contains two of the most commonly required lock out devices, plus a safety padlock and a ‘do not operate’ tag.

All items contained in the Safe Isolation Kits, including safety padlocks, lockout hasps, MCB lockout devices, circuit breaker lockouts and tags, are also available individually from Ideal Industries.

Brett Smyth, General Manager of IDEAL Industries EMEA, explains: “All electrical professionals understand the dangers of accidental contact with a live electrical supply and yet, despite HSE guidance, only one in five routinely carry a Safe Isolation Kit. We believe that needs to change, which is why we’ve introduced a variety of Safe Isolation Kits so that electricians can select the right one for their needs.”

DOWNLOAD THE IDEAL INDUSTRIES SAFE ISOLATION KIT CATALOGUE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EP038

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The spirit level that plugs into electrical sockets Recently launched by Cattano, the inventors of the BoxMate, is SocketMate: a new product for an old problem. The product allows electricians to check that the socket is level as they fit it. When electricians fit socket plates to back boxes, repeated adjustments are often necessary before the socket is level. By simply fitting a SocketMate, the electrician can be sure the plate is level first time, every time.

“We previewed the SocketMate at the ELEX show at Alexandra Palace in January”, said Peter Gaukrodger, Director of Cattano. “Electricians recognised its benefits straight away, just from seeing the product at a distance.”

SocketMate features include a contoured profile for easy access to the fixing screws, a lipped flange for easy extraction, and a central bevel above the vial, allowing the bubble to be viewed without the need to bend down. The product will save time in every application — whether it’s a single socket installation, a full rewire, or a 1,000-home new build project.

GET MORE DETAILS ABOUT SOCKETMATE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EP039

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Products round up

Can you Klik it?

Yes you can!

With its pre-wired plugs, Hager’s Klik product is designed to save contractors time, eliminate the chance of poor connection, and allow enough flexibility to adapt as the building or office space needs change.

Available in both 4 Pin and 7 Pin plug and socket connection options, luminaires can be simply plugged-in in seconds without the need for circuit isolation. In addition, Klik’s self-wired plugs provide a highly adaptable solution whenever system alteration is needed.

Can Klik only be used for on/off switching of standard luminaires?

No, while Klik 7 offers the ability for on/off control it is also fully compatible with DALI control solutions, making it ideal for the very latest lighting systems.

If Hager doesn’t have the control products my customer specifies, can I still use Klik?

Yes, Klik 7 distributes both power and control signals to lighting systems and is compatible with a wide range of manufacturers’ control products. Hager can supply control products and wiring accessories from basic switching PIR sensors to DALI dimming to intelligent lighting control systems and KNX solutions.

Can all of these systems be easily integrated with Klik?

Yes, due to its plug-in convenience and versatility, Klik can deliver total compatibility with all the systems above.

Can I safely unplug a luminaire at the Klik plug without isolating the circuit?

Yes, the Klik plug provides safe on-load disconnection of luminaires without the requirement to isolate the circuit.

Do I need a microprocessor-based lighting controller to perform daylight dimming and absence/presence type controls to achieve a typical commercial lighting system?

Klik 7 provides a fully scalable approach to lighting design and lighting control options. From simple absence/presence detection and timing functions via occupancy sensors, no controller is required.

For more sophisticated lighting control functions, Klik 7 solutions can be designed with Hager’s microprocessor LCM controller which is integrated in to the Klik 7 marshalling box. Klik 7 also provides an efficient power and control distribution solution, when used with other lighting controllers.

DOWNLOAD THE HAGER KLIK CATALOGUE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EP040

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OVIA EVO Bulkhead Range Extension Ovia has added new, white metal housing options across its popular Inceptor EVO LED bulkhead range. Designed with the contractor in mind, and with their convenience and speed of installation, they remain a popular choice. Benefits include the time-saving fast-fit and lock installation process and the integration of the control gear and the light source within the diffuser. The units have the added benefit of a Flow plug which allows for fast and simple connection and disconnection for testing and maintenance of the luminaire. The IP65-rated Inceptor EVO is available in two formats, Circular and Eye-Lid, with each format offered in four different options – 10W Standard, 12W Emergency, 13W Microwave Sensor, and 18W Emergency and Microwave Sensor combined. This provides contractors and installers with a range of easy-to-install LED bulkheads, suitable for a variety of domestic and commercial applications including walkways, corridors, stairwells and communal areas, and within public areas such as schools, offices, and shopping malls and urban spaces.

DOWNLOAD A PRODUCT FLYER AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EP041

WERNER 717 Series Ladders The 717 Series from Werner offers a durable, non-conductive fibreglass ladder, ideal for any tradesman working around electricity. Designed with seven-layer fibreglass rails, the 717 Series prevents any shocks for those working in contact with electricity and is highly resistant to weathering, preventing against corrosion and rusting. The 717 Series also features a multi-functional HolsterTop, which is ideal for keeping tools organised and limiting trips up and down the ladder when working. For additional safety, every ladder in the range is designed with heavy-duty slip-resistant treads for comfortable standing and EDGE moulded brace and foot pads for enhanced bracing strength and to protect the base tread from damage. Available in a range of different tread sizes, from two tread with a safe working height of 2.22m to 12 tread which allows tradesmen to safely reach 4.55m, the 717 Series is an essential part of any professional’s toolkit.

DOWNLOAD A 717 SERIES PRODUCT LEAFLET AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EP042

WISKA Gels Range WISKA’s extensive range of junction box filler gel solutions boast an impressive number of features that are all designed for the benefit of the installer and the end user. Such benefits include being non-toxic, not having an expiry date, having a good mechanical strength and being reusable after opening. WISKA’s classic MP Gel is a two-part mix, perfect to use in the COMBI junction boxes to achieve an IP68 solution, protecting your connections from dust, dirt and moisture.

The company also offers a variety of other gel solutions including the ONE GEL, Replay Gel, Crystal Gel and RESIL. The ONE GEL allows for immediate use with no mixing or pouring required, proving to be the ideal solution for saving time. The Replay Gel can be pulled apart and re-worked back together in order to be used again, perfect for awkward locations where pouring can’t occur and if re-entering into a gel is required. Crystal Gel is transparent with a clear finish, allowing you to easily inspect connections and see through the gel, while RESIL is a silicone-based resin which is perfect for pouring into low voltage joint connections.

VIEW WISKA’S RANGE OF GELS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EP043

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Products round up

SCOLMORE Extended Aquip66 Range

UNILITE

HX800R & HX1500R Work Lights Both the HX800R and the HX1500R work lights are incredibly tough. They’re constructed of ultra-strong polymer with a rating of IK07 shock resistance against incoming impact and resistant to a 2m drop. In addition to this, an IP65 dust and water protection rating ensures no foreign substances enter the work lights while the inclusion of a magnetic base allows it to be placed in any elevated metallic position. Of course, with all work lights the most important factor is the quality of the light emitted. Both the HX800R and HX1500R have strong dual LEDs with a floodlight and a spotlight feature, ensuring the user has light for any situation. The lights’ max lumen outputs are built into their names, with 1,500 lumen and 800 lumens being their top lighting outputs. The ability to dim the lights ensures a flexible extension of runtime when required. A built-in lithium battery eliminates the need to purchase disposables and the units are charged with Type-C-USB cables for a faster charge.

WATCH THE HX800R TAKE THE ULTIMATE TEST AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EP044

Scolmore is extending its Aquip66 range of durable, easy-to-install 10A weatherproof outdoor switches to include new 20A versions, offering installers the key benefit of enabling 20A switching in a single width module. Scolmore’s existing 1 and 2 gang waterproof switch enclosures utilise MiniGrid single width switch modules, which are rated at 10A. By adding new 1 and 2 gang switches that utilise the GridPro range of modules, the range offers 20A switching options. There are now eight products in the range which comprises 1 and 2 gang 10A, 2-way MiniGrid switches in a choice of furnished or unfurnished, plus the new 1 and 2 gang 20A, 2-way GridPro weatherproof switches, again in a choice of furnished or unfurnished. Designed to offer a high level of protection against ingress of water jets and dust, all products in the Aquip66 range come as completely sealed units.

DOWNLOAD THE BROCHURE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EP045

FORUM LIGHTING Tauri LED Wall/Ceiling Light The Tauri from Forum Lighting is an IP44 rated product that features a super slim design ( just 15mm in depth) and, thanks to its 5-in-1 features, offers a very universal fitting.

The unit can be recessed or surface mounted and is colour temperature selectable, allowing the user to choose 3000K warm white, 4000K cool white or 6000K daylight white.

With an adjustable multi-fit bracket to fit different cut-out sizes, the Tauri is an ideal replacement for traditional downlights, offering 1,800 Lumens. Although the Tauri is finished in white, snap-on magnetic rings are available in Satin Nickel or Chrome to suit the room’s decor.

DOWNLOAD THE FORUM EDITION 6 CATALOGUE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EP046

HIKOKI POWER TOOLS UC18YTSL 18V 4 Port Charger HiKOKI Power Tools has launched its UC18YTSL 18V 4 port charger, which means you’ll never have to be without power out on-site again. With a compact design, the charger rapidly and simultaneously charges HiKOKI 18V and 36V power tool batteries – including Multi Volt. Rapid mode charge times are just 20 minutes per 3.0Ah battery, 32 minutes per 5.0Ah battery and 38 minutes per 6.0Ah battery.

Simultaneous mode charge times are 80 minutes for 4 x 3.0Ah batteries, 128 minutes for 4 x 5.0Ah batteries and 152 mins for 4 x 6.0Ah batteries. The UC18YTSL 18V 4 port charger also includes two USB charger points for added convenience, so mobiles can be topped up through the working day, too.

DOWNLOAD THE HIKOKI CATALOGUE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EP047

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Products round up

Distribution units for EV chargers: standard or bespoke?

Proteus offers a large range of custom designed single and three phase distribution units for EV chargers, ensuring your customer’s exact requirements are met with a completely bespoke solution.

Domestic, commercial, industrial or public Proteus can offer EV charging switchgear solutions for a variety of installations that includes charging at home, the workplace, public access and commercial applications.

Compatibility with different chargers Whether the installation is for an electric car charger for home or work or if it requires a slow unit, fast charger or rapid charger, Proteus can offer a standard or bespoke solution to supply and protect electric car charging stations.

Standard offering A wide range of standard products which suit a variety of EV installations are on offer. Not only do they distribute power, offer short circuit, overcurrent and earth leakage protection, but they’re also ‘off-the-shelf’ items, which makes them a quick and affordable option.

Standard products are a complete solution which comes fully assembled and with all the required devices already fitted.

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ways are described as the kW rating of the required chargers so you can easily choose the switchgear to match your EV charging requirements.

Bespoke offering Also on offer are pre-built bespoke solutions including MCCBs, MCBs, RCDs, RCBOs in IP3X steel enclosures or steel/GRP IP65 enclosures to suit various applications.

Not all EV charging installations are exactly the same, so specialist solutions are often required. Proteus Switchgear is able to design and build bespoke configurations to distribute power and offer protection to all of your required EV charging points.

With state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities and dedicated sales, technical and production staff, the company specialises in offering solutions to problems that often can’t be addressed by standard product offerings.

GET MORE PRODUCT DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EP048

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ZEHNDER GROUP ComfoAir MVHR Units Zehnder Group UK is re-launching the Greenwood Vireo MVHR unit as the Zehnder ComfoAir. The newly launched ComfoAir features a number of improvements and upgrades, such as quieter running levels, optional third speed and spare parts available on request. The product is now available in four new variants, three of which replace former Vireo models. The fourth variant, the ComfoAir 155 WMe, is a brand new model featuring a high flow heat exchanger for enhanced performance. The models available are the ComfoAir 155WM (wall mounted), the ComfoAir 155 CM (ceiling mounted), the ComfoAir 185 (wall mounted) and the ComfoAir 155 WMe (wall mounted). The new units boast a number of hardware changes, including new motors, a new flying lead and a new PCB, while software changes include a new optional third speed. As well as delivering approximately 5dB lower noise output than older models, the new ComfoAir range also demonstrates better pressure handling and higher flow rate capacities. For users, the key benefits are improved flow and quieter performance.

DOWNLOAD A PRODUCT LEAFLET AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EP049

RED ARROW Discus Downlight Equipped with a smart, fully-adjustable mounting bracket, retaining springs and slide adjustment, the Red Arrow Discus LED downlight is ideal for retrofit applications to replace recessed downlights. With the ability to fit any ceiling cut-out between 65mm and 205mm, be mounted onto a suspended or monolithic ceiling or wall mounted, it makes retrofitting a simpler task, while facilitating direct screw fixing.

The Discus’ energy saving level is next generation: in addition to an 18W dimmable version, the range also includes a wattage selectable option with a discreet switch that can set the wattage to 10W, 15W or 18W. As well as saving energy, this switch can adjust the lumen output too, so you can use the same luminaire in any application.

WATCH A DISCUS PRODUCT VIDEO AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EP050

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Products round up

The Velis Evo has landed Ariston has added the revolutionary new Velis Evo and Velis Evo Wi-Fi to its growing range of electric storage water heaters.

Boasting an ultra slim twin tank design for up to 16% more hot water availability, these technologically advanced units are available in 1.5kW and 3kW models with capacities of 45 and 80 litres. Designed for use in residential apartments, studios, holiday homes and glamping pods, the water heaters are the perfect combination of comfort and premium Italian design.

The flagship model in the range is the state-of-the-art Velis Evo Wi-Fi – the only electric water heater of its kind currently on the UK market with Wi-Fi controllability, thanks to the incredibly innovative Aqua Ariston Net app.

The new products also achieve an ErP ‘B’ rating across the range, while units also boast Ariston’s renowned anti-legionella function. Once a month, the Velis Evo automatically increases the water temperature up to 65°C, in order to eliminate the risk of legionella bacteria developing. The electric storage water

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heaters also benefit from Ariston’s ABS Safety System; this includes ‘Anti-Overheating’, ‘Anti-Freezing’ and ‘Dry Heating Self-Diagnosis’ functions, protecting products in the event of energy or water failures and providing end users with absolute peace of mind.

All models in the Velis Evo range measure just 27cm in depth and benefit from titanium enamelled tank engineering – ensuring exceptional durability and extended product life. Ariston has maximised this potential by utilising twin tank technology, which reduces stratification and provides up to 16% more hot water compared to many other electric storage water heaters.

All units in Ariston’s Velis Evo range have an easy to configure, smart ‘blue tech’ touchscreen, and are supplied with an unvented kit, as well as a five-year manufacturer’s warranty as standard.

DOWNLOAD THE VELIS EVO RANGE BROCHURE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EP051

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BISLEY WORKWEAR Hi-vis Safety Workwear

SAFE CONNECT Hot Connection Indicator Fires caused by high temperature electrical connections and/or overloaded circuit wiring is a major concern throughout the electrical industry. In England alone there are more than 7,000 fires per year associated with electrical distribution. Additionally, the problems of plant breakdown caused by overheated electrical connections or burnt out wiring are well known throughout manufacturing industries and can cause expensive business disruption. Safe Connect’s Hot Connection Indicator is an innovative and unique electrical fire safety product designed to visually highlight high resistance/high temperature electrical connections to the naked eye.

The indicator permanently changes colour at 70˚C and highlights thermal issues in electrical systems before temperatures are high enough to cause PVC or insulation heat damage. They’re designed to be installed on to connections in electrical distribution boards and will highlight real-time or historic thermal issues to electricians during intermediate or periodic electrical inspection(s). They give predictive warning which allows for planned maintenance activities rather than costly unplanned breakdown. Hot connection indicators bring an added layer of low-cost continuous safety monitoring and their simple push-on (no disconnection) application make them quick and easy to install retrospectively into existing electrical installations. Once installed their 24/7 monitoring and memory colour change (permanent) provide new distinct safety benefits over traditional periodic visual or thermal camera electrical inspections.

WATCH A PROMOTIONAL VIDEO AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EP052

From the darkest underground gold mines to the tops of the highest skyscrapers, workers can be sure they will be protected in Bisley Workwear’s high visibility safety workwear. Call it hi-vis or safety wear, the range has been specifically designed to meet the UK’s EN ISO 20471 safety specifications with Class 1, 2 or 3 rankings given to each garment based on visibility and performance. Protecting workers is Bisley’s number one priority; the high visibility garments are developed to be visible in high-risk environments and be both functional and comfortable in order to protect workers from on-the-job hazards. BSA Brands, a member of the BSIF’s registered safety supplier’s membership scheme, is launching the high visibility safety workwear range into the UK market.

DOWNLOAD THE BISLEY WORKWEAR CATALOGUE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EP053

ESP Aperta EZTAG3 Door Entry System ESP is expanding one of its best-selling products – the Aperta EZTAG door entry system – to offer installers more choice.

EZTAG3 is a sleek keypad and proximity reader, designed to provide a compact, durable and convenient solution for a wide variety of access control applications. Already available in silver, ESP has now introduced a black version which will broaden its appeal for a range of installations.

Offering straightforward installation and commissioning and with simple self-contained programming, EZTAG3 is an IP65 rated weatherproof combined access control keypad with proximity tag or pin code activation, accommodating up to 1,010 key tag holders or pin numbers. Users approach the keypad and enter a four digit code or hold a personal proximity tag within a few inches to activate one of the EZTAG3’s two on board relays, which in turn activates an appropriate door release in separate controlled areas.

DOWLOAD THE EZTAG CATALOGUE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EP054

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Going through brick has never been so quick Super Rod has launched Quick Drill – an innovative new range of drilling solutions which offer a one-tool approach to passing cables or pipes through cavity walls.

Ideal for electricians, gas engineers and builders, the Quick Drill range includes four different specially adapted drill bits: the 10mm and 16mm Quick Drills (SRQD10 and SRQD16) are perfect for routing a variety of cables including electrical, TV, satellite, telephone, alarm and data cabling; while the larger 22mm and 28mm versions (SRSDQ22 and SRSDQ28) with sleeves are more suited to multiple cable or gas pipe installations.

The 10mm and 16mm Quick Drills are especially useful for jobs where there is rubble or insulation material in the cavity wall. To use, simply attach the innovatively designed drill bit to a standard cordless drill to make the hole through the cavity wall. The drill bit is then left in place while the cable is attached to a hole at the end of the drill bit before the Quick Drill and the cable are pulled back through the cavity wall.

Should the cable need to be routed the other way, simply detach the Quick Drill bit from the SDS and use the hole in the shank end of the bit to pull cables from the other direction.

For bigger jobs where multiple cables or gas pipework needs to be passed through much thicker walls, the 22mm and 28mm sleeved Quick Drills are the ideal solution. The

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28mm sleeved Quick Drill is suitable for walls up to 225mm deep, whilst the 22mm sleeved Quick Drill is suitable for walls up to 345mm deep.

To use, simply put a sleeve onto the Quick Drill bit (this will be held in place using a top hat guide during drilling), drill through the cavity wall as normal and then remove the drill bit, leaving the sleeve in place. The sleeve stays put within the wall to provide a secure and stable passage for cables and pipes.

The sleeved Quick Drills come in a starter pack with a ready-to-use sleeve, which can also be purchased separately.

The SRDQ22 pack comes with a rigid black sleeve (Ø22 X 230mm) and the SRDQ28 comes with a rigid yellow sleeve (Ø28 X 230mm). The sleeves are pre-cut so there’s no need to cut on-site.

All of Super Rod’s Quick Drill products are made from tough carbide for increased penetration, long tool life and maximum efficiency across many different types of materials.

GET MORE QUICK DRILL DETAILS AND RESOURCES AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EP055

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Products round up

UNICRIMP All-round Banding Range

XCITE Non Corrosive Luminaires Combining durability with performance, practicality and ease of installation, the latest offering from xcite covers all bases for today’s customers. The new Non Corrosive luminaire updates the xcite arduous lighting range, ideal for industrial spaces, covered car parks and plant rooms. This weatherproof fixture has an IP65 rating, ensuring the water and dust ingress protection required for such installations. In addition to delivering a powerful solution for end users, the range is also designed to be easier to install for contractors. Simple stainless steel fixing brackets are attached directly to the mounting surface, allowing the Non Corrosive units to be snapped directly and securely into place. Utilising high quality LED modules and achieving up to 117lm/W, the range provides a 30,000 hour lifespan and three-year warranty, offering both value and performance. Three hours emergency and microwave sensor options, for additional use in safety/emergency escape lighting, are also available.

DOWNLOAD A PRODUCT LEAFLET AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EP056

Unicrimp continues to expand its cable accessories portfolio with the addition of a new range of All Round Banding. The new products will sit within the growing Unicrimp Q-Fire fire-rated range and will provide users with an expanded choice of fixing solutions, suitable across a range of applications and environments, to ensure they’re keeping in line with current regulations. The pre-punched steel banding is highly versatile and has multipurpose uses – to secure cables, pipes, ducts and conduits. It is easy to cut and bend and the pre-punched holes allow for easy fixing using nails, screws, or bolts. The All Round Banding range now comprises a choice of a non-coated galvanized steel finish in 12mm and 17mm widths, LSF coated options in black (12mm and 17mm widths), plus red and white colour choices (available in 12mm widths). They’re all supplied boxed in a 10m coil size.

GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EP057

KNIPEX TwinKey Never be locked out again! Whether you’re dealing with gas and water supply, fuse boxes or air conditioning, the KNIPEX TwinKey is designed to open all established locking systems. The product is a clever little design; it has two four-way cross keys magnetically held together, making up eight arms but taking up little space. When unclamped the keys remain connected to each other by a stable stainless steel wire, so they won’t get lost. Both sides of the universal key have different, quality coated surfaces (matt and shiny) and weighing in at just 135g and only 92mm, it fits in any pocket. So whether you’re faced with needing to gain access to water supplies, air con units, shut off systems or even access roads, you’ll never have to wonder if you’ve got the right key again. Ten profiles, two crosses – one key.

WATCH THE TWINKEY IN ACTION AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EP058

SNICKERS WORKWEAR ProtecWork Protective Clothing Offering advanced protective wear for heat and flame, electrostatic, mechanical and chemical risk environments, Snickers Workwear’s ProtecWork range has new additions to its garments including Class 1 and 2 hi-vis work trousers, tops and sweatshirts. Fully accredited for a variety of risk environments all the garments are manufactured from tailor-made fabrics, designed to respond to the demands and risk factors of the conditions in which they’re worn. So with over 60 different garments and accessories to choose from, you can make sure you get the right protection, visibility, flexibility, comfort and freedom of movement on-site.

CHECK OUT THE RANGE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EP059

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Did you know...

C-TEC’s new HAK/1 Hush-ActiV Grade C domestic fire alarm kit is now available?

Designed to lift the level of fire protection in flats, apartments and other residential dwellings, the kit includes everything you need to create a typical LD2 fire alarm system to BS 5839-6 (2019).

Key features include an attractive Central Controller with accessible HUSH and TEST buttons, comprehensive monitoring of open circuit, short circuit, battery and power supply faults and only one rechargeable 72 hour standby battery for the entire system.

Manufactured by C-TEC in the UK, the fact the Controller's HUSH and TEST buttons can be operated whilst standing at floor level also helps facilitate full compliance with the Equality Act.

HAK/1 Hush ActiV BS5839-6 Grade C Domestic Fire Alarm Kits

HAK/1 Kit co contents ontents

Lounge Kitchen

1 x Hush-ActiV Controller c/w 72 hour standby battery

Bedroom Bathroom Supply

Supply

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093_PE_APR20_Layout 1 05/03/2020 17:06 Page 93

DIGITAL DIGEST

PE’S TOP 5 SMART TECHNOLOGY ARTICLES

S

ervicing all your electrical needs, PE’s supporting website is packed with up-to-the-minute, relevant information for our readers. As always, our technical and feature sections continue to prove incredibly popular. If you’re looking for advice and guidance on smart homes, concepts and technology, you’d be wise to check out one of our top five articles for 2020.

1. LIGHTWAVE PRO CASE STUDY: S.BOARDER ELECTRICAL We talk to Stephen Boarder of S.Boarder Electrical to find out why his company has benefitted from some ‘smart’ decisions – including the use of Lightwave RF products.

WWW.RDR.LINK/EP062

technology is shaping the smart cities of tomorrow.

WWW.RDR.LINK/EP063

4. OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS As interest in connected home devices continues to rise, Google Nest breaks down how this is set to offer opportunities for installers in the future.

WWW.RDR.LINK/EP065

3. PRODUCT TEST: ENERGENIE MIHOME WIFI SMART PLUG PE product tester George Robertson gets the opportunity to try out the Energenie MiHome WiFi Smart Plug.

WWW.RDR.LINK/EP064

2. SMART LIGHTING: MAKING CITIES SLICKER The focus for smart lighting is shifting from interior to exterior and the outdoor lighting industry is ready to flick the switch. Martin Allcock, CP Electronics’ OEM Sales Manager, looks at how new

5. WILL THE SMART GRID OF THE FUTURE BE A SUCCESS? Luke Osborne, Energy Solutions Advisor at ECA, takes a look at why the electrical grid has the capability to be smarter than ever in the future and how electrical contractors can take advantage of the opportunities this presents.

WWW.RDR.LINK/EP073

HUNDREDS OF ARTICLES AT THE CLICK OF A BUTTON! An archive of all the PE technical and feature content that you see each month, plus exclusive online-only articles, can be found at: WWW.RDR.LINK/EP061

PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN April 2020 93

093_PE_APR20_Layout 1 05/03/2020 16:15 Page 94

DIGITAL ROUND-UP

‘Master the Craft’ with Schneider Schneider Electric has launched Master the Craft, an initiative to support electricians in the UK. The initiative will provide electricians with tools and resources to help them improve and develop new skills. Central to its implementation are a series of webinars, the extension of the mySchneider App and the creation of a new Facebook community, The Electrician Group.

The webinars will feature industry experts, including members of the e5 Group, who will be discussing topics such as training pathways for electricians. The App is an electrical hub providing access to product catalogues, a quotation builder, live chat support and the rewards loyalty scheme. The Facebook group aims to connect and create a dialogue between industry professionals, as well as serve as a home for promotions, events and giveaways.

“Electricians are vital to modern society, keeping our homes and businesses running. They don’t always get the credit they deserve – they stay on top of the increasingly technical aspects of the job while managing their businesses and customers. It is a true craft, which takes time and dedication to master,” said Julien Levet, Electrician Channel VP at Schneider Electric.

“At Schneider Electric we have immense respect for electricians and their craft. We feel it is our responsibility to empower industry professionals, making them feel valued and proud of their work and supporting them throughout their career.”

Facebook community The Electrician Group – Powered by Schneider Electric is a Facebook community where electricians can share, chat and get easy access to expert content and assistance. Members can ask for advice and speak to Schneider directly, as well as join livestreams from industry experts. These include Schneider’s John Bradley, who chairs JPEL/64 (the decision-making committee for the BS 7671 Wiring Regulations). The group is easily accessible on any device and is open to electricians from the UK and Ireland.

JOIN THE ELECTRICIAN GROUP FACEBOOK COMMUNITY BY VISITING: WWW.RDR.LINK/EP066

Enhanced SELECTcerts App launched A new and improved version of SELECT’s popular SELECTcerts App has been launched.

The innovative service helps the trade association’s members create a full range of electronic certificates quickly and easily and can also be used to create a client database and installation locations.

“SELECTcerts Version 2.0 offers a far more user-friendly experience and comes with a few other tools built-in, such as a scheduling calendar”, says Dave Forrester, Director of Technical Services.

“It is designed to be easier to use on mobile devices with a simple step-by-step approach to completing certificates and reports. It also features the ability to complete and issue Certificates of Construction.”

SELECTcerts is designed to be accessed by all internet-enabled devices and is available from Google Play, Windows App Store and the Apple App Store.

DOWNLOAD THE SELECTCERTS APP AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EP067

94 April 2020 PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN

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WANT TO KNOW MORE? TO HELP YOU FIND OUT MORE ABOUT ANYTHING YOU’VE SEEN IN THIS ISSUE, WE’VE INTRODUCED A NEW DIGITAL INFORMATION SERVICE. RDR.LINK IS DESIGNED TO GET YOU FASTER ACCESS STRAIGHT TO THE EXACT ONLINE PLATFORM THAT HAS THE SPECIFIC INFORMATION YOU WANT. FROM VIDEOS TO TECHNICAL GUIDES, PDF’S TO PODCASTS – RDR.LINK WILL TAKE YOU STRAIGHT THERE.

TECHNICAL &

TRAINING

“THE ONLINES COURSE WA PERFECT FOR ME!” product A trio of PE’s their testers give on the IET thoughts online 18th Academy’s ing.

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096_PE_APR20_Layout 1 05/03/2020 16:34 Page 96

VIDEO WATCH

Test Instrument Solutions

Introducing the MFT-ECO Tester Recently launched is the new MFT-ECO Multifunctional Installation Tester from TIS, which features an accurate and reliable 2 (patent pending) and 3 wire loop test. The unit allows automatic testing of the three insulations tests from one connection, while an Auto Start mode is selectable for quick and easy testing. Fast automatic RCD testing is achievable and users will benefit from the large LCD screen which can display LPE/LN loop testing with PFC/PSC results on a single test. Right or left hand use is facilitated thanks to the dual test button, and the unit comes with a neck strap and safety harness.

Users further benefit from a built-in fuse characteristic table, along with an ‘OK’ and ‘Fail’ display.

This promotional video offers users more details about the product and its many features and functions.

WATCH THE VIDEO AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EP068

WORTH A LOOK! OVIA

PE Magazine

OVIA’s range of emergency products are ‘self-contained’, ensuring that emergency signs or luminaires have all components (such as the battery, lamp and control gear) contained within the same housing or within 1m of the housing.

Find out more about the selection on offer in this video.

Want to find out more on an article you've seen in our latest issue? Find the personalised five character code at the bottom of the article and use these simple steps to be taken straight to the relevant information. This how-to guide will show you just how easy it is to find the information you need.

Introducing OVIA Emergency Lighting

WATCH THE VIDEO AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EP069

How to use The RDR.LINK system

WATCH THE VIDEO AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/EP070

Keep up-to-date with the latest technical and product-related videos from around the industry by subscribing to PE’s dedicated YouTube channel at: www.youtube.com/user/ProElectricianMag/videos 96 April 2020 PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN

097_PE_APR20_Layout 1 05/03/2020 16:18 Page 97

CAUGHT ON

C A M E R A Sam Featherstone (via Facebook): I found this little beauty in a kitchen unit, right under a gas boiler. The main meter tails had been extended using connector blocks. The customer threw water on it to put it out!

SOCIAL SNAPS!

Ian Stroud (via Facebook): Neutral burn out on a 10-year old consumer unit!

Chas (via Facebook): The customer could smell burning behind their appliances. After pulling them out they found a washing machine, dishwasher, fridge, microwave and freezer all running from this plug-in adapter.

Callum Leech (via Twitter): If in doubt just twist it together.

Jesus Christ!

Flow Electrics (via Twitter): I’d guess this board is overdue an EICR? I honestly believe this was the last time the unit was checked!

Dave Appleby (via Twitter): Found this in an unlocked cupboard. 6mm at the top is live and the 2.5mm T&E (bottom left) are again lopped off live.

PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN April 2020 97

098 PE APRIL 2020 INDEX_Layout 1 05/03/2020 12:12 Page 98

ADVERTISER INDEX ALL LED Ltd .................................................................................Page 4

Luceco UK Ltd ..........................................................................Page 59

Ariston ........................................................................................Page 53

Lux General Lighting Ltd ........................................................Page 79

BG Electrical Ltd ........................................................................Page 15

M2 Electrical ..............................................................................Page 16

Blauberg UK Ltd ..................................................................Pages 10,11

Manrose Manufacturing .........................................................Page 89

Bromleighs .................................................................................Page 87

Megger Ltd ................................................................................Page 60

Carl Kammerling International Ltd .......................................Page 81

Metrel UK Ltd ..............................................................................Page 8

CED ..............................................................................................Page 70

Niglon Ltd ............................................................................Pages 12,13

CEDIA ..........................................................................................Page 34

Ovia Lighting .............................................................................Page 56

CEENorm U.K. Ltd ............................................................Pages 40,76

PASS (Portable Appliance Safety Services) Ltd ..............Page 89

Centaur Manufacturing ...........................................................Page 76

Prefect Controls Ltd ................................................................Page 89

Chint Europe (UK) Ltd .............................................................Page 73

Premier Technology Academy Ltd ......................................Page 19

C-TEC Ltd ...................................................................................Page 56

Red Arrow Electrical Distribution ........................................Page 46

DANLERS Ltd ............................................................................Page 86

Safe-Connect ............................................................................Page 73

Deta Electrical Company Ltd ................................................Page 43

Scolmore International Ltd ....................................................Page 34

Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) ..........................Page 23

Seaward Electronic Ltd ..........................................................Page 20

Electrorad UK Ltd .......................................................................Page 7

Selectric ......................................................................................Page 49

ELEX .............................................................................................Page 91

Shayla Electrical Ltd ................................................................Page 64

Elite Security Products Ltd ....................................................Page 49

Solid Franchising Ltd ..............................................................Page 83

Emelux Lighting Equipment ..................................................Page 85

Specialised Wiring Accessories Ltd ...................................Page 28

Ferroli Ltd ...................................................................................Page 73

Super Rod Ltd ............................................................................Page 31

flex7 Ltd ...................................................................Inside Back Cover

Tamlite Lighting ........................................................................Page 37

Fluke (UK) Ltd ...........................................................................Page 54

Tenmat Ltd .................................................................................Page 43

Forum Lighting Solutions Ltd ................................................Page 63

The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) .....Page 63

Google Nest .........................................Gatefold Inside Front Cover

Timeguard Ltd ..........................................................................Page 50

Hager Ltd ...................................................................................Page 24

Trade Skills 4U .........................................................................Page 83

Hamilton Litestat ......................................................................Page 69

Tysoft Software Ltd .................................................................Page 89

Hyco Manufacturing Ltd .........................................................Page 87

V-TAC UK Ltd .....................................................Outside Back Cover

LEDVANCE Ltd .........................................................................Page 70

Werner Co. ................................................................................Page 83

Lewden Palazzoli Group ........................................................Page 75

Wise Controls ...........................................................................Page 86

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